AFTER a two-year in-person hiatus, the 45th annual Vancouver International Children’s Festival returns in-person from May 31 – June 5 on Granville Island and May 31 – June 12 online.
Once again, world-class theatre, music, dance, circus, puppetry and storytelling performers will entertain Vancouver children and families. This year, eighteen professional performing artists from as far-reaching as Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are scheduled to perform 80 shows.
“We are elated to welcome back children and families in-person to the 45th annual Vancouver International,” exclaims Katharine Carol, Artistic and Executive Director. “Our lives have irrevocably changed over the past two years and during this time, we’ve seen the importance the arts have to transform lives. The Festival is a place to celebrate multi-disciplinary arts that engage, entertain and open us all up to the joy of artistic expression. This year’s Festival offers a feast of amazing shows and interactive visual arts activities that invite children and families to ignite their playful joy.”
Highlights of this year’s Festival include Juno Award-Winner Fred Penner, Indigenous dance artists Dancers of Damelahamid and African circus stars Kalabanté.
Tickets are on sale nowand can be purchased online at ChildrensFestival.ca, or during the Festival at our on-site box office located between Festival House and the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island.
In-person tickets start at $12.50 per child/senior and $22 per adult plus service charges and tax. All passes include an Activity Village wristband. With over 15 arts activities, the Activity Village offers many ways to engage your imagination and enhance your creativity all while having fun together as a family. Each In-person performance pass includes an Activity Village wristband.
Online Tickets can be purchased for $24 per household, plus service charges and tax. Families can watch one Vancouver International Children’s Festival Online Performance for only $24 per show. The pre-recorded online performance is available starting from Tuesday, May 31 at 9:30am until Sunday, June 12th at 8pm and can be watched multiple times. Online tickets also include access to two Online Arts Workshops.
2022 FEATURED PERFORMERS
IN-PERSON PERFORMERS
The Cat Came Back (Fred Penner, Manitoba) – Sing along with one of Canada’s best-loved children’s singers and four-time Juno winner Fred Penner at this year’s Festival! Fred has been charming audiences for over 40 years with catchy songs that speak to the wonder of childhood, such as “The Cat Came Back” and “What a Day.” Fred’s award-winning music and meaningful lyrics have created a lasting impact that crosses generations. His warmth and enthusiasm give him an instant emotional connection with fans both young and old. Don’t miss introducing your children to this Canadian music icon. All ages.
One of a Kind (British Columbia) – The world is a spectacular kaleidoscope of people with fascinating stories as unique as every one of us. One of a Kind is created around the true stories performed by the people who lived them; a talented, diverse group of extraordinary emerging theatre artists. The storytellers share their one-of-a-kind childhood tales filled with truth, cultural perspective, family languages, challenge, laughter and adventure. Using physical theatre, puppetry, music, movement and more, they offer an extraordinary exploration of the universal expression of storytelling. Children will recognize themselves and be inspired to share their own stories. Commissioned by the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. Ages 7 and up.
Crisis on Planet Z! (Monster Theatre, British Columbia) – Zennifer lives on Planet Z, the only planet they have ever known. The Alphabetians are celebrating 100 years of being on Planet Z when Zennifer makes a horrifying discovery: they haven’t been ‘improving’ the planet, they have been slowly destroying it! With the help of a baby Ziffle… and a mushroom, Zennifer tries to warn the Alphabetians to change their ways, but they are ready to abandon Planet Z and blast off to the next planet. Little do they know, there is no next planet: Planet Z is the last planet in their solar system! Together, the Alphabetians must account for their actions and find a way to save Planet Z. A hilarious play about a serious topic, Crisis on Planet Z expertly manages to raise awareness about climate change through joy and fun. Ages 4-12.
Living With (Her Tribal Roots, British Columbia)- Let’s groove together! Living With is a multi-layered performance that explores the interconnections between people and our relationship to the earth. Through the thoughtful storytelling, harmonizing, dancing and drumming of the Her Tribal Roots’ artists, we can reimagine how we interact with one another and with nature. Living With is a true mosaic where different dance styles, music, poetry and cultures come together to create a beautiful expression of how we can all live with one another. Don’t miss this opportunity to feel the rhythm, connection and joy that is all around us. Kids will be inspired in more ways than one. Commissioned by the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. All ages.
Underwater Archeologist (Boca del Lupo, British Columbia) – Imagine, 150 years in the future. Climate change has been solved and we live together in a world as one nation. The study of archeology has turned to exploring the ocean’s depths in an effort to better understand the carelessness of the early millennium. Amongst the junk and ancient treasure, one archeologist discovers two people who have been hiding in an underwater bunker for over 60 years. Grab a VR headset and dive into this immersive, hopeful comedy that is part performance, part virtual reality and explore deep underwater and far into the future. Ages 9-12.
The Wild and Wonderful West Coast Workshop (Ginalina, British Columbia) – Calling all West Coast Kids and nature lovers! Did you know that British Columbia is home to the richest diversity of plants, trees, mammals and birds? Discover more with Juno-nominated Singer-Songwriter, and Canadian Children’s Book Week Author, Ginalina. In this hands-on music and book-inspired workshop, families will explore some of the flying, swimming, running, and crawling creatures that call our backyards home – get ready to hoot like a Horned Owl, splash like a Sculpin Fish, burrow like a Badger, and grow tall like a Western Red Cedar! Together, we will also experience what eco-diversity is, why it is vital, and how young people today are helping to protect the environment! A Take-Home Package will be available for every participant. Ages 4-12.
ONLINE ART WORKSHOPS
Available online from May 31 at 9:30am to June 12 at 8pm. Closed captioning available.
Bhangra Dance Workshop
Bhangra is a lively, Punjabi folk dance that has surged in popularity worldwide, both in traditional form and as a fusion with other genres such as hip-hop. Join Gurp Sian to get your body moving and your heartbeat racing with Bhangra dance steps choreographed to upbeat Bhangra music!
Mask Making Workshop
Join us to make some fantastic and fabulous masks with Beth Agosti. Let your imagination soar and create whatever creature you would like to become. You could be a fire breathing Dragon or dive to the depths of the ocean as Jellyfish.
The Vancouver International Children’s Festival gratefully acknowledges the following for their generous support: The City of Vancouver Cultural Services, the BC Arts Council, BC Gaming, the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, CMHC Granville Island, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority proudly representing the Port of Vancouver, RBC Foundation, Metro Vancouver, Amacon, Fortis BC, Diamond Foundation, Pattison Outdoor, Squamish Nation, Lamar Transit Advertising, Moonrider Productions, City TV, Omni, Stir Arts & Culture Vancouver, Vancouver is Awesome, VancouverMom.ca and Fairchild Media Group.
About the Vancouver International Children’s Festival
The longest running professional performing arts festival for young audiences and the first of its kind in North America and Europe, the Vancouver International Children’s Festival presents the world’s finest music, theatre, dance, puppetry, acrobatics and storytelling, as well as creative arts activities for the entire family. Families come from near and far to experience this extraordinary annual arts festival created specifically for children and families. We are dedicated to providing creative, diverse programming that engages and delights our young audience.
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