The 2020 Virtual
Fat Cat Children's Festival
In Support of: The Children's Festival Society of Kelowna
The 2020 Virtual
Fat Cat Children's Festival
In Support of: The Children's Festival Society of Kelowna
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About The 2020 Virtual Fat Cat Children's Festival
The Children’s Festival Society of Kelowna is excited to announce our FIRST-EVER Virtual Children’s Festival! Join in the excitement of celebrating 30 years of festival fun right from the comfort of your own home or classroom.
Get ready for a 3-day fun-filled festival for the whole family! Did we mention it’s also completely FREE?
Enjoy 3 days of LIVE shows, workshops, and performances from talented local artists, educators, and cultural groups that will not only inspire and uplift, but will also expand your connections within our beautiful Okanagan community.
Even though it’s been tough not being able to gather in person this year, we all agree it’s so important to stay connected to our community now more than ever before. So what better way to do that than coming together virtually to celebrate all things local! A must-see experience you don’t want to miss.
Get ready to enjoy all the fun Fat Cat Children’s Festival 2020 has in store!
Register for FREE now!
Meet our amazing Emcees from
Courage for Youth
Chantelle Wood
Program Director
Inspired by mentors from her teenage years, Chantelle joined the CFY team in 2005. With over 15 years’ experience, Chantelle uses the power of connection, empathy and playfulness in her facilitation style. She oversees our Voices programming for students in grade 5. Outside of CFY, Chantelle loves any chance to salsa dance and explore the beautiful Okanagan with friends and family.
Tracy Cunningham
Program Director
Motivated by her passion for teaching and her love of working with kids Tracy joined Courage For Youth as a facilitator in the fall of 2017. She is inspired daily by the talented colleagues and students she works with. Tracy oversees our SCREAM programming for students in grade 6. She loves living in Kelowna with her three remarkable kids enjoying all aspects of the Okanagan lifestyle.
Gary Brucker
Senior Program Director
For over 20 years Gary, a dynamic speaker and educator, has been involved in providing innovative and life-changing educational programs to children, youth and adults. Gary oversees the implementation of CFY programs and adult conferences. He is passionate about helping people add more tools to their life “toolboxes”.
Courage For Youth
Courage for Youth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a safe social culture in which youth and parents are supported to develop their social and emotional skills to have success in school and life. Instead of focusing on problems, CFY pro-actively fosters courage and wise decision-making based on sound values.
DAY 1
PEOPLE
Jessika von Innerebner
Local Author/ Illustrator
Jessika is a self-taught artist and illustrator who is passionate about bringing people’s ideas into reality through illustration. Jess has been working in the industry since she was 17 drawing for studios like Disney and Atomic Cartoons inspiring imagination in kids of all ages. She’s the illustrator of several picture books and chapter books and the creator of the Kevin the Unicorn series including It’s Not All Rainbows and Why Can’t We Be Bestie-Corns? Other places you can find Jess is long-boarding, at the gym, exploring new lands with her pup Charlie and hubby Cale, sketching at a coffee house, or laughing with friends.
Here’s a link to downloadable Kevin the Unicorn related activities: http://www.jessvoni.com/activities
jessika.voni@gmail.com
Evan the Juggler
Street Performer
Evan Johaneson is a nineteen-year-old street performer based in Vernon, BC who has been juggling since he was nine years old. After a couple of years of practice, he started his own juggling business with a few friends. Not only is Evan an avid juggler, but he’s also into rock climbing, scuba diving and building various creations. Evan’s mission is to share the art of juggling with people to show how much fun and challenging it can be, and how important it is to do what you love. Follow his juggling adventures on Tiktok, Youtube, and Instagram. @EvanTheJuggler!
Make Your Own Juggling Balls
or have at least 3 per person ready for a fun interactive experience!
