Bike and Circuses happened August 7th-11th, 2024
at Whittier Park
Ride Away with the Circus!
Green Kids Inc. is proud to present
Bike and Circuses 2024
Roll right up - Bike and Circuses was back - and with an exciting new path!
A performance that left you on the edge of your (bike) seat! Audiences were led on a tour of the park, stopping every few minutes to take in a new show.
The show boasted a dazzling team of Winnipeg theatre, dance, music, and circus artists all coming together in one beautiful park.
Our stage is set, and the message is clear: It's time to act for the future of the environment and generations to come.
ACCESSIBILITY
It’s a show you can see on the seat of your bike!
But you do not need a bike to enjoy this event - walk or roll with us on your choice of wheels! All kinds of human-powered devices are welcome and choose the route/show that works best for you. Contact Daina at daina@greenkids.com if you have any questions about this event, including how to choose the show format that’s best for you.
Bike Shows
Bring your bike and enjoy a ride through luscious parkland and dense forest, stopping every few minutes to take in a performance piece. This option is best for fairly confident bike riders. You will be on a smooth gravel path as well as some hilly trails through the riverbed forest. If you come with a bike trailer pulling kids, there will be a few spots you need to walk the bike with the help of our tour guides.
Running Time - up to 90 minutes
Route Distance - approx. 3km
Group Size - up to 20 people
Walking / Slow Roll Shows
Bring your walking shoes and enjoy a stroll through Whittier Park’s Riparian forest, stopping every few minutes to take in a performance piece. This option is best for pedestrians, folks pushing strollers, little learners, and all new learners who prefer to bike ride at a slower pace. There will be a few spots you will need to walk small bikes.
Running Time - up to 110 minutes
Route Distance - approx. 3km
Group Size - up to 30 people
Accessible Path Shows
Roll or stroll along the Active Transportation path in Whittier Park, stopping every couple minutes to take in a performance piece. This show has shorter distances between stages, with seating along the path and at each stage. The trail is smooth gravel, wide, and flat, with some small hills or changes in elevation.
Running Time - up to 60 minutes
Route Distance - approx. 600m
Group Size - up to 40 people
The Show is at:
Whittier Park
836 Rue St Joseph, Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0H8
THE ARTISTS
The Creative Team
Daina Leitold - Event Co-Producer / Director
Brenda McLean - Event Co-Producer / Director
Niin Anishinaabekwe
Created and Directed by Nova Courchene
Performed by Kathleen Starr
Costume Design by Amy McPherson
Clown Coach - Cynthia Wolfe-Nolin
Medicine Person and Traditional Teacher - Shirli Ewanchuk
Responsibilitarian
Created and Performed by Brittany + Mario Lagassé
Slow Down
Created and Performed by Lil Borger + Anne-Marie Williot
This is Fine
Created and Performed by Loc Lu and Heather Russell-Smith*
ULTRUHSOWND
Created and Performed by Charlene Van Buekenhout*
Underlander
Created and Performed by Tanja Faylene Woloshen
Becoming Multispecies Musicians
Created by Sativa Kawakami
Only Home
Created and Performed by Hera Nalam
Adrianna Kollar - Performer (Bike Safety is No Joke!)
Jo Burdon - Host / Production Assistant
Emily Payne - Host / Production Assistant
Eric Rae - Host / Production Assistant
Sarah Struthers - Host / Production Assistant
* The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance•Opera•Theatre Policy.
The Support Team
Riva Billows – Social Media Coordinator
Heather Lee Brereton - Box Office Manager
Eric Bossé - Technical Support
Seraph-Eden Boroditsky - Consultant
Julie Cote - Stitcher
Kirby Cote - Consultant
Keith Damboise - Carpenter
Greg Klassen - Publicist
Ashley Marie Singh - Graphic Design
Jessica McGlynn - Volunteer Coordinator
Mike Peters - Photography and Video
Carla Schroeder - Scenic Painter
Claire Sparling - Cutter/Stitcher
Dave Pruden - Graphic Design of "Lady on Bike"
Steve Vande Vyvere - Carpenter
Meet Our Artists and Support Team
(Click on the image for their bio)
Bike and Circuses
Land Acknowledgment
We are on Treaty 1 land, the home of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Long Plains First Nation, Peguis First Nation, Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, Swan Lake First Nation and the birthplace of the Red River Métis.
We acknowledge that our drinking water in the City of Winnipeg is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, a community who from 1997 until just two years ago lived under a boil water advisory, while Winnipeggers used this resource from their land with little thanks and no reciprocity.
Green Kids is working to educate and inspire future generations of environmental stewards, while following the lead of Indigenous knowledge keepers and water and land protectors, the original environmentalists on this land.
As we present Bike and Circuses in Whittier Park, we are humbled not only by its beauty, but also by its historical significance. Our event takes place near Fort Gibraltar, a monument to Métis history in Manitoba. The neighboring park, Lagimodière-Gaboury, is the birthplace of Métis leader Louis Riel, founder and first Premier of Manitoba and leader of both the Red River and North-West Resistance. We are excited to be sharing our production with Winnipeggers in this special place.
This Land Acknowledgement will grow and change as we do.
How this Winnipeg Performance Went Almost Completely Carbon Neutral
The Dance Current, Published July 14, 2022
by Haley Pauls
An exciting article that features our Bike and Circuses show.
Bike and Circuses, presented by Green Kids Inc., addressed climate change not only in performance content but also in its creation process.
Funders
We are honoured to have financial support from:
Partners
We are proud to have the in-kind support from:
