Friday Finds

+ Spot on Festival from the 27 Sept - 2 Oct at Riverside Theatres. So much quality stuff on for over the festival. We are looking forward to Slingsby Theatre Company's Oscar Wilde's  The Young Kimg and $10 movie tickets.
+ Lights and  Lanterns / Dandenong Festival of Lights 26 August - 9 October
+ Film in Revolt / A platform for teens who are intersted in film

Sydney Festival 2015 for families

The 2015 Sydney Festival opens next week and has again another wonderful year for families with young and/or older children. Masquerade will be on the top of most families list  and Tabac Rouge will be magnificent.
Ali McGregor's Jazzamatazz! will knock the kids socks off and The Luck Child looks like fun.

This year we will be catching The Kitchen - in 2010 we all went as a family for Roysten Abel's The Manganiyar Seduction and we were all wowed.

There are plenty of free options across the city to keep you busy over the school holidays as well.
The Vegetable Plot - Melodies and vegetables
Hotbed Designs - Blocks prints and fabric paint
Dear Hope Street - A modern day message in a bottle
Australian Museum in the Village - Discover Hyde Park as a scientist
City of Sydney Lawn Library - Books take a holiday outside
Cool down with the Waterfall Swing at Darling Harbour
More free options.

To explore the full family festival program visit: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2015/family

Sydney Festival
8 - 26 Jan 2015

The Australian Ballet | The Nutcracker

Last week my daughter (13) and I went along to our first ballet and we were delighted that is was a dress rehearsal for  The Australian Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. The dress rehearsal was a wonderful insight into the energy and commitment that it takes to pull off the perfection that flows on stage from opening night.

The Nutcracker is a beautiful Christmas story set on Christmas Eve where the audience joins Claire on her adventures in a world conjured up by the magician, Drosselmeyer.

The evening ended with French lemon and sugar crepes from the Sarazine food truck.

Perfect!

Sydney Children's Festival | BIG

Our friends over at BIG will be at the Sydney Children's Festival today..... say hi to them at the Lawn library from 12pm.  Join them in making a tiny inside/outside portrait or create a response on a side by side postcard.

Also on todays list of fun things to do at the festival includes Hula hooping, KAPOW!, Paper, Torch Torch! workshop, Disco - Au Go Go  ++

The festival runs until the 28 September at the Seymour Centre.

Leo - Sydney Opera House

Dancing on the ceiling like Fred Astaire, scaling the walls like Spiderman and floating mid-air like an Indian guru – escape with Leo into an impossible world, where perception and imagination are turned inside out and upside down.
Through an ingenious combination of staging and video projection, Leo rockets you to a world where the laws of gravity are thrown out the window.


We have two family passes to give away (2 adults and 2 children) for the 28 June - 3pm performance of Leo. For your chance email info@artsrocket.org with your child's favourite dance scene from a movie.
Entries close Friday 13 June. ENTRIES CLOSED

LEO
28 June - 13 July 2014
Sydney Opera House
Ages 8 and over



Arts Rocket is not responsible for prizes once they have been dispatched to the winner. Tickets are are not redeemable for cash. Full Terms and conditions

Devdas - The Musical

Over last weekend my youngest son (9) and I were very lucky to experience Devdas. A musical based on a story portrayed in Bollywood for over the last 50 years. Set in India in the early 1900s the story tells of love lost between three people and is brought to life with an ensemble of 15 instrumentalists, percussionists and vocalists and 50 dancers.

The ensemble were fantastic and the dancers and their extravagant costumes were a highlight. Even through the production runs for two hours with an interval, the children in the audience were not restless, although there were moments where we felt a bit lost in what was happening within the story.

This is a wonderful production to let your children experience a different culture and a traditional story.

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/

The Cat in the Hat - Sydney Opera House

image: Leigh Russell

Today we headed to the Sydney Opera House to celebrate Summer with Dr Seuss's The Cat in the Hat  and experience the family friendly precinct along the Broadwalk. As we headed towards the Opera House we could feel the vibe before we even walked into the special Summer at the House area.

