March 17, 2013
2013 Festival of Fools
The Festival of Fools Celebrates Lucky 13 This Year!
An odd assortment of characters are assembling their props at The Forks Market: rabbits, stilts, face paint, balloons, bowling pins, red noses and aerial hoops. It’s all in preparation for full nine days of FREE family foolishness during the 13th Annual Festival of Fools presented by Scotiabank at The Forks Market from Saturday March 23 to Sunday March 31, 2013.
The Festival of Fools presented by Scotiabank features crafts, clowns, face painting and much more from 11am to 3pm daily. Join in the fun with circus acts like Ontario aerial dancer Aerial Ana, Alberta's Flyin' Bob and Gustavo the Impossibilist, and B.C.'s Mike "so, like totally" Battie. It's a great way to keep the kids entertained this Spring Break!
This year’s Festival of Fools coincides with Easter weekend – and to ramp up the fun, the Easter Bunny will be making appearances on March 29, 30 and 31.
New hands-on Circus Workshops are happening weekdays at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and
2:30. Kids can learn how to hula hoop, juggle and balance a “diabolo.”
Back by popular demand: recently introduced Trapeze Workshops on Saturdays and
Sundays. Kids will learn the fine art of trapeze in The Forks Market Atrium. Register at
the Festival of Fools General Store or information tables.
Face-painting, crafts and clowning around kicks off daily at 11 a.m. with performances taking place between 12 noon and 3 p.m. Magicians, jugglers, clowns and variety performers from across Canada will converge for the Festival of Fools, with Manitoba talent including The Majake Show, magician Ryan Price and zany entertainer Mr. Mark.
The Festival of Fools is a yearly event presented by Scotiabank held by the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, in partnership with The Forks Market, the Winnipeg Arts Council, Canadian Heritage and Scotiabank. Many of the performers will re-appear in Winnipeg later this summer during the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival June 6-9 at The Forks.
An odd assortment of characters are assembling their props at The Forks Market: rabbits, stilts, face paint, balloons, bowling pins, red noses and aerial hoops. It’s all in preparation for full nine days of FREE family foolishness during the 13th Annual Festival of Fools presented by Scotiabank at The Forks Market from Saturday March 23 to Sunday March 31, 2013.
The Festival of Fools presented by Scotiabank features crafts, clowns, face painting and much more from 11am to 3pm daily. Join in the fun with circus acts like Ontario aerial dancer Aerial Ana, Alberta's Flyin' Bob and Gustavo the Impossibilist, and B.C.'s Mike "so, like totally" Battie. It's a great way to keep the kids entertained this Spring Break!
This year’s Festival of Fools coincides with Easter weekend – and to ramp up the fun, the Easter Bunny will be making appearances on March 29, 30 and 31.
New hands-on Circus Workshops are happening weekdays at 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and
2:30. Kids can learn how to hula hoop, juggle and balance a “diabolo.”
Back by popular demand: recently introduced Trapeze Workshops on Saturdays and
Sundays. Kids will learn the fine art of trapeze in The Forks Market Atrium. Register at
the Festival of Fools General Store or information tables.
Face-painting, crafts and clowning around kicks off daily at 11 a.m. with performances taking place between 12 noon and 3 p.m. Magicians, jugglers, clowns and variety performers from across Canada will converge for the Festival of Fools, with Manitoba talent including The Majake Show, magician Ryan Price and zany entertainer Mr. Mark.
The Festival of Fools is a yearly event presented by Scotiabank held by the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, in partnership with The Forks Market, the Winnipeg Arts Council, Canadian Heritage and Scotiabank. Many of the performers will re-appear in Winnipeg later this summer during the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival June 6-9 at The Forks.
By Kidsfest
May 11, 2012
Kidsfest 2012 Official Lineup Revealed!