Cale Atkinson
Local Author/ Illustrator
Cale Atkinson is an author/illustrator/animator currently residing in Kelowna Canada. Believing in tea more than sleep, Cale is constantly working on numerous projects. His work can be found in children’s books, animated shorts, television, and games. Cale's always looking for new and exciting projects that challenge his skills and allow him to grow creatively. He’s previously worked with Disney Hyperion, Marvel, Tundra books, OWL Books, Simon and Schuster, Doubleday, Grosset and Dunlap, Penguin Random House, Disney.com, Pearson, American Greetings, Hyper Hippo Games, Lerner Books, Scholastic.
https://vimeo.com/caleatkinson
Seeka Sings
Seeka Sings is a children’s musical act by Jessica "Seeka" Holtby. Seeka is a Canadian singer/songwriter of Jamaican descent who has been involved in the western Canadian music scene for most of her life, performing in English and French. Her children's act brings music, rhyme, and movement to children of all ages, with an emphasis on early education. Seeka's songs cover a wide range of learning targets, from language development to motor skills to self-esteem.
Find @seekasings on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!
Seeka est une auteure/compositeure/interprète canadienne d’origine jamaïcaine qui fait de la musique pour enfants. Son spectacle apporte de la musique et du mouvement aux enfants de tous âges, surtout à ceux d’âge préscolaire. Ses chansons couvrent de nombreux objectifs d'apprentissage, y compris le développement du langage, les aptitudes motrices et l’estime de soi.
En ligne, Seeka Sings présente une série de courtes vidéos musicales qui encouragent la participation. Hors ligne, Seeka organise des chants en personne en Alberta et en Colombie-Britannique dans des festivals, des crèches et des événements privés.
Trouvez @seekasings sur Instagram, Facebook et YouTube
Canada Learning Code
www.canadalearningcode.ca
Introduction to Coding through Scratch – We offer a variety of Scratch-based workshops that provide youth with the opportunity to co-create their very own computer games, digital art, and digital stories from the inside-out! While these workshops are created with beginners in mind, they’re well-suited for all youth with varying past coding experiences.
DAY 1 - Game Making with Scratch: Escape Game - All great games need a hero and a villain! Learners will create a game where their hero sprite must avoid a villain sprite that randomly moves across the screen.
DAY 2
PLANET
UBCO
Let's Talk Science
Marine Life Demonstration
Let’s Talk Science supports and empowers all youth to be creative, critical thinkers and knowledgeable citizens who are prepared to participate and thrive in a complex global environment. They create and deliver unique learning programs and services that engage children, youth and educators in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
https://outreach.letstalkscience.ca/ubcokanagan
Learners will need a paper cup, string/ribbon, a hole puncher, and markers.
Please contact letstalkscience.okanagan@ubc.ca if you would like a classroom supply kit to be provided.
Cori Derickson
Suknaquin-Syilx - Dancer, Artist, Designer and Performer
Cori is a Suknaquin-Syilx UBCO Interdisciplinary MFA Candidate artist, who works in performance, sculpture, painting, multi-media, fashion design and printmaking mediums. Cori’s artistic subjects reflect her strong cultural heritage living close to the land taught by her maternal family who are affluent knowledge keepers. She is one of the few female Eagle Dancers in North America and she has shared her dance internationally in Peru and France. Cori continues the work of her family through her academics and art including that of her Great Great Grandmother - Mourning Dove - Hemishmish (the first Native American published author). Cori’s graduate work includes the research of the traditional performance concepts of theatre based upon the captikwl, published by Mourning Dove in “Coyote Stories” in 1933. “When I dance, sing or play the drum; I pray for our people, our lands and our future.”
Emily Avril Emcologique
Emily holds a BSc. in Health/Life Sciences from Simon Fraser University. Emily also has extensive experience sharing environmental information for Honeybee Centre and Britannia Mine Museum. Using her skills and experiences, she hopes to share her passion for the outdoors to encourage curiosity in nature and oneself through ecohikes and workshops to learn more about the natural inhabitants of Kelowna. This session will highlight a connection with nature with references to art in nature, science, species at risk, and environmental duty.
https://www.emcologique.com/
Canada Learning Code
www.canadalearningcode.ca
Introduction to Coding through Scratch – We offer a variety of Scratch-based workshops that provide youth with the opportunity to co-create their very own computer games, digital art, and digital stories from the inside-out! While these workshops are created with beginners in mind, they’re well-suited for all youth with varying past coding experiences.
