The Great Balanzo

 The Great Balanzo turns the everyday into an adventure with circus and comedy for all ages! Known for his silly elegance and irreverence, Balanzo presents amazing circus tricks, quirky comedy, a little magic, and much more. 

 Aytahn Ross is the physical actor & circus artist behind the Great Balanzo who has been seen live by more than a million people in 13 countries around the world. He’s had repeat invitations to Just for Laughs, sold-out shows at the National Arts Centre, been featured on YTV, and performed at most of the biggest and best events in Canada. 

Three different programs to choose from:

1 Rock and Roll: Canada vs. the World

Some of the most innovative music in the world has come from Canadian musicians.

Join Speed Control as they cruise through the last 50 years of famous Canadian artists, showing how Canadian musicians have influenced their own generation and those to come.

This smart, humorous and exciting show inspires young audiences with Canada's role as a major force in popular music, from Paul Anka to the Barenaked Ladies! 

Or…

2 Rockology

What makes music rock? Speed Control’s Rockology lifts the curtain to reveal the mechanics of rock music so even grade threes can listen like budding musicians.

Along with original music by Speed Control, students will rock out to Canadian and other classics. They’ll learn to recognize chords in the standard blues progression, how fuzz pedals make everything sound good, what parts make up most rock songs and what makes a power chord so irresistible.

Students will be having too much fun to notice they’re effortlessly absorbing the fundamentals of popular music.

Or…

3. Your School’s Own Rock Anthem

Every school deserves its own rock anthem! This workshop starts with a full performance of Speed Control's 45-minute touring show for the whole school (choose from 1 or 2 above). For the rest of the day, Speed Control works with students to gather ideas, write and rehearse an original school anthem. The anthem is then taught to everyone at the end of the day. Imagine being able to sing your own theme song together at every assembly!

Jazzology

There’s no more exciting way to introduce kids to a variety of musical instruments than through the upbeat, can’t-sit-still jazz of the 1920s and ‘30s. Jazzology engages kids of all ages with irresistible tunes by jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway and Fats Waller.   

Funkonomics

For a more contemporary sound, Tiny Islands presents Funkonomics. Featuring funk essentials like James Brown, Parliament, and even that classic 1970s disco hit “Do the Hustle,” this program will get everyone moving and grooving to the driving rhythms of funk music. Be ready for energetic audience participation, from clapping to call-and-response, and getting your funk on.

Hailing from a musical family, Tim Sars, veteran leader of Vancouver’s inimitable Carnival Band, has over a decade of experience entertaining and engaging kids and their families with fun, spirited and participatory music.

Be the Circus!

From balancing a stack of chairs on his chin to a spectacular and nearly disastrous high-wire walk, Flyin’ Bob takes audiences on a 50-minute search for balance.

Through juggling, clowning, unicycling, acrobatics, wire walking, audience participation, comedy, and character, Be The Circus! stresses the importance of physical activity, concentration, peer support, taking chances, community, and the value of failure as well as success. Suitable for elementary schools.

For middle and senior school audiences the show explores and analyzes in more depth the variations possible in each of the skills presented. When audience members participate older students will be challenged appropriately. Great care is taken that students always conclude their participation in the show with success, and will not be made fun of.

Students learn the rewards and consequences of taking risks and taking responsibility for their own actions.

Circus Skills Workshop

This one-day circus workshop includes an introduction to juggling (balls and scarves), hand balancing (plate spinning, feather balancing), and foot balancing (wire walking, rola bola).

Each class participates in one hands-on workshop session of about 60 minutes. An average day of 4 to 5 sessions introduces circus skills to as many as 150 students.

Flyin’ Bob starts or ends the day with a 30-minute comedy circus performance.

Paul Silveria

Since 2002, Paul Silveria has been calling traditional square dances at festivals, community centres, schools and other West Coast venues.

Paul gets beginners up dancing in minutes by teaching dances right on the floor. His calls are energetic and clear, ranging from simple to elaborate — a perfect match for any age from six to sixty.

For an additional fee, live musicians can provide accompaniment for a one-hour old-fashioned barn dance right in your venue, community hall or school gymnasium.