The Big Malarkey Festival 2023

Hope you have a great time!

HELLO!

A KIND OF MAGIC!

Here at Hull Libraries we believe that books and stories contain a kind of magic – the power to take you away to another place, to introduce you to extraordinary people, animals or times, or things beyond your own world and your own imagination. And not just books - in a library you can find music, dance, games and all kinds of creative activity to transform your world. And people to meet who enjoy the same things - what could be more magical than that? Come and explore with us!

£3 child

£6 adult £16 family ticket (2 adults + 2 children)

£5 disabled parent/guardian + 1 free carer’s ticket

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults must be accompanied by a child!

www.thebigmalarkeyfestival.com

You will need a ticket to access the festival site – it will be swapped for a wristband at the gate. We will make a limited number of tickets available on the door, but to be sure of a place, please purchase your ticket in advance. Wristbands are also availalable from any Hull library.

BIG TOP

For talks, demos, live music & performance

MAKERSPACE

Digital tent of wonders

MAKE IT, TAKE IT

Try all kinds of creative stuff to take home with you

LIVE & KICKING

Smaller performances, talks and workshops

LET’S WRITE!

Drop by for some fun writing activities

LITTLE LARKEYS

For everyone under 5 and their grown-ups

P ARISI V ILLAGE

Rewilding Youth invite you to meet your Celtic ancestors

A LICE IN W ONDERLAND

A sensory walk-through adventure, created by Concrete Youth Theatre

Hu LL M ARITIME

Get your hands on some fascinating objects from the museum collection

B OOK L OVE

The Multicultural Travelling Book Carnival: multicultural books and more

T HE R A b BIT H OLE

Bookshop for browsing and book signings

Don’t miss the

LIbRARY TENT

+ LOTS MORE f ANTASTIC HAPPENINGS, FOOD KIOSKS , AND O f CO u RSE , ICE CREAMS !

WET WEATHER

An open-air event is subject to the weather. In case of rain we will try to continue the programme as far as safety allows – please check the forecast, and bring wet weather gear!

f OOD & DRINK

Kiosks serving light refreshments will be available, and there is plenty of room for picnickers. Alcohol is not permitted on site.

AGE S

Please note the age recommendation for each event. These are guidelines, intended to help you plan your visit and have the best experience for your children.

U NACCOMPANIED CHILDREN

This is a family festival and all activities are designed to be enjoyed by children accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied children and adults will not be able to enter the site. If you want to pop out of the festival, please note there are no crèche facilities on site. If you lose each other please contact a steward.

The festival is an inclusive, Relaxed event, accessible to people of all ages and abilities. The site is wheelchair friendly, with disabled toilets. Many events are BSL interpreted - please check individual event details.

Malarkey Park is in East Park. The park is located to the east of the city centre, on Holderness Road, Hull, HU8 8JU.

The festival site is situated on the field towards the football and rugby pitches - the nearest entrance is Holderness Road.

O N f OOT Pedestrian entrances are at Holderness Road, East Park Avenue, Summergangs Road, and James Reckitt Avenue.

BY CAR Ticket holders: Vehicle access & parking via main Holderness Road entrance. Non-ticket holders: Vehicle access & parking via Woodford Leisure Centre, Holderness Road.

BY BICYCLE Cycle parking is available at the café, model boating pond, Animal Education Centre, boathouse, playground and youth zone.

BY BUS From the City Centre: 4, 8, 11, 56, 57

ACTIVITY DAYS fOR SCHOOLS

Hull Libraries are passionate about offering schools in Hull every opportunity to enrich their learning.

We support schools through many activities and resources available via the Schools’ Library Service, including the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award for KS2 and KS3 pupils.

This year The Big Malarkey School Activity Programme brings 56 workshops to 1300 Hull pupils from Nursery to KS3.

For more information please contact hullschoolslibrary@hcandl.co.uk

ARTISTS TAKING PART IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAMME THIS YEAR ARE :

Anjan Sarkar / BREIS / Christopher Edge / Helen Rutter / Hull Libraries Literacy

Engagement Team / Hull Music Service / Humber Drum Circles / Ian Douglas / Jenny

McClachlan / Jon Keen / Makerspace Team / Mambo Jambo / Martin Harwood /

Rewilding Youth / Samantha Williams / Saviour Pirotta / Tasneem Kausar

LIbRARY TENT

Discover the magic of libraries in our very own Library Tent!

