ESTEVAN — After three years of a hiatus, the Koncerts for Kids series, presented by the Estevan Arts Council, is making a gradual return in the 2023-24 school year.
Koncerts for Kids's mission is to open young minds and hearts to the world of arts and culture in a fun, family-friendly manner, according to the Estevan Arts Council's website.
Trinda Jocelyn with the arts council took over the program and said this season the community has at least two great opportunities. The first Koncert for Kids brought Andrew Kim, a.k.a. Andy the Musical Scientist, to Westview School on Sunday.
Kim is a musician who brings together his love of science, recycling and music into one exceptional performance. The show featured him demonstrating some of his unique instruments that are based on traditional instruments of other cultures. By combining science with music, Kim has designed his own musical inventions: the musical skateboard, a Star Wars slinky, a Moroccan hockey stick, Lego theremin, an electric water bottle, and the singing spoon, which are constructed from recycled household items.
Using humour, Kim demonstrated critical thought processes, technology in music, scientific principles through which sound is shaped, and even showed the audience how to turn a spoon into a guitar. Volunteers also got to try his instruments.
Kim also performed at Pleasantdale School on Friday thanks to the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils' (OSAC) tour.
The other performance in the Koncerts for Kids series will be the Piano Heist featuring Nico Rhodes and Patrick Courtin, and will come in March in collaboration with Estevan Concert Series.
Jocelyn said there might be one more concert organized within the series in April, but it's yet to be confirmed.
She recently started with the program and said that after three years of a break, they took it easier with the hope of getting into the full swing later.
"It's been a slow start getting going just because I'm new and learning all of the things that go into getting concerts in. So, the 23-24 season is small and not our full program, and it gives me an opportunity to learn what the ropes are, so the plan is to have a full season for the 24-25," Jocelyn said.
She noted that her family enjoyed this program when their kids were young, and now she wanted to ensure other families also had the opportunity.
"[The arts council] needed somebody to do it. And for me, when my kids were young, we used to take them to those concerts all the time. And my kids are grown up and moved out, so I have a bit of time here and there that I can help out in the winter. So, there was a need and I thought I could fill a gap," Jocelyn said.
She added that the arts council also always welcomes volunteers to help with concerts and is looking for board members as well. To apply people can contact them through Facebook.
For more information on upcoming concerts and tickets, visit the Estevan Arts Council's website at estevanartscouncil.org and follow their social media.