DAY 2 - Art Making with Scratch: Spiral Maker - Learners will use code to generate rainbow spirals in this interactive project. The project is completely customizable and mesmerizing to look at!
Become an Animal Champion!
Unboxals focuses on connecting kids and families to nature, wildlife conservation, and animals to create a generation of animal champions. Unboxals has created powerful content to engage young kids and get them talking about animals and habitats. A portion of their net profits will support wildlife conservation partners to help endangered animals. Their team of dreamers and makers has worked together for over a decade on some of the world’s best and biggest brands for kids—including Disney’s Club Penguin. They love collaborating with partners who share our passion and values. Their experiences have highlighted the profound truth that kids have the power to change the world and given the opportunity, they will.
DAY 3
PROFIT
Kinshira Entertainment
Kinshira Entertainment is a performing arts group specializing in event entertainment and performance art with stilt walkers, fire dancer, roving atmosphere characters, themed costumes, aerial performers, circus entertainment and more! With over a decade of experience performing creative acts all over British Columbia, we are excited to showcase our 2020 circus and flow show, Vintage Swing Circus!
https://www.kinshira.com
Deanna Kent
& Neil Hooson
Snazzy Cat Capers
Deanna Kent and Neil Hooson are a writer and artist duo in Kelowna, B.C. Canada. Together, they’ve worked on some of the biggest kids and family brands including books, marketing campaigns, and interactive experiences. A former educator, Deanna is passionate about designing digital and real-world products and experiences for kids and families. She’s worked with brands like Disney, Discovery, Pixar, Muppets, and more. Neil loves to make characters and brands come to life through illustration and animation. He’s worked with brands like Star Wars, TRON, and Pixar, and helped to shape kids and family brands around the globe. Together Deanna and Neil are the co-creators of the Snazzy Cat Capers and Glam Prix Racers book series. By far, their greatest creative challenge is raising four very busy and amazing boys and their giant dog, Hugo.
The Oot n’ Oots
The Oot n’ Oots make entertaining kids music that draws on diverse influences like rock n’ roll and soul. Their original songs are imaginative and silly in the spirit of fun and being a kid. The band includes their main vocalist Ruth Cipes with her dad Ezra, uncles Ari and Gabe with Matthew on drums.
The band released their second album “Electric Jellyfish Boogaloo” on May 25, 2018. The album has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award and the band for “Children’s Artist of the Year” at the 2019 Western Canadian Music Awards. The band released their latest single “Thank You Universe” on June 3, 2020, and is now in the midst of recording their third album.
You Are Collective
You Are Collective started as a way to create change and make a difference. Michael and Rebecca had been living through their own separate mental health journey's and noticed an immense lack of support and understanding. They created You Are Collective to support people to get the mental health help they need. To not feel hidden behind a stigma. To talk about their mental health freely no matter the state.
They started a clothing line with a message of Empowerment, Inclusiveness, Community, Safety and Understanding by sourcing local, sustainable goods to further foster their social impact. They donate a minimum of 10% of each item purchased to our #1MillionCampaign which distributes funds across many organizations to provide a variety of counselling and mental health services across Canada. Plus, they partner with different organizations and non-profits to create collaborative events, collections, and resources.
www.youarecollective.ca
https://www.instagram.com/youarecollective/
Canada Learning Code
www.canadalearningcode.ca
Introduction to Coding through Scratch – We offer a variety of Scratch-based workshops that provide youth with the opportunity to co-create their very own computer games, digital art, and digital stories from the inside-out! While these workshops are created with beginners in mind, they’re well-suited for all youth with varying past coding experiences.
DAY 3 - Animating with Scratch: One Wish - A wizard appears out of thin air. You have one wish. What do you wish for? Learners will use Scratch to finish a short animation
Fat Cat Wrap Up Gala
Order in a Dunnenzies meal for the whole family to enjoy and tune into the final event of the 2020 Virtual Fat Cat Children’s Festival starting at 5:30pm on Nov 25.
For this special Gala event, Dunnenzies is offering 10% off your take out orders during the festival from Nov23 - Nov25!
Courage For Youth will be hosting our evening with some great music from local band, Post-Modern Connection.
