Children's Stage:

Welcome back our favorite MC... Al deCant!

11:00 am -  Packard's Martial Arts, Karate Demonstration
12:00 pm - New England Ballet School & Company Performance
1:00 pm - Mr. Gym, Singer/Songwriter/Guitar will get us moving to the music!
2:00 pm - Al deCant fun filled, family concertwith lots of participation.
3:00 pm - New England Ballet School & Company Second Performance
4:00 pm - Steve Taylor, Puppeteer/Ventriloquist for children of all ages!

Al deCant Family Concert

Half Moon Music

The Enthusiasm is catching! Al deCant's family concerts bring excitement, warmth and vitality together for a lively and exhilarating experience for children and their parents. (His music and character education themes are being used in schools and classrooms throughout Connecticut.

Parents, teachers and children immediately respond to the catchy tunes and lyrical wit of this veteran singer/songwriter/educator. Al's original comic and soulful songs are enjoyed as much by adults as they are by children. Audiences are engaged in an interactive program: dancing, singing, clapping, marching, playing percussive instruments and singing about caring, friendship, family, the environment and the silly things in life.

Al's musical styles have been compared to everyone from James Taylor to Elvis Presley, but he clearly expresses his own unique style of children's music. With high-energy tunes spanning genres from traditional folk, rock and roll to Afro-Reggae rhythms, Al knows how to engage his audience in singing along, dancing, and having one heck of a good time. His sing-a-long songs; "Wake it Up, Shake it Up", "I Don't Wanna go to Bed". "My Best Friend", "Bath Tub Blues", and "Energy Cop"; personify the enduring themes Al writes about. He says, "There is nothing more exciting when families and friends are singing, dancing and making music together.

Mr. deCant is currently a public school administrator in Connecticut and holds several advanced degrees in elementary education, media and administration. He actively performs throughout Connecticut for school, libraries, hospitals, local fair, fundraisers as well as private and cooperate functions. He is also a presenter for the Connecticut Association for the Gifted - Minds in Motion and the Early Childhood Development Council.

Click here to visit Al deCant's Website

Packard's Martial Arts

Packard's Martial Arts wishes to extend the warmest welcome. My name is Scott Packard. I am the owner and teacher of The Packard's Martial Arts. There is 30 years of martial arts experience behind me. 25 years of teaching the arts. I have worked with great people, mostly parents, who have taught me the ways of teaching. I cannot say that I am perfect at this field because I am forever learning. What I can tell you is this, I will do my best to make the martial arts a wonderful experience for you and your children. You won't be a number. You will be a person treated with respect. You will take knowledge and skill with you for the rest of your life.

Kempo and Kung fu is the main art taught at Packard's Martial Art. Kempo is the influence of the Japanese Karate and Chinese Kung fu. The Japanese side utilizes the hand strikes, elbows, and low kicks. It has a Jujitsu base (joint locks and throws). The Chinese side has the influence of animal movements that were taught by the monks centuries ago. The art is still taught in the Shaolin TemplePackard's Martial Arts to this day. The animal movements teach us how to manipulate the aggressive situation to meet our defensive and offensive needs. Kempo was molded to help us protect ourselves from the "bad guys".

Kung Fu has the foundation of the Black Tiger System and the Preying Mantis. Kung fu class is focused on the traditional movements of open hand forms (no weapons) and weapon forms. Kung fu is a great form of exercise for the body and the mind. It stretches and strengthens. The Black Tiger kung fu focuses on five different animals that were taught in the Shaolin Temple. They are tiger, crane, leopard, snake, and the dragon. Each animal has their own way to move in the wild. The monks studied the moves and applied them for protection.

New England Ballet Company

New England Ballet Company was founded in 1990 by Artistic Director Kenneth Hopkins as a performing branch of the New England Ballet School. With a mission to bring the arts to children and children to the arts, this 501(c)(3) company produces dance programs for the public as well as shorter ballets for schools and other audiences for which a full-length ballet is not appropriate. The repertoire includes full-length ballets of Nutcracker, Firebird, Swan Lake and Romeo & Juliet. The School Show series for youth audiences includes The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood, Peter and The Wolf, Nutcracker Suite, Sugar Plum Party and Firebird. New England Ballet also rehearses and performs an extensive number of repertory pieces.

The Company has been performing Nutcracker annually for the public and school audiences for 18 years. Auditions are open to the public for ages 4 through adult. Milford 4th graders have attended the show free of charge since 1992. NEBC works throughout the year to raise funds to bring school audiences to its shows. In the fall, the company performs Sugar Plum Party in a production designed specifically for young children. New England Ballet works in partnership with ABCD, Inc. of Bridgeport as part of an arts in learning enrichment program to teach dance to underserved pre-school age children. The Company is also collaborating with the City of Milford's Adaptive Arts Program to produce an Integrated Dance and Arts Program for children with Autism and other special needs culminating in a performance of "The Nutcracker Suite." Company dancers assist and dance with the students and the Ballet provides costumes, scenery, and professional services in choreography and production. New England Ballet faculty and dancers are available to the community year-round to visit schools and day care facilities to entertain and teach the basics in dance movement and theatre to children.

Mr. Gym

Chris Keithan is a children's singer and songwriter from Connecticut. Chris' music motivates students to be physically active through creative movements. With a masters degree in Physical Education and over 10 years experience working with elementary age children, he is able to connect with them on a variety of levels. Chris' major goal is to educate students about personal fitness and the positive effects it has on the body. Through his music, he is able to communicate this important message to his audience. Chris Keithan is an enthusiastic performer and is bound to get young kids moving!

Chris began his performing career a decade ago playing bass guitar and drums in different local bands across Connecticut. He wrote his first children's movement song for his kindergarten gym classes. With the arrival of his sons, Chris' children's music became even more meaningful and personal. Now Chris can be seen performing at children's fun nights, libraries, day care centers, park and recreation centers, festivals, dance centers, fundraisers, summer camps, birthday parties, and special occasions. He currently released a CD in October of 2008, which is titled Freeze Dance. Through the use of his guitar and vocals, children are taken on a musical movement journey.

Visit Mr. Gym's website here

Steve Taylor - Puppeteer/Ventriloquist

Visit Steve Taylor's Website here

Amusement Rides

10:00am - 6:00pm  Provided by Marenna Amusements. Located behind the Fowler Field Tennis Courts.

Friends of the Festival

Storm	BB Bluefish