Alphabetical Sydney

I am always on the lookout for books that I can send to our family that reside interstate or overseas. Books I love the best are ones that portray our life in Sydney and Australia to be shared as bedtime stories - stories that keep far away cousins connected.

Alphabetical Sydney is a beautiful book to share with your own children, with Sydney visitors or family that live afar. The book is a collaboration architect/illustrator Antonia Pesenti and award-winning playwright Hilary Bell.

Jump on the local bus and travel to the many everyday wonders of Sydney with delightful verse and exquisite images.

This Christmas, copies of Alphabetical Sydney will be travelling to our family in Brisbane, Ireland and Canada.

Alphabetical Sydney

Booktopia

Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell

NewSouth Books

Images by Antonia Pesenti -  courtesy of NewSouth Books

Arts Rocket Friday Finds

image via Sydney Theatre Company

It's been a while but Friday Finds are back! Film Festivals, Zines, some blocks and a pelican.

• The French Film Festival has some great kids flicks screening and thankfully most of the films outside the family strand are classified so if you have teens there is a wide selection
• Young at Heart  Film Festival has some great classics - my son loved American Graffiti so this is his chance to catch it on the big screen. Get the kids to take their grandparents to the cinema.
• MCA Zine Fair is back in March - great for kids of all ages - get them to make their own when you get home 
• Love these building blocks from Japan Found vis Kidlolly 
• and for later in August - Sydney Theatre Company with Barking Gecko Theatre will be presenting a production of Storm Boy - Ages 6+

Blaze - Sydney Opera House

image: Daniel Boud

Last night the kids and I went along to the Sydney Opera House for the performance of Blaze.  It was a beautiful evening so  we started  with a drink down at the Opera Bar before heading in.  At the Opera House lots of families mingled in the foyer before the start of the show.

Blaze consists of a dance crew of street and break dancers hailing from almost every corner of the world.  The show premiered in London and Sydney is one of the many stops in their international tour.

With our drinks and popcorn sorted, we walked into the Concert Hall to see  the  stage  was set with pairs of shoes spotlit waiting patiently for their owners. As the shoeless dancers appear the back curtain rises to reveal an amazing backdrop set made up  of drawers and cupboards (and a bathtub!)  piled up on top of each other...during the show some drawers opened to reveal and hide dancers, get climbed over and danced within and acts as a  screen for spectacular projected scenery without overshadowing the dancers.

The dancing blew us away, exciting and full of energy - and showcased how innovative street dance can be.  Everything worked in the performance, the dancers sharing their passion and the soundtrack keeping it together.  You can find out more about the dancers here: Blaze UK.

I was discussing recently with another Mum how I am finding it difficult to find performances that I can take all my children to - I have three children aged between 9 and 14.  Blaze kept every family member satisfied. We all loved it.

This isn't a show where all the action just happens on stage....it's an interaction with the audience. The crew encourage you to get your cameras out, to cheer along and if the mood strikes you -  to get up and dance.

By the end  everyone   in the audience was up dancing (there was a grandmother getting her dance moves on a few chairs over from us).  One lucky child got to go on stage and dance with the crew. After their last encore and  as the lights went up many audience members lingered a little bit longer in the hope the dancers would return on stage just one more time.

Extra: If you have kids that are into skateboarding - get them to bring their gear   to the  Blaze skate park  outside from 11am until 7pm. My eldest son is keen to go back to show off his skills.

Blaze runs until 20th Jan 2013 at Sydney Opera House.
All ages.

http://blaze.sydneyoperahouse.com/

Arts Rocket Friday Finds

image sourced from http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au

Finally after being away for a month we are back in the swing of things. Jet lag has passed and we are getting out and about enjoying what Sydney has on offer in Summertime and discovering some fun Friday Finds.

• Blaxland Riverside Park - Cool Hunter: Absolutely  loving the images from The Cool Hunter of this fantastic playground in Homebush. The designers worked with the earth rather than against it to produce an amazing space for kids to go wild.
• Moss Terrariums: This is a project that has been on our list of things to try for a while. Create your own little worlds and add plastic figures to the mix.
• If the weather turns this Summer and you are stuck inside get inspired by the beautiful work using cardboard boxes by artist Annalise Reese. 
• Michelle Schoeps Organic: Beautiful blog that features Michelle's family recipes using amazing produce. 
• If your kids are allowed to stay up late then let them take in a Drive in Cinema experience. The classic  Stand by Me will be screened on the 1st December.
• The  Mother Artist Network Festival is on now on over at BIG magazine...BIG are also after contributions for their next publication with the theme "Into the Dark."

