Spring has sprung making it the perfect time for young ones to move, make and create with Arts Centre Melbourne’s Families Program via the Together With You digital platform.
In the spirit of children and their families choosing their own interactive digital experiences these school holidays, to kick things off they will be able to enjoy a special family edition of Choose Your Own Variety with Ali McGregor on Tuesday 22 September at 10:30am.
In this special edition, Ali McGregor will be joined by some of Melbourne’s favourite performers. Frank Woodley will bring some of his glorious lunacy; Dandyman clowns around with straws; Clara Cupcakes gets disgusted by balloon animals; and comedy duo The Listies bring their usual silly mayhem.
Dane Simpson shows off his didge playing skills from Wagga Wagga and, a couple of young up-and-coming comedians from Arts Centre Melbourne’s LOL Squad program Ethan Gallagher and Patti Fawcett will make their debut.
Plus, Ali will sings songs from her backyard and there will be something extra special from a handful of talented kids around Victoria. This episode of Choose Your Own Variety with Ali McGregor will be able available to stream on demand for two weeks until Tuesday 6 October.
Then, to get the kids up and about there will be a range of FREE online workshops from the team at The Channel as part of a newly created program called Move, Make, Create.
Families with kids aged 6 – 18 years of age will be joined by a leading arts facilitator for a fun and interactive virtual workshop that will have everyone singing, dancing and making music. All dance workshops will be Auslan interpreted and the Lyric Writing workshop will be live captioned.
While all workshops are free – acknowledging the extreme impact COVID-19 is having on everyone – participants and their families are encouraged to consider donating to one of Arts Centre Melbourne’s support funds; Support Act who help performing arts workers in crisis access mental health support or Arts Centre Melbourne’s education program, which helps bring arts education to children, schools, families and communities all across Victoria.
For more information about Arts Centre Melbourne’s Families Program, visit: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au for details.
Image: Viral Dance Workshop – courtesy of Arts Centre Melbourne
Move, Make, Create at Arts Centre Melbourne:
Beat Machine
Date: Saturday 26 September – 2.00pm
Age: 13 – 18 year olds
Established producer and visionary behind the Music Production for Women movement, Xylo Aria will facilitate a handson workshop giving young music makers practical tips for getting started with Ableton Live. This workshop is copresented by the Australian Music Vault.
Lit Steps – Children’s Hip Hop
Date: Monday 28 September – 2.00pm
Age: 6 – 12 year olds
Come get jiggy on the screen and join L2R Dance instructors Dai and Lanie for a hip hop dance workshop. The workshop will focus on hip hop grooves while promoting a safe dance space for all children to have fun.
Bollywood Dance
Date: Tuesday 29 September – 2.00pm
Age: 6 – 12 year olds
From Mumbai to Melbourne, be introduced to the vibrant wonders of Bollywood dance. In this open workshop for beginners, Joshinder Chaggar will lead all movers through the basics of a fun Bollywood routine to get the body shaking and grooving from the comfort of their own home.
Viral Dance – Choreography for TikTok
Date: Wednesday 30 September – 2.00pm
Age: 13 – 18 years
Have you found it hard to follow the latest TikTok dances? Don’t worry, L2R Dance has got you sorted. Lanie and Dai will break down current viral TikTok dances to have you creating some poppin’ content.
Lyric Writing
Date: Thursday 1 October – 2.00pm
Age: 10 – 16 year olds
Join Eva Popov (Hello Satellites) for a virtual lyric writing session. Using a variety of techniques and exercises, Eva will guide participants through the process of coming up with a song idea and expressing that idea in interesting ways.
Whether you’re just getting started on your lyric writing career or trying to get out of that song writing rut, this workshop is for you. Participants are welcome to attend this online workshop either on their own or with members of their household. This workshop is co-presented by the Australian Music Vault.