Communities need opportunities for people to connect with their neighbours.  Too often, living in urban suburbs means cocooning within the confines of your home.  Part of the allure and growth of festivals has been the human need to connect with their community.  Beginning in the spring of 2007, the AO Shirley Memorial Foundation launched its newest initiative, the Community Arts Festivals. 


Take in family theatre production performed on site.  Families will love zany antics of the literary adaptation of Junie B. Jones that both parents and kids will enjoy.  After that, why not get a photo of the kids with stilted performers towering above the world, enjoy some cotton candy and snow cones in the sunshine.  Be transformed to a new world by feats of amazement from the free street performer’s shows.  If you still have the energy, amaze yourself and your parents at the new talents you learn at our street performer’s workshops.  Hey, you almost forgot to get your face painted and try one  of the four inflatables. 


This is an opportunity to have a family oriented arts festival brought directly into 38+ Calgary communities.    Be it community hall, school or park; the festival will serve as way for communities to connect with their neighbours in a family friendly environment that builds a sense of community.  Calgarians will have a fun, indoor/outdoor arts festival in the

heart of their own community.


These Calgary Fringe Festival will partner with the AO Shirley Memorial Foundation to bring these day long arts festivals into communities around the city.  Providing arts workshops, street performance, mascots, visual arts, music, food, live theatre and more, these mini arts festivals will provide an intimate exposure to the arts in a family friendly environment. 


These mini traveling versions of the Calgary Fringe Festival with a definite family twist will be visiting a community near you.  Packed with music, theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, circus arts and much more, the Calgary Family Fringe Festival embodies the buoyant spirit and endless curiosity of children all over the world. And it's not just for kids!   Enrich and inspire your heart and mind with these engaging performances

from lands afar.  There’s something for everyone.

Community Arts Festivals

What happens...


* Engaging entertaining hands-on workshops for the entire family

* Family theatre productions

* Street & Stilted performers

* Face painting

* Kids craft activities

* Variety of Bouncer Activities

* Community promotion opportunities

* Festival Food...and more!

What does the community do?


* You choose your dates (based on first come, first serve basis) and submit your application form with application fee.


* Let your neighbours know about the community event: place bold signs in your community three weeks prior to the event. ½ page ads in April, May, and June community newsletters and full page ads in July & Aug editions.


* Someone from your community to open the doors and restrooms at the community centre.