Children's Choice Awards - starring the Jury from Kuopio

We Miss You, CCA Kuopio!

2011-10-10T13:57:00.001-07:00

And the Winners Are...

2011-10-02T07:18:00.003-07:00

Urheilullisin/Most sporty - Svop/t's Näkökulmia/Viewpoints - presented by Aaro

Musikaalisin/Most Musical - The 100 Year Old Rock ‘N’ Roll Band's A song for the decade - presented by Miika

Märin/Wettest - Pekka Mäkinen's Ympäri Kaupunkia/Around the City - presented by Ilari

Onnellisin/Happiest - Svop/t's Näkökulmia/Viewpoints - presented by Tin Hla

Uskollisin/Most believable - Aaron Williamson's Haaksirikkoutunut villimies/The marooned wildman - presented by Santeri

Hulluin/Craziest - Tryst's Avustettuja kadunylityksiä Kuopiossa/Assisted street crossing in Kuopio - presented by Jaasper

Hitain/Slowest - Heidi Fast's (Uudelleen)virittäytyvä kuoro/(Re)attuning choir - presented by Kaius

Kolmanneksi Paras/3rd Best - Svop/t's Näkökulmia/Viewpoints - presented by Leevi

Tylsin/Most Boring - Kirsi Pitkänen's Julistaja/Proclaimer - presented by Viivi

Kiltein/Kindest - Brian Lobel's Puhdistus/Purge - presented by Meiju

Karvaisin/Hairiest - TIE between Aaron Williamson's Haaksirikkoutunut villimies/The marooned wildman and Lone Twin's Beastie - presented by Noora

Pimein/Darkest - Elaine Kordys' Analogiat voivat saada tuntemaan olon kotoisaksi/Analogies can make one feel at home - presented by Jaasper

Kiinnostavin/Most Interesting - Juha Valkeapää's Äänimuotokuvia/Vocal portraits - presented by Artturi

Paras tekniikka/Best Technique - Christopher Hewitt's Seinämaalauksia/Wall drawings - presented by Dap Hoe

Ällöttävin/Most Disgusting - Gaëtan Rusquet's Edestakaisin/Back and forth - presented by Noora

Kaunein/Most Beautiful - Gaëtan Rusquet's Edestakaisin/Back and forth - presented by Liisa

Sokkeloisin/Most maze-like - Pekka Mäkinen's Ympäri Kaupunkia/Around the City -presented by Santeri

Hauskin/Funniest - The 100 Year Old Rock ‘N’ Roll Band's A song for the decade - presented by Joonas

Pelottavin/Scariest - Heidi Fast's (Uudelleen)virittäytyvä kuoro/(Re)attuning choir - presented by Leevi

Hölmöin/Silliest - Kirsi Pitkänen's Julistaja/Proclaimer - presented by Niko

Ihmeellisin/Most Extraordinary - Lone Twin's Beastie - presented by Netta

Vaarallisin/Most Dangerous - Tryst's Avustettuja kadunylityksiä Kuopiossa/Assisted street crossing in Kuopio - presented by Oona

Nopeiten nähty/Fastest Viewing - Christopher Hewitt's Seinämaalauksia/Wall drawings - presented by Oona

Oudoin/Weirdest - Elaine Kordys' Analogiat voivat saada tuntemaan olon kotoisaksi/Analogies can make one feel at home - presented by Rida

Idioottimaisin/Most Idiotic - Brian Lobel's Puhdistus/Purge - presented by Ilari

Sekavin/Most Confusing - Juha Valkeapää's Äänimuotokuvia/Vocal portraits - presented by Eetu

Eloisin/Liveliest - Gaëtan Rusquet's Edestakaisin/Back and forth - presented by Aaro

Järkevin/Most Relevant - The 100 Year Old Rock ‘N’ Roll Band's A song for the decade - presented by Netta

Paras mielikuvitus/Best Imagination - Pekka Mäkinen's Ympäri Kaupunkia/Around the City -presented by Meiju

Jännittävin/Most Exciting - Aaron Williamson's Haaksirikkoutunut villimies/The marooned wildman - presented by Soe Tun

Toiseksi Paras/2nd Best - Tryst's Avustettuja kadunylityksiä Kuopiossa/Assisted street crossing in Kuopio - presented by Niko

Parhaista parhain/Best of the Best - Lone Twin's Beastie - presented by Eetu

Monsters vs. Beasties

2011-10-01T06:22:00.005-07:00

Are Mammalian worlds colliding once again? Darren will have to fill me in on the project since I don't know too much about Monster Makers.

Saturday morning, and as usual, the jury arrives early. It's a good thing that these kids are so good at killing time as we wait for Lone Twin's Beastie to begin.

Terve, Niko.

The jury helps piece Beastie together.

They then come up with his backstory. Our Beastie, Otsu, was hatched from an egg on Jupiter, where he and only one other Beastie live. At the tender age of 700, Otsu is still a young boy. Thinking Otsu's egg was a football, his friend accidentally kicked him down to earth, where he landed in Kuopio, just outside of Kulttuuriareena 44.

Otsu wakes up.

The kids take Otsu for a walk.

Most of the jury enjoyed the piece, but not everyone was into it. Perhaps Soe Tun's artistic palette has been refining over the last week, making him too sophisticated for this kid's stuff.

Petrina's working on tallying votes while I blog. We leave soon for the 100 Year Old Rock N'Roll Band, the last stop for CCA Kuopio. We've got all three juries tonight. Wish us luck!

Making Jury History?

2011-09-30T12:19:00.005-07:00

It was a big day for the CCA Kuopio with many new, interesting experiences. We started the day off by picking up Jury B and heading to Gaetan Rusquet's Back and Forth. When we woke up this morning, none of us knew that we were going to see a naked man, but there he was. After about ten minutes of giggles and protest, the kids settled down, got past the nudity, and actually became engaged in the piece.

But at first, the nudity was a little too much for Kaius.

And when Gaetan started popping his balloons, the noise was a little too much for Liisa. Mammalian Diving Reflex, teaching kids around the world that sometimes, Art hurts.

I didn't get to see the popping balloons, because today was a two jury day. Fifteen minutes into Gatean's performance, Sampsa (who is adding taxi driver to his resume) and I got back in the van, headed back to the school, and picked up Jury C, whom we took to Juha Valkeapaa's Vocal Portraits.

When Mammalian worlds collide. Children's Choice Awards Kuopio? Or Haircuts by Children Holland?

Jury B and Jury C then met up in the railway station, where Christopher Hewitt had completed his drawing of Netta.

When 17 kids get together, they can get rowdy. The noise was too much for Christopher, who couldn't concentrate on his work. Understandable. The kids were running around like crazy. But when we corralled everyone and lined them up against the opposite wall to make space for Christopher, he said he still couldn't work and asked us to leave! CCA Kuopio Kicked Out! A CCA first?

The last stop for the day was Kirsi Pitkanen's Proclaimer.

As Liisa saw it.

Half of the kids then took off with Sampsa back to the school. The rest of us couldn't help but notice some familiar faces - TRYST! So Soe Tun, Tin Hla, Dap Hoe and Arturri all got to have a go (or two, or three) and Niko and Rida got to ride again. A great end to a long day.

Crossing the Street, A Wildman and Truth or Dare

2011-09-29T11:23:00.011-07:00

On the lookout for TRYST's Assisted Street Crossing in Kuopio, Jury C cut through the railway station and found Christopher Hewitt hard at work on his life-sized mural of ANTI Festival's artists. Timing is everything, and Christopher needed a photo of one of the kids for the mural. The lucky model chosen was Netta. Sometimes being the shortest pays off. If Christopher's first mural is any indication, Netta can come back when she's 20 and see her image still on the train station's wall.

Netta checks out the menu of lifts.

Petrina opted for worker's choice, and she was given the donut lift.

Waiting for TRYST at the Festival Centre, Jasper created his own art and we played Truth or Dare.

N.B.: Netta (top model) has never pooed her pants. Or so she says...

Paul and Clarinda of TRYST stop by the Festival Centre to have a chat with Jury C.

Jury C also checked out Elaine Kordy's Analogies can make one feel at home.

But sometimes signing up to win iPhone 4s and riding the elevator up and down is more exciting than Art...

We were getting tired after experiencing all the art and being out in the cold all day, but there is no rest for the wicked. We dropped off Jury C and picked up Jury A. Traveling in style, we set off for Aaron Williamson's The Marooned Wildman.

Looking for the Wildman

The Wildman was found, and Noora feeds him Digestive cookies.

