SA’s DreamBIG Children’s Festival of arts and music launched
South Australia’s schoolchildren will burst out of the pandemic gloom next year with a vibrant arts festival to be held across the state.
SA News
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Thousands of South Australia’s schoolchildren will burst out of the pandemic gloom next year with a vibrant arts festival.
More than 50 shows, events and workshops will be held in the DreamBIG Children’s Festival from May 19 to 29.
“SA is known for its festivals and being arts savvy,” festival creative producer Susannah Sweeney said.
“This festival is a foundation, it’s one of the reasons SA has its reputation, because kids start early and experience pathways into arts and festivals.
“We are living through strange times that highlight how essential the arts are if we want our young people to have strong, curious, empathetic minds.”
The schools’ program, under the theme “Be Curious”, will be announced on Friday by the Adelaide Festival Centre.
Among the most excited will be Year 6 student Phitchapha Ritnayom, 12, whose artwork of aliens was chosen to promote the festival.
“They are inquisitive just like me and want to be part of this great event,” she said.
Phitchapha, who wants to be an architect, had never been to the theatre before. She will win tickets, a backstage pass and JB HiFi voucher.
The festival – formerly known as Come Out – will open on May 19 at Adelaide Oval’s Telstra Plaza where a mass choir will sing a new arrangement of David Bowie’s classic Space Oddity.
Most events will be at the Adelaide Festival Centre but some shows will be held in regional towns including Port Lincoln and Port Augusta.
While organisers hope coronavirus restrictions will have largely eased by next year, they are prepared for last-minute changes.
“We are ready to pivot if we have to,” Ms Sweeney said.
“But what’s great about schools is that 100 kids can go into a theatre and sit next to each other.
“We just have to worry about keeping space around them from adults and kids from another school.”
About 70 per cent of the program is free and the rest ticketed with prices at $10 to $16 for a day pass.
Arts SA is the major funder with the Education Department supporting the program through resources to teachers.
The program for a family weekend on May 22-23 with shows open to the public will be announced in February.
Program highlights include:
Magic Beach – a play based on the book by Alison Lester, where the quintessential Aussie holiday is brought to life on stage. The show will also head to Port Lincoln.
Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus – a show that combines acrobatics and physical comedy performed to Mozart.
Spirit – Weaves together storytelling, song and dance with fire, language and ceremony by Yellaka.
Project Ludwig – an interactive show with The Australian String Quartet. Students choose their favourite Beethoven playlist.
Still Point of a Turning World – An immersive performance installation where three performers create poetic stories.
Tröll – An Adelaide premiere of a New Zealand show where a young pre-teen explores the online world with the help of Icelandic folklore, music and puppetry.
We Come from Far, Far Away – Australian Premiere of a Norwegian show about the refugee experience, exploring themes of survival, fear and friendship.
Listen to See – Participatory dance by SA’s Restless Dance Theatre.
Full details for the school program can be found on the new website schools.dreambigfestival.com.au