You can join the library for free, learn about our fun family activities, or simply snuggle up with a spellbinding story! Our librarians would be enchanted to meet you!

ALl WEekENd

MAKER TASTERS!

Join the Makerspace team over the weekend for a tent full of arty activities, crafty creations and techy treats, including a selection of drop in makes from our regular Family Maker Days.

ALl WEekENd

BOOKLOVE THE MULTICULTuRAL TRAVELLING bOOK CARNIVAL

Step aboard BookLove - the brilliantly colourful multicultural and educational travelling book carnival and charity tent, filled to the brim with all things multicultural to browse, buy and enjoy! Join founder Samantha Williams in BookLove’s colourful interactive pop-up carnival shop, offering an abundance of inclusive & anti-racist books, world music, flags, storytelling and of course, great vibes!

20p from every book sold goes towards their BookLove+Beyond GofundMe which puts free multicultural books into schools

THE HERD

Here come The Herd, bringing the magic of free play, games and Fun Stuff to Malarkey Park.

ALl WEekENd

IAN DOuGLAS

He’s back, with a caravan-full of new stories to tell...

Catch him while you can!

THE DOODLE ROOM

Join award winning cartoonist and illustrator, Calvin Innes - he’ll show you how to magic all kinds of characters and stories from your imagination! Plus special guests. See listings for details.

ALl WEekENd

WONDERLAND

Follow Alice down the Rabbit-Hole and into Wonderland, a fantasy world filled with peculiar characters, where the unexpected is to be expected. Meet exceptional characters such as the Queen of Hearts and the Cheshire Cat along the way!

Award-winning charity, Concrete Youth, presents a multi-sensory adventure in partnership with The Big Malarkey Festival, designed for people labelled with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

ALl WEekENd

L ET ’ S W RITE !

Are you aged 6 – 16? Do you love to write? Drop by for some fun writing activities...

SAT / 10.30 - 4.30pm // Dave Windass - Let’s Write a....

Let’s write a… sea monster, space alien, talking tree, juggling octopus, laughing bus, magical hat, portal to another world and whatever else is about to burst out of your vivid imagination. Your stories can be as weird and wonderful as you want. What will happen to them? It’s up to you! Here’s a fun-packed drop-in writing session to help you bring your fantastic stories to life.

SUN / 10.30 - 4.30pm // Ed Hurst - Writing the World

Join Dr Ed Hurst and Creative Writing students from the University of Hull in creating a brand new world right before your eyes! Come and join in specialist writing workshops to create monsters, magic and mystery – or just pop in to add your mark on our community-built map of a brand new world.

PARISI VILLAGE

Rewilding Youth will delve into our ancestral history, looking at a Celtic tribethe Parisi.

Be transported back in time and learn how the Parisi tribe lived in this part of Yorkshire and how their lives differ from ours in the 21st century.

We will also be looking at different wands and plants and the magical connection druids had to the natural world.

ALl WEekENd

ALl WEekENd

ExPRESS YOURSELf!

Hull’saward-winninghiphopartistsarebackwithabus-fullof workshopstoexplorethemagicofmusic,andthepowerofsharing.

Drop by for rap, poetry and spoken word workshops. Have a go at graffiti style lettering and drawing,or create a breakdancing routine with your friends. It’s all about friendship,kindnessandimagination–comeandenjoy!

The Rabbit Hole

INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP

BASED IN BRIGG, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE, WE ARE A FRIENDLY INDIE BOOKSHOP FILLED TO BURSTING WITH BOOKISH FINDS FOR ALL AGES - BUT ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, WITH OUR LOVINGLY CURATED SELECTION OF BOOKS,, TOYS AND GAMES TAKING PRIDE OF PLACE AT THE FRONT OF OUR SHOP

COME AND SEE US AND OUR SPECIAL GUEST, ILLUSTRATOR

WAYNE ORAM, AT THE BIG MALARKEY FESTIVAL!

FIND US ONLINE AT:

@therabbitsbrigg @therabbithole.brigg

@therabbits21 www.therabbitholebrigg.com

Discover sailors’ strange stories of sea monsters - and maybe have a go at making, or writing about, your own?