Jury B Meets Heidi Fast's (Re)attuning Choir & Svop/t's Viewpoints

2011-09-28T09:04:00.005-07:00

Waiting at the Kuopio University Hospital for the piece to begin.

With their unique vocal performance, Heidi and the choir lead us through the corridors of the hospital.

Jury B heads into the streets of Kuopio to find Svop/t's stairs.

Along the way, we find out that this is a strict no pooing and no peeing zone.

But who needs to climb stairs when you can climb a fence?

Jury B ends the day with a stop at the Festival Centre to have an artist talk with Tron (of Svop/t's) and Heidi.

Pekka Makinen and Brian Lobel's Purge

2011-09-28T05:53:00.009-07:00

We started the day yesterday by blinging the van with magnets. This is the photo before we left. Some magnets may have found new homes along Kuopio's streets...

Pics from the van

After decorating the van, we began our first day of jury duty. Jury A braved the rain and set off on a mission to find Pekka Makinen's photographs. The photographs taken of the last decade at the ANTI Festival have been put up around Kuopio. It was difficult to understand what was happening in each piece without a write-up, so we took our best guesses at what we thought was going on and what the artists were trying to say.

After heading back to the school for lunch (fish chowder), we were off to Brian Lobel's Purge. Brian lost a lot of friends because of CCA. In Brian's words, "children are harsh".

Critiquing Class, Categories and Trophy Design

2011-09-26T08:15:00.006-07:00

We started the day by asking class 4C about the art they've seen in the past. Could they describe it? Did they like it? Why or why not? We then showed them a couple of videos: The Sultans Elephant by Royal de Luxe and Muto by blu. We talked about why we liked or disliked the pieces and what award we would give them if they were part of the Anti Fesitval. We worked on envelope design before having lunch with Liisa, Noora and Viivi in the cafeteria. Meatballs and potatoes for everyone except Petrina who got special vegetarian balls that were apparently delicious.

After lunch, we came up with a list of categories before decorating our trophies. The only question now is who's going to win the Most Wintery award? What about Most Idiotic?

Sampsa persons the hot glue gun station.

Sometimes more chocolate gets eaten than decorated.

Oona and her trophy.

The art in our bedroom is by Noora.

And this is what our living room looks like after putting all the magnets on our van signs.

Meeting the Jury

2011-09-23T06:58:00.005-07:00

Today Petrina and I met the jury with Saara and Sampsa, our awesome assistants for CCA. The jury is in grade four, and they only started learning English in school last year, so Saara and Sampsa have been very helpful with their translation skills. The Anti Festival is a short one, so we've got a lot to cram into a short amount of time. We spent the entire day with the kids, talking about MDR and social practice, what kids can and cannot do (we decided it's fair that kids can't drive and aren't allowed to decide their own bedtime), and we started on the trophy and magnet designs. It's been hard to track down trophies in Kuopio, so we're starting with plastic wine goblets. The kids have been getting creative with their chocolate covering design.

The sign says "Do not eat" in Finnish and Burmese.

Petrina helps Viivi cover her trophy.

Kuopio, Finland

2011-09-22T02:54:00.002-07:00

I arrived in Kuopio at 12:30 am this morning and Petrina arrived at 10:40. Meeting the Anti Festival staff today, including our assistants Sampsa and Saara. Tomorrow is the first workshop with the Kuopio kids. Looking forward to meeting the jury!

Awards Ceremony at the Kunstenfestivaldesarts

2011-05-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

AWARDS CEREMONY WINNERS!

2011-05-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

1. Strangest Dialect/De vreemdste taal/La langue la plus etrange
PRESENTED BY: Yisim
WINNER: C’est du Chinois/Edith Kaldor

2. Best Venue/Most comfortable seats/Beste locatie en de meest comfortabele stoelen/ Meilleur lieu et des sièges plus confortables
PRESENTED BY: Yisim
WINNER: Entrenamiento Elemental Para Actores/ Frederico Leon & Martin Rejtman

3.Strongest muscle man/ De sterkste, meest gespierde man/ Avec l'homme le plus muscle
PRESENTED BY: Lucas & Nathan
WINNER: Neutral Hero/ Richard Maxwell & New York City Players

4. Person with the most strange body, most strange poses/Het raarste lichaam/ La personne avec le corps le plus etrange
PRESENTED BY: Ihsane
WINNER: Act Collection/ Miet Warlop

5. Person with the least hair/ De prijs voor de persoon met het minste haar/Personne avec le moins de cheveux
PRESENTED BY: Sabriya
WINNER: Scratching on Things I could Disavow: A History of Art in the Arab World/ Walid Raad

6. Nice Story, But sad/ Mooi verhaal, maar heel triestig/ Belle histoire, mais triste
PRESENTED BY: Tawfik
WINNER: El rumor del incendio/ Lagartijas tiradas al sol

7. Best kiss/beste kus/ Le plus beau baiser
PRESENTED BY: Ines
WINNER: LIFE: RESET/Chronique d’une ville epuisee/ Fabrice Murgia

8. The guy who stood still the longest/ De man die het langst bleef stilsteen/ L’homme qui s’est tenu debout le plus long (new)
PRESENTED BY: Victor
WINNER: The Sonic Life of a Giant Tortoise/Toshiki Okada & chelfitsch

9. The worst dressed/ De lelijkste kleding/ La personne la plus mal habillee
PRESENTED BY: Yassir & Aymane
WINNER: Stadium/Stadion #3/Josef Wouters & Menno Vandevelde

10. Best nice try/De goed geprobeerd-prijs/ Le meilleur essai
PRESENTED BY: Incilay
WINNER: Seen at Secundrabad/ Zuleikha Chaudhari & Raqs Media Collective

11. Most solidarity message/ De meest solidaire boodschap/ Le plus grand message de solidarite
PRESENTED BY: Lea & Auriane
WINNER: Spectres/ Sven Augustijnen

12. Show that we wanted to keep on going/ De voorstelling die euuwig mocht doorgaan/ Le spectacle qu'on ne voulait pas voir s'arreter
PRESENTED BY: Incilay
WINNER: Ich schau dir in die Augen, gesellschaftlicher Verblendungszusammenhang!/ Rene Pollesch

13. Best Documentary/ De beste documentaire/ Meilleur documentaire
PRESENTED BY: Loic
WINNER: SMATCH 2/ Dominique Roodthooft

14. Best Special effects/ De beste special effects/ Les meilleurs effets speciaux (trucage)
PRESENTED BY: Ethan
WINNER: HABIT (U) ATION/ Anne-Cecile Vandalem

15. Best pregnant lady/ De zwongerste merrouw/ La meilleure femme enceinte
PRESENTED BY: Corneel
WINNER: Monde.com (Facebook)/ Mokhallad Rasem

16. Best hair/ Het beste kapsel/ Les plus beaux cheveux
PRESENTED BY: Marwane
WINNER: Act Collection/ Miet Warlop

17. Worst Hair/De lelekste haar/La plus mauvaise coiffure
PRESENTED BY: Bastien
WINNER: Neutral Hero/ Richard Maxwell & New York City Players

18. Best Text/De mooiste tekst/Le meilleur texte
PRESENTED BY: Xiao Yao & Perinne
WINNER: Sometimes I think, I can see you/ Mariano Pensotti

19. Best, Nicest Music/ De mooiste muziek/ La meilleure musique
PRESENTED BY: Eole
WINNER: The Indian Queen/ Jan Decorte & B’Rock

20. The coolest lady/ De leukste vrouw/ La femme la plus chouette
PRESENTED BY: Madyson
WINNER: Madame Plaza/ Bouchra Ouizguen

21. Shortest show/ De kortste voorstelling/ Le spectacle le plus court
PRESENTED BY: Badr
WINNER: Cabaret Crusades/ Wael Shawky

22. The show that looked like nothing/ De voorstelling die op niks trok/ Le spectacle qui ressemble le plus a rien du tout
PRESENTED BY: Yousri & Enis
WINNER: We Are the Undamaged Others/ Toshiki Okada & Chelfitsch

23. Best Décor/Het beste décor/Le meilleur décor
PRESENTED BY: Senne
WINNER: Stadium/Stadion #3/Josef Wouters & Menno Vandevelde

24. The show with the cast that seemed to be enjoying themselves the most/ Prijs voor de spelersploeg die zich het meest amuseerde op het podium/ Le spectacle avec l'equipe qui semble le plus s'amuser
PRESENTED BY: Arnaud & Maxime
WINNER: Ich schau dir in die Augen, gesellschaftlicher Verblendungszusammenhang!/ Rene Pollesch

