Circus and magic and hip hop, oh my!

NEWS RELEASE

ARTS COUNCIL OF SAULT STE. MARIE AND DISTRICT

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Over the Rainbow Children’s Entertainment Series launches their new season with a flying start

Starting October 16, the Arts Council wants to share the joy of live entertainment with children and parents alike in the Algoma area through four high energy shows at the Grand Theatre.

For less than the price of a movie, theatre-goers will be entertained by the shows and then have opportunities to interact with the performers, get autographs, and win door prizes.

The Over the Rainbow Children’s Entertainment Series, run by a group of volunteers and the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District, has been bringing quality performers to the Sault since 1992.

“We’ve done our best to make these shows affordable, and we do that with the help of funding agencies (Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canadian Heritage Foundation) and our corporate sponsors like Northern Credit Union, the Medicine Shoppe, and the Delta Waterfront Hotel” said Sandra Houston, executive director of the Arts Council.

The shows can be attended individually for $15 per adult and $12 per child, or are available bundled together in a “passport” to the entire series which costs $50 per child plus adult, a 54 percent savings over door prices.

“Even if you only attend two shows, you are still saving money by buying the passport in advance.”

“Over the Rainbow Children’s Entertainment Series allows grandparents or parents to spend quality time with their young ones, together, away from televisions, computers, cell phones, and video games,” Joan Foster, advocate for the arts, added, mentioning the shows are for children ages 4 and up. “We want to help families make lasting memories and learn to love the arts as much as we do. These performances are wonderful, affordable, family fun, and the line up this year is one of our best yet!”

Flyin’ Bob: The One Man, Three Ring Circus starts off the season on Sunday, October 16, 2011.

A month later, Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company presents a seasonal production entitled The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus on Saturday, November 12, 2011.

On Sunday, February 19, 2012, Anders the Magician promises to dazzle his audience with A Magic Spectacle and the season finale is Project Soul, a hip hop dance sensation on Sunday, April 15, 2012.

“We hope parents see the incredible value being offered here, and buy their passports quickly,” commented Houston. “As the Grand Theatre is an intimate venue, we are only selling a maximum of 120 passports this year, and we don’t want people to be disappointed if they sell out before they call.”

All of the performances are at The Grand Theatre, 641 Queen St. E., at 2 p.m. 

Season passports can be purchased in advance by paying by cash or cheque at the Arts Council, Kevanna Studios, Hilltribe Designs, and Once Upon a Child.

For more information email [email protected], call 705-945-9756 or find them on Facebook and “like” the Over the Rainbow Children's Entertainment Series.

All proceeds raised go towards bringing high quality, creative performers for the following season.

The Over the Rainbow Children's Entertainment Series is a non-profit committee of the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie and District supported by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Canadian Heritage Foundation.

Their goal is to bring families together to foster a love of music, fun, and drama, at affordable prices. Performances range from magic and dance to international music and plays.

The executive committee is always looking for volunteers and corporate sponsors, especially to sponsor workshops for local students while the performers are in town.

Founded in 1992, the series was resurrected by the Arts Council and committed volunteers in 2008, after a seven-year hiatus.

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