Events

Published on November 15th, 2018 | by Admin

Arts Centre Melbourne announces Families Summer Autumn 2019 program

Families are invited to experience an array of remarkable theatrical adventures and interactive experiences as part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s 2019 Summer Autumn Families program  from January – May 2019. This season Arts Centre Melbourne celebrates incredible Australian talent from the worlds of theatre, circus, music, puppetry and dance. Children will also become the creators when they conduct their own orchestra, bring puppets to life and choreograph dance moves for a unique dance performance.

Arts Centre Melbourne is a place where children can express themselves. This summer and autumn is packed with inspiring experiences that unite families and children in becoming makers and creators together,’’ says Arts Centre Melbourne Creative Producer, Families and Children, Mary Harvey.

“There will be an abundance of opportunities for children to choose their own artistic adventures and level of participation.  I look forward to seeing our spaces buzzing with joy, creative minds and engaging moments for babies, children, parents, carers and students.”

This summer holidays, the wonderful, wacky and wigged world of classical music’s favourite child prodigy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will be brought to the stage in Circa’s exciting new family show Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus (2 – 12 January). Taking inspiration from the legendary conductor, families also have the chance to create their own masterpiece in the free event, Invisible Orchestra (5 –13 January). Like a giant digital game of musical chairs, little ones and their families use their bodies to make music in the most unconventional ways.

Over summer, children also have the chance to experience a participatory and interactive one-on-one performance workshop with dancer and choreographer Amrita Hepi in A Call To Dance (15 – 20 January). The work invites children to collaborate on a signature dance move that expresses something personal about themselves, community, passions and hobbies. On the final day of her residency Hepi will perform a solo dance from all the dance movements collected through that week.

In March Arts Centre Melbourne will present String Symphony (8 – 11 March) an interactive installation where participants can take hold of a rope and work together to bring to life a giant illuminated puppet, Only A Year (13 – 16 March) a sensory theatre experience for babies aged 0 – 12 months and their carers and Picasso and His Dog (23 – 24 March), a heart-warming story of an artist and his cheeky sausage dog, Lump.

During the April Easter school holidays audiences will have the opportunity to witness an exciting stage adaptation of David Walliams’ best-selling book Billionaire Boy (6 -14 April), created by the makers of Mr Stink and the Treehouse series productions.

Little ones and their families will have the chance to pop on their party outfits for two exclusive events; enjoy a Sunday morning boogie and treat at the High Tea Party (5 May) and experience the circus extravaganza from the makers of Briefs Factory, Brat Kids Carnival (23 March) featuring acrobatics, magic, puppets and ballet.

Throughout the year children also have a chance to unleash their creative side with interactive workshops at The Channel, Arts Centre Melbourne’s high-tech learning lab. Located in iconic Hamer Hall, The Channel is Arts Centre Melbourne’s state-of-the-art workshop and performance space, where people of all ages can share creative, hands-on experiences. Designed for children and their families, these workshops give participants the chance to mix their own music, edit a music video, learn a new magic trick or try their hand at stand-up comedy.

Arts Centre Melbourne’s year-round Families Program was launched in August 2009 and has grown in reputation to become a highly respected program nationally and internationally. Featuring intimate and large-scale theatre from some of the world’s most respected companies and a diverse range of interactive workshops, the program is robust and growing in size, scale and scope.

Watch a short video of the full program here

Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Families Summer/Autumn 2019
Bookings: online or Arts Centre Melbourne Box Office 1300 182 183

Families Summer/Autumn 2019 program

Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus
By CIRCA

Straight from the score and onto the stage, the man known as Mozart appears amid a storm of powder, tumbling and twirling. Discover his irrepressible spirit with Circa’s daredevil artists and a live accordionist. Watch as the notes are lifted off the page in a whirl of physical comedy and mischievous antics.All under the eccentric swirl of the conductor’s baton.

2-12 January
2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 January: 10.30am & 1pm
4, 5, 11: 1pm & 6pm
* Relaxed performance 9 January : 1pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio
All ages

Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Invisible Orchestra
by IO in association with Polyglot Theatre  

Invisible Orchestra is a giant game of musical chairs where the music starts when participants sit down. Families are invited to use their imagination and bottom to shimmy, squash and bop their way around the orchestra. Conducted by special guests including Matt Kelly (The Listies) audiences help compose a symphonic masterpiece by bopping on the musical chairs.

5 – 13 January
10am – 1pm & 2pm – 3.30pm
(No shows on Monday)
Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre Rehearsal Room
FREE
Ages 3 – 12

Arts Centre Melbourne presents
A Call To Dance
By Amrita Hepi, produced by Performing Lines

This one-on-one work featuring workshops and performances by dancer and choreographer Amrita Hepi starts when she chats to participants about themselves, their community, passions and hobbies. From this discussion participants, working together with Hepi, create a special dance move that expresses something personal about them and perform that special move. At the end of each day, at a different Arts Centre Melbourne location, Hepi will do a mini-performance based on the children’s movements dreamed up in that day’s session. On the final day of residency, Hepi will perform a solo dance from all the dance movements collected through that week. Children participating in the workshops are invited back as part of the workshop ticket to watch the final performance. The workshop is designed as a one-on-one experience but if participants are feeling a bit shy, a second ticket is available for a friend or sibling.

Dance Workshop:  15 – 18 January 9.30am, 10.15am, 11am, 1.30pm, 2.15pm, 3pm, 4.30pm, Bombini Mezzanine
Final Performance: 20 January, 11am, State Theatre Rehearsal Room
Workshop: $25 per child per session including entry to Amrita’s final performance
Final Performance: $10 for additional attendees
Recommended for ages 8+

Arts Centre Melbourne and Spare Parts Puppet Theatre present
String Symphony

This March, under our iconic spire, participants are invited to take hold of a rope and bring to life a giant illuminated puppet. Using more than a kilometre of rope, the handwoven giant will be animated by twelve participants who can make it dance, jump and wave. Participate during the day or watch as dusk falls and the puppet is illuminated by hundreds of twinkling lights. This free interactive experience is a joyous and visually stunning spectacle for the whole family.

8 – 11 March
8 March: 6pm – 9pm
9 & 10 March: 1pm – 4pm & 7pm – 9pm
11 March: 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm
Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt
FREE
All ages

Arts Centre Melbourne and Sarah Austin and Co present
Only A Year

Only A Year is an immersive, sensory theatre event designed for babies aged 0-12 months and their carers. Using shadow, light, wind, rain, sun and heat to convey seasons, the beautiful, tactile performance explores the idea that the first year of life is experienced by both baby and carer as the longest, but also shortest, time imaginable. Only A Year features a poetic blend of live music, sound, puppetry, physical theatre and storytelling; creating a delightful and shared experience for both carers and their little ones.

13 – 16 March
9.30am, 11am, 1pm March
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse Rehearsal Room
For ages 0 – 12 months 

Arts Centre Melbourne and Lemony S Puppet Theatre present
Picasso and His Dog  

Based on a true story, Picasso and His Dog tells the heart-warming tale of a man and his dog, and the art that their friendship inspired. It is the story of Pablo Picasso and his best friend, Lump, a cheeky sausage dog with an inquisitive nature. One fine spring morning, a very curious puppy arrived at the home of Picasso. He looked into the deep, brown eyes of the artist and decided he was home. Combining ingenious puppetry, imaginative theatre and live painting on-stage, this mad-cap adventure will delight children aged five and up.

23 & 24 March
23: 11am, 2pm & 4pm
24: 11am & 2pm
*Auslan interpreted performance: Sunday 24 March, 11am
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse Rehearsal Room
Recommended for ages 5+

Lump’s Shadow Creative Workshop 

Children can discover their inner artist in this hands-on creative workshop! Inspired by Picasso and His Dog, they can experiment with drawing styles to create sketches and shadow puppets of their favourite animal. They will then work on creating a world to bring them to life! This is a delightful activity to experience before or after seeing the performance.

23 & 24 March
12.30pm
Recommended for ages 5+
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel 

Arts Centre Melbourne and Briefs Factory present
Brat Kids Carnival

Brat Kids Carnival is a wildly fun afternoon for mischief makers and their grown-ups. Children are invited to pop on their party outfit and join the carnival. Brought to the stage by the team behind international sensation, Briefs, the work features hula hoops at top speed, acrobatics at alarming heights and clowning antics. From awe-inspiring to downright hilarious, this high-energy mix of circus and cabaret is perfect for kids aged seven and up.

23 March
3pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
Recommended age 7 +

Arts Centre Melbourne and CDP Kids present
Billionaire Boy
A play by Maryam Master based on the book by David Walliams

David Walliams’ best-selling book comes to life on stage for 6-12 year olds and their adults! Twelve year old Joe has everything a boy could ever want, from a golden underwater Ferrari to his very own cinema. But Joe is about to learn that money can’t buy you everything. What Joe really needs is a friend. This original Australian stage adaptation, from the team behind Mr Stink and the Treehouse series features songs, laughs, cat sick and sweet potato mash from the canteen.

6 – 14 April
6, 7, 13: 10am, 12pm & 3pm
9: 11am
10, 11, 12 & 14: 11am & 2pm
*Relaxed performance: 10 April, 10am
*Auslan: 6 April, 12pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
Recommended for children ages 6+

Billionaire Inventors Drama Workshop

Have you got what it takes to invent something worth a billion dollars? Get creative, and maybe just a little silly, in this fun drama workshop inspired by Billionaire Boy. Using a green screen and your imagination, participants create their very own infomercial to sell their amazing money-making invention. This is a perfect activity to experience before or after seeing the performance.

6, 11 & 13 April
6 & 11 April: 11.30am
13 April: 10am & 12.30pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
Recommended for children aged 7 – 12

Arts Centre Melbourne presents
High Tea Party
Featuring All Day Fritz, Anna Go-Go and Andrew McClelland’s Starting School

Arts Centre Melbourne’s High Tea Party is a fun-filled morning of high tea and music for little ones and their grown-ups! After a glass of bubbles on arrival (for the adults), families can enjoy a selection of delectable treats before hitting the dance floor for a Sunday morning boogie. DJ Andrew McClelland will kick things off with Starting School, a dance marathon for kids featuring hits from The Smiths, Prince, The Supremes, Beyoncé, Daft Punk and more. Once everyone is well and truly warmed up, All Day Fritz will bring their signature swinging tunes to the stage – joined by cult-favourite dance teacher, Anna Go-Go.

