March Break Madness At Cambridge Library & Galleries

Take Advantage Of Great Fun & Activities

IDEAS|UNLIMITED: March Break Mania

March 10 – March 16, 2012

Ready to enjoy March Break with the kids? Then look no further than the Cambridge Libraries and Galleries. This spring, they’ve got you covered, with great exhibitions, amazing programs, and a concert sure to excite the kid in all of us! Read on to see what’s on tap at Library and Gallery locations, March 10 – March 16, 2012.

CHILDREN’S MARCH BREAK PROGRAMS

With events keeping the kids hopping all week long at all four library locations (Clemens Mill, Hespeler, Preston and Queen’s Square), Cambridge Libraries’ is making March Break rock in Cambridge! Daily events will be running Monday through Friday at all locations at either 10:30 am or 2:00pm…and sometimes both! The Libraries have something happening for all tastes. From the Lorax to Mr. Popper’s famous penguins, and from Alvin and the Chipmunks to troublesome brothers Phineas and Ferb, there’s something for everyone. And what’s a spring break without a concert? Be sure you don’t miss the Licorice Allsorts interactive concert. These musicians will have you and the kids seeing the cool factor of the great composers. Entertaining and educational, this group knows how to please! Concert is running Friday, March 16 at 2pm at Queen’s Square. Admission is free. For a full listing of events and programs, all free to the public and offered on a drop-in, first-come first-served basis, visit www.cambridgelibraries.ca.

MASK & COSTUME MASQUARADE!

Learn about costumes, masks and art from around the world as you create your own, out of papier-mâché, paint, fabric, and more! Students will be guided through the magic and mystery of the theatre world at the Design at Riverside gallery’s current exhibition The Patria Cycle. This exhibit features the work of noted Canadian theatre designers Jerrard and Diana Smith, including masks, costumes, puppets and larger than life set pieces from their stage productions.                                                                          

The installation is drawing rave reviews. Join artist Sandra Phillips as she transports you to another, magical land through this March Break Camp. Ages: 7-13
March 12-15 1:30-4:30pm, $90 or $81 for Gallery Members

OR drop-in on a mask-making or puppet-making workshop daily:
Masks: 1:30, 2:30 or 3:30pm, $10/mask  ($9/member)                 Puppets: 1:30-4:30pm, $25/puppet ($22.50/member)

Ages: 7-14 (HST will be added for children 13 & up)


PATRIA CYCLE: Design at Riverside, ongoing until March 29

Patria Cycle opened at Cambridge Galleries’ Design at Riverside location on February 29 to rave reviews. Walking into the gallery space, one feels literally transported to another place and time – to the mind of composer and playwright Murray R. Schafer, thanks to the brilliant designs of Jerrard and Diana Smith. “I arrived at the Patria Cycle opening at Design at Riverside and was instantly drawn into the exhibition by the haunting sound of a clarinet soloist, but it was the glowing eyes of the towering wolf that stopped me in my tracks,” said Sandra Sydor, Cambridge Libraries and Galleries’ Community Outreach Administrator. For those at the opening, the amazement continued as Jerrard shared the wolf’s performance story. “This wolf had actually been part of an outdoor theatre presentation and had been launched onto a lake using two canoes!” Sydor proclaims. As astounding as that feat is, the puppeteer, we later learn, controlled this creation while straddling the canoes.

 
With such rich and textured layers of creativity, Patria Cycle is sure to draw visitors in – and keep them coming back. “There is so much to discover, one evening wasn’t enough,” Sydor continues. “I’m definitely going back!” Wandering around the installation, one is often met with exclamations of surprise and intrigue. “I have never seen such an exhibition such as this,” visitor Mavis Grey was heard saying. “And the wolf…Oh my that wolf!” Mavis’ friends nod in agreement, exchanging comments of “breathtaking”, “transporting”, and “awe-inspiring” in hushed and excited voices. “Oh look at this!” June Bulmer declares, and with that the group of friends follows to take in the puppet-manned boat, various headdresses and more.

This is an exhibit that you don’t just see – you experience! Don’t miss your opportunity to see these amazing creations come to life at Patria Cycle, running through to April 8 at Design at Riverside.