Kids entertainment series postponed, hopes to resume in New Year

Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer

The Kids Kaleidoscope Entertainment Series, running since 1995, is an annual series with a goal to bring live multidisciplinary performing-arts shows to Sioux Lookout for kids and families.
The kids entertainment series announced that they would not be presenting any shows for the remaining year, hoping to resume in January 2021.
The President of the Kids Kaleidoscope Entertainment Series, Dorothy Broderick said, “I think that it broadens horizons. It lets kids know that there’s a big world out there. We’ve had shows from as far away as Germany, France, into the States and all across Canada. We give the kids an idea that your future doesn’t just have to contain sitting in an office, pushing paper around. Your future can contain anything and that includes, being able to perform. If arts is where they want to go, then that’s an option that is open to them.” She added that she noticed in smaller areas, people don’t realize the vast opportunities in the world, basing their knowledge on what they see around them.
Broderick mentioned that children’s entertainment series’ run in several different Northern Ontario communities such as Sault Ste. Marie, Fort Frances, Dryden, Red Lake, and others communities.
The series typically runs from October through May, sometimes also hosting Canada Day shows if funds allow. “We’re not here to make money, we’re here to give it back. So, whatever funding we draw, we try to return in programming and funding and we try to bring in workshops for kids in the school. So they can have a really fun event right in their school,” said Broderick.
“Our shows can range anything from a comedian who’s performing magic on the stage by himself, to a circus troop - five or six people putting on an entire staged performance,” said Broderick. She mentioned that they often host the performances at local schools and are not able to access them during the pandemic.
“We don’t want to risk the communities around us. We provide so much service to them and we also don’t want to risk our own community members, especially our younger ones,” she said.
Broderick said of the series potentially starting in January, “I don’t want to sound too hopeful because it all depends on the school spaces. A lot of our shows need a high ceiling… but we don’t know if their space is even going to be available…  We’re fingers crossing for January, but we’re not holding our breath.”
Broderick, who has been serving as the president of the series for more than five years, and also runs a small business, shared that they are currently seeking a new president to help run the series. “I would like to step back just because I can’t commit the time and space that is needed to bring our Kids Kaleidoscope to where it needs to be.” She added that they are looking for “someone with a little bit of time, and a lot of will. There is a lot of fun that is involved. Our funders are amazing to work with. They’re so patient and so helpful. They’re willing to help people, walk though the application and reporting process for grants,” she said. Anyone interested in the role may contact Broderick at (807) 738-0970 or (807) 737-3632.