Summer, summer, summertime – time to sit back and unwind … or, so says Will Smith. How about unwinding with some artsy entertainment over the January school holidays? From the Sydney Festival to summer reading, you and your kids can definitely take the arts exploring at your own pace this season. Here are some ideas for artsy, artsy, artsytime this Sydney summer!
Cover image: She Conjured the Clouds, as part of the Sydney Festival.
Sydney Festival
There’s not much more happenin’ on the Sydney arts calendar each year than the Sydney Festival. I personally think it’s a little disappointing that they don’t have any big, free/low cost family oriented activities this year, as they have in years past, but there are some interesting shows on offer. The family program includes Regurgitator bringing their POGOGO Show to the stage, a couple of intriguing multi-sensory shows (AirPlay at the Roslyn Packer Theatre in Walsh Bay and Justene Williams’ She Conjured the Clouds at Campbelltown Arts Centre), a comedic puppet show, Laser Beak Man at the Sydney Opera House, and the Flying Fruit Circus brings their show Time Flies to the Seymour Centre. (Various dates, times, prices and locations. Check the Sydney Festival website for full details).
Art Kids
Also in conjunction with the Sydney Festival, the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Contemporary Kids program partners with Fambo: A Queer Festival for all Kinds of Families. The ” combination of performance, installation, art-making and dress-ups in a series of drop-in workshops led by some of Sydney’s most exciting LGBTQIA+ artists” runs 11a.m. – 3p.m. each day January 21 – 25. Full details and bookings on the MCA website.
Also on at the MCA, pop in on the weekends (excluding 25 and 26 January) to try out “Boom, Crash, Stitch,” a free family space in conjunction with the current Cornelia Parker exhibition. Kids can squash their own sculpture and do some weaving on a giant TV screen. We tried it out, and it’s good fun! The Cornelia Parker exhibit is ticketed, but the Boom, Crash, Stitch children’s activity is free, drop in. Full dates and times on the MCA site.
Over at the Art Gallery of NSW, drop in and make with a few different free activities. From 6 – 24 January, drop into the entrance court from 11a.m. – 3:30p.m. to make shapeshifting headware inspired by the Japan Supernatural exhbit (ticketed exhibit). And, on Tuesdays and Thursday from 7 – 23 January, join artist Nadia Odlum in the Contemporary galleries between 11a.m. – 1p.m. to “learn techniques from folding to collage, to bindings and more. ” The associated exhibit, Making Art Public is free and well worth seeing! Full family schedule on the Art Gallery of NSW’s website.
See Some Theatre
There’s something for every age and taste happening in Sydney’s theatres over the January holidays. In addition to the offerings at the Sydney Festival, other options include:
- At Monkey Baa, The Listies will be bringing the hilarity with their show R.O.F.L.S.H.A.L.B.O.W.C.O (roll on the floor laughing so hard a little bit of wee comes out) (and if that title doesn’t give you an idea of what you can expect, I don’t know what does!). Recommended for ages 4+. Runs 10 – 25 January.
- The Midnight Gang at the Sydney Opera House brings David Walliams’ bestselling book to life. Ages 6+. Season runs from 3 – 21 January.
- TV’s favorite doctors from Operation Ouch bring a new stage show to the Sydney Opera House 7 and 8 January.
- Tall Stories return to the Sydney Opera House with their production of The Snail and the Whale, based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picture book. Recommended for ages 4+. Runs 10 – 21 January.
- For more Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler, head over the bridge to the Chatswood Concourse for Room on the Broom 18 – 23 January. Recommended for ages 3+.
- An annual tradition, The Australian Shakespeare Company again brings The Wind and the Willows to the Royal Botanic Garden. Pack a picnic and Join Ratty, Mole, Badger, Otter, Portly, and, of course, Mr Toad as they bring Kenneth Grahame’s immortal story of life on the riverbank to the stage! Runs 4 – 26 January.
Splash Out on a Splashy Musical
In addition to shows specifically made for children, there are a couple of large-scale musicals running in Sydney that are perfect for kids old enough to sit through a full-length production.
- With a new score from Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Julian Fellowes and an incredible cast of kids shredding guitars, pounding drums and rocking out live, School of Rock is a treat for all ages. Running at the Capitol Theatre through 16 February, this show is recommended for ages 5+.
- Shrek the Musical, the lavish multi-million dollar musical, starring Ben Mingay as Shrek, Lucy Durack as Princess Fiona, Todd McKenney* as Lord Farquaad and a special guest appearance by Marcia Hines as the Dragon for the Sydney season, will play from 1 January – 9 February 2020.
Music With Your Movies
Between 9 – 25 January, Darling Quarter hosts the Night Owls Film Festival. Each night on the Village Green is a free program of live kids music, a short film, and a full-length family movie. Of course, the movies are good, but we artsplorers really love getting to see some of our favorite local children’s performers. This year’s schedule includes Lah-lah’s Big Live Band, The Beanies, Benny Time, The Vegetable Plot, Angie Who, and more. Find the full schedule on the Darling Quarter website.
Libraries
Many libraries will be hosting summer reading programs, so make sure to sign your artsplorers up! And, check their activities, as most will have free or low-cost children’s activities available.
The State Library of NSW plays host to a range of activities during January. Make sure to make a swing by the new children’s library while you’re there!
Their Activity Centre will host “craft and art, fun and games” 13 – 24 January – Monday through Friday only. ($5 per child – bookings online). Combine this with a free, drop-in children’s tour of the library at 11a.m. and pop-up art making in the gallery at 12p.m.
On 14 January, author Shelly Unwin will present a “madcap writing adventure using her latest book, There’s A Baddie Running Through This Book.”($10 – bookings online).
For teens (13 – 18), a full-day filmaking workshop on January 9 ($85) will help support entries to their Shortstacks Short Film Festival competition.
Do a Workshop
School holidays are the best for branching out and trying something new! There are so many arts workshops on around town during January. Here are a couple of cool ones shared by organisations in the Artsplorers Directory.
Kids Circle (Chatswood and Gordon) –
-Chatswood: Fun and diverse workshops from Arts, Dance, Science, Coding, Magic, Sports under one roof. Pick and choose from half-day and full-way workshops. Ages 5-10 years old welcome! You will never get bored with our activities! A nurturing and fun environment for kids to have the best memories during this school holidays! Creative kids vouchers can be applied.
-Gordon (Gordon Library): Our 1st Limited Edition – Spanish Immersion School Holiday Program with all our activities being run by bilingual instructors, so kids can learn another language while having fun! All levels welcome! Ages 5-10 years old. Tue 14, Wed 15th and Thu 16th Jan 2020. You can book 1 day, 2 days or 3 days. Creative kids vouchers can be applied.
Cost: From $59
Contact: Website, email info@kidscircle.com.au or call 0405 195 225
Creative Kids provider
Les Petits Painters (Chatswood) –
Does your child enjoy art? Summer Art Workshops for kids 5-9 years old on January 20, 21 and 22 in the heart of Chatswood. Choose 1, 2 or all 3 days, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Kids will learn tips and tricks to grow their artistic skills and explore their creativity through different media. Umbrella painting, notebook design and other unique projects to widen their knowledge. They’ll have something new to experience and to bring home everyday.
Cost: $50 per day
Contact: Website, email admin@lespetitspainters.com.au or call call 0428 880 378.
What are you artsploring this summer? Tag your photos #WeAreArtplorers on Instagram. We’d love to see what you’re up to!