Will Stroet

CD Release Party for "Ensemble, en cadence" - Feb. 18

Will — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:50:54 +0000

CD Release Party: Ensemble en cadence

French CD release party - bilingual concert
Saturday, February 18 at 10:30 am, CBC Studio 700, 700 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Buy tickets

This event will mark the launch of my third French album entitled "Ensemble, en cadence," the French version of "Walk 'n' Roll." We are co-producing this concert with Le Centre Culturel. Tickets $5 for kids 1-8 (and Le Centre members); $10 for adults; kids under 1 year are free. For tickets, call 604-736-9806 or visit www.lecentreculturel.com. Get your tickets early as seating is limited.

Read the media release

Alberta Bound - Jan & Feb

Will — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:10:55 +0000

Haysboro Community Centre concert in Calgary, Feb. 5

Our first big tour of the year will take us back to Alberta. We have public shows in Lac la Biche, St Albert, Airdrie and Calgary. We will then continue on through the Kootenays for some school shows on our way home. This tour will also mark the Alberta release of my new French album, "Ensemble, en cadence."

I always find it so exciting to bring my music and show to new audiences. There is nothing better than meeting people who have come to your show for the first time and then to have them tell you how much they enjoyed it! I have to admit it is also a bit nerve wracking going into new places and hoping you will get good crowds out. We will be playing some great venues right across Alberta, and we do our best to get the word out, but it still takes parents who are keen to do something new with their kids to make the show a success.

My sincere hope on this tour is that we will get good crowds out so that we have the opportunity to share our rockin' music and entertaining show with as many people as possible! We have enjoyed so much success in BC over the past few years, now it's time to share the songs with all new throngs and sing some ditties with a new batch of kiddies!

Here are the details of our public performances on this tour:

Saturday, January 28 at 2:00pm. The Bold Centre (Devon room), 8702 91 Avenue, Lac la Biche . $8 per ticket or 4/$25. Tickets at the door.

Wednesday, February 1 at 11:00am. The Arden Theatre, 5 St. Anne Street, St Albert . $5 per child, $10 per adult. Tickets available at the door or online.

Saturday, February 4 at 2:30pm. The Bert Church Theatre, 1010 East Lake Boulevard, Airdrie . $10 per person. Tickets available at the door or online.

Sunday, February 5 at 3:00pm. Haysboro Community Centre, 1204 89 Avenue, Calgary . $10 per person. Tickets available by phone 403-252-6104 or email grahamtait@shaw.ca.

Genesis Theatre - Bilingual Concert - January 22

Will — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:10:00 +0000

Genesis Theatre - Bilingual Concert - January 22
Will Stroet and the Backyard Band will be doing a bilingual show at the Genesis Theatre, 5005 45th Avenue in Ladner on January 22 at 2:00pm. Tickets available at all of Delta's French immersion elementary schools or can be ordered by contacting Cindy Osterreicher at 604-952-5058 or costerreicher@deltasd.bc.ca. Tickets are very reasonably priced at $3.00 per person as this concert is being sponsored by the Delta CPF. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Tsawwassen Arts Centre performance

Will — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 21:20:06 +0000

Tsawwassen Arts Centre performance: Tsawwassen Arts Centre Performance on November 26th at 2:00pm

Come join Will Stroet and the Backyard Band for their last public performance of 2011. The show is at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre on Saturday, November 26th at 2:00pm.

Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for "Best Children's Recording"

Will — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:17:00 +0000

CFMA

Last week I was honoured with my first Canadian Folk Music Award for my album "Walk 'n' Roll" for "Best Children's Recording"! I found out while at the Western Canadian Music Awards. It is such a great feeling having this album recognized by various awards. I feel it is my best to date and this adds more excitement as we prepare the launch of the French version of "Walk 'n' Roll" slated for early 2012.

The Arden Theatre, St. Albert, AB

Will — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:09:11 +0000

The Arden

I will be playing my first show ever in the Edmonton area on November 2 at 11:00am at the Arden Theatre as part of their "Noisy Theatre" family series.

Cranberry Festival

Will — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:11:42 +0000

Fort Langley's Cranberry Festival on October 8th.On October 8th Will and the Backyard Band will be performing a couple 30 minute sets at Fort Langley's Cranberry Festival. Shows at 11:30 and 12:30.

Port Moody Festival of the Arts

Will — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:30:26 +0000

Port Moody: Festival of the Arts in Port Moody
Join me for my show at the Port Moody Festival of the Arts on Sunday, September 25. Show time is 2:00pm at the Kyle Centre in Port Moody.

Opening day of PNE - Aug. 20

Will — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:40:09 +0000

PNE

I'm playing three 30-minute shows with my Backyard Band on the opening day of the PNE, Sat., August 20 at 1, 3 and 5 pm. Join us for our first appearance at this awesome festival! For more info, visit www.pne.ca/thefair/live-shows/family-theatre.html.

Park Play Palooza - June 25

Will — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:37:46 +0000

Park Play Palooza: Will at Park Play Palooza in Surrey - June 25

Come out for shows at 11:40 and 12:45. There will be lots of free activities for kids and their families. Check out http://www.surrey.ca/9191.aspx for more info.

Putumayo Kids World Party CD

Will — Wed, 25 May 2011 22:29:52 +0000

Putumayo Kids presents Kids World Party, a global medley of fun tunes from Trinidad to South Africa. Kids World Party marks a special partnership with Amnesty International, with 7% of Putumayo’s proceeds from the sale of each CD going to the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization in commemoration of its 50th anniversary and in support of its work to promote and protect human rights worldwide…

Featured on Kids World Party is bilingual (English-French) singer Will Stroet, an award-winning Canadian musician whose song "Le boogie à vélo" tells children that you can boogie even while riding a bike safely. Read more at www.putumayo.com…

Grand Boulevard Preschool 50th Anniversary- June 11

Will — Wed, 25 May 2011 22:20:13 +0000

Show for the preschool's 50th Anniversary at 10:15 am with The Backyard Band. Click poster for details and to buy tickets ($5/person). Visit http://gbppp.com for more info.

Owl Kids Party - June 3

Will — Wed, 25 May 2011 22:10:16 +0000

Owlkids Party is free for families on Friday June 3, 6-8pm Have a “hoot” at our Owlkids Party, hosted by Willowbrook Shopping Centre and Owlkids, publisher of Chirp, chickaDEE and OWL - Canada’s premiere children’s magazines. It’s a FREE event for kids aged 3-13 that includes:
• Interactive & educational Owl kids eco-stations with crafts, puzzles and games
• Entertainment by Will Stroet, award-winning children's musician
• Complimentary snacks and beverages
• Party favours including free Chirp, chickaDEE and OWL magazines
• Over $1500 in prizes including Willowbrook Gift Cards and Owl kids loot!
Visit http://www.shopwillowbrook.com/events.

Easter in Queens Park - Apr. 24

Will — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:12:57 +0000

[attachment:EasterQueensParkPoster.pdf=Download poster]

Earth Day Concert - Apr. 30

Will — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:06:29 +0000

Earth Day poster

Fundraiser Concert - Mar. 19

Will — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:15:43 +0000

We're working with Movies for Mommies to host a fundraiser concert on Mar. 19 to help raise money for the Ride to Conquer Cancer. My wife, Kim, and I formed "Jan & Sue's Crew," a team of 22 riders who'll be cycling 260 km from Vancouver to Seattle. We are riding to support Kim's mom, Janis, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and to honour the memory of Sue Harris, a well-known physician from Vancouver who passed away two years ago from lung cancer. Our team has a goal of raising $60,300 for the BC Cancer Foundation. Read more...

Watch story about fundraiser concert on Shaw TV (starts at 1-minute into video)
Read media release
[attachment:will_ride_fundraiser_card.pdf=Download postcard (PDF)]
[attachment:will_ride_poster.pdf=Download poster (PDF)]

Buy Tickets

Fill out the fields below and click on the "Buy Now" button. Tickets will be held at the door under your last name. Kids under 1 yr. old are free and don't require a ticket.

