Kids
Events are listed by city, then type. Submit listings at least 14 days before publication to suzanne@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Suzanne Black. Glasgow Activities and Fun 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, Reality v Imagination, Sci-fi Scarves, Time Travel Tour, Cult Craft and Stars and Planets Tour. Latte and Paint Tue 13 & 20 Oct, 11am. £4. Tapa Coffeehouse, 721 Pollokshaws Road, 554 9981. Painting activities led by Busy Bees Craft Studio. FREE Family Meditation Sessions Sat 10 Oct, 1–3pm. St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, 2 Castle Street, 276 1625. Meditation sessions tailored to children and led by a professional instructor. Adults at 1pm; kids at 2pm.
FREE The Big Draw Sat 10–Sun 18 Oct, 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm; Thu 10am–8pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3059. For the first time, the GoMA Studio will be transformed into a fantastic large scale drawing installation for seven days of fun, creative workshops for people of all ages. Some events require advance booking. See www.thebigdraw.org.uk for event details, and preview, page 33. Mid Term Treasures Sat 10–Sun 18 Oct, times vary. Prices vary. Mugdock Country Park, Craigallian Road, Milngavie, 956 6100. Events and fun in Mugdock Country Park to keep the children busy during the half-term break. Junior Jam Wed 14 Oct, 10.30am–noon. £2. Stepps Library, Cumbernauld Road, Stepps, 01236 812200. Grab the chance to make lots of noise in a library with these music making workshops for 3-7-year- olds. Part of The Works Festival. FREE One Thousand Paper Cranes Workshop Thu 15 Oct, 11am–12.30pm. Mitchell Library, 201 North Street, 287 2999. Inspired by the story of Japanese child Sadako, who folded 1000 cranes while incapacitated by Hiroshima fallout, make your own origami crane.
PREVIEW CHILDREN’S THEATRE ONE THOUSAND PAPER CRANES Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 13–Sat 17 Oct
An actor preparing for a role has to do many things, but learning origami isn’t usually one of them. Alongside the usual checklist of remembering lines and researching characters, however, the performers in One Thousand Paper Cranes also had to turn their hand to the traditional Japanese art of paper folding.
Inspired by the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a 12-year-old Japanese girl who
developed leukaemia following the 1945 Hiroshima bombing, the show is about staying hopeful against the odds. When Sadako’s best friend tells her about an ancient Japanese saying that anybody who folds 1000 cranes will be granted a wish, she endeavours to do just that. With origami paper in short supply, Sadako was forced to use everything from gift wrap to doctor’s notes to make her cranes, something director Lu Kemp echoes in the show, with cranes fashioned from envelopes, political manifestoes and all manner of diverse materials. ‘We start with nothing on stage,’ explains Kemp. ‘Just a box, with another box inside it and so on – which gives the idea of unwrapping stories. Then, by the end, there are masses of cranes onstage, some pre-made, others created by the performers during the show.’
Despite the tragic subject matter, Kemp is keen to point out that the show is
actually vibrant and optimistic. ‘It’s a story about friendship,’ she says. ‘And although the challenge might not save Sadako, it does give her something to live for. The script is funny and quirky, and focuses on how friendship can make an impossible situation positive and full of life. It also shows how the girls’ endeavour brought a sense of hope back to an entire community.’ (Kelly Apter)
60 THE LIST 8–22 Oct 2009
FREE The Magnificent Seven: The Aurora of Autumn Sun 18 Oct. Various venues, 276 0931. Join the Countryside Rangers for an autumnal walk around some of Glasgow’s finest sites. Book in advance. NYCOS Mini Music Makers Tue 20 Oct, times vary. £32 for eight-week course. City Halls, Candleriggs, 353 8000. Fun sessions led by Rosanne Brackenridge and comprising songs, games and simple rhymes to help youngsters develop a love of music. Ages 2–3 at 9.45am or 10.45am; 3–4 at 1145am; 0–12 months at 1pm; 1–2 years at 2pm. Eight-week session starts 20 Oct. Theatre & Dance Wizzi Wizard Let’s Get Busy Sat 10 Oct, 2pm. £4.95 (children £4.75). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Mr Giggles brings his Hallowe’en magic to the centre with a mix of stories, sketches, music, games and a disappearing puppet. Children are welcome to come in fancy dress. Ages 3+. Grumpy Charlie Can’t Come Out to Play Tue 13–Sat 17 Oct, 10.30am. £6. Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Charlie comes from a long line of grumps, but when his 7th birthday arrives, he’s not quite ready for a whole life of grumpiness. By TheatreBo. Ages 5+. One Thousand Paper Cranes Tue 13–Sat 17 Oct, 2pm. £6. Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. The moving and inspirational story of Sadako, a young Japanese girl who folded 1000 cranes. Ages 8+. See preview. Hare and Tortoise Sun 18 Oct, 11am & 2pm. £6. Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 4267. Aesop’s tale is given a new and exciting treatment by Licketyspit. Ages 3–7. Curse of the Demeter Sun 18 & Mon 19 Oct, Sun 1.30pm; Mon 10am. £7 (£4). Eastwood Park Theatre, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4970. A spooky tale of a doomed ship, inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula and brought to the stage by Visible Fictions. Suitable for everyone aged 11 and older who isn’t afraid of the dark. The Songbird Mon 19–Fri 23 Oct, Fri & Mon 10.30am; Tue 20–Thu 22 Oct 1.30pm (also Wed–Thu 7pm). £8 (£3.50–£4.50). Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. Composer David Paul Jones joins Giant for an interactive sensory performance about an extraordinary exotic bird. Ages 8+.