For centuries, seafarers have told stories about strange creatures they claimed to have encountered in the oceans. From Krakens to Mermaids, many of these stories have passed into myth and legend, The Maritime Museum even has its own mermaid, as well as some beautiful depictions of mermaids and other creatures in the form of scrimshaw carvings. There will be objects from the museum collections to inspire you, and members of the Hull Maritime team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about our amazing project.

ALl WEekENd

YOuNG EXPLORERS

MAKE IT, TAKE IT ALl WEekENd

Come and be mesmerised by the magical artwork created by our talented Explorers artists (ages 7-11), who have been developing their skills in Hull Libraries’ weekly Explorers sessions. Fancy a go yourself? Speak to a librarian to find out how to join!

S MALL V OICES B IG N OISES

Join Sheffield-based musician and early years educator Martin Harwood for singing, dancing, percussion and laughs.

Martin has run thousands of sessions in schools and early years settings across the UK and his weekly family groups are legendary.

Super-interactive musical fun for kids and grown-ups alike!

10.30am / 12.45pm (45mins)

2+ years

Little Larkeys

Music performance

MAGICAL MILLINERY

10.30 - 12pm

All the family Make it Take it Craft workshop

Join the Makerspace team to make your own magicians top hat!

Craft your own magician’s hat and then decorate it with glittering gems and a touch of sparkle!

PIRATE bONNIE

Welcome aboard, join the crewLet’s set sail for the horizon blue.

Step aboard the Good Ship Adventure and join Pirate Bonnie’s crew to set sail in search of treasure! Each treasure recovered is a forgotten legend of a real female pirate.

10.45am / 1pm (45mins) 4+ years

Live & Kicking Theatre

A warm, witty show with original songs and friendly interaction for children and their grown-ups - who all become Bonnie’s ship-shape crew.

11 - 11.45am

9+ years Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

ESCAPE ROOM

Welcome to The Escape – the ultimate Escape Room with puzzles and challenges to beat before time runs out.

But wait, this is no ordinary game… Do you dare to play? Join author Christopher Edge on a heart-racing journey as he brings The Escape to life and explore the imaginative, empowering world of his mindbendingly brilliant novel, Escape Room.

Can you help Mr Edge find the Answer and save the world?

Rick & Kevin have gone to extreme lengths to perfect what they believe to be the ultimate cup of tea. A concoction born from one belief - tea only tastes good if you almost die making it!

Tit4Tat Circus invite you to a high octane show that combines dynamic spectacle with absurd theatre and explosive stupidity. Enjoy your cuppa!

11.45am / 3pm (45mins)

All the family

Malarkey Park

Circus performance

DOuG THE CAMEL

Come and join Doug the Camel on his picnic blanket and discover what happens when his alone-time peace is shattered!

An interactive session exploring this delightful book by Lu Fraser – shortlisted for James Reckitt

Hull Children’s Picture Book

Award 2023. There’ll be singing, dancing, and rhyming, with some extra hump-tastic activities thrown in!

11.45am / 2.15pm (45mins)

2 - 5 years

Little Larkeys

Interactive storytelling

T HERE ’ S A B EAST IN THE B ASEMENT !

Blue Peter Awardwinning author Pamela Butchart needs YOUR HELP in this unmissable event because, (BIG GASP) - come quick, there’s a BEAST in the BASEMENT!

In her hilarious new book, Izzy and her friends just KNOW that there’s TREASURE buried under the school but when they go looking for it, they find something SHOCKING that CHANGES EVERYTHING!!

Join Pamela, Izzy, and the gang’s SUPER SECRET mission to discover the TRUTH and enjoy some seriously silly stories, with LOTS of giggles and LOTS of crisps!

12.15 - 1pm

All the family

Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

T HE K NIGHTS Of S IR C USS

A relic of a bygone era, Sir Kuss has failed to ‘get with the times’ and has been sent on permanent vacation by the Knightly Order. His over-laden Squire, struggling with swords, baggage and inflatables alike, reenacts tales of Sir Kuss’ exploits - from dragon slaying to feats of axe juggling. Sir Kuss, on the other hand, bravely fights the perils of sunburn, locked in an eternal battle with a deck chair.

Catch Tit4Tat Circus’s new walkabout characters in an absurd piece of interactive theatre.

12.30pm / 2.30pm (30 mins)

All the family

Malarkey Park

Interactive theatre

MY fAMILY TREE

Every home should have a handmade family tree! Come along to this fun family dropin session where you can begin illustrating your very own handmade family tree. Artist Tasneem Kausar will explain the process and all materials will be provided.

COMIC STRIP

1 - 4pm

5+ years

Make it Take it Art workshop

1pm / 2.45pm

6+ years

Doodle Room

Drawing

Writer and illustrator Anjan Sarkar (Agent Asha, Little Olympians, The Aliens Next Door, Spy School) will show you some simple rules that make it easy to create a story in just three drawings!

With ideas of what makes a good short story, and using the skills Anjan’s developed for his own children’s graphic novels, he’ll help you create your own original comic strip.

CIRCUS S KILLS

Improve your agility, coordination and balance whilst learning fun and exciting new skills!

In this workshop with Tit4Tat Circus, you will learn the basics of juggling, diabolo, poi, staff spinning, plate spinning, hat tricks, handstands, and more. Bring your curiosity, a sense of play, and the courage to try something new!

1.15 - 2.15pm

All the family

Malarkey Park Circus workshop

S O Y O u T HINK G OT IT bAD ?

Would you like to live next to a poo-filled moat, be stuck in a siege or eat LIVE blackbird pie?

No? Then you’ll be glad you don’t live in a medieval castle! Step into the past with award-winning author Chae Strathie for a must-see event for kids with a passion for horrible history!

A hilarious introduction to medieval times packed with songs, dancing, drawing and fascinating (sometimes gross!) facts!

1.30 - 2.15pm

7+ years

Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

T HE O LD G REEN T IME M ACHINE

The Old Green Time Machine follows the journey of two intrepid time travellers who are in a race to save the world!

In a future where all living things have been destroyed and all that is left is plastic, our two adventurers find themselves on an urgent mission. It’s a shame their carbon friendly time machine bicycle has seen better days!

3 - 4pm 4+ years

Live & Kicking

Dance performance

This family friendly show is a whirlwind of contemporary dance, music, poetry and fun, followed by a ‘stay and play’ after the show.

Magic has captured our imaginations for centuries and inspired countless stories, games, and… science shows?

Join Philomondii the professional Sciengicianist (and fan of word play) as he attempts to perform magic using science! From cauldron chemistry to the physics of levitation, this show will put the “AAAAAA” into Abracadabra!

DISPELLING THE MAGIC

3 - 3.45pm

6+ years

Big Top Interactive science

THE DRAGON WITH THE BLAzING bOTTOM

We’re thrilled to welcome Beach, this year’s James Reckitt Picture Book Award Winner, for an explosive reading of his latest hilarious book

Sir Wayne’s dragon has lost his flame. Are his teeth TOO clean? Is his tongue

TOO pink? Perhaps his diet is to blame. Not to worry – Sir Wayne has a meal plan of EPIC proportions! . . . what could possibly go wrong?

After the reading, there will be some dragon-drawing with Beach.

3.15 - 4pm 2 - 5 years

Little Larkeys

Meet the author + book signing

It’s time to celebrate!

Join the Beats Bus crew in the Big Top to share anything you’ve made in the festival. Show us your moves, your lyrics, your drawing, stories or jokes - everyone is welcome!

TAKE THE STAGE!

HOSTED BY

4 - 5pm

All the family Big Top Performance

DOuG THE CAMEL

Come and join Doug the Camel on his picnic blanket and discover what happens when his alone-time peace is shattered!

An interactive session exploring this delightful book by Lu Fraser – shortlisted for James Reckitt

Hull Children’s Picture Book Award 2023. There’ll be singing, dancing, and rhyming, with some extra hump-tastic activities thrown in!

10.15am / 2.15pm (45mins)

2 - 5 years

Little Larkeys

Interactive storytelling

MAGICAL MILLINERY

Join the Makerspace team to make your own magician’s top hat!

PIRATE bONNIE

Step aboard the Good Ship Adventure and join Pirate Bonnie’s crew to set sail in search of treasure! Each treasure recovered is a forgotten legend of a real female pirate. A warm, witty show with original songs and friendly interaction for children and their grown-ups, who all become Bonnie’s ship-shape crew.

10.30am / 3pm (45 mins)

All the family

Live & Kicking

Theatre performance

Craft your own magician’s hat and then decorate it with glittering gems and a touch of sparkle!

10.30 - 12pm

All the family

Make it Take it

Craft workshop

BAD GODS

Join

11 - 11.45am

7 - 12 years

Doodle Room

workshop

11 - 11.45am

All the family

Big Top Interactive science

D ISPELLING THE M AGIC

Magic has captured our imaginations for centuries and inspired countless stories, games, and… science shows?

Join Philomondii the professional Sciengicianist (and fan of word play) as he attempts to perform magic using science!

From cauldron chemistry to the physics of levitation, this show will put the “AAAAAA” into Abracadabra!

HATS OfF!

11.30 - 12.05pm

3 - 5 years

Little Larkeys

Music performance

1.15 - 2pm

4 - 8 years

Live & Kicking

Music performance

Join Mambo Jambo

for a magical musical extravaganza! Festival favourites Pete & Frankie will bring real and imaginary hats, for a delightful songsand-music session. There’ll be singing, dancing and percussion to join in with, and music of many styles, countries and moods.

T HE M OST D ANGEROUS Cu P O f T EA IN THE W ORLD

Rick & Kevin have gone to extreme lengths to perfect what they believe to be the ultimate cup of tea. A concoction born from one belief - tea only tastes good if you almost die making it!

Tit4Tat Circus invite you to a high octane show that combines dynamic spectacle with absurd theatre and explosive stupidity. Enjoy your cuppa!

11.45am / 3pm (45mins)

All the family

Malarkey Park

Circus performance

SOuND

MAGIC!

12 - 12.45pm

6+ years

Live & Kicking

Music workshop

Join the team from Hull Music Services for a creative music workshop with a difference.

You’ll be using the visual and audible surroundings of the Big Malarkey as inspiration to create artwork and improvised sound scapes - come and give it a go!

ADVENTURES ON TRAINS WITH SAM SEDGMAN

Join the effervescent Sam Sedgman, co-author of the ADVENTURES ON TRAINS series in this brilliantly engaging session.

Sam will uncover a feast of interesting facts about trains, mystery stories and how to be a good detective. As well as dramatic readings from the books, Sam will allow plenty of time for questions from the audience and there may even be a live demonstration of the science behind a steam engine.

12.15 - 1pm

7+ years Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

THE KNIGHTS Of SIR CUSS

A relic of a bygone era, Sir Kuss has failed to ‘get with the times’ and has been sent on permanent vacation by the Knightly Order. Catch Tit4Tat Theatre’s new walkabout characters in an absurd piece of interactive theatre.

12.30pm / 2.30pm (30 mins)

All the family Malarkey Park Interactive theatre

CHOOGH CHOOGH

All aboard for a delightful train journey through India with Beeja Dance.

Experience the sights, smells and sounds, evoked through South Asian dance, and meet some amazing characters along the way.

12.45 / 3.30pm

2 - 5 years

Little Larkeys

Dance

A NIMAL M AGIC

Hull artist Anna Bean will help you unleash your creativity with this fun and interactive animal masks workshop. Learn how to draw, cut and glue cardboard pieces together to create colourful and imaginative masks of your own.

Join us and make something special!

1 - 4pm

5+ years

Make It Take It

Mask making

Are you a fan of Norse myths? Well, look no further - this is the event for you!

Join author and Norse myth superfan Louie Stowell in this interactive event to hear all about her bestselling series Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to... Discover how to draw Loki and even create your own Norse gods!

1.15 - 2pm 9+ years Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

CIRCUS S KILLS

Improve your agility, coordination and balance whilst learning fun and exciting new skills!

In this workshop with Tit4Tat Circus, you will learn the basics of juggling, diabolo, poi, staff spinning, plate spinning, hat tricks, handstands, and more. Bring your curiosity, a sense of play, and the courage to try something new!

1.15 - 2.15pm

All the family

Malarkey Park Circus workshop

W ILDLI f E W ATERCOLO u R

A workshop with celebrated East Yorkshire artist Eleanor Tomlinson, learning watercolour and ink techniques to create beautiful images of Yorkshire wildlife.

2 - 2.45pm

6+ years

Doodle Room

Painting workshop

K OFI AND THE R AP B ATTLE Su MMER

Music is everything! Join author, broadcaster and educator Jeffrey Boakye as he introduces his first middle-grade novel, Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer.

You’ll meet Kofi and his best friend Kelvin who find themselves on a mischievous, money making adventure. Learn about iconic 90s artists, how to write a rap and why Kofi and Kelvin are about to have their best summer EVER!

2.15 - 3pm

9+ years

Big Top

Meet the author + book signing

SO u L MAGIC!

A Big Malