Festival Schedule
workshop descriptions
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Toddler town
is sold out!
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Full
Southern Tutchone Dance and Song with the Dakwäkäda Dancers
Based in Haines Junction, the Dakwäkäda Dancers have been teaching young people in Southern Tutchone and Tlingit cultures through the tradition of song and dance for more than 20 years. Starting with children who begin as young as two years of age, older youth and adults keep the Southern Tutchone culture alive and vibrant, passing it down to new generations, native and non-native. The Dakwäkäda Dancers will open the festival on Friday afternoon and will present a workshop during the festival on Southern Tutchone dance and song.
Kaska Drumming and Songs with Dena Zagi
We are very pleased to be bringing Ross River band Dena Zagi for our Friday night family dance. The music of Dena Zagi is in the Kaska language, with lyrics about the land, spirits, respect, ancestors, and traditions. The band will be set up on the dance floor for maximum interaction, so be sure to bring your music shakers! The beat goes on Saturday when Dena Zagi will offer a workshop on Kaska drumming and songs.
Friday Performing Arts
Performing Arts Workshops
Magic with Sheldon Casavant
Recognized as one of Canada's top magicians, we are especially excited to be presenting Alberta magician Sheldon Casavant, with his one hour interactive magic stage show for our Saturday night feature performance. Imagine a mind-bending experience where borrowed objects vanish and reappear, float through the air, and challenge the perceptions of reality – leaving laughter, amazement and excitement. Sheldon will be presenting two magic workshops during the weekend where you will be sure to learn a magic trick or two!
Sock Puppets with Kellie Haines Ventriloquist
A multi-talented entertainer with a background in theatre, clowning, singing and dance, Kellie Haines Ventriloquist and her puppet pals will open the show Saturday evening!
Magrau the colourful bird and Kamilla the curious frog with natural red hair, will keep the audience guessing who is pulling the strings. Kellie will also offer two one hour sock puppet workshops during the weekend - but be careful - they might even talk back!
Circus Circuit with Claire Ness
Claire Ness, a free-spirited Yukoner born and raised, makes her living as a singer/songwriter, actor, clown, vaudevillian, circus teacher, cabaret performer and puppeteer. This year we are so lucky to have Claire present her Circus Circuit workshop. Join Claire on her Aerial Circus Rig and let her teach you some acrobatic moves. Improve your juggling skills while finding ways to make each other laugh and tumble around on the mats while learning how best to fall! Get a belly full of fun, hilarity and clowning skills with Claire and her experienced instructors during two 1.5 hours workshops on Sunday morning.
Bhangra Music and Dance with Gurdeep Pandher
Gurdeep Pandher will be presenting two Bhangra dance workshops during the festival, teaching the history and the dance moves of this Punjabi folk dance. Bhangra dance is entertaining and also a great high energy workout. The workshops are suitable for complete beginners and for those who have absolutely no experience or idea of what the Bhangra dance is! While Gurdeep has given Bhangra lessons in many locations, we are very pleased to say, this is the first time he has danced in Haines Junction. Be sure to check out his many videos on www.gurdeep.ca and you will understand why you do not want to miss this workshop!
Ukulele Or Harmonica with Steve Slade
Steve Slade likes to teach. He teaches and performs on ukulele, guitar, harmonica and other sundry instruments. He also likes to write songs with kids. Some of them have won prizes, some of them have made it onto CD's with the kids performing their songs. And one got read into Hansard in the House of Parliament and is now part of the national record! Get ready to rock the room during the two workshops Steve will present - one on Harmonica and one on Ukulele! Kids are strongly encouraged to bring their grownup, they get to play too!
Visual Arts Workshops
Milk Jug Sculptures with Leslie Leong
Leslie Leong has a magical ability to turn anything into treasure! Be prepared to be transformed into a creative recycling wizard when you take her milk jug sculptures workshop! Her enthusiasm will leave you awestruck and completely draw you in. When the workshop ends, you will have worked your own magic and turned an ordinary milk jug into a fantastic swan. Or maybe you prefer a dove…or a flower … or… well, you’ll just have to put your creativity to work and see what you can pull out of the hat! Ages 5 and 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
Fashion Design with Henry Navarro
Textile artist Henry Navarro is the Haines Junction 2018 Artist in Residence, and he will be living in the community for three months this summer with his wife Lygia and their son. Henry will instruct two workshops during the festival on fashion design using local cultural and natural items for inspiration. Participants will find ideas from their surroundings and then use fashion sketching techniques to translate these ideas into viable garment designs. Have you ever considered designing your own clothing? Need a new outfit for Halloween or Christmas? Tired of what's available at the Thrift Store? This is a great opportunity to work with a well established and highly respected Canadian textile artist and learn how to design your own clothing!
Festival Style Bird Masks with Kim Henkel
Local artist Kim Henkel is well known for her beautifully bound books, jewellery, paintings and tea bag art. And now – bird masks! Who's behind that mask? It could be YOU! Join in making a festival style bird mask during two workshops that Kim will instruct at the festival. Decorate your mask by adding layers of brightly coloured strips of paper feathers and a pre-made colourful beak - you will be set for the show on Saturday night. Just don't fly away before the magic is over! Ages 5 and 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
Magic Wands with Marty Richie
What is a magician without a wand? Problem solved at Augusto! Children’s Festival. An ordinary stick, some glue, foil, jewels, paint, a few secret ingredients, the magic of creativity and Abracadabra … you have a wand as unique as yourself! It will be a showstopper for sure! Marty Ritchie has been leading Haines Junction youngsters through the magic of creating for over 20 years. This fun project is sure to entertain! Ages 5 and 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
Leather Braiding and Small Bags with Peter Upton
Better known for his Tub, Upright and Uke Bass playing, Peter Upton is here to show you one of his other talents – leather working! Regarded as an elder in both CAFN and KFN communities, Peter will use Southern Tutchone where it applies in his leather working workshops. Frances Oles taught Peter how to tan hides a few years ago and since then he has also been making traditional moose hide scrapers. After discovering his love for the feel and potential that leather had, Peter has created some really lovely braiding work and bags. Take the opportunity to learn from an elder and end up with another great take away from the festival!
Paper Vessels with Leslie Leong
And yet more magic with Leslie Leong! Join Leslie to make a translucent paper vessel from repurposed sewing patterns. Embed reflective Joss paper, dictionary scraps or other paper bits and/or decorate them with natural things from the forest or from the collection of items Leslie has in her treasure box of creative materials. You will be sure to come away from this workshop with a beautiful hand crafted keepsake! Ages 5 and 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
Create Your Own Clay Charm with Monika Steputh
Join local potter Monika Steputh as she shares her love and knowledge of clay with youngsters and adults alike, with an opportunity to experience the magic of creating with clay. Monika will offer two workshops in which YOU will transform a simple lump of clay into an imaginative charm. Monika will then take the pieces back to her studio and fire them inher kiln. Afterwards, you will be able to dazzle your friends and family when your wear your own personal amulet! Ages 5 and 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
Making Dreamcatchers with Karrie Brown
Well known for creating beautiful moccasins, local artist Karrie Brown will instruct two workshops on making dreamcatchers! A hoop, some cord, yarn, beads, feathers and a bit of imagination and you will be on your way to making a unique and magical dreamcatcher to take away. We are sure you will end up with only good dreams from Augusto! Ages 5 and 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
Other Workshops
Electronics Workshop
Ever look in your recycling bin and want to make a creature? How about one that moves! Join us for our Electronics Workshops and create Wobble Bots or Propeller Cars. We are going to have fun tinkering with some recycled parts to create something new from something old! Ages 5 and 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
Toddler town
is sold out!
Augusto! Children’s Festival acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and thank the dancers for their involvement.