Watch for The Old Elephant's Christmas on SCN Television, December 24, 2009, at 1 p.m. The show was taped before a live studio audience and captures the experience that's had Saskatoon families returning to the event year after year. It's good old fashioned storytelling blended with traditional and original seasonal music, perfect for singing along. Scroll down to see a clip.
OEC will be available for OSAC bookings for Christmas of 2010. Please contact Kevin Korchinski, OSAC Performing Arts Coordinator, (306) 586-1220, for details.
Saskatoon 2010 Shows: in cooperation with Kids of Note and Hemophilia Saskatchewan, OEC will be performed twice at Grosvenor Park United Church on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5 at 7:30 pm. This will be the first time 25 children join Brenda on stage to present the show!
For the curious, I'm leaving the old information up:
The Old Elephant's Christmas
In Performance/2008
Public Shows - raising funds and awareness for Hemophilia Saskatchewan
Regina: (Premiere Performance in this city!)
Thursday, December 11, 7 pm
Royal Saskatchewan Museum Auditorium, 2445 Albert St.
Tickets: $12+gst each or Family Pak of 4 for $45+gst - available at the RSM Gift Shop or by calling 757-5951 with credit card
Price includes prizes, a cookie decorating party after the show, and a chance to meet Brenda and Sheldon
Thanks to our sponsors: Global Regina and the Leader-Post
Saskatoon:
Sunday, December 14, 1 pm AND 3:30 pm
The Refinery, 609 Dufferin Ave.
Tickets: children $12, adults $14 (includes gst) - available at Mcnally Robinson until December 13 (955-3599) and The Refinery Box Office (653-3549)
Price includes craft project, treats, prizes and a chance to meet Brenda and Sheldon
Thanks to our sponsors: Rawlco Radio's C95 and Rock 102FM, The StarPhoenix, and Global Saskatoon
Every two years I perform this original show in schools and for the general public. It will be available this December (2008). Of course the CD is available year-round!
I created OEC especially for younger grades.
Through story and participatory songs I share a whimsical tale of one of the world's smallest elephants -- in actual fact an antique tree ornament that has been passed down through the generations.
One Christmas season, while decorating the family tree, a little girl decides that the Old Elephant is simply too dull and unattractive to be used anymore, so she leaves him wrapped up in the storage box.
On Christmas Eve, when all the ornaments traditionally come to life, they are shocked and dismayed to discover that their dear friend is missing! Several relevant themes are woven into the story, including the importance of friendship and family, the value of growing older and wiser, and the belief that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Below are a few excerpts from the show.
Thinking of booking the show for your school?
Here's what you need to know:
The Old Elephant's Christmas
with pianist and collaborator Sheldon Corbett
Target Audience: Kindergarten to Grade 4
Show Length: 55 minutes
Follow-Up Activity Kit Provided
Please note:
The following simple advance preparations are required from teachers and students:
ensure sound system is adequate
provide a decorated Christmas tree
have the K - 4 students practice sound effects, as per Brenda's advance instructions
review a few familiar carols with the students, as per Brenda's advance instructions
At this time the show is only available in Saskatoon and up to 75 km outside of the city.
For bookings and price information, please contact Tracy Pytlowany.
It was perfect... the opportunity for the children to join in on the traditional and the original songs was great! The characters and the topic were ones the students could relate to.
Greystone Heights School, Saskatoon
(This was a teacher's review of the show in 2000. They booked OEC again for 2002!)
We really enjoyed Brenda's awesome voice and Sheldon's accompaniment... so polished and professional... schools often can't afford to hire such a superior quality production!
Venture Heights School, Martensville
The humour and message were super for children... the students thought the music was great and we would definitely recommend it to other schools!
Vanscoy School, Vanscoy
...she told a heartwarming story... Brenda's ability to captivate the audience with her wonderful storytelling and beautiful singing voice was incredible. The children were all mesmerized and eagerly participated throughout the performance... We highly recommend that you consider including Brenda's production in your festive activities.
Fairhaven & St. Mark Schools (joint show), Saskatoon