5 May
11am
The Pavilion
Recommended for ages 3+ 

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Arts Centre Melbourne present
Class Clowns Melbourne Heats and Victorian State Final

Class Clowns is Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s development program for young people aged 14-18. In Melbourne, the program consists of four heats then a State Final. State Final winners are transported to the National Grand Final in Melbourne during the high-profile hijinks that is the Comedy Festival 2019. Participant entry is free and registrations can be made on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival website.

Heats – Thursday 7, Friday 8, Saturday 9 March, Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
State Final – Saturday 16 March, Arts Centre Melbourne, The Pavilion
Recommended for ages 4 – 18 

Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Instant Rockstar

Instant Rockstar workshops let participants be the star! First, they compose their own piece of music using our library of thousands of sound samples. With so much to choose from, whether its dubstep, jazz or rock you’re into, they’ve got it covered. The team will then use the participant’s song to create their own music video!

17, 18, 23 January
16 February
23 March
12 & 16 April
18 May
15 June
10.30am – 1pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
Recommended for ages 8 – 12*
*Children must be accompanied by an adult. Accompanying adult free.

Arts Centre Melbourne and Australian Music Vault present
Poster Design

Starting with a guided tour of the Australian Music Vault exhibition, this workshop encourages young people to explore the world of poster making. Advertising live music through the poster has a long and dynamic history. Inspired by the vibrant, energetic and memorable posters from the Australian Performing Arts Collection, participants will use Photoshop to create their own poster to take home and hang on their bedroom wall.

14 January and 18 April
10am – 2pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
Recommended for ages 10 – 16*
*Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Accompanying adult free.

Arts Centre Melbourne and Australian Music Vault present
Lyric Writing – Hip Hop

Starting with a guided tour of the Australian Music Vault exhibition, this workshop takes young people deep into the art of lyric writing. Inspired by some of Australia’s finest lyricists, including Sia, Nick Cave and Midnight Oil, participants will have the opportunity to analyse what makes a great lyricist using examples from the Australian Music Vault, then create their own masterpiece with guidance from experienced songwriters at The Channel.

17 January & 17 April
10am – 2pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
Recommended for ages 10 – 16*
*Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Accompanying adult free.

Arts Centre Melbourne presents Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s
Comedy Crash Course

Calling all cheeky cherubs and funny monkeys! This two-hour workshop will offer a crash course in comedy from a professional comedian – with an emphasis on learning how to write jokes, tell funny stories, develop sketches and have a laugh in the process.

18 January & 12 April
Ages 10 – 12: 11am – 12.30pm
Ages 13 – 16: 2pm – 3.30pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
Recommended for ages 10 – 16*
*Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Accompanying adult free.

Arts Centre Melbourne presents Lee Cohen’s
The Magic Workshop

Discover the art of magic! Step behind the velvet curtain and uncover the mysteries of magic with The Magic Workshop. Once children have sworn the magician’s oath, they will be let into a world of secrets and mind-boggling twists and turns! Participants will receive a bag of tricks to take home to amaze family and friends.

16 January, 10 & 17 April
Ages 10 – 12: 11am – 12.30pm
Ages 12 – 16: 2pm – 3.30pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
Recommended for ages 10 – 16*
*Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Accompanying adult free.

Arts Centre Melbourne presents
City Beats

A masterclass in audio production and beat making with artist producer Benji Miu that will inspire children to think outside the box, and experiment with sounds in ways that will blow their mind. Participants will learn how to take field recordings of city sounds, then turn those sounds into a musical instrument to use in a song or soundscape using the software Ableton Live.

15 January & 10 April
10am – 2pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
Recommended for ages 14 – 18*
*Children must be accompanied by an adult. Accompanying adult free. 

ACCESSIBLE WORKSHOPS

Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Sound Beginnings

This music therapy program brings children who have delayed development or disabilities together with their families to create and share music. Held over six sessions in small groups, the program is run by Registered Music Therapists and is tailored to suit individual needs.

12 February – 19 March
10.15am – 11am & 11.30am – 12.15pm
7 May – 11 June
10.15am – 11am & 11.30am – 12.15pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
Recommended for ages 3 – 5
For bookings and info call 9281 8790 or email amp@artscentremelbourne.com.au

Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Siblings In Sync

This award-winning program sees kids with a disability and their siblings engage together in accessible music activities. Shared abilities and mutual respect are encouraged, all while having fun with instruments, songs and technology. Run by Registered Music Therapists, this small group workshop is tailored to suit individual needs.

17 January
11am – 12pm & 1pm – 2pm
16 April
11am – 12pm & 1pm – 2pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, The Channel
Recommended for ages 5 – 10
For bookings and info call 9281 8790


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