Augusto! Children’s Festival is returning to Haines Junction August 8 to 10
With 34 one-hour workshops, two evening events and a closing magic show, there really is something for everyone
Three days of dance, parties, crafts, music and more will be taking place from Aug. 8 to 10 at Augusto! Children’s Festival at the St. Elias Convention Centre in Haines Junction. It is the sixth festival. Darlene Sillery, a board member and one of the organizers, looks back: “The first festival took place in 2017, with preparations starting in 2016.”
This year, two-thirds of the tickets sold in the first 10 days, and 80 percent of purchasers are repeat attendees. Each year, the festival is different with 34 workshops in both visual and performing arts. There are many excellent options, but two Handpan Drum workshops this year are particularly special, according to Sillery. The Dakwäkäda Dancers will open the festival early Friday afternoon, getting kids warmed up. An additional highlight will be Claire Ness and the Swingsets.
“Claire Ness and the Swingsets were the dance band at our very first festival in 2017 and we look forward to welcoming Claire and her dance band back to Augusto!” says Sillery.
A Whitehorse native, Ness pursued her artistic education at Humber College in Toronto where she focused on comedy writing and performance, before training in circus arts at Montreal’s École nationale de cirque. She is a well-known songwriter in the Yukon, as well as a comedian. Her songs weave together rich visual language, creative metaphors and storytelling that draws from history. In 2021, Ness earned recognition when Broccoli Farm, her children’s album, received a Canadian Folk Music Award as well as a Western Canadian Music Award. The album’s title song received semi-finalist status in the International Songwriting Competition. She also serves as the founding artistic director of the Yukon Circus Society. For the past few years, her main job has been to bring circus workshops and shows to communities in the Yukon.
But back to the program of Augusto!
On Saturday night, the Great Balanzo will turn the everyday into an adventure, with a circus and comedy show for all ages, incorporating big balances, amazing juggling, physical comedy and more. Great Balazno is a performer and entertainer whose performances have reached audiences exceeding one million across 13 countries. Born in Montreal, he is currently based in Edmonton where he also serves as outdoor artist manager for the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.
The Augusto! Children’s Festival is pleased to welcome magician Travis Bernhardt, who will open for the Saturday-night show and close out the festival with a 45-minute magic show, just after lunch on Sunday. The weekend will also feature two magic workshops by Bernhardt, offering participants hands-on instruction from a performer with a calm, comedic personality and unfathomable magic tricks.
Throughout the day on Saturday and for half of the day on Sunday, 34 one-hour workshops will be offered for kids aged 5 to 12. Performing-arts workshops this year include Music Fun, Circus Fun, Learn Magic, Singing, Percussion, Introduction to Harp and, quite amazingly, two Handpan Drum workshops. Visual arts workshops include Making Rain, Miniature Mushrooms, Needle Felted Cards, Monster Parade, Forest Scientists: Cyanotype Sun Art, Paint Like You Are Beading, Botanical Bath Bombs, Feather Hair Extension Clips and Robotics.
For ages 2 to 4, Toddler Town is a mini festival in itself with structured craft activities, roving performers, mini concerts and the wonderful Cardboard Village to explore. Peripheral activities include face painting and a silk screen T-shirt station where kids can paint their own wearable art. A Kid’s Café will also run throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are on sale now: Weekend passes are $40 (ages 5 to 12) and $25 (ages 2 to 4). Visit augustokids.ca to purchase tickets online. With 34 one-hour workshops, two evening events and a closing magic show, there really is something for everyone.
