Volunteers Sheila and Carol Ann play a game of croquet on the front lawn next to the Duggan House with Amanda.--photo courtesy Randy Feere
As a child my favourite game was “make-believe,” and I was most often found with my nose in a book.
It is years later and not much has changed. One of my earliest adventures in reading was with The Jolly Postman, by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. It is an interactive children’s picture book that included envelopes containing letters to fairy-tale characters. I would revisit this book time and time again because it made the imaginary just a little more real. During playtime I would often try and persuade my friends away from tangible toys and into the realm of “what- if” and let’s pretend. Make believe got a little more real when other people entered its world with me. Sculpted by additional minds, the story grew in unexpected ways that I was eager to discover.
I am now the Cultural Programs Coordinator at the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre. I get to work with a team of “what-if” people to make stories come to life. Much like the letters to fairy-tale characters so many years ago, I enjoy finding ideas and creating details that make our lived experiences a little more magical. When you attend an Esplanade event or experience, my hope is that you find a small spark of wonder and that it becomes a little more real.
This spring we have three experiences that I am excited for you to immerse yourself in. Each contains an interesting setting with memorable characters and details to inspire your imagination. In May and June, we cordially invite you to attend a tea party at the Historic Ewart-Duggan House. Take afternoon tea and enjoy a sumptuous selection of sweets and savouries surrounded by stately Victorian masonry. You will be swept into the early days of the Ewart-Duggan House by the Edwardian skirts, fascinators, and genteel garb of character actors. Promenade with us as we tour the grounds and discover its stories. Then complete your experience by taking part or watching a lively round of croquet on the Esplanade lawn!
On May 11th and June 8th join Theresa Eisenbarth, beloved local artist, and talented visual storyteller for a unique paint experience. Truly special stories are those we share with our loved ones. Just in time for Mother’s Day, enjoy an evening of creativity, connection, and chatter together. The framed small-scale art project creates a beautiful outcome perfect for gifting, while allowing enough time to experience. Attend our youth experience with the teen in your life to foster their confidence and share quality time creating memories and artwork together.
A Night at the Museum on May 26th is all about stories coming to life! You and your family will find yourselves in an adventure similar to the movie as you interact with onscreen characters live in the galleries. Explore our exhibition with a themed scavenger hunt and seek clues by blacklight to reveal the missing pieces of the magic tablet. After the kiddos have worked up an appetite adventuring, it’s on to making snack-cuterie with Chef Adam, earning them their own chef’s hat. Then settle into our slumber party zone to watch the movie that inspired the evening. Sleeping bags, stuffies and pillows encouraged for this unconventional screening in the Studio Theatre.
Our team of dreamers work hard to bring stories to life, to create interactive experiences that inspire your imagination and invite you into the world of “what-if.” I hope that whichever experience you choose to take in, that you enjoy the exploration and rediscover that spark of wonder we all had when we were little. I hope that the story becomes yours and that it grows into a beautiful experience.
Candace Lundrigan is the cultural programs co-ordinator for the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
