An evening to unleash your inner baker, being dazzled by circus acts, all to the tune of harmonious music – Firefly Theatre’s Bread and Circus fundraiser promises to be an exciting evening so book your tickets while they are still available for the virtual event that takes place on Friday, February 18, from 6 to 8.30 p.m.
The event will see Firefly Theatre collaborate with Edmonton-based culinary platform Get Cooking, and help participants bake calzones (the $100 all-inclusive ticket package will include a home-delivered calzone making kit as well as a recipe card, in addition to the performances and cooking class). As the yeast rises and the bread bakes, participants will be regaled on their Zoom feed by performances from Albertan circus artists, magicians, dancers and musicians that will telecast live from Edmonton’s premier event studio, Production World.
The event will include live studio performances from Caitlin Mader (corde lisse), Kate Ryan (hula hoops), Jay Flair (magic), Stephanie Gruson (aerial silks), and VIVA Dance. The duo of Jason Kodie and Franco Bessai will provide music for the event. You will also get a sneak peek of Barcode Circus Company’s Sweat and Ink, the show that will open the Alberta Circus Arts Festival in June. The evening will be hosted by Firefly’s co-founders Annie Dugan and John Ullyatt.
The event was introduced last year, when holding an in-person fundraiser was impossible due to COVID-19 related restrictions. “We created this event last year when you absolutely could not venture out. We wanted it to be more than just a show where you sit and watch your computer, because we’re all watching our computers every day,” said Firefly’s artistic director Annie Dugan, when describing the interactive event that saw at-home bakers get real-time tips from Get Cooking founder Kathryn Joel.
“Bread and Circus is an ancient Roman phrase (attributed to satirist, Juvenal) that means superficial appeasement: Give the people bread and circus and they’ll be happy. So that’s what we’re doing,” said Dugan.
She added that she expects 50 participants to attend the event. “I think 50 is the right number, where it still retains an intimate setting without being overwhelming,” said Dugan.
You can purchase tickets for the February 18 event.
