Angel Square is a seasonal favourite for the whole family – and it’s back!
The Ottawa International Children’s Festival is proud to present its second-annual staged reading of Brian Doyle’s Angel Square, adapted and directed by Ottawa writer-director Janet Irwin.
This special performance fundraiser for the Children’s Festival will take place on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at Dominion-Chalmers United Church (355 Cooper Street at O’Connor).
It’s Christmas 1945 and 12-year-old Tommy lives in Ottawa’s tough, multi-ethnic neighbourhood of Lowertown, where his best friend’s father has just been attacked. Adopting the role of “the Shadow,” his favourite radio persona, Tommy teams up with some friends to try and crack the case, leading them all around Ottawa and through Angel Square – a daily battleground for fights between Protestant, Catholic and Jewish kids. As we view the world through Tommy’s eyes, a small segment of Ottawa’s history is brought to life with a story about tolerance, acceptance and the difficulties of growing up.
The Children’s Festival is very excited to be working with acclaimed writer Brian Doyle and celebrated director Janet Irwin. Angel Square features actors Todd Duckworth, Mary Ellis, Andy Massingham, Sara McVie and Alix Sideris. Special guests include Alan Neal (host of All in a Day on CBC Radio One) and 23 students from the Drama Program at Canterbury High School, directed by the head of Canterbury’s Drama Department, Paul Griffin.
Come and enjoy a pre-show reception with refreshments and kid-friendly treats. As well, after the show, author Brian Doyle will be signing copies of Angel Square. This very special project is a fundraiser for the Children’s Festival, so please join us for a wonderful evening to celebrate the community and its history, and help us bring the magic, wonder and excitement of live performing arts to young people for many years to come.
Tickets can be purchased through the Festival Office by calling 613-241-0999, by visiting the office at 294 Albert Street, Suite 602 (Mon-Fri, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm), or online at ottawachildrensfestival.ca. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $12.00 for children 14 and under.
Renowed Storyteller Kevin McKenzie in Ottawa
Workshops offered weekend of November 7th and 8thTeachers, Parents, Grandparents, Librarians, E.C.Es –
Join Kevin McKenzie at Library and Archives Canada morning and afternoon November 7th and learn how to engage listeners as you share animated, eye to eye stories.
“Fingerplay Boot Camp” teaches concepts and lets you practise skills of the fingerplay renaissance. “TELL IT!” – Oral Storytelling to Young Children, is a hands-on experience to learn, remember and tell captivating stories.
What are people saying about Kevin’s workshops? “This by far has been the best workshop in my 2 days here. I have learned more & laughed more than I could’ve ever imagined.”-Sarah Stratan, Bellevue WA, USA. – “Unforgettable!”– Trina Waterman of Charlottetown, PEI. “Your enthusiasm is infectious!” – Jane Wilson, Basingstoke, England.
Read details and register at www.ottawastorytellers.ca for Kevin’s storytelling workshops. You’ll be glad you did.
This event is brought to you by the Ottawa StoryTellers.
ANIMATION FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES KIDS JURY CONTEST
The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is once again inviting local kids to enter its annual Kids Jury contest. Eight young animation enthusiasts will be chosen to judge this year’s competition of short films made for kids and competition for TV series made for kids.
To be chosen for the jury, area youth aged 9 to 14 are invited to write a one-page essay describing why their favourite animated character is the best cartoon ever. Eight lucky winners will be whisked away to the Canadian Museum of Civilization on Saturday, October 17 to watch either short animated films or TV series made for children. They’ll pick their favourites and award prizes to the winning filmmakers on stage on Sunday, October 18.
“I am always impressed by the quality of the essays that I receive,” says Jennifer Noseworthy, Director of Outreach and Administration for the Festival. “The competition films are often unique, and the jury has always been remarkably appreciative and insightful when making their selections.”
Why sit at home watching cartoons, when you can sit at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and watch cartoons? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so make sure to tell us why you think you’d make a good jury member.
To enter the contest, the one-page essays must be submitted by email (jennifer@animationfestival.ca), by fax (613-232-6315), or by mail (2 Daly Avenue, Suite 120, Ottawa, K1N 6E2). Remember to include your name, age and an email address or phone number where you can be contacted.
The contest deadline is 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 and the winners will be announced Friday, September 25.
About OIAF
The Ottawa International Animation Festival is one of the world’s leading animation events, providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. The annual five-day event brings art and industry together in a vibrant hub that attracts artists, production executives, students and animation fans from across Canada and around the world. In 2008, more than 25,000 people flocked to the capital to take part in the festival. A similar crowd is expected to attend OIAF ‘09, which will be held from October 14-18 in Ottawa. For more information and to experience OIAF online, please visit www.animationfestival.ca.
