Festival to teach children about life in other lands

Sophie is a champagne cocktail of a child, all exuberance and mutinous blond curls that spring off her head like bubbles escaping a fluted glass.

A dash of bitters gives her a mischievous kick that keeps things interesting, and with her squeaky little-girl voice, it’s hard to deny her anything.

A couple of years ago, I went sea kayaking with Sophie, her parents, and some other perfectly lovely – but not Sophie-level – children.

At the end of the day, the other kids were playing on the beach, in a manner Sophie found less than acceptable. She pleaded for the modifications necessary to achieve her vision, to no avail.

Finally, she resorted to this:

“Think of me.”

It struck me as something we’d all like to say from time to time. And so, today’s column is for Sophie, and any equally exceptional children you may know.

The eighth annual Vancouver Island International Children’s Festival might be a good place to start pleasing the junior members among us. This year’s version, scheduled for May 10 to 12, expands to two locations: Nanaimo and Victoria.

According to organizers, it’s intended to teach children about life in other lands by reflecting the multicultural makeup of Canadian society. They believe exposure to other cultures leads to understanding, tolerance and acceptance.

That all sounds noble enough, but as Sophie demonstrated all too clearly, little girls just want to have fun.

Toward that end, the festival will serve up a mix of dance, drama, music, acrobatics, circus acts, storytelling and puppetry presented by an international cast of professional performers.

A few highlights to whet your appetite:

Kenya Alive!, a combination of East African music and Chinese acrobatics, must be exciting; the exclamation point is baked right in. And I can vouch for the charms of Vietnamese water puppets, which glide about before an elaborate floating set.

Here’s something to make a parent nervous: Cirkus Inferno features “pyrotechnic chaos” delivered by stunt clowns and circus folk.

I’m sure it’s all perfectly safe.

The festival also offers workshops on circus arts; African drumming; the art of First Nations communities such as beadwork, carving and weaving; mystery instruments, which apparently include bagpipes and gourd guitars; something called “speed acting;” hip-hop and break dancing; and more.

Besides workshops and performances, they’ve got face painting, hair coloring, an art wall, playing with clay and the like.

You’ll find more information – including ticket prices and content just for teachers – at www.childrensfestival.com. Or call (877) 554-3378.

Train-ing wheels

Bring your tired, your bored, your finicky eaters. The Spirit of Washington Dinner Train is not afraid.

Through the month of April, children 12 and under ride for free.

Not so fast, chief. Before you start planning what you’ll do with a spare three or so hours, bear this in mind. You – or some other responsible, paying adult – have to go along. And you’re limited to two nippers per grown-up; any more and you’ll have to pony up $20 each.

Hop on at the Renton depot for your 44-mile round-trip along Lake Washington to the Columbia Winery in Woodinville. Along the way you’ll enjoy a three-course meal and your young companion can choose from the special children’s menu offered for just this occasion.

Your ticket runs $63.99. Learn more about the train, including the history of each car, at www.spiritofwashingtondinnertrain.com. If you still have questions, call (800) 876-7245.

By the tales

“Tell me a story! Tell me a story!”

If you’ve heard that one too many times, let Cut Bank, Mont., do the job.

The 13th annual Montana Storytelling Roundup, scheduled for April 27 and 28, promises to bring guests and entertainers “from all over the land to tell their tales and exhibit their talent.”

Organizers have secured, among others, singer/songwriter/comedian Stan Howe from Helena, professional Canadian storyteller Max Tell, singers, fiddlers and the “Mountain Mushers Hero Dog Sled Educational/Therapy Team.”

The Montana Committee for the Humanities will present “Songs for your Supper,” a look at what we eat says about us; “Daughters of the Sweetgrass Hills: History & Culture of the Sweetgrass Hills in Montana,” a collection of stories, songs and poems; and a program on “Story Quilts.”

Get additional information at www.northerntel.net/~cbchambe/storytel or (406) 336-3253.

Suite charity

Finally, a clarification: Last week, I told you about the Heathman Hotel’s $5,000 “Tonight’s the Night!” package, a deal that includes two tickets to a Portland Center Stage play.

At least $2,500 of that fee will be donated – in your name – to Portland Center Stage. So that ought to loosen up your purse strings.

Regional events

“Gene Harris Jazz Festival, April 4-7, Boise. Boise State University hosts the festival’s 10th year. Wednesday features Club Night, Thursday offers big-band entertainment and Friday is a tribute to Harris. A free gospel concert wraps things up. ( www.geneharris.org/208-426-JAZZ)

“Swiftsure International Yacht Race, May 26-28, Victoria, B.C. Established in 1930, this is the oldest and largest yacht race in the Pacific Northwest. Organizers expect more than 200 entrants for six races over four separate courses. ( www.swiftsure.org/250-592-9098)