Enjoy your weekend!
Leigh

My night at the Opera | The Magic Flute

Photo by: Branco Gaica

On Tuesday my Mum and I had an evening out together at the Opera. We went to the Sydney Opera House for a performance of  Mozart's "The Magic Flute."  I have been to the Opera House for kids shows before but this was much more special.

I like to listen to Opera on the radio in the evenings before I go to sleep and the last few weeks I have been listening to the CD of The Magic Flute.

We arrived at the Opera House early so we could get a drink in the foyer and I also had some chocolate. There were a lot of other families there as well.  When we went  into the  concert hall it was completely full and our seats had a great view of the stage and we could see everything that was going on.

I thought the singing was inspiring and the costumes were so divine. The puppets were oversized, colourful, fascinating and everyone seated near me  enjoyed them.  The set was huge and it  moved around for the performers and to show different scenes.   Sometimes it was difficult to understand what was being sung (even in English) but luckily you can read the surtitles (the words appear on a small screen above the stage) but I found it more enjoyable just to listen and take it all in.

The story is about Prince Tamino who is saved from a serpent by three of the Queens helpers.  When they go off to tell the Queen a bird catcher called  Papageno bumps into the Prince and takes the credit for saving him from the snake and they become friends. When the three ladies come back they put a muzzle on him so he can not talk as punishment for lying.

The Queen sends them both off on adventure  to save her daughter Pamina from  the cruel Sarastro.  Tamino is given a magic flute and Papageno silver bells for a safe  journey. There are also three spirits that guide them. But there are some twists and  Prince Tamino and Papageno  face many dangers but find their way to a happy ending.

The Opera runs for two hours but you get to have a break half way and can go outside, enjoy the view and have a chat.

After the performance even though it was way past my bed time  we had a drink and some dessert at the Opera bar outside and listened to the jazz band playing and talked about our night at the Opera.

I think  The Magic Flute would be  great for kids who are  five and older and families who want to have a special night out with their kids.
by Mischa age 10

MORE INFO
Sydney until 23rd March 2012
Melbourne 21st April until 12th May 2012
Bookings and more information visit http://www.opera-australia.org.au/

Snow on Mars - Review - Sydney Festival 2011

Richard Tulloch and Kim Carpenter (Theatre of Image) have teamed up again for the Sydney Festival for their wonderful production "Snow on Mars."

The story centres on 12 year old Waylon (physical performer, Rick Everett) who wants to be an astronaut but his father has other things on his mind. Waylon's mother has passed away and he travels from each caravan park to the next with his supportive Nana and country singing dad around Australia. The story explores family, following your dreams, friendship and the beauty of space.

I went to the performance with my son (aged 7) and his friend. The acrobatic and aerialelements and the creative use of the large screen were the highlights of the performance. One of the favourites for the boys was a spectacular scene when the Ghost Astronaut walked across the screen the stars exploded beneath his feet. Amongst the excitement of the multimedia and movement their attention span did waver during some parts of the story.

If your child has a love of space, astronauts and/or acrobats! they will enjoy Snow on Mars.

Go behind the scenes of Snow on Mars: http://blog.sydneyfestival.org.au/snow-on-mars-behind-the-scenes

More details:

January 7 to 16

York Theatre Seymour Centre

Bookings and more information http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Family/Snow-on-Mars/

Le Grand Cirque - Adrenaline

Last night my two youngest (9 and 7) with their Dad and Grandad went to the opening evening of the Le Grand Cirque - Adrenaline at the Opera House. They all have not stop raving about the show. From their awe of seeing a performance in the beautiful Concert Hall, the strength of the cast and the overall excitement of the whole show .

The show is an action packed evening featuring a cast over 40 of the most extreme athletes from around the world. Highlights include the Globe of Death motorbike act and the Wheel of Destiny.

This is a show not to be missed!

Grandads review

Man becomes Superman

The Grace and the beauty of the Bolshoi, the Gentle Charm of a clown that Chaplin himself would have envied, the delirium of three motorheads and astonishingly brave beauty, the infectious exuberance of a trampoline troupe....the fun was fantastic and endless.

