County resident Nicole Stewart believes the secret is out about Razzamataz Kids’ Shows.
The popular three-season event series has been a Haliburton County staple for more than 40 years, bringing high-quality, affordable, and culturally-diverse stage performances to thousands of youth, Stewart said. Shows are held at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion in Haliburton.
The latest season kicked off Sept. 22, with Quebec-based musical duo Stick & Bow, featuring Juan Sebastian Delgado on cello and Krystina Marcoux on marimba, bringing their show Bavela to life on stage. It told the story of a cat in Mexico who revisits its former lives to prove that cats are not bad luck.
Stewart said Bavela was “a heartwarming animated story” that captured unique sounds from the artists, delighting the crowd of more than 100 people.
“Razzamataz Kids’ Shows offers a great, affordable opportunity for the whole family to see live theatre locally,” she said. “From dance to music, circus and puppets, there is something for everyone.”
There are three other performances planned – Nov. 3 will see French Canadian breakdancing crew Bboyizm introduce the County to street dance culture; Jamie Adkins brings his Circus Incognitus comedy show to Haliburton Feb. 16; and the season ends May 11 with Kattam and His Tam Tams, which takes the crowd on a journey of rhythm, song, and dance discovery around Africa, the Middle East, and India.
The Bboyizm and Kattam events both have workshops after the shows, giving kids an even closer look at the action. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.
A new addition this year, Stewart said Razzamataz is bringing a free show to Haliburton Highlands Secondary School Nov. 3. The show is sponsored by the Haliburton Arts Council, Kennisis Lake Cottage Association, and CanoeFM. It will take place in the school gym.
Regular shows are funded by the Ontario Arts Council and the federal and provincial governments.
Stewart said it’s always a challenge finding fresh acts, noting she scouted the Ottawa Children’s Festival, Toronto’s Buskerfest, and the Almonte Puppet Festival last year. Next year, she plans to attend the Vancouver International Children’s Festival.
After setting a new record for ticket sales last season, Stewart said she wants to keep the momentum rolling.
“Most shows had about 130 people in attendance. We also had our first sold-out show,” she said. “This year we are hoping to continue this trend and get the community out to enjoy all of our offerings.”
For more information, or to buy tickets, visit razzamatazz.ca.
