Friday, May 20
Festival Kick-Off Party featuring DJ Ira with special guest Norman Foote
5pm
Show details
Dust off your dancing shoes, warm-up your vocal cords, and get ready to celebrate as we kick off the 2022 Whistler Children’s Festival in style with Whistler’s own DJ Ira Pettle and special guest, Norman Foote!
Artist Bio
Ira Pettle Bio:
If ‘Kid Whisperer’ was a job, Ira Pettle would write the handbook. With over 25 years of performing, entertaining, and educating audiences of all ages, Ira truly is a multi-talented (and award-winning) creative. With music at the core of his life’s work, he’s now working with Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Norman Foote, preparing to release his debut record of original songs called, A Little Bit. With his interactive style, comedic flair, and infectious sincerity, Ira is thrilled to be stepping into this next chapter and sharing it for the first time at this year’s Whistler Children’s Festival.
Norman Foote Bio:
“It’s easy to see why Foote is so popular, he quickly gets his audience laughing and singing” Calgary Herald.
Norman’s world is filled with rhythm, rhyme and laughter. He creates songs and stories that entertain everyone regardless of age. He uses imaginative wordplay, humour, melodies and props, all to great effect. His passion for songwriting and performing has taken him to amazing concerts and communities worldwide. He has gathered music awards, including a Juno and several WCMA awards. His ability to find ageless melodies and relevant stories are key to his connection with his audience.
He has recorded 9 cds of his original material and written and recorded for Disney Records, CBC, Shari Lewis, Max and Ruby and many others. He has recently become the voice of Bert, the lovable bear character on the animated series “Luna, Chip and Inkie”( Knowledge Network).
Norman has also been working with Whistler local Ira Pettle, co-writing and producing Ira’s first album of original songs.
Saturday, May 21
Kids Yoga for 3-5 year olds
9:30am
Workshop details
A fun and playful introduction to yoga for 3-5 year olds!
Through creative movement, games, music, and stories, your little ones will explore different yoga shapes, breath and learn relaxation techniques.
Meet Heidi and Lisa on the mat, ready to move and groove!
Recommended age: 3-5 year olds
Artist Bio
Heidi’s Bio:
Heidi’s creativity and playfulness are somewhat contagious! Having studied and worked creatively, Heidi brings passion and artistic expression to all her practices.
Her teaching style is present and playful, emphasizing “being in the body” and safe alignment with room for curiosity. She brings laughter and lightness to each class while diving into the mind-body connection.
Heidi teaches yoga and mindfulness in various settings in and around Whistler, the unceded land of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh & Lil̓wat7úl Nations.
She shares her love of creativity and the outdoors with her daughter & partner.
www.hemlockandhelvetica.com
Lisa’s Bio:
Lisa is an experienced kids and adult yoga teacher, she started her journey with meditation which led her to practice other aspects of yoga.
Lisa is a big kid at heart and enjoys being active and creative with her students, providing a safe and fun atmosphere for them to grow, learn and build confidence.
Seeing the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of yoga in her own practice, her classes are full of compassion and strive to educate, motivate and make others smile.
Rick Scott with Nico Rhodes
11:00am
Show details
Three-time Juno nominee Rick Scott joins forces with young keyboard ace Nico Rhodes for a lively, participatory concert combining music, storytelling and humour. Based on Rick’s 8 award-winning children’s recordings, the show is enlivened by Nico’s piano mastery and the inter-generational mischief of two musical playmates 40 years apart in age.
Artist Bio
Rick Scott Bio:
Rick Scott has performed in over a thousand schools in 9 countries and released 19 recordings, including 8 children’s albums honoured with Parents’ Choice, Family Choice and Canadian Folk Music Awards. He’s a Goodwill Ambassador for the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation and a member of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame.
When Rick performs for children, he always hopes one child might have a life-changing moment and decide, ‘I can do this too!’ Nico Rhodes was such a child. Rick came to his school when he was 8 and Nico wrote him a fan letter. Rick wrote back with advice about the tooth fairy.
