Campground Art & Animation Areas

Communal gathering is an important aspect of the campground experience and the Winnipeg Folk Festival encourages performance-based, structural, educational and aesthetic projects that facilitate interaction and participation among our campers. From organized performance art, to Tipi villages, to pirate ships – these projects create a magic ambience and provide a communal space for campers to gather. Each year, the Winnipeg Folk Festival organizers work with selected groups who apply with Campground Art & Animation project proposals. Not bound to the walls of a gallery, our campgrounds allow ideas to take on a larger-than-life quality.

Types of projects that we are seeking include (but not limited to):

• visual art (including theatre/dance/performance/ritual);
• green art projects (promoting sustainable culture & recycling in the campground, or constructed from recycled materials);
• interactive community art projects & workshops (educational, musical, art, family-oriented);
• temporary communal structures (social sculptures);
• signage and/or way-finding sculpture (along fencelines, pathways, entrance locations);
• structures or installations providing shelter from the elements (yurts/tipis/geodesic domes).

We’ll be accepting submissions for the 2012 festival in the spring!

Below are some photos and descriptions of animation projects from past festivals. The Winnipeg Folk Festival Campground is participatory – your experience is what YOU make of it. If you have an idea for a project in the campground let us know! Our aim is to support our creative community, so let us know who you are and what you do. Email Rebecca at rwinkworth@winnipegfolkfestival.ca

2011 Campground Art & Animation

Here is a listing of some of the art and animation that took place in the campground in 2011. Show your gratitude – stop and thank these folks who put in a lot of time and energy to bring these projects to the campground. If you have an idea for a project, please email info@winnipegfolkfestival.ca with the subject “Campground Animation Idea.”

EL Domes (zone 1B)
By Randy Merritt

Constructed with thousands of cut pieces of painted wood and bound together with natural fibers, these domes will glow and change color at night to delight and entrance passing campers.  The domes, sitting at 10 Feet tall and 20 feet wide, will jump to life as it begins to get dark. With just under 1000 feet of EL wire sequenced in various patterns, this display will be a great night time attraction.

Red Willow Tipi Village (zone 4)
Hosted by Tipi Joe

The Red Willow Tipi Group is pleased to bring an amazing, interactive display to the campground.  Throughout the festival, the group will have a visual arts display including painted tipis, naturally tanned bison hides and traditional tipi crafts. There is a ‘Healing Tipi’ for those faithful campers who need some prairie spa treatment. Be the first one to wash your folkie feet in a soothing footbath. Or experience aromatherapy while you enjoy a free massage. The ‘Healing Tipi’ will be open during daylight hours Thursday through Saturday.

Join the “Wild West Chili Cook Off” on Thursday – there will be prizes for best chili throughout the day!

On Saturday at 5pm, Tipi Joe and the rest of the group invite you to their celebration feast. Aboriginal dancers and drummers will perform following a blessing and gift ceremony. Campers will have a chance to sample authentic prairie cuisine. Organic bison roast, pickerel and bannock are on the menu, so bring some potluck to add to the celebration!

Panspermia 2 (zone 2, near Pope’s Hill access)
By Curtis DeMeyer

Curtis is back with another site-specific musical sculpture: Panspermia 2. Inspired by the success of Panspermia this piece is located near the Pope’s Hill access point. Stop by and see this engaging and interactive piece of welded art.

Saloon/Library (zone 2)
by the Castle Boys

The Castle Boys are back with a new theme & structure this year – a library by day, a saloon by night!

Vinyl Village (trailhead 1B)
Hosted by Ashleigh & Scott (your friendly Wagon Share volunteers)

The Vinyl Village is a jam space located under the hut at trail 1B. Come visit us and share the music, inspiration and community of the campground. Wednesday afternoon at 3pm, join Jelly B and the Kmart Shoppers for the opening show!  From the Moon will follow, and other jams will continue throughout the night. All musicians and styles of music are welcome. Bring your instruments, your voices, friends and your folk fest spirit!  We’ll have guitars, drums, an accordion, a Glen Layton washtub bass and various other instruments for jammers to play while they visit us. Musicians, poets, storytellers, anyone with something to share is welcome! 

