The Kids’ Site at the Bella Coola Music Festival is sure to WOW kids of all ages this year! On Sunday afternoon, July 20, Mike Battie, a three-metre tall, colourfully dressed stilt walker, will blend his juggling virtuosity with light-hearted crowd participation to amaze and amuse. His specialty is the juggling of three torches, but he is also a master with flaming devil sticks, chains, and staff. Mike has choreographed and performed in large-scale fire shows for the Pacific National Exhibition, as well as fairs and festivals. He has also worked extensively with fire on movie sets, television shows, and for commercials.
A creative genius with the soul of a Vaudevillian, Al Simmons is a one-man cast of thousands! A modern day comedy chameleon! A wizard of one-liners! In the tradition of the great comedy kings - Danny Kaye, Spike Jones and Jimmy Durante - Al Simmons is a man dedicated to the all but lost art of combining comedy with song, dance, magic, and sight-gags. Since 1970, the popular Manitoba-based children’s performer is likely Canada’s most versatile comedian. He puts on a funfest, full of bizarre gadgets, wild costumes, unique songs, crazy vaudeville-inspired routines and, of course, bad puns.
From his distant Romanian and Scottish ancestors, Al has inherited a quick wit, lanky legs, large flipper like feet and a rubber face. Al’s debut album, "Something’s Fishy at Camp Wiganishie" earned a Juno nomination for best Children’s Album. His follow up recording was a brilliant ode to vaudeville, "Celery Stalks at Midnight”, winning a Juno Award and a U.S. Parents’ Choice Award. "The Truck I Bought From Moe", his third album, garnered a Juno nomination and a Parents’ Choice Award. Besides all this fun kids will also enjoy face-painting, hat-making, a silly photo-booth, and Stream of Dreams fish painting. And don’t forget, kids 12 and under are FREE!