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 FREE Doon the Watter: Shipbuilding Splash Sat 20 Mar, 2pm. People’s Palace & Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, 276 0788. Make a boat that floats from junk materials as part of National Science and Engineering Week. Comical Characters Workshop Sat 20 Mar, 2pm. £7. Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. From clowns to Charlie Chaplin, make a funny puppet out of bits and bobs. Part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival. FREE Family Weekends Sat 20 & Sun 21 Mar, times vary. Trongate 103, 276 8380. Activities and events for the whole family on the third weekend of every month. Baby Loves Disco Sun 21 Mar, 2–5pm. £8 (non-walking babies free). Tiger Tiger, The Glasshouse, 20 Glassford Street, 553 4888. A fun afternoon for kids aged 6 months–7 years and their parents, with top disco tunes, activities, bubble machines, chill-out area and healthy snacks. Tickets from www.babylovesdisco.co.uk FREE Time Travellers: School Days Sun 21 Mar, 2pm. Scotland Street School Museum, 225 Scotland Street, 287 0500. Discover what schooldays were like from Victorian times through to World War II and into the 60s. FREE Burrell for Families: Carpet Creations Sat 27 Mar, 2pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2564. Use the Wagner Garden Carpet as inspiration to create your own textile piece. For families with children aged 5–12. Please book. Music Children’s Classic Concerts: Shake, Rattle & Roll! Fri 19 Mar, 1.30pm. £3.50 (£2). Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. Owen and Olly are back with more musical mayhem. Ages 4–14. Children’s Classic Concerts: Crash, Bang, Wallop 2 Sat 20 Mar, 3pm. £10 (children £6; family ticket £29). Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. See preview.
Theatre, Dance & Comedy Pobby & Dingan Thu 18 Mar, 10am & 1pm. £8 (£6). Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. Twelve-year-old Ashmol goes on a quest for his little sister’s imaginary friends. Ages 8+. Jumping Mouse Sat 20 Mar, 2.30pm. £7 (family ticket £18–£30). Citizens Theatre, 119 Gorbals Street, 429 0022. The Native American tale of Jumping Mouse has been adapted by Unpacked theatre company into this modern tale set on a bus. Doctor Austin and Doug Safety’s Time-Tastical Time Tale Sat 20 & Sun 21 Mar, 2pm. £6 (£4). Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, 420 5000. An action-packed live science show with a safety-minded inventor and his hyperactive sidekick. Part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Glasgow Kids Comedy Club Sat 20, Sun 21, Sat 27 & Sun 28 Mar, 3pm. £4. The Stand, 333 Woodlands Road, 0870 600 6055. Top comedians tone down the smut and try to keep a room full of 8–12- year-olds entertained. No under 5s; all kids must be accompanied by an adult. Part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival. The Ugly Duckling Thu 25 Mar–Thu 1 Apr (not Mon), 10.30am & 1.30pm (also Sat/Sun 4.30pm). £5 (family ticket £22.50). Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552
60 THE LIST 18 Mar–1 Apr 2010
3988. Join the Ugly Duckling on his journey as he meets Mother Duck, the hunters, the farm cat and Drumstick the Turkey. All ages. Mr Punch Comes to the Comedy Festival Sat 27 Mar, 2pm. £5.50 (children £4.95). Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 8–10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, 339 6185. A show featuring the angry little man ahead of his 350th birthday in 2012. Part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Pobby & Dingan Sat 27 Mar, 3pm. £8 (£3.50–£4.50). Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, 276 9696. See above. Pobby & Dingan Sun 28–Wed 31 Mar (not Mon/Tue), Sun 3pm; Wed 1.30pm. £7 (£4). Eastwood Park Theatre, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 4970. See above. Red Riding Hood’s Magic Purse Mon 29 Mar, 10.30am. £4. Gilmorehill G12, 29 University Avenue, 330 5522. Clydebuilt Puppets presents this classic tale performed with a difference. Ages 3–7. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Myths of the Vikings Mon 29 Mar, 1.30pm. £4. Gilmorehill G12, 29 University Avenue, 330 5522. Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre brings to life stories from the ancient Viking world. Ages 5–12. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. The Water Kelpie of Loch Ness Wed 31 Mar, 1.30pm. £4 (£3). Gilmorehill G12, 29 University Avenue, 330 5522. A new production using soundscapes inspired by Gaelic song, gentle and engaging storytelling and beautifully crafted puppets. Suitable for ages 5–12 years. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Jack and the Beanstalk & Billy Goats Gruff Thu 1 Apr, 1.30pm. £4. Gilmorehill G12, 29 University Avenue, University of Glasgow, 330 5522. A colourful production of the classic story about three hungry goats and a rather grumpy troll. Suitable for ages 3–7. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Storytelling Family Story Time Sessions Sat 20 & Sun 21 Mar, 10.30am. £5 (family ticket £15). Scottish Youth Theatre, The Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, 552 3988. Interactive storytelling sessions for families with children under 7 years. FREE Library Story Time Sat 27 Mar, noon–12.30pm. Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, 287 3050. A relaxing half hour of storytelling. For families with children aged 3–8. FREE Garden of Heaven Storytelling for Families Sun 28 Mar, 2.30–4.30pm. Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, 287 2550. Get comfy on some beautiful Persian carpets and be transported by legends and fairytales of Ancient Persia.
