For the past 35 years, the International Children’s Festival of the Arts has made it possible for children of all backgrounds to enjoy theatre, dance, music, puppetry, mime, stilt-walking and the visual arts in a setting made especially for them.
Boasting an exceptionally successful formula, the International Children’s Festival is poised to add an extra day to its traditional five-day run.
Yes, the 36th edition themed Your Passport to Adventure will run six days from Tuesday, May 30 to Sunday, June 4 on the banks of St. Albert’s Sturgeon River.
Festival co-ordinator Stephen Bourdeau explained that for many years visitors had asked for an expansion. However, the festival team was unsure whether demand would justify the added expense.
Following input from patrons and an extensive market research survey conducted in partnership with Tourism Alberta, organizers crunched the numbers, tweaked the programming and attached the Sunday add-on.
“Through the study we learned we had two audiences. Two-thirds of the school audience was seven to nine. But the public audience was mostly preschool age. Different audiences look at different experiences and we decided why not go the extra mile,” said Bourdeau.
A second big change is the addition of a free International Children’s Festival of the Arts app recognizable by its butterfly logo. Organizers are eliminating the brochure and only printing 20,000 flyers that will be available to the public.
“It’s a new change for us. A few years ago, our brochure peaked at 64 pages. It became cumbersome and we started simplifying the process. The app will feature performances, site activities and a site map overlaid over a Google map. It can redirect you to Ticketmaster and you can build your own schedule and share it with friends and family.”
With some shows already being close to sold-out, Bourdeau hopes the fingertip-ready app will encourage patrons to book early to avoid disappointment.
One of the most in-demand productions is The Man Who Planted Trees presented by Scotland’s Puppet State Theatre Company. It is an enchanting tale about a French shepherd and Dog, his trusty puppet companion. Together they plant seeds and acorns and transform an empty wasteland into lush forest full of life.
“The last time it was here (2010), it was such a wonderful show. It touches on so many levels – smells, sounds and visual aspects.”
Another one of the more popular shows is St. Albert Children Theatre’s Madagascar – A Musical Adventure. And no wonder. Kids loved the original DreamWorks animated motion picture filled with an upbeat score, snappy lyrics and outlandish but charming characters.
Returning to the festival is New Orleans’ Lightwire Theatre with their innovative blacklight production of Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey. The topic is fitting in.
Marvin is a young mouse bullied by the “cool rats.” Retreating into a world of fantasy by flying his homemade rocket to the moon, he meets a misfit band of neon creatures.
“Rather than change himself to fit in, he discovers a support group that embrace who he is. It’s a visually stunning piece and takes you away.”
Armed with drumsticks and their trademark blue barrels, Quebec’s BAM Percussion returns with their savage drumming, powerful rhythms and off-the-wall humour.
“They have high energy and are exceedingly funny, loud and in-your-face. It’s one of the most popular shows with school groups.”
American contortionist Jonathan Burns makes his debut appearance at the festival using a blend of flexibility, goofiness and non-stop energy.
“He’s about 90 lbs. soaking wet. He’ll step through a tennis racket and fits into a suitcase and zips it up while he’s talking.”
The mystical dance Niniimi’iwe, created by Winnipeg’s Aboriginal School of Dance, fuses traditional and contemporary movements. It tells the story of creation featuring everything from an enormous butterfly to a buffalo hunt.
“They’ve created this show specifically for the festival and it will include blacklight performance, their traditional regalia and the use of large props.”
Vancouver’s Pangaea Arts, in collaboration with Korea’s ArtStage San, introduce Sangja, the story of an adopted boy who travels from Canada to Korea. He struggles to find his place in the world as he comes to terms with the loss of his birth family, his language and culture.
“He learns to look at the similarities of both cultures and that you don’t need to fit in a box.”
For the very young crowd, CBC television star and bilingual singer Will Stroet as well as Treehouse TV’s Splash ’N Boots return with their blend of magical munchkin music.
Tickets are $10.50 and are on sale at the Arden box office 780-459-1542 or ticketmaster.ca.
