Footprints Kidz First Annual Summer Blast Dance Festival

Can't believe it has come and gone already!

Sunday, August 22, 2004 which was Calgary's first monsoon, was the biggest day in the Footprints kids' lives. On behalf of the Footprints Kids' parents, myself and my outstanding, young lieutenant Ms. Magdalene Leung, I want to thank everyone who made our 2004 festival, the greatest children's show in Calgary. Thank you, 65 volunteers and 900 Calgarians who came out in the pouring rain. Without seed funding from the Alberta Foundation For the Arts, the Oakridge Co-op's receptive indoor space, without our corporate sponsors' flexibility, good humour, our celebration of children's talents would have been a washout.

The direct benefits to the Footprints kids aside, it's not an exaggeration to say, that our little festival was just GREAT! It bought our community together. Local clergy recommended the festival to their parishioners. Our music teachers and their students were there. The Girl Guides of Canada were there. Many dance groups were there. Southland Leisure Centre was there. The creative geniuses of the City of Calgary's Wildflower Arts Centre under the stewardship of Ms. Cori Stent were there in full force as were the bike decorating specialists from the Animated Objects Society.

Footprints Treasurer, Liz McIntyre, reports that we made $6,049. What this has meant is that we have been able to expand and enhance our creative movement programs for disadvantaged children.

I must single out Scott Allan, Dave Wulder and Dwayne McCombs of the Edward Jones offices located in the neighbourhoods Oakridge. These guys were the first to buy into our line that, "participation in the festival will expand your client base and help you reach out to sell educational savings plans to parents." They were the first to send in their dough few questions asked so that we could provide performers with small honorariums. We would be remiss if w didn't single out Mr. Dennis Neiser of Nick's Steakhouse & Nick's Thick and Juicy Catering who saved the festival with his gastronomic delights when the big pizza chain locate onsite let us down. I also want to thank the Oakridge A&W Root Bear for the yummy high jinks.

I am now in the process of planning our 2006 summer festival. I promise many more outstanding artistic delights again this year. Stay tuned...

Ella Matthews, Summer Blast Festival Producer

Helping Calgary Kidz Discover the Joy the Arts Bring