Kinderfest aims to spark creativity in the very young

The third annual Kinderfest, a creative arts festival aimed at children age six and younger, takes place May 13 to 16 at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts and the Staircase Theatre.

The festival features music, puppetry, clown and theatre performed by artists from South Africa, Germany, France and Quebec. Tickets for these family-friendly performances are $10 each, available in advance through the website ckarts.ca/event/kinderfest2018.

“We are honoured and proud to be a part of developing the minds and creativity of our local children,” said Vitek Wincza, artistic director of Culture for Kids in the Arts (CKA), which hosts Kinderfest.

“We believe the arts are es- sential — the most basic right for all children — as a vehicle to learn, express their ideas and impact the world in the future.”

• May 13 — Magnet Theatre, “Knock!” Music/theatre for children aged 2 to 5. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, 126 James St. S. Mothers attend for free.

• May 15 — florschütz & döhnert, “SSST! Secrets of a White Rabbit.” Puppetry/music/ clown for children aged 2 to 5. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Staircase Theatre, 27 Dundurn St. N.

• May 16 — Puzzle Theatre, “The River of Words/Le Fleuve Des Mots. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. SOLD OUT.

• May 16 — LagyneArt’s “Kristof Hiriart.” Music and workshop. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts.