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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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 +

Unfortunately, I have been unable to fit this years Sydney Children's Festival into our schedule this year. But from what I have been reading plenty of other families have.

Richard Tulloch ventured their with his Grandson http://bit.ly/ppXtVr

Bill Blake (aged 6) and Violet Rickards (aged 7 )reviews I, Bunyip for Time Out Sydney

Have you been? What was your experience like at the festival? If you blogged about it let me know.

Kids' APT Summer Spectacular | QLD

Free artist workshops, performances and tours for kids will bring the world of contemporary art to life when the Kids’ APT Summer Spectacular takes over the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery from January 16 to 26, 2010.

For more information visit http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/apt6/kids_apt

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

COFA Spring Fair - Workshops - Sept 20th

The College of Fine Arts are opening their doors for their annual Spring fair.
This is a great day out for the family - Lots of interesting and fun things to see and do.

Workshops for Children
Photoshop & t-shirt printing *5 - 12 years *material fee $15
Felting *5 - 10 years *material fee $ 10
Pupperty for children *5 - 10 years *material fee $10
Painting with light *8-12 years *material fee $20

There are also workshops for grown ups that range from pinhole photography to life drawing.
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For more information visit: COFA
September 20th 2008 * 10am until 4pm * cnr Oxford St + Greens Rd Paddington NSW
To book for a workshop and for further information, please contact Xueting via email. Children must be accompanied by an adult in the workshops.

Sydney Children's Festival | CarriageWorks 27 Sept - 11 Oct

Sydney Children’s Festival is Sydney’s first official arts-based Festival for kids. It’s spans all artforms with contemporary and indigenous dance workshops, puppetry, visual arts and cartooning workshops, photography competition for kids, art exhibitions by kids, and a range of free, interactive installations and activities around CarriageWorks, plus two massive weeks of performances, special events and talks by popular children’s authors.

The focus of the festival is all on the child as artist and audience – it focuses more on encouraging the child to participate, rather than simply entertaining. Many aspects of the festival also focus on shared experiences between parent and child.

Festival highlights include
MEET DINOSAURS At The Petting Zoo meet Erth’s awesome prehistoric creatures, from cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants. Ancient life-like dinosaurs are alive and mostly friendly (!) in this fun, educational and unique performance event that will delight children of all ages.

THE MEGAPHONE PROJECT
An installation of 24 megaphones...They are large, move, make a sound and a re very red, but they need you to make them come to life! Find out what happens to your voice when you lose it, and follow the sound trail of the big red megaphones as they migrate through the space.

WORKSHOPS
Hip Hop with Nick Power - Contemporary dance with Kate Champion - ATYP Documentary and Television reporting - Cartooning with Matt Ottley - Circus and Aerial skills - Visual arts workshops with Bess O'Malley from Pine St

COMPETITION
Calling all budding photo-journalists! The Festival are searching for the most talented up and coming snappers to win the chance to be an Official Festival Photographer… win a workshop with leading Australian photographer, Lisa Tomasetti, and your images exhibited at the festival.
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27 September - 11 October 10am - 4pm Mon - Sat
CarriageWorks 245 Wilson Street Eveleigh http://www.carriageworks.com.au/
To see a complete schedule of the festival visit the Official Festival Website.

ASSITEJ 2008

Cat by Windmill Performing Arts

National and international performers from around the world will bring the magic of theatre to thousands of children and young people in Adelaide from 9-18 May, 2008.

Held once every three years, ASSITEJ 2008 will feature some of the finest theatre productions from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and Australia, including a diverse program of work by indigenous artists. Entitled “Old Knowledge, New Word”, the festival and congress will attract more than 2,000 international and interstate industry players, artists and visitors from more than 50 countries.

From a stage flooded in water, to a performance set in a wrestling ring, 40,000 South Australian children and young people will have the unique opportunity to experience a dynamic program of shows in spoken word, multi-media, dance, music, large-scale and miniature puppetry and physical theatre.

Highlights include:
The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy
DIRECTOR Andy Packer PLAYWRIGHT Finegan Kruckemeyer
Ages 10 +

Surprises
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER Stephan Rabl
Age 2+

Mr McGee and the Biting Flea
WRITER Pamela Allen DIRECTOR Dave Brown
Age 4-8

For more information on other programes through the festival and booking details: Visit http://www.assitej2008.com.au/

Workshop information can be found here: http://www.assitej2008.com.au/festival/workshops-for-children

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