Among the headliners at the 30th annual Kidsfest happening June 7-10, 2012 at The Forks:
Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Australia)
Pet their scaly skin. Feed their ferocious appetites. Get close enough to those razor-sharp teeth to smell prehistoric dino-breath! The Dinosaur Petting Zoo brings kids inches away from the steely claws of the most magnificent beings ever to roam the earth, all controlled by the masterful puppeteers at Australia’s Erth Inc. Accompanied by some fascinating fossil-facts, told with heart and humour, the Zoo hypnotizes audiences with its complex creatures. And while the baby Dryosaur seems cute, be careful not to turn your back on the Tyrannosaur! Recommended for ages 5-plus. www.erth.com.au
The Monkey Bunch (Ontario)
The Monkey Bunch is bringing power — and rock ‘n’ roll — to the little people! Storming the stage with a four-piece band, this Juno-nominated act believes that given the chance, children can and will change the world. Ready to take their enviro-friendly message to the sandbox, to the playground and beyond, these rock stars engage audiences with humour and music that both kids and adults can enjoy. This high-energy concert will have your kids dancing, rushing the stage and going BANANAS! www.themonkeybunch.com
The Funny Waiter Show (Ontario/Michigan)
This ridiculous “comedy waiter act” has a spectacular plate-spinning finish. See marshmallows become airborne appetizers! Who will catch one in their mouth first? Then, there’s the epic water drinking duel, always a crowd favorite! Plate Spinning? Nine at once! One of the most exciting finales ever has been given a comedy makeover with non-stop laughs. This plate spinner is not a rude waiter. Instead he gets his laughs - as much as any stand up comic or comedian - with original comedy routines involving food, drink, music, and more. http://www.johnparkcomedy.com/funnywaiter.html
Fred Penner & The Cat’s Meow Band (Manitoba)
International children’s musical star and festival fave returns with all his sing-a-long hits! Fred Penner has been a prominent children's entertainerin North America for over 25 years. Fred is a member of the Order of Canada, and is recognized internationally as an exceptional artist whose music resonates with family values and imaginative style. www.fredpenner.com
Jake Chénier (Manitoba)
Jake will perform some of his trademark songs, like “Buzz Buzzity Buzz” – which won the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest Grand Prize in the children’s category. Dedicated to the educational entertainment of children, Jake Chénier has performed in over 600 schools, fairs and festivals across Canada and the United States. www.jakechenier.com
Al Simmons (Manitoba)
Al Simmons’ one-man, multi-prop, music-filled, off the wall performances have elevated audiences world-wide to collective giggles and all-out guffaws. At once childlike in its simplicity and sophisticated in its execution, Al’s humour touches a responsive chord in people of every age. Vaudeville’s half-century run of popularity may have died back in the 1940's, but don’t try to tell that to Al Simmons or the crowds of fans that have packed theatres across North America to see him. http://www.alsimmons.com
Summer Bear Dance Troupe (Manitoba)
Interactive hoop dancing – and much, much more! Formed under the direction of Barbara Nepinak, there are Ojibway, Cree, Assiniboine and Sioux tribes represented in the Summer Bear Dance Troupe, ranging in age from four and up. They perform dances such as the Grass Dance, the Traditional, the Fancy Feather and Shawl Dance, the Hoop Dance and the Jingle Dress. The name of the group originated from the original Ojibway name of Nepinak - "Neebin-ni-maqua" meaning SummerBear. The regalia of the dancers are usually handmade by the group - custom made for each dancer and carrying meaning for each individual. http://www.folklorama.ca/performers/97
Other Highlights:
This year’s Kidsfest features one of Manitoba’s finest French-Canadian children’s performers, Jake Chenier, acoustic/bluegrass children’s musician Aaron Burnett, comedic daredevil, Gustavo the Impossibilist, and many other world class entertainers. Also back by popular demand is the “Interactive Venue” where kids can actively participate in workshops with headline performers. Try flying through the air during our Swinging Trapeze Workshops with Dragon Fly & A Girl In The Sky, learn some cool magic tricks with Anders Boulanger, and learn some hoop dancing moves with Summer Bear Dance Troupe.
Kidsfest also presents more than 24 lively hands-on activity centres where kids can play with clay, make a kite, try on costumes, create a pair of wings, make crafts like necklaces and paper bag puppets and go “critter dipping.” All activities listed here: http://kidsfest.ca/festival-info/activities
Dinosaur Petting Zoo (Australia)
Pet their scaly skin. Feed their ferocious appetites. Get close enough to those razor-sharp teeth to smell prehistoric dino-breath! The Dinosaur Petting Zoo brings kids inches away from the steely claws of the most magnificent beings ever to roam the earth, all controlled by the masterful puppeteers at Australia’s Erth Inc. Accompanied by some fascinating fossil-facts, told with heart and humour, the Zoo hypnotizes audiences with its complex creatures. And while the baby Dryosaur seems cute, be careful not to turn your back on the Tyrannosaur! Recommended for ages 5-plus. www.erth.com.au
The Monkey Bunch (Ontario)
The Monkey Bunch is bringing power — and rock ‘n’ roll — to the little people! Storming the stage with a four-piece band, this Juno-nominated act believes that given the chance, children can and will change the world. Ready to take their enviro-friendly message to the sandbox, to the playground and beyond, these rock stars engage audiences with humour and music that both kids and adults can enjoy. This high-energy concert will have your kids dancing, rushing the stage and going BANANAS! www.themonkeybunch.com
The Funny Waiter Show (Ontario/Michigan)
This ridiculous “comedy waiter act” has a spectacular plate-spinning finish. See marshmallows become airborne appetizers! Who will catch one in their mouth first? Then, there’s the epic water drinking duel, always a crowd favorite! Plate Spinning? Nine at once! One of the most exciting finales ever has been given a comedy makeover with non-stop laughs. This plate spinner is not a rude waiter. Instead he gets his laughs - as much as any stand up comic or comedian - with original comedy routines involving food, drink, music, and more. http://www.johnparkcomedy.com/funnywaiter.html
Fred Penner & The Cat’s Meow Band (Manitoba)
International children’s musical star and festival fave returns with all his sing-a-long hits! Fred Penner has been a prominent children's entertainerin North America for over 25 years. Fred is a member of the Order of Canada, and is recognized internationally as an exceptional artist whose music resonates with family values and imaginative style. www.fredpenner.com
Jake Chénier (Manitoba)
Jake will perform some of his trademark songs, like “Buzz Buzzity Buzz” – which won the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest Grand Prize in the children’s category. Dedicated to the educational entertainment of children, Jake Chénier has performed in over 600 schools, fairs and festivals across Canada and the United States. www.jakechenier.com
Al Simmons (Manitoba)
Al Simmons’ one-man, multi-prop, music-filled, off the wall performances have elevated audiences world-wide to collective giggles and all-out guffaws. At once childlike in its simplicity and sophisticated in its execution, Al’s humour touches a responsive chord in people of every age. Vaudeville’s half-century run of popularity may have died back in the 1940's, but don’t try to tell that to Al Simmons or the crowds of fans that have packed theatres across North America to see him. http://www.alsimmons.com
Summer Bear Dance Troupe (Manitoba)
Interactive hoop dancing – and much, much more! Formed under the direction of Barbara Nepinak, there are Ojibway, Cree, Assiniboine and Sioux tribes represented in the Summer Bear Dance Troupe, ranging in age from four and up. They perform dances such as the Grass Dance, the Traditional, the Fancy Feather and Shawl Dance, the Hoop Dance and the Jingle Dress. The name of the group originated from the original Ojibway name of Nepinak - "Neebin-ni-maqua" meaning SummerBear. The regalia of the dancers are usually handmade by the group - custom made for each dancer and carrying meaning for each individual. http://www.folklorama.ca/performers/97
Other Highlights:
This year’s Kidsfest features one of Manitoba’s finest French-Canadian children’s performers, Jake Chenier, acoustic/bluegrass children’s musician Aaron Burnett, comedic daredevil, Gustavo the Impossibilist, and many other world class entertainers. Also back by popular demand is the “Interactive Venue” where kids can actively participate in workshops with headline performers. Try flying through the air during our Swinging Trapeze Workshops with Dragon Fly & A Girl In The Sky, learn some cool magic tricks with Anders Boulanger, and learn some hoop dancing moves with Summer Bear Dance Troupe.
Kidsfest also presents more than 24 lively hands-on activity centres where kids can play with clay, make a kite, try on costumes, create a pair of wings, make crafts like necklaces and paper bag puppets and go “critter dipping.” All activities listed here: http://kidsfest.ca/festival-info/activities
By Kidsfest
May 7, 2012
Kidsfest Turns 30 – Tell us your stories!
With the Winnipeg International Children's Festival celebrating its 30th anniversary, we would love to hear your stories!
Maybe you were at the first Children's Festival at Assiniboine Park back in 1983. Perhaps you attended, volunteered or performed during those first few start-up years - and now have kids or grandkids who attend.
Or maybe you just have a wonderful Kidsfest memory - or old photos - you'd love to share.
In any case, we'd love to hear from you! Share your stories and photos with us.
Whether your experience is decades old, or recent, we'd love to hear what it is. Please email your interesting stories to our Kidsfest publicist Lisa Saunders at lisa@soundstrategy.ca. We'll be selecting a few stories to share on our Kidsfest website and social media pages in the next few weeks.
The Winnipeg International Children's Festival - celebrating 30 great years! Join us June 7-10, 2012 at The Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Maybe you were at the first Children's Festival at Assiniboine Park back in 1983. Perhaps you attended, volunteered or performed during those first few start-up years - and now have kids or grandkids who attend.
Or maybe you just have a wonderful Kidsfest memory - or old photos - you'd love to share.
In any case, we'd love to hear from you! Share your stories and photos with us.
Whether your experience is decades old, or recent, we'd love to hear what it is. Please email your interesting stories to our Kidsfest publicist Lisa Saunders at lisa@soundstrategy.ca. We'll be selecting a few stories to share on our Kidsfest website and social media pages in the next few weeks.