Nico Rhodes Bio:
Nico grew up listening to Bach, Beethoven and Rick Scott while touring the world with his mother, renowned chanteuse Joelle Rabu. Age 23, he arranged Rick’s music for symphony and by age 33, he had become one of Canada’s most in-demand arrangers and musical directors, with 30 long-run shows to his credit.
In 2017 Rick and Nico formed the duo Roots & Grooves to perform for big folks, and before long, Nico became part of Rick’s Music & Laughter family shows as well. Nico says, “Playing songs from my childhood with my musical mentor is the most fun I’ve ever had on stage and the audience gets to join in the merriment.”
Hand Puppetry Workshop with Ventriloquist Kellie Haines
12:30pm
Workshop details
Join us for a fun and interactive puppet-making workshop and enter into the exciting world of puppetry and ventriloquism with expert Kellie Haines.
You will start the class with a basic hand puppet made from a sock, cardboard and foam rubber and then you will let your creativity run wild, adding their features (eyes, nose, hair, horns, ears, wings – anything you want!) Your puppet will have the character and personality YOU want it to have. Kellie will teach puppetry and ventriloquist techniques to help your puppet speak and express itself- they might even sing! Puppets have many talents. Kamilla the frog and Magrau the bird will also be there to meet you and your new puppet friends.
Recommended age: 8-12 year olds
Artist Bio
Kellie Haines Bio:
Kellie Haines started talking to her puppets at the age of 8, and when they started talking back, she knew she had a show! Kellie is now a seasoned ventriloquist, puppeteer and family entertainer. Her shows combine a witty repartee with puppet characters everyone can relate to, songs you can dance and sing along to, and intertwine important themes such as believing in yourself, embracing diversity and celebrating nature. “Puppets have stories to tell,” she has said, “and they can bring out voices and characters from inside us that we didn’t know were there!”
Kellie Haines performs at festivals, schools and theatres across Canada. She has also shared her puppetry talents on several television productions. In 2019 Kellie was invited to consult, perform, and present workshops at the Museum of Anthropology in BC during their Shadows, Strings and Other Things exhibition and represented Canada at Vent Haven International Convention in Kentucky, USA.
Kellie’s shows are hilarious and full of spontaneity. Her technical skills with ventriloquism invite her audiences to experience storytelling in a unique and magical way, with even adults wondering who is pulling the strings!
Cosmo’s Pop Up Circus
2:00pm
Show details
Cosmo has an arsenal of antics in her clown trunk. Circus surprises abound with flying hats, precipitous balancing acts, and inspired confusion. What will pop up next? Witness the comedic stylings of Cosmo as she juggles, balances, and bumbles her way through this exciting show.
Recommended age: 4-12 year olds
Artist Bio
Melissa Aston Bio
Melissa Aston brings 20 years of experience to the U.S. and Canadian stage, circus ring, and hospital. She has had many adventures in her professional life. As the sole female clown in the historic Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, she toured the U.S. on a circus train. Melissa has wrestled sharks in a duck pond, set funny bones at BC Children’s Hospital, juggled knives for a famous contemporary photographer, and that’s just the start!
She is currently based in Vancouver, BC running her children’s entertainment company, Cosmo Circus, and working as a therapeutic clown at BC Children’s hospital.
Don’t Over Think It: Songwriting with Norman Foote
3:30pm
Workshop details
“Don’t over think it”
Experience a captivating and highly engaging songwriting session with Norman Foote! Explore lyrical content, melody, song genre and best of all…write a song. So much creativity and self-expression is lost when we overthink it. Songwriting is fun; music is not a competition.
Foote has written songs for Walt Disney Records, CBC Television, Shari Lewis, Max & Ruby and The National Film Board, to mention a few. He has received a Juno and 4 WCMA awards, amongst others!
Recommended age: 6-10 year olds
Artist Bio
Norman Foote Bio
“It’s easy to see why Foote is so popular, he quickly gets his audience laughing and singing” Calgary Herald.
Norman’s world is filled with rhythm, rhyme and laughter. He creates songs and stories that entertain everyone regardless of age. He uses imaginative wordplay, humour, melodies and props, all to great effect. His passion for songwriting and performing has taken him to amazing concerts and communities worldwide. He has gathered music awards, including a Juno and several WCMA awards. His ability to find ageless melodies and relevant stories are key to his connection with his audience.
He has recorded 9 cds of his original material and written and recorded for Disney Records, CBC, Shari Lewis, Max and Ruby and many others. He has recently become the voice of Bert, the lovable bear character on the animated series “Luna, Chip and Inkie”( Knowledge Network).
Norman has also been working with Whistler local Ira Pettle, co-writing and producing Ira’s first album of original songs.
NZR Productions presents The Big Topp Show
5:00pm
Show details
Join ‘Stretch’ the Ringmaster and the rest of the colourful cast as the Big Topp show excites and ignites with remarkable feats of juggling, acrobatics and spectacular visuals. This show combines music with vintage circus delights and adds a technological twist using UV LED and Laser lights!
Artist Bio
NZR Productions Bio:
The Big Topp Show is a signature Cirque show created by NZR Productions, an International Circus/Theatre company. NZR has over 20 years of experience with performances worldwide, including Olympic events, large-scale performances at fairs/festivals and major corporate events.
Sunday, May 22
Kids Yoga -for 6-10 year olds
9:30am
Workshop details
Whether your child is a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner, in this class Heidi dives deeper into age-appropriate themes, the breath, yoga poses, and relaxation techniques.
She explores foundational skills such as self-awareness, compassion, and confidence through both physical and mindfulness practices.
Heidi will meet you on the mat to breathe, move and BE!
Recommended age: 6-10 year olds
Artist Bio
Heidi’s Bio:
Heidi’s creativity and playfulness are somewhat contagious! Having studied and worked creatively, Heidi brings passion and artistic expression to all her practices.
Her teaching style is present and playful, emphasizing “being in the body” and safe alignment with room for curiosity. She brings laughter and lightness to each class while diving into the mind-body connection.
Heidi teaches yoga and mindfulness in various settings in and around Whistler, the unceded land of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh & Lil̓wat7úl Nations.
She shares her love of creativity and the outdoors with her daughter & partner.
www.hemlockandhelvetica.com
Will’s Jams
11:00am
Show details
Will Stroet of Will’s Jams is a JUNO-nominated musician, nationally recognized educator and former CBC Kids TV star. His high-energy rock-pop music in English and French is full of witty wordplay and sing-along choruses, inspiring kids to be active, creative, caring and community-minded. Will and the band perform hits from his 11 albums, which are masterpieces of creativity and fun, further cementing him as the ultimate star of children’s rock ‘n’ roll.
Artist Bio
Will Stroet Bio:
Will Stroet of Will’s Jams is a JUNO-nominated musician, nationally recognized educator and former CBC Kids TV star. His high-energy rock-pop music in English and French is full of witty wordplay and sing-along choruses, inspiring kids to be active, creative, caring and community-minded. This October, he released his 11th album, “Big Shiny Spoons.”
Will discovered his talent for writing kids music while completing his Bachelor of Education at UBC. After releasing his first album in 2005 and performing 100 shows locally, Will knew he had found his calling. In 2009, he left teaching to pursue music full time and has never looked back. To date, Will has performed 2000+ shows at festivals, theatres and schools across Canada and China.
Will’s 10 albums in English and French have garnered national acclaim, including a 2017 JUNO nomination, 7 nominations from the Western Canadian Music Awards, 3 from the Canadian Folk Music Awards and 2 from the SiriusXM Indies. In 2015, UBC’s Faculty of Education honoured Will in their top 100 Alumni awards.
In 2019, Will premiered his kids’ symphony orchestra show with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and during the pandemic, performed his show with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, available virtually through TheConcertHall.ca.
To enhance kids’ learning of English and French languages through his music and fun arts-integrated activities, Will has also created an online platform called Wordplay with Will | Chanter avec Will.