Before or after the performance families can hang outside in the sunshine  along the western broadwalk and grab a drink, Mexican from El Loco (with kid size tacos) or delicious healthy ice blocks. We loved this area and there is enough space to wander around and take in the amazing view. There are shaded table areas but make sure you take hats for kids if you miss out and have to take a table in the sun.

The Creative Play areas is a successful concept used to keep young children occupied before they head into the theatre.  Within the foyers kids have a choice of story telling, puppet making and the very popular Seussophone to keep them busy. 

The Cat in the Hat performance (with an all Australian cast) is wonderful for families with young children (3 - 6 years) who love the book and want to see the characters brought to  life. If you have children who are hesitant in learning how to read this is a great opportunity to see a performance that can lead to picking up the book to start their reading adventure.    Cat in the Hat  kept  the young audience members transfixed utilising sound effects, puppetry, vibrant props and kids imagination   to capture the chaos and charm  bringing this classic story from page to stage.

Our tip: Make sure you give yourself time before and after the show to experience everything on offer!

The Cat in the Hat  until 27th Jan 2013
Sydney Opera House
running time 40 minutes
Ages 3 - 6 years
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The List Operators - Kids do Compooters | Sydney Festival 2012

The List Operators - Kids do Compooters is exactly what school holiday entertainment should be all about - silly, disgusting, hilarious and plenty of poo jokes to keep the whole family happy.    My two youngest children (10 and 8) and I did not stop laughing throughout the opening performance of this fantastic show within the Sydney Festival family program.

The List Operators take on Cyberspace and everything floating within it   featuring  plenty of audience  participation to keep the pace going. The game of Pong has never been more exciting.  Matt Kelly and Richard Higgins are masters at captivating a whole audience,  both kids and adults.

Kids do Compooters is so much fun and once word spreads expect it to be difficult to get hold of a ticket.

MORE INFO

All tickets $18.00

Suitable for age group 5+ 

Seymour Centre
Dates
Jan 10 - 13  at 10.00am
Jan 11 - Jan 13  at 12.30pm
Bookings and more info

Riverside - Parramatta
Dates
Jan 17, 19-21 at 10am
Jan 19-21 at 12.30pm
Bookings and more info

Sydney Festival 2012 with kids

The 2012 Sydney Festival ticket sales have gone into full swing. Have you got your tickets? Lots of fun  stuff for kids and families to get involved!

The List Operators for Kids do Compooters
My youngest son (7 years) would love this show. Slapstick mixed with the virtual world!

Holly Throsby presents See!
This looks wonderful for younger children. Holly brings her album See! to life.

Animagica looks like a beautiful piece that incorporates shadow theatre films by Lotte Reiniger with music from Icelandic instrumental group Amiina.

I always like to explore outside the family program for some gems that are suitable for older kids.

L'Effet de Serge

Meet Serge. Every Sunday he entertains his friends with a parade of homespun spectacles, animating everything around his basement and putting some magic back into their lives.

I am Eora

I Am Eora (I am of this place) breaks new ground in contemporary Indigenous performance, telling the stories of Sydney's Aboriginal continuity in a celebration of its heroes. With a cast of performers ranging from the emerging to the iconic, the project aspires to create a legacy for Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike.

Assembly

Integrating dance with theatrical and operatic performance, this grand piece involves more than 60 performers on stage, combining the force and agility of eight of Chunky Move's most exceptional dancers with waves of medieval and contemporary choral music from six principal singers and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.


The festival runs from Jan 7th until Jan 29th.
Festival First Night is free and all ages friendly on the Jan 7th
For more details and bookings visit: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2012/

Alive and Kicking - OTYP

The youth in Hay have had the opportunity to learn and explore drama, dance, stop motion animation, sculpture, puppetry, creating landscapes from recycled materials and photography under the guidance of OTYP Artistic Director, Mandy Field.

Workshops have been held in various locations around Hay after school and on Saturdays, during the school holidays and in schools with a huge variety of work created. On Saturday the 4th Dec this work will be brought together in an exhibition and performance where young people will share their talents and creativity with the community.