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Venue: Concert Hall - Sydney Opera House

From 6th Jan until 16 Jan 2011

Runs for 1 hour and 50 mins

Bookings and more information: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/priority/le_grand_cirque_2011.aspx

Laughing Children's Garden - NSW

Photo credit: Jaime Plaza, Botanic Gardens Trust

If you live in the Blue Mountains or planning a visit check out the beautiful Laughing Children's Garden launched yesterday. The garden is situated at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden in the Blue Mountains.

The aim of the garden is to be interactive and to encourage play and creativity by providing aesthetically pleasing pieces of sculpture which enables kids to develop their imagination while using their motor skills through developing games and playing with each piece of sculpture.

LOCATION: Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, Bells Line of Road (via Bilpin)

Visit an Artists Studio this weekend

Art is for everyone – that is the message of this weekend’s START Fest to both art lovers and the curious alike.

As part of the month long Art & About Sydney Public Arts Festival, 17 studios in Annandale, Alexandria, East Sydney, Leichardt, Lilyfield, Mosman, Newtown, Redfern, Rozelle, St Peters andSurry Hills will collectively open their doors to the general public for the first time with over 90 artists on hand to demonstrate the personality and story behind their work.

16 - 17 October | NSW

For more information visit: http://www.startfest.com.au

Sydney Writers Festival - May 2010

The Writers Festival brings to Sydney a exciting selection of workshops and events for children and their families in May. This is a great opportunity for children and teens to meet their favourite authors and to encourage a love for books and writing. 


Highlights include:
Spend a morning with Andy Griffiths
Sunday 23 May | 10 am - 11 am |  No bookings - all ages | Free | Walsh Bay


Draw your own chicken with Leigh Hobbs
Sunday 23 May | 1 pm - 2 pm |  No bookings  - all ages | Philharmonia Choir Studio


Tashi Tales with Anna Fienberg and Kim Gamble
Sunday 16th May | 12.30 - 1.15 pm | Visit the website for cost | Blue Mountains


For more information on the full program visit the festival website 

Melbourne International Film Festival

Now a MIFF institution, the Next Gen program within the Melbourne International Film Festival provides stimulating films for younger generations of cinema viewers.
I felt the SFF this year had a disappointing range of family /childrens films within the program so it is refreshing to see a festival that encourages mature cinema for older children.

The festival presents an extensive range of international films for older children they may not ever get the chance to see.

Highlights include:
Cheeky Girls - Germany
Based on a bestselling German book series, this raucous rock ‘n’ roll adventure is about friends, crushes and surviving high school.

Mommo - Turkey
A touching true story about the bonds between a brother and sister, set amid the picturesque beauty of a remote Turkish village.

Jermal - Indonesia
A young boy learns self-reliance in this extraordinary story filmed in a unique location – at sea, amid the platform-fishermen of Indonesia.
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July 24th until August 9th 2009
Full the full Next Gen program

Melbourne International Film Festival

The Fox and the Child Giveway

We have 5 inseason dble passes to giveaway to the beautiful Fox and the Girl narrated by Kate Winslet. Following his Oscar-winning smash hit March of the Penguins, director Luc Jacquet’s first stab at a feature-length fiction finds him once again communing with nature. Inspired by an unforgettable childhood encounter, The Fox & the Child is a very simply told story about a little girl’s fascination with the cute furry creatures living in the forest around her French country home

If you didn't catch this wonderful film at the Sydney Film festival now is your chance. 

To go into the draw to win a dble pass email info@artsrocket.org with your contact details. ENTRIES NOW CLOSED 

The Fox and the Girl commences 9 July at selected cinemas. 

For more info visit Fox and the Child.

The Gruffalo | May - June | NSW / ACT

The Everest Theatre in the Seymour Centre was jam packed full of kids and their parents eagerly awaiting  for the performance of The Gruffalo to commence.  

The musical production has been adapted from the well loved book by  Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.  The  story centres around a little mouse alone in the forest and the creature he invents to protect himself from the bigger animals who want to each him for lunch.

The hour performance sped by with catchy songs, witty dialogue and audience interaction.  The Gruffalo succeeds in keeping both young children and parents both entertained. 

