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I love walking in the fall in parks, forested areas and especially around Lost Lagoon in Vancouver’s West End, the neighbourhood we’ve lived in for over 25 years. Doing long walks helps me clear my head and is the best place for me to write songs and new bits for my acts. 

As summer turns into fall, school bookings start back up again, and that means tours to various communities, some we’ve visited before, and others we are new to. Wherever we go, the students connect with Kamilla and Magrau and we are always welcomed with lots of laughter and cheers from the kids and teachers. It is incredible to perform in school gymnasiums that look and feel much like Winger School’s gymnasium in Wainfleet Ontario where I started out on my journey as a ventriloquist, back when Magrau was just a little blue birdy and I was only eight. 

This fall has also brought several new students of ventriloquism to our online world. When I teach ventriloquism and puppetry on Zoom I have these two signs I use in my shows as a backdrop behind me. Little do you know that behind those pictures of Magrau and Kamilla swinging on swings is the North Pole, and boxes and bags full of sparkly bits and pieces to be made into props for our shows..

For me, the fall means preparing for the shows of the coming season, with its holiday time and a new year ‘round the bend, all as we ride together in a one-horse open sleigh! From November through to December 22^nd it’s organized chaos, but of the extra-sparkly kind. We have been booking our holiday performances and have an exciting schedule ahead that I want to share with you.

I’m very excited to work with Norman Foote, Canadian singer, songwriter and Juno winner, puppeteer and a heck of a funny guy. I’ve wanted to work with him for a long time. Norm Foote I’ll be working with Norman and other wonderful entertainers in Squamish at the Railway Museum of British Columbia’s North Pole Express! You may find me on the train, in the Roundhouse at the North Pole working lines for Santa or maybe even on stage for a few numbers. This magical event runs weekends starting November 25 to December 17. The puppets and I will be there November 25, December 2, 10, 16 and 17. This museum is such an amazing place offering sights, sounds and experiences of railways and trains, an amazing form of transportation.

On November 26, December 3 and 9, we will be performing at some fun private holiday parties where people who work together can bring their families and celebrate. Cue Santa and you will get that heightened excitement from the kids! Santa will also be travelling around to all sorts of gatherings, sometimes being in more than one place at the same time! Pure magic. 

On December 22 we have been asked to perform for the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in our musical ventriloquist show Journey To The North Pole! What a beautiful place to perform! We love Whistler.

Journey to the North Pole will also touch down December 19 at Burnaby’s Michael J Fox Theatre, for an audience of kids from inner city schools. This will be 15 years of performing in this beautiful theatre for these audiences. What’s next? Probably a long winter’s nap or two. I’m feeling grateful. The puppets are excited to see old friends and meet new ones too.

We wish all of you a happy holiday season. Take care of each other and stay tuned. Thanks to my friend and stage manager/creative partner Trish and husband/artist/creative partner Greg Robinson for helping me in so many ways to get on the stage in the first place. Performing is the fun part. Cue 2024!

Kellie