EMBARK ON A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY with the 34th annual Vancouver
International Children’s Festival at its new home on Granville Island, on new dates May 30-June 5, 2011. 

Featuring acclaimed performances from Canada and around the world including Australia’s Circa with their hilarious hit show 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes, the kicks, stomps, claps and chants of Step Afrika! (USA), the
wondrous light and movement spectacle Farfalle (Butterflies) from Italy, the heel kicking folk’n’roll from Québec’s Mauvais Sort, the poetry and music of Scenes from a Tree, plus Marnie Grey and her Music with Marnie Band
and much, much more.     

Tickets now on sale!  Visit childrensfestival.ca or call 604 873 3311

MULTIMEDIA

Farfalle (Butterflies) - TPO (Italy) – ages 3 and up        Deaf friendly show
Join one of Italy’s most innovative theatre companies on a magnificent journey through a butterfly’s life cycle.
“Told” by two graceful dancers, the luminous, brilliantly lit stage becomes a glowing garden that responds from every direction to their movements.

ACROBATICS/CIRCUS/DANCE

Step Afrika! – (USA) – ages 5 and up
With its kicks, stomps, claps and chants, the percussive dance known as stepping is linked to African and modern dance traditions. This high-energy, interactive performance explores the rhythm, physicality and history of
stepping. Discover how dance brings people and cultures together.

46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes – Circa (Australia) – ages 5 and up             Deaf friendly show

Wherever Circa has taken its heart-stopping show, audiences have flocked to see the impossible happen. Be amazed as intrepid acrobats battle the clock, and marvel at the astounding ways they bend, fly, juggle and balance. Set to upbeat music, this is fast, furious family fun.

Physical Music – Lelavision (USA) – ages 5 and up   Deaf friendly show
Combining stunning musical invention with astonishing physicality, performers Leah Mann and Ela Lamblin create sublime music through their large scale, hand-built sound sculptures like the Longwave, a 25-foot-long, wave- shaped harp. “…a treat for the senses” Seattle PI

THEATRE & PUPPETRY

Russell’s World – Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MB) – ages 5 to 10
It’s after school and Russell’s bedroom comes alive with pirates, talking books and extraordinary puppetry that help him solve his schoolyard problems. Written and performed by acclaimed First Nations playwright and actor Herbie Barnes.  “…it’s wonderful for absolutely any age...Herbie Barnes’ performance is just extraordinary.”  Al Rae, CBC Radio One

Scenes From A Tree - Des mots d’la dynamite (QC) – ages 2 to 6
Created specifically for ages 2-6, Scenes from a Tree celebrates the changes that each new season brings. Using wool and needlework, the performers whimsically illustrate a magical wonderland of trees, leaves and flowers, all woven together with song and poetic language.

MUSIC

Infinitus: From Handel to Hip Hop – (BC) – all ages
Think classical music isn’t hip? Think again. From jazz to hip-hop to movie themes to classical works, you will be amazed by the musical concoctions the award-winning musicians of Vancouver’s string trio Infinitus cook up with just
a violin, viola, cello and vocals.

Music With Marnie – (BC) – ages 2 to 6
With sold-out shows across the country and four acclaimed albums, Marnie Grey and her Music with Marnie Band have become a household name. Plenty of movement, kid-appealing songs, colourful puppets and bouncy rhythms
are on the playlist in this wildly energetic concert.

Mauvais Sort – (QC) – all ages
Take Quebec’s rich folk-dance tradition and crank up the voltage. Mixing traditional tunes with their own style of music that they’ve dubbed “folk ‘n’ roll”, this group delivers a musical dose of heel-kicking joie de vivre that’s sure to get everyone dancing in the aisles.

Norman Foote – (BC) – all ages
Catchy melodies, clever lyrics and outrageous props are all hallmarks of a performance by award-winning Vancouver entertainer Norman Foote. Come clap and sing along to old favourites and new tunes from his Juno Award-winning album, Love My New Shirt.

COMEDY / INTERACTIVE THEATRE

Pirate’s Cove - Ferry Tale Theatre (BC) – ages 3 and up
Board Granville Island’s Aquabus Ferry and embark on a memorable ocean voyage!  Be a part of the quest with Captain Clearday and Pirate Storm through False Creek to try and find the missing pieces of the map of the lost
treasure of Pirate’s Cove.

MULTI-DISCIPLINE

The Collective - (BC) - all ages
The Collective by Arts Umbrella is a magical array of artistic expression.  An inspiring evening of family-friendly performances by young people!  Co-presented by Arts Umbrella and The Vancouver International Children’s Festival

11TH ANNUAL VARIETY SHOW!
This high-energy showcase offers more bang for your buck with five of our headliners all on one dynamic bill. Our host for the evening, Norman Foote, will keep things rolling and provide laughs a-plenty. Musical guests Mauvais Sort will fill the night with toe-tapping, exhilarating joie de vivre. Music and acrobatics fuse with the ethereal soundscape sculptures of Physical Music.  Clap, dance and stomp along to the African rhythms of Step Afrika! Then catch your breath to the heart-pumping thrills and acrobatic feats of
Australia’s Circa in 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes.

INTERACTIVE ZONES WITH FREE ART & ENTERTAINMENT

All show tickets include free access to the 5 Festival Interactive Zones
where you and your children will be immersed in Celebration, Exploration, Inspiration, Imagination and Connection.  As you journey around Granville Island to experience these five zones, flex your creativity with face painting and Aboriginal crafts, immerse yourselves in Interactive Sculpture Installations or the Wish Garden, create a mask at Legends of Taiwan, learn how to speak using ASL at Hands Talkin’ or let the little ones play and create in the Under Six Mix.  But that’s not all ...

Celebrate Vancouver’s 125th and inspire the artist in your child 125th Anniversary Cube Sculpture & Workshop with Cheryl Hamilton and Mike Vandermeer of i.e. creative Birds of a Feature Environmental Installation & Workshop with Haruko Okano The Mobile Garden Dress, Eco Wardrobe Installation and Workshop with Nicole Dextras Under One Beat, Aboriginal Drumming Installation by Luke J. Parnell And enjoy a free show
The Coast Capital Savings World Youth Stage will be rockin’ all week long with terrific music and dance. This is a great spot to hang out with your kids and take in some of BC’s finest emerging youth performers. 

Enjoy the music of Chris Hamilton and maritime fun with Port Metro Vancouver, check out the puppet show at the BC Hydro Smart Youth Zone and there will be loads of laughs at the Improv Comedy Show in the Fortis BC Creation Station. 

SHOW TICKETS

All Show Tickets $22, with the exception of:
46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes & Step Afrika!  $24
Variety Show          Youth $24    Adults $26
Pirate’s Cove      $18
The Collective - visit artsumbrella.com for tickets & info     

FAMILY PACK – 4 tickets for $80
(excluding Variety Show, Pirate’s Cove and The Collective)
All show tickets include a wristband to access the five interactive zones
HST and services charges included, no more to pay
NOTE: Show tickets are required for every attendee.  We welcome all ages to the SoundStage, but no  babes in arms (children under 12mos) admitted to other performance venues.

Purchase Tickets
Online:       childrensfestival.ca
Phone:        604.873 3311
Advance:    In person at the Vancouver Playhouse Box Office
   Hamilton & Dunsmuir, Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM
During the Festival: At the box office located in the Waterfront Theatre