SPOT ON CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL DELIVERS AN EPIC LINE-UP OF FUN FOR THE OCTOBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Riverside Theatres has gathered some of the best children’s entertainment from across the country for their seventh annual Spot On Children’s Festival from 9 th to 13 th October.

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.

This year’s Festival has something for everyone - from shows designed specifically for two year olds to older children and teens aged ten and above. 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.

Avocado Smash

Program Coordinator Amy Matthews says “I am thrilled to announce the program for the seventh year of Spot On. It’s my favourite time of year, a time where for one week Riverside Theatres is transformed into a vibrant, colourful, magical land where families can create memories together.”

The Spot On Children’s Festival is dedicated to providing a relaxed performance for every suitable show - where the traditional rules of theatre are dismissed to cater for young audiences with diverse sensory needs. During relaxed performances, the theatre lights will be kept on, elements of the show including loud noises or sudden bright lights will be toned down or removed, and there are no rules about coming in and out of the theatre throughout the performance.

The Festival program includes:

Festival Opening Party with Avocado Smash – 9.30am on 9 th Oct
Led by two classical musicians, this free courtyard concert will take audiences around the world through storytelling and toe-tapping original hits promoting empowering and inclusive themes.

Ages 1+ years
Big Bad Wolf – 10:30am and 1pm on 9 th Oct; 10:30am on 10 th Oct
Windmill Theatre Co’s hilarious production brings to life the story of the most misunderstood character in fairy tale history. With plenty of audience interaction, the Big Bad Wolf is reintroduced as a vegetarian, poetry-writing, people person!

Ages 5-10 years
Kaput – 2pm on 9 th Oct; 10am and 12:30pm on 10 th Oct
From Koral Chandler and Critical Stages, this multi-award winning interactive family show has melted hearts around the world with its glorious brand of slapstick, acrobatics and total silliness.

Ages 5+ years
Josephine Wants to Dance: Drama Workshop – 11am and 1pm on 9 th and 10 th Oct
An immersive and engaging workshop that will provide participants with the opportunity to delve into the world of Josephine, a kangaroo from Shaggy Gully who simply loves to dance.

Ages 5–8 years
Touch & Go – 10am, 11:15am and 12:45pm on 9 th and 10 th Oct

Led by two friendly dancers and a live guitarist, this interactive performance designed especially for two year olds features a playful world of shapes and pathways, stepping stones and lines.

Ages 24-36 months
The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik – 6pm on 11 th Oct; 10:30am and 1pm on 12 th Oct; 10:30am on 13 th Oct 

Animation, puppetry, projections, live and recorded music will combine in this visually spectacular production from The Last Great Hunt. Alvin makes a last ditch attempt to save the human race from the rising deep blue sea.

Ages 10+ years

Jospehine Wants to Dance

Josephine Wants to Dance – 2pm on 11 th Oct; 10am and 12:30pm on 12 th Oct 

Monkey Baa Theatre Company bring Jackie French’s popular book to the stage in this new musical about a bush animal you will never forget. Josephine Wants to Dance is a story about dreams, believing in yourself…and a dancing kangaroo.

Ages 4-9 years
ATYP Storytelling Workshop – 10am and 1:30pm on 11th Oct 

Unleash your imagination, journey to faraway places and take an adventure of a lifetime – all while discovering how easy it is to create a story.

Ages 4-8 years
Gran’s Bag – 10am, 12pm and 2:15pm on 11th Oct 

Presented by Smallshows, this funny and heart-warming show will see audiences join Gran on a magical carpet ride filled with puppets, songs and stories.

Ages 3-10 years
Maya The Bee: The Honey Games – 10:15am on 12 th and 13 th Oct 

This charming Australian animated adventure film sees Maya forced to unite with a team of misfit bugs and compete in the Honey Games to save her hive.

Rated G
Mirai – 1:30pm on 12 th and 13 th Oct 

Selected for Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, this gorgeous animation by Mamoru Hosoda is a time-traveling adventure about a young boy and magical portal.

Rated PG
ATYP to the Rescue: Drama Workshop – 10am and 1:30pm on 12 th and 13 th Oct 

A fun workshop where the themes of friendship, loyalty and adventure are explored. Learn about objectives and obstacles and work on character development techniques while trekking the jungle, crossing the desert or exploring the North Pole.

Ages 8+
Lah-Lah 10 th Birthday Party – 11am on 13 th Oct 

The stars of ABC Kids’ Lah-Lah’s Big Live Band will celebrate their 10 th birthday with an hour of singing and dancing fun. Party-goers will get to meet the band and the instruments after the show!

Ages 2–7 years

Spot On Free Activities – 9:30am to 3:30pm from 9 th to 13 th Oct 

Free activities will include face painting, a play gym, a crafting station, chalkboard art, games and a reading tent presented by the Parramatta Library.

The 2018 Spot On Children’s Festival program is available here:
https://riversideparramatta.com.au/category/whats-on/family/spot-on-childrens-festival-2018/

What: Spot On Children’s Festival
Dates: 9 th October to 13 th October 2018
Tickets: Free to $26. From the Box Office (02) 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au. Discounts available for Riverside Theatres’ Members. Transaction fees: phone $4.60, web $3.60 and counter $2.60.
Venue: Riverside Theatres – Corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Recommendation: Children of all ages and their families