25. The moment the show started, I wanted to fall asleep/ De voorstelling waar ik van in slaap wou vallen/ Le spectacle ou des le debut, j'ai eu envie de m'endormir
PRESENTED BY: Wassim
WINNER: SMATCH 2/ Dominique Roodthoof

26. Woman with the shortest skirt/Het kortst gerokt/ Avec la femme qui porte la plus petite jupe
PRESENTED BY: Kristian
WINNER: Levee des conflits/ Boris Charmatz

27. Best pyjamas, can you lend me a pair? Because your show is making me tired/ Beste pyjama's, kunt u leent mij een paar? Omdat uw show is maakt me moe/ Best pyjamas, pouvez-vous me prêter une paire? Parce que votre spectacle me fatigue
PRESENTED BY: Achraf
WINNER: You’ve Changed/ ZOO & Thomas Hauert

28. Best Climb up the Ladder/ beste klim op de ladder/ La meilleure monte sur l’echelle
PRESENTED BY: Mayoli
WINNER: Entrenamiento Elemental Para Actores/ Frederico Leon & Martin Rejtman

28A. The most motivated dancer/ De danseres die het meest motievatie/ La danseuse la plus motive: ELEANOR BOWER
PRESENTED BY: Mayoli
WINNER: Levee des conflits/ Boris Charmatz

29. Got the biggest applause/ De voorstelling met het meeste applaus/ Qui a recu le plus d'applaudissements
PRESENTED BY: Ayoub
WINNER: The Indian Queen/ Jan Decorte & B’Rock

30. Most keeps you up at night/De voorstelling die me vannacht wakker zal houden/ Le spectacle qui empeche le plus de trouver le sommeil
PRESENTED BY: Imane & Noehaila
WINNER: HABIT (U) ATION/ Anne-Cecile Vandalem

31. Most beautiful voices/ De mooiste stem/ Les plus belles voix
PRESENTED BY: Fiona & Sarah
WINNER: Madame Plaza/ Bouchra Ouizguen

32. Youngest person on stage/De jongste speler/ La personne la plus jeune sur scene
PRESENTED BY: Inglese
WINNER: HABIT (U) ATION/ Anne-Cecile Vandalem

33. The naked prize/ De bloot priys/ Le prix nu
PRESENTED BY: Salim
WINNER: LIFE: RESET/Chronique d’une ville epuisee/ Fabrice Murgia

34. Best Producer/ Beste Producer/ Meilleur Producteur
PRESENTED BY: Noemie & Manon
WINNER: SOPHIE ALEXANDRE pour Kunstenfestivaldesarts

35. Best of the Best/ Beste van het beste/ La crème de la creme
PRESENTED BY: Muharrem (MOMO)
WINNER: Ich schau dir in die Augen, gesellschaftlicher Verblendungszusammenhang!/ Rene Pollesch

Levee des conflits

2011-05-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

The final show! On Thursday, May 26th, Jury group #2 saw Boris Charmatz/Musee de la danse's 'Levee des conflits.' This dance performance really appeared to test the performers' endurance, since they repeated the same series of actions for an hour and forty-five minutes. I was really riveted at the beginning and at the end, with a little dip in the middle, but overall I enjoyed it. I picked out favourite dancers who I followed throughout the performance to see how their movements changed.

You've Changed

2011-05-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, May 25th, Jury group #1 saw Zoo/Thomas Hauert's 'You've Changed,' a dance performance based on repetitive movements that were performed live, but also projected onto screens, sometimes in front of, and sometimes behind the live dancers. I liked the dance and the music separately, but not so much together. What can I say, I'm a sucker for matching rhythms. A Dutch-speaking and French-speaking journalist talked to the Jury members to get their comments.

Talking to the dancers after the performance

Playing on the stage

Monde.com

2011-05-28T09:33:00.004-07:00

On Tuesday Jury group #3 saw Mokhallad Rasem's Monde.com at the beautiful Les Brigittines theatre. There were some interesting aspects to the show, including creepy baby dolls and explosions. Mokhallad stayed after the show to talk with the kids and answer their questions. We all learned an important lesson: You can't ring the beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell, ring the bell. The bell. Can't ring the bell.

Habit(u)ation (Encore)

2011-05-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

On Monday (May 23), Jury group #5 was treated to a PIZZA DINNER on the rooftop of the Theatre National thanks to Coordinator Extraordinaire, Diane, and a full tour of the Theatre National thanks to Technical Director, Colin. We got to see where the costumes were made, the dressing rooms, different theatres and sets. We also got to ride in a giant elevator. Colin saved the backstage tour of 'Habit(u)ation' until after the Jury watched the show. I think they were even more creeped out than Jury group #4 was, but seemed to enjoy finding out how the technicians created the illusions; particularly, how they made it look like the goldfish was being boiled alive. If you want to know more about that, ask Ethan. He's an expert now. We also learned why you can't say the word 'rope' backstage in a theatre, and why bunnies are bad luck.

The girls from Ecole Aurore treat us to a dance performance while waiting for the show to start in the lobby!

Madame Plaza

2011-05-28T08:55:00.003-07:00

Also on Sunday (May 22), Jury group #2 saw Bouchra Ouizguen's 'Madame Plaza.' I really, really enjoyed this dance piece that featured Moroccan singers. Their movements and voices were thoroughly enchanting. Bouchra took the time to speak to the Jury after the show, and a number of audience members joined in, too.

Habit(u)ation & Sometimes I Think, I Can See You

2011-05-28T08:38:00.004-07:00

On May 22nd, jury group #4 saw Anne-Cecile Vandalem's 'Habit(u)ation' at the Theatre National and Mariano Pensotti's 'Sometimes I think, I Can See You' in the Botanique Metro station. The Jury was sufficiently creeped- out by 'Habit(u)ation,' and thoroughly impressed with the play's special effects (plants growing into the house, a couch that consumed a person, dirt spraying from the kitchen drawers. After the show the technical director, Colin, gave the Jury a special backstage tour to show them how they made the magic happen.

After 'Habit(u)ation,' we walked to the Metro Botanique to see Mariano Pensotti's 'Sometimes I Think, I Can See You.' The Jury was included in the performance, the writers noting the kids' arrival on their large projection screens. Our volunteer Jeanne-Renee got a lot of attention, as one writer expressed his crush on her by writing a whole story about her green hair.

Act/Collection, Trailer Park

2011-05-27T08:16:00.005-07:00

On Saturday May 21, Jury group # 1 (without Ecole Aurore, who were busy at their Fancyfair) saw Miet Warlop's 'Act/Collection, Trailer Park.' The show had a chainsaw, a shirt made out of bubble gum, champagne, big hair, a fat guy eating his own hand made out of marshmallows...who could ask for more?!

Harassing some fellow spectators in the lobby

Miet talking to the Jury after the performance

After the show we had some sodas and the Jury played table football

Killing time with Betty & Veronica (aka Samantha & Coline)

2011-05-25T17:24:00.004-07:00

Entrenamiento Elemental Para Actores

2011-05-24T09:04:00.004-07:00

On Friday (my birthday!), Jury #2 had dinner at the Festival Centre and saw a film by Frederico Leon called 'Entrenamiento Elemental Para Actores.' It was in Spanish, and subtitled in English, so coordinator extraordinaire Diane saw the film earlier in the day and gave the Jury a synopsis. It was about a specialized acting class for kids, facilitated by a very serious teacher. The Jury enjoyed the show, but REALLY enjoyed the comfortable theatre seats. Thanks to Margot, Mayoli and Madyson for sharing their candy!