This will be a wonderful way for the whole family to enjoy the festivities together after school and work while supporting Kelowna’s favourite local pizza joint! Plus, not having to cook dinner and have pizza sounds pretty appealing right?
Hosted by Courage For Youth
Post-Modern Connection
Band - Indie Rock
Wed Nov 25 at 5:30 pm
Post-Modern Connection is a local Kelowna indie-band that defies norms. Their sound is paired with thoughtful and carefully crafted songwriting to make for some smooth, relaxing listening. They describe their sound as a blend of indie rock, soul-tinged with jazz and lightly expressing psychedelic pop.
PMC inspirations are diverse because that’s who they are as a band. Lead Singer and guitarist Tega comes from Nigeria, lead guitarist Georges comes from Lebanon. Their bassist Steven is from Taiwan while drummer Aaron and synth player and violinist Mitch call Canada their birthplace. The band draws on their unique backgrounds and experiences, personal histories and upbringing to create their emotionally-charged music, captivating listeners.
https://pmcband.ca/
A Special Thank You to these Supporters
The Canadian Red Cross • Steve Thomson • Norm Letnick • Ben Stewart • Staples Studio • Virgin Radio • 101.5 EZ Rock • AM 1150 • MNP LLP Accounting Services • Kelowna Now • Holiday Park Resort • Flair Airlines • Kelowna Capital News • Kelowna Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre • Kelowna Chrysler Dodge • Secure-Rite Mobile Storage • Silver Springs Concrete Services • BNL Media Consulting • Once Upon a Bookstore • Avalon Event Rentals • Teresa May Talent Agency • Cherry Lane Homes • Unboxals Creative Inc. • Courage for Youth • You Are Collective • DunnEnzies Pizza co. • Let's Talk Science UBC Okanagan • Stay At Home Gala • CapriCMW Insurance Services • Summerhill Winery
Our Local Social Media Loves: @GreenBeanReloved, @spiritgypsy.ca, @the.cake.mama, @shopthecakemama, @josefinaandco, @canadianfrost, @CynthiaPottingerEvents, @BravveBotanicalsCo, @YogawithYoh, @fillkelownasrefillstore, @loadzatoyz, @table_fortynine, @jillian.harris, @fillkelownasrefillstore, @summerhillwine, @relentlessbaking, @mamawrites, @kelownalavender
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.
Don't miss out, register today!
Support The Fat Cat Children's Festival!
2020 has been fairly difficult for all of us, but we can all agree it’s been especially hard on our kids. Many of the events they look forward to all year have been cancelled including shows and festivals.
We at The Children's Festival Society of Kelowna don’t want to let anyone down, so we decided to move our annual Fat Cat Children’s Festival online instead of gathering in person. This way, our community can still have something enjoyable to look forward to and gather together safely.
The Fat Cat Children’s Festival has been a longstanding favourite of the local Okanagan community. An event that showcases art, education, workshops and performances from local professionals to educate and inspire the youth of the Okanagan community. We’ve been putting on this festival since 1990, so this being our 30th year gives us even more reason to come together to make this festival possible.
Our mission is always to have all children, and their families Ignite their Passion, Imagine their World, and Include their Community.
This year our festival will revolve around the theme of People, Planet and Profit as a way to showcase how we are all connected and how we each make an impact in our communities and the world. We have 3 days of shows, workshops, performances and more starting on Monday, November 23 and going on through Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25.
Not only is this going to be a great online festival for parents and children who are staying at home, but also for teachers for their students in classrooms as well. All for absolutely free.
Since this annual event is produced by a small non-profit society, we need help from people like you who care about our community as much as we do. All proceeds from our fundraiser will go toward the people who make this event possible including our expert performers, facilitators, authors and artists. Your kind donations will also go toward the long term sustainability of the festival, developing our amazing volunteer board, and management team, and towards the enhancement of the Fat Cat Children’s Festival experience for many more years to come.
When you make a donation, you’ll instantly receive a ticket to attend the 2020 Virtual Fat Cat Children’s Festival so you can see the impact your donation makes.
Even just a small donation of just $25 can really make an impact to keep our festival going strong. Donate now and bring joy to the children of our community, because 2020 has been tough enough.
You Can Make a Difference