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

Sydney Festival 2014 | Family

image: Joshua Morris

Ok - we have been busy so this is my first chance to go through the Sydney Festival 2014 program in detail.  The festival starts this week and is a great way to fill in the last few weeks of the school holidays.

There is a lot to choose from this year -  a wonderful selection of performances and activities for families - and if you still want more, it is also fun to beyond the family strand (especially if you have older children) to discover some interesting finds.

If you are a family of four - the festival also has family packages for some performances. For families on a budget these holidays but still want their children to be involved in the festival -  check out the free performances and activities on offer.

We love everything in the program but we are looking into these performances:

Othello - The remix: My eldest son (15) would love it if this is how Shakespeare is taught in school.
Band of Magicians: Magic is extremely popular in our house at the moment with my youngest son (9) and this performance is number one on his list!
Ockham's Razor: Looks absolutely amazing - Circus meets storytelling.
The Piper: Limited tickets to be involved and on stage of this intriguing retelling of The Pied Piper of Hamelin.  The Piper incorporates multimedia, puppetry and stagecraft.
Tom Thum: Beating the Habit: I caught Tom at Tedx Sydney in 2013. Kids of all ages will love Tom Thum.
Jazzamatazz!: Cabaret singer Ali McGregor does jazzy beats for kids.
Lao Qiang: Expand the music your children are listening to with ancient Rock'n'Roll from the East.

To  browse the full family program visit: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2014/Family/

Sydney Festival 2013 with kids

Sydney Festival program time again.... I already have my tickets for David Byrne and St Vincent (I will be taking my teen son with me!).
This is what we are also looking forward to:

The Listies  | Earworms   The List Operators performance at the 2012 Sydney Festival was one of the hottest tickets for families.  Another  must see show for 2013. Jan 15th - Jan 19th 2013

School Dance This looks great! Teen awkwardness at a school disco, a new work by Windmill Theatre. Jan 10th - Feb 3rd 2013

It's Dark Outside   From the creators of  the beautiful The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer  (Sydney Festival 2011) this performance tells the story of an old man venturing out into the wild. Jan 11th - 15th 2013

We got to see a few Francis Bacon pieces in Italy so I am excited that the Art Gallery of NSW  will be exhibiting him as part of the festival (recommended for older children).

This is only the tip of the iceberg on what will be presented over the festival: Visit http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2013/ to see the full program. If you have older children don't be afraid to explore outside of the family program - there are some gems to be found.

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

Happy New Year!

Bring on 2012!

What we will be  up to in January:

• Visiting the GOMA for the Matisse, Pip and Pop and Yayoi Kasama exhibition
• My daughter will have her first Opera experience with The Magic Flute
• Heading to shows at the Sydney Festival
• Flickerkids at Flickerfest
• Stage Fright! at New Theatre
• Circus Oz - Steampowered
• Interviewing Finegan Kruckemeyer

Happy New Year to all.

x

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/

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

Power Plant review - Sydney Festival 2011

The Chinese Gardens at Darling Harbour plays host to Power Plant, the amazing collaboration of UK artists: Mark Anderson, Anne Bean, Jony Easterby, Kirsten Reynolds and Ulf Pedersen.

Power Plant is a fun and exciting evening event for families. My daughter (aged 7) and I followed the path through the gardens to discover a wonderland of light, sound and visual creations.

What we loved:

Eerie sounds coming from Gramophones, psychedelic flowers spinning in the night, the inaccessible red glow and strange sounds from the temple, fire dancing on the water, luminous lampshades guiding the way, hidden snails in kaleidoscopic garden.

If this sounds up your alley - Get to it!

• Prebook your tickets online for the 8.45pm timeslot
• Wear comfy flat shoes
• Give the kids a nap in the afternoon to stay up late
• Share a drink at the end amongst the installations

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Jan 15, 16, 18-23, 25, 27-39

Time Entry between 8.45pm- 10.15pm

Closes 11pm

Adult -$15 Child $10 Family - $40(2 adults 2 children)

For more information visit: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Family/Power-Plant-at-Darling-Harbour/

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.

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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/

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/

Snow on Mars - Sydney Festival 2011

Our whole family loved The Book of Everything at the Belvior on earlier in the year.  So we are very excited to see that Richard Tulloch and Kim Carpenter have teamed up again for the production of Snow on Mars. The production will incorporate aerial, actors, music, song and digital animation.

12-year-old Waylon (physical performer, Rick Everett) wants to be the first man on Mars.