Life: Reset/ Chronique d'une ville epuisee (encore)

2011-05-24T08:54:00.004-07:00

On Wednesday, Jury group # 1 was the second group to see Fabrice Murgia's 'Life: Reset/ Chronique d'une ville epuisee.' They were sufficiently creeped-out, but liked the show overall. Afterwards they went backstage to check it out.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival Winners as Proclaimed by the CCA Jury

2011-05-23T18:36:00.011-07:00

Nicest glasses presented by Hamoud
Winner: L'Effet de Serge

Best bushy eyebrows presented by Chloe E.
Winner: Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra

Biggest bum presented by Chloe E.
Winner: Chouf Ouchouf

Tallest actor with the biggest hands and feet presented by Courtney G.
Winner: The Iron Man from Iron Man

Smallest actor presented by Chloe H.
Winner: David Toole from Iron Man

Best looking person presented by Paula
Winner: Green pants from Chouf Ouchouf

Most imagination presented by Jamie
Winner: 2 Dimensional Life of Her

Most peace presented by Ella
Winner: Penguin Café

Best attitude presented by Annie
Winner: L'Effet de Serge

Most signatures presented by Jodi
Winner: Ciaran Murtagh and Andrew Jones from Professor Bumm's Story Machine

Best imagination presented by Courtney B.
Winner: Iron Man

Best costume presented by Dylan
Winner: Ragroof Tea Dance - In the Mood

Best makeup presented by Paris
Winner: Ragroof Tea Dance - In the Mood

Best singer presented by Amber
Winner: Ayanna Witter-Johnson

Best sound presented by James
Winner: Andy Sheppard's Saxophone Massive

Best music presented by Chloe T.
Winner: Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra

Best background design presented by Megan
Winner: 2 Dimensional Life of Her

Funniest voice presented by Eden
Winner: Dr. Willy Whee from Professor Bumm's Story Machine

Funniest actor presented by Genevieve
Winner: Gaëtan Vourc'h from L'Effet de Serge

Best dancer presented by Jessica
Winner: Staff Benda Bilili

Most boringest show presented by Charlotte
Winner: The Proportions of the Temple

Slowest act presented by Chloe E.
Winner: Nijinsky Siam

Most unique presented by Maddy
Winner: Staff Benda Bilili

Most weirdest act presented by Chay
Winner: Nijinksy Siam

Best attention to detail presented by Katy
Winner: The Proportions of the Temple

Best ATD (attitude to dancing) presented by Jordan
Winner: Ragroof Tea Dance - In the Mood

Best entrance presented by Katy
Winner: Andy Sheppard's Saxophone Massive

Best comedy presented by Harry
Winner: L'Effet de Serge

Best choreography presented by Nicole
Winner: Chouf Ouchouf

Best actor presented by Genevieve
Winner: Gaëtan Vourc'h from L'Effet de Serge

Greatest act presented by James
Winner: Penguin Café

Best of the Best presented by Hajar
Winner: L'Effet de Serge

applause

2011-05-23T16:13:00.003-07:00

diane's shoes

2011-05-22T15:22:00.003-07:00

Sven Augustijnen

2011-05-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

SMATCH2

2011-05-20T16:54:00.006-07:00

On Tuesday, Jury group #4 saw Dominique Roodthooft's SMATCH2 at Les Tanneurs theatre. This show had a lot of good things going for it: footage of donkeys, a guy wearing a hand-knit donkey mask, real live earthworms, diorama that included volcanoes and tsunami in action, videos (including the Double Rainbow Youtube sensation), headstands, a fiddler/violinist, scientific funfacts...somehow all put together it didn't wow me. But I still enjoyed it. We have our first sleeper, Wassim!

Wim's glasses

Apparently the mashed potatoes were gross, but Fanta cures all

Me, according to the Jury

Darren, according to the Jury

Stinky

I finally won a round! 1 point Eva. 10 points Jury.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The Indian Queen

2011-05-20T16:21:00.004-07:00

On Monday Jury group #5 saw Jan Decorte/B'Rock's 'The Indian Queen,' an opera that also had some dancing. I really enjoyed the music; the orchestra? Band? Do you say orchestra if they're on stage with the performers? Either way, I enjoyed the music, which was a good thing because the story was lost on me. Special props to the pregnant woman playing the recorder. The Jury got the chance to meet Jan Decorte and his wife after the show, but I missed it because I had to go do an interview about the project for a French radio station (which was really hard, by the way).

A journalist came with us to the show, and interviewed the Jury before and afterwards.

strut

2011-05-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

eva on her bike

2011-05-19T14:18:00.002-07:00

STAFF BENDA BILILI

2011-05-18T16:03:00.003-07:00

Tonight the CCA Jury was attacked by yet another photographer at Norwich Theatre Royal.

Jury Three was exposed to world music from Congolese rumba-funk warriors "Staff Benda Bilili" - a group of parapelegic street musicians who live in and around the grounds of the zoo in Kinshasa, DR Congo. We sat behind parapalegics who, if and when we stood, yelled at us to sit down. So the isles were packed with dancers but if you wanted to stay at your seat you had to sit. I've never been to anything like it.

We left during the the encore because some of the Jury was too tired to stay, and got a bit sick. Could it have been a physical reaction to the different sounds they played Courtney?

Nijinksy Klunchun Norwich

2011-05-17T15:05:00.004-07:00

City Academy Norwich does Nijinsky Siam

And Jodie swings with the ghost of Nicole

PENGUIN CAFE ORCHESTRA, norwichnorfolkfestivaltwentyeleven

2011-05-16T17:13:00.004-07:00

JURY ONE PLAYS IN A PARK BEFORE THE SHOW.

NO EDITS.

Tonight was another night of music. This time it kept the attention of our Jury, however they couldn't keep from crinkling their friggin water bottles, and why the plastic bag Hammoud? Are plastic bags back in fashion or something? Hammoud refused to put his food inside our fabric bags cause there was something about this bag that made him feel good. Didn't get it.

We listened to The Penguin Cafe Orchestra who played the famous "music for a found harmonium" which was featured in the movie Napolean Dynamite. I especially like the sound of a type of guitar that was a bit larger than a ukulele whose outer strings are octaves lower. I also dug the ultra speedy violin and viola work. The instrumentation of this orchestra was natural sounding and intricate, pleasant to the ear and layered with fun.

With three more shows left to judge (tonight included), there's plenty to organize for the Awards Ceremony. We found some dancers and singers in the group. Compiled images as background support and a list of their top tunes. 50 Cent is back y'all!

Cabaret Crusades and Scratching on Things I Could Disavow (Encore)

2011-05-16T16:28:00.004-07:00

On Sunday Jury group #1 saw Wael Shawky's film 'Cabaret Crusades: The Path to Cairo' which was a historical movie performed by puppets about the crusades. There were supposed to be 2 parts to the film, but Wael's work was interrupted by the revolution in Egypt, so we were only able to see part 1. I liked the horse puppets best.

The fabulous Diane

Our row

On Sunday Night, Jury group #5 was the second group to see Walid Raad's 'Scratching on Things I Could Disavow.' We were 'shushed' by some audience members and even the actor...but he still hung around to talk to the Jury afterwards while we ate brownies from the theatre bar. Mmm.

...Verblendungzusammenhang!

2011-05-16T16:09:00.004-07:00

On Saturday night, Jury group #3 saw Rene Pollesch's 'Ich Schau Dir In Die Augen, Gesellschaftlicher Verblendungzusammenhang!' We sat at the front on cushions for the show, which was performed by one actor who spent most of the performance in his underwear or in spandex pants. There were lights and drums, there was music and spraypaint...Big hit. I thought Jury member, Victor, was going to spring up and run onstage on several occasions. It was both philosophical and funny, and the actor, Fabian Hinrichs, was really great. He has an entourage of 25 people who help him make that show happen, so we weren't able to inform him about the Jury's presence in the audience that night, but he was still willing and happy to pose for some pictures after the performance.

Talking to Fabian

Spectres

2011-05-16T08:00:00.003-07:00

On Saturday Jury group #2 saw Sven Augustijnen's 'Spectres,' which was a photography exhibit and documentary about Patrice Lumumba who was Prime Minister of the Congo, and was assassinated shortly after the country became independent from Belgium in 1960. The photographs were from the archives of individuals who were interviewed in the documentary, and had never been published/seen before. Before the film, Sven came to talk to the Jury about the exhibition and the documentary, and explain the historical context around Lumumba's assassination. We didn't have enough time to see the whole film, which I would've liked to.

a younger theatre

2011-05-16T04:37:00.001-07:00

Just learned of A Younger Theatre, a group who does stuff sort of like this, only more full time and formally.

Je T'aime

2011-05-16T02:59:00.001-07:00

2 Dimensional Life of Her

2011-05-15T10:21:00.003-07:00

rode loper tapis rouge

2011-05-15T02:19:00.002-07:00

Seen at Secundrabad and Life: Reset/ Chronique d'une ville epuisee

2011-05-14T16:17:00.008-07:00

On Thursday, Jury group #3 saw Zuleikha Chaudhari & Raqs Media Collective's 'Seen at Secundrabad.' It was a multi-media performance with dance, monologue, random actions and sound, backdropped by a projection of an old photograph that was obscured, but gradually became clearer, while simultaneously moving closer to the audience (on some kind of track overhead). I appreciated the piece's investigation into the photographic archive, and themes around historical authorship and construction, omission, memory...but I have to admit, from what I've seen so-far (which, admittedly, isn't very much) this kind of multi-media performance isn't my favourite genre. Best moment: red balloon.

