By Arlene King
In 1995 some members of the International Alliance of Technicians & Stage Employee Local 467 (IATSE 467) at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium came up with the idea of a holiday variety show incorporating live entertainment and classic cartoons. As we brainstormed around the table, the question was asked “What are we going to call this show?” We pondered and considered the acts and cartoons and came to the conclusion it was some kind of Christmas show.
Someone said, “That’s it!”
“What’s it?”
“That’s what we can call it, Some Kinda Christmas Show,” and from that moment forward that is what our annual show came to be known as.
This live variety show consists of a mix of acts from dance with ballerinas to hip hop, magic to multicultural features, jugglers to unicyclists, as well as to music in many genres, but one regular minstrel is Thunder Bay’s iconic Rodney Brown. “If we all sing together, maybe we can help Santa Claus find us,” says Brown each year. As he beings “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” with the audience and performers chiming in, we hear bells, and Santa magically appears.
The 2015 showcase will feature Eric the Juggler (TBay’s best busker, according to readers of The Walleye!), Tully the Magician, Experience Dance, Jim n’ I (audience participation with the Jingle Bell Band), Rodney Brown, and many more surprise guests. Of course Twinkle Twinkle & her invisible dog Little Star will be there, along with Jingles the Elf and the Thunder Bay Clown Club.
Admission is free with the doors opening at 1 pm and the show beginning at 2 pm. There will be free pop and popcorn for the children. After the show, children (and adults!) will have one last chance to chat with Santa. Donation of a non-perishable food item is welcome. For any family who cannot afford to donate food, we consider them our special guests – this family holiday show is especially for them.
