Rocks Moonlight Markets

This is a fantastic find. The Rocks have gone to a lot of trouble to provide quirky and fun entertainment for everyone, in a family friendly environment. Plus there are stalls and pop up shops for present buying.

Arran and I had a great time. It started with a street lined with chamber musicians, which led us to explore a couple of laneways.
Next we were enticed into an intimate (secret) laneway performance. So we can't tell you what we saw! There are a few shows and they last for around 3 minutes.

After that we passed through quirky book readings to the puppet theatre which alas, was not age suitable for under 18's (which they did tell us before we went in).

We were even a little spooked by the curious tent, as we hadn't taken along a present ... Enough said, again, you need to see it for yourself.

In between grabbing a bite to eat from the market stalls, we also had a boogie at the silent disco, watched some swing dancing and live music in the square. Plus there were Hula Hoop lessons and hairdressing and makeup.

It was such fun. We are going back next week and have even booked in for a hairdo! Apparently next week is "Urban", the look this week was swing.

A great, fun way to spend a few hours. Definitely worth a visit.

Forgot to mention, all the activities, except the puppet show were free. Absolute score for the Rocks!

Opening hours - 5.30pm - 10pm
Friday nights
4 November - 23 December
The Rocks, Sydney

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Joanne Kee

I, Bunyip

Yet another hugely entertaining show by Erth for the whole family.

An introduction to indigenous animals, with stories that have been passed down in communities for hundreds of years.

I, Bunyip is an opportunity for the kids to meet characters both cute and scarey from Australia’s oldest stories.

Puppets that bring these creatures to life.

At Sydney Children's Festival @ Carriageworks
Until 8 October
For 5 years +

Children's activities - Newcastle

Just spent the weekend in Newcastle and found a cracker of a hobby/toy shop.

There are model trains, areas you can test out the Thomas the Tank Engines and model toys. It has a great range of stuff for all ages from jigsaws, lego to Sylvanian families. Their speciality is model kits and trains, but a treasure trove for kids as well.

Easy to spend lots of time here.

Frontline

55 Hunter Street,

Newcastle, 02 4929 1140

For more information visit: http://www.frontlinehobbies.com/

Joanne Kee

www.placesandspaces.com.au

Sydney Design

As part of the activities for Sydney design they had a pop up card workshop at the Powerhouse Museum.

We had great fun at this one and started off with a paper hat, origami cranes and then we moved onto cut out 3D cards and finally pop up stick on 3D cards.

We managed a really cute dog and a sea serpant. If Benji does these workshops again, it is really worth going along.

The pop up cards workshops are finished but there is a whole range of kids activities in Sydney Design which are worth checking out. Of course, the Powerhouse also has lots of all ages friendly workshops and exhibitions.

Joanne Kee

http://www.placesandspaces.com.au/

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/

http://www.sydneydesign.com.au/

Linsey Pollak, Passing Wind - musical performance

“Linsey Pollak is one of Australia’s most brilliant and under-rated composer/musicians. He is wildly innovative in the use of instruments but never lets his experimentations get in the way of the musicality of a work.” — The Courier Mail
watch Linsey make a carrot clarinet

A quirky musical adventure that explores the science of making wind instruments work and how they are invented. Discover other uses for carrots, kitchen gloves, garden hose and irrigation pipes. Linsey turns a rubber glove into Australia's own Kitchen glove bagpipe, with a uniquely Celtic Australian flair. There are panpipes from irrigation pipe, harmonic flutes, Turkish chanters, a feather duster, watering can and instead of eating one, you can actually watch a carrot become a clarinet before your very own eyes.

Don't miss this highly entertaining and intriguing new show infused with Linsey’s gentle humour and irreverence. Linsey studied and worked as a woodwind instrument maker in Europe. He has been Musician in Residence at ScienceWorks, Museum of Victoria and Woodford Folk Festival.