Edinburgh Activities and Fun Zoo Wed 14 & 21 Oct, 4pm. £2 (50p). North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. After-school art club for budding young artists with artist Fran Priest. P4–7. FREE Awesome Autumn Thu 8, Tue 13 & Thu 15 Oct, 1–3pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Some amazing things happen in nature in autumn – learn more from the Garden Rangers and try some crafty activities. The Big Draw Sat 10 Oct, 11.30am–1pm & 2–4pm. Included in admission: £8.50 (£6.50; under 12s free). National Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, 247 4238. Take part in a half- hour artist-led workshop. Ages 3+. FREE Tracks and Trails Sat 10 Oct, 1–3pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Be an animal tracker for the day, hunting for the tracks, trails and signs that birds and animals leave behind. Ages 7+. FREE Art for Arthur Sun 11 Oct, 10am–3pm. Holyrood Park Education Centre, 1 Queen’s Drive, 652 8150. Learn a thing or two about Arthur and his Seat. Booking essential. Part of the Big Draw. The Big Draw 2009: Design a Coat of Arms! Sat 17–Wed 21 Oct, 1–4pm. £10 (£6–£9; under 5s free; family ticket
www.list.co.uk/kids
£26.50). Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile, 556 5100. Discover the royal symbols that decorate the Palace of Holyroodhouse then use your knowledge to design your own coat of arms. Ages 3–11. FREE Fly on the Wall: Viking Longship Sat 17 Oct, 2pm. National Museum of Scotland: Bute Room, Chambers Street, 225 7534. It’s behorned helmets ahoy as you join Uggla, Grim and the crew for tales of Norse gods, watching Viking craftsmen, capturing monks and an unfortunate warrior’s funeral. Ages 8–12. Baby Loves Disco Sun 18 Oct, 2–5pm. £8 (non-walking babies free). Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, 477 3500. A fun afternoon of dancing, socialising and playing for kids aged 6 months–7 years and their parents. With top tunes, bubble machine, a chill-out area, free healthy snacks and craft activities. Tickets from www.babylovesdisco.co.uk – but book quick, as this almost always sells out. FREE A Slice of Life Mon 19–Sun 25 Oct, 11am–1pm & 2–4pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Drop in to hear stories of the olden days. FREE Brand New Super Science Show! Mon 19–Fri 23 Oct, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm & 3.15pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 225 7534. Discover and learn about some of Scotland’s coolest inventions. FREE Love it and Leaf It Mon 19–Fri 23 Oct, 1–3pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Find out about the life of leaves, from tiny green buds on trees to crackly autumnal red and gold carpets, and get stuck into some activities. Bountiful Birds Wed 21 Oct, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm. £4 per adult/child. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Create a beautiful bird feeder for your garden, out of willow and other natural materials collected from Lauriston’s woods. Under 8s must be accompanied. Book in advance.
Theatre & Dance Moussa’s Castle Fri 9 & Sat 10 Oct, 1pm & 2.30pm (Sat mat 10.30am). £5 (£4). North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Moussa dreams of building a castle, in a magical musical tale for ages 2–5. Curse of the Demeter Thu 22–Sat 24 Oct, 7.30pm (Sat mat 2.30pm). £13–£16 (£5–£12). Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. See Glasgow.
Storytelling Story Space Thu 15 Oct, 11am. £5. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Storytelling in the courtyard with games, songs and movement. Ages 2–5 (plus carers). Feline Fables Sat 17 Oct, 2.30pm. £6 (£4; family ticket £15). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Oscar the cat weaves a magical tale, with help from Robert Howat. Ages 6+. Activities and Fun Darwin Day Sun 11 Oct, 11am–2pm. Included in admission: £5.50 (£4.50; under 12s free). National Museum of Rural Life, Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, 247 4377. Launch of the Garden Detectives exhibition, inspired by Darwin 200.
Outside the Cities Theatre & Dance One Little Word Sat 10 Oct, 11am & 2pm. £6 (£5). Macrobert, University of Stirling, 01786 466666. A new production created specially for children aged 3+. Hare and Tortoise Wed 14 Oct, 11am. £2.50. Cairns Church, 11 Buchanan Street, Milngavie, 0141 777 3090. Also Fri 16 Oct, 2pm. £8 (£4; family ticket £20). Perth Theatre, 185 High Street, Perth, 01738 621031. See Glasgow.