Kids
✽✽ Children’s Classic Concerts: Space Invaders Sat 5 Nov, 3pm. £10–£15 (£6–£9); family ticket £29–£43. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. Owen and Olly guide kids through some intergalactic classical favourites, including Holst’s The Planets and John Williams’ themes from Close Encounters and ET. FREE Piano Day Sat 12 Nov, 11am–5pm. Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, 0845 330 3501. A day of family-friendly piano events.
Storytelling Tiny Tales Wed 2 Nov, 10am. £6 per adult + child (additional tickets £4). Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Bring teddy along to the tale of ‘The Bear Under the Stairs’, followed by creative play. Ages 6 months to 2 years. Tall Tales at the Tron Thu 3 Nov, 10am. £6 per adult + child (additional tickets £4). Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Interactive storytelling session. Ages 3–5.
Theatre, Comedy & Dance ✽✽ The Light Garden Mon 24 & Tue 25 Oct, various times between 10am
& 2.40pm. £3. The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000. A performance installation for wee ones aged 18 months to 5 years. Part of Inspiration.
✽✽ Underneath the Floorboards Tue 25 Oct, 10–10.45am &
1–1.45pm. £5 (£3). Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. balletLORENT presents a show about a little boy who discovers a portal to a magical world. Part of Inspiration.
✽✽ Lost Sock Princess Fri 28 Oct, 10.30–11.20am & 1.30–2.20pm. £3
per child + adult. Drumchapel Community Centre, Kinfauns Drive, 944 1009. Puppet show. Ages 3–7. Part of Inspiration. Wizzi Wizard Let’s Get Busy Sat 29 Oct, 2pm & 4pm. £5.95 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Mr Giggles brings the Hallowe’en magic. Fancy dress welcome. Ages 3+.
✽✽ The Sea King’s Surprise Mon 31 Oct & Tue 1 Nov, 10–10.50am, 1–1.50pm & 3.30–4.20pm. £3. Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. A new underwater story for ages 3–5. Part of Inspiration.
✽✽ Claytime Wed 2 Nov, 10.30–11.30am & 1.30–2.30pm. £3.
Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. An interactive ‘play with clay’ for ages 3–5. Part of Inspiration. The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean Wed 2 Nov, 1.30pm. £2.50 per adult + child. Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. Show from the much respected Shona Reppe Puppets about a mysterious scrapbook. Ages 6+.
✽✽ Diving Belle Thu 3 Nov, 10.30–11.30am & 1.30–2.30pm. £3.
Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. Dive into the magical world of Belle’s Carousel Cafe. Ages 5+. Part of Inspiration.
✽✽ The Merman’s Tale Thu 3 Nov, 10.30am & 1.30pm; Sun 6 Nov,
2pm. £3. Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. An undersea quest brought to life with puppetry and music. Ages 5–9. Part of Inspiration.
✽✽ Kes Thu 3 Nov, 7.30pm. £7 (£5). Eastwood Park Theatre, Rouken
Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4970. Catherine Wheels presents a sensitive new adaptation of Barry Hines’ novel. Ages 10+.
✽✽ Head in the Clouds Fri 4 Nov, 10am, 11am & 1.30pm. £3 per adult + child. Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. A new show from Ipdip Theatre. Ages 0–3. Part of Inspiration.
76 THE LIST 20 Oct–17 Nov 2011
Twinkle Twinkle Sat 5 Nov, 2pm. £5.95 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, 339 6185. Puppetry with live music. Ages 3+. Glasgow Kids Comedy Club Sun 6 Nov, 3pm. £4. The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0844 335 8879. Live comedy for ages 8–12. The Snow Dragon Tue 8 Nov, 10.30am & 1.30pm. £4. Eastwood Park Theatre, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4970. A seasonal show from Tall Stories. Ages 3+. Tall Tales for Small People Sat 12 Nov, 10.30am. £7 (£5). Eastwood Park Theatre, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4970. Traditional tales from the Scottish traveller community. Ages 8+. The Three Bears Sat 12 Nov, 2pm. £5.95 (£4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. A healthy eating message features in Clydebuilt Theatre’s show. Ages 3+. The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean Wed 16 Nov, 1.30pm & 7pm. £7 (£5). Eastwood Park Theatre, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4970. See above. EDINBURGH Activities & Fun The Big Draw – Mary, Queen of Scots: Marriage, Murder and Conspiracy Thu 20–Sun 23 Oct, 11am–3pm. Included in admission £10.50 (£9.50; children £6.35; family ticket £27.80). Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile, 556 5100. Find out about palace life, sketch the rooms and make a model of Mary’s tower.
Treat or Trinket Fri 21 Oct, 10.30am–12.30pm or 1.30–3.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Make a trick or treat bag and spooky sign. FREE The Big Draw’s Fantastic Creatures Fri 21 Oct, 2–4pm. WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. Drop in to create fantastic creatures and explore the world of drawing. FREE BTCV’s Big Green Weekend Sat 22 & Sun 23 Oct, 10am. Cammo Estate, Cammo Road, 447 7145. A celebration of green spaces with fungus spotting, face painting and a tree hunt. Witches Brew Sat 22 Oct, 10.30am–1pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. See how plants and animals have featured in witchcraft and make a Hallowe’en mask. Playtime of the Gods Sat 22 Oct, 11am–2.45pm. By donation. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. A day of storytelling, puppet making and adventure play for primary- aged children with additional support needs and their families. Spooky Lauriston Sat 29 & Sun 30 Oct, 10am–12.30pm. £6. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Dress up to hear ghost stories in the castle. FREE The Big Draw Sat 29 Oct, 10am–1pm. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Drop-in Hallowe’en celebration with art activities and workshops for the whole family. FREE Witches, Ghouls and Ghosts Sat 29 Oct, 10.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–3.30pm. Museum of Childhood, 42 High Street, 529 3963. Make a Hallowe’en mask. Ages 5+.
PREVIEW FILM FESTIVAL EVENT AFRICA IN MOTION CHILDREN’S DAY Filmhouse and St Cuthbert’s Church, Edinburgh, Sat 5 Nov
With many Scottish schools forging links with Africa, more and more children are learning to appreciate the highs and lows of life on another continent. To that same end, this year’s Africa in Motion (AiM) film festival is offering families a fascinating glimpse into African life with its fun-packed Children’s Day.
Now in its sixth year, AiM is the UK’s largest African film festival, and the over-arching theme for 2011 is Children and Youth in Africa. ‘Our hope is that families will take this opportunity to engage in the lives and experiences of children in Africa,’ says AiM’s founder, Lizelle Bisschoff. ‘We have created a programme that promotes knowledge, cultural exchange and learning in a fun environment.’
The Children’s Day starts with a free session of interactive storytelling
suitable for ages 2+ and their accompanying adults, followed by a screening of six short films and one feature using both live action and animation (with any subtitles narrated for younger viewers). Then families can take part in a drumming and dancing workshop introducing young audiences to the music and rhythms of Africa. ‘Alongside looking at cinematic representations for, by and about children
in Africa,’ says Bisschoff, ‘we wanted to create fun and challenging workshops and events that would enable Scottish children to understand how familiar issues such as education, entertainment and the environment are experienced in other cultures.’ (Kelly Apter) ■ For full details go to africa-in-motion.org.uk. See also panel, page 69.
Holyrood Hallowe’en Sat 29 Oct, 3–7pm. £3 (£2; children £1). Holyrood Park, 652 8150. Meet a witch and druid and learn about the pagan origins of Hallowe’en. Ages 8+. Baby Loves Disco Sun 30 Oct, 2–5pm. £8 (non-walking babies free). Electric Circus, 36–39 Market Street, 07986 527947. Dance party for mini-clubbers aged 6 months to 7 years. Floaty Fairy Wings and Magic Wands Sat 5 Nov, 10.30am–12.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Make willow fairy wings and a magic wand.
✽✽ Africa in Motion Children’s Day Sat 5 Nov, 11am–5pm. Prices vary. Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, 228 2688. See panel. FREE Art Cart Sun 6 Nov, 2–4pm. Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, 624 6200. Art activities for all the family. Young Writers’ Conference Sat 12 Nov, 10am–4.30pm. £6. Scottish Book Trust, Trunks Close, 55 High Street, 524 0160. An event for budding writers aged 14–17 with speakers David Almond, Douglas Maxwell, Gillian Philip and Elspeth Murray. Booking essential.
Music ✽✽ Children’s Classic Concerts: Space Invaders Sun 6 Nov, 3pm. £10–£15 (£6–£9); family ticket £29–£43. Usher Hall, Lothian Road, 228 1155. See Glasgow, Music.
✽✽ Fischy Music Mon 14 Nov, 7pm. £10 (£8; children £7). Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. Singalong music for 5-11-year-olds as the Fischy Music team launches its new album.
Storytelling Story Space Thu 20 Oct, 11–11.45am. £6 per child. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Storytelling, song and dance for ages 3–6. FREE Storytelling with Sara Ogilvie Sat 22 & Sun 23 Oct, 2–2.30pm & 3–3.30pm. Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, 624 6200. Storytelling and book signings with the illustrator of Dogs Don’t Do Ballet. Scottish International Storytelling Festival Sat 22–Sun 30 Oct, times and prices vary. Scottish Storytelling Centre & other venues, 556 9579. Storytelling sessions for families, plus puppetry, crafts, and the interactive Tell-a-Story Day on Fri 28 Oct. See preview, page 47. FREE Story Time Tue 25 Oct, 2–2.30pm. Waterstone’s, 98/9 Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive, Leith, 554 7732. Stories about monsters. FREE Hallowe’en Activity Day Sat 29 Oct, noon–3pm. Waterstone’s West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. Spooky crafts, dressing up and storytelling. FREE Story Time Tue 1 Nov, 2pm. Waterstone’s, 83 George Street, 225 3436. Stories about bears. FREE Storytelling in French Saturdays, 5–26 Nov, 10.30–11.15am. Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent, 220 7758. Stories aimed at kids aged 2–7. FREE The Blackwell Children’s Book Group Mon 14 Nov, 6pm. Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. Discussion of Zac and the Dream Pirates by Ross Mackenzie. Ages 8–11.
Theatre & Dance ✽✽ Kes Tue 1 & Wed 2 Nov, 7.30pm (Wed mat 10.30am). £15 (£6–£11). Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. See Glasgow.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Theatre & Dance ✽✽ Kes Fri 21 Oct, 7.30pm. £7 (family ticket £25). macrobert, University of
Stirling, 01786 466666. See Glasgow. The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean Sat 5 Nov, 11am & 2pm. £7 (family ticket £25). macrobert, University of Stirling, 01786 466666. See Glasgow.