Stratford Kiwanis Festival of the Performing Arts wraps up for another year on Friday night with their 'Stars of the Festival' event.
It was a whirlwind festival unlike any other, as organizers offered a hybrid option for performers - live or virtual - and some award winners had the thrill of performing in one of four encore shows at Lazaridis Hall, at the new Tom Patterson Theatre.
As an unforeseen bonus, the virtual offering brought in talent from Timmins, Connecticutt and as far away as Thailand.
When the festival picked back up after a pandemic pause, it was decided rather than force live performances, increasing the stress level for entrants, they could perform virtually, said Pat McKinna, the festival's executive director.
"Some pupils were not ready for live," McKinna told StratfordToday.
The pandemic sped up the implementation of technology that many felt was needed for the festival, McKinna noted.
"If we want to remain relevant we have to meet performers where they want us to."
Stratford Kiwanis Festival of the Performing Arts, organized by the Kiwanis Club of Stratford, has featured emerging artists since 1927. It is the longest running festival in Stratford.
More than half of the 90 trophies handed out to winners have already been presented during 'encore concerts'. The encore format replaced traditional finals.
"The pressure was off to have to provide for an adjudicator, it was a showcase, and at (Tom Patterson Theatre) one of the loveliest new venues in town.
"It was quite a different experience especially for the vocalists. Quite different from one of the churches. It was a wonderfully special place to experience our first combo hybrid festival."
"For some people it was traumatic to cocoon and stay home. Teachers told me they were nervous to perform in front of people. It was a year with an option."
The finale on Friday is at Avondale Church and features award winners in voice, piano, band instruments, choirs, dance and others.
Jamie Cottle of CJCS 107.1 FM is emcee.
For more information go to: https://kiwanisfestivalstratford.com.
You can purchase tickets here: Stars of the Festival tickets.
Tickets are available at the door, also. Tickets are free for ages 15 and under and $25 for ages 16 and over.
McKinna said there are participants headed to a provincial competition in the Niagara area in June who can benefit from a pair of coaches offering a clinic on May 9 on how to "polish performance". Registration for that is here: performance coaching.