Saturday’s event will include live performances by young people and the puppets they’ve created, films and dance videos made by the young people and displays of sculpture, photography and landscapes. This will be a day of colour, music and life in a celebration of what it is to be young in this community.

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

SPECIAL OFFER - FOX- PREVIEW APRIL 9th, 6.30pm

PREVIEW TICKETS - APRIL 9th, 6.30pm | $10 TICKETS QUOTE "magpie" WHEN BOOKING

Children can come to this performance FREE! | Bookings: Seymour Centre 93517940

FOX is an internationally acclaimed book for young readers written by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Ron Brooks. In 2010 the Monkey Baa team will present an outstanding adaptation which opens at the Seymour Centre in April 2010 before a 30 week national tour.

The haunting text is set to music by Daryl Wallis and the action of the story is presented through a series of poetic visual and striking physical images. Beautifully designed and imaginatively conceived this is a story of friendship and courage.

Suitable for ages 8 - 108!

Visit http://www.sirentheatreco.com/fox/ for more information | Season http://monkeybaa.com.au/fox.html

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The Arrival - Sydney Festival -Review

Red Leap Theatre magically brings to life Shaun Tans graphic novel The Arrival during the Sydney Festival season.

In this wordless production we see a man leave his oppressive country to set up a new life for his family in an unknown country. We follow him on his journey where at first he is lost, wandering attempting to decipher new languages, foods and rituals. Along the way he meets other immigrants who befriend him and guide him in his new life and we also learn of what horrors have forced them to flee their own lands to this new one.

The Arrival is a beautiful piece of theatre that incorporates an ingenious set design, puppetry, dance and physical theatre to tell this universal story of overcoming hardship.

Some parts of the story may go over the heads of children under the age of 8 but they will still enjoy the visual beauty of The Arrival.

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Jan 10 -17 | The Arrival | Red Leap Theatre

CarriageWorks Bay 17

Bookings

Bring it on - 2010

Toumani and Symmetric Orchestra (Youri Lenquette) Paris

Lots of exciting theatre, music, art and film for kids and their families in the New Year.

The Kids in the House program has another eclectic mix of Australian and International performances for all ages to enjoy...the usual baby proms, Little Big Shots and other highlights include Helena and the journey of the Hello...from Terrapin Puppet Theatre directed by the talented Frank Newman, Hansel and Gretel from Danish Theatre Company - Gruppe 38 (we caught their beautiful production of The Little Match Girl), Salt Bush ( A journey through Aboriginal Australia) and so much more...check out the program for full details.

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The Sydney Festival also has a great program in January...Music Alive: Zeeko, One Small Step by David Hastings, The Arrival inspired by Shaun Tans beautiful book and a big favourite amongst families... Circus Oz

Exhilarating performances within the festival include> Toumani Diabate , The Manganiyar Seduaction, Bale de Rue...

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Masterpieces from Paris Exhibition opens at the National Gallery of Australia and runs until April 2010.

Showcasing 112 Post Impressionist masterpieces from artists including Van Gogh, Gauguin, Monet, Cezanne, Seruat and more, all from the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.

The gallery is also hosting a wide range of childrens activties to compliment the exhibition.

Check out the programs, see a few shows and enjoy what is going to be an exciting year.

Helena and the Journey of the Hello Highlights

Sydney Festival 2010

Image by John McDermott

Sydney Festival 2010 tickets go on Sale Monday 9th Nov....The family strand of the festival seems to getting better every year. I also discovered some other performances within the program that are also family friendly.

One of the highlights of the festival is The Arrival based on the illustrated book by Shaun Tan, a universal migrant tale set in a fantastical time and place presented by The Red Leap Theatre, New Zealand.

"The Arrival has no actual dialogue and combines a highly physical cast with music, movement, puppetry and shadow play."