The Festival Kids Fun Zone! (zone 1A)
by Addie, Stephanie, Jane and Wendy

A new animation area just for kids! Join Addie, Stephanie, Jane & Wendy – your Fun Facilitators! – bring your little folkers to the Festival Kids Fun Zone.

Open Wednesday & Thursday 9:30am -4:30pm. Here’s the schedule of activities:

Face Painting

10:00am-11:00am

12:00pm-1:00pm

2:00pm-3:00pm

Craft Sessions

11:00am-11:45am           Mask making

12:00pm-12:45pm          Instrument making

1:00pm-1:45pm                Cape making

2:00pm-2:45pm                Campsite Sign making

3:30pm-4:30pm                Kids Zone PARADE! Just look for Miss Wendy, Mistress of Ceremonies, at the front gate of the Kids Fun Zone. She’ll be the one wearing the top hat! Don’t forget to dress up!

Games/Free Play

Throughout the day there will also be various games and activities, such as Red Rover, bean bag/ring toss, hula hoop lessons, poi lessons, and free play on a small play structure, see-saw, and with balls, hula hoops, and ribbon poi.

Kids Zone Rules

• All children 10 years old and under must be supervised all times by an adult.
• You cannot drop off your children –, they MUST be supervised by an adult. Not an older sibling or friend, unless that sibling or friend is over the age of 16.
• No profanities allowed – or you’ll be asked to leave.
• Respect of all attendants and “fun facilitators”.
• All unattended children will be given coffee and a puppy to take home.

Element Sircus  (zone 4)
Hosted by the Flaming Trolleys, Ragpickers & Element Sircus

Element Sircus – in conjunction with The Flaming Trollies Marching Band and Ragpickers Antifashion Emporium – bring a smattering of circus to the Festival Campground!  Look for the eclectic Bedouin-style circus tent wherein you can make a mask, elaborate on your costume, make your own puppet or watch a shadow puppet show in the Tipi Theatre!

A craft area will be open during daylight hours; check the chalk board for planned workshops.  Stilt walkers and giant parade puppets will appear before your eyes!  Listen for the Marching Band who will be parading through the campground.  Drop by to learn & share traditional circus skills, too!

New this year: Element Sircus’ night-time chill tent! Stop by the tent after the fire-spinning performances at Pope’s Hill! You’ll find acoustic music, experimental performances, puppet shows and other wondrous delights for your senses!

Random Acts of Cooking
Brought to you by Chef Alex Svenne

Keep your eyes peeled for some late-night random acts of cooking. Chef Alex Svenne will be surprising campers with his culinary treats, teaching camping cooking tricks, and sharing his tasty samples with whoever happens to be around!

The Trading Post (zone 2)

It’s a landmark, it’s a favorite and it’s back. It’s the Trading Post.  Forget some tent pegs? Have too much spaghetti sauce?  Lose your bandana?  Take a walk to the Trading Post and swap items for fair trade.  All trades are considered (even song & dance), and any reasonable offer is accepted. You’ll likely walk away with what you need!  Items range from camping supplies to food to clothing…and everything in between!  The bottom line is nothing is for sale: no cash allowed! In addition to their Trading Post, this group also facilitates games & contests throughout the weekend. Stop by and see what’s happening!

Juke Joint Hideaway (zone 2)

Experience a little piece of Times Change(d) at the Juke Joint Hideaway.  The good folks at the Juke Joint invite you over for late night jams led by musicians Jason Nowicki  (the Perpetrators), Amber Neilsen & Jessica Rae Ayre (The Sweet Alibi), Vince Andrushko, Ben Roscoe, Brody Gilchrist, Andrew Neville & Steve Gregg (Andrew Neville and the Poor Choices) and many more local treasures.