THE GRUFFALO follows Mouse into the deep dark wood on a lunchtime hunt for hazelnuts. Armed with just a nut map and a very vivid imagination, Mouse runs into the smirking, wheeler-dealer Fox; an eccentric, retired Woodland Air Force General Owl; and the maraca-shaking, party animal Snake. Rather than becoming the main course of their next meal, Mouse kills their appetites with stories of an imaginary monster friend. 

Little does this clever critter know but Mouse will have to escape the jaws of this faux protector as well. In a production that has become the toast of London’s West End, Tall Stories vibrantly reinvents this delightful tale through its signature style of bold, multifaceted storytelling.

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SYDNEY 16-30 May   

Performance times: Sat 10am, 12noon & 3pm; Mon, Thurs & Fri 10am & 12 noon   

Venue: Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre, Chippendale  

Bookings: 9351 7940 or www.seymourcentre.com.au 

 

WOLLONGONG 1-2 June   

Performance times: Mon 12noon & 1.30pm, Tues 10am, 12noon & 1.30pm 

Venue: IPAC Wollongong 

Bookings: 4226 3366 or www.merrigong.com.au 

 

PENRITH 4-5 June   

Performance times: 10am & 12noon 

Venue: Q Theatre, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith 

Bookings:  4723 7600 or www.jspac.com.au 

 

CANBERRA 10-13 June   

Performance times: Wed 1pm, Thurs & Fri 10am & 12noon, Sat 10am, 12noon & 3pm  

Venue: Street Theatre, Canberra 

Bookings:  62471223 or www.thestreet.org.au 

 

WAGGA WAGGA 6-17 June   

Performance times: Tues 12 noon, Wed 10am & 12noon 

Venue: Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga 

Bookings: 6926 9688 or www.civictheatre.com.au 

 

PARRAMATTA 19 June   

Performance times: 10am & 12noon 

Venue: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta 

Bookings: 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au 

 

Little Big Shots 2009

The Happy Duckling

Little Big Shots kids film festival is returning for another year and launches at the ACMI on May 31 2009.   This unique film festival consists of kids flicks that are made by adults and children. Each programme consists of a  wonderful variety of shorts that are sorted in age appropriate groups. 

Little Big Shots includes over 90 films from 25 countries as far reaching as Russia to Argentina, Estonia to Bangladesh and Finland to Sth Africa.

Two of our favourites in this years line up include:

The Happy Duckling

Directed by Gil Dolev |Scotland 2008 | Animation Length: 8:45mins Language: English

This beautiful animation follows a the journey a a little girl attempting to get rid of a persistent duck. The special thing about this animation is that it the chase occurs within a pop up book.  My 7 year and 5 year old loved this.

Anything you can do

Directed by Emma Buckley| Australia 2009 | Live action | Length 7minutes Language: non verbal

Two boys face of in a back room. The competition is fierce. Faces are pulled, grapes are thrown and burps are unleashed. But when the stakes are at their highest, and no punches are pulled, will victory still taste sweet. 

For a full program visit Little Big Shots

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The festival, launches on May 31, 2009 at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne and continues over three school days (June 3 - 5) and the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (June 6 - 8).  

An Australia-wide tour follows and includes screenings at Warrnambool’s Fun4Kids Festival (June 28 –July 5), the Adelaide Festival Centre (July 16 - 18), the Sydney Opera House (September 9 - 13) and Kyneton Town Hall (October 21).  

Yayoi Kusama: Mirrored Years | MCA | NSW

Last school holidays when deciding what to do with the kids ( aged 10, 7 and 5), I lived by the following code:

1. It had to be fun and
2. It had to be free

At first we thought it may be impossible but we were delighted to find that when you digged deep enough treasures do appear.
One of those treasures was the Yayoi Kusama: Mirrored Years at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Discover the work of internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama with this major exhibition that spans decades of her artistic practice.Working across different media and forms that include painting, collage, sculpture, installation and film, as well as performance and its documentation, Kusama creates works that reveal a fixation with repetition, pattern and accumulation.

Expect lots of dots!

Some parts of the exhibition were difficult to prevent my children from touching, as it was just too tempting. They loved the rooms that allowed them to be  enclosed (with a small group)in a room of dots and mirrors or starlights and water(it felt like we were in space) revealing amazing patterns.

