list.co.uk/kids
Hairy Maclary & Friends Fri 27 Sep, 1.30pm & 3.30pm. Sat 28 Sep, 10.30am & 1.30pm. £10 (£8; family £32). Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, 552 4267. Meet the doggy crew and their feline antagonists in this musical for ages 3+ based on Lynley Dodd’s popular books. FREE A September Celebration Fri 27–Mon 30 Sep, 1.30pm. Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Argyle Street, 276 9599. A celebration of the music and dance scenes in Glasgow. Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream Fri 27 Sep & Wed 2–Fri 4 Oct 6.30pm. Sat 28 Sep & Sat 5 Oct, 11am & 2.45pm & 6.30pm. Sun 29 Sep & Sun 6 Oct, noon & 3.45pm. Braehead Arena, Kings Inch Road, 0844 499 1700. £13.50–£38. Disney princesses, including Rapunzel, Tiana and Cinderella, star in this musical adventure on ice. Peter Pan: The Never Ending Story Fri 27 Sep, 7pm. Sat 28 Sep, 3pm & 7pm. Sun 29 Sep, 11am. £20–£45. SECC, Finnieston Quay, 0844 395 4000. A high-tech version of JM Barrie’s classic tale, starring Stacey Solomon (X Factor) as Tinker Bell. Oscar’s Amazing Space Adventure Sat 5 Oct, 2pm & 4pm. £5.75. Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Mousetale Puppets present the story of Oscar the mouse who has always got something better to do than his homework. Baby Loves Disco Sun 6 Oct, 2pm. £8. Mansion House, The Glasshouse, 20 Glassford Street, 553 4888. A Pirates and Princesses Ball themed groove zone for ages 6 months–7 years. Goldilocks & The Three Bears Sat 12 Oct, 2pm. £5.95 (children £5.75). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Miriam Lambert and her puppets tell the story of naughty Goldie. Who’s Been Sitting in My Chair? Sat 12 Oct, 2pm. £8 (£3.50–£4.50). Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. Playful musical adaptation of the tale about the girl with the golden hair. The Gingerbread Man Sun 13 & Mon 14 Oct, 2pm. £5.95 (children £5.75). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Miriam Lambert puppets present the tale of the wily gingerbread man who can evade capture by everyone except the cunning fox. Magical Extravaganza Wed 16 Oct, 2pm. £5.95 (children £5.75). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Magic hijinks from Alex the magician – good for kids and big kids alike. That’s the Way We Do It Thu 17 Oct, 11am. £5.95 (children £5.75). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Punch & Judy, magic and a bunny combine for a morning of fun. Big Box of Tricks Thu 17 Oct, 2pm. £5.95 (children £5.75). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. Magic Mike introduces Nog the Dragon, Noodles the Panda and a whole bunch of magic.
EDINBURGH Activities & Fun Moon Festival Thu 19 Sep, 6–9pm. £20 (children £15). Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 314 0340. A moonlit wander through the zoo to visit the pandas and other Asian animals, before a spot of moongazing at the top of the hill, with traditional Chinese tea and mooncakes. Ages 10+. Licketies Mondays until 18 Nov, 10am & 2pm. 30p–50p. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Imaginative play, drama, songs and games to increase kids’ creativity and drama skills. Ages 3–5.
LIVE MUSIC EVENT FAMILY MUSIC FUN DAY Royal Concert Hall and City Halls, Glasgow, Sat 28 Sep
When you’re trying to appeal to a range of kids, from children barely out of nappies right up to teenagers with fixed ideas of what’s cool, planning a ‘family fun day’ can be an arduous task. Now in its third year, the Family Music Fun Day aims to get the balance right, with live music performances, storytelling and opportunities to play instruments or learn to be a DJ all on the menu. ‘We only work with organisations and individuals who are specialists
in this area,’ says director of Glasgow UNESCO City of Music Svend Brown, who has recruited the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Children’s Classic Concerts, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Red Note Contemporary Music Ensemble, among others, to make the day a success. ‘With the music itself, we aim to produce at least one event that will
specifically serve each age group, from toddlers to teens. This year we’ve split the activities over two venues, so older kids can go to City Halls where it’s all very hands-on and active, while at the Royal Concert Hall it’s much more about stories and fairy tales.’
Removing barriers to musical enjoyment is a key aspect of Brown’s plans, so almost all the activities and concerts are free, and those that aren’t cost just £2 a ticket. For Brown, the Family Day is not just for people who already learn instruments, but for everyone.
