It’s NON STOP FUN at the Governor's VSA Iowa Festival!
From humble beginnings in 1979 on the front porch of the little white house at Heritage Village, with audiences of 10-20 people and a performance, to the wonderful stage at Fun Forest with crowds of 1200 to 1500 per performance, the Governor’s VSA Festival has grown tremendously. Just last year, over 250,000 audience members enjoyed what we had to offer at the Iowa State Fair! VSA Iowa has been a staple at the Iowa State fair for over 30 years! We have seen performers discovered, talent blossom, and whole careers take flight because of the amazing partnership with the Iowa State Fair! This is our 31st year of allowing people to see the possibilities of these talented Iowans, and we hope that you will join us in the celebration. From one small white house to 4 stages and an exhibit in the Cultural Center, VSA Iowa at the Iowa State Fair is the biggest VSA festival in the world.
In 2009, VSA Iowa received national recognition and was selected as the Award of Excellence recipient for excellence in public awareness and outreach for the Governor’s VSA Iowa Festival!
Come and join us, help us celebrate over 30 years of talent!
WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR…
[Cultural Center]
Location: 2nd Floor, Cultural Center 9:00am – 9:00pm Daily
Children’s Art Exhibit
This summer, VSA Iowa is holding 8 weeks of art classes uniquely designed for children with disabilities. The students will work with VSA artists to create several pieces of artwork and then will be on display on the 2nd floor of the Cultural Center.
Art exhibit
An art exhibit featuring over 50 pieces of artwork, all created by VSA Iowa artists. Here you will enjoy the works of artists where you can appreciate their ability to create, not even knowing that all of our artists live with a disability.
Interactive Disability Awareness Experience
VSA Iowa has constructed a portable, interactive disability experience exhibit that will allow individuals to experience first-hand various types of disabilities. The exhibit will be divided into stations, and each station will simulate a specific disability. The stations will promote a greater understanding of blindness, deafness, learning and physical disabilities, among others. Participants will be asked to engage in each of the station activities, allowing them to experience similar limitations to those that individuals with disabilities face on a daily basis.
There are two sample stations of the exhibit at the Cultural Center in the VSA Iowa display this year. Both of these experiences demonstrate the adjustments that people with disabilities make in their everyday life. We invite you to experience the Touch and See Booth and the Dyslexia Booth. These fun, informative stations will promote disability awareness among fair goers.
Artist Demonstrations
Date/Time Artist Demonstration
August 11 10:00am–1:30pm Elsie Monthei Oil Painting
August 11 2:00pm – 5:30pm Harriet Clements Collage
August 12 10:00am–1:30pm Mike Groesbeck Photography
August 12 2:00pm – 5:30pm Anne Marie Goodman Fabrics
August 13 10:00am–1:30pm Janet Ahrens Mixed Media
August 13 2:00pm – 5:30pm Fran Sillau Drama
August 13 5:30pm – 9:00pm Kevin Rinehart Drawing
August 14 10:00am–1:30pm Jeffrey Campbell Creative Writing
August 14 2:00pm – 5:30pm Mary Mitchell Drawing
August 15 10:00am–1:30pm Bill Partridge Pencil Drawing
August 15 2:00pm – 5:30pm Jay Brommel Painting
August 16 10:00am–1:30pm Debbie Larsen Colored Pencil
August 16 2:00pm – 5:30pm Kathy Kooyman Pastels
August 17 10:00am–1:30pm Honey Grodt Collage
August 17 2:00pm– 5:30pm John Jannenga Illustration
August 18 10:00am–1:30pm Mark Dempster Mixed Media
August 18 2:00pm – 5:30pm Mike Morrell Pottery
August 19 10:00am–1:30pm Dick Grodt Watercolor
August 19 2:00pm – 5:30pm John Brommel Recycled Metal
August 20 10:00am–1:30pm Rebecca Scholl Watercolor
August 20 2:00pm – 5:30pm Jim Givan Painting
August 20 5:30pm – 9:00pm TBD
August 21 10:00am–1:30pm Kevin Johnson Stained Glass
[Iowa State Fair Country Schoolhouse]
Governor's VSA Iowa Fest
VSA Iowa presents: Nina Givan “MOTHER GOOSE”
SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM PORCH LITTLE HANDS on the FARM
"Fair Tots"
August 13 2:00pm 12:30-1:00pm 10:00-10:30am
August 14 11:00am and 2:00pm 12:30-1:00pm
August 20 11:00am and 2:00pm 12:30-1:00pm
August 21 11:00am and 2:00pm 12:30-1:00pm
[Iowa State Fair Museum]
VSA Iowa presents Nina Givans “ Mother Goose” Nina Givan is every child’s dream of Mother Goose! She tells stories, sings songs, and involves all the little ones in the story like no one else can. Lots of audience participation and fun for all ages makes Mother Goose one you won’t want to miss!
See VSA Iowa performance listing for time and location.
August 13: 12:30-1:00pm
August 14: 12:30-1:00pm
August 20: 12:30-1:00pm
August 21: 12:30-1:00pm
[Fun Forest]
Fun Forest Stage
** All performances at Fun Forest will be ASL interpreted**
Courtesy of Deaf Action Center and the Iowa State Fair
Performances daily
11:00am Kids Celebration
11:00am Mr. Stinky Feet
12:00pm Ray Thompson “The Mind Wizard”
1:00pm Kids Celebration
1:30pm Mr. Stinky Feet
2:00pm Ray Thompson “The Mind Wizard”
3:00pm Kids Celebration
3:30pm Mr. Stinky Feet
4:00pm Ray Thompson “The Mind Wizard”
4:30pm VSA Iowa’s “In It To Win It” Game Show
Can you win it in under a minute?
Fun Forest Attractions
Carnival Daily 10:00am - 4:00pm
VSA Iowa Carnival
VSA Iowa presents a fun-filled carnival with 5 different games and art activities! It’s fun, it’s interactive and there’s even a photo opportunity! So come over and take part in these activities before or after playing on the new playground equipment!
These are the fun, interactive activities we have to offer this year:
***New game this year: VSA Iowa’s “BUTTER COW TAIL TOSS!!”
Full Face Painting with Twyla Brede
Games: Three fun games with prizes!
Art Activities: Spin Art and More!
Other Fun: Tattoos and Photo Opportunities!
Other
Daily 10:00am - 5:00pm
Face painting with VSA Iowa Artists Kathy Kooyman and Honey Grodt
Henna Tattoo with VSA Iowa artist Anne Marie Goodman
Balloon Sculptures & Hats with Rickie Rowray
Aug. 11: Kathy Kooyman Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray
Aug. 12 Honey Grodt Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray
Aug. 13 Kathy Kooyman Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray 2:00-5:00pm
Aug. 14 Kathy Kooyman Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray 2:00-5:00pm
Aug. 15 Kathy Kooyman Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray
Aug. 16 Honey Grodt Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray
Aug. 17 Kathy Kooyman Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray
Aug. 18 Honey Grodt Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray
Aug. 19 Kathy Kooyman Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray (Building Bridges )
Aug. 20 Kathy Kooyman Anne Marie Goodman Rickie Rowray
Aug. 21 Kathy Kooyman Anne Marie Goodman
Educational Performance
**NEW THIS YEAR in 2011!!
Performance at the Train in Fun Forest!
August 13 and 20: 10:30, 12:30, and 2:30
"Freight Train" Frank will perform three shows each day on Saturday, August 13 and Saturday, August 20. The "Freight Train" performances will take place near the Fun Forest Stage adjacent to the fairgrounds life-sized locomotive. Frank will present favorite railroad songs during the first two shows. Frank will teach harmonica lessons during his last performance. Student harmonicas will be available to children attending the harmonica lesson. The child only needs to know how to read numbers 1 through 10. No previous music training is needed. Let's have some fun at the Iowa State Fair!
Game Show
**NEW THIS YEAR in 2011!! Daily 4:30pm
VSA Iowa’s “In It To Win It” Game Show
Can you win it in under a minute? VSA Iowa is giving away Free Prizes in the quickest, wackiest and most surprising game show on the fairgrounds! 4:30pm daily. Names for the show will be collected throughout the day and drawn before the show begins.
Dancing
**NEW THIS YEAR in 2011!! [Dates and Time TBD]
VSA Iowa's Dancing with the Stars
VSA Iowa and the New Visions Dance program are working with Janice Baker and the Dance Place to present new and exciting performances.
Art under the Tent
Art Under the Tent Daily 10am - 7pm
VSA arts of Iowa has a space featuring the works of several artists with affordable art available for purchase. These artists will have their work for sale and all have interesting stories and biographies:
Harriett Clements
Joe Eriksen
Jay Brommel
John Brommel
Kem Bappe
Timothy Quinn
Rebecca Scholl
Art Under the Tent Special Art Exhibit
The Iowa Department of Human Services and the University of Iowa’s Center for Disabilities and Development were delighted to partner with Iowa’s VSA to produce Iowa’s Work Incentive of the Month calendars last year.
The prints are still available as a limited edition of only 50 have been printed from the original pieces of artwork. These prints are still available for purchase this year. VSA Iowa and the artist are sharing the proceeds to benefit the organization and to help the artist build their career in the arts.
VSA IOWA Performances On Other Stages:
August 11 VSA Iowa Fest presents
11:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE To Shorten the Road
August 12 VSA Iowa Fest presents
10:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE To Shorten the Road
11:00 am VSA Iowa Fest Opening Ceremonies at Fun Forest
August 13 VSA Iowa Fest presents
10:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE Magician Rickie Rowray
August 14 VSA Iowa Fest presents
11:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE Magician Rickie Rowray
August 15 VSA Iowa Fest presents
11:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE Artist Rebecca Scholl and Actor Cynthia Mercati
August 16 VSA Iowa Fest presents
11:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE Doc Anderson’s Traveling Medicine Show
August 17 VSA Iowa Fest presents
11:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE Doc Anderson’s Traveling Medicine Show
August 18 VSA Iowa Fest presents
11:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE Doc Anderson’s Traveling Medicine Show
August 19 VSA Iowa Fest presents
11:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE Storyteller John Jannenga
August 20 VSA Iowa Fest presents
11:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE Concentio Agnorum
August 21 VSA Iowa Fest presents
11:00 am Knapp 2:00pm AE Concentio Agnorum
Profiles of Performing Artists
VSA Iowa presents – Ray Thompson as "The Mind Wizard"
Spoons bend and thoughts are revealed as Mind Wizard Ray Thompson explores your mind and imagination with his unique blend of magic, mentalism, psychology and theater. The Mind Wizard shows you we all have abilities to do so much more than we believe. See VSA Iowa performance listing for time and location.
