October School Holidays Arts Guide – Sydney

Title Image: The Snow Dragon by Tall Stories, appearing at the Sydney Opera House

Can we really be staring down school holidays again? I actually love school holidays, because there is always oodles to do. With the gorgeous Spring weather upon us, that’s all the more reason to be out and about. I’m wrapping up a lot of the artsy greatness happening around Sydney for our little people these school holidays. As always, check the Artsplorers Calender of Events for an even more complete schedule of family arts events around Sydney.

See a Show

Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories at the Sydney Opera House – From September 29 – October 6, the Helpmann Award-winning Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories will enchant children and parents alike with the story of an impossibly small man that loves to write. Reinhardt Jung’s internationally lauded novel is brought to life through delicate puppeteering as the lovable and tiny Bambert sets his stories free on miniature balloons. Will anyone return his call? Ages 8+. Read our review.

The Snow Dragon at the Sydney Opera House – The perfect show for little ones with big imaginations,The Snow Dragon arrives in the Playhouse from October 3 – 12 in the form of a festive forest filled with fantastic creatures. This toe-tapping musical adventure that will have you humming for weeks after, follows Billy the goat on a New Year’s Eve adventure as he awaits the annual visit from the legendary Snow Dragon. Ages 3+. Read our review.

Big Bad Wolf at Monkey Baa – He’s the most misunderstood character in fairytale history. Put simply he has no friends. But then he does have incredibly sharp teeth, yellow eyes and his own ideas about personal hygiene, and he is the infamous Big Bad Wolf after all. No one likes him. Luckily one girl is brave enough to double check this wolf ’s bad press and an unlikely friendship is born. October 3 – 6. Ages 5+.

Yo Diddle Diddle at the Sydney Opera House – Retelling the story of the famous cow who jumped over the moon, Yo Diddle Diddle is a hilarious  hip-hop infused adventure that explores resilience, determination and the power of friendship.  Families can bust a mooo-ve with this guaranteed crowd pleaser in the Studio from October 10 – 14. Ages 4+.

Josephine Wants to Dance at Riverside Parramatta – Josephine is a kangaroo – who loves to dance. When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully Josephine learns that there is another way to dance – ballet. However, on the day of the first performance, the ballet company is in trouble: the prima ballerina has twisted her ankle and the understudy has a splinter in her toe! If you missed this at Monkey Baa Theatre earlier this year, you have another chance to see it October 11 and 12. Ages 4 – 9.
Read the Artsplorers review here. 

Red Racing Hood at Monkey Baa –  Welcome to the town of Grinalong! Grinalong was once famous for the car race, The Grinalong Classic. Fifty years ago the race stopped. A wolf that lived in nearby Tangled Woods destroyed racing cars and the drivers fled in terror. But now, the new Mayor has a plan to bring back Grinalong’s glory days, and to re-launch the race. However, it soon becomes obvious that he is more interested in furthering his own ambitions and lining his pockets than helping the town… and he doesn’t mind hurting Red and Gran in the process. Red and Gran fight for survival, relying on their wit, determination and cunning to overcome the Mayor and win The Classic. October 10 – 13 Ages 5+. 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at the Seymour Centre – Returning to Sydney following a successful 22-city national tour, this spectacular and colourful production takes audiences on a journey through a pop-up-like version of four of Carle’s stories – The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse and The Very Lonely Firefly – brought to life with a menagerie of 75 loveable puppets. October 13 – 14. Ages 12months+.
Read the Artsplorers review here. 

Festival Vibes

Fambo – The inaugural queer contemporary arts festival for families, Fambo, will launch during the upcoming school holidays on 29^th September. A first of its kind, Fambo offers a unique opportunity for children and families to engage in queer contemporary arts and culture.
Fambo will roll out an exciting program of workshops, activities and performances led by LGBTIQA+ artists to celebrate the queer experience through connection, creation, participation and play.

Spot On Children’s Festival –  Riverside Theatres has gathered some of the best children’s entertainment from across the country for their seventh annual Spot On Children’s Festival. The five-day Festival will feature a fantastic line-up of theatre, musical performances, film and free activities that are guaranteed to keep the kids entertained these October school holidays.
The Spot On Children’s Festival is where children and their families can explore the world of the arts, delve into stories of magical creatures and places near and far, and experience the power of live theatre and dynamic cinema. October 9 – 13. 