Darren lying on the red carpet, setting up an entrance shot...

The Jury jumping over Darren (of course)

Heading inside

On Friday the 13th Jury group #4 tackled depression and loneliness in Fabrice Murgia's 'Life: Reset.' I liked the use of music, sound and projections in the piece. The rabbit reminded me of Donnie Darko. After the show the kids got to go backstage with Fabrice, who showed them how the technicians created the various scenes by moving pieces of the set (ie. the bathroom, bedroom, etc.) around, how the screens worked and where they placed the cameras to create the projections. The Jury also got to meet the star, Olivia Carrere and her double.

No children were harmed in the taking of this photograph

Darren getting annihilated

Before the show...

Backstage!

What are friends for?

Lucas teaches me how the cool kids say it (sideways)

2011-05-14T16:04:00.002-07:00

no way in hell we would have kept still for ANOTHER hour! So we left.

2011-05-14T15:53:00.004-07:00

Preshow:

I started an experiment that didn't quite turn out as I imagined during a pre-show talk of tonight's show at the Norwich Cathedral. These talks are challenging for me - especially BEFORE watching the show. Was such a challenge for me, that my first instinct was to check in on the kids. To find out how they were doing, I passed around a small note that said:

"if you're bored, make a face in the camera (pass it on)", along with a running video recorder.

This was going to tell me who was bored and would also help show other jury members how they felt about pre-show talks. Pretty clever, eh? The teacher/staff lady caught wind that something fun was happening and when she read the note, she turned beet red. Thankfully the note continued to pass along, but it got shut down when one kid made a big pose and caused too much attention.

After that was over we played a big game of tag to refresh ourselves and then took a walk down the road to Tesco Express cause Josh was hungry. He bought a cookie and a bag of chewy savory snacks for a total of 1.73p.

The show started to a full house and the old cathedral came to life (imagine gothic architecture, stained glass, you can wiki it for more info). Immediately the kids I sat beside doodled and passed each other notes.

"Its sucks two eggs short of a picnic basket"

"we're claping for nothing because its so rubbish!"

"so bored"

"it sucks eggs"

"0's all round 4 this performance & most boringist act."

By the interval, forty minutes later, it had been requested that we vote on whether we should stay or go. Each person stated their truth so we left.

C'est Du Chinois, Encore

2011-05-14T15:25:00.005-07:00

Who knew theatre could be so...dramatic? Ha! Nevertheless, we're thrilled that most of the kids (and their parents) from Ecole Aurore want to continue with the project. On Wednesday Jury group #4 saw Edith Kaldor's 'C'est Du Chinois,' the second group to see the show. This was a good opportunity for me to pay closer attention than I did the first time, and I took detailed notes that helped me to better follow the last 1/4 of the performance. Once again the cast stayed afterwards to meet the Jury and share some chocolate. By request from the Jury, here are my Mandarin notes from the show:

1. Ni-How = Hello
2. Chia-Ko-Li = Chocolate
3. Fuan = Rice
4. Wei-ta-min = Vitamin
5. How = Thumbs up
6. Hun How = 2 Thumbs up
7. Biem Pow = Fire cracker
8. Pi-Jou = Beer
9. Hun Tuoi = A lot of/A pile of
10. Oh-Joe = Europe
11. Bou-Lou-Sai-Lar = Brussels
12. Kuh-Luh = Cola
13. Woa = Man
14. Huh = Drink
15. Chu = Eat
16. Shui = Sleep
17. Aie = Love
18. Gao Shin = Excited/Very Happy
19. Huai-Uing-Lao = Pregnant
20. Bao-be = Baby
21. Yan Yuan = Actor
22. Gon-Tsuoi = Work
23. Tshien = Money
24. Shan-yun = Salesman
25. Shun-guh = Singing
26. She-pi = Hippy
27. Bou = No
28. Tien = Day
29. Tien Tien = Many days
30. Yen lay = Crying/sad
31. Fampi = Fart
32. Wala-wala = Complain/nag
33. Jian-jun = war/fighting
34. La-ti = Garbage
35. Shutien = Gamble
36. Pa = Fears

Meeting the cast and getting autographs

meanie

2011-05-14T01:38:00.001-07:00

adults

2011-05-13T23:57:00.004-07:00

Children's Choice Awards looks like a bit of a no-brainer from the outside: you take a bunch of kids around to shows, they watch them, they fill out an evaluation form. The end. Beyond the logistical coordination, there appears to be few challenges. But you'd be surprised.

Yesterday in Brussels, we got a call from the principal at one of the schools who informed us that she had withdrawn her students from the project. This came as a shock to us, as we had assumed that things were going fine, other than the fact that the festival seems to have a love for difficult work, work that is terrified of providing anything that might satisfy an audience. Which, to my mind, is an interesting thing and one that I do try to take up with the kids, as best I can, given my terrible French and nonexistent Dutch.

So why? For a number of reasons:
1. the shows are too complicated for the children
2. it's taking too much time.
3. we're not teaching them how to construct their criticism.
4. the questionnaire we've provided is too unsophisticated and doesn't require intelligent engagement.
5. we didn't teach them how to be a jury.
6. they can't use the experience in class
7. the kids are tired from staying up til 10-11pm.

We tried to defend ourselves, but nope, they were finished.

So one of the project coordinators called up all the parents individually, informed them of the decision (to the parent's shock) and invited them to continue to participate, which merely requires dropping off and picking their kid up from school. At this point, we've got most of the kids continuing in the project, including, bizarrely, the son of the school's principal.

I won't speculate as to why this has happened, since we're still rolling this project and I don't want to offend. I'll just defend each of the points.

1. yes, the shows are complicated. Complicated for me too. It's by reaching for things that are challenging that we increase our understanding of the world. When you build muscles, you don't lift weights that you can lift, you lift weights until you cannot. You break your muscles, so that they will heal themselves, adding bulk to prepare for the next attempt. The brain is a mushy muscle.

2. The time requirements have been laid out since the beginning. No surprises there.

3. One of the problems with the time, is that because we don't want to bring the children home too late, we don't have a lot of time to debrief, so to extend the time to do this we would have to keep the kids out later, taking up more time and making them more tired. On the other hand, we do talk about the shows as much as we can (I can't really communicate with the kids to any great effect, since i can't speak enough french to debate.) On the other hand, the students have met almost every artist after the show and have had about 10 minutes to ask them anything they like. If that's not good enough, it's hard to say what might be.

4. The questionnaire is a direct rip-off of the form that juries are given at the Canada Council, when they are sitting around and deciding on the fate of millions of dollars and people's careers.

5. But they are a jury, the moment we said they were a jury. No learning required. That we choose not to impose a form or a style or methodology is an artistic choice. We want their opinions without too much imposed from outside. During a first workshop, we took them through the evaluation form and explained that to them, which was more than I got when I was on the Canada Council jury. This is life, people, one is rarely prepared for the jobs we have to do, yet we do them anyway.

6. Two things: 1. So? 2. That would be a failing on the teacher's side. Here's a link to Ranciere's The Ignorant Schoolmaster (http://www.mediafire.com/?mn3fjsyuond), which describes the emancipatory education of Joseph Jacotot, a post-Revolutionary philosopher of education who discovered that he could teach things that he himself did not know.

7. Each child sees 5 shows over the course of twenty days, and of those twenty days, six of them are weekends. It doesn't seem too onerous to us, and the other two schools have not commented.

Anyway, once all this is over, I'll offer some opinions as to what I think is REALLY going on based on observations I've made, but for now, I'll leave it at this except to thank the Kunstenfestivaldesarts for supporting the project and, in particular, commending their decision to turn to the parents, many of whom, it should be noted, got back to us once they discussed it with their kids.

In the end it looks like this will be an interesting lesson for...THE SCHOOL! Which, ultimately, is what the project is really about: the accomodation of children and their views, opinions and presence. The kids are telling their teacher and principal that unilateral decisions are unacceptable. C'est tout.

Graeae Theatre Company - The Iron Man

2011-05-13T15:25:00.010-07:00

Courtney & Amber are interviewed

a message from the Artistic Director

2011-05-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

NNF AND CCA BUZZ

2011-05-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra in Great Yarmouth

2011-05-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

JURY NUMBER TWO

After a forty-five minute bus ride to Great Yarmouth of candy chomping and Kiss radio, we reached the red carpet.

