By Holly Hebert, Assistant, Events & Outreach

On July’s second weekend, Guild Festival Theatre hosted Family Fest: a four-day event full of music, storytelling, interactive games, vendors, and more. Kickstarting the event in Guild Park and Gardens was Nagata Shachu performing taiko drumming and leading a workshop in the Japanese drumming. Gathering a group of participants before they took to the stage, performers in the concert lent out small hand-held drums and accompanying bachi — drumsticks used on the taiko drum.  

Teaching four different beats to play in sequence, the performers also added movement to the workshop. After 30 minutes of drumming and moving collectively, Nagata Shachu began their hour-long concert. At least 250 people came out to see them, and the show was intensely gripping. Artistic Director Kiyoshi Nagata stepped out from behind the drums in between songs to address the audience and describe some of the Japanese culture represented on the stage. He spoke about the traditional garments they wore and the addition of Japanese bamboo flutes into their performance.  

Finishing their concert with two especially thunderous songs, Nagata Shachu brought a variety of drums onto the stage. Their patience, synchronous movements, and commitment to the physical demands of drumming are sensational.  

Night two of Family Fest also stood strong with one show in the evening and a pre-show by Jay9 Dance Centre beforehand. As our Arts in the Parks team finished setting up our materials and preparing for the 6 p.m. performance of Fireside Munsch, we watched Jay9’s dancing from afar. The dance centre brought various young dancers on stage to perform pieces that spoke to their individual character.  

Fireside Munsch started promptly after with performer M. John Kennedy, leading the crowd in gushing laughter. Kennedy knows exactly how to excite and engage an audience. Telling the stories of four Robert Munsch classics, he had to know what Munsch books the kids before him loved. With titles being shouted at him left and right, Kennedy kicked off the interactive element of his show seconds into the performance.  

First in the lineup of four was Jonathan Cleaned Up — Then He Heard a Sound, in which the audience was responsible for the sound of the subway train roaring through Jonathan’s apartment. Next came Mud Puddle, which saw Kennedy shapeshifting into a glob of water and dirt.  

One of my favourite books growing up, and a retelling of which Kennedy absolutely did justice, was The Paper Bag Princess. He captured the gumption of Princess Elizabeth, and his whirling around the audience as a dragon had people entranced. Last but not least, Kennedy performed Mortimer. Perfecting a “MORTIMER” screech in his performance, he passed on his energy to the audience, encouraging all of them to yell at the character to quiet down. And that they did! Whether or not you’re familiar with Robert Munsch and his dozens of books, Kennedy is sure to put on a fantastic show; one great for kids and adults, especially if Munsch brings about nostalgia for you.  

Although Arts in the Parks couldn’t make it on Saturday, July 12, with a booth, there were some pretty cool activities happening that day. A Giant Puppet Party and Spirit of Africa were two events we didn’t get to see but took to the Greek Stage. The first was a workshop to create your own giant puppet and the second a performance with African music, drumming, and dance.  

On Sunday though, we made our way back to the park and were there from 1:30 p.m. until 6 p.m., meaning we got to see a lot of the activities present. As we arrived, TiBert et Douzie were about halfway through their performance of Métis fiddle. We came just in time for them to hand out spoons and teach some audience members how to play them on their knee. Also performed by them was a short juggling act.  

From there, Squirrel Nutkin rounded up a group of kids for a game. An evil owl has stolen an item from one of the squirrels, and it must be retrieved through a variation of the game Simon Says. This was one of three Squirrel Nutkin performances throughout the day, and each time the ending changed based on how the game was played. This activity got everyone who joined involved, and the kids left it absolutely beaming.  

Maestro Duo was up next with the premiere of their dance performance. Picture this: two conductors show up to the same show. It’s lighthearted comedy and mime with some fantastic lifts and spins thrown into the mix. Using recognizable classical music like Offenbach’s Can-Can, the pair of performers showered the stage with high kicks and haughty attitudes towards each other. Battling it out to be the last conductor standing, tricks were played, and dizzying routines ensued. This show was a blast to be witness to. Catch Maestro Duo wherever you can as the couple have many more batons up their sleeves to share. 

Soon after, Catch Me in the Kitchen hit the stage. Stephen LaFrenie and Ginette Mohr are the duo that make up this troupe, and they started off their show with a physical retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This is just one of the classic stories they share, and they do a wonderful job embodying the characters that make up the tales. Using a variety of voices and sounds of inanimate objects, with a dash of French language here and there, the two had the audience encapsulated. 

Before our Arts in the Parks team left for the day, we caught one last interactive performance: Scarborough Uke Jam. The club invites ukulele players, singers, and really anyone who wants to jam to join for a collaborative concert. Uke Jam organizers have a list of songs on-hand with sheet music for those playing, but it’s more about finding your groove and getting your fingers familiar with the strings. Organizers who lead the session encourage you to do what you can, play the notes you’re able to, and try new ones if you’re up for it. The group plays beloved songs from decades past and more recent years, and it’s an all-around welcoming, relaxing, and fun environment to jam out in.  

Of course, I can’t forget about the booths throughout the day. From empanadas to ice cream to local shops set up in the park, folks had the opportunity to bounce around from tent to tent and learn a little more about their community. One particular booth I adored was Poesy, a poet who’d write you a personalized poem. After spending a few minutes with the artist and answering some questions, I was given a postcard with beautiful prose detailing a meaningful moment in my life.  

Family Fest was a wonderous event, filled with different activities for folks of all ages. Among the performances, games, music, and dance, it’s sure enough something will fill you with magic and leave a twinkle in your eye.