‘This project isn’t about inspiring musicians of the future – we already
do that in other ways – it’s about reminding people of all ages how much pleasure can be got from listening and joining in with music,’ he says. ‘There is plenty of research to suggest that if you join in with your family, you’re more likely to have an excellent experience and want to continue playing and discovering music. I also want to ensure that young people are encouraged to be demanding and adventurous listeners, and these Family Days are an easy way to try new things.’ (Kelly Apter)
Animal Birthdays Tue 24 Sep, 9am– 5pm. Included in admission. Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. The itsy bitsy baby L’Hoests Monkey turns one today! Stop by the enclosure and get in on the festivities. FREE Beavers at Home Sat 28 & Sun 29 Sep, 11am–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. The Scottish Beaver Trail education team share how the furry critters are doing, four years into the project. See specimens, learn facts and build your own beaver dam. Toys of Old Sun 29 Sep, 10.30am– 12.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Learn more about the magical optical illusions that would have fascinated kids hundreds of years ago. FREE Apple Festival Sat 5 & Sun 6 Oct, 10am–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. The apple season is well under way, and here’s your chance to taste a selection of apple varieties, plus other activities including apple juicing (Sun only) and apple identification (Sat only). FREE Fungus Fun Sat 12 & Sun 13 Oct, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. Learn more about our friend the mushroom and why fungi are so important to the planet’s health. Amazing Autumn Jewellery Wed 16 Oct, 10.30am–12.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Collect objects from the castle grounds, then make your own jewellery.
KIDS
Books & Storytelling FREE Blackwell’s Teenage Book Group Sun 13 Oct, 2pm. Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. Regular book group for teens. Email schools. edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk to sign up. Cosy Storytelling Mon 14 Oct, 10.30am–12.30pm. £4. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Get cosy in the library to hear tales of old, then create a marble-style paper cover for a notebook where you can write your own stories. Music Happy Ears Sat 21 & 28 Sep, 5 & 12 Oct, 10–10.45am. £5 per session. Calton Centre, 121 Montgomery Street, 07778 117333. Music group for dads and male carers and their little ones. Ages 0–3.
Theatre & Dance ✽ James and the Giant Peach Thu 19 & Fri 20 Sep, 10.30am &
1.30pm & 7pm. Sat 21 Sep, 2.30pm & 7pm. £10.50–£14.50. King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street, 529 6000. Birmingham Stage Company explores the witty and wonderful world of Roald Dahl’s insect- laden tale.
✽ Jason and the Argonauts Wed 25 & Thu 26 Sep, 10.30am & 6pm. £6. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. An irreverent take on the ancient Greek myth with Action Men Argonauts and a very special dragon guarding the golden fleece. Ages 9+.
✽ Dinosaur Zoo Fri 27 Sep, 1.30pm. Sat 28 Sep, 11am & 1.30pm. Sun 29 Sep, noon & 2pm. £13.50 (danger seats £16). King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street, 529 6000. Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo brings its Jurassic creations to Scotland with an opportunity for children to get right up close. See preview, page 66. Baby Loves Disco Sun 29 Sep, 2pm. £8. Electric Circus, 36–39 Market Street, 226 4224. See Glasgow, Theatre & Dance, but with a Heroes and Villains theme.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Activities & Fun After Flodden – Commemoration And Coronation Sat 21 & Sun 22 Sep, noon. Included in admission. Stirling Castle, Old Town, Stirling, 01786 450000. Experience life as it was 500 years ago, with weaponry displays and Renaissance music. Music The Singing Kettle: Rumble in the Jungle Sat 5 Oct, 2pm. Sun 6 Oct, noon & 3pm. £12 (family £44). Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, 01698 403120. Join the Kettle team on a marvellous adventure deep in the jungle. Singing Kettle: Wild West Party Sat 12 Oct, 1pm. £11 (family £42). Gaiety Theatre, Carrick Street, Ayr, 01292 288235. There’s a party at that there Kettle Creek and everyone’s invited for a Wild West hoe-down.
Theatre & Dance ✽ Tiger Tale Fri 20 Sep, 10am. £6.75 (family £25). Brunton Theatre,
Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, 665 2240. Sat 28 Sep, 2.30pm. £7. Macrobert, University of Stirling, Bridge of Allen, 01786 466666. When a tiger comes to visit, Poppy’s family don’t know how to react, in this new dance work from Barrowland Ballet. Ages 6+. See preview, page 100. The Snail and the Whale Mon 14 Oct, 10.30am & 4.30pm. Wed 16 & Thu 17 Oct, 1.30pm. £7. Macrobert, University of Stirling, Bridge of Allen, 01786 466666. Tall Stories re-work Julia Donaldson’s charming tale. Ages 4+. Who’s Been Sitting in My Chair? Mon 14 Oct, 1pm & 3pm. £6.75 (family £25). Brunton Theatre, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, 665 2240. See Glasgow, Theatre & Dance.
19 Sep–17 Oct 2013 THE LIST 69