If your kids want to learn more about Yayoi and have fun with dots, the Queensland Art Gallery have a fantastic online interactive experience where they can dot to their hearts content.
An education kit is available online to download for older kids.

This exhibition finishes on the 8th June so you don't have long to catch it.

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Yayoi Kusama: Mirrored Years
24 FEBRUARY - 8 JUNE 2009
Cost : Free
Location: MCA
140 George Street
The Rocks NSW 2000
Australia

Sydney Writers Festival

The Sydney Writers Festival has a wonderful selection of events and workshops for children and young adults.

Most of the children's events will take place on Sunday May 24th at Walsh Bay. Outside the CBD, there will also be children's events happening in Parramatta, the Blue Mountains, Cambelltown and Penrith and writing workshops in Rozelle.

Highlights include:

Maisy Mouse Party

Sunday 24th May | 12pm-1pm

Sydney Philharmonic Choir Studio | Walsh Bay

Cost: Free 

From the imagination  of Morris Gleitzman

Sunday 24th May | 1130am - 1230pm 

Sydney Dance Company | Walsh Bay 

Cost: Free

Morris Gleitzman is one of Australia's best loved authors of books for children. From Felix, a young Jewish boy growing up in Poland during the Holocaust in Then and Once, to Limpy, the lovable cane Toad Rage series. This is an opportunity to hear Morris talk about his work.

Age group 8+ year and their families

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Visit the SWF website for more information on schedule and bookings.

Wizard of Oz on the Big Screen

The Randwick Town Hall will open its doors from 11am to 3pm on Sunday April 6th for a fabulous free Vintage Fair.

The family event is free and open to everyone. Visitors will enjoy live music by jazz band Ice Box, performances by fashion icons The Compacts, dance demonstrations by Swing Patrol.

Kids will get to play vintage games, face painted and take part in activities, indoor and outdoor.

The Fair will be followed by a very special screening of the beloved 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz at the Ritz Cinema to launch Young at Heart, Sydneys 3rd Senior’s festival.

Wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

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Vintage Fair – Randwick Town Hall
11am-3pm
corner Frances + Avoca streets Randwick
Wizard of Oz screening
Ritz Cinema
39-47 St. Pauls Street, RANDWICK 2031
Tickets for the 3pm screening - $10 ( $8 children, $7 seniors) and can be booked in adavance (02) 9399 5722

Dont miss -- Trop jr Sunday 17th Feb 2008

Trop jr Sunday 17th Feb 2008
Crescent Precinct, Domain, Royal Botanic Gardens

Created by the folks who bring you Sony Tropfest, TROP JR is a short filmmaking competition open to kids aged 15 years and younger. This Sunday will feature the screening the Top 8
finailists from around Australia.

12.00pm:Trop Jr site opens and onsite activities commence
02.00pm: Official Program commences
02.10pm: Trop Jr Finalist Films - Part 1
02.40pm: Interval
02.50pm: Trop Jr Finalist Films - Part 2
03.15pm: Judging Time Out
03.30pm: Awards Ceremony The afternoon will finish at approximately 4pm.

Admission is free!
For more information visit: http://www.tropjr.com.au/

The 8 Finalists for Trop Jr 2008 are:
Poor Joshua Verde
Director: Guy Verge Wallace
State: NSW

Remote
Director: Nera Skirpic-Vuckovic
State: QLD
Imaginature
Directors: Chester Greaves, Callen Hardie and Matt Cochran
State: VIC

Free Free at Last
Director: Japonica Mauala
State: NSW

Ode to Collector
Director: Marisa Lai
State: VIC

The Life of Perfarto
Directors: Students Years 5/6Main Arm Upper Public School
State: NSW

The Ducks of General Green
Director: Tim Brown
State: TAS

Besties
Director: Jasmin-Johanna Mobbs
State: NSW

Generation G - Adelaide

Windmill Performing Arts in Adelaide have a wonderful new initiative. Generation G encourages grandparents and their grand children to experience theatre together.
Membership is free and as a member, you will have exclusive pre-show events and post-show functions. You will also have access to special ticket pricing and promotions.

Visit Windmill Performing Arts to learn more about Generation G and upcoming performances in Adelaide and touring schedule for other states.

Image courtesy of Windmill Performing Arts