The world is coming back to Haliburton County May 1 as Razzamataz returns after more than a two-year COVID-19 hiatus.
The Razzamataz committee is presenting the Kif-Kif Sisters at 2 p.m. at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavillion.
Programmer Isabel Buttler recalled the last show was on March 1, 2020 and there was some concern it might be the final forever.
They lost some committee members from an already small rank of longtime volunteers and then a global pandemic struck.
She said some of their helpers, such as herself, Jolene Thomas and Dawn Mole-Hurd joined when their children were babies and toddlers but they are now growing up.
They had not been able to attract new volunteers and were worried they may have to fold, “which would be a huge loss for families in the community,” Buttler said.
But some new members have come forward to steady the ship and the current committee is more hopeful of continuing a tradition that has been ongoing for 33 years now.
They are planning for a full 2022- 2023 season of shows starting in the fall and running until May 2023. Buttler is pleased with the result.
“I have been the programmer, and it’s always been fun to program Razzamataz. Razzamataz has been able to offer these shows with really great artists for such an affordable price because we’re funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ontario Arts Council. They basically subsidize all the tickets for the shows.
“One of our mandates is to bring in artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and different art forms, or genres, to bring the world to Haliburton so families don’t have to travel, especially with travel being so expensive.”
Buttler added they are still looking for volunteers. “Many hands make light work.”
The Kif-Kif Sisters
The Kif-Kif Sisters are bringing their show ‘Returns Department.’
They are identical twins from Quebec City who have completed studies at the Conservatory of Music and done street performances in 15 countries. In Canada, they have worked with Theatre de l’Aubergine and the Cirque du Soleil.
“We use laughter to unleash the audience’s emotions and always involve them in our performances, allowing them to be a part of the fun while experiencing a unique and intimate event,” the sisters said.
In this show, a pair of twin sisters welcome the audience to the Returns Department. On their conveyor belt, a parade of objects, manufacturing errors, and dysfunctional accessories appear. Labouring with love, the twins handle complaints like boxes of candy.
Little by little, the temptation to play with the merchandise before them takes hold, the objects themselves play some tricks of their own.
Tickets are available online at www. razzamataz.ca or by contacting Dawn Mole-Hurd at 705-854-0728. Masks must be worn.