Donate to Will's ride
View Jan & Sue's Crew page

Free song download for Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27

Will — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:17:16 +0000

Reading with my daughter Ella

Watch Steve Darling's interview with Will Stroet on Global BC - Jan. 22
Watch Will performing "Reading Revival" live on Global BC

To celebrate Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27, I'm offering a free download of “Reading Revival,” from my new album “Walk ‘n’ Roll,” until Jan. 31 to encourage families to visit the library and read their favourite books!

I wrote “Reading Revival” and “Don’t Judge a book by its Cover” for my tours of the Okanagan, Fraser Valley and Vancouver libraries this past summer. I was inspired to write a song about some of my favourite books from childhood to get kids excited about reading. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Winnie-the-Pooh are classics that I’ll be sharing with my daughter when she’s a bit older.

What are some of your favourite children's books? Do you read them to your kids?

So, if you're looking for something to do with your kids this week, visit your local library and read some books! I'll be playing at Team Finn's Finntastic Adventure on Jan. 23 at 3:30 pm at Highlands Elementary, the Clearbrook Library's 5th Annual Literacy Fair on Jan. 29 at 12:30 pm and Mount Seymour's Snow Day on Jan. 30. View upcoming shows calendar.

Without challenges we would have no achievements

Will — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:01:16 +0000

Finntastic Fundraiser from 2010

What was your last great achievement? I bet it came as a result of a considerable challenge. You may have challenged yourself, say to do a triathlon, or maybe a challenge was thrust upon you through your work, say a large and daunting project to complete. Either way, without challenges there would be very little to motivate us in our daily lives.

This year I have decided to do The Ride to Conquer Cancer. This will be a challenge, both to prepare myself physically to complete the 260+ km ride from Vancouver to Seattle, and also to raise the minimum $2,500.00 prior to the ride in June. This challenge feels daunting at times, but then I remember why I am doing the ride. Last month my mother-in-law Janis was diagnosed with breast cancer. When we heard the news it was as if a bomb dropped in our family. Cancer puts everything in perspective. We were recently blessed with the birth of our first daughter last year, and one of my favourite things is seeing her and her grandparents interact. A baby brings pure love to a family, cancer however bring pure dread to a family.

My mother-in-law now has to face what will probably be the most difficult challenge of her life. We are all there to support her in any way we can, but ultimately this is her challenge. I am inspired by her attitude in the face of this challenge. She has had two minor surgeries so far, and is now preparing for chemo-therapy and radiation. Her outlook is positive, which is very much in keeping with her personality. Her outlook and attitude help the rest of us, as we feel somewhat helpless, believe she is going to give it her all.

Janis has inspired me to meet the challenge to do The Ride to Conquer Cancer. Maybe in some small way our team can help inspire Janis to meet and beat hers.

Donate
Learn more about Team Finn's Finntastic Fundraiser - Jan. 23, 2011

Team Finn Finntastic Fundraiser - Jan. 23

Will — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 02:27:03 +0000

I'm playing as part of this fundraiser for Team Finn and the Ride to Conquer Cancer. It is a very worthwhile event and great entertainment as well. Hope to see some of you out.

Here's a message from the team:

This is a wonderful high energy kids event that will have your little ones up dancing singing smiling running jumping and bouncing and supporting Team Finn in the 2011 Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Team Finn celebrates a very special boy, Finn Sullivan. Finn lived life by loving it and loved life by living it. He ran jumped bounced danced sang smiled loved and rode life to its fullest along side twin brother Baird and big sister Sarah for three beautiful years. Sadly, Finn died of a rare form of childhood cancer on October 9, 2008. Team Finn remembers and celebrates all the life lessons we learned from Finn while raising money to fund cancer research (mostly pediatric cancer research) and to help kids with serious illnesses and their families. For more information about Finn and Team Finn, please visit www.teamfinn.com or www.finnspiration.org.

Seymour Family Snow Day - Jan. 30

Will — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 23:07:45 +0000

I'll be playing two sets at 11 am and noon with The Backyard Band outside beside the Enquist Lodge (around the tubing and tobogganing area). If it is raining, the concert will be inside the Lodge. The first 200 people who show their North Van Rec Card or North Shore Credit Union card receive $8 tubing or free tobogganing. Visit mountseymour.com for more info.

Tix on sale - Delta concerts Jan. 15 & 16

Will — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:42:47 +0000

[attachment:DeltaCPFconcertsJan2011.pdf=Download poster (PDF)]

The Delta School District and the Canadian Parents for French Delta chapter are hosting two bilingual concerts for me and The Backyard and Band in Delta on Jan. 15 at the Delta Church and Jan. 16 at the Genesis Theatre. Show times are from 1-2 pm. For these events to be a big success, we need to pre-sell as many tickets as possible. So, we need your help in spreading the word to family and friends.

Tickets are $3 and are available at Ecole Ladner, Ecole Cliff Drive, Ecole Richardson and Ecole Chalmers , Mc Frugals Discount Outlet (Tsawwassen) and Esquires Coffee House. Tickets may also be reserved at the door by calling 604-952-5066 or 604-952-5058 in advance.

Travels up North - Home from the road

Will — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 02:42:08 +0000

"Walk 'n' Roll" Vancouver CD release party: Performing with The Backyard Band

So, I get to sing super fun songs to amped up kids for a living. This may not be everyone’s dream job but it is mine. When I was a kid, if someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I’m pretty sure I didn’t answer that I wanted to be a children’s musician. I know now I have found my calling, and I’m realizing there are other benefits to what I do.

I just recently returned from my tour in Northern BC after launching my new CD, "Walk 'n' Roll", in Vancouver this past November. Twelve shows in eleven days, 3,100 kms of driving, and about 3,300 kids total in our audiences (plus adults)! For all of those reasons it was a great tour, but there is one more reason that I really enjoyed this tour in particular.

My dad grew up in Smithers and as a result of touring up north I was able to visit with my aunts, uncles and cousins who still live there. I come from a massive family, especially on my dad’s side. I was the 30th grandchild! What this means is that I don’t often get the chance to visit with my dad’s side of my family. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with all of them. This is the added benefit of what I do. I get paid to go places, meet people and catch up with others I would otherwise lose track of.

This past year, I have performed more than 200 shows. I have gone places I’d never been before. I met lots of great new people, and I also got to catch up with many more I hadn’t seen in a long time.

I suppose there is a downside to everything. For me, the hardest thing about being on the road for so much of the past year was being away from my little daughter, Ella. That being said, I am really looking forward to the holiday season because I get to spend every day of the next month with my daughter. She really likes banging on things – maybe I’ll be able to bring her on the road with me as a drummer! You never know…

Read an article about me in the Smithers Interior News

Kinder Cafe Grand Opening Concert - Dec. 11

Will — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:38:00 +0000

Quesnel CD Release Party - Dec. 1

Will — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:47:57 +0000

This may be the last concert for kids that the Quesnel Children's Concert Society hosts due to lack of funding from sponsors. The society has been around for 25 years, and it would be a shame to see it fold. So, please help us spread the word about this concert to friends and families in Quesnel!

RSVP on Facebook

Smithers CD Release Party - Nov. 27

Will — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 00:59:43 +0000

We're doing a Northern BC CD release party in Smithers on Nov. 27. For tickets, contact Pauline at 250-877-7737 or visit Interior Stationery. This is a fundraiser for Canadian Parents for French and the French school programs in Smithers.

We're also playing at a number of schools in Northern BC - Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Smithers and Terrace - from Nov. 23-30. Check my calendar for more details!

CD Release Party - November 21

Will — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:38:27 +0000

Tickets are on sale now. Email tickets@willmusic.ca or call 604-727-4413. Partial proceeds will be donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in support of African grandmothers who are raising their orphaned grandchildren.

