The Youth Take Over: A guide to the school holidays and Youth Week
With the school holidays and Youth Week both about to launch, many people will be looking to keep themselves and/or their children entertained. Scratch your heads no more – City Hub presents you with our top suggestions for creative outings and events to inspire, inform and get you engaged with our artistic city.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS [Apr 9–26]
The Peasant Prince
A new Australian play developed especially for children, inspired by Li Cuxin’s beautiful picture book The Peasant Prince, which is based on his internationally successful memoir Mao’s Last Dancer. This play will inspire young people to overcome fears and follow their dreams; exploring themes of belonging, motivation, loneliness and hope. (6+ years)
Apr 9, 3pm + Apr 11–20, 10.30am + 12.30pm. Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre, Harbour Street, Sydney. $29pp (family + group passes avail). Tickets & info: monkeybaa.com.au
The King and Queen of Green
Young princes and princesses are invited to the Botanic Gardens for a special royal visit as the King and Queen of Green invite them to get their hands dirty and learn about landfill in an interactive hour of outdoor theatre. Activities include turning trash into treasure and making your own crown to take home. (6–12 years)
Apr 11–17, daily, 11am + 1pm. Adjacent Rathborne Lodge, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. $12+bf pp. Tickets & info: rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
20BOS Drop-In Art Workshops
The art world fun isn’t all for adults during the 20th Biennale of Sydney. Catch the ferry to Cockatoo Island and drop in for make-and-do activities inspired by the surrounding artworks, pack a picnic and make a day of it! If you’d rather stay on the mainland, the Museum of Contemporary Art is holding their own workshops for Contemporary Kids. (4+ years)
MCA Workshops: Apr 12–16, 10.30am. Donations encouraged. Info: mca.com.au
Cockatoo Island Workshops: Apr 19–23, 11am + 2pm. Free. Info: 20bos.com
The Bee and the Tree
Help Bette the Bee and her friends save the last tree and bring the flowers back in this ‘choose your own adventure’ style world of play. Mongrel Mouth theatre have been delighting adults with their unique, immersive theatre style since 2014 and now they invite children along for the fun with an uplifting environmental theme. (Infant–10 years)
Apr 14–24, Thurs–Sun, 11.30am + 1.30pm. 107 Norton Street, Leichardt. $20+bf pp. Tickets & info: mongrelmouth.com
School Holidays at USYD Museums
The University of Sydney contains three different museums, and during the school holidays each of them will host a day of child friendly activities. The Nicholson Museum invites kids to be part of a Greek Tragedy and handle genuine archaeological artefacts; with the Macleay Museum children can explore Indigenous culture and handle Aboriginal stone tools; and the University Art Gallery invites them to create their own masterpieces of surrealism. (5–12 years)
Apr 14, 19 + 21, 10am–4pm. The University of Sydney, various locations within. Free. Info: sydney.edu.au/museums or email museums.education@sydney.edu.au
YOUTH WEEK [Apr 8–17]
smart ARTS
This arts and cultural festival is designed for young people, by young people, and invites you to join the exciting next generation of visual artists. The program kicks off with a launch party and involves a careers forum, and free creative workshops including mini-terrarium making and figure drawing. The exhibition My Story: Artefacts + Artefiction continues until April 28. (15–26 years)
Apr 8–17. Pine Street Creative Arts Centre (Chippendale), Harry Burland Activity Centre (Darlington), 107 Projects (Redfern). Free. Info & bookings: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Film It & Show It – Award Ceremony
This creative film festival has invited the diverse and creative young filmmakers of Sydney to address multicultural and youth issues in our city. Film buffs are welcome to come see what they have to offer at a free screening of the top 10 films and award ceremony. (15+ years)
Apr 8, 6–9pm. Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay. Free. Bookings & info: eventbrite.com.au
Youth Week in the City mini fest
A full day bursting with entertainment including live art, live music, interactive workshops, a BBQ and the 18th annual Fernside Skate Comp. Weave Youth and Community Services and Sydney Youth Music present this event with the support of the City of Sydney. Special guest performers include Lyall Moloney and ELMENTRY. (All ages)
Apr 9, 12–7pm. Waterloo Skate Park, cnr McEvoy and Elizabeth Streets, Waterloo. Free ($5 for skate comp entrants). Info: weave.org.au
Stunt Lounge
Witness the next generation of circus. Traditional tricks meet contemporary twists when the Flying Fruit Fly Circus (Australia’s national youth circus) invites you to run away with the acrobats in this jaw dropping, genre-defying performance. An inspiration to test your own limits, the April 14 show will be followed by a Q&A with the performers. (12+ years)
Apr 13–17, various show times. The Studio, Sydney Opera House. $20–$45+bf. Tickets & info: sydneyoperahouse.com
BY ALANNAH MAHER
