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Are you a fan of classic literature? Have you seen the play A Christmas Carol? If so, then you are familiar with Charles Dickens, one of the most widely read English novelist of all time.
Dicken’s famous works include David Copperfield, Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol, Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Old Curiosity Shop, Pickwick Papers, Bleak House, and Little Dorrit.
This coming weekend, February 21st and 22nd, 2015 attend the annual Riverside Dickens Festival!
photo credit: Mike Quinn
There are free and ticketed activities for the whole family including:
Meet Mr. Dickens – In this one-man show, Charles Dickens addresses an American audience in Baltimore during his second visit to the United States in the year 1867. Paul Jacques is a local actor, director, and drama teacher who has portrayed Charles Dickens at the festival for nine years.
Oliver’s Alley – Oliver’s Alley is the place to be for the under 12 set. It was conceived to provide children with a fun and free Dickensian experience and is funded by a Community Arts Partnership grant from the Riverside Arts Council.
Dame Fuzzy’s Tea Room will feature a grown up Alice and the Queen of Hearts from Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland who will discuss proper manners for Victorian children while costumed servers deliver “tea”.
Aloha Smith as Peggotty from David Copperfield will share Victorian tales and songs as well as demonstrate the art of spinning wool. Joining Peggotty in their new storytelling/entertainment area will be Patti Amelotte with her harpsichord, Simon Spalding with his fiddle, and storytellers Bill Howard and True Thomas.
Children will have the opportunity to make a Cup & Ball game and a unique cloth doll at their craft area. The dress-up trunk will return and children will pick that special ensemble to wear for their photo.
The games area will enthrall with games from a bygone day which require no batteries and no chargers – just kid power. They can learn to play marbles, jacks and pick-up sticks and try their hand at the ever popular Fish in a Barrel game.
I Met The Queen – The Queen shares her comments and observations about the various performances with visitors to the Royal Pavilion. Although she attends the festival in support of Mr. Dickens and his writings, to become closer to her subjects and to enable her children to enjoy and participate in the events, she also performs several duties. For much of the afternoon, she can be found in her pavilion attended by some family members and courtiers as she welcomes visitors who want to chat informally with her. Each visit is rewarded with a memento stating, “I Met the Queen.”
The Royal Victorian Tea Room & Music Hall – The Royal Victorian Tea Room and Music Hall will feature Christopher Marsh as Mr. Treacle and his cast of colorful characters entertaining Her Majesty at one tea each day. (ticketed event)
The 2015 Riverside Dickens Festival will kick off this Friday evening, February 20th with their annual Pickwick’s Pub Night! The cost is $35 per person and advance reservations are required.
The Riverside Dickens Festival is located on Main Street between University Avenue and 10th Street (in front of City Hall) in Historic Downtown Riverside, California.
For ticket information, visit please their website.
Happy Field Tripping!
Jilleen
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only. All points of view are my own.