Edinburgh Activities and Fun FREE Naturally Native Until Fri 2 Apr, 10am–5pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Discover native Scottish plants on a fun trail through the gardens with the Garden Rangers. Under 16s must be accompanied. FREE Writing and Illustration for Children Until Fri 4 Jun, 10am–5pm; Thu 10am–7pm. National Gallery Complex, The Mound, 624 6200. An exhibition for children featuring original illustrations and sketchbooks by children’s authors James Mayhew and Catherine Rayner. Baby Loves Disco Sun 28 Mar, 2–5pm. £8 (non-walking babies free). Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, 477 3500. See Glasgow. Music Children’s Classic Concerts: Crash, Bang, Wallop 2 Sun 21 Mar, 3pm. £10 (children £6; family ticket 29).
PERCUSSION EXTRAVAGANZA CHILDREN’S CLASSIC CONCERTS: CRASH, BANG, WALLOP 2 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sat 20 Mar; Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 21 Mar
Maybe it’s because they’re percussionists by trade, but Owen and Olly have a tendency to really hit the spot. Since taking over as presenters at Children’s Classic Concerts in 2008, Owen Gunnell and Oliver Cox have put together one exciting line-up after another. The latest of which is Crash Bang Wallop 2, a rhythmic blend of music and dance featuring the dynamic duo on percussion, backed by three special guests. According to Cox, the secret to programming a successful concert for 4–14-year-olds, is to show them a good time but not patronise. ‘It’s really just a question of making the concerts as fun and entertaining as possible but without dumbing down,’ he says. ‘We always try to layer the musical side with visuals to make it more of a spectacle, and to put the music across in such a way that the kids don’t feel they’re being spoon-fed or given anything too serious.’
Helping create the visual spectacle this time are Jamo Jamo Arts, a
London-based group originally from Senegal in West Africa. ‘They really embody the spirit of African drumming,’ says Cox. ‘They’re so joyful and full of energy. When they’re singing and dancing with these big smiles on their faces, it’s obvious they love what they do.’ Cox and Gunnell have also enlisted home-grown talent in the form of
Glasgow street dance crew right2dance, who they’ll accompany on junkyard Stomp-style percussion instruments. Plus the talented young pipers and drummers of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. ‘They’re a really interesting band,’ says Cox, ‘and not particularly conventional. They take something traditional and do it a little bit differently – which is just how we like it.’ (Kelly Apter)
The Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. See preview. Theatre & Dance Lapin et le Chef d’Orchestre Sat 20 Mar, 10am–noon. Family ticket £5. Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent, 225 5366. A show for youngsters utilising the French language by Tania Czajka (L’ Heure du Conte) and Charlotte Saulneron (L’ Eveil Musical) followed by French snacks and workshops. Lapin Wants Breakfast Thu 25 Mar, 10am. £3 (£2). WHALE, 30 Westburn Grove, Wester Hailes, 458 3267. A fun, musical tabletop show with French keywords carefully scattered throughout, creating a story suitable for all budding young French speakers and rabbit enthusiasts. Ages 3+. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Lapin Wants Breakfast Fri 26 Mar, 11am. £3.50 (£2.50). Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. See above. Goodbye Mr Muffin Sat 27 Mar, 11am & 2pm. £6. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Danish puppet theatre company Treater Refleksion presents a heart-rending story about the death of a pet guinea pig. Suitable for ages 6–10. Three Little Pigs and Other Tales Mon 29 Mar, 2pm. £1. Craigmillar Community Centre, 63 Niddrie Mains
Road, 659 4759. Good things come in threes with Kidgloves’ renditions of ‘Three Little Pigs’, ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ and ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Three Little Pigs and Other Tales Tue 30 Mar, 10.30am. £tbc. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. See above. Rumplestiltskin at the Fairytale Laundry Thu 1 Apr, 2pm. £6.50 (£4.50). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. The tale of the creepy little dwarf who blackmails the lovely miller’s daughter but eventually comes good, told by Ailie Cohen and her array of puppets. Ages 4+. Part of the Puppet Animation Festival. Storytelling Horrible Histories Bus Tour Thu 18–Tue 23 Mar, 9.35am–4.05pm; Sat/Sun 9.35am–4.13pm. £12 (children £5; family ticket £28) bought in advance or on the bus. Waverley Bridge, 220 0770. Hear about the dark side of Edinburgh’s history on the Horrible Histories sightseeing tours. Ages 7+. Tour departs every 30 minutes. Part of Mary King’s Ghost Fest. Saturday Stories Sat 27 Mar, 11am. £5 (£4; family ticket £15). Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. Storytelling to entertain young and old, from the very talented Andy Cannon. Children must be accompanied.