[attachment:WillFlyer_emailer.pdf=Download flyer (PDF)]

Comox Valley Kidfest

Will — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:01:37 +0000

Elliot's thoughts on performing with me in The Backyard Band

Will — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:49:54 +0000

Elliot's band the SSRIs

Recently my bass player Elliot Langford was interviewed by the Georgia Straight about his band, the SSRIs, new album they are about to release. It is an awesome album, not specifically for kids, however might make for a good soundtrack for a major temper tantrum. I won't post the whole interview but you should give this a read. I got a real kick out of it!

"When it does come time to showcase their latest batch of Cardiacs-style pronk on-stage, Langford might feel a tad out of his element. As of late, the Vancouver native has been performing for face-painted toddlers while backing local children’s entertainer Will Stroet. It seems like pretty scary territory for a guy who grew up listening to the Blood Brothers and Primus, but the 24-year-old insists that the kiddie circuit isn’t actually all that different from the gigs he plays with SSRIs, give or take a few music-nerd and indie-fashionista types.

“It’s like a mini-punk show, really,” he says with a laugh, visibly relieved to be moving on to more jovial topics. “They don’t even realize how punk they’re being, jumping up and down all crazy and weird-like.

“I’ve been thinking about stealing their sweet moves,” he continues. “I always like it when people are down to bring out their crazy, spaz-out party moves.”

Well said Elliot, well said!

To read the rest of this article from the Georgia Straight go here. http://www.straight.com/article-327748/vancouver/getting-better-all-time

Top 5 reasons to go to children's festivals

Will — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:56:37 +0000

Spring is children’s festival season and I always have a great time at this time of year because I get to experience so many festivals. I get to meet performers from Canada and around the world and I get to see them do their shows. My mom always took us to the Vancouver International Children’s Festival and it was something I looked forward to all year. Those festivals inspired me and gave me a love for the performing arts that has stayed with me my whole life. I’ve compiled a list of the top five reasons why you should bring your kids or students to these festivals.

1. Your kids will experience the arts from something other than a TV. Music, magic, puppetry, theatre, dance, acrobatics, storytelling… These art forms are meant to be experienced live. At live shows performers get to interact with audiences and audiences get to interact with performers. When you go to a show you are a part of the show. Today, we experience the arts mostly through TV and the Internet where there is no interaction and no way to know what is real and what is not. That makes me sad, especially for our kids.

2. You will share an experience with your kids that both they and you will not forget. What do you remember of your childhood? What are your fondest memories? I am willing to bet they involve a personal experience with a family member or friend, and probably involve some special occasion out of the ordinary routine. Children’s festivals provide the opportunity for an amazing day out of the ordinary routine that you can spend with your kids. They will remember spending it with you.

3. Your kids will learn, you will learn. Children’s festivals bring artists from around the world. Your kids will learn about other cultures, new languages, new songs and new stories. They will learn compassion for others. They will learn how to make things such as kites and toys. They will learn how to make new friends. They will learn to dance (and in my opinion a life without dancing is a sad life indeed)!

4. Your kids will be amazed and inspired. Have you ever seen Taiwanese acrobats? They will amaze you. Have you ever seen the inimitable Michel Lauziere? He will astound you. Have you see Cirque du Soleil? I saw them during their first year when I was a kid at the Vancouver Children’s Festival. They amazed me! If your kids are in music lessons, gymnastics lessons, or theater classes they will be inspired. Give them this inspiration.

5. You will instill in your kids an appreciation for the arts, and live performance that will last the rest of their lives. As well as being a musician, an educator and now a parent, I am also a music lover and dedicated a festival-goer. I have seen so many phenomenal performances whether as a child, a teen or an adult and every amazing performance deepens my love for live performance.

The arts don’t just happen. Shows, festivals and other special events happen because people believe in their value. All artists, festival coordinators, volunteers, etc. keep the arts alive for you. The very least you can do is go out and enjoy a show and support these people that are working very hard to add variety to your life and the life of your kids.

What is your fondest children’s festival memory (your own or with your kids)? Post a comment by the end of June. The reader with the best story will win one of my CDs (your choice)!

Vancouver Island Baby Fair - June 5

Will — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:44:35 +0000