Rotary Club Funds the Capitol Centre’s Education Series for a Second Year!

The Rotary Club of North Bay will sponsor the Capitol Centre’s Education Series for a second season. The Rotary Club’s $35,000 contribution will cover all the costs, including the artist fees, for the entire 2026-27 Rotary Club of North Bay Education Series, meaning that the series will continue to have no ticketing costs for the students attending.

“As Rotarians, we believe in investing in the next generation, and there’s something powerful about giving young people access to live arts experiences right here in North Bay. Programs like this spark creativity, build confidence, and open minds. This is exactly the kind of impact The Rotary Club of North Bay is proud to support,” says Jeff Hobbs, Rotary Club of North Bay President, in a recent Spotlight Article by BayToday (read more here).          

The 2025-26 Series saw 4,196 students from across our region attend 7 different performances, including traditional classes as well as homeschool groups with performances offered in both French and English and covering a variety of topics and themes. All performances come with a “study guide” that is provided to educators that help them link the performance to their curricula, including games, work sheets, discussion topics, etc.

                The Education Series continues to grow with the support of the Rotary Club of North Bay. The 2026-27 Rotary Club of North Bay Education Series is as follows:

Maggie’s Wake

Tuesday Oct. 20, 2026, 1:00 pm (English)

Show Description: Maggie's Wake is a new traditional folk band, playing original music with celtic instrumentation. The Band has an authentic sound, original compositions, and are inspired by traditional folk music, jazz, and classic country.

In this engaging and interactive performance, Maggie’s Wake will teach students about their instruments, various styles of music that contribute to their influences and regions of the world that draw on tradition. In addition, students will be lead in a sing-along while also leaving time for a lively Q&A at the end!

Recommended for Grades 2-10 

 

360 ALLSTARS

Wednesday Nov. 4, 2025, 10:00 am (English)

Show Description: BMX, basketball, breakdancing, beatboxing, acrobatics, drumming and more, the international smash hit returns to North Bay!

A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus. Boasting a stellar international cast of World Champion and World Record-holding athletes and artists, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture

Recommended for Grades 1 – 8

 

Cinderella/ Cendrillon

Tuesday Jan. 12, 2027, 10:00 am (Bilingual Performance) & 1:00pm (English)

Show Description: Poor Cinderella. All she wants to do is go to the Royal Ball to meet Prince Charming. But her mean Stepmother and stepsisters won’t let her go, so they ruin her dress and leave without her. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella gets to go to the castle after all and make the grand entrance she’s always dreamed about. The only catch is that Cinderella must be back by midnight when the spell is broken! The comedic timing is bang on as curfews, lost footwear, and giant pumpkins abound in this fun-filled version of the classic fairy tale from DuffleBag Theatre, especially when members of the audience are invited to star in the show!

Recommended for Grades JK - 6 

 

Piano Heist – Keyboard Explosion

Thursday Feb. 25, 2027, 10:00 am (English) & 1:00pm (French)

Show Description: In their Education Show – Keyboard Explosion – audience members learn to expect the unexpected and get ready for an hour of fun and engagement where even the coolest audience member must join in the fun!  Nico and Patrick who make up the band called Piano Heist will perform all genres of music from classical piano raptures to bombastic boogie woogie, jazz to rock & roll playing multiple keyboard instruments.

Recommended for Grades JK – 6

 

Ocean Blue

Thursday, Mar. 4, 2027, 1:00pm (English)

Show Description: Plunge into a breathtaking theatrical adventure where icebergs drift, waves crash, and life teems above and below the sea. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s stunning new production, Ocean Blue, brings the mystery and majesty of our oceans to life with spectacular puppetry, immersive design, and heartwarming storytelling.

From the chilly Arctic waters where walruses lounge and gulls soar, to the sun-dappled seas where baby beluga whales dance and hammerhead sharks dart beneath the waves to avoid orcas, Ocean Blue is a vibrant celebration of marine ecosystems and the extraordinary creatures that call them home.

This state-of-the-art, one-hour theatrical experience blends sophisticated puppetry, immersive digital projection, and captivating soundscapes to transport viewers into an underwater realm of discovery. Bursting with fun facts, playful humor, and moments of pure awe, Ocean Blue is designed to ignite curiosity and spark the imagination of children ages 3 and up — and their grown-ups too.

Recommended for Grades JK – 6

 

DeeDee Austin

Thursday Apr. 15, 2027, 10:30am (English)

Show Description: DeeDee Austin, a 20 year old Indigenous Pop Powerhouse and member of the Abegweit First Nation on PEI. DeeDee, who you could call a hybrid artist embraces the contemporary and traditional Indigenous music which she creates and implements into each one of her infectious high energy performances.

She is passionate about sharing her stories with youth; about going through hard times and the power music has to inspire empathy, strength and resilience. Her biggest goal moving forward with school shows is not to make it feel like an assembly; rather an opportunity to give kids who can't afford tickets a chance to experience a live performance and feel how songs can foster a world free from bullying, where kindness and courage lead the way.

Recommended for Grades 6-12

 

The Rotary Club of North Bay Education Series can also be found here: https://capitolcentre.org/community-engagement/rotary-club-education-series

Educators interested in bringing their group or class can contact [email protected] to reserve their spot before the summer break. Bookings are now open!