Artsy Craftsy

Contemporary Kids at Museum of Contemporary Art –  Let your imagination run wild as you and your little one fly into a realm of new worlds and fill them with fantasy creatures. Draw out your own flying machine or character and go on an adventure through the Creative Studios, making friends along the way. Drop in as many times as you like throughout the week with your family ticket. October 2 – 6. Ages 4+.

Drop in and Make at the Art Gallery of NSW – Free artmaking activity for families from 11a.m. – 3:30p.m.  1 – 5 October: Marvelous Mementos – Take inspiration from Kathy Temin’s large artwork My monument: black garden in the exhibition Spacemakers and roomshakers: installations from the collection to create your own textured diorama to celebrate someone special in your life.
7 – 12 October: Shake it Up – Be inspired by the artworks in Spacemakers and roomshakers: installations from the collection to create your own artwork that shakes up different ideas about what art can be.

Utzon’s Universe at the Sydney Opera House – Utzon’s Universe is a series of free workshops for kids, based on the book Utzon’s Universe written by Denmark’s finest architectural educators Malene Abildgaard and Julie Dufour. Create and play with House in a Tree, A Figure of Yourself, Chair with a Form and Platform with a Roof.  Each station will be staffed by an artist who will help you and your family produce wonderful creations based on the architectural principles of Jørn Utzon. Make mini models and daring constructions with the whole family! Free event (bookings necessary). October 13 and 14. All ages.

Joyful Sounds

The Beanies EGG-strordinary Day – The Beanies are bursting out of the radio and on to the stage! Best known for their award-winning podcast The Beanies Imagination Station on Kinderling Kid’s Radio, join Laura, Mim and Michael Beanie as they do The Silly Dizzy Dance, sing Saturday Morning Cuddles and even have a Painting Party. September 29 – 30. Ages 3 – 8.
Read our interview with The Beanies. 

Lah-Lah’s 10th Birthday Party at Riverside Parramatta – Come and party with stars of ABC KIDS Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band as they celebrate their 10^th Birthday at Riverside’s Spot On Children’s Festival. It’s an hour of singing and dancing fun full of Lah-Lah hits and laughs. And don’t forget everyone gets to meet the band, and the instruments, after the show. It’s going to be a great party, and you’re invited!

New Digs!

Open Day at the State Library of NSW – Be the first to visit State Library NSW’s new galleries and learning centre on Saturday 6th October. “We’re opening up the Library with six free exhibitions, interactive digital experiences, and a rich program of fun activities for the whole family. Come and celebrate with us!” Program includes All Day Craft Activities, Zine making workshop, stories from around the world, and workshops with authors Aura Parker and Tim Miller.

Mover Shakers

Gravity and Other Myths at Barangaroo – Tumble into the wonderful world of circus these school holidays with Gravity & Other Myths in a brand new acrobatics workshop for ages 5-12 years.
Acrobat’s Academy is a rare opportunity for kids to meet and learn from the world renowned acrobats of Gravity & Other Myths. Guided by these highly acclaimed artists, kids will exercise skills of co-ordination, strength, teamwork and self-expression in a fun and supportive atmosphere.
In a 90-minute session, participants will watch an excerpt from A Simple Space – a multi-award winning show that has been performed more than 500 times across 24 countries. Following this inspiring performance, kids will divide into smaller groups to warm up and explore their physical potential through movement games, floor based acrobatics and group acrobatics. 2 – 7 October.

Celebrate, Create, Corroboree at the Royal Botanic Garden – Participate in a hands on experience to create your very own headpiece or arm band to wear as you learn about the purpose and movements of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal dance to create our own Corroboree! October 2 – 5 and 12th. Ages 6 – 12. 

Do a Workshop

Whether you need placement for your child for a whole day, or want to give them a chance to try something new for a couple of hours, school holidays workshops are good opportunities. Some of the businesses who list in the Artsplorers Directory of Sydney Area Arts Classes have told us about the workshops they’ll be running. Check them out, and tell them that Artsplorers sent you! 

4Cats Arts Studio (North Sydney and Lindfield) – Our camps are designed to put kids in charge of creating their own art adventure.
Throughout the camp, kids are given the opportunity to choose their own projects from a variety of mediums, which encourages a love of learning, independence, creativity and artistic flow. Artists are encouraged to follow their own interests! Earn and collect badges throughout the adventure.
Dates -October 2nd – October 14th
Cost – Camps – $150, half day and $300 full day. Workshops – 2 for $45
More information on 4Cats Arts Studio camps and workshops.

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