Spark Festival 2016

For children 0 - 13 years

23 May - 4 June 2016

www.sparkfestival.co.uk

Two weeks of Unforgettable Arts Experiences for children aged 0 - 13 years

Poggle

Fluff

The Doodle Dance Show

Funny, sensory dance theatre

Physical dance comedy and lost toys

Interactive dancing and doodling

Grandad and Me

Spark @ The Music CafĂŠ

A Boy and a Bear in a Boat

Touching magical adventure

High energy jazz gig

Funny, thrilling adventure

Into the West

Mouth Open, Story Jump Out Art Awake

Internationally acclaimed theatre

The master maker-upper

Bring artworks to life

See a show

pages 4 - 17

Dance, theatre, storytelling, comedy, drama, music, puppetry, from local, national and international performers.

A Mano (By Hand) Remarkable clay puppetry

City Play-ground

pages 18 - 19

The Spark takes over the city with free half term activities for the whole family.

Bubble Cellar Digital bubble blowing fun

Workshops

pages 20 - 21

Come and have a go at printing, graffiti, music production, playwriting and digital storytelling.

Workshops Join in and get creative

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0-4

0-3

Spitalfields Music presents

years

Turned On Its Head presents

years

Musical Rumpus: Run, Rindle, Rill

Sponge

Spitalfields Music’s award-winning, interactive, multi-sensory opera series for babies and toddlers returns with Run, Rindle, Rill; a brand new adventure for little ones.

Sponge is about all things spongy: a child's ability to soak things up like a sponge, a nice piece of cake or the squashy, squishy texture that fascinates children and adults alike.

Come on a fantastical river journey with music from Vivaldi’s humorous La Senna Festeggiante and explore a world of shapes, songs and sounds for you and your baby to enjoy.

A performance infused with authentic audience participation, improvisation and multi-sensory experiences that will delight your little one.

An exciting opportunity to see this new work in progress. Chat to the company help us make the show!

Commissioned and produced by Big Imaginations.

Co-commissioned by The Spark Arts for Children.

Sat 4 June

Fri 3 June 10.30am & 1pm

Relaxed performance 12.30pm

Running Time: 45 mins Suitable for: 6 months - 4 years Relaxed performance 1pm

10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm Running Time: 45 mins including playtime Suitable for: 0 - 2½ years

Attenborough Arts Centre 0116 252 2455 Tickets: £7 / party of four £25

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0-6

0-5

years

Macrobert and Barrowland Ballet present

Attenborough Arts Centre presents

years

Poggle

Baby Disco: Space

Vince wants to explore the forest but he's too scared to go on his own. Until one day he meets Poggle, a friendly creature who takes him on an adventure exploring the forest and the magical musical tree.

Baby Disco is back by popular demand!

A funny, sensory dance theatre piece with live music, clapping rhythms and bubble popping throughout!

“Perfectly formed dance theatre takes its early years audience to the top of the tree and shows them the view”

Boogie babies, tap-dancing toddlers and mini disco-divas are invited to dance their way on a Space themed journey through sound and movement.

Learn some dance moves from Alison Bacon and dance to DJ James Kelly musical soundtrack.

One small step for mankind, one baby step into a multi-sensory playspace with disco lighting and video projections.

The Stage ★★★★★

Fri 27 & Sat 28 May 10.45am & 1.30pm Running Time: 40 mins Suitable for: 6 months - 5 years

Sun 29 May 11am, 1pm, 2.30pm Running Time: 1 hour Suitable for: 0 - 6 years

Relaxed performance Sat 28 May 1.30pm

Attenborough Arts Centre 0116 252 2455 Tickets: £7 / party of four £25

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Attenborough Arts Centre 0116 252 2455 Tickets: £5, accompanying adult £1 visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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The Gruffalo’s Child © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2004 – Macmillan Children’s Books

3-8

2-8

Leicester Library Services presents

years

Bedtime Stories Everybody loves bedtime stories. Gather inside our cosy theatre where we bring you a range of traditional and new tales full of magic, warmth and giggles.

Share a bedtime storyland with hot chocolate and cookies at this ever-popular event.

years

Tall Stories presents

The Gruffalo's Child The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should Ever set foot in the deep dark wood…

One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he?

Tall Stories returns, bringing Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning sequel to life in this magical, musical adaptation.

“Fun, daft and a little scary!”

Time Out ★★★★

3pm Running Time: 1 hour Suitable for: 2 - 8 years

Thu 2 June 1.30pm & 4.30pm Fri 3 - Sun 5 June 10.30am & 1.30pm

The Y Theatre 0116 255 7066 Tickets: £3.50 includes cookies and hot chocolate

Relaxed performance Sun 5 June 10.30am

Sat 28 May

6

Running Time: 55 mins Suitable for: 3 - 8 years

Curve 0116 242 3595 Tickets: £12 (£2 off for groups 10+) * for transaction fee please see page 25

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Image: Chris Nash

3-11

years

Anna Williams & Tom Roden, with Greenwich Dance, present

The Doodle Dance Show Grab a pen and kick off your shoes for this fun playful interactive show that will get the whole family drawing and moving, doodling and imagining together.

Together we will create a world populated by crazy birds, dancing pirates, strange underwater creatures and more...

Audience members said:

This is the most fun you can have with your friends, a pen and a giant piece of paper.

“Very creative, funny and active”

“Interactive and freeing”

“Loved dancing, drawing and the shark!”

Tue 24 & Wed 25 May

10.30am, 1.30pm

Running Time: 50 mins Suitable for: 3 - 11 years

Attenborough Arts Centre 0116 252 2455 Tickets: £7 / party of four £25 Schools groups 10+ £6 (with one free teacher ticket)

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The Doodle Dance Show is commissioned and produced by Greenwich Dance, co-commissioned by DanceEast and South East Dance and supported by Arts Council England and Cambridge Junction. Art material sponsorship by Cass Art. An East Midlands Children’s Theatre and Dance Network tour, supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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3-13

years

Cre8ion (Australia) presents

Fluff: A Story of Lost Toys In a world of odd size boxes, night-lights and little wooden beds, lives the slightly quirky Gingham family.

Welcome to the mad, mod world of the Ginghams, a cheerful trio who travel the world to rescue lost and discarded toys. In this comedic, off-the-wall story, toys are discovered and recovered by the kindly plaidpatterned family.

Fluff: A Story of Lost Toys is a simple, joyful and humorous tale told with a twist. It has been acclaimed for its originality, warmth, clever use of comedy and extraordinary combination of song, movement, sampling, projection and audience participation.

Fri 27 May 6.30pm Sat 28 May 2pm Running Time: 55 mins Suitable for: 3 to 13 years and all the family

“They're astonishing physical comedians” New York Times

“One of the most imaginative shows for the young you will find. Highly sophisticated and great fun... the children - and the adults - loved it!”

The Advertiser - Sydney Opera House Season

Curve 0116 242 3595 Tickets: £7 * for transaction fee please see page 25

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Illustrations © Dave Shelton

5+

years

The Spark Arts for Children presents

A Boy and a Bear in a Boat Welcome aboard! Join our heroes all at sea with just a suitcase, a ukulele and a teapot to help them. Dark clouds are looming, the ocean is full of dangers, there's only one sandwich left and it's nearly teatime. When all seems lost, can their friendship survive? And where exactly are they heading? Will they ever get there?

Adapted by Stewart Melton from the award-winning novel by Dave Shelton and featuring live music and movement, A Boy and a Bear in a Boat is a funny, thoughtful and thrilling adventure for everyone five years and older.

Also part of the At Your School programme see page 22 for details

“Captivating and beautifully told. A charming tale!”

Audience member

Sat 28 May

“It is my favourite show… the bear was very funny”

Running Time: 1 hour Suitable for: 5+ years

Indira aged 5

Hamilton Library 10.30am 0116 221 2790 African Caribbean Centre 3pm 0116 221 1793 Tickets: £4 (£3 For library members) Twitter

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Image Neil Thomas Douglas

5 -8

years

The Letter J presents

Grandad and Me Grandad and Me is a living storybook about loss, longing and the treasures of memory and imagination.

We meet a young girl who is missing her Grandad – he has gone, even though his favourite job was being her Grandad. Led by found objects and her imagination, join her as she traces his footsteps on a magical adventure through time and space.

Tue 31 May Wed 1 June

3pm 10.30am, 1pm & 3pm Running Time: 40 mins Suitable for: 5 - 8 years

“a luscious-looking and tremendously moving show… a rich and steady interaction between the show’s beautiful design and animation, the live sound, music and voices” The Scotsman

Relaxed performance Tue 31 May 3pm

Attenborough Arts Centre 0116 252 2455 Tickets: £7 / party of four £25

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6+

years

El Patio Teatro (Spain) presents

A Mano (By Hand) A Mano is the story of a very small but very special hero with a great desire to escape from his pottery shop window and those who live there with him.

Told with beautifully crafted clay characters and remarkable artistry, A Mano is a touching and lifeaffirming story about love, small failures, a potter’s wheel and four hands at play.

“It’s the fingers that do the talking in this beguilingly quaint production” Thu 2 June 11am & 2pm Running Time: 45 mins Suitable for: 6+ years

The Herald ★★★★

Curve 0116 242 3595 Tickets: £7 * for transaction fee please see page 25

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0-4

Leicester International Music Festival present

years

6-13

5+

years

years

The Social Cinema presents

Musical Scrumptiousness

Social Cinema

Come with your titchy little snapperwhippers and join us in an eclectic mix of music with a jazzy twist inspired by the centenary anniversary of popular children’s writer Roald Dahl.