Dates Friday and Saturday 9th & 10th July 2010.
Shows at 10:30 and 2.00 pm Tickets include show and admission to the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Prices from $10 (under 4 years free)
This show is for everyone from 5 to 95. It will appeal to anyone who has an interest in music, sound, science or just wants to be entertained and entranced.

Powerhouse Museum, Coles Theatre 500 Harris Street Ultimo
FOR MORE INFORMATION Bookings: www.moshtix.com.au – or info on Linsey Pollak - watch Linsey make a carrot clarinet Phone: 1300 GET TIX (438 849)

Posted by Joanne Kee

National Public Toilet map

Not exactly what is on, but possibly useful when you are out and about with the kids. A reference map for public loos. Probably need to encourage them now to do one with kids changing rooms and feeding rooms.

http://bit.ly/6kDqcz

Joanne
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Lah-Lah - proms for little people

Lah-Lah's Adventures, Proms for Little people. Coming to Enmore Theatre from 7-18 October
Click here to book or for more information.

Dancing double basses and singing saxophones. Lah-Lah is a brand new performance where instruments come to life in the world of a little girl who can’t sit still! A musical spell will be cast over children aged 2-6 by some of Sydney’s most vibrant and entertaining musicians.



Something very magical happens to little Lah-Lah one night when reading her book - all the characters in her story come to life as instruments! Meeting her friends is lots of fun and Lah-Lah learns all about their funny sounds while she sings and dances.

This show is in a special intimate Proms format, children and adults up close and personal with the 5 piece band. Strictly limited seating available. Book early, tickets selling fast.

Meet Lah-Lah, Mr saxophone, Squeezy Sneezy accordion, Lola the Double bass and Tom Tom Drums and the friendly fairy.There is a chance to interact with Characters after each performance

ALL PATRONS 12 MONTHS AND UNDER ARE FREE. 12 MONTHS AND OVER MUST PURCHASE A TICKET

From Wednesday 7th October through to Sunday 11th
Tuesday 13th through to Sunday 18th but no show on the Friday 16th
Performance times 10 and 11.30.

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

Easter Show

Easter show is on and if you have the stamina, it really is great for all the family. We went from planting a flower to showbags to exhibitions, chicks hatching, petting farm and Erth petting zoo.

Its not cheap, but there is lots to do that doesn't cost money, and surprisingly we found some good food, reasonably priced amongst the flower exhibitions.
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Easter show - 9-22 April, Homebush, Sydney

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

The Nargun and the Stars

Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
January 17-18, 20-21 at 7pm, January 18 at 3pm
Sydney Festival Event
All tix $25

A beautiful show, of Australian mythical tales. The puppetry and the stage settings are a joy to see. It is particularly wonderful to see another ERTH fabulous big bodied production. How such s small arts company manage to put on such large scale works is a mystery, but fantastic that they are doing this.

The special effects and the large scale puppets, which are ERTH's trademark were a joy to watch. Not to mention some fine acting by the three human performers.

It all came together to produce a magical effect. My critical 8 year old, was very taken by the Nargun and despite the cold of the air conditioning and ice blocks for feet, was riveted.

Currently showing as part of the Sydney Festival definitely worth a trip to Parramatta. It is recommended for 8 and over, and is also a treat for adults of any ages.

From the novel by Patricia Wrightson
Adapted by Verity Laughton
Directed by Scott Wright & Wesley Enoch
Produced by Performing Lines.

The adaptation is informed by ERTH’s on-going consultation with the original story owners, the Gunai/Kurnai, Monaro and Boon Wurrung communities of East Gippsland.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Lah-Lah's Adventures

Proms for Little People

Definitely worth an outing with the under 7's. This show finishes on Saturday at the Seymour Centre, Sydney.

This was a fast moving production, very interactive, with dancing, hide and seek, a chance for audience participation. My daughter commented that not even the babies cried, which for those of you who regularly attend children's performances will know that is quite an achievement.

The show is about bedtime and sleep. The instruments come to life for a 4 year old girl. The musician's are top of the range and a big plus is that they can actually act and are part of the piece.

On until this Saturday, if you miss them this time around, keep your eye out for when they are next on. Its a great show for the kids.

Joanne Kee

Tashi and the Phoenix

Book reading and children's afternoon tea

Occassionally the Four Seasons Hotel has afternoon tea and book readings for children. This Saturday it was Tashi with Anna Fienberg, promoting Tashi and the Phoenix.

It is incredible the patience of the children as they queued up afterwards for a book signing. It took us an hour and a half to get our book signed. However saying this, Anna was really good with the kids and took time to chat with everyone. My daugher really enjoyed the outing.

As for the afternoon tea concept, great but it felt totally random. The hotel has a side room set up with a kid's afternoon tea, cute little jelly cups, swan cakes, fairybread, sausage rolls etc.

However, if you arrived just a little before the advertised start time of 2pm, it was extremely chaotic, the tables were practically all taken and I had to work really hard to get two seats together at a table. It wasn't particularly clear that this ws the children's afternoon tea and that there were cushions on the floor for the kids to listen to the book reading, with the adults having tea outside.

I have to wonder if the Four Seasons staff have any real understanding of children as there definitely didn't seem to be enough table seating for everyone in the room, or maybe parents weren't supposed to sit down. This probably being a little unrealistic for some of the younger children. You can't imagine a parent wanting to wander off to another part of the hotel for afternoon tea to leave behind a five year old!

As for the adult's afternoon tea, not sure why this just didn't happen with clockwork precision, as they had catering numbers beforehand and it was after all a set meal. Whilst a very pleasant concept there was a bit of waiting around and I know that the tea couldn't have been prepared fresh (hence the waiting time) as the bread on two of my sandwiches was hard. However on the bright side I did get to read the Saturday papers and the staff were very friendly.

Would I do it again, perhaps, now that I know the procedure.

Joanne Kee

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Tashi and the Phoenix
ISBN 9781741754742
Allen & Unwin
Suitable for Age Group 5-8 years
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Four Seasons Hotel
Childrens StoryTelling Afternoon Tea

Block Rockin Kids! Wollongong

Community Event for the Whole Family
Showcasing local youth in Circus and performance.
Dont miss the launch of Block Rockin Kids!
Saturday 12th of July at 1:00PM

A Beyond Empathy Building Blocks Project
with the young residents of the Bundaleer Estate in Warrawong
and the crew from Circus Monoxide
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Wollongong Youth Centre
Forecourt Burelli and Keira Streets, Wollongong

What Does Red do on Thursday? Review

We saw the performance What Does Red do on Thursday? at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre today as part of the Out of the Box Festival.


The piece was performed by Joachim Torbahn, one of the founders of the German touring performance company Thalias Kompagnons.

The performance revolved around a transparent canvas, in a darkened room, and told the story of a red dot. Torbahn's narration was minimal. He told us that the story was in seven chapters, and at the start of each chapter he explained in a few words what red was about to do.

The story of red then came alive as Torbahn stood behind the transparent canvas and painted each chapter to classical music.

The children in the audience were entranced with the performance from start to end, gasping when Torbahn used a huge paint brush, spontaneously clapping when he painted something impressive, and calling out the names of things they recognised.

The Out of the Box Festival is a highly organised event and despite the crowds of children its attracting, we had no trouble with parking, eating or moving around with a double stroller!

If you live in South East Queensland I highly recommend you go to Southbank this weekend, book yourselves a ticket to What Does Red do on Thursday? and take in the free events which are spread around the arts complexes.

Children to go WILD with orchestra and animals in the holidays

Animal Tracks @ the Zoo from January 15th- 25th.

Playing at Sydney’s famous Taronga Zoo, much-loved Babies Proms maestro Big G, aka conductor George Ellis, promises to tame children and take them on a journey of rhythm and sound as he uncovers the magic behind orchestral music.

