Melbourne families are in for a literary treat these July school holidays, with the annual ‘Family Fiesta’ set to return to Monash University’s Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts.

From Wednesday June 30 until Saturday July 3, Family Fiesta will celebrate children’s literature through performance and participation, with a range of free and ticketed events happening each day.

As well as live author and illustrator events from acclaimed talent including Bruce Pascoe, Heidi McKinnon, Andrew Hansen and Jessica Roberts, families will be thrilled by exclusive theatre and music performances, ensuring that every part of the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts is filled with stories, theatre, music, circus and entertainment throughout the entire event.

Event highlights include;

Beep by Windmill Theatre Company

Alive puppetry performance that tells the story of what happens when someone new comes to town. Told with Windmill Theatre Company’s trademark design, gentle storytelling, music and puppetry, Beep is suitable for children aged 2-7 years.

Lullaby Project by Nat Bartsch

Melbourne-based pianist and composer who blends postclassical and jazz genres. After becoming a mother, Nat launched ‘Lullaby Project’ – a composition of pieces designed to encourage babies to sleep which is influenced by music therapy and an author event from Bruce Pascoe, author of Young Dark Emu.

Other event additions include a concert performance of ‘Peter and the Wolf’ by The Inventi Ensemble, a beautiful story of young Peter, his grandfather and their friends – duck, bird and car, as well as Sensory Concerts® developed by Grace Kim with a team of musicians and therapists, which are designed to create high quality and relaxed concert experiences for children and adults with special education needs and disabilities.

There will also be live author and illustrator performances and conversations from renowned authors like Andrew Hansen and Jessica Roberts (Bab Sharkey and the Egyptian Animal Mummies: The Prickly Battle), Heidi McKinnon (I Just Ate My Friend), Sue Whiting (The Book of Chance), Aseel Tayah (Amal’s Journey), Alison Croggon (Threads of Magic), Claire Saxby (Kookaburra) and Boori Monty Pryor (The Story Doctors).

There will also be a number of free events running each day. Be entertained by Miss C and the Bubblegum Circus, spend a quiet moment in the Family Fiesta Book Nook, grab a free rainbow babyccino from Script @ The Count’s, and check out their delicious children’s menu or pull up a chair in the Fiesta Mini Cafe to do some colouring, while the grown-ups relax.

There is also free lunchtime music in The Count’s by Mickey & Michelle and The Tuck Shop Ladies.

After the children are entertained, parents are encouraged to check out Script @ The Count’s, a sophisticated restaurant and bar within the Ian Potter Centre for a drink and a bite to eat.

To purchase tickets events, or for more information, head to the MLIVE Family Fiesta website HERE

Family Fiesta has a strict COVID safe policy which means some events will operate in a limited capacity, including free events. See the COVID safe policy here: www.monash.edu/performing-arts-centres/covidsafe/

Details

When: Wednesday 30 June from 10am – 4pm
Thursday 1 July from 10am – 4pm
Friday 2 July from 10am – 4pm
Saturday 3 July from 10am – 4pm

Where: Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, 48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton VIC 3800

The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts is located at Monash University Clayton Campus.
Enter via Wellington Road.

Bookings here.