Kids ‘R’ Back for 24/25! Centre In The Square Unveils All-New School Matinee Series
Kitchener, ON — Centre In The Square is thrilled to announce the return of our beloved Children’s Education Program, kicking off a season of exciting school shows designed to inspire, entertain, and engage young audiences. Thanks to the generous support of our presenting sponsor, Staebler Insurance, the season opens with Jeremy & Jazzy, a vibrant performance that brings music and storytelling to life for students across the community.
On November 12, 2024, students gathered at Centre In The Square for two special performances at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. They embarked on an immersive adventure with Jeremy, Jazzy, Stu, and Tunebug, characters from the acclaimed CBC Kids series, in a lively, interactive show filled with memorable songs, vibrant storytelling, and heartwarming life lessons. From dance-worthy anthems to themes about kindness, friendship, and creativity, this performance will be an unforgettable journey into the world of music and imagination.
This event is the first of many school programs that will take place at Centre In The Square throughout the 2024-25 season, each designed to foster a love for the arts among young audiences and to support teachers in delivering meaningful learning experiences through the arts.
Eric Lariviere, Executive Director of Centre In The Square, shared his enthusiasm for the growth and quality of the program: “Centre In The Square commitment to community and education is central to its mission. This is why we have grown our school programs to five (5) distinct educational productions with a total of ten (10) performances for the 2024-25 season, expecting 20,000 students. As the first program of the season, we are thrilled to bring such an inspiring and impactful educational performance to young audiences in our community. Jeremy & Jazzy combines music and storytelling in a way that engages children on multiple levels—promoting empathy, creativity, and cultural appreciation. Thanks to Staebler Insurance’s sponsorship, we’re able to inspire the next generation through arts education and reinforce the Centre’s role as a cultural hub for the region.”
Joanna Mendonca, President, at Staebler Insurance, expressed Staebler’s commitment to fostering arts and education: “Staebler Insurance has always valued the role of music and the arts in shaping strong, connected communities. Supporting the Jeremy & Jazzy show is a natural extension of our commitment to the region’s educational and cultural vibrancy. It’s an honour to help bring this meaningful experience to local students and to continue Keith Staebler’s legacy of supporting arts and education.”
Staebler Insurance’s rich history in supporting the arts and community engagement dates back to the company’s early days, when Keith Staebler, a passionate music enthusiast, played a significant role in establishing Centre In The Square as a cultural cornerstone. Over the years, Staebler has contributed to local music festivals,
sponsored piano scholarships, and championed arts education across the region. Their dedication to enriching lives through music and education makes this partnership with Centre In The Square a fitting celebration of both companies’ shared values.
The Jeremy & Jazzy show is not just a performance—it’s the first of many school shows coming to Centre In The Square this season, welcoming thousands of kids from the Kitchener-Waterloo Region. This educational journey aligns with curriculum themes, offering teachers and students a unique opportunity to explore creativity, friendship, and cultural diversity across subjects like music, history, and social studies.
For more information about this event and the full lineup of school performances coming this season, please visit Centre In The Square’s website.
2024-2025 Centre In The Square Education Series
Staebler Insurance Presents: Jeremy & Jazzy Live (BILINGUAL SHOW) Tuesday, November 12 @ 10:30AM & 12:30PM | Grades: K-1
Jeremy and Jazzy Live is a fun, interactive singalong show for a family audience, featuring the JUNO-nominated music from the hit animated television series on CBC Kids. Performed by Jeremy Fisher as “Jeremy” and Nadia Casandra as “Jazzy,” it’s a feel-good show that gets kids singing and dancing along to truly memorable songs about friendship, belonging, and emotional well-being, complete with projections and staging that bring the series to life.
Canadian Brass Thursday, November 21 @ 12:30PM | Grades: 3-8
Masters of concert presentations, Canadian Brass has developed a uniquely engaging stage presence and rapport with audiences. Each of their concerts showcases a full range from trademark Baroque and Dixieland tunes to new compositions and arrangements created especially for them—from formal classical presentation to music served up with lively dialogue and theatrical effects. The hallmark of any Canadian Brass performance is entertainment, spontaneity, virtuosity, and, most of all, fun—but never at the expense of the music.
Sultans of String: Walking Through The Fire Tuesday, February 25 @ 10:30AM & 12:30PM | Grades: 3-8
Award-winning First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists performing with 3x JUNO Award nominees Sultans of String, Walking Through The Fire is a musical multimedia event unlike any other! From Métis fiddling to an East Coast Kitchen Party, Rumba to Rock, to the drumming of the Pacific Northwest, experience the beauty and diversity of music from Turtle Island/Canada with Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk of the Métis Fiddler Quartet, Ojibwe/Finnish Singer-Songwriter Marc Meriläinen (Nadjiwan), and Coast Tsm’syen Elder and Singer-Songwriter Shannon Thunderbird performing on stage, as well as virtual guests on the big screen, including Dr. Duke Redbird, the Northern Cree Pow Wow group, and more!
The Pack Drumline Tuesday, April 1 @ 10:30AM & 12:30PM, Thursday, April 3 @ 10:30AM | Grades: 4-8
The Pack Drumline is a dynamic and talented group of percussionists and dancers who have become a force to be reckoned with in the Entertainment Industry, recently making it to the finale of America’s Got Talent season 17 AND performing at Super Bowl LVIII! What started as an after-school program for at-risk youth in Chicago has become an engaging, energetic performance, combining music, dance, and jaw-dropping stunts.
SAMAJAM > YOU are the Show Tuesday, May 13 @ 10:30AM & 12:30PM | Grades: 3-8
SAMAJAM YOU are the Show offers a fully immersive, fun, and highly engaging musical experience where the audience actively performs 90% of the show. It combines active musical playing, rhythmic challenges, collective video games, comedic sketches, interactive participation, and the exploration of diverse songs and rhythms from around the world. Each participant receives a Music Bag containing three (3) percussion instruments to play at key moments, maximizing the progression of the musical experience and the creation of collective rhythms. EVERYONE can participate, regardless of their age, musical experience, or skill level.
Media Contact
Rachelle Garcia
Rental Business & Community Engagement Manager
226-220-1998
RGarcia@centreinthesquare.com
About Centre In The Square
Established in 1981, The Centre In The Square Inc. (CITS) is a not-for-profit corporation and registered charity dedicated to managing Kitchener’s premier performing arts theatre. With over 140 annual events, CITS showcases top local, national, and international talent, enriching the cultural landscape with concerts, plays, lectures, and more. Located in Downtown Kitchener, the theatre is a cultural hub that also houses the Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery and partners with local groups like the Grand Philharmonic Choir. Emphasizing on multidisciplinary programming and accessibility, CITS offers diverse artistic experiences for all ages, supporting artists and major national and international touring productions with state-of-the-art facilities and technical expertise.
About Staebler Insurance
Founded in 1873 by J.M. Staebler in Berlin, Ontario (now Kitchener), Staebler Insurance has served as a trusted partner in insurance, risk management, and client advocacy for over 150 years. Starting from a small home office on Queen Street, Staebler Insurance has grown alongside the region, with deep roots in Kitchener-Waterloo and a legacy of adapting to the community’s evolving needs. With a strong commitment to financial strength, market representation, negotiation, claims advocacy, and technical services, Staebler takes a strategic, client-focused approach to ensure comprehensive coverage for individuals, businesses, and families.