‘Every home should have a Marmalade Day. And a bear.’ The Social Cinema couldn’t agree more, so they’ve teamed up with Phoenix to present a unique children’s screening of the undeniably wonderful Paddington.

An interactive and participatory music experience combining clarinets, jazz guitar, double bass and percussion.

Join us in the iconic surroundings of the New Walk Museum & Art Gallery and why not add to the fun by coming dressed as your favourite Roald Dahl character?

Paddington (PG)

There’ll be storytelling, crafts, and a bear hunt, and - if that wasn’t enough – join the teddy bear’s picnic for tasty snacks, before settling down to watch everyone’s favourite Peruvian bear in his film debut. Free entry for teddy bears; parents allowed with children’s permission!

Tue 31 May

Sat 28 & Sun 29 May

11.30am to 12.15pm Suitable for under 5s 2pm to 3pm Suitable for 5+ years and families

Running Time: 3pm - 6pm Suitable for: 6 - 13 years

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery 0116 225 4920 Tickets: £5 / £15 family ticket (up to 4 people)

Phoenix 0116 242 2800 Tickets: £10 per person Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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6+

years

Arch8 (Netherlands) presents

Double Bill: Tetris / No Man is an Island Join us for this fantastic festival event - an afternoon in the park. Don’t forget to bring a picnic!

Tetris

No Man is an Island

Inspired by the game Tetris, Arch8's extremely physical dance quartet explore how we connect with one another.

No Man is an Island pushes the limits of physical possibility. It explores balance as one body climbs and shifts atop another without ever touching the ground.

The energy and enthusiasm of the performers is contagious, delighting audiences as they watch what begins as a game of interlocking shapes unfold‌ Tetris is a performance about fitting in to the group, and about doing your own thing.

No Man is an Island brings connection, cooperation, communication and creativity together.

Winners of 'Best Show' at International Performance Arts for Youth 2016.

Sun 29 May Knighton Park Mon 30 May Abbey Park

Workshop between performances at 3pm

Tetris 2pm (45 mins) No Man is an Island 4pm (20 mins)

Explore balance, trust and coordination, building Tetris-like interlocking shapes and designing playful interactions.

Suitable for: 6+ years

Limited capacity

Tickets: FREE event - just drop by

Supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands

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6+

The Spark Arts for Children presents

years

Spark @ 2Funky Music Café Starring Adriano Adewale Brazilian percussionist and composer Adriano Adewale brings his high octane blend of world jazz back to the Spark after a series of lively gigs in schools last year with Catapluf’s Musical Journey.

Part of Festival2Funky, this is a fantastic opportunity for families of all ages to hear great live music in a professional music gig setting.

7+

Bamboozle and Curve present

years

Hansel and Gretel Join Hansel and Gretel as they encounter dangers, escape from the forest, overcome the evil witch and surprise their parents and themselves.

Bamboozle’s inventive production uses puppets and original music, playfulness and humour as well as a little dose of madness to retell this classic tale. Once again, Bamboozle brings a story to enchanting life for young audiences and particularly for those who have learning disabilities. Don’t miss it!

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Thu 26 May 6.30pm Running Time: 1 hour Suitable for: 6 - 13 years and families 2Funky Music Café www.2funkytickets.co.uk Tickets: £5

Tue 24 & Wed 25 May

11am & 6pm

Running Time: 1 hour Suitable for: 7+ years

These are all relaxed performances

Curve 0116 242 3595 Tickets: £8 * for transaction fee please see page 25

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Image Cristina Todaro.

8+

8+

Alice Mary Cooper in association with Catherine Wheels and Imaginate presents

years

Waves Waves tells the story of the unofficial history of the invention of the Butterfly stroke. Combining new writing, highly expressive storytelling, delicate movement and humour, this one woman show is written and performed by Alice Mary Cooper.

Waves is the amazing tale of Elizabeth Moncello and how, growing up on Gabo Island (Australia) in the 1930’s, she employed sea creatures to teach her how to swim. With the help of fish, penguins and amphibian friends, Liz, the daughter of immigrants, developed ‘the Dolphin,’ known to the world as the Butterfly.

14/48:UK presents

years

14/48: Takeover The World's Quickest Theatre Festival The World’s Quickest Theatre Festival is again being taken over by Leicester’s young writers!

What will they produce?

Come and watch 4 plays whipped up in only 4 days and see how our professional actors can bring their scripts to life in just 24 hours!

Also part of the At Your School programme see page 22 for details

Take Part workshop details page 20 A fantastic opportunity to improve your creative writing skills, develop your ideas and see them come to life on stage.

Sat 28 May

Sat 4 June

Running Time: 55 mins Suitable for: 8+ years

6pm Running Time: 1 hour Suitable for: 8+ years and families

Pork Pie Library and Community Centre 11am 0116 299 5480 Beaumont Leys Library 2pm 0116 299 5460

The Y 0116 255 7066 Tickets: £4

Tickets: £4 (£3 for Library Members) Twitter

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15

7+

years

Travelling Light Theatre Company presents

Into the West

by Greg Banks She’s my horse, she is! What’s her name Grandpa?

She’s called Tir na n’Og. Why’s she called that?

Because she came from the land under the sea. A place where it is always summer, and no-one grows old.

Imagine a glorious white horse comes out of a sea-mist and into your troubled life. Imagine trying to keep her on the 14th floor of a Dublin tower block. Now imagine the police are after you, and your only escape is to ride into the west…

To celebrate the play’s 20th anniversary, Travelling Light are bringing to a new generation of audiences their internationally-acclaimed story of grit and magic, love and loss, hope and discovery.

Family story-making workshop Fri 3 June 11am - 1pm FREE Workshop with ticket purchase (limited capacity) Make up a world filled with mythical creatures, a place where magic fills the air and adventure runs rife.

A fantastical story-making workshop for children 7+ and all the family.

Post show discussion Fri 3 June after 2pm show

Fri 3 June 2pm & 6.30pm Sat 4 June 2pm

“complex, moving and vivid theatre that creates a complete imaginative world of its own”

Running Time: 1 hour 10 mins Suitable for: 7+ years

Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

Curve 0116 242 3595 Tickets: £7 * for transaction fee please see page 25

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A Battersea Arts Centre Production.

Conceived and created by Polarbear.

8-12

years

Mouth Open, Story Jump Out Polarbear makes things up; stories, jokes, adventures a master maker-upper. But where did it all begin?

When his father disappears one day, Polarbear starts to imagine what happened. Could it involve international assassins? Secret codes? Dog-eating boa constrictors?

One thing’s for sure. He needs your help telling the story, and you might just leave with a story of your own making. This is an absorbing, interactive show from leading spoken-word artist and author Polarbear.

Thu 2 June 1pm & 4pm Running Time: 1 hour Suitable for: 8 - 12 years

“the whole room gets electric as suggestions snap! crackle! and pop! out of young mouths and Polarbear merrily melds them together... an exuberant one-man show” Herald Scotland ★★★★

The Y 0116 255 7066 Tickets: £7 / party of four £22

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Get ready for a playtime you’ll never forget ! l

City Play-ground FREE Half term activities to keep you busy all week Sat 28 May to Fri 3 Jun

free events 18

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Don’t forget to pick up a FREE City Play-ground Passport to help capture some festival memories and spark your imagination around the City Play-ground destinations.

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Curve

Phoenix

Kick-start your half-term with us at Curve’s Family Day! Help create the Untitled Play art installation all along the mezzanine using games and playful processes. And that’s not all, there’s a whole host of other great activities to get involved with including: storytelling, dressing up, live music and backstage tours. Bring your unwanted toys to the Swap Shop and take away a toy looking for a new home.

Learn and invent with brilliant new creative technologies at the Digital Play-ground. It’s full to the brim with interactive exhibitions, activities and short films handpicked for the digital generation. Don’t miss the enchanting Cave Aux Bulles (‘Bubble Cellar’) artwork, using shadows and animation to turn soap bubbles into tiny birds and balloons.

Leicester Print Workshop BBC Radio Leicester Go behind the scenes, at the BBC Radio Leicester Open Day and learn what it’s like to be a radio presenter as you present the news. Call 0116 251 6688 to book your place.

Get involved with Printmaking Playtime where you can play with mark making, printing and colour to create your own limited edition works of art.

Attenborough Arts Centre New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Head over to Art Awake in the Victorian Gallery to help bring the artworks to life as you dress up, role play and create props. Submit your pictures via social media to help create a virtual Victorian Art Gallery.

Look out for the New Walk Museum & Art Gallery summer exhibit Birds with free family friendly drop in activities 11am - 4pm on Sat 28 and Sun 29 May.

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Imagine an object, and a place to display it, what stories can you bring to life? Create your own story objects for the Cabinet of Curiosities. This fun free event, with artist Jo Dacombe, will help you explore your imagination and materials to make a sculpture to join the festival display.

