Children's Festival

A Children’s Festival will be held As part of the 2011 Fringe Festival, from 09 -11 September. This three-day event will include readings by children’s authors, lyric writing, art and drama workshops and is designed to offer activities for tots to teens.

Here is some information on a performance by Capital E on Friday 9th September. Check out the full Fringe and Festival Programmes.

Friday 9th Sept, 11.30am-12.30pm - Prince Edward Auditorium, Collegiate Theatre
Pre-school and schools performance - Ideal for 2-7yr olds

'Songs Of The Sea' brought to Whanganui by Capital E National Children's Theatre.
Fabulously imaginative and internationally celebrated, Songs Of The Sea is a mythical and enchanting tale that reveals where all the fish come from in a theatrical collage of brilliantly coloured puppets, song and dance. Admission subsidised: $3.00 per ticket. Booking essential through I-Site Whanganui Visitor Centre; 31 Taupo Quay (06)349 0508 email: info(at)wanganui.govt.nz

Friday 9th Sept, 6.00pm-7pm - Prince Edward Auditorium, Collegiate Theatre
Public performance.

Admission $12 Adults, $8 children, Concessions $10, Family ticket $30 (2 adults, 2 children). Bookings essential through Royal Wanganui Opera House; 75 St Hill Street. (06) 349 0511 email: rwoh(at)royaloperahouse.co.nz

This beautiful play, written by Peter Wilson, directed by Kerryn Palmer and featuring puppets by Sue Hill, weaves together stories of the sea, including how the children of Te Ika Ra, the lonely sunfish, and Te Ika Marama, the bright moonfish, got their rainbow colours.

As four children play by the ocean a large conch shell whispers stories of the sea. As fluorescent fish float under a starry sky, a mysterious man appears in a rickety boat to tell his fishy tale. Following a sell-out season in Australia, and now with new characters and the addition of Wellingtons own legend of its two great Taniwha, this enchanting production will delight you with its wondrous tales of the ocean told in English and te reo Māori.

“Songs of the Sea is beautiful and enchanting theatre. Our audiences sat spellbound.”
The Arts Centre, Melbourne

Saturday 10th Sept, 9.30am-12.30pm - Community Arts Centre, River Room
A Haiku Poetry Workshop for children Ages 9-15yrs

A Haiku Poetry Workshop for children conducted by renowned poet Ron Riddell & Saray Torres, linguist/translator. This is an introduction to the writing of poetry in the form of Haiku, the three line verse form of Japanese origin. Children will have the opportunity to explore words through images and realized sensitivity to their surroundings. The workshop will last for three hours with a break. “Riddell’s great strength is his positive inspirational vision of human existence. It is a direct view, uncluttered by ego, vanity or obscure references” - Capital Times. “Riddell wants poems to build bridges and heal. He sustains a rhapsodic commitment to poetry that brings our lives to light” Booking essential through I-Site Whanganui Visitor Centre; 31 Taupo Quay (06)349 0508 email: info(at)wanganui.govt.nz

Saturday 10th Sept, 1.30 - 3.00pm - Wanganui District Library & Sarjeant Gallery
Hands-on Pop-Up Book Adventure for 7-9 year olds

Pop! Pop! Pop! Come and learn about pop-up books then make your own. Combine creative writing with art-making techniques. Free of charge, but bookings are essential and spaces limited. Sarjeant Gallery (06) 349 0506 (from late August)

Sunday 11th Sept, 11am-12.30pm - Wanganui District Library & Sarjeant Gallery
Hands-on Pop-Up Book Adventure for 10 - 13 year olds

Sunday 11th Sept, 5.00pm - Whanganui Regional Museum foyer
Cheryl Amos performs children's stories at twilight "Tall Tales in the Museum"

Leading up to this fabulous evening, children of all ages are invited to help create imaginative stories set in the Museum. Add a paragraph, a sentence, or even just a word. Help to write these tall tales then read them as they grow. Free programme. Booking through I-Site Whanganui Visitor Centre; 31 Taupo Quay (06)349 0508 email: info(at)wanganui.govt.nz