Check out the full weekend schedule at a glance
Click on each event below to meet the artists and find out more.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
The Girl With No Hands Staged Reading
Odyssey Theatre. Written and directed by Laurie Steven
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Odyssey presents a staged reading of a new powerful adaptation of the classic folk tale, The Handless Maiden.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
Welcome, Warm-Ups and Coffee with Creative Well
10:00am – 11:00 am
Start your day with a classic theatre-style warm-up to awaken your body and your mind before you embark on a day of storytelling and discovery. Grab a free coffee on us before your day unfolds.
Puppet Making with Clelia Scala – Day 1 of a Two-Day Workshop
11:00am – 3:30pm
Learn to design and create your own paper mâché puppet in this immersive 2-day creative workshop with Odyssey’s resident mask and puppet designer.
South African Stories performed by Jacqui du Toit
11:00am – 12:00pm
Using drums, song, and dance, Jacqui will take you to Mama Africa to learn about the legendary trickster, Anansi the Spider.
Creating South African Masks Workshop with Jacqui du Toit
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Jacqui will lead you in designing and creating your own African mask inspired by the Anansi the Spider story and crafted from recycled paper and material.
Legends in Dance from Shangri-La China
Haiyan Dance Studio
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Be delighted by five dances based on Chinese legends, myth, and tales.
Stars, Stones and Shadows: A Heroine’s Tale
Into the Circle Theatre
2:15pm – 2:45pm
In the company of some of Éire’s (Ireland’s) most ancient and prolific goddesses, take a sacred journey alongside Saoirse into the Otherworld – as she remembers:
the wisdom of her body;
the power of her voice;
and the magic of her spirit.
Giants and Gods: Stories from Norse Mythology
Ottawa StoryTellers Johanna Kuyvenhoven, Marie Robertson, Anne Schmitz
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Be transported to the ancient world of Norse mythology as these gods and goddesses encounter other mythical beings and help to shape the nine worlds they rule over.
Heart’s Desire: Mythical Masked Theatre
Odyssey’s Young Company, Directed by Eleanor Crowder
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Follow Odyssey’s young performers on a theatrical adventure through the Park with mythical characters from different cultures.
The Girl with No Hands Staged Reading
Odyssey Theatre. Written and Directed by Laurie Steven.
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Odyssey Theatre presents a staged reading of a new powerful adaptation of the classic folk tale, The Handless Maiden.
ALL DAY EVENTS
Creation Tent
10:30am – 5:00 pm
Join the team from Bougie Birch for the weekend at the Creation Tent, and drop-in to make your own dreamcatcher! Open to artists of all skill-sets.
You will explore the sacred roots of the Dreamcatcher and how it tells stories through hands-on engagement.
Strathcona Park Legendary Scavenger Hunt
10:30am-5:00 pm
Search with friends or as a lone hero for mythical clues around the park. Winners are entered into a draw for prizes!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18TH
Welcome, Warm-Ups and Coffee with Actors Chandel Gamble + Marlow Stainfield from Odyssey Theatre
10:00am – 11:00 am
Try a different way to start your day! This half hour warm-up for all skill levels, given by theatre artists, will begin your day with energy and warmth. Grab a free coffee on us before your day unfolds.
Nigerian Tales performed by Uchechi Ogbonna
11:00am – 12:00pm
Uchechi brings captivating and traditional Nigerian folktales of creation and creatures to life under the trees.
Puppet Making with Clelia Scala – Day 2 of a Two-Day Workshop
11:00am – 3:30pm
Learn to design and create your own paper mâché puppet in this immersive 2-day creative workshop with Odyssey’s resident mask and puppet designer.
Create Your Story Workshop with Odyssey Theatre’s Artistic Director Laurie Steven
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Learn how to create and tell your own story in a hands-on workshop with Odyssey’s Artistic Director, Laurie Steven.
Stories on Stage performed by Rathi School of Dance
1:30pm-2:30pm
Spend an hour with the dancers from the Rathi School of dance while they perform epic tales of Indian legend through Bharatanatyam, the oldest classical Indian Dance form. This performance will be peppered with on-your-feet instruction from Dance leaders who will share and teach how Bharatanatyam interprets old tales into lasting performances.
Musical Stories
Performed by the Tennessee Cree
3:00pm-3:30pm
Take in an original performance by Ottawa’s Indigenous musical storyteller, The Tennessee Cree, who will share his stories through a blend of traditional and country folk.
Heart’s Desire: Mythical Masked Theatre
Odyssey’s Young Company, Directed by Eleanor Crowder
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Join young performers on a theatrical adventure through the Park with mythical characters from different cultures.
ALL DAY EVENTS
Creation Tent
10:30am – 5:00 pm
Join the team from Bougie Birch for the weekend at the Creation Tent, and drop-in to make your own dreamcatcher! Open to artists of all skill-sets.
You will explore the sacred roots of the Dreamcatcher and how it tells stories through hands-on engagement.
Strathcona Park Legendary Scavenger Hunt
10:30am-5:00 pm
Search with friends or as a lone hero for mythical clues around the park. Winners are entered into a draw for prizes!
Plan Your Visit
Ready to plan your visit? Click here to learn more about passes, transit and parking, seating, Strathcona Park, and more!
Did you know that our Creative Arts Fair is a Pay What You Wish event? You can visit us in the Park for any of the performances and workshops and pay what you wish!
However, some performances and workshops have limited space. To take in all that our Fair has to offer, get an All-Access Pass in advance! This allows you to reserve your priority seating for staged performances and register for workshops where space is limited.