Ukulele Sunshine and Songwriting with Ginalina
12:30pm
Workshop details
Get young minds and hands exploring with this highly engaging (and at times, wonderfully noisy!) ukulele and songwriting workshop! Three-time Juno nominated artist and Kala Brand Canadian Ambassador, Ginalina, will introduce the audience to a variety of curious new instruments, with a main focus on the ukulele. With the support of her giant-hearted band, participants will have fun exploring the strings, experimenting with chords, and strumming or fingerpicking beginner tunes. The stretch goal of this workshop will be to imagine and create a fun and simple song to play together. Recommended age group is 6-10, all skills are welcome, and a selection of colourful ukuleles will be available to use! All participants receive a take-home activity package in French and English.
Recommended age: 6-10 year olds
Artist Bio
Ginalina Bio:
Heart-forward and three-time Juno nominated Ginalina creates a world of indie folk music and beautiful children’s books that celebrate family, children, nature, community, and the connections we share between them. Her songs and stories are respectful and real, warm and winsome, fun and folky, emotive and energizing. Together, and in English, Mandarin, and French, with loved ones, strangers, and friends, we can share wild and wonderful moments of singing, dancing, and a sort of kindness that this world needs more than ever.
Native Thunder
2:00pm
Show details
First Nations dancing is a form of storytelling using songs, different dance styles and a way of life to tell the story. This show will explain the history of the songs as they are performed and demonstrate different styles of First Nations dance, ending with a traditional hoop dance.
Artist Bio
Alex Wells Bio:
For the past thirty years travelling, performing and competing has been a way of life for brothers Alex and Dan Wells. Hailing from Mount Currie, BC Alex is a three-time world hoop dance Champion. The brothers have participated in many events nationally, internationally and some closer to home; 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010, Calgary Stamped, TedX Vancouver and NFR Rodeo Las Vegas.
Inventing the Opposite: A Creative Writing Workshop with Rebecca Wood Barrett
3:30pm
Workshop details
Have you ever been so surprised by a book or character you wondered, ‘how did the writer think of that?’ Join author Rebecca Wood Barrett in a creative writing workshop to learn a step-by-step process of how to invent fresh and extraordinary ideas and characters. She’ll share some of her secrets of exploring her own life to come up with fun and unusual ideas and teach you how to do the same thing. Come prepared to boost your brain and move your pen across the paper!
Recommended age: 8-12 year olds
Artist Bio
Rebecca’s Bio:
Rebecca is an award-winning writer and filmmaker living in Whistler, British Columbia. Rebecca is a passionate advocate for the literary arts and enjoys supporting emerging and established writers in their projects through teaching, editing, career consultation and assisting writers’ critique groups in their formation. Her middle-grade children’s book My Best Friend Is Extinct (Orca Book Publishers) is her debut publication.
Ginalina
5:00pm
Show details
Dance, sway, and sing along in English, French and Mandarin with CBC and Kids Knowledge Network featured musician and three-time Juno nominated artist, Ginalina! A bright star in the world of folk music and children’s nature books, she weaves the audience together with warm, upbeat and folky songs inspired by the love of family, beauty of the west coast, and joy of being in the moment. Take a musical adventure with the giant-hearted band as they turn up the sound, laughter, and joy on accordions, ukuleles, guitars, and rhythms. There will be lots to enjoy together in this interactive Ginalina concert for children and families!
Artist Bio
Ginalina Bio:
Heart-forward and three-time Juno nominated Ginalina creates a world of indie folk music and beautiful children’s books that celebrate family, children, nature, community, and the connections we share between them. Her songs and stories are respectful and real, warm and winsome, fun and folky, emotive and energizing. Together, and in English, Mandarin, and French, with loved ones, strangers, and friends, we can share wild and wonderful moments of singing, dancing, and a sort of kindness that this world needs more than ever.
Friday, May 27
DJ Ira Dance Party
5:00pm
Show details
If you missed the first one, here’s your chance to join Whistler’s premier family entertainer, DJ Ira Pettle, for another high-energy, interactive dance party. A not-to-be-missed family affair, Ira will also be previewing a few songs from his soon-to-be-released debut record, A Little Bit.
Artist Bio
Ira Pettle Bio:
If ‘Kid Whisperer’ was a job, Ira Pettle would write the handbook. With over 25 years of performing, entertaining, and educating audiences of all ages, Ira truly is a multi-talented (and award-winning) creative. With music at the core of his life’s work, he’s now working with Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Norman Foote, preparing to release his debut record of original songs called, A Little Bit. With his interactive style, comedic flair, and infectious sincerity, Ira is thrilled to be stepping into this next chapter and sharing it for the first time at this year’s Whistler Children’s Festival.
Saturday, May 28
Kids Yoga for 3- 5 year olds
9:30am
Workshop details
A fun and playful introduction to yoga for 3-5 year olds!
Through creative movement, games, music, and stories, your little ones will explore different yoga shapes, breath and learn relaxation techniques.
Meet Heidi and Lisa on the mat, ready to move and groove!
Recommended age: 3-5 year olds
Artist Bio
HEIDI BIO:
Heidi’s creativity and playfulness are somewhat contagious! Having studied and worked creatively, Heidi brings passion and artistic expression to all her practices.
Her teaching style is present and playful, emphasizing “being in the body” and safe alignment with room for curiosity. She brings laughter and lightness to each class while diving into the mind-body connection.
Heidi teaches yoga and mindfulness in various settings in and around Whistler, the unceded land of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh & Lil̓wat7úl Nations.
She shares her love of creativity and the outdoors with her daughter & partner.
www.hemlockandhelvetica.com
LISA BIO:
Lisa is an experienced kids and adult yoga teacher, she started her journey with meditation which led her to practice other aspects of yoga.
Lisa is a big kid at heart and enjoys being active and creative with her students, providing a safe and fun atmosphere for them to grow, learn and build confidence.
Seeing the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of yoga in her own practice, her classes are full of compassion and strive to educate, motivate and make others smile.
Ideas Bobert presented by Candy Bones Theatre
11:00am
Show details
What happens if we deny our deepest dreams and desires? Bobert is a silent character (a la Charlie Chaplin) who has a little red bird for a heart. His story asks us, what happens if we are to deny our deepest dreams and desires? Teetering on the brink of absolute failure, love-sick Bobert discovers his heart to be more important than he knew.
From award-winning creator and actor Candice Roberts, comes a clown tour de force of comedy and conundrum. With vintage silent film styling, shadow puppetry, stop motion animation projections, dance and live music, the world of Ideas Bobert is rich with magic and creativity. Like Ginger Rogers meets Mr. Bean on the Muppet show, Ideas Bobert dances with the hilarious absurd.
Artist Bio
Candice Roberts Bio:
Candice Roberts is a 5th generation settler and artist based on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
She is the band leader of the critically acclaimed Myrtle Sisters, is a founding member of the Jessie Award-nominated Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret Society, and the artistic director of Candy Bones Theatre.
Her original theatrical works and film shorts interweave physical theatre, music, mask, movement and clown to create stories that investigate the humour, heartbreak and the trials and tribulations of our human conditions.
Cultivating anti-oppressive and intersectional understandings are important in Candice’s artistic research of creativity, decolonization and the connections between self-expression, mental health and community.
Candice has received numerous awards at the Vancouver and Edmonton Fringe Festivals, in addition to a 2014 Mayor’s Arts Award for her work in community building through the arts. Candy Bones Theatre is dedicated to creating and sharing innovative and original inter-arts theatre works of artistic excellence for young audiences.
Magic Art by Jess “Drawing Dinos”
12:30pm
Workshop details
The artists will learn how to draw two dinosaurs and a dino landscape with a step-by-step teaching method. However, artists are always encouraged to go rogue and create freely if they wish! They will learn to sketch a drawing before using ink to make the final line work. They will go home with an inked piece ready for colouring.
Recommended age: 6-10 year olds
Artist Bio
Jessica Mai Bio:
Jessica Mai is a self-taught artist who has been teaching art classes since 2012 when she started working at 4Cats Arts Studio. Her classes and workshops range from beginner to intermediate in mediums such as sketching, drawing cartoons, manga-style drawing, creating comics, watercolour painting and acrylic painting. Jessica loves working with children and adults to support their artistic journeys and give them the confidence to trust their vision and try new things.
Science World On The Road
2:00pm
Show details
This greatest hits show includes some of the most iconic offerings from Science World’s repertoire of demonstrations. Enjoy the electricity of the hair-raising Van De Graaf Generator and all the other spinning, falling, flying demos that Science World is best known for!
Artist Bio
Science World Bio:
There’s always lots of excitement and audience interaction with Science World On The Road! Science World’s live shows feature spectacular science demonstrations on various topics, including electricity, air pressure, forces, and chemistry. From flying chickens to hair raising electrical demonstrations and even the occasional explosion, there’s always lots of fun and audience interaction with Science World On the Road.
Breakdance Workshop with the Vancity Bboys
3:30pm
Workshop details
Learn the art of Breakin with this class that teaches the foundations of breakdance!
Breakdancing is a style of street dancing that incorporates coordination, acrobatic and intricate body movements, style, and aesthetics. It evolved from the hip hop movement during the early 1970s and is the most widely known of all hip hop dance styles.
Get your kids bodies moving and popping at this fun dance workshop—ages 8 and up.
Recommended age: 8-12 year olds
Artist Bio
Boogaloo Academy Bio:
Boogaloo Academy’s mission is to nurture students to become well-rounded individuals with a love of the arts. They spark imagination to awaken their students’ natural creative capacities and artistic awareness in a warm, inclusive environment. They emphasize kindness while inspiring personal growth, lifelong learning, and excellence.
Penny Pom Pom
5:00pm
Show details
Meet Penny Pom Pom, a colourful ball of energy who embodies creative confidence and artistic freedom. Her multi-media show for young children is colourful, musical and interactive and focuses on the importance of creativity and self-empowerment. Penny Pom Pom is excited by the world and finds inspiration to create art wherever life takes her in the form of song, dance, visual art and more! Featuring original songs from her debut album, “Believe In Your Magic,” her lively music is sure to get young audiences singing and clapping along. Most importantly, children (and grown ups!) will leave this experience feeling inspired to bring more creativity into their own lives.
Artist Bio
Jessica Mai Bio:
Created by lifelong performer and artist Jessica Mai, Penny Pom Pom is a colourful ball of energy who is always looking for new ways to create. She sings, she paints, she tells stories and she is always having fun. The Penny Pom Pom show began in 2019 as a live music show featuring Jessica’s children’s music. Everywhere she performed, Penny Pom Pom accumulated new fans and she very quickly signed with Pebble Star Artists, a Vancouver based agency that specializes in children’s performers. During the early stages of the 2020 pandemic, Jessica adapted quickly and moved The Penny Pom Pom show on to youtube after receiving an artist grant from Creative BC. The first Penny Pom Pom music album was also released and was written and produced entirely by Jessica herself. The second album is set to be released in late Spring of 2022.
Sunday, May 29
Kids Yoga for 6-10 year olds
9:30am
Workshop details
Whether your child is a seasoned yogi or a complete beginner, in this class Heidi dives deeper into age-appropriate themes, the breath, yoga poses, and relaxation techniques.
She explores foundational skills such as self-awareness, compassion, and confidence through both physical and mindfulness practices.
Heidi will meet you on the mat to breathe, move and BE!
Recommended age: 6-10 year olds
Artist Bio
HEIDI BIO:
Heidi’s creativity and playfulness are somewhat contagious! Having studied and worked creatively, Heidi brings passion and artistic expression to all her practices.
Her teaching style is present and playful, emphasizing “being in the body” and safe alignment with room for curiosity. She brings laughter and lightness to each class while diving into the mind-body connection.
