Local Arts

Charlotte Ballet ‘bear hunt’ video lets kids at home stay on the move amid coronavirus

By Page Leggett Arts Correspondent

Being on lockdown — no matter how necessary — is a drag. Especially for young kids. But a new bear hunt craze is getting families outside. Don’t panic. The bears are of the teddy bear variety and the families “hunting” them are part of a national trend that has taken hold in Charlotte.

The craze was inspired by Michael Rosen’s picture book, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.” Walk or bike through neighborhoods like Dilworth and you’ll notice teddy bears in many windows.

Cornelius has gotten in on the fun, too. Charlotte Ballet Education Manager Kimberly Pereira has bears in windows at her family’s Huntersville home and has been on bear hunts with her own children, ages 5 and 7.

Charlotte Ballet has also become part of the trend. Its Charlotte Ballet II young professionals group created a ballet bear hunt video designed to get kids up and moving. Produced by Charlotte Ballet Digital Media Producer James Wiley, it can be accessed by anyone via YouTube.

Neighborhood hunts for teddy bears and other stuffed animals are giving children a safe distraction from coronavirus. Charlotte Ballet II has made a video that incorporates “Going on a Bear Hunt,” the beloved children’s book that launched the trend.
Neighborhood hunts for teddy bears and other stuffed animals are giving children a safe distraction from coronavirus. Charlotte Ballet II has made a video that incorporates “Going on a Bear Hunt,” the beloved children’s book that launched the trend. Hayley Fowler HFOWLER@MCCLATCHY.COM

Ballet dancers and bears

CBII dancers, ages 18-22, are involved in community engagement with schools, which includes leading the annual Lecture Demonstrations series. The 60-minute performances are available to elementary, middle and high schools.

This year’s production for elementary schoolers was to be a performance based on “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” – chosen by Charlotte Ballet Artistic Director Hope Muir.

“In early planning for … the CBII lecture demonstration series last year, I suggested a book I had used as a resource when I was doing my teacher training in London,” Muir said. “I had used the book and its onomatopoeic descriptions before each obstacle to inform improvisation strategies in my students. It was a very rewarding project and one I thought would translate well to the CBII community program.”

When coronavirus canceled Charlotte Ballet’s season, CBII decided to make its “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” video since the dancers could not do in-person performances in schools as planned.

Charlotte Ballet II dancers created a video based on the children’s book “Going on a Bear Hunt.” These shots of Charlotte Ballet and CBII dancers with their stuffed toys and other animals were used on social media to launch the video.
Charlotte Ballet II dancers created a video based on the children’s book “Going on a Bear Hunt.” These shots of Charlotte Ballet and CBII dancers with their stuffed toys and other animals were used on social media to launch the video. Courtesy of Charlotte Ballet

A modern classic

First published in 1989, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” is considered a modern classic for early readers. Being unafraid (or telling yourself you are) is a theme that runs throughout the book — perhaps one reason it is enjoying renewed popularity in the age of COVID-19.

The book also teaches kids about onomatopoeia, which means a word that represents the sound it describes — like buzz, woosh, splash, thump, oink, meow. “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” is rife with it. Every challenge the kids face on their hunt is “swishy swashy,” “swirling whirling” or involves a “squelch squerch.”

Charlotte Ballet II dancers helped create a video based on the beloved children’s book “Going on a Bear Hunt.” Dancers from Charlotte Ballet and CBII are pictured here with their favorite stuff animals.
Charlotte Ballet II dancers helped create a video based on the beloved children’s book “Going on a Bear Hunt.” Dancers from Charlotte Ballet and CBII are pictured here with their favorite stuff animals. Courtesy of Charlotte Ballet

Bringing the book to life

CBII’s video link was first emailed to Charlotte Ballet’s network of 472 schools. The social media campaign for the video features dancers holding their own teddy bears or other inanimate furry friends — a duck, an alligator, a Shar Pei puppy.

In under four minutes, the dancers go on a bear hunt of their own, meeting the same challenges — mud, thick grass, a snowstorm – as the characters in the book. There’s live action — the dancers on location — and animation. The pages of the book are brought to life.

Dancers from Charlotte Ballet II helped create a video designed to get kids moving. It’s based on Michael Rosen’s popular picture book, “Going on a Bear Hunt.” Pictured here are dancers from Charlotte Ballet and CBII.
Dancers from Charlotte Ballet II helped create a video designed to get kids moving. It’s based on Michael Rosen’s popular picture book, “Going on a Bear Hunt.” Pictured here are dancers from Charlotte Ballet and CBII. Courtesy of Charlotte Ballet

The idea is to introduce kids to a classic of children’s literature, the concept of onomatopoeia as well as dance and physical movement. “Educators have thanked us for the video,” said Pereira. “It’s fun and energetic. After watching the video, kids want to go outside to look for bears themselves. This has become a community learning initiative.”

But Charlotte Ballet isn’t just entertaining the kiddos during lockdown. The pandemic led them to create @Home with Charlotte Ballet – digital performances of previous productions that people can watch at home – for free – on a laptop or any digital device.

Dance, dance, dance

To learn more about Charlotte Ballet or watch the company’s @Home offerings, visit charlotteballet.org.

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This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 12:19 PM.

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