Featured Artist - Fire Spinners

Fire spinners Leah Simmons and Jessi Knight spin and breath fire!

See the Fire Spinners perform with Taperecorder in front of our main Music Stage after dark.







* video from CAF 2009 submitted by Sharon Kools, photos by Heidi Meyer

Featured Artist - Pandora's Sox

When Jay isn't performing (Jay is a member of the Canadian Actors Equity Association) or raising funds for live professional theatre (Jay has worked in marketing and development for, The National Tap Dance Co of Canada The Gravenhurst Opera House and Theatre Collingwood) or establishing training programs in drama for children (Jay founded ShowbizKidz and Act-Up! in Gravenhurst and Collingwood respectively), Jay spends his time uncovering delightful creative treasures like this project - Pandora's Sox.

Jay was introduced to the world of puppetry in 1979 having just graduated from the University of Waterloo in drama and theatre arts. He joined a children's theatre company that relied heavily on puppetry. Jay has been fascinated by puppets ever since and now he is “in his element" as he shares his puppet knowledge and writes and performs his unique puppet shows.

Established in the winter of 2009, Pandora's Sox has blossomed quickly. Pandora's Sox conducts puppet workshops, assembles and distributes sock-puppet kits, and performs puppet shows wherever kids gather. McGregor Socks has joined Pandora's Sox in the quest to put puppetry into the hands of aspiring puppeteers. In addition, Pandora's Sox creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Simcoe County.





PANDORA' S SOX PRESENTS:
PANDORA'S BOX-THE PUPPET SHOW

We take this famous Greek Myth and "puppefy" it!

What's in the box? How did it get here? What will happen if it opens? Join Prometheus, his brother Epi and Pandora on this timeless adventure as they search for hope in the midst of a monumental crisis.

Peppered with original songs, one actor performs all the characters.

These puppets do not hide inside a puppet stage making this show a three ring circus, exciting, fast paced, clever and funny.

The puppets are larger than life and there's lots of opportunity for audience participation. Imaginative, creative, fun and memorable you'll enjoy this new take on an old tale.

Look for Jay on our Performance Stage in the early afternoon. For more about Jay or the Pandora's Box show, see pandorasbox56.blogspot.com

Featured Artist - Michele Hopkins and Tippy Toes School of Dance

Michele Hopkins Dance Artist/Choreographer/ Teacher

Michele Hopkins has been practicing her art as a dance performer, choreographer, teacher and director for the past 25 years. She has studied extensively across Ontario and New York. Her performing repertoire includes a diversity of works from classic to contemporary, traditionally based to independent choreography. Michele has also integrated multidisciplinary arts into her works. And, she has collaborated with artists in other disciplines including photography, film, poetry and visual arts. Michele has engaged the Cambridge community in the art of dance since her arrival here 8 years ago. She has directed and produced numerous highly successful dance performances involving the community at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts and beyond. Ms. Hopkins has performed original choreography at the Mayor's Celebration of the Arts 2003, 2004, 2008, the GCDF 2008 as well as

other local venues and festivals. She introduced Frank Augustyn to the community in 2007 and co-organizes an annual ballet workshop featuring highly acclaimed dance professionals. She has also been awarded a Mayor's Cultural Award (2004), Bernice Adams Award (2008) and Woman of Distinction in the performing arts (2008). Michele was the 2007 Artist in Residence (AIR) at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts. She has been awarded grants from the OAC and Arts Fund. As a member of the ballet committee of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and CADA, she hopes to continue to encourage and nurture creativity and artistic expression through dance and hopes to pass on her passion and love of dance to her community.

Michele will be both performing and giving a ballet workshop on our Performance Stage.

For a preview of Michele's work, tickets are still available for her upcoming show Swan Lake: Excerpts from Act II.

Featured Artist - motus O

It is strange to think how an American gymnast, an Australian sheep shearer and a Canadian figure skater could have their paths meet and eventually become Co-Artistic Directors of a dance theatre company in Canada. Yet, as it turns out, that diversity has become the essence of MOTUS O. Where cultures and talents collide and then reform, creating a dynamic team that explores the dramatic and relishes the physical and all with a touch of humour.


The Artistic Directors of MOTUS O, James Croker, Cynthia Croker and Jack Langenhuizen, have all been trained in several artistic disciplines with decades of combined performing experience in both street theatre and stage. This diversity, coupled with their collaborative style of creating, enriches the production values and constantly surprises the viewer. Each production displays their unique ability to be involved in the whole creative process. They create the story, design and build costumes and props, choreograph, shoot and edit film and if that is not enough, they perform.

MOTUS O is Latin for 'the method of movement'. In the Artistic Directors words "we want to know the meaning of every movement and to move as if it has meaning". Physical inventiveness, lightning action, grace and raw energy are all trademarks of their evolving style.

Since their formation in 1990, MOTUS O has created thirteen full-length productions for both family and adult audiences. The troupe continues to tour throughout North America, Europe and the South Seas, bringing with them their innovative and highly visual works to both small and large communities alike.

At this year's Festival, motus O will grace our Performance Stage 3 times throughout the day.

For more information about the dance troupe, including a list of upcoming shows, see their website motuso.com

Featured Artist - Down Hips Dance Studio

Down Hips Dance Studio is the largest bellydance studio in KW-Cambridge, and a welcoming place for women of all ages, shapes & sizes. The Down Hips Dance Troupe that will be both performing and providing a workshop at this year's Festival, is comprised of 8 women with a passion for the Middle Eastern dance form, and a love of sharing that passion with an audience.

Bellydance is a Western term for a traditional Arab dance genre known as raqs sharqi, literally "oriental dance". Native to the Middle East, and now popular worldwide, belly dance is an exciting way to dance, and express a cultural history, while adapting to the modern feel and excitement of our own culture.

For more information, or to book the troupe for your event, see their website DownHips.com