Children will join Big G and his two favourite friends Bertie Bott and Sugarplum on a musical animal hunt, as they try to choose the cuddliest, creepiest and scariest animals in the zoo through the inspiration of classical and pop music.

World famous classics such as Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and even Elton John’s Crocodile Rock will have children dancing in their seats, while educating them on orchestral instruments and the sounds they produce. Children will also be introduced to new original songs, such as ‘It’s Unreal To Be A Seal’ and ‘Platypus (It’s Obvious)’.
After the show, children will be able to mingle with the orchestra and visit the animals of Taronga Zoo at a special discounted price.

George Ellis has led the country’s top orchestras as well as composing and presenting the hugely popular Babies Proms at Sydney Opera House for the past six years.

Acclaimed comedy and drama writer and children’s author Jimmy Thomson teams with Big G to create the engaging stories, characters and songs.

Animal Tracks @ the Zoo is the first concert for Big G Conducts 2008 and will be staged at the ANZ Conservation Theatre, Taronga Zoo, with a donation going to The Taronga Foundation.

Tickets are $25 and available through Ticketek (www.ticketek.com or 132 849).
All full price tickets include a 15% discount for entry to Taronga Zoo.
Visit http://www.biggconducts.com.au/ for more details

RabbiT - dance movement

image courtesy of The Sydney Opera House

RabbiT is based on the Alice story, re-interpreted into a playful dance/movement piece by Buzz Theatre from WA.

Very cute puppets, bunnies have lots of "aaah" value. Some great movement and use of props. Moves at a good pace, so entertaining for the whole family.
Definitely worth a look. On now at the Sydney Opera House.

Joanne Kee

Gondwana Puppet Theatre

Gondwana was presented by the Australian Museum, Sydney.

So there were only 12 performances for the July school holidays and guess what? they sold out. Children's theatre is alive and kicking.

This show was beautifully staged and executed, featuring Australia's amazing prehistoric creatures and land brought to life with full body puppets and large-scale inflatable plants.

The journey was a bit scarey for some of the younger children, you need darkness for puppets, which can be frightening. However it was a lovely journey seeing giant dinosaurs, insects, indigenous plants, life-size rocks and mammals.

The land masses changed shape, there was a bit of death and murder with flesh-eating dinosaurs nesting, feeding and fighting for survival.

Plus for my daughter the best part was the interactive session at the end, where Basil, featured as a performing animal. He was given eye drops, and fed leaves by various audience members. Plus we now know that his wife and kids live in New Zealand.

Performed by Erth Theatre Company, it was educational and great entertainment.

If you were one of the lucky ones to have seen the show, it was also great value.

Joanne Kee
Ceres Solutions

Bollywood at the Powerhouse - NSW

We thought that Bollywood dancing would be a great activity for the girls, Arran, Eliza and Matilda - ages 7, part of the Art of Bollywood program currently taking place at the Powerhouse Museum.

First off, the Mango dance choreographer's did a great job for a "dance along" scenario. Simple moves, fun, with lots of encouragement. Were they taken aback by the popularity of the dancing by the adults!

Yes the adults crowded out the kids, my daughter tells me she was kind of embarrassed, but what the hell I had fun, and it is certainly a great work out.

There are also dress ups, a winner for all ages. Two Bollywood poster images form a backdrop which makes for some fun images showing on the wall. Definitely take your camera.

The sand/coloured powder artwork was beautiful.

Unfortunately we missed the dance performance, which is on at 12.15.
However, the playground near the cafe was a winner with the kids. Cafe was good, the Powerhouse seem to have lifted its game, as it was looking very weary last time I visited.

Joanne Kee
Ceres Solutions

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Bollywood activities - winter program at the Powerhouse Museum from2-13 July, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo
Admission fees apply - for more information visit The Powerhouse Museum