Talent from all over the Coast turned out last Sunday, June 3, for Carni-vale Humanitarium, a seven hour variety show to raise funds for Communities Adopting Families in Need (CAFIN), a new charity that will help local families out of poverty.

A steady stream of audience members came and went throughout the afternoon and evening, dropping their donations at the door and bidding on silent auction donations in the lobby.  

Pat Adrien Dorval was the genial ringmaster for the lengthy circus of dance, songs, dramatic monologues, photography and comedy.

The afternoon opened with Pecha Kucha presentations, short, narrated photography pieces. Then Danceworks students seized the opportunity for a little stage time presenting ballet, tap, hip hop and even some Bollywood.

Nicholas Allenbach was a hit with his tap solo while the two hip hop dancers elicited screams from the junior audience members.

Sandwiched between the skits and monologues, singers such as Sensia Perez with pianist Laura Kellough-Pollock performed. Da Newfie Duo (Jude LeMoine and Heidi Riggs) told everyone how to put molasses on bread without it sliding off — apparently a typical Newfoundland tea time activity. Using an unusual prop — a combination hockey stick, mop and beer cap percussion instrument — they involved the audience in a rousing chorus of I’se the B’y.

The day continued with the musical group Klimbatize, an Ed White comic routine, and such authors as Deanna Proach reading from their works. An excerpt from a dance creation, Skeleton Woman, with a trio of stilt walkers, rounded out the day.

Organizers are still putting together the financials of the event, the donations and silent auction proceeds, and these will be posted on their Facebook page within a week.

“We can say, however, that we are able to help our first family in a positive way,” said organizer Adrienne Ucciferri. “We intend to keep the focus of our original mandate which is to eradicate childhood poverty on the Coast one family at a time.”

CAFIN will continue to work towards charitable status while they plan the next donation driven event.