Birdbone Theatre: In Conversation

In this special Today in YGK broadcast, we feature an interview with Aleksandra Bragoszewska (Artistic Director) and Alison Gowan (Musical Director) of Birdbone Theatre.  They join us to discuss Birdbone Theatre and the art that goes into making shadow puppet musical theatre come alive for all to enjoy.  They also share details on the upcoming Broom Dance Tour and some lovely music!  The episode is podcasted and will broadcast on CFRC 101.9 FM/cfrc.ca on Friday January 26th at 3 PM ET.

More details below about Broom Dance from Birdbone’s Press Release

BIRDBONE THEATRE PRESENTS BROOM DANCE

Handcrafted shadow puppetry with live music to tour southeastern Ontario

Kingston, Ontario — Birdbone Theatre presents Broom Dance, a winter shadow puppet show. Aleksandra Bragoszewska (artistic director) and Alison Gowan (musical director) perform the spectacular story of wild forest-bound Baba Yaga, hearth-keeping, gift-giving Befana, and wild-tending Holy Mother of Wolves. 

We are keen to share our craft: On Saturday, January 27th, we will host Songs To Let in the Dark, an intimate singing workshop at 99 York St. from 12-3pm. Led by collaborator Ekaterina, we will revel in the beauties and intricacies of Slavic polyharmony as we learn songs together. All levels of experience are welcome. 

On Sunday, January 28th, Birdbone presents Song House Cabaret, a delightful evening of fun(d)raising, featuring mayhem-defying musical magic! Performers include Ekaterina, Chanter La Pomme, Time Victim, and the Lindworm’s Cabaret. Next Church, 89 Colborne St. at 5pm.

Broom Dance will play in Lyndhurst (Furnace Falls), Kingston (Next Church), and Toronto (Drom Taberna) in February and March. For tour details, visit birdbonetheatre.org.

Important dates:

Broom Dance shadow puppet show tour

February 24th — Furnace Falls Farm (hosted by Wendy’s Country Market), Lyndhurst, 3:30pm
March 3rd — Next Church, Kingston, 7pm
March 4th — Drom Taberna, Toronto, time TBA

Winter workshops

January 27th — Afternoon singing workshop with Ekaterina, Kingston Community House, 12pm

February 16th — Free shadow puppet workshop (ages 6+), Lyndhurst Public Library, 1:30pm

Cabaret fundraiser
January 28th — Song House Cabaret (one night only!), Next Church, Kingston, 5pm

About Birdbone Theatre

Birdbone Theatre makes puppet shows from scratch and plays them live for the young and the old. We strive to make puppet theatre that might become a house for beauty, for remembering old songs and stories, for wild imaginings and for laughter in hard times. 

“Birdbone combines urban grit with rustic funk, dresses it in lace and burlap, glues it all together with squeeze box and kazoo, and delivers a performance that is sassy, smart and hilarious.”
— Kim Renders

Ekaterina’s devotion to the music of Balkan, East Slavic, and Near East Cultures can be heard in her ensembles BLISK and Meden Glas. Her love for braiding traditional elements with alternative music are found in her work with folk metal group Protokult and Russian folk-rock band Katüsha. She is based in Toronto. www.ekatmusic.art 

Broom Dance in Development: The first bones of Broom Dance played at the Department of Illumination’s Firelight Lantern Festival, Picton, in November 2022. In February 2023, Birdbone developed Broom Dance in a week-long residency at MAK Gallery, in partnership with Startup House in Gananoque, Ontario. In July 2023, Broom Dance appeared at Chants de Vielles Festival in Saint-Antoine-Sur-Richelieu, QC.

“Singing in multiple languages and sometimes with no words at all, the vocal chemistry between the performers is a highlight of Broom Dance. Bragoszewska’s voice has a raw, otherworldly quality that blends spectacularly with Gowan’s warm soprano.”
— Kingston Theatre Alliance, February 2023

Sponsors and Supporters: We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. Birdbone Theatre is also supported by CFRC 101.9FM and the Maitland Tower Imaginarium. Details about our sponsors can be found on Birdbone Theatre’s website. 

Support Birdbone Theatre: Donations are gratefully accepted via e-transfer ([email protected]) or at our Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/birdbonetheatre

Instagram: @birdbonetheatre
Facebook: @BirdboneTheatre
Website: birdbonetheatre.org