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| By Erin O'Connor Staff Writer AGAWAM Kidsfest 2006, "for the young and young at heart" featured mime, Robert Rivest, on July 26. "Our guest, Robert Rivest, studied in Paris, France, with the world famous mime, Marcel Marceau. He also trained for over ten years with several international masters of mime, dance, theater and improvisation. Since 1983, Robert Rivest has presented over 4,000 performances in Europe, Africa and across the United States," said Christopher M. Sparks, the director of the The Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) who presented the performance to the public. Sparks also added that in addition to his educational programs for schools and libraries Rivest his created over 120 mime theater pieces for television, symphonies, dance companies and children's theater groups. The performance began promptly at 11 a.m in the outside area near Phelps Elementary School. The performance included skits that Rivest called, "kid at an old fashioned ice cream shop", "Emotions, happy, sad, anger and fear", and "the rollercoaster". "I live in Springfield, Massachusetts, the home of Dr. Seuss," said Rivest before enchanting the audience with his next skit entitled, "the cool cat with the hat". Rivest included the audience with much of his performance through involving them in different skits both on and off stage. "Good participation, strong communication and support for the show," are major factors that Sparks said help in bringing this and other events to Agawam. Members of the Perry Lane Camp and the general public were able to enjoy the program free of charge due to funding that Sparks said was awarded by an annual donation to the APRD by Berkshire Power. "We have a variety of different entertainers (for KidsFest2006) and we would like to carry this on into the future as long as the community supports it," said Sparks. "It was a good show. I don't usually get to see [this] a lot so I like it,"Nathan Riley of Agawam said to Reminder Publications. "I really like it, it was very interesting," Shaylene Riley of Agawam said. More information can be learned about Rivest at his website, rivestmime.com. The next and final event for the summer for the Kidsfest 2006 will take place August 9 at 11 a.m. with Mike Frank also known as "Mike the Hatman". Admission is free and the location of the event will be Phelps Elementary School at 689 Main Street. "I heard about this through my daughter's school and I think it is really great," said Tiffany Smith who attended the event last year. |