Between August 1-4, Stratford will come alive with stilt-walking creatures, free outdoor barge concerts on the banks of the Avon River, and unforgettable performances by world-class puppet artists and musicians during the third annual World in a Weekend Festival: International Puppet & Music Festival, presented by SpringWorks~PuppetWorks! and Stratford Summer Music! Here are the top 4 reasons why you should mark your calendars for this unforgettable experience:
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Fun Puppet Activities & Shows For All Ages
Bring the children in your life to experience magical puppet shows! Check out Cuckoo, a puppet show for ages 4+ where your littles get to live in the GIANT cuckoo-clock world of a hard-at-work little Cuckoo bird, or Don’t Make Me Get Dressed, a joyously absurd mix of puppetry & live music, in an inventive ode to the feelings we have when we choose our clothes that the entire family will love, designed for ages 3+.
There are also opportunities to enjoy an adult night out. Experience a highlight double bill; Migrationes/Migrations, a journey of migrating refugees in a unique performance: sand drawing, life-size & shadow puppets, live music, and Song / Book, a tapestry of traditional and Yiddish folk songs, sung in the moment as delicate paper-puppets’ storybooks unfold, creating both an intimate and immersive experience. Get more involved, brush off your dancin’ shoes, grab a drink at the Latin Dance Party, or learn something new at our workshops (no experience required): Making Puppets Work for Kids & their Grown-Ups (all ages), Sand Drawing & Shadow Puppetry (Ages 10+), and Song/Book Creation (Ages 10+).
There’s truly something for everyone programmed at this year’s World in a Weekend! -
Live Music Performances You Can’t Miss
Check out the brilliant live performances by remarkable musicians, organized by Stratford Summer Music!
Top Show for Jazz Lovers:
Friday Night Live at Revival – SSM Jazz All Stars Indulge in an evening of soulful jazz at Revival House, featuring the talented SSM Jazz All Stars. Let their musical brilliance take you on a journey of jazz that’ll leave you spellbound!
Top Shows for the World-Seekers:
We are bringing the World to you at this year’s World in a Weekend! Come see Viva Mexico Mariachi, a multicultural ensemble of skilled musicians, celebrating the rich tradition of Mariachi music in Toronto since 2000.
Finish off the Weekend with Tio Chorinho, Canada’s first Brazilian choro ensemble, which earned award nominations for ‘Chora Brazil’ and will release a new album in spring 2024.
Top Show for the Lovers of the Classics:
Gregory Oh: Lessons In Failure at Factory 163, Gregory Oh, pianist and music director, candidly explores classical music’s taboos, sharing personal failures with humour and introspection. -
Accessible Pricing and Ways to Save
World in a Weekend provides affordable choices to make memories with friends and family. The festival offers both paid and free events throughout the entire weekend so you can see the world on a budget – (much cheaper than plane fares). Concerts have varying prices, from $40 to $75.
Puppet programming also offers a Flex 4+ discount: buy any 4 puppet tickets across the festival and receive 10% off your booking.
Keep an eye on the SpringWorks Festival and Stratford Summer Music social media pages this month, for giveaway and contest opportunities as a chance to win free tickets. -
Free Outdoor Fun on Veterans Drive Park
The festival features breathtaking puppeteers and musicians from Spain, Boston, Mexico (via Minneapolis), and all across Canada. Come explore World in a Weekend with a wide range of activities for all ages, including hands-on play zones, fantastical photo ops, and curious creation stations…and your family can experience their Veterans Drive Park performances for FREE!
On Saturday and Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., children can explore the returning fan favourite, Garden for Little Souls and other interactive play activities like DIY face paint and puppet making. Take a break at the bank of the Avon River with a MusicBarge concert, enjoy an interactive children’s music concert by Pete & Anna and Mr.Mark, and a Puppetry show: PIPA! coming to us all the way from Spain! Witness Les Kakous, 12-foot-tall stilt-walking spellbinding creatures, take a photo with them, and dance through the streets as they stroll through Stratford!
For more information and to purchase tickets to this epic international festival worldinaweekend.ca.
We can’t wait to see you there!