The Winnipeg International Children's Festival - celebrating 30 great years! Join us June 7-10, 2012 at The Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
By Kidsfest
April 10, 2012
Kidsfest is growing up. It’s turning 30 years old: CBC Manitoba
(source: CBC Manitoba, Monday April 2, 2012) Kidsfest is growing up. It's turning 30 years old.
The annual Winnipeg International Children's Festival has launched a fundraising campaign, "$30 for 30 Years." Al Simmons and Fred Penner are Honourary co-chairs of the campaign and they're asking people to donate $30 (representing a dollar for every year) to keep the festival going for another 30 years. The goal of the campaign is $30,000.
View the full story here: http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/scene/theatre/2012/04/02/kidsfest-30th-anniversary/
Thank you to CBC reporter Andrea Ratuski for covering the story.
The annual Winnipeg International Children's Festival has launched a fundraising campaign, "$30 for 30 Years." Al Simmons and Fred Penner are Honourary co-chairs of the campaign and they're asking people to donate $30 (representing a dollar for every year) to keep the festival going for another 30 years. The goal of the campaign is $30,000.
View the full story here: http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/scene/theatre/2012/04/02/kidsfest-30th-anniversary/
Thank you to CBC reporter Andrea Ratuski for covering the story.
By Kidsfest
April 10, 2012
Kidsfest launches $30 For 30 Years campaign
Honourary Kidsfest co-chair Al Simmons and a pack of pint-sized clowns were on hand as the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival kicked off its $30 for 30 Years fundraising campaign at The Forks Centre Court on Friday March 30, 2012.
As honourary co-chairs of the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival 30th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign, Al Simmons and Fred Penner are asking all Kidsfest Friends to donate a minimum of $30, which represents $1 for every year the Festival has existed. Funds raised will help make sure Kidsfest continues in our community for another 30 fun-filled years!
The fundraising goal of this year’s $30 for 30 Years campaign is $30,000.
People interested in donating to the $30 for 30 Years campaign can visit the Kidsfest donor page at http://kidsfest.ca/about/donor-page or email kidsfest@kidsfest.ca for a donor sign-up sheet.
The campaign is a pre-curser to this year’s Kidsfest happening June 7-10 at The Forks.
As honourary co-chairs of the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival 30th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign, Al Simmons and Fred Penner are asking all Kidsfest Friends to donate a minimum of $30, which represents $1 for every year the Festival has existed. Funds raised will help make sure Kidsfest continues in our community for another 30 fun-filled years!
The fundraising goal of this year’s $30 for 30 Years campaign is $30,000.
People interested in donating to the $30 for 30 Years campaign can visit the Kidsfest donor page at http://kidsfest.ca/about/donor-page or email kidsfest@kidsfest.ca for a donor sign-up sheet.
The campaign is a pre-curser to this year’s Kidsfest happening June 7-10 at The Forks.
By Kidsfest
March 24, 2012
It’s Spring Break. Who’s got time for boredom?: Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Free Press reporter Carolin Vesely covers all the antics happening at the 2012 Scotiabank Festival of Fools at the Forks, presented by the Winnipeg International Children's Festival.
To read Carolin's story, visit http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/its-spring-break-whos-got-time-for-boredom-144071976.html
To read Carolin's story, visit http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/its-spring-break-whos-got-time-for-boredom-144071976.html
By Kidsfest
June 10, 2011
Kidsfest Continues all Weekend
Kidsfest is in its 29th year and is better than ever, with a mix of music, magic, artistry, acrobatics and fun.
Read the complete Metro Winnipeg article in a new window.
Read the complete Metro Winnipeg article in a new window.
By Kidsfest
June 10, 2011
Kidsfest Bubbling Over with Awe and Wonder
The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant may be appearing in Winnipeg this month, but did either of those 60-something legends ever create a smoke-filled, cube-shaped soap bubble inside a cluster of six other bubbles?
Read the complete Free Press article in a new window.
Read the complete Free Press article in a new window.
By Kidsfest
June 8, 2011
Mission: joie de vivre
Pour les musiciens, magiciens, clowns et trapézistes du Kidsfest 2011, faire rire les enfants, parents et grands-parents est plus qu’un métier. C’est une vocation.
Open article in new window
Open article in new window
By Kidsfest
May 1, 2011
Winnipeg International Children’s Festival Proudly Presents KIDSFEST 2011!
Where else in town do you get to see zany circus acts, high strung acrobatics, comic daredevils, pure artistry, absurdity and foolishness - plus unique musical performances by international artists. Only at the 29th Annual Kidsfest - that's where!
Open article in new window
Open article in new window
By Winnipeg Parent