ArtsDays opens with Word on the Street and Fred Penner

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Word on the Street kicked off ArtsDays , Sunday Sept. 22 at the Lethbridge Library Downtown Branch.
They had a great turnout , partially due to beautiful weather. As usual there were numerous tents and set up featuring an array of authors, cartoonists, comic book aficionados. Also as usual, they had a great stage set up featuring mostly local music as well as performers inside the library this year.

Fred Penner embraces his fans at Word on the Street. Photo by Richard Amery
I missed most of the acts, but caught a few songs from local folk/roots band In Cahoots. But the main attraction was children’s performer Fred Penner, who entertained multi- generations of Fred Penner fans who embraced his warm fuzzy, up with people, ultra positive vibe.


 The Winnipeg born folk singer/ children’s performer, encouraged everyone to get right up close to the stage instead of staying at the back, so they quickly filled up the empty space as Penner talked about the importance of reading and writing, chatted about Monty Python and sang upbeat, ultra positive songs  “celebrating being human.”


 As Penner embraced the audience, one child on the side of the stage leaped into his arms for a massive hug, which took him aback a little. But it just seemed right. There was lot of love in the air as the show soon turned into a giant , life affirming sing-along, which really showed what is best about being human— putting aside your worries, coming together and just singing and having a good time together.


 He began with the cheerful “ Where In the World Are You,” and followed it up with another song about “opening your mind.”
 I had to leave early right after “ This House is a Home” so missed his best known hit “ The Cat Came Back.”

— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 September 2019 23:24 )