The first ever Family Forward Festival is Carousel’s celebration of family in all its forms and definitions! Be it biological or chosen or otherwise, families of all kinds are invited for a weekend filled with storytelling, drag performances, dance, and music!

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FESTIVAL EVENTS

Saturday, February 14

11:00 AM - Carousel Studios - Story Time with Peach Cobblah & Rose Butch

Join local drag legends Peach Cobblah & Rose Butch for this celebration of families of all shapes and sizes. Expect your favourite inclusive books, and a colourful array of singalongs!

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5:00 PM- Performance Works- Drag Doc Double Bill: Becoming Ruby & Drag is for Everyone!

Join Winnipeg's own Ruby Chopstix and local guests at this double bill of short documentaries celebrating the art of drag and how it serves young people!

Featuring Becoming Ruby (about Ruby Chopstix!) by Quan Luong & Drag Is For Everyone (about Carousel's own drag camp!) by David Ng & Jenn Sungshine

The screenings will be followed by a live drag show hosted by Ruby and starring legendary local performers Shay Dior & Karmella Barr!

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‍Sunday, February 15

10:00 AM - Carousel Studios - Club Carousel: Baby Rave

Your favourite kid-centric dance party returns with DJ Softieshan.

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2:00 PM - Performance Works - Buwa: Live In Concert

BC-based Nigerian performer Buwa is an artist you want to keep on your radar. Drawing influences from the late Whitney Houston, as well as Jill Scott, India Arie, Billy Porter, and Brenda Fassie, Buwa is an exciting contemporary soul artist with pop and R&B sensibilities and a penchant for storytelling for whom music has always played an important role. Join us for this all-=ages blend of songs and stories.

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5:00 PM - Performance Works - The Gift Exchange by Meghan Gardiner

Having been home schooled by her tree-loving landscaper father on a small Gulf Island, Phoebe Wallace is now heading to grade five in public school!

She is excited by the announcement of a holiday gift exchange, but when she draws the name of the most popular girl in school, things start to go sideways.

Join us for this first public staged reading of this environmental comedy, originally commissioned by Carousel Theatre for Young People. Directed by Larisse Campbell, featuring Carol Chu, Chris Lam, Gabrielle Nebrida-Pepin, Emma Slipp, and Tanner Zerr

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‍Monday, February 16‍

2:00 PM - Performance Works - The Family Flame

Join Deborah Williams and an incredible lineup of storytellers telling TRUE stories from their lives, all of which celebrate the power of familyl

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3:00 PM - Performance Works - Carousel's Community Celebration & 50th Season Announcement Party!

Come celebrate family day in style with music by DJ Softieshan, dancing, food, and a sneak peek at Carousel's 50th Anniversary Season!

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