From a country caravan park, he writes letters to his hero, Andy Thomas. It seems impossible that Waylon could ever become an astronaut. His Dad (Elliott Weston) and Nan (Deborah Kennedy) move around so often that he is falling behind in his schoolwork.

Waylon getting into NASA is as unlikely as finding snow on Mars.

With the help of his Nan and local girl Gabi (Danielle Jackson), Waylon throws himself into the challenge, entering a project about the difficulties of landing the first man on Mars.

They discover that, although dreams may not necessarily come true, there is much joy and excitement to be had in reaching for them.

Writer: RICHARD TULLOCH. Concept & Design: KIM CARPENTER. Director: GALE EDWARDS. Composer: PETER KENNARD. Choreographer: ROWAN MARCHINGO. Lighting: TRUDY DALGLEISH. Digital Artists: MICHELLE FRENCH & BETSY BAKER. Advising Astronaut: ANDY THOMAS. Cast: ELLIOTT WESTON, DEBORAH KENNEDY, DANIELLE JACKSON, RICK EVERETT, DEAN CROSS.

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More details:

January 7 to 16

 York Theatre, Seymour Centre.

 Suits ages 6-106 Adult $36, Child $24 Family $23 x 4 = $92.

Bookings: Sydney Festival 1300 688 812. Seymour Centre 02 9351 7940 Ticketmaster 1300 723 038 http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au

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

What would kids do if they could do anything?

Erth, the creators of the famous dinosaur Petting Zoo, are looking for kids to be part of the creation of the Amazing Room – a new component of the upcoming Sydney Children’s Festival.
Erth are busily designing this crazy, silly play space, and are seeking some input from kids .

This coming Tuesday 21st July at 6.30 pm, come down to CarriageWorks with your child, aged 6 – 12years, and take part in a 1hr workshop where Erth’s Artistic Director, Scott, will be asking "What would kids do if they could do
Anything?". 

Yummy pizza and drinks with be provided. Email scott@erth.com.au by Tuesday to participate.
There's room enough for 10 kids plus their parents to participate and you must register with Scott to attend.

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

2009 Sydney Festival - Jan 10 -31

Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 Sydney Festival. The majority of the family events take place in Riverside, Parramatta. If you wanted something closer to the city you can check out Kids in the Garden at the THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT or get the kids up early for Dawn Chorus.

Other family highlights include:

Dan Zanes and friends : all ages - Jan 11-12
Join Dan Zanes, former lead singer of rock group The Del Fuegos, his Brooklyn-based band and eclectric music guests as they perform irresistible grooves inspired by all kinds of music from folk roots to early rock ‘n’ roll. Having incited a pint-sized Beatles-like mania throughout the USA, now Dan Zanes brings his rousing family gig to Sydney.

The tragical life of cheeseboy: 8 year and over - Jan 11- 12 + Jan 13-15
Inside a magical travelling theatre tent, discover a storyteller who shares an enchanting and timeless tale.

The Promise: 6 year and over - January 28-31
The Promise is a spectacular fusion of circus and puppetry – dive into a young boy’s imagination while he travels to the far-flung edges of the world with his toy elephant and favourite book. Sparked by a tragedy, he leaves behind the dusty Australian outback, finding new friends and adventure along the way.

Au Revoir Parapluie - Sydney Festival

I took my five year old son to see Au Revoir Parapluie. There are no matinees so we went to an 8pm show. Fortunately there was no interval and the show finished well before 10pm. He was entranced.

I wished that I could have taken him to the previous show Bright Abyss as this was a funnier show. There were similar performance traits in Au Revoir Parapluie as there were in Bright Abyss however from my memory in Bright Abyss it was done for comic effect and in Au Revoir Parapluie it became more dance orientated. Beautiful and fascinating to watch but not so funny.
There was some humour and my son eagerly retold these elements. He was also fascinated by the large hooks and thick ropes that adorned the stage. And enamoured by the sword play that occurred.

He asked a lot of questions during the show so I apologise if anyone reading this was there on the same night and sitting near us. I was unable to explain to him why so many shuttlecocks fell to the stage at the end nor was I able to answer a lot of his questions and my suggestion that sometimes things were just beautiful to watch and didn’t always make complete sense was not entirely satisfying.

The staff were very accommodating of the younger members of the audience. My sister supplied my son with ear plugs which were very effective in dulling down the sound which is usually too loud for him but I did wish I’d bought a booster seat with me.
All in all it was a successful night out and as I rolled his sleeping body this way and that to get his pyjamas on I felt I was seeing elements of the show in my own life and I went to bed feeling nourished which is surely what good theatre should be about (sometimes?).