Tonight was a moving night at the symphony, however different than usual, it was set inside a hippodrome giving the experience and unusual contrast. We heard Rimsky-Korsakov The Tale of Tsar Saltan (suite from Opera, Op. 57), Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.1, Tchaikovsky Act 2 from The Nutcracker, and 3 encore pieces which I couldn't place.

There was a butting of heads between four audience members and our children. The kids questioned, quietly amongst themselves, about the music and the conductor's role during the start of the show. Then the adult/elderly audience members hushed and scolded the children about when it was appropriate to speak and make noise, also blamed the kids for ruining their evening.

The adults changed seats for the second act. The kids ate their popcorn from paper bags and watched the rest of the show in peace, then gave the orchestra a standing ovation. Despite what happened, the music spoke for itself and all was enjoyed in the end.

Ceremony Roles

2011-05-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

TROPHY DESIGN

2011-05-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

Chay played Youtube DJ while we dressed the trophies.

Jozef Wouters

2011-05-11T07:03:00.000-07:00

An's Ankle

2011-05-11T07:01:00.004-07:00

Killing Time

2011-05-11T06:57:00.003-07:00

L'Effet de Serge

2011-05-11T06:34:00.005-07:00

Our driver Tony helps to bling the bus.

Waiting in the lobby

Evaluation time

Toshiki Okada/chelfitsch: We are the Undamaged Others

2011-05-11T06:00:00.006-07:00

Last night Jury group #5 saw 'We are the Undamaged Others' at the Theatre National. It was a challenging piece (performed in Japanese, subtitled in French and Dutch) about happiness, unhappiness and maybe anomie? It moved slowly, and was fairly long, but most of the Jury made it to the end. My favourite moment was at the end when the white block on stage (the only set) was lit beautifully with coloured spotlights, representing the sunrise. Toshiki came out again to meet the kids after the show, and answer questions.

Heading inside!

the giggles

CCA: Children's Critical Analysis

2011-05-10T17:17:00.009-07:00

Local paper Norwich Evening News has invited the CCA to review the shows that they've been seeing. After each show, one review is printed. Other reviews can be read online.

Here's a peek at what's been said so far. Can you see any front runners for the awards ceremony?

Norfolk & Norwich Festival Launch & Saxophone Massive

I really enjoyed this performance because it was unique and I really enjoyed the beat of the saxophones. The people in the performance were wonderful, a definite five stars from me. ~ Genevieve

Today at the NNF11 we had free ice cream, drinks and food. This has been amazing so far. We are at the speeches now and later we are going to a show. I think this is great and I think everyone is going to have fun. ~ Hamoud

Professor Bumm's Story Machine

This was fantastic – I absolutely loved it. I have never seen a comedy like it. I laughed a lot, as did the entire audience, young and old. I would recommend it to anyone. ~ Chloe E.

It would be hard for anyone not to enjoy the Professor Bumm show because it was so funny and imaginative. The audience really enjoyed all six short stories they made up on the spot, using all their silly props. The hour-long performance was fast and furious and made me feel really lucky to have the opportunity to be a VIP guest. ~ Kayleigh

Ragroof Tea Dances - In the Mood

We had a red-carpet into the Tea Dance, which was a hall set up in Chapelfield Gardens. There was a great atmosphere in the venue. The Bee Knees (who were comically dressed as bumblebees!) demonstrated how to do the Swing, Jive and Charleston, and encouraged everyone to get on the dance floor. Before we knew what we were doing, we were all dancing the Charleston, with jazz hands. Truly brilliant afternoon. ~ Courtney B.

Walking in with the 1940s music playing, we knew this was going to be an experience. There was a great atmosphere as professional dancers showed us all how to jive and waltz. After dancing for an hour, there was tea and cakes –very traditional but a welcome refreshment. The overall experience was amazing! ~ Amber

L'Effet de Serge

L'Effet de Serge was funny and scary in parts because they had a firework on a stick. It blew my mind! Spellbound. The best bit was when Serge did a little show and his friend gave comments to him after. It was a bit boring watching Serge sit watching TV. ~ James

The performance is a very unique approach to drama. Although there is not much acting, you can connect with the characters, it's like your a member of the cast. The performance is strange, it gives me different ideas about how I see drama. ~ Genevieve

Action spoke in this and took the place of words. Serge's life portrayed a sense of abnormality in many places and he was probably trying to make it better. It was very awkward sometimes when his guests came. ~ Ella

talking to Edith Kaldor's cast

2011-05-10T00:25:00.001-07:00

Scratching on Things I Could Disavow

2011-05-09T15:27:00.004-07:00

Today Jury group #2 saw Walid Raad's 'Scratching on Things I Could Disavow: A History of Art in the Arab World.' This piece made my little art historian heart sing, and I think the Jury enjoyed it as well. I really liked the first part because it dealt with the complicated relationship between art and economics, which I find really interesting. I thought the third part was also great; the artist shrunk down his work-sculpture, prints, etc., and hung it in a miniature art gallery. Walid hung with the kids after the show, answered their questions about his work, and offered them advice on how to go about choosing the award winners- woot!

In the mini-bus!

Darren takes the Jury on an exploration adventure in the theatre...

Sneaking around...

Caught!

Heading in to see the show!

Eva's interviews en Francais

2011-05-09T06:53:00.002-07:00

english lesions

2011-05-09T05:25:00.003-07:00

Neutral Hero and El Rumor Del Incendio

2011-05-09T03:20:00.019-07:00

Yesterday Jury group #4 saw 'Neutral Hero' by Richard Maxwell/New York City Players. It was an 'opera country' musical, so the actors sang songs and some played instruments. The piano and banjo were particularly nice. Afterwards the Jury got to go backstage where they met Richard Maxwell and the cast, asked questions and got autographs.

The Jury members from Ecole Aurore pose with the mini-bus

Meeting the cast!

Autographs!

Nathan getting Richard Maxwell's autograph

Hanging out on the stage

Later, Jury group #5 saw Lagartijas tiradas al sol's 'El Rumor Del Incendio'. I really liked the set- there were tons of different hanging light fixtures, plastic figurines, an electric train set, astroturf, a live fish in a fishbowl. The story was intense and sad, but also passionate and action-packed. The cast took some time after the show to hang with the Jury and answered questions with Spanish-Dutch translation help from Vier Winden teacher, Karlien.

REd Rug to Rag Time

2011-05-08T17:25:00.002-07:00

This event was not as critically charging as I had hoped though it was a good time overall.

Jury #3 gets high... pitched!

2011-05-08T17:20:00.003-07:00

Today's event was called Ragroof Tea Dance. Didn't know what to expect so we thought we'd prepare ourselves a wee bit.

'The Sonic Life of a Giant Tortoise' and 'Stadium/Stadion #3'

2011-05-07T15:41:00.012-07:00

Tonight Jury group #3 saw two shows in one night! 'The Sonic Life of a Giant Tortoise' by Toshiki Okada was a minimalist play performed in Japanese and subtitled in Dutch and French. I was able to follow most of the French subtitles, so I think I caught most of the story, which was about some 40-somethings going through a bit of a mid-life crisis. Sometimes it was hard to read the complicated text and watch the performers at the same time because my French isn't great. I liked the part where they're talking at the party, and the actor with the frizzy hair. He gave the audience big hearts at the end. The Jury got to meet Toshiki backstage, and asked him some questions about the show.

Posing with the 'cheval au saucisson' (sausage-horse) in the lobby of the Raffinerie theatre before 'Sonic Life'

Talking to Toshiki Okada

Toshiki's autograph!

BIG Hearts!

Then the Jury ate some dinner together, and went on to see an installation in the city centre called 'Stadium/Stadion #3' by Jozef Wouters and Menno Vandevelde. The installation changes every day, but tonight they had built a big box around a larger structure that you could go inside. It was dark, and in the middle there was a long ladder to climb down into an enclosed room that had thick mattresses on the ground. It was a lot of fun- we hung out there for a bit and the artists talked to the Jury, asked them questions, and answered questions. They were curious whether the Jury thought their installation was more like a show or a performance...the kids' response was mixed, but I think 'performance' prevailed, according to one Jury member, because "performance has a certain quality."