The Men’s Banner (zone 4)
Hosted by Anna-Celestrya Carr

The Men’s Banner project is an ongoing interactive community developed for men. It  asks them to make the promise to never use their hands in violence against women, and not to tolerate  violence they witness. Please stop by the Men’s Banner and leave your handprint as a pledge.

The Red Tent (zone 4)
Hosted by Klinic & trained volunteers

The Red Tent is a safe place for women or anyone, who has survived or experienced sexual harassment or  sexual assault.. Crisis services and support are provided by trained volunteers from Klinic’s Sexual Assault Crisis Program. Other volunteers offer a resource centre and facilitate sexual health and artistic workshops.

The Red Tent invites you to stop by and participate! We’re working to create a culture that will decrease the need for sexual assault crisis services in the future!

PO MO Follow the Dragon (all over, but mainly Pope’s Hill)
By Meghan Athavale, PO-MO

Ever wanted to play with a dragon? Here’s  your chance. The dragon will appear in the field leading to the campground entrance near the end of main stage. Follow the dragon as he parades through the campground and ends his route at Pope’s hill each night. New this year: a bubble-blowing dragon!

Yoga Classes (base of Pope’s Hill)
Hosted by Stafford Street Hot Yoga & South Moon Studio

Yoga classes run Thursday through Sunday from 9:30-10:30am in the bowl of Pope’s Hill. Provided courtesy of Stafford Street Hot Yoga (Amanda Ing) and South Moon Studio (Chrissy Merritt). Bring your towel, some water and embrace the day.

Fire Spinning Performances (base of Pope’s Hill)
Featuring The Fire Pyxies and Avani Soul Tribal Belly Dance and Alternative Performing Arts Collective

*These performances are produced by professional dancers with safety technicians on hand. Please respect the performance area boundaries.

Thursday night 1:00 AM (following main stage) – Avani Soul Tribal Belly Dance and Alternative Performing Arts Collective

Friday night 1:00 AM (following main stage) – Fire Pyxies

Saturday night 1:00 AM (following main stage) – Avani Soul Tribal Belly Dance and Alternative Performing Arts Collective

Afternoon Workshops (base of Pope’s Hill)

Join the Fire Pyxies and Avani Soul Tribal Belly Dance for afternoon workshops at the base of Pope’s Hill.

Wednesday

3:30-5pm                    Hula hooping workshop (Fire Pyxies)

Thursday

10:30-11:30am           Yoga & meditation (Avani)

1-2pm                                 Belly dancing workshop (Avani)

2-3pm                                 Drum circle (Avani)

3-4pm                                 Poi & staff workshop (Avani)

Friday

3:30-5pm                               Poi & staff workshop (Fire Pyxies)

Hula Hoop Tree (zone 1B)
Hosted by the Fire Pyxies

Love to hula? Love to dance? Get your hula on at the Hula Hoop Tree hosted by the Fire Pyxies during daylight hours. Don’t forget to check out their hula workshop on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30pm at the base of Pope’s Hill!

The Hammock District 2.0
by Michael Cumbers & Chris Muirhead

The Hammock District is back and twice as big as last year! Here’s a place where anyone can get away from the harsh elements and hang for a while. Don’t want to hang? Check out the entertainment stage during the day Wednesday and Thursday.

The Hammock District has musicians, actors, playwrights, workshops, grilled cheese parties and (of course) hammocks!

Folkspeare Presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Live at The Hammock District
Wednesday & Thursday at 1:00 PM

Join this troupe of performers and be delighted as they bring the Bard’s words to life on The Hammock District’s stage. A true theatrical experience in the midst of the Festival Campground.

Performances: Wednesday & Thursday at 1pm. But look for random improvisations in various locations of the campground throughout the weekend.