Where: CarriageWorks | Jan 10 at 5pm, Jan 11, 14, 16 at 7pm; Jan 13, 15 at 11am and 3pm; Jan 17 at 3pm

For booking details visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/artist/1380238?brand=sydneyfestival2010

Other family performances include:

Barely Contained at Darling Harbour | Circus Oz

Music Alive Zeeko |Latest ensemble from Musica Viva

One Small Step | Oxford Playhouse

I will also be taking the whole family to see The Manganiyar Seduction.

For a full list of family performances at the Sydney Festival 2010 visit www.sydneyfestival.org.au

Wizard of Oz - STC - Review

Alirio Zavarce, Ezra Juanta & Patrick Graham

Photo by Tony Lewis

My daughter (aged 8) and I went along to Windmill’s production of THE WIZARD OF OZ By L. Frank Baum presented by the Sydney Theatre Company on Friday evening.

Windmill have mastered children's theatre and there are no expectations with the Wizard of Oz. The performance captivates not just the children in the audience but also the adults. I was laughing throughout most of the show. The set was clever- lots of colour, media installations and enough variety to make you feel you where moving to a different destination. The cast were all wonderful and Ursula Yovich shone as Dorothy and the wicked Witch played brilliantly by Geoff Revell was also our favourite.

If you have younger or restless children, I would recommend the 10.30am, 1.00pm or 5.00pm sessions as the 7pm could be a little late in the evening as the performance spans just over 2 hours.

View trailer

Details: Venue: Sydney Theatre

Season:
Tuesday 27 October 10.30am
Wednesday 28 October 10.30am
Thursday 29 October 10.30am
Friday 30 October 7pm
Saturday 31 October 1pm & 5pm
Sunday 1 November 1pm
Adults: $35Child: $30*Concession: $30*Under 30: $30* Family $110 (for 2 Adults, 2 Children OR 1 Adult, 3 Children) * Additional Child (to Family ticket): $20

For children 8 years and older and their families
Bookings

Lah-Lah's Big Live Band - Review

When the school holidays come along there are always lots of things on for 5-12 year olds to do but babies and toddler activites are few and far between. Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band show at the Enmore theatre is perfect for all of the above age groups and adults will find themselves singing and dancing along as well.

Tina Harris, Lah-Lah, and her band bring a hands on concert experience to children, helping them discover the magical world of music by playing lots of different styles of music to get them moving and dancing, even encouraging the audience to try out the instruments and meet the performers after the show. There is a double bass, drums, saxophone and accordion to check out, and lots of percussion instruments are brought out for children to play along with the band during part of the performance.

Many parents in the inner west will be familiar with Tina’s musical talents as she runs Kindermusik classes for 0-5 year olds during school terms. You won’t be disappointed it’s a fantastic show, running this week and next week until October 18th at the Enmore Theatre in Newtown. http://www.enmoretheatre.com.au/events/2009/10/07/lah-lahs-adventures-proms-for-little-people

Review by Lisa Clarke

Sydney Children's Festival

Kick your heels up at the Sydney Children’s Festival Opening Party on Saturday 3 October. The celebration will be led by Georgie Parker and the Sydney Children’s Festival Choir, who will have every foot in the house tapping. The celebration will continue with a huge dance party where kids can go wild and parents can enjoy a flashback to their partying days. Plus, there’ll be a sneak preview of Erth’s Amazing Room for curious kids.

There are oodles of fantastic workshops, performances and activities to get involved in throughout the festival. See the amazing Circa perform 46 Acts in 45 Minutes, warm up your vocal chords in free morning singing workshops, or kick start your acrobatic career in a week of workshops with Legs On The Wall!
 
Visit www.sydneychildrensfestival.com  to find out more.

Justine Clarke - Sing

Justine Clarke at the Enmore Theatre

A great family show, very relaxed, community feel. Good songs, sing along lyrics and lots of opportunities for audience participation.

Perfect for under 6 age group.

Unfortunately there were only 2 shows in Sydney. Justine is quite pregnant and is doing a small tour.

Worth catching if she comes near you.
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23 June Brisbane Powerhouse, QLD

26 June Canberra Theatre, ACT 

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

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