Heidi teaches yoga and mindfulness in various settings in and around Whistler, the unceded land of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh & Lil̓wat7úl Nations.
She shares her love of creativity and the outdoors with her daughter & partner.
www.hemlockandhelvetica.com
RupLoops
11:00am
Show details
An interactive, live looping show using vocal percussion, rhythmic rhymes and an arsenal of eclectic instruments. Rup utilizes his diverse skills as a musician to create a pulsating, entertaining and engaging musical experience. He is a gifted educator and performer and has a deep passion for intercultural work and intercultural sounds. Through this show he hopes children will gain an understanding and appreciation of our universal language: music.
Artist Bio
Rup Sidhu Bio:
Rup Sidhu aka RupLoops (roop-loops) is a performer, producer and composer of many genres, drawing from folk and classical forms from around the globe. Rup is also a community arts facilitator, teaching percussion and hip-hop for the past 17 years at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (a free music school for inner-city youth.) Rup Sidhu has also founded his own initiative, Metaphor, which brings hip-hop performances and empowerment workshops into youth detention centers, schools and rural communities.
A Magic Workshop by Master Magician Rod Boss
12:30pm
Workshop details
Learn how to perform magic that will impress your friends and family in this fun and interactive workshop. This could be the start of a wonderful magical journey!
Recommended age: 8-12 year olds
Artist Bio
Rod Boss Bio
Rod taught magic at the Capilano University summer camps for more than ten years and, recently for the City of Surrey School District for the last five years. His workshop is full of interactive fun and magic, teaching you how to perform magic that will impress your friends and family!
Native Thunder
2:00pm
Show details
First Nations dancing is a form of storytelling using songs, different dance styles and a way of life to tell the story. This show will explain the history of the songs as they are performed and demonstrate different styles of First Nations dance, ending with a traditional hoop dance.
Artist Bio
Alex Wells Bio:
For the past thirty years travelling, performing and competing has been a way of life for brothers Alex and Dan Wells. Hailing from Mount Currie, BC Alex is a three-time world hoop dance Champion. The brothers have participated in many events nationally, internationally and some closer to home; 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010, Calgary Stamped, TedX Vancouver and NFR Rodeo Las Vegas.
Acting Out with Ira Pettle
3:30pm
Workshop details
Join Whistler’s premier family entertainer and performance coach, Ira Pettle, for an exclusive kids’ acting workshop. This session will be equal parts learning and laughter, with theatre games and improv focused on communication skills and character development. Parents are welcome to participate alongside their kids, too.
Recommended age: 3-5 year olds
Artist Bio
Ira Pettle Bio
If ‘Kid Whisperer’ was a job, Ira Pettle would write the handbook. With over 25 years of performing, entertaining, and educating audiences of all ages, Ira truly is a multi-talented (and award-winning) creative. With music at the core of his life’s work, he’s now working with Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Norman Foote, preparing to release his debut record of original songs called, A Little Bit. With his interactive style, comedic flair, and infectious sincerity, Ira is thrilled to be stepping into this next chapter and sharing it for the first time at this year’s Whistler Children’s Festival.
The Comedy Magic of Rod Boss
5:00pm
Show details
In the last 30 years, Rod’s thrilling magic has entertained countless audiences throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.
His hilarious show is full of interactive magic and fun and will keep an audience of all ages on the edge of their seat. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enjoy the internationally renowned Comedy Magic of Rod Boss!
Artist Bio
Rod Boss Bio
Rod taught magic at the Capilano University summer camps for more than ten years and, recently for the City of Surrey School District for the last five years. His workshop is full of interactive fun and magic, teaching you how to perform magic that will impress your friends and family!
WHISTLER CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL 2022
Theatre presentations including circus skills, music, magic, comedy, acting, creative education and dance. As well as a Family Arts Adventure, workshops led by professional artists, balloon twisting and face painting. Free your imagination and explore endless creativity! Everyone welcome!
Whistler Children's Festival is produced by Arts Whistler, a registered charity established in 1982 with a mandate to build and integrate the arts into the fabric of the community.
