The 10th biennial Out of the Box festival will excite and ignite the imagination of children from 8- 14 June, incorporating the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, with an exciting program of performances, workshops, exhibitions and free arts events especially designed for children eight years and under.
Performances in the 2010 program include Pirates, a production by the Flying Fruit Circus, Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Patch Theatre Company’s Mr McGee and the Biting Flea.
Two works especially commissioned for the festival are – Grug, based on the much-loved character created by Ted Prior (QPAC / Windmill), and On Air, a work which explores children’s fantasies of flight (QPAC / Circa / Sydney Theatre Company).
The diverse educational and fun workshops on offer include: Instant Orchestra, a workshop experience – where children learn to play an Angklung, an Indonesian percussive instrument. Another is Flight Deck with Tony Rice, an inspiring kite maker who will facilitate children in designing their own kites, which they then fly from the rooftop of QPAC. Sticks, with floral artist Hiroake Eba, encourages children to create a Japanese-inspired bamboo masterpiece.
A highlight of the festival will be the Amococo Luminarium, a stunning installation filled with light and colour from the UK Architects of the Air, located on the South Bank Cultural Forecourt.
The festival also offers plenty of free activities including Art Trails and Outside of the Box featuring roaming performers and entertainment on two outdoor stages.
Out of the Box extends right across the Cultural Centre with workshops and free activities also on offer at the State Library of Queensland, Queensland Museum and Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art.
In 2008, more than 50,000 people participated in Out of the Box including students from 200 schools. For full details and bookings venture to www.outoftheboxfestival.com.au
The Queensland Government supports Out of the Box with funding of $700,000. Out of the Box is also funded by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and is supported by The Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum and the State Library of Queensland.
Out of the Box acknowledges the support of Brisbane City Council and the Out of the Box Friends; Australia Post, Brisbane’s Child, South Bank Corporation and The Buzz Insurance.
Out of the Box QPAC’s festival for children 8 years and under
WHEN: Tuesday 8 June – Monday 14 June 2010 (Queen’s Birthday Holiday)
WHERE: Cultural Centre South Bank
TICKETS: Performances – Adults $22 Children $18
Workshops – Children $16
Amococo – General Admission $8.50
Bookings: www.outoftheboxfestival.com.au