Meeting the artists before going in

Me and Jeanne-Renee inside the box. She's our awesome volunteer who's also Canadian! She's from Montreal :)

Business: Evaluation time

C'est du Chinois, Edith Kaldor

2011-05-07T15:31:00.003-07:00

So, like Darren said, yesterday Jury group #1 went to dinner and then saw C'est du Chinois. We learned some Chinese- some Jury members were pros! They spoke to the cast after the show, and convinced them to give us some giant chocolate bars to share (which were props from the show). YUMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm delicious props.

The Jury having dinner at the Ritz, the Festival bar/restaurant.
Behind the kids: Pascal Smet, Minister of Education (for Flemish schools); An, Local CCA Project Manager; Christophe Slagmuylder, Artistic Director Kunstenfestivaldesarts

Darren's Socks

2011-05-07T15:29:00.003-07:00

They're red. They make his feet hot.

The Fine Art of Flyering

2011-05-07T15:28:00.001-07:00

at the opening in Brux

2011-05-07T07:04:00.002-07:00

what's your name

2011-05-07T06:19:00.001-07:00

opening night

2011-05-07T06:12:00.003-07:00

Opening night was last night. Christophe, the director, introduced us and then most of us took off back home, while Jury 1 (there are five juries) had some food, though we couldn't get any info if the meat was halal so the muslim kids had to make due with vegetarian. Hopefully, we'll be able to request halal in the future, though as a vegetarian, I say: long live the animals!

we saw Edit Kaldor's show, which had a good start but faltered a bit. There was some suspicion that she wanted us to experience what it's like to not understand something, which is always better on paper than in practice.

Anyway, we had lots of fun. Prevailing challenge: get the french speakers and the dutch speakers to mix! a challenge that is made even more difficult because we've also got a cultural divide with muslim kids on the dutch side and christian kids on the other. But, if we didn't have a challenge we wouldn't be allowed to call it art, now would we...? We have to call it 'hanging out with the kids' and, while that might be fun, you're not going to get any grants to do that. And with good reason!!

vive la difference!

CAN graces the red carpet. Let the images say the rest.

2011-05-06T13:32:00.008-07:00

skipping school

2011-05-06T01:54:00.001-07:00

Word Chay, you can do it!!!!

2011-05-05T16:57:00.006-07:00

Chay's got my camera, he's on the blog, but CAN he figure out how to post and respond?? He's the first kid who's shown interest in wanting to participate on this thing, hoping to converse with the peeps in Brussels. Ya dude, start it up!

Meanwhile....

NNF11 continues to get some wicked Press for CCA.

Things are heating up.........

Norwich Brings Their Bling

2011-05-05T13:52:00.007-07:00

City Academy Norwich came up with their award categories today and decorated their magnets. VIPs all the way! The mini bus will be well dressed with its personalized magnets, the chauffeur will be in his proper hat and coat, but what will the kids wear to the launch of the festival???!??!?!?!?!?! There's BIG talk about heels or no heels, neck tie or bow? Tomorrow, Jury #1 is invited to the Norfolk & Norwich Festival launch and will check out 200 saxophonists from across Norfolk of all ages playing in Andy Sheppard's Saxophone Massive. Stay tuned to how our jury represents at their debut on the red carpet tomorrow night!

We must, we MUST. WE MUST BLING THE BUS!

2011-05-05T04:13:00.005-07:00

The Jury hard at work making decorations for their wheels.

The kids from Vier Winden & Lutgardisschool

2011-05-05T04:05:00.004-07:00

Photos by: Bea Borgers

The kids from Ecole Aurore

2011-05-05T04:03:00.002-07:00

The Jury from Brussels is in the news, check it!

2011-05-05T03:19:00.007-07:00

Online Article

Online Article

Pocket Gallery & Chocolate Trophy Day

2011-05-04T12:35:00.012-07:00

We figured that we talked at the kids enough yesterday, so today we focused on crafts. With the pocket gallery, everyone was asked to create a piece of 3D art that could fit inside someone's pocket. The artist then had to find a curator who would pocket their work and agree to try to sell it. Before a sale was made, each artist and curator would negotiate their respective percentage cut. We told them that sales didn't have to be made today, but everyone was really keen to see how much they could get for their work. Donna scored a bracelet and Hazel is the proud owner of a box of noodles.

In some versions of the CCA, the jury is given trophies that have already been coated in chocolate to decorate. Because of our smaller group, Hazel and I were super happy that we could arrange it so that the kids coated their own trophies. They had lots of fun doing it, and it was great to get them involved from step one of the trophy making process.

While we were busy getting our fingers sticky with waxy chocolate and/or glue that stunk like fish, Norfolk & Norwich Festival's film crew was around, getting shots for their film about the CCA process.

Today's best quote: "I came to school with nothing and I'm leaving with 30p!"

Hi from Norwich

2011-05-03T10:22:00.007-07:00

Hazel and I met the jury today. There are 30 of them, and we talked about different art forms including relational art and what kids can't do. The kids are pretty bright, and didn't need much prompting from us to begin thinking outside the box. We shot this video as a shout out to our colleagues in Brussels.

Tomorrow we coat trophies in chocolate and wax. Yum yum!

Weirdest law that I learnt today: leading up to Halloween, kids here aren't allowed to purchase eggs or ketchup.

Check, check, one two one two

2011-05-01T15:03:00.007-07:00

Oye from Norwich/Norfolk UK!

Hazel here, just about ready to kick start CCA, waiting for Donna to arrive, and looking forward to meeting our whacked out Jury.

The NN Festival staff's been amazing, they hooked me up with a rail pass to go anywhere any time until I leave the country. So I took a few hours today to jet out to the ocean to see the coast line and before my very eyes was a huge poster of our show!

YEAH NNF11, you do that!!!

Tomorrow, Donna and I tie up the last bit of business with the festival - making sure their red carpet is wrinkle free, etc. Tuesday we hang out with the Jury and hear about what they've got to say about what kids can't do, art, and critical thinking.

My palms are sweaty, are yours?

Check it out!

2011-05-01T14:12:00.002-07:00

The Jury from City Academy Norwich is featured in the Norwich Evening News!!! Woot!

And here's another article about the project in the Norwich Evening News

For teachers on Facebook, professionalism trumps fun - The Globe and Mail

2011-04-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

I'll talk about this article in a bit, once I finish my paper: For teachers on Facebook, professionalism trumps fun - The Globe and Mail

met the jury

2011-04-29T11:17:00.002-07:00

We've spent the last two days meeting the jury, explaining the project, chatting about the themes, fielding questions and playing 'whoosh.'

There have been great debates about the right to vote, the right to drive and the right to bear arms. It's always great to have 4'10" producer Eva Verity to prove to the kids that they're not too short to drive.

It's been going well, but it's tough to work with a jury that only speaks French or Dutch. Lots of translating and missed jokes going both ways. The universal symbol of the fist bump works for the most part. Video soon to follow as soon as I'm done my papers.

And we're live!

2011-04-27T22:26:00.003-07:00

So Eva Verity and I are in Brussels and have our first meetings with the juries today. We're working with 50 kids from 3 schools - one French and two Flemish. We're seeing 25 shows!!! We have one day off for the entire month of May. Woot!
We're doing the Awards at the Kunstenfestivaldesarts.

I'm going to be posting lots of video of clips with children talking and saying things I don't understand.

Donna Soares and Hazel Venzon also doing it in Norwich, England. More information about that soon.

The Winners!!!!

2010-06-18T18:00:00.001-07:00

1. Presented by Alex McConnell: Best Use of Props. The award for Best Use of Props goes to DEDICATED TO THE REVOLUTIONS. DEDICATED TO THE REVOLUTIONS won because they were real props like skipping ropes, xylophone, beach ball, and tin can telephones but they used them in unique and awesome cool ways.

2. Presented by Alex McConnell: The Person Who Tried the Hardest. The award for Person Who Tried the Hardest goes to NORMAN. NORMAN won because the dancer was dancing and talking at the same time and that is very hard to do, also he did the show all by himself and no one helped him.

3. Presented by Chloe Kynclova: Best Romance. The award for Best Romance goes to HOMAGE. HOMAGE won because they had the most romantic kiss of all the plays. I thought it was fake at first but of course, like always I was wrong, it was real. So good job ‘love birds’!

4. Presented by Chloe Kynclova: Best Hair.The award for Best Hair goes to TOUGH! TOUGH! Won because one of the Bobby’s hair looked like a hippy’s hair! So peace out!

5. Presented by Ethan Vasilopoulos: Show with the Lowest Budget, but did the best with their Low Budget. The award for Show with the Lowest Budget, but did the best with their Low Budget goes to TOUGH!. TOUGH! Won because they had cheap props and a cheap location.

