Variety Arts Gala performance Comes to Oxnard
by Shirley Lorraine
A conference of Variety Family Performers is once again coming to our neighborhood! The fourth annual KAX (Kidabra International/Axtell Expressions) Conference will be gathering at the River Ridge Residence Inn in Oxnard January 25-28.
To cap off the conference, there will be an All Star Gala Performance in the Grand Ballroom open to the public on Saturday night, January 28 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are only $15 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under.
Tickets can be purchased at the door before the performance as well as at the registration table both Friday and Saturday. Magician Robert Baxt will be Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Acts will include new as well as legendary stars of magic, ventriloquism, comedy and more. Featured are the Incomparable Master Magician and Storyteller Martin Lewis; the amazing Keith Fields from Detroit, one of the top female ventriloquists in the world, Sylvia Fletcher; and the Bon Vivant of Fun: Dave Cox.
Just what is a family entertainer, you may ask? These are the folks you want to hire to entertain for a multi-generational event such as a birthday, anniversary or special celebration. These are the performers who maintain a family-friendly repertoire sure to delight all ages. These are the performers who work hard to keep their skills sharp and fresh so that you will be thoroughly entertained, providing the best value for your entertainment dollar.
Kidabra is celebrating over 26 years of providing family variety entertainment, branching out to the West Coast just four years ago. A collaboration with Ventura resident and internationally recognized master puppeteer Steve Axtell resulted in the KAX conference which has become a must-attend destination for family variety entertainers from around the world.
For one week in January entertainers of all types gather in Ventura County to hear lectures, attend seminars, and see demonstrations from others in their fields as well as have extraordinary opportunities to network, practice and discover new ways to delight audiences. No one leaves without making new friends, learning fresh skills and gaining more knowledge of their chosen craft. Oh, and they will surely purchase some new gizmos to add to their arsenal of fun as well.
If you have ever given thought to entering the world of family entertaining, the KAX conference is a great place to start. Learn from professionals, practice with all levels and become confident as you master the unknown. Concerned about looking silly? Family entertainers excel in and perfect silliness as an art form. I’ll be there. You should be too.
Conference registration is open to Kidabra members as well as persons interested in learning more about the how-tos and business of being a family variety entertainer. From Wednesday through Saturday there will be jam sessions, a vendor room, lectures, interviews, surprises and so much more. More detailed information can be found at http://www.kidabra.org. Registrations are accepted on site for one or multiple days.
