Coding time for kids

Infinite Arcade: Dream, design and play your own video games (Found via swiss miss).
Hopscotch: Kids can create their own software.
Club Code Austalia: A network of coding clubs for Australian kids aged 9 - 11.
Scratch: An oldie but a still a goodie.
Code4Fun: Programming school for Sydney kids.

Art Month Sydney | Youth and Families

Last night we attended the opening evening of Art Month Sydney 2015 at the National Art School. The family program is full of architecture, photography and art experiences for your young ones. It is also wonderful to branch out the family program for older children.

Art Month Sydney - March 2015
various venues

Japanese Film Festival | families and youth

The 2014 Japanese Film Festival has arrived in Sydney. We love this festival and we have put together a list of films that are classified.  The live action version of Kiki's Delivery Service will most likely be on top of the list for families but for older children there are some wonderful films/documentaries to catch.

Kiki's Delivery Service (G)

Lady Maiko (PG)

Thermae Romae (PG)

Thermae Romae II (M)

The God of Ramen (G)

Wood Job (PG)

Short Peace (MA)

For the full 2014 festival program visit http://japanesefilmfestival.net/

The Walking Neighbourhood | Art and About Sydney

The Walking Neighbourhood is a concept that premiered in Brisbane in 2012 and involved children leading tours in their own neighbourhood - giving people a rare insight into the world of kids living in inner city suburbs.

 

Today we took The Walking Neighbourhood tour in Kings Cross that is running within the Art and About program. We all met in the Departure Lounge in the Rex Centre and selected which tour we wanted to take.  The departure lounge is an interactive waiting station where you can view the gallery of found items from previous tours, draw on the large map of Kings Cross, learn more out the tour guides and share what you love about Kings Cross. We all decided that the Underground Mystery tour was the one for us. (There were many other tours to choose from) Our tour guides Finn and Nick (aged 11) were confident and proud of their neighbourhood as they lead us around their underground hangouts.

The Walking Neighbourhood moves to Redfern next week. To  book tickets (free) or to get more information visit: Art and About Sydney.

Thanks Finn and Nick for sharing your world.

LEO | Sydney Opera House

The stage consisted of a large screen and an empty room - the lights darkened causing tiny apprehensive whispers to circulate around the room. When the lights went up we are introduced to a man and his suitcase - how did he get there and most importantly - why was he there?

LEO is a beautiful performance incorporating physical theatre, video projection, dance, music and a piece of chalk. French acrobat William Bonnet glides around the room with his movements projected onto the big screen pulling us into alternate worlds. Bonnet's strength is spectacular but not surprising with his extensive background in aerial acrobatics.

The young audience were in fits of laughter as they jumped from screen to room in delight of this gravity defying adventure.  A small segment consisting of a repetitious dance routine may have little ones restless but will be enjoyable for older children and parents.

How does this lone man eventually leave the room?
Well......we will leave that up to you to find out.

Recommended for school holidays.

LEO 
until 13 July
Sydney Opera House
for ages 8 and over

Minuscule - Valley of the Lost Ants

Over the weekend we went to a screening of MINUSCULE - VALLEY OF THE LOST ANTS. This is a wonderful film for families, especially for those who are ready to introduce their child to a cinema experience for the first time.

Unlike the majority of films that come out every school holidays -  Minuscule is a beautifully paced animation with live cinematography which weaves an engaging story of a lost ladybug and two ant armies battling it out for a tin of found sugar.


MINUSCULE - VALLEY OF THE LOST ANTS
screens nationally from 6 May.

Arts Rocket Friday Finds

 source

School Holidays have kicked in:

• Discover the Lego Colosseum at the Nicholson Museum
• Kids and Family have not been forgotten at the Sydney Biennale...programs include: Baby Biennale | "Schools Out" Holiday program | Family Sundays
• Explore Japanese Cinema at Japanese Cinema Week - Free films!
• Wonderful documentary follows 11 year olds from  around the world I am Eleven Q&A
• Have you  checked out BIG kids magazine yet?  
• Make your own Lego maze
• Drive out to Gymea to visit the Hazelhurst gallery for LOOK! The art of Australian picture books.  Free family day Sunday 1 July

Arts Rocket Friday Finds

This week our Friday Finds consists of fun filmmaking resources for kids. 

• Little Big Shots - We love a film festival that just caters to kids.  LBS's packages short films to suit all age groups.  Great way to get kids to explore bite sized cinema.   
• Screen it  - Registrations are now open for film and video game makers at the Australian centre of moving image. When you register kids will have access to online resources and production tools to assist with their creation.
• Movie maker - The ultimate guide to making films
• Metro Screen Youth Program - Great courses and support for up and coming young film makers
• Trop jnr - Junior version of trop fest - entries for 2013 opening soon
• Keep your eye for clay animation workshops over the school holidays at the Australian National Maritime Museum.  My kids went along last holidays and loved it. Next week we are invited to a special screening evening of all the animations made. They will be writing about it here next week.
• Hey Kino - Sydney - When are you going run a Kino Kids?

Arts Rocket Friday Finds

Image: Lotta magazine

• Documentary I am Eleven screening 25th March focuses on fifteen 11 year old children from around the world
• Ad free magazine  Lotta Magazine  for kids aged 5 - 10 years. We love their Place in a Case pictured above. 
• Also check out their blog!
• Stop-animation and claymation fun at the Maritime Museum 
• Jitter - Illuminations  - Special screenings of Australian animation featuring Shaun Tan and Adam Elliot
• Japanese Cinema Week -  Free screenings from 16 - 20th April - including Studio Ghibli's Porrco Rosso
• Fun ideas over at Classic-Play

Arts Rocket Friday Finds

• La la Land colouring books featuring Australian and International artists
• Sign up camera loving  kids to the Art House Co-op Series 
• Sydney Opera House goes  Lego  
• Film festivals in Sydney with great family films - check out French Film Festival, Young at Heart and the Silent Film Festival
• Pop up Paper Zoo at Tinkerlab

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer | Recorders | MCA

We visited the Rafael Lozano-Hemmer Recorders exhibition at the 'under construction' MCA yesterday. Thankfully we just made it in time before it was packed away.   We love exhibitions that allow kids to participate, be involved and get excited about  art.   Recorders ticked all the boxes for us.

"Recorders are artworks that hear, see or feel the public and record and replay memories entirely obtained during the show" Rafael Lozano-Hemmer

We look forward to what the MCA will bring when it reopens in March.

          

Flickerkids - Flickerfest 2012

Last weekend we headed down the road to check out  what Flickerfest had on offer for kids.  Based in Bondi Beach, Flickerfest has grown to become Australia's only competitive International Short Film Festival with entries coming from across the globe.

Even though it wasn't what you would call cinema weather  there was a great crowd of families attending - some even had their swimming gear ready for a dip after the screening. The session screened eight shorts with a fantastic combination of animation and live action. Films represented were from Australia, United Kingdom. Norway, Germany and the USA.

My kids favourites were:
The Itch of the Golden Nit
A BBC production that involved thousand of children across the UK contributing drawings, sound effects and story ideas.
and Australian productions Toot Toot and Play lunch.

Extras

• For ages 6 - 12 years
• The bar featured goodies that were preservative free and not junky
• After the session head out to the balcony with your drink for the best view of  Bondi Beach
• Bring your swimming gear and make the most of Bondi Beach
• If you are not based in Bondi Beach - consider public transport

Bookings
This session is repeated on Thursday 230pm and at only *$5 a ticket makes it the best value cinema going this holidays (*$5 kids | $10 adults | $20 family of 4). Bookings

Shadow Theatre

If you like to celebrate Halloween or not... This great idea for shadow play from Kate at Mini Eco is a wonderful and scary way to have fun this month.

We were lucky to catch Me and My shadow earlier this year at the Opera House which explored the delights of shadow play as a child.

We will making Shadow Box Theatre in the next week...will post our efforts up soon!

Instructions how to make your own:

http://www.minieco.co.uk/cereal-box-shadow-theater/

More inspiration:

Owly Shadow Puppets

Dexter and the Dragon

Little Fable Shadow Theatre

Machine Atlas | 25 - 28 August

Machine Atlas brings together a group of young Australians to create machines for the future that inspires change, consequence and invention. The community are invited into this world where anything is possible - incorporating performance, music, film and installation..

At this market you can sample an array of bespoke machines for living ...

Machines that we need

Cause and effect machines

Mechanical body extensions

Machines that make you look good

The world of Machine Atlas has been created by 80 young people and a team of emerging theatre makers involved in Shopfront's Outreach and Education Program.

Age Group: This exhibition will inspire teens as well as younger kids who like to create and build.

Dates: 25 (Preview) - 28 August

Venue: Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street, Kogarah

Cost: Free event

**Shopfront also present interesting school holiday workshops - keep your eye on their website for upcoming details.

Performance, Art, Animation + Design in July School Holidays

Image: Cynthia Sciberras

School Holidays are fast approaching... What do you have planned? Here is a quick overview of some great ideas in Sydney for all ages to explore.

PERFORMANCE

Aleksander and the Robot Maid | 1- 9 July | Seymour

Part of the new Reginald season, this Australian play written by Caleb Lewis looks like fun for all ages. An original steam - punk adventure where childhood curiosity and friendship prevail.

Age group: 8 to 108 years

Boat | 4- 16 July | Darlinghurst Theatre

Terrapin Theatre brings this piece about mariners Jof and Nic and their captivating journey on the high seas to the stage.

Age group: 5 to 12 years

Emily Eyefinger | 11- 16 July | Seymour Centre

Based on Duncan Ball series, Emily Eyefinger is the story of an adventurous heroine, Emily, who born with an extraordinary gift, an eye on the end of her finger.

Age Group: 5- 10 years

Hairspray | Until 7 August | Lyric Theatre

Based on the John Waters film, "Hairspray" looks like a great option if you have kids that love to sing and dance. Introduce them to the world of musicals.

ART, ANIMATION AND DESIGN

Look at me: What do you see? | 4 - 15 July | Art Gallery of NSW

The kids can explore the new contemporary galleries at the Art Gallery of NSW with the stress free "Look at me: What do you see?" Interactive character tour.

Age Group: 3 and over

Stop Motion! Workshop | 11 - 13 July | PACT

Work with experienced animator Lucinda Clutterbuck to learn and develop animation skills using pixilation and stop motion photography with digital camera, and a combination of digital and traditional image making.

Age group: 13- 15 years

Architectural Science for Kids | 5-7 and 12-14 July | Powerhouse Museum

Architecture is a practical application of design and engineering. In this hands on workshop children will create architectural structures.

Age Group: 8 - 12 years

+ DISCOVER

Underbelly Arts - The Lab | 3-12 July | Cockatoo Island

Visit Cockatoo Island for a free daily tour to watch the Underbelly artists at work and learn about their projects they create, build experiment, workshop, write and rehearse a diverse program of work.

The Great Bear | Sydney Film Festival 2011

The Great Bear is a Danish animated film screening at the 2011 Sydney Film Festival. The feature follows the relationship between 13 year old Jonathan and his younger sister, Sophie. Like most childhood sibling relationships, Jonathan does not want to have anything to do with his sister.

Jonathan and Sophie take a long train journey to stay with their grandfather on the school holidays and is warned on arrival to stay out of the dense forest that lay beyond his land. A little door on the wall saves Sophie from her brother during a chase but brings her into the forest where she disappears with a 1000 year old bear. Jonathan takes on the task on rescuing his sister from the forest, which has its own dangers and delights.

The Great Bear was directed by Esben Toft Jacobsen. Jacobsen wanted to create a Nordic fairy tale with the film. "Something appealing and scary and epic at the same time. A magical dimension that lies within nature, in the rocks, forests and animals." source

The animated landscape in the film is beautiful and grand. If your kids like movies with a dash of scare factor (like mine!) and lots of adventure, The Great Bear is a wonderful cinematic treat.

The Great Bear screens in English at the 2011 Sydney Film Festival

June 11 | 9.45am and 19 June | 12pm | Event Cinemas

Bookings

Age Group: 7 - 13 years

Japan - Kingdom of Characters | Review

image: Isaac Leung / Japan Foundation Sydney

I think that every kid in their lifetime has fallen in love with a Japanese character. My eldest son was given a set power rangers as a gift from Japan ten years ago. When he walked into the Kingdom of Characters exhibition the oversized Ultraman was what first grabbed his attention. My daughter was drawn to the Hello Kitty room display and my youngest son grabbed my camera to start taking photos of everything.

The exhibition traces the history of Japanese Characters throughout the years and their impact on Japanese society through large storyboards covering each century.

If you are already in the city with the kids it is worth popping in. Take your camera as the kids will love getting their photos taken with the oversized characters. If you have teenagers that are into Anime - there are free screenings and talks that accompany the exhibition. The Japan Foundation Gallery is situated in the Chifley Plaza - next to the food court.

The only disappointment was that my friend Anapanman was not present!

The exhibition runs from the 8th April until the 28 May 2011.

Japan Gallery Level 1 Chifley Plaza

For gallery hours and more details visit http://www.jpf.org.au/jpfevents/11-kingdom/index.html

Vivid Sydney | 27 May - 13 June 2011

I went along to the launch for Vivid Sydney this morning. Vivid Sydney celebrates light, music and ideas and this year the festival features an abundance of exciting interactive and visual experiences for families throughout the city.

I love that kids are encouraged to interact and play with the over 25 light installations. My kiddos are going to go crazy with the Public Art Pencil designed by artists Paul Johnson and Gail Mason. It is a giant sketchpad installation with a laser light to draw with. The Jellight (pictured) lets kids grab the tentacles to keep them from floating into space. Each night throughout the festival the city will transform into a "spectacular outdoor gallery."

Other highlights of the festival include the Fire Dance and the Lighting of the Sails, also the music element of the festival includes a family performance from YO GABBA GABBA!

Visit http://vividsydney.com/ for more details.

Adventures of Alvin Sputnik Review - Sydney Festival 2011

It is really wonderful when a performance piece enthralls a young audience as well as an older one. Weeping Spoon Productions (Perth based) succeed with the beautiful tale, "The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik - Deep Sea Explorer" performed by the multi talented Tim Watts.

My youngest son (aged 7) and I fell in love with Alvin and his underwater journey to save the world (now a world covered in water with minimal land and survivors left) and reunite with the soul of his wife who has recently passed away.

Creator and performer, Tim Watts uses animation, projections, puppetry and singing to bring Alvin and his entrancing story alive.

This performance is one of my favourites from the Sydney Festival 2011 line up.

Downstairs Theatre Seymour Centre

Bookings and more information: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Family/The-Adventures-of-Alvin-Sputnik-Deep-Sea-Explorer/

NEW DATES ANNOUNCED AT DARLINGHURST THEATRE

30 MAY - 11 JUNE 2011

http://www.darlinghursttheatre.com/page/the_adventures_of_alvin_sputnik.html

2 Dimensional Life of Her - Review - Sydney Festival 2011

2 Dimensional Life of Her is a multi-dimensional real-time artwork, incorporating drawing, animation, projections, puppetry and performance from Brisbane based artist/performer Fleur Elise Noble.

This is an intriguing performance piece that breaks the boundaries of storytelling and immerses the audience into Fleur's world as she attempts to control her imaginary world from taking over and causing havoc.

My children (12, 9 and 7) were all captivated as drawings come to life from the paper filled room. My youngest son looked over to me during the show and whispered, "How does she do it?" As we were walking out his eyes were sweeping across the set trying to discover the secrets behind the production of 2 Dimensional Life of Her.

I have a feeling this performance experience will stay with my children (and me!) for a long time.

--

9 - 13 January

4pm, 5pm, and 6pm

Performance runs just under an hour (40mins - perfect timing if you have younger children)

Downstairs Theatre - Seymour Centre

Adults:$30 Child:$15

http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Family/2-Dimensional-Life-of-Her/

More info: http://www.insitearts.com.au/current-projects/2-dimensional-life-of-her/