list.co.uk/kids KIDS
FESTIVAL EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL: FAMILY EVENTS Various venues, Edinburgh, Sat 5–Sun 20 Apr
For decades it was the home of scientific enquiry and medical research – so what better venue for the Edinburgh International Science Festival than the former veterinary hospital- turned arts complex, Summerhall? One of a number of venues across the capital playing host to the festival’s extensive family programme, Summerhall has been brought in to ease capacity problems at the City Art Centre, but also to address the needs of children and young people ready to take their scientific fun up a notch. ‘We wanted to find a suitable “hub” that would enable us to really place science at its
heart,’ says events developer, Ali Floyd. ‘Not only does Summerhall fit the bill in terms of the variety of quirky spaces it contains, but it also has a fascinating scientific history.’ Those quirky spaces will be put to good use, with a programme of over 30 workshops and performances exploring topics such as temperature, the human body, food, vampires, genetics, dinosaurs, computing, animation and video games. More than ever, there are a wide range of events targeted at older children and teenagers. ‘One of the key aims for our new venue was to provide exciting new content for kids as they grow into their tween- teenage years,’ says the festival’s deputy director, Amanda Tyndall. ‘The Science Festival can continue to be a fun part of their lives, and not just something they did when they were “kids”.’
Specialists in a wide range of fields have been recruited to bring their subject matter alive for young minds. Crucially, there is more than one way to learn – you can sit back and watch or get stuck in. ‘There’s so much evidence that communicating in different ways multiplies what people gain from the experience,’ explains Tyndall. ‘That’s why we’ve gone for a mix of hands-on practical activities and shows. We’re also aided by the spaces at Summerhall – the Dissection Room is great for performances, while the Histology Lab is crying out for workshopping. That’s one of the cool things about the venue: it’s really helped us with the programming.’ (Kelly Apter)
Animation Workshop: Mash. Morph. Move! Sat 12 Apr, 11am– 3.30pm. £4 £1.50 locals (£2). WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. See above. Books & Storytelling FREE Picture Kelpies Storytelling Sat 29 Mar, 10.20am & 11am & 11.40am & 2pm. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43– 45 High Street, 556 9579. Meet Heilan’ Coos, grumpy herons and of course some mischievous Kelpies. Ages 3–6. FREE Blackwell’s Teenage Book Group Sun 6 Apr, 2pm. Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. Regular book group for teens. It’s in the Bag Fri 11 Apr, 10am. £6 (concessions free). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. ‘Nursery Rhyme Favourites’: two young puppets go on a trip to Gran and Grandad’s farm. Ages 0–2. FREE Blackwell’s Children’s Book Group Mon 14 Apr, 6pm. Blackwell’s, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. An hour of friendly chat about books for 8 to 11-year-olds.
Music The Quest and the Return
through Dangerous Lands of Music and Enchantment Sat 5 & Sun 6 Apr, 10am & 2.15pm. £9 (one accompanying adult free). Merchiston Castle School, 294 Colinton Road, 312 2200. Interactive storytelling event for ages 4–9. Part of Edinburgh International Harp Festival. Theatre & Dance Three Colours Fri 4–Sun 6 Apr, Fri 1pm & 3pm; Sat 11am & 1pm & 3pm; Sun 11am & 1pm & 3pm. £8 (£6; family £24). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. See Glasgow, Theatre & Dance. Two Can Toucan Sat 5 Apr, 11am. £4 (£2–£3). North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Puppet play based on David McKee’s fable. Ages 3-7. PAF Little Princess Goldtree Sat 5 Apr, 2.30pm. £4 (£2; locals £1.50). WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. The tale of Snow White with a few Scottish twists. PAF FREE Celeste’s Circus Mon 7 Apr, 10.30am. Valley Park Community Centre, 37 Southhouse Road, 664 2210. An engaging first trip to the circus, especially for very young children (0–5 years). PAF
Celeste’s Circus Mon 7 Apr, 2.30pm. £4 (£2). WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove, 458 3267. See above. Gingerbread Man Tue 8 Apr, 11am. Gilmerton Community Centre, 4 Drum Street, 664 2335. The tale of the Gingerbread Man, creating havoc wherever he goes. PAF Little Princess Goldtree Wed 9 Apr, 10.30am. £6 (children £4). Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7101. See above. My City Thu 10 Apr, 11am. £4 (£2–£3). North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. See Glasgow, Theatre & Dance. Willie the Wicked Wolf Thu 10 Apr, 2pm. £4 (£1.50–£2). Craigmillar Community Arts Centre, 58 Newcraighall Road, 669 8432. A non-traditional version of Little Red Riding Hood with a rock ‘n’ roll, motorbike-loving wolf at the helm. PAF £14.50. King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street, 529 6000. All-singing, all-dancing puppet show with Peppa Pig and pals. Little Princess Goldtree Sat 12 Apr, 11am. £4 (£3). North Edinburgh Arts
✽ Peppa Pig’s Big Splash Sat 12 & Sun 13 Apr, 10am, 1pm & 4pm.
Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. See above. Adventures from the Odyssey Sat 12 Apr, 11am. £6 (£4). Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Carolyne and her dog Argos travel back in time to visit the first Olympics. PAF Celeste’s Circus Sat 12 Apr, 3pm. £4 (£2). Craigmillar Community Arts Centre, 58 Newcraighall Road, 669 8432. See above. The Steadfast Tin Soldier Mon 14 Apr, 2pm. £8 (£6). Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. A playful re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s poetic story. PAF The Little Red Hen Tue 15 Apr, 2pm. £8. Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. An adaptation of the nursery school favourite. PAF The Frog And The Princess Wed 16 Apr, 2–2.50pm. £8 (£6). Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. A poignant re-telling of the Grimm fairy tale. For ages 4–8. PAF
✽The Secret Life of Suitcases Thu 17 Apr, 2pm. £8 (£6). Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, 529 6000. See review.
Totally awesome prizes! Calling all first year Smarty pants! Would you like to design our Smartcard wallet? One lucky pupil will win a years’ free Subway travel, a Radio Clyde station tour and an iPad! For more information go to spt.co.uk/smartkids
5 (cid:2) 12 MAY 2014 Scotland’s international festival of performing arts for children and young people. JOIN US FOR OUR 25TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Tickets: traverse.co.uk & 0131 228 1404 | For more info visit: imaginate.org.uk
20 Mar–17 Apr 2014 THE LIST 69