Ray Thompson performs as The Mind Wizard for high schools, colleges, company events, county and state fairs throughout the US, including the Iowa and Nebraska state fairs. Ray also has performed in Las Vegas and Bangkok Thailand. The thousands of people on stage throughout the years have always enjoyed the parts they played in the Theater of the Mind.
VSA Iowa presents –Doc Anderson “Doc Anderson’s Traveling medicine Show
Doc Anderson hilariously brings to life the era of the silver-tongued pitchman. With outlandish claims about his mythical Swamp Oil Elixir, Doc discovers guest performers in the audience who join him on stage to show off their own talents for entertaining their friends and neighbors, with Doc’s help, of course. Fun for ALL ages. See VSA Iowa performance listing for time and location.
Doc Anderson is an honest-to-goodness, dyed -in-the-wool, old-fashioned showman –a genuine piece of living history. Doc has made a career out of his love for the unusual - lost performing arts, unique and hidden history, and all manner of “secret knowledge” that is not available to the general public. He is an award -winning educator and presenter, a master artist, and a veteran entertainer.
VSA Iowa presents – Rickie Rowray– “Mr. Magic!”
This is great fun for all ages, come and experience “Mr. Magic” himself...Rickie Rowray! He amazes audiences with bigger than life props and a fast paced show that will keep everyone asking for more! This deaf magician is a fun - loving character that always keeps you wondering if “the trick” will really work this time...but be assured...it ALWAYS does!!! See VSA Iowa performance listings for time and location.
Rickie Rowray’s outstanding magical skills have won him awards from Iowa to Russia, and last year he took second place in the deaf magician of the world competition in California!
VSA Iowa presents – Frank Strong and Maureen Korte “To Shorten the Road”
Music and stories transport the audience around the United States by train as Frank sings train songs and Maureen tells tales of the rails. A greater distance is traveled when these two tell global folktales and sing the songs of many cultures. Their wonderful folk style thrills audiences across Iowa. Hear that whistle blow! Whoo-hoo!
See VSA Iowa performance listing for time and location.
Professional Musician, Frank Strong and Professional Storyteller, Maureen Korte have been enchanting audiences together for four years, but both have been in the arts since their youth. Frank and Maureen are both on the Iowa Arts Council Roster, the Metro Arts Roster, and the VSA Iowa Roster.
VSA Iowa presents – John Jannenga – Artist, Illustrator & Storyteller
Don’t miss this opportunity to share the unique storytelling experience of John Jannenga and his pal John Raymond as they teach life lessons with humor and audience participation. See VSA Iowa performance listing for time and location.
John Jannenga has performed at the Iowa State Fair and in hundreds of schools across Iowa over the past years for VSA Iowa, reaching thousands of students.
VSA Iowa presents – James and Billie Jones – “Concentio Agnorum”
Turn a well-pleased ear toward this musical duo. Billie and James Jones music and humorous insight into Early Music is fun for kids and adults, too. Children of all ages are invited to dance and join in the making of merry music. See VSA Iowa performance listing for time and location.
Billie and James Jones are veterans of the Medieval and Renaissance Faire circuit. They make heaven out of a few woodwind and percussion instruments.
VSA Iowa presents – Rebecca Scholl and Cynthia Mercati:
“The Lion Thing: An Art Safari Adventure!”
Join Rebecca Scholl and Cynthia Mercati for an interactive art and storytelling experience. Rebecca creates an original painting in front of the audience while Cynthia helps kids discover their own theatrical and storytelling talents through music and games. See VSA Iowa performance listing for time and location.
Rebecca Scholl tells stories through amazing acrylic and watercolor pencil creations. Rebecca lives with chronic pain from muscle degeneration. “The only time it goes away,” she says, “is when I’m making art.” Cynthia Mercati is an author, playwright and performing artist with a passion for helping people of every age discover their own creativity.
VSA Iowa presents – Nina Givan as “Mother Goose”
Nina Given is every child’s dream of Mother Goose. She tells stories, sings songs, and involves all the little ones in the story like no one else can. Lots of audience participation and fun for all ages makes Mother Goose one you won’t want to miss! See VSA Iowa performance listing for time and location.
Des Moines artist Nina Givan incorporates her training in theater and performing into her storytelling. She enriches her stories with characterizations, dance and puppetry to weave a magical interactive experience that is captivating and fun for children of all ages.
Thank you so much to our sponsors for the VSA Iowa Fair Festival who have giving us so much support over the years, including Variety the Children's Charity who has supported us for over 25 years!
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