6. Presented by Ethan Vasilopoulos: Most Suspenseful Moment. The award for Most Suspenseful Moment goes to THE GREATEST CITIES IN THE WORLD. THE GREATEST CITIES IN THE WORLD won because it was dark at the beginning and there were hands pouring the sand and I was wondering where the actors were and when the show was going to start.

7. Presented by Greg Snarr: Best Voices for a Character. The award for Best Voices for a Character goes to ELEPHANT WAKE. ELEPHANT WAKE won because he had a really good French accent.

8. Presented by Greg Snarr: Best Dancer. The award for Best Dancer goes to NORMAN. NORMAN won because he had the best dance with no shirt on.

9. Presented by Maja Lukambo: Best Shoes. The award for Best Shoes goes to TOUGH! TOUGH! Won because the shoes Bobby was wearing were cool Converse All-Stars. They were white and blue and they had a lot of stars.

10. Presented by Maxim Frumkin: Craziest Gruesome/Gore. The award goes to HOMAGE. HOMAGE won because the blood artist squirted blood everywhere.

11. Presented by Maxim Frumkin: Most Efficient Use of Props. The award goes to HOMAGE. HOMAGE won because they pretty much just used benches. The actor moved them around to make a bunch of different scenes.

12. Presented by Cali Rhindress: Most Computer Animated. The award for Most Computer Animated goes to NORMAN. NORMAN won because there were so many little computer animated designs on the screen, and it was so amazing how the actor could react to the designs like they were really running into him, or he was really pushing the dots away.

13. Presented by Cali Rhindress: Oldest Person Able to Still Perform in a Play. The award for Oldest Person able to still perform in a play goes to ELEPHANT WAKE. ELEPHANT WAKE won because the character in the play looked really old, and that’s good because I think the man was supposed to look old because it said in the play that he was 77 years old.

14. Presented by Miki Lang: Best Special Effects. The award for Best Special Effects goes to NORMAN. NORMAN won because there were a lot of projections of Norman McLaren’s films. We really liked the bird projection because the actor impersonated a bird very well.

15. Presented by Jade Pincoe: Most Tastiest Snack Stuff. The award for Most Tastiest Snack Stuff goes to RICK MERCER. RICK MERCER won because we had catered food at the VIP reception for the actors and the children before the show. I really liked the Potato and pork canapé and the cherries.

16. Presented by Jade Pincoe: Best Impersonation of an Animal. The award for the Best Impersonation of an Animal goes to ELEPHANT WAKE. ELEPHANT WAKE won because he looked like an elephant and it was funny when he made an elephant noise.

17. Presented by Ayden Elworthy-Gaiger: Best/Craziest Comedian Ever. The award for Best/Craziest Comedian Ever goes to RICK MERCER. RICK MERCER must win this award because, well, he ate Harvey’s with Jean Chretien, jumped in a lake naked with Bob Rae, insulted countless USA citizens about their ignorance…I think that’s enough.

18. Presented by Mike Hall: Best Fake Kick. The award for Best Fake Kick goes to TOUGH! TOUGH won because there was a part whet it looked a lot like the person kicked Bobby, when he got kicked, it sounded like he really got kicked but he didn’t.

19. Presented by Mike Hall: Most Risky and Dangerous. The award for Most Risky and Dangerous goes to MONSTER MAKERS. MONSTER MAKERS won because we got to pull the monster into places and boss him around. We ran through the streets and almost got hit by cars. We were bluffing in our risk assessments, we really weren’t willing to die. Or were we?

20. Presented by Seth Pettley: The Best Realistic Swordfight. The Best Realistic Swordfight goes to THE GREATEST CITIES IN THE WORLD. THE GREATEST CITIES IN THE WORLD won because it was the only sword fight yet, and it was not much of a sword fight, but they almost started fighting, and it was pretty funny when the knight had a really really giant sword.

21. Presented by Seth Pettley: Show that Made us Clap the Most (Longest Clap). The award for Show that Made us Clap the Most (Longest Clap) goes to TOUGH! TOUGH! Won because it was a great show so it deserved a big clap. They bowed two times so we had to clap long!

22. Presented by Jasper Buller: The Most Emotional Play (Touched my Heart). The award for the Most Emotional Play (Touched my Heart) goes to HOMAGE. HOMAGE won because it made me angry and sad. It made me angry because they tore down a man’s sculpture. It made me sad because the man had a heart attack.

23. Presented by Jasper Buller: Most Interactive with the Audience. The award for Most Interactive with the Audience goes to MONSTER MAKERS. MONSTER MAKERS won because the monster sometimes pushed us, we had to run after him and we had to do stuff with him like pick up the poo.

24. Presented by Jake Laur: Most Famous Celebrity. The award for Most Famous Celebrity goes to RICK MERCER. RICK MERCER won because he has a well-known TV show.

25. Presented by Jake Laur: Best Music. The award for Best Music goes to DEDICATED TO THE REVOLUTIONS. DEDICATED TO THE REVOLUTIONS won because there was lots of music and it was catchy. The tunes were going around in my head after the show. It was kool with a ‘K’, really Kool.

26. Presented by Miki Lang: Most Dramatic Moment. The award for Most Dramatic Moment goes to ELEPHANT WAKE. ELEPHANT WAKE won because there was a lot of yelling and crying, especially when his elephant got run over.

27. Presented by Austyn Ptashnik: Most Unique. The award for Most Unique Show goes to THE GREATEST CITIES IN THE WORLD.

28. Presented by Austyn Ptashnik: Best Sound Effects. The award for Best Sound Effects goes to NORMAN. NORMAN won because the sound effects matched the films. When he hit the ball it would make a hit-noise. That was cool.

29. Presented by Austyn Ptashnik: Smartest Actors. The award for Smartest Actors goes to DEDICATED TO THE REVOLUTIONS. DEDICATED TO THE REVOLUTIONS won because the actors were nerds. They were very smart and knew a lot about Newton, Einstein and Gravity. Erin did a lot of dividing, it was the longest long division I’ve ever seen. She has a good education and she only made 2 mistakes.

30. Presented by Mihajlo Milisic: Best Walmart. The Best Walmart Award goes to…DRUMROLL PLEASE! THE GREATEST CITIES IN THE WORLD. THE GREATEST CITIES IN THE WORLD won because Walmart buildings are always rectangles, and they made a rectangle. The letters were all cut clear, you could see all of the details like the doors, letters and the triangle where the letters are. They even had a light. People call stores like Walmart ‘big box stores’. I thought it was funny that this Walmart was made out of a big box.

31. Presented by Mihajlo Milisic: Most Violent. The Most Violent award goes to MONSTER MAKERS. MONSTER MAKERS won because I got really violent and was beating the monster with his own emotional blobs.

32. Presented by Giovanni Paoletti: Best Storyline. The award for the Best Storyline goes to ELEPHANT WAKE. ELEPHANT WAKE won because it was funny, I was laughing the whole time and the story really kept me paying attention.

33. Presented by Giovanni Paoletti: Best Use of Lights. The award for Best use of Lights goes to…it’s a TIE! NORMAN and DEDICATED TO THE REVOLUTIONS! NORMAN won because some of the lights looked like hunters running through the room. There were also flickering lights at the beginning which I thought was really cool. DEDICATED TO THE REVOLUTIONS won because they shined light on one person and then another and another. There were disco ball stars, they showed us lights from the olden days.

34. Presented by Seth Pettley: Best Costumes. The award for Best Costumes goes to MONSTER MAKERS. MONSTER MAKERS won because the monster’s costume looked like an icecream and we could throw his emotions around.

*THE FINAL 3!!**

35. Presented by Chloe Kynclova: Best Characteristics (The way the actor acts). The award for Best Characteristics (The Way the Actor Acts) goes to HOMAGE. HOMAGE won because the man that played Hayden Davies acted like a different person, and I bet that Hayden and the man that acted Hayden out are not the same at all!

36. Presented by Ayden Elworthy-Gaiger: Best Imagination (Made-Up Story). The award for the The Best Imagination (Made Up Story) goes to…drumroll please… ELEPHANT WAKE. ELEPHANT WAKE won because the story and fantasy was phenomenal. I mean, flying elephants?! Come on! But, he made it sound so believable.

37. Presented by Maja Lukambo: The Best of the Best of the Best. The award for the Best of the Best goes to….IT’s A TIE! MONSTER MAKERS and DEDICATED TO THE REVOLUTIONS. These shows both won because we thought they were the most awesome shows.