Check the diary page 28 & 29 for dates and times and visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk for more details

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Festival Workshops

14/48: Takeover Workshop

Art Awake Mon 23 - Fri 27 May 10.30am - 12pm, 1pm - 3pm

Tue 31 May - Fri 3 June 10am - 3 pm each day

Make an artwork come to life in the magnificent Victorian Art Gallery. Will you have a picnic, ride a flying horse or dance like our ballerina?

Join a team of budding playwrights as you work alongside professional writers and create 4 plays in a week!

A fantastic opportunity to improve your creative writing skills, share and develop your own ideas and see your play performed by professional actors at the end of the week!

We supply the prop boxes, you bring your imagination…

Suitable for: 1 - 7 years Cost: FREE

Venue: New Walk Museum

Suitable for: 8-14 years Cost: £40 (limited places)

Art Detective

Postcards to Peru -

Storytelling in Latvian

Making Digital Postcards

Tue 31 May 2pm

Tue 31 May - Thu 2 June 10.30am - 3pm each day

& Art Gallery 0116 225 4900

Venue: The Y 0116 255 7066

Bilingual storytelling and workshop in Latvian and English. What sort of secrets do paintings hold? What if the paintings could come alive? Follow the signs to find the lost monkey and meet the Princess from the Janis Rozentāls painting. Make your own monkey and frames for your own masterpiece.

Suitable for: 3+ years Cost: FREE spaces please book

This fun three-day course will build skills in developing and telling a story, sound recording, lighting, and using a camera to create digital postcards from an imaginary world.

Venue: Fosse Library 0116 225 4995

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Suitable for: 7-11 years Cost: £75

Venue: Phoenix 0116 242 2800

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Small Print Family Workshop

Urban Art Workshop Music Production Graffiti Workshop

Sat 28 May 1pm - 5pm

Wed 1 June 11am - 1pm

Monoprinting

After taking a quick look at the Small Print International exhibition we will play and experiment with texture, colour and layering in a monoprinting workshop.

Presented by Leicester Print Workshop.

Children with disabilities are very welcome.

or 1.30pm-3.30pm

Thu 2 June 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Explore how to draw Graffiti Art lettering using professional paint pens and materials. Participants will design and create their own canvas to take away.

Learn how to make your own music on industry standard software with Pedestrian's expert music tutors. Perfect for young aspiring Producers or children who just want to have a go.

Please come in suitable clothing!

Limited to 12 places.

Suitable for: 8 - 13 years Cost: £15.99

Suitable for: 8 - 13 years Cost: £9.75

Venue: Pedestrian book online via www.sparkfestival.co.uk/pedestrian

Venue: Pedestrian book online via www.sparkfestival.co.uk/pedestrian

Limited to 8 places.

Suitable for: 8+ years Cost: £17 child (parent free) Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

0116 252 2455

Small Print Family Workshop

Urban Art Workshop Light Graffiti

Sat 4 June 1pm - 5pm

Thu 2 June 11am - 1pm

Linocut

Leicester Print Workshop presents this introduction to linocut. Draw and cut a design and then ink and print to make your own original limited edition artwork.

Create artwork with light. Work with a Visual Artist to design and create your own pieces of art by painting with light.

Children with disabilities are very welcome.

Uses photography and digital art skills to explore graffiti.

Limited to 8 places.

Suitable for: 8+ years Cost: £17 child (parent free) Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

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Suitable for: 8 - 13 years Cost: £9.75 Venue: Pedestrian book online via www.sparkfestival.co.uk/pedestrian

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The Spark Festival - At Your School The Spark Festival’s At Your School programme remains at the heart of the festival.

5

40

performances companies

5,000 over

50 workshops

pupils

So, if your school hasn’t seen an unforgettable theatre performance in their school hall, written a poem for Leicester with award-winning children’s poet Joseph Coelho or composed and performed music on stage at a festival venue with Adriano Adewale, they are missing out.

To make sure your school is included in the fun next year, talk to your headteacher or email admin@thesparkarts.co.uk

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Monday 23 - Friday 27 May

At Your School 2016

We are taking performances and workshops into Leicester schools and offer special theatre shows for school audiences at Curve & Attenborough Arts Centre (see pages 7 & 14).

As well as being enormously entertaining and inspiring, these performances are a powerful teaching tool, stimulating a wealth of classroom activity across Foundation, Key Stages 1 and 2. Productions are supported by resources for teachers and some offer practical workshops, led by the performers themselves.

We are also delighted to be presenting mini-dance theatre from Norway ‘Toddler’s Room’ at Children’s Centres in Leicester.

Arts Award The Spark Arts for Children is an Arts Award centre with advisers who can help schools create programmes to develop creativity, leadership and communication skills. Contact us on 0116 261 6893 for more information about Arts Award and how your school could benefit.

Some of the schools who will be visited by The Baghdaddies; Catherine Wheels Theatre Company The Story of the Little Gentleman; Waves (pg15); A Boy and a Bear and a Boat (pg9); Stopgap Dance Company The Performance Barley Croft Primary School Croft Primary School Folville Junior School Fosse Primary School Humberstone Infant School Medway Community Primary School Mellor Community Primary School Mowmacre Hill Primary School Sandfield Close Primary School St Mary’s Fields Primary School Woodland Grange Primary School More information about these shows at www.sparkfestival.co.uk/schools

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Venues 2Funky Music Café

Knighton Park

New Park Street (off Braunstone Gate), Leicester, LE3 5NH www.2funkytickets.co.uk

Palmerston Way Leicester LE2 3RR

Abbey Park Abbey Park Road Leicester LE4 5AQ African Caribbean Centre Maidstone Rd Leicester LE2 0UA Tel: 0116 221 1793 Attenborough Arts Centre Lancaster Road Leicester LE1 7HA Ticket office: 0116 252 2455 www.attenborougharts.com BBC Radio Leicester 9 St Nicholas Place Leicester LE1 5LB Tel: 0116 251 6688 Beaumont Leys Library Beaumont Way Leicester LE4 1DS Tel: 0116 299 5460 or visit the library Curve Rutland Street Leicester LE1 1SB Ticket office: 0116 242 3595* www.curveonline.co.uk *Transaction fee is £3 for all card payments.

Excludes Members, Groups 10+ and customers printing tickets at home.

More Information

Leicester Print Workshop 50 St George St Leicester LE1 1QG Tel: 0116 251 4174 www.leicesterprintworkshop.com New Walk Museum and Art Gallery 53 New Walk Leicester LE1 7EA Tel: 0116 225 4900 enquiries 0116 255 4920 tickets www.leicester.gov.uk/museums Pedestrian

Visit Leicester Information Centre 51 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester LE1 5AD Telephone: 0116 299 4444 www.visitleicester.info

Getting to the Venue: Directions to each venue are available from the venue themselves. They are also able to advise about car parking and any special requirements you may have.

Or visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to see map links for each venue.

Travel Line:

1st & 2nd Floors, 7-9 Rutland Street Leicester LE1 1RB Tel: 0116 261 6860 Online booking only: via www.sparkfestival.co.uk/pedestrian Phoenix 4 Midland Street Leicester LE1 1TG Ticket office: 0116 242 2800 www.phoenix.org.uk

0871 200 2233 National Rail Enquiries:

0345 748 4950 Park & Ride (Mon to Sat) Meynell’s Gorse (Leicester Forest East), Enderby and Birstall.

Special family rate £3.50 for a Group Ticket (up to 5 people), under 5s travel for free. www.quicksilverbus.co.uk

Pork Pie Library and Community Centre Southfields Drive Leicester LE2 6QS Tel: 0116 299 5480 or visit the library The Y

Fosse Library Mantle Road Leicester LE3 5HG Tel: 0116 225 4995

7 East Street Leicester LE1 6EY Ticket office: 0116 255 7066 www.ytheatre.co.uk

Hamilton Library Maidenwell Avenue, Hamilton, Leicester LE5 1BL (next to Tesco) Tel: 0116 221 2790 or visit the library

Tickets also available online at www.sparkfestival.co.uk Payment via PayPal - transaction fee 75p per booking

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Join us from 7pm for a glass of pink fizz on arrival, a delicious three course meal and coffee, followed by the main act and a DJ until midnight.

DIRTY DANCING HUNGRY EYES Friday 8 July ÂŁ29.50 per person

ABA TWINS

Saturday 15 October ÂŁ29.50 per person

To book or for further details on all our tribute nights please speak to hotel reception, visit our website belmonthotel.co.uk or call us on 0116 252 9603 @belmonthotel

The Belmont Hotel

The Belmont Hotel, 20 De Montfort Square, Leicester LE1 7GR

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Bardi Half page ad

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Diary Date

Time

Event

Venue

Age

Mon 23 May

10.30am - 12 pm 1pm - 3pm 10.30am - 12pm 10.30am 11am 1pm - 3pm 1.30pm 6pm 10.30am - 12pm 10.30am 11am 1pm - 3pm 1.30pm 6pm 10.30am - 12pm 1pm - 3pm 6.30pm 10.30am - 12pm 10.45am 1pm - 3pm 1.30pm 6.30pm 10am - 4pm 10.30am 10.45am 11am 1pm 1.30pm 2pm 2pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 11am 1pm 2pm 2.30pm 3pm 10am - 4pm 11am - 2pm 2pm

Art Awake!

Art Awake!

Art Awake!

The Doodle Dance Show Hansel and Gretel Art Awake!

The Doodle Dance Show Hansel and Gretel Art Awake!

The Doodle Dance Show Hansel and Gretel Art Awake!

The Doodle Dance Show Hansel and Gretel Art Awake!

Art Awake!

Spark @ 2Funky Music Café Art Awake!

Poggle Art Awake!

Poggle Fluff: A Story of Lost Toys Curve Family Day A Boy and a Bear in a Boat Poggle Waves Monoprinting Family Workshop Poggle Fluff: A Story of Lost Toys Waves A Boy and a Bear in a Boat The Social Cinema: Paddington Bedtime Stories Baby Disco: Space Baby Disco: Space Tetris / No Man is an Island Baby Disco: Space The Social Cinema: Paddington BBC Radio Leicester Open Day Art Awake!

Tetris / No Man is an Island

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery New Walk Museum & Art Gallery New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Attenborough Arts Centre Curve New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Attenborough Arts Centre Curve New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Attenborough Arts Centre Curve New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Attenborough Arts Centre Curve New Walk Museum & Art Gallery New Walk Museum & Art Gallery 2Funky Music Café New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Attenborough Arts Centre New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Attenborough Arts Centre Curve Curve Hamilton Library Attenborough Arts Centre Pork Pie Library Attenborough Arts Centre Attenborough Arts Centre Curve Beaumont Leys Library African Caribbean Centre Phoenix The Y Theatre Attenborough Arts Centre Attenborough Arts Centre Knighton Park Attenborough Arts Centre Phoenix BBC Radio Leicester New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Abbey Park

1 - 7 years 1 - 7 years 1 - 7 years 3 - 11 years 7+ years 1 - 7 years 3 - 11 years 7+ years 1 - 7 years 3 - 11 years 7+ years 1 - 7 years 3 - 11 year 7+ years 1 - 7 years 1 - 7 years 6+ years 1 - 7 years 0 - 5 years 1- 7 years 0 - 5 years 3 - 13 years All the family 5+ years 0 - 5 years 8+ years 8+ years 0 - 5 years 3 - 13 years 8+ years 5+ years 6 - 13 years 2 - 8 years 0 - 6 years 0 - 6 years 6+ years 0 - 6 years 6-13 years All the family All the family 6+ years

Tue 24 May

Wed 25 May

Thu 26 May

Fri 27 May

Sat 28 May

Sun 29 May

Mon 30 May

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R- Relaxed Performance

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Date

Time

Event

Venue

Age

Tue 31 May

10am - 3pm 10.30am - 3pm 11am - 1pm 11am - 2pm 11am - 4pm 11.30am 2pm 2pm 3pm 10am - 3pm 10.30am 11am - 1pm 11am - 2pm 11am - 4pm 11am 1pm 1.30pm 3pm 11am - 1pm 11am - 2pm 11am - 4pm 11am 11am 1pm 1.30pm 1.30pm 2pm 4pm 4.30pm 10.30am 10.30am 11am - 1pm 11am - 2pm 11am - 4pm 1pm 1.30pm 2pm 6.30pm 10.30am 10.30am 12.30pm 1pm 1.30pm 2pm 2.30pm 6pm

14/48: Takeover - 4 day workshop Postcards from Peru - 3 day workshop Printmaking Playtime Art Awake!

Digital Playground Musical Scrumptiousness Musical Scrumptiousness Art Detective Grandad and Me R Cabinet of Curiosities Grandad and Me Printmaking Playtime Art Awake!

Digital Playground Urban Art Workshop - Graffiti Grandad and Me Urban Art Workshop - Graffiti Grandad and Me Printmaking Playtime Art Awake!

Digital Playground Urban Art Workshop - Light Graffiti A Mano (By Hand) Mouth Open, Story Jump Out Music Production Workshop The Gruffalo's Child A Mano (By Hand) Mouth Open, Story Jump Out The Gruffalo's Child Sponge The Gruffalo's Child Printmaking Playtime Art Awake!

Digital Playground Sponge R The Gruffalo's Child Into the West Into the West Musical Rumpus: Run, Rindle, Rill The Gruffalo's Child Musical Rumpus: Run, Rindle, Rill R Linocut Family Workshop The Gruffalo's Child Into the West Musical Rumpus: Run, Rindle, Rill The World's Quickest Theatre

The Y Theatre Phoenix Leicester Print Workshop New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Phoenix New Walk Museum & Art Gallery New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Fosse Library Attenborough Arts Centre Attenborough Arts Centre Attenborough Arts Centre Leicester Print Workshop New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Phoenix Pedestrian Attenborough Arts Centre Pedestrian Attenborough Arts Centre Leicester Print Workshop New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Phoenix Pedestrian Curve The Y Theatre Pedestrian Curve Curve The Y Theatre Curve Attenborough Arts Centre Curve Leicester Print Workshop New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Phoenix Attenborough Arts Centre Curve Curve Curve Attenborough Arts Centre Curve Attenborough Arts Centre Attenborough Arts Centre Curve Curve Attenborough Arts Centre The Y Theatre

8 - 14 years 7 - 11 years 3+ years All the family 2+ years 0 - 4 years 5+ years 3+ years 5 - 8 years 4+ years 5 - 8 years 3+ years All the family 2+ years 8 - 13 years 5 - 8 years 8 - 13 years 5 - 8 years 3+ years All the family 2+ years 8 - 13 years 6+ years 8 - 12 years 8 - 13 years 3+ years 6+ years 8 - 12 years 3+ years 0 - 4 years 3+ years 3+ years All the family 2+ years 0 - 4 years 3+ years 7+ years 7+ years 0 - 3 years 3+ years 0 - 3 years 8+ years 3+ years 7+ years 0 - 3 years 8+ years

Wed 1 June

Thu 2 June

Fri 3 June

Sat 4 June

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For more information about all festival events please contact The Spark on 0116 261 6893, or go to www.sparkfestival.co.uk

The Spark Arts For Children: Director – Adel Al-Salloum Guest Festival Director – Tony Reekie

Age Recommendations

General Manager – Harriet Roy

To ensure everyone has the best possible experience please follow the suggested age suitability guidelines. Also it is usual for everyone to need a ticket or have a place reserved but if you are unsure please check with the venues when booking.

Press & Marketing Manager – Keith Turner

Unaccompanied Children All shows, events and workshops are designed for children under 13 to be accompanied by an adult, unless otherwise stated.

Booking Tickets Phone: contact numbers for all venues are on page 25.

On the Web: visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk for links to venues that offer online bookings or to buy tickets via PayPal for selected performances.

In person: venue addresses on page 25.

FREE events: please check if you need to reserve a place with the venue.

Relaxed Performance Relaxed performances are specifically designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including people with an autism spectrum condition, sensory and communication disorders, or a learning disability.

Access We want everyone to enjoy their experience of the festival so if you, or anyone in your party, have any special requirements please let the venue know when booking or call The Spark on 0116 261 6893 for more information.

Photography There will be a Spark photographer at most events. Please let a member of staff know if you or your family do not wish to be photographed.

The Spark Arts for Children is a registered charity number: 1106952. Company Limited by guarantee 5254229 We reserve the right to make any changes that may be necessary where unavoidable.

Development Manager – Carrie Carruthers 07716 372168 Marketing & Events Support – Maya Biswas Projects Coordinator – Gemma Kiddy Admin & Marketing Assistant – Matthew Fife Student Placements – Kezia Kneller & Helena Fewkes ARThink South Asia Placement – Varda Nisar

Board of Trustees: Lucy Bani Sarah Brigham Ravinder Kaur Vijay Mistry Mahmood Reza

David Bell (Chair) Mike Candler Rachael Mabe Debbie Read Akshay Sharma

Patron: Tim Crouch Festival Office: LCB Depot, 31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE Email: admin@thesparkarts.co.uk Call us on 0116 261 6893 www.sparkfestival.co.uk

Thanks to: All at Curve, Attenborough Arts Centre, The Y, New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Phoenix, Leicester Print Workshop, 2Funky Music Café and Highcross Leicester.

Rick Moore, Ted Cassidy, Mehmooda Duke, Sarah Levitt, Maggie Shutt, Sarah Harrison, Paul Gobey, Keith Stubbs, Shona Powell, Steve Palethorpe, Gary McMillan, Jenny Jackson, Bob Christer, Liga Orlovska, Richard Fletcher and all the local teachers and Head Teachers. The children and the parents who took part in our photo shoot.

Volunteers: We would like to thank all our volunteers for their support throughout the year and especially during the festival.

To become a Spark volunteer email volunteers@thesparkarts.co.uk or call 0116 261 6893.

Design by: Keith Turner at Mooli Spark photography by Pamela Raith Cover photography by Chris Denner 30

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Partners

We would like to thank the following for their support

Print Partner

Higher Education Partner

Festival’s Official Hotel

Media Partner

Media Partner

Media Partner

City Play-ground Partner

Festival Partners

mooli

Design Partner

Equity

RDZ PR

Funders

The Edith Murphy Foundation • Florence Turner Trust • The Hinrichsen Foundation John Salmon Fund • Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation • John and Susan Bowers Fund East Midlands Children’s Theatre and Dance Network

Donors The Spark is delighted to have been chosen as Charity of the Year for the following four organisations

Lord Mayor’s Charity of the Year

Thanks to: Maber, Next, pupils and staff at Mellor Community Primary School Adopt a School Donors: Bray & Bray, Kirby & West, Moss Solicitors

Twitter

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