Preparing for pageant
Musicians and puppet makers needed for summer pageant
The River Clyde Pageant is seeking participants.
The River Clyde Pageant is seeking people to get involved in this summer’s pageant, “Wake the River Clyde.” Last summer, audiences were delighted by this travelling performance along a riverbank in New Glasgow, telling a fantastical story about the history of a tidal river and the environmental issues affecting the sustainability of all Prince Edward Island waterways.
The pageant features stiltwalking herons, luminous jellyfish, talking trout, nasty trolls and melodramatic mermaids — all created and performed by local volunteers, artists and community members. Wake the River Clyde will have a brand-new story and some exciting additions this year: a jazz-funeral band, waterborne puppets, and more. The pageant performances occur July 29 to 30 and August 4 to 6 at 6 p.m. Each performance is followed by a free community supper on the lawn of The Mill. Opening and closing night meals will be prepared by Chef Emily Wells and her team. Meals on July 30 and August 4 and 5 will be prepared by Wells alongside guest cooks recruited from the P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada. Upstreet Brewery will serve beer on tap.
As with last year, the public is encouraged to get involved – as performers, puppet makers/ puppeteers, musicians, builders and production volunteers.
“Ker Wells and I are directing the pageant,” said Megan Stewart. “But the real heart and soul is the talent and imagination of our wonderful volunteers. The pageant gives people a chance to share their skills and learn new ones, while also delivering an important message about the environment.”
Those interested in puppet making are invited to attend free workshops led by puppet builder Ian MacFarlane at the New Glasgow Christian Church. Workshops begin July 2 and run until July 22 – full details on the Pageant website. Another opportunity to get involved is with the Jazz Funeral Band, which will form through a week-long workshop led by New Orleans performing artists, Kathy Randels and Maurice Turner. Musicians and singers of all ages, instruments and skill levels are encouraged to take part in this free workshop, running July 4 to 9 at Gulf Shore Consolidated School in North Rustico.
To sign up for either workshop or to get involved in any other way, email riverclydepageant@gmail.com Tickets for Wake the River Clyde are admission by donation and must be booked online at www.riverclydepageant.com. Tickets go on sale during the first week of July.