Spark Festival 2017

For children 0 - 13 years

22 - 29 May 2017

www.sparkfestival.co.uk

Unforgettable Arts Experiences for children aged 0 - 13 years First Sparks

City Play-ground

pages 4 - 7

pages 14 - 17

Events created especially for 0 - 5s.

The Spark takes over the city with a host of FREE bank holiday events for all the family.

See a show Extraordinary Theatre pages 8 - 11 Dance, theatre, storytelling, comedy, drama, music, puppetry, from local, national and international performers.

Workshops pages 18 - 19 Take part. Make music, become a playwright or explore some curious exhibits.

On Your Doorstep Party in the Park

Festival for All

pages 12 - 13

Performances for families who prefer a more relaxed environment see information on the relaxed performances on page 30.

Theatre, music, dance and making in the park.

The Spark At Your Schools

diary - pages 28 - 29

Get Connected /SparkArtsFestival

pages 20 - 23

@thesparkarts

World class music, dance, storytelling and theatre productions in school halls.

@thesparkarts

#

#Spark17

FIRST SPARKS

1-4

years

Muziekvoorstelling.nl and Festival 2 Turven Hoog present

Whoosh!

Three musicians will enchantingly blow you to a warm world of breath and wind. A world where the only spoken language is music and where every breeze turns into beautiful sounds.

Whoosh! is a performance in which the power of the music and the narrative of the movement are central.

Whoosh! will stimulate your skin and hair, eyes and ears.

Tue 23 & Wed 24 May 10.30am & 1pm Running time: 50 mins including play time Suitable for: 1 - 4 years

“genius ideas to grab the attention of little ones” Audience member

Nominated for the international music ‘The Young Audiences Music Awards’ (YAMA), in the category ‘Small Ensemble for Young Audiences’.

Supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands

Curve 0116 242 3595 Tickets: £7 * for transaction fee please see page 27

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FIRST SPARKS 18 mth -3 years

Starcatchers & Curious Seed present

MamaBabaMe Every new relationship is a journey.

Join us at the ringside of our mini arena for MamaBabaMe to witness this exciting new dance, theatre and live music experience made especially for infants and their grownups.

Everyone will recognise something of their own relationships, as parent or child – this is a show for young children and anyone who’s ever been one!

Fri 26 & Sat 27 May 11.30am & 2.30pm

“…it is so good to have a company like Starcatchers catering for an audience that most companies are not brave enough to tackle.”

Broadway Baby - for Hup at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Running time: 45 mins Suitable for: 18 months - 3 years

Attenborough Arts Centre 0116 252 2455 Tickets: £7

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5

FIRST SPARKS

2-8

0-6

Attenborough Arts Centre presents

years

Baby Disco -

Leicester Library Service presents

years

Bedtime Stories

Underwater Theme Back by popular demand, Baby Disco invites boogie babies, tap-dancing toddlers and mini disco-divas to dance their way on a journey through bubbling sounds and gliding movements in this underwater themed session.

The Princess Diana Hall at Attenborough Arts Centre is transformed into a multi-sensory environment with disco lighting and thematic video projections.

Everybody loves bedtime stories. Gather inside the cosy theatre and hear a range of traditional and new tales full of magic, warmth and giggles.

Share a bedtime storyland with hot chocolate and cookies at this everpopular event.

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

Sun 28 May 11am, 1pm, 2.30pm

Sat 27 May 4.30pm

Running time: 1 hour Suitable for: 0 - 6 years

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

Attenborough Arts Centre 0116 252 2455

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

Tickets: child £5, accompanying adult £1 6

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FIRST SPARKS school show

Peut-Être Theatre presents

3+

years

Shh...Bang!

A delicate dance theatre performance for children and their adults, playfully exploring sound and silence.

Two characters set out on a journey through a world filled with Boings, Whooshes, Tick-Tocks and Cacophony! Their journey is punctuated by silence, and as they are wrapped up in stillness, they learn to feel the noise and to see the sounds around them.

“Proof that children’s theatre can be beautiful and brainy without losing sight of a good oldfashioned story”

Tue 23 & Wed 24 May 10.30am & 1.30pm Running time: 45 mins Suitable for: 3+ years

What’s On Stage

Attenborough Arts Centre 0116 252 2455 Tickets: £7 (Group / schools offer buy 9 get 1 free)

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EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCES

school show

Tom Dale Company presents

6+

years

Digitopia A dancing digital wonderland Join Dotty and Hex in this fantastical wonderland for a rollercoaster ride of digital surprises.

Dotty’s friend Hex is a simple two-dimensional line.

One day he really wants to make a curve. With lots of effort he learns to bend, then multiply, and he can turn into anything he wants to, eventually popping into three dimensions.

Tom Dale Company creates extraordinary performances that bring together urban contemporary dance, electronic music and digital art.

Tue 23 7pm & Wed 24 May 10.15am & 1.30pm Running time: 45 mins (plus 20 min show and tell session) Suitable for: 6 - 13 years Curve 0116 242 3595 Tickets: £8

“consistently engaging, handsomely designed attempt to explore the capabilities of digital media for young audiences” The Times

Dance & Technology show & tell session Stay on and meet the artists as they reveal some of the technology and processes involved in creating Digitopia.

Suitable for 9+

* for transaction fee please see page 27

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EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCES

5+

years

Monkeyshine Theatre presents

Losha Where do things go when you forget them?

Losha is a magical creature that likes to collect things, small things, important things, things that have been forgotten. She shares the memories of half remembered stories and explores unexpected worlds where only secret dreams can take you.

Set in a delicate world of light and shadows with objects and poetic dance, Losha is a sensitive tale made for family audiences.

“An amazing thought provoking show. The children were engrossed from start to finish” Audience member

Sat 27 May 10.30am & 1pm Sun 28 May 10.30am, 1pm & 3pm Running time: 45mins Suitable for: 5+ years Curve 0116 242 3595 Tickets: £7 * for transaction fee please see page 27

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EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCES

The Spark Arts for Children and Adriano Adewale present

8+

6+

years

years

14/48:UK presents

Sonic Portraits

14/48: Takeover

A soundscape of fascinating stories and experiences of Leicester, told through song and percussion by Adriano Adewale, the Elda Trio and 90 young aspiring musicians from city schools.

The World's Quickest Theatre Festival

The performance is the result of a two week residency with Brazilian percussionist and composer Adriano and promises to be an uplifting aural delight to keep your heart healthy and your soul happy.

The World’s Quickest Theatre Festival is again being taken over by Leicester’s young writers! What will they produce?

Watch 4 plays whipped up in only 4 days and see how professional actors can bring the scripts to life in just 24 hours!

A perfect finale to this year’s festival.

Take Part workshop details page 19.

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Thu 25 May 7pm Running time: 50 mins Suitable for: 6+ years

Mon 29 May 6pm

The Y 0116 255 7066 Tickets: £5

The Y 0116 255 7066 Tickets: £4

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

Running time: 1 hour Suitable for: 8+ years and families

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6+

years

Tales of Birbal

EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCES

Mashi Theatre, in association with The Spark Arts for Children and supported by Z-arts, presents

How many crows are there in this land?

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Only Birbal knows...

Whatever the question, Birbal, the cunning advisor to Mogul Emperor Akbar has the answer! Mashi Theatre’s travelling storytellers stop by to share their colourful, ancient Indian stories akin to Aesop’s Fables.

Enjoy these tales of adventure and problem solving, and even learn a song on the way.

Put your thinking cap on and join us to step into the world of Akbar and Birbal.

Tue 23 - Fri 26 May At Your School Suitable for: Key Stage 2 Have this show in your school hall.

More details page 20

“What a great show. If you are wanting laughter, to go into the imagination and connect with your inner child, then this play has it all!”

Audience Member

Sat 27 May 1.30pm & 3.30pm Running time: 50 minutes Suitable for: 6+ years Curve 0116 242 3595 Tickets: £8 * for transaction fee please see page 27

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ON YOUR DOORSTEP

Image: Jonathan Martin

free event

Kazzum Theatre presents

all the family

Sprung From a scratch to a wiggle everybody can dance!

A playful performance involving a sofa, two dancers and a trombone player...

Picture the scene. A sofa pops up in a public space.

What follows is a playful, interactive celebration of movement – dancers bounce, wheel and jump, using the sofa and inspiration from the audience to challenge perceptions of who can dance.

This spirited, comic piece is set to the tunes of a trombone player, donning a pink tutu!

Sun 28 May 12pm, 2pm & 3.30pm Suitable for: all the family

“I left with a sprung in my step!”

Audience member

“I really loved the show... My six-year-old loved being allowed ‘on stage’ to cover the dancer in cushions!”

Audience member

Cossington Park Tickets: FREE event - just drop by 12

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ON YOUR DOORSTEP

Image: Just So Festival and Mark Carline

free event

The Spark Arts for Children presents

all the family

Musical Rumpus Come along to Knighton Park for an afternoon of mischief and mayhem. An interactive outdoor adventure with music, storytelling, dressing up and dancing.

The Baghdaddies will be the afternoon’s headline music event combining Balkanistic boogie dance alongside Caribbean groves to bring this musical rumpus to life.

Join us for an afternoon of activities. Make a headdress, find the Storysmith, listen out for Mirabelle, look for surprises in the woods.

Pack your picnics and your dancing shoes, and come dressed up for a magical musical rumpus like no other.

“The band have a particular flair for the Balkans and capture its frenetic energy and flamboyance wonderfully.”

Songlines Magazine

Mon 29 May 1.30pm - 4.30pm Suitable for: all the family

Knighton Park Tickets: FREE event - just drop by

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THE CITY PLAY-GROUND City Play-ground

Curve Family Day

FREE activities at a Playtime you’ll never forget

Sat 27 May

Sat 27 to Mon 29 May The Spark takes over the city’s favourite venues for a host of free bank holiday fun for all the family.

Bring artwork and stories to life, get inky and try printmaking, play new games and make new rules, create and play with some of the latest - and coolest digital technologies around.

Curve 11am – 4pm

Come play and explore in and around Curve’s theatre spaces and foyer. There will be free workshops and drop-in activity, including poetry to take away, live music, shadow puppetry, dressing up and the return of the Toy Swap shop.

Sat 27 & Sun 28 May A special highlight includes The Circle Squared – an interactive digital dome sited on Curve’s main stage. This installation by Graham Elstone uses touch, sound and the moving image inspired by the circular arc of folklore and myths.

Be inspired, educated and entertained.

free events 14

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Suitable for: 4+ and families

Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

FREE event just drop by

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THE CITY PLAY-GROUND Digital Playground

Pandemonium

Phoenix

The Gallery, DMU

Sat 27 - Mon 29 May

Sat 27 - Mon 29 May

11am – 4pm

12pm - 4pm

Play, learn and create with amazing new technologies at this year’s Digital Playground. Phoenix will be overflowing with interactive art installations, free dropin workshops and incredible short films from all over the world.

Prepare yourself for three days of mayhem!

Don’t miss In the Eyes of the Animal by Marshmallow Laser Feast – a virtual reality experience which immerses you in the vibrant sensory world of woodland creatures. Flutter like a dragonfly, jump like a frog and see our landscape as you’ve never seen it before.

Suitable for: 4+ and families

Venue: Phoenix 0116 242 2800

FREE event just drop by

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Break the rules. Make the rules. Make friends.

Play, rest up. Play again. New rules. New game. Drop in for three minutes or return for all three days.

There are lots of opportunities to play and have fun by taking part in a series of drop in workshops at Leicester’s newest and largest space for the exhibition of contemporary art.

Brought to you by the team behind Diversions at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery.

Suitable for: 4+ and families

Venue: The Gallery, DMU FREE event just drop by

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THE CITY PLAY-GROUND Robot Bugs

Print Time

Two Queens Gallery

Leicester Print Workshop

Sat 27 May 11am - 3pm Join Two Queens for a free hands-on activity inspired by the current exhibition by Viktor Timofeev. Build your own landscapes, add secret codes and messages, and watch as it is explored by robot bugs!

Suitable for: 4+ and families Venue: Two Queens Gallery

FREE event just drop by

Virtual Saturday LCB Depot

Sat 27 & Sun 28 May 1pm - 5pm

Leicester Print Workshop invite you to learn to print, have a play, make an impression and get inky in their large open access studio.

Get messy making rubbings and printing your own textured relief print, inspired by the Society of Wood Engravers’ 79th Annual Exhibition showing in the Leicester Print Workshop Exhibition Space.

Sat 27 May 12 - 4pm An exciting opportunity for families to play with retro video games and Virtual Reality systems and explore the CyberCulture exhibition in the Lightbox gallery.

Suitable for: 4+ and families Venue: LCB Depot

Suitable for: 4+ and families Venue: Leicester Print Workshop

0116 251 4174 FREE event just drop by

FREE event just drop by

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THE CITY PLAY-GROUND Art Explorers: Talking Café

Every Object tells a Story

Attenborough Arts Centre

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery

Sat 27 & Sun 28 May

Sun 28 & Mon 29 May

11am - 3pm

11am - 3pm

Join in the fun at the Talking Café with hands on craft activities, and make new friends with the talking pegs!

Prowl around the museum and create a visual story book of weird and wonderful adventures using your favourite objects. Will it feature the mummified cat; the large Cetiosaurus; or the duck-billed platypus?

Delve into the music box to find an array of percussion instruments or have a go at making your own that you can take away and play to your heart’s content.

Seeing Blue - Launching Sat 27 May at 2pm is an exhibition of children’s artwork in response to the Night in the Museum exhibition curated by Attenborough’s Young Ambassadors.

Suitable for: 2+ and families Venue: Attenborough Arts Centre

0116 252 2455 FREE event just drop by

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Join the storyteller to make and share your stories at the ‘speaker’s corner’ with family and friends. Take a cushion; find a cosy space and immerse yourself in the collections.

Mon 22 to Wed 31 May Sails - the exhibition by Maria Zahle will return to the Victorian Gallery.

Suitable for: 4+ and families Venue: New Walk Museum & Art Gallery

0116 225 4900

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WORKSHOPS

Festival Workshops

Big Bones and the Wonder of Life Mon 22 & Tue 23 May 10.30am - 12pm or 1.30pm - 3pm

Explore some of New Walk Museum’s most fascinating collections in the company of two of Dragon Breath Theatre’s mysterious, inquisitive, playful storytellers from the past. Help them to investigate, be creative, and imagine…

Suitable for: 2-5 years Cost: FREE but booking essential

(maximum 1 adult per child)

Venue: New Walk Museum & Art Gallery

0116 225 4900

Big Bones and the Secrets of the Sands Sun 28 & Mon 29 May 11.30am - 1pm or 1.30pm - 3pm

Explore some of New Walk Museum’s most fascinating collections in the company of two of Dragon Breath Theatre’s mysterious, inquisitive, playful storytellers from the past.

Help them to investigate, be creative, and imagine…

Suitable for: 7+ and families (under 12s to be

accompanied by a adult. Maximum 1 adult per child) Cost: FREE but booking essential Venue: New Walk Museum & Art Gallery

0116 225 4900

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WORKSHOPS Pedestrian Urban Art: Graffiti

Pedestrian Music Production

Sat 27 11am - 1pm or 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Sun 28 May 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!

Suitable for: 8 - 13 years Cost: £15 including materials (Limited to 12 places)

Suitable for: 8 - 13 years Cost: £10 (Limited to 12 places)

Venue: Phoenix book online via www.sparkfestival.co.uk

Venue: Phoenix book online via www.sparkfestival.co.uk

Who goes there?

14/48: Takeover

Sat 27 May 11am - 12pm or 1pm - 2pm

Sat 27 & Sun 28 May

A physical storytelling workshop for the whole family to create your own fairy tale through dance and movement. This workshop will use the spaces and places, the characters and themes from the fairy tales we know and love.

Be prepared to be musical, physical and vocal in this fun-packed hour.

This is the chance to Takeover the Theatre!

Now in its third year 14/48: UK is once again looking for a team of budding playwrights to work alongside professional writers and create 4 plays in one weekend! A fantastic opportunity to improve your creative writing skills, develop your own ideas and see your play brought to life by professional actors!

Please wear clothing and footwear appropriate for moving freely and safely!

Suitable for: 5+ years and their adult Cost: FREE but booking essential Venue: Curve 0116 242 3595

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10am - 3pm both days

Performance Mon 29 May see page 10.

Suitable for: 8-14 years Cost: £25 (limited places)

Venue: The Y 0116 255 7066

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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AT YOUR SCHOOL Unforgettable arts experiences

at your school Monday 22 - Friday 26 May

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

We are delighted to bring world class music, dance, storytelling and theatre productions to school halls. We are also excited to offer children and artists an opportunity to showcase their talents.

Call now to find out how to have a show in your school or community venue; or how to get involved in a future project or deliver Arts Award.

Turned on Its Head, Big Imaginations and The Spark present

Sponge For Foundation Key Stage 1 & SEN Key Stage 2

Roll, squeeze and pop yourself through the squishiest, squashiest show for children and families!

Sponge is a soft, bouncy adventure through playtime and dreamtime set to a funky 1970s soundtrack.

Follow a dad and daughter as they take you on a journey through springy environments and meet the leggy character Splegs, who needs a bit of help walking.

Call 0116 261 6893 or email gemma@thesparkarts.co.uk

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AT YOUR SCHOOL Yaaba Funk presents

Tamsyn Russell Dance presents

Margarita Sidirokastrit and the egg present

Yaaba Funk

Go Get ‘em Kid

One Item Only

For Key Stage 1 & 2

For Key Stage 2

For Key Stage 2

Yaaba Funk have toured the world bringing their high energy Afro grooves to audiences from Zanzibar to Peckham. An intoxicating blend of Ghanaian Hi–Life, deep funk and African jazz, Yaaba Funk are multicultural, British and fun.

A funny and high-energy dance duet about friendship and sharing.

If you had to take a long journey away from home and you could only take one item with you – what would it be? This is the decision our young hero has to make in this story of human migration.

Their high level of musicianship and energy will engage and inspire young audiences.

Join Tamsyn and Adrienne as they dance and test the bonds between them, stretching the fabric of their friendship. Starting with 100 oversized T-shirts and ending with both performers sharing just one.

With flailing hair Go Get 'em Kid is a playful and energetic new dance piece with an eclectic soundtrack that's a joy from beginning to end.

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Follow one boy’s journey across continents in search of refuge from his troubled homeland, in this eventful and uplifting story of hope and resilience where the human spirit triumphs.

visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk to book online

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AT YOUR SCHOOL Tiny Sparks

Sonic Portraits

Storytelling & Music Club for Early Years

A Music Residency with Adriano Adewale

The Spark are working with Arun Ghosh, acclaimed Jazz musican, and Dave ‘Stickman’ Higgins, multi-disciplined drummer and percussionist on an imaginative residency.

The Spark have collaborated with Brazilian percussionist and composer Adriano Adewale to inspire 90 young aspiring musicians from across three schools in Leicester.

Using storytelling and music they are promoting self-expression, creativity, confidence and language development among Early Years children and their parents/carers.

Supported by Youth Music.

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Adriano is working with pupils to tell their Leicester stories through song and percussion.

These sessions will culminate in a concert at The Y performed by pupils playing alongside Adriano and his band. See page 10.

Working in partnership with Leicester-Shire Music Hub

March - May

Thu 25 May 1.30pm

Leicester’s Children, Young People and Family Centres

The Y

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AT YOUR SCHOOL Powerful Words A Poetry Slam with John Berkavitch This year The Spark have collaborated with John Berkavitch to work with 120 ambitious 8 - 9 year olds from four schools across Leicestershire.

The inspired young writers will come together at the festival to showcase their new material produced during the residency with internationally acclaimed storyteller and poet, John Berkavitch, in a thought provoking and exciting poetry slam.

Schools involved in Powerful words Caldecote Community Primary School Charnwood Primary School Medway Community Primary School Overdale Junior School

Working in partnership with The Lord Mayors Charity and Writing East Midlands delivered by The Spark Arts for Children and The City Classroom.

Thu 25 May 10am - 2.30pm Leicester University

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Schools involved in Sonic Portraits Charnwood Primary School Fosse Primary School Catherine Junior School

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Situated in pretty New Walk The Belmont has been the heartbeat of Leicester life for 80 years. We are just a few minutes walk from the train station, universities and brilliant shopping and entertainment.

Tigers season ticket holder exclusive: Show your season ticket in any area of the hotel and receive a 10% discount. Valid until 31st May 2017.

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SUPPORT US Created in partnership with The Y and Alex’s Wish.

Join Our Zip Wire Challenge See the City like never before and enjoy fantastic views of the rolling Cityscape as you descend a Zip Wire the height of seven double decker buses. Reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour whilst travelling through Victoria Park in a way you'll never forget!

Celebrate mid-summer's day with friends, family or colleagues and add some adventure to your life by joining our exhilarating fundraising challenge to raise money for The Spark Arts for Children.

There is a registration fee of £30 and a target of £100 sponsorship. Sign up today and spread the word!

Register NOW Online at www.thesparkarts.co.uk/zipwire

Wed 21 June 9.30am - 4.30pm Min age 16 years Victoria Park Registration Fee: Early Bird £30 (£50 after 1 June) Limited spaces.

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For more information and other ways to support The Spark email carrie@thesparkarts.co.uk call 0116 261 6893

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Attenborough Arts Centre University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA Ticket office: 0116 252 2455 www.attenborougharts.com

More Information

Cossington Park

Visit Leicester Information Centre 51 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester LE1 5AD

Cossington Street, Leicester LE4 6JD

Telephone:

Curve

0116 299 4444

Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB Ticket office: 0116 242 3595* www.curveonline.co.uk

info@visitleicester.info www.visitleicester.info visitleicester visit_leicester

*Transaction fee is £3 for all card payments. Excludes Members, Groups 10+ and customers printing tickets at home.

Knighton Park Palmerston Way, Leicester LE2 3RR

Leicester Print Workshop 50 St George St, Leicester LE1 1QG Tel: 0116 251 4174 www.leicesterprintworkshop.com

LCB Depot 31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE Tel: 0116 261 6800

VENUES

Venues

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.

www.lcbdepot.co.uk

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery 53 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7EA Tel: 0116 225 4900 enquiries www.leicester.gov.uk/museums

Phoenix 4 Midland Street, Leicester LE1 1TG Ticket office: 0116 242 2800 www.phoenix.org.uk

The Gallery, De Montfort University

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.choosehowyoumove.co.uk

Vijay Patel Building, Mill Lane, Leicester LE2 7PT Info: hugo.worthy@dmu.ac.uk www.thegallery.dmu.ac.uk

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

Two Queens 2 Queen Street, Leicester LE1 1QW www.2queens.com

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DIARY

Date

Event

Venue

Age

Mon 22 May 10.30am 1.30 pm various various

Big Bones & the Wonder of Life Big Bones & the Wonder of Life Yaaba Funk Go Get ‘em Kid

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Schools Schools

2 -5 years 2 -5 years 6 - 11 years 7 - 11 years

18 18 21 21

Tue 23 May 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am 1pm 1.30pm 1.30pm various various various various various 7pm

Whoosh!

Shh... Bang!

Big Bones & the Wonder of Life Whoosh!

Shh... Bang!

Big Bones & the Wonder of Life Sponge Yaaba Funk Go Get ‘em Kid Tales of Birbal One Item Only Digitopia

Curve Attenborough Arts Centre New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Curve Attenborough Arts Centre New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Schools Schools Schools Schools Libraries for School groups Curve

1 - 4 years 3+ years 2 -5 years 1 - 4 years 3+ years 2 -5 years 3 - 7 years 6 - 11 years 7 - 11 years 7 - 11 years 7 - 11 years 6+ years

4 7 18 4 7 18 20 21 21 11 21 8

Wed 24 May 10.15am 10.30am 10.30am 1pm 1.30pm 1.30pm various various various various various

Digitopia Whoosh!

Shh... Bang!

Whoosh!

Digitopia Shh... Bang!

Sponge Yaaba Funk Go Get ‘em Kid Tales of Birbal One Item Only

Curve Curve Attenborough Arts Centre Curve Curve Attenborough Arts Centre Schools Schools Schools Schools Libraries for School groups

6+ years 1 - 4 years 3+ years 1 - 4 years 6+ years 3+ years 3 - 7 years 6 - 11 years 7 - 11 years 7 - 11 years 7 - 11 years

8 4 7 4 8 7 20 21 21 11 21

Thu 25 May various various various various 10am 1.30pm 7pm

Sponge Yaaba Funk Tales of Birbal One Item Only Powerful Words Sonic Portraits Sonic Portraits

Schools Schools Schools Libraries for School groups Leicester University The Y The Y

3 - 7 years 6 - 11 years 7 - 11 years 7 - 11 years 8 - 9 years 6+ years 6+ years

20 21 11 21 23 10 10

MamaBabaMe MamaBabaMe Sponge Yaaba Funk Tales of Birbal

Attenborough Arts Centre Attenborough Arts Centre Schools Schools Schools

18m - 3 years 5 18m - 3 years 5 3 - 7 years 20 6 - 11 years 21 7 - 11 years 11

Fri 26 May

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Time

11.30am 2.30pm various various various

R

R

R

R

Schools Performance

Workshops

City Play-ground FREE events

First Sparks - for the Under 5’s

Performances

On Your Doorstep - Park Events

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Page

R- Relaxed Performance

SparkArtsFestival

10am 10.30am 11am - 4pm 11am 11am - 4pm 11am 11am - 3pm 11am - 3pm 11.30am 12 - 4pm 12 - 4pm 1 - 4pm 1 - 5pm 1pm 1pm 1.30pm 1.30 pm 2.30pm 3.30pm 4.30pm

14:48 Takeover - workshop Losha Curve Family Day Who Goes There Digital Playground Graffiti Workshop Robot Bugs Art Explorers MamaBabaMe Pandemonium Virtual Saturday The Circle Squared Print Time Losha Who Goes There Tales of Birbal Graffiti Workshop MammaBabaMe Tales of Birbal Bedtime Stories

Sun 28 May 10am 10.30am 11am - 4pm 11am - 3pm 11am - 3pm 11am - 3pm 11am 11.30am 12pm 12 - 4pm 1 - 5pm 1pm 1pm 1.30pm 1.30pm 2pm 2.30pm 3pm 3.30pm

14:48 Takeover - workshop Losha Digital Playground The Circle Squared Art Explorers Every Object Tells A Story Baby Disco Big Bones & Secrets of the Sands Sprung Pandemonium Print Time Baby Disco Losha Big Bones & Secrets of the Sands Music Production Workshop Sprung Baby Disco Losha Sprung

Mon 29 May 11am - 4pm 11am - 3pm 11.30am 12 - 4pm 1.30 - 4.30pm 1.30 pm 6pm

Digital Playground Every Object tells a Story Big Bones & Secrets of the Sands Pandemonium Musical Rumpus Big Bones & Secrets of the Sands 14:48 Takeover - performance

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The Y Curve Curve Curve Phoenix Phoenix Two Queens Attenborough Arts Centre Attenborough Arts Centre The Gallery, DMU LCB Depot Curve Leicester Print Workshop Curve Curve Curve Phoenix Attenborough Arts Centre Curve The Y

8 - 14 years 5+ years 4+ years 5+ years 4+ years 8 - 13 years 4+ years 2+ years 18m - 3 years 4+ years 4+ years 4+ years 4+ years 5+ years 5+ years 6+ years 8 - 13 years 18m - 3 years 6+ years 2 - 8 years

19 9 14 19 15 19 16 17 5 15 16 14 16 9 19 11 19 5 11 6

The Y Curve Phoenix Curve Attenborough Arts Centre New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Attenborough Arts Centre New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Cossington Park The Gallery, DMU Leicester Print Workshop Attenborough Arts Centre Curve New Walk Museum & Art Gallery Phoenix Cossington Park Attenborough Arts Centre Curve Cossington Park

8 - 14 years 5+ years 4+ years 4+ years 2+ years 4+ years 0 - 6 years 7+ years all the family 4+ years 4+ years 0 - 6 years 5+ years 7+ years 8 - 13 years all the family 0 - 6 years 5+ years all the family

19 9 15 14 17 17 6 18 12 15 16 6 9 18 19 12 6 9 12

Phoenix New Walk Museum & Art Gallery New Walk Museum & Art Gallery The Gallery, DMU Knighton Park New Walk Museum & Art Gallery The Y

4+ years 4+ years 7+ years 4+ years All the family 5+ years 8+ years

15 17 18 15 13 18 10

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Sat 27 May

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INFORMATION

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 Associate 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

Admin & Marketing Intern – Hannah Stoddart

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

PhD Research Placement – Ryan Kirkbride

Booking Tickets Phone: contact numbers for all venues are on page 27.

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 27.

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

Relaxed Performance Relaxed performances are specifically designed to welcome families 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

Board of Trustees: David Bell (Chair) Mike Candler Vijay Mistry Mahmood Reza

Sarah Brigham 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 www.thesparkarts.co.uk

Thanks to: All at Curve, Attenborough Arts Centre, The Y, New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Phoenix, Leicester Print Workshop and Highcross Leicester. Rav Kaur, Rick Moore, Ted Cassidy, Sarah Levitt, Maggie Shutt, Paul Gobey, Steve Palethorpe, Gary McMillan, Friends of Knighton Park, Hugo Worthy, Lisa Jacques, Bob Christer, Sean Clark, Liga Orlovska, Amy Christer, Richard Fletcher, Helena Fewkes, Kezia Kneller and all the local teachers and Head Teachers.

A special thanks to Lucy Bani for her 10 years service as a Trustee.

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 30

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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

At Your School Partner

Festival Partners

mooli

Design Partner

PARTNERS

Partners

Equity Chutney Ivy

Funders

Lord Mayor’s Appeal

The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust • The Edith Murphy Foundation • John Salmon Fund John and Susan Bowers Fund • Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation Open Gate Trust • The Golsoncott Foundation • Writing East Midlands

Donors: Maber, Next, pupils and staff at Mellor Community Primary School, Spearing Waite, Boden, Rowleys Chartered Accountants, East Midlands Airport, Nelsons Solicitors, Leicestershire and Rutland Masonic Charity Association

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