Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to suzanneOlist.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Suzanne Black.
Glasgow
Activmes and Fun
FREE Saturday Art Club Sat 13 & 20 Jun. 10.30am—lpm. Gallery of Modem Art. Royal Exchange Square. 287 3050. Art activities run by a different an educator each week relating to the art on display. Ages 3—12.
Handmade Art Club Tue 16 & 23 Jun. 4—6pm. £60 for ten weeks. Westerton Hall. 82 Maxwell Avenue. Bearsden. 07588 571366. Weekly art class to create prints. sculpture and paintings. Ages 7-12.
Doctor Who Activities Sat & Sun until Sat 7 Nov. times vary. Free with exhibition ticket: £7.50 (£4.50). Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. Argyle Street. 276 9599. A variety of craft activities and tours. Choose from Fantasy v Reality. Cult Comics. Fantasy v Imagination. Sci-1i Scarves. Time Travel Tour. Cult Craft and Stars and Planets Tour.
PREVIEW KIDS OPERA AUNTIE JANET SAVES THE PLANET Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Fri 19—Sun 21 Jun
Latte and Paint Tue 16 & 23 Jun.
1 1am. £4. Tapa (.‘offeehouse. 721 Pollokshaws Road. 554 9981. Painting activities led by Busy Bees Craft Studio. FREE Back to the Drawing Board Sun 14 & 21 Jun. 2—3.30pm. Museum of
Transport. Kelvin Hall. 1 Bunhouse Road. ; 287 2651. A creative workshop to sketch 5 some of the objects on display.
lepo’s Circus Until Tue 16 Jun. 5pm
& 7.30pm; Sat/Sun 3pm & 7pm. £8-£20 (£6—£14). Queen's Park Recreation
Ground. Queen‘s Drive. 0871 210 2100. Zippo‘s back with a new circus production called ‘From C artwheels to the
Wheels of Steel‘.
FREE Burrell for Families: Giant
; Landscapes Sat 13 Jun. 2pm. Burrell Collection. 2060 Pollokshaws Road. 287 ‘ 2550. Look at how different artists
capture the landscape then help create a giant landscape outside (weather permitting). For families with children
aged 5—12. 3 The First Mini-Monster Challenge i Sun 14 Jun. 10am—l.45pm. £5 per person:
£20 per team. Pollok Country Park. Pollokshaws Road. 01224 650649. A family duathlon to raise money for Save
the Children. Adults compete in a 3km run and 10km cycle (starts 1 1.30am).
DeSpite perceptions. young audiences can often be the toughest to entertain. But they’re also one of the most open, as writer Mark Robertson is gleefully aware. ‘It’s very Iiberating.‘ he says. ‘Because there's stuff you can do that you just wouldn't get away with writing for adults. That's one of the joys of working in children‘s theatre and television — you can let your imagination run riot.‘
A regular scriptwriter with CBBC and Cartoon Network. Robertson is also a dab hand at opera and musical lyrics, making him the perfect choice for Scottish Opera’s interactive show, Auntie Janet Saves The Planet. Aimed at 3—6-year- olds. the mini opera uses live action, animation and puppetry to create an endangered woodland populated by furry friends.
‘We specifically chose animals that were immediately recognisable to the children and whose habitats were in danger.‘ explains Robertson. ‘Then created broad brush stroke characters — a nice aunty, a military man. a snooty old lady. We're playing off traditional stereotypes. but the point is that they're very different from each other. so the children know exactly what each character's attitude is.‘
Singing along with the songs isn’t just encouraged. it‘s positively essential. and each child is sent a CD prior to the show to help them learn the words. ‘It allows them to become characters in the show itself,‘ says Robertson. ‘Because the essence of Auntie Janet is that they go on a guest with the animals. and having their own lines in the songs keeps them involved in the drama. There's also a little book you can download from the Scottish Opera website. which introduces the characters so the children feel part of that world before they even come in.‘
(Kelly Apter) 86 THE LIST 1 1-25 Jun 2009
while the family and friends race involves a 1.5km run and 5km cycle (starts 10am). To register see www.1irstmonster.co.uk/mini-monster or ()1224 650649.
FREE Family Fun Day Sun 14 Jun. 10am—4pm. Hunterian Museum. Gilbert Scott Building. University of Glasgow. 330 5370. A whole day of family activities. exhibits and scientists. Part of Glasgow University Science festival.
MUSIC
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Our Planet Thu 1.15pm; Fri 10.15am. £5. City Halls. Candleriggs. 353 8000. CBBC‘s Kirsten O‘Brien and BBC Scotland's Heather Reid host a musical trip around the Earth in a fun mish-mash of fantastic music.
Theatre & Dance
Scooby-Doo 8. the Pirate Ghost Wed 24~Sun 28 Jun. Wed—Sat 6.30pm; Fri ~Sun 2.30pm (Sat/Sun mat 1 1am). £10—£21. King‘s Theatre. 297 Bath Street. ()870 ()60 6648. Scooby and the gang are back for another live adventure concerning a dastardly pirate ghost.
Books 8 Storytelling
FREE Lynne Rickards Tue 16 Jun. 1pm & 2pm. Lost in Fiction. 1 l4 Byres Road. 337 3075. The local author reads from her children's book. Pink. Particularly suitable for ages 4—6. FREE Tales for Tots Thu 18 Jun. 4pm. Anniesland College. 19 Hatfield Drive. 357 6106. A magical hour of tales and activities for ages 2—5 years. Part of the West [ind festival.
FREE The Bear with the Sticky Paws Tue 16 Jun. 4pm. Partick Library. 305 Dumbarton Road. 276 1560. Also Thu 18 Jun. 4pm. Hillhead Library. 348 Byres Road. 276 1617. Stories. crafts and colouring-in about a very hungry bear. Ages 3--7. I’m-I of the West End l'es'tit'ul.
FREE Big Bed Bath Sat 20 Jun. noon. Hillhead Library. 348 Byres Road. 276 1617. Also Sat 20 Jun. Noon. Partick Library. 305 Dumbarton Road. 276 1560. Stories and crafts about Big Red Built by Julia Jarma. Ages 37 Par! ‘9’. the West [TIN] festival.
Hamish the Bear Storytime Sat 20 Jun. noon. £4. Gilmorehill (il2. 9 University Avenue. 330 5522. Bring along your teddy and hear how Moira Munro wrote and illustrated the Hamish the Bear hooks. Par! rift/1e West 15nd I'es‘lii'ul.
Princess Poppy Party Sun 21 Jun. 12.30pm. £4. Gilmorehill (312. 9 University Avenue. 330 5522. Join best- selling author Janey Louise Jones to hear the latest tales about the delightful Princess Poppy. Ages 4—7. Part nt‘rhe Wes! Ifm/ I‘es‘lii‘ul.
FREE Poppy and Max Meet Lola the Dog Tue 23 Jun. 4pm. Partick Library. 305 Dumbarton Road. 276 1560. Also Thu 25 Jun. 4pm. Hillhead Library. 348 Byres Road. 276 1617. Stories and crafts based on the children‘s works of Lindsay Gardiner. Ages 3--7. Part of the West 15nd festival.
Edinburgh
Activmes And Fun
Susan’s Art Club Fri l2. l9 & 26 Jun. 2—3.30pm. £7 for 90 min session. St Catherine's Argyll Church. 61—63 Grange Road. 667 7220. Arts and crafts for 8r~12-year-o1ds.
Wriggle, Rattle and Rhyme Thu 1 l. 18 & 25 Jun. 1 1am noon. £3. Out of the Blue Drill Hall. 30-«36 Dalmeny Street. Leith. 555 7101. Singing and rhyming for tots aged 0- 5 and their carers. Bobby Roberts’ Super Circus Until Sun 14 Jun. Thu- Sat 5pm (also Thu—Fri 7.30pm); Sat/Sun 2.30pm. £7 £15. Royal Highland Centre. lngliston. 07860 787745. Big scale circus show with acrobatics. aerial displays. clowns and equine performances.
The Big Toddle Thu 1 1 Jun. 10am—1pm. Royal Botanic Garden. 20a Inverleith Row. 552 7171. Little ‘uns take to the streets as Bamardo‘s Big Toddle returns for its annual short sponsored walk. Meet at the North Gate. Register at www.bamardos.org.uk/bigtoddle or phone 0845 769 7967.
FREE Tree Trivia Trail Sat 13 Jun. l—4pm. Royal Botanic Garden. 20a Inverleith Row. 552 7171. Find out which trees are wise. which can heal and many more fascinating facts. Suitable for all ages.
FREE Sick Kids Teddy Toddle and Summer Fair 2009 Sun 14 Jun. Noon. Meadowbank Sports Centre. 139
~ London Road. 668 4949. Get your
running shoes on for a teddy toddle (£3 to enter). stiletto sprint (£5 to enter). kids‘ sporting events and more to raise funds for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation. Keep your eyes peeled for stars of children‘s TV!
FREE Bruce and Bannockburn Sun 14 Jun. 12.45pm. 1.45pm & 2.45pm. National Museum of Scotland. Chambers Street. 225 7534. Prepare for battle with Alba Adventurers. 1314 style. Baby Sensory Fri 19 Jun. 10am—4pm. £6. Edinburgh Zoo. Corstorphine Road. 334 9171. A sensory extravaganza for babies aged 0—13 months with puppet shows. light shows. parachute games. musical fun. baby singing and more. Booking essential via 07757 725393 or www.babysensory.co.uk
Teddy Bears’ Picnic Sat 20 Jun. noon—1.30pm. £3. Newhailes. Newhailes Road. Musselburgh. 08444 932124. Listen to stories while nibbling on aftemoon tea. before taking a walk through woodland forests. Ages 2—5. The Palace at Work Sat 20 & Sun 21 Jun. 1—4pm. Included in admission: £10 (£9; children £6; under 5s free: family ticket £26.50). Palace of Holyroodhouse. Royal Mile. 556 5100. Family activity all about life in a working palace. Ages 5~—| 1 years. Purl oft/1e ()ld Tbivn festival.
FREE Signs of Summer Sat 20 Jun. 3-—4pm. Royal Botanic Garden. 20a Inverleith Row. 552 7171. Leam about the sunny season with games and activities. Ages 5+.
FREE The Art of Bell Ringing Sun 21 Jun. 12.45pm. 1.45pm & 2.45pm. National Museum of Scotland. Chambers Street. 225 7534. Leam about the art of bell ringing then have a bash yourself.
Theatre & Dance
Auntie Janet Saves the Planet Fri l9—Sun 21 Jun. 2pm (Sat/Sun mat 10.30am). £6 (family tickets available). Traverse Theatre. Cambridge Street. 228 1404. See panel.
Books & Storytelling
Story Space Thu 1 1 Jun. 1 lam. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre. 43-45 High Street. 556 9579. Storytelling in the courtyard with games. songs and movement to get the imagination juices flowing. Ages 2—5.
FREE First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts Fri 12 Jun. 2.30pm. Leith Library. 28—30 Ferry Road. 529 5517. Local children‘s author Lari Don reads from her book. Ages 7+. Purl (fl/W Leith festival.
FREE Princess Poppy Day Sat 13 Jun. 1pm. Borders Books. Fort Kinnaird Retail Park. 657 4041. See Glasgow. Tiny Tales Tue 16 Jun. 10am &
1 1.30am. £4 per child (£6 months — 3 years free; accompanying adult free). Scottish Storytelling Centre. 43—45 High Street. 556 9579. Stories. rhymes and songs for wee (and not so wee) ears. Ages 6 months—3 years.
FREE Talking Trees Storytelling Sun 21 Jun. 2—3pm. Royal Botanic Garden. 20a Inverleith Row. 248 2968. Talking Trees storytelling transport adults and children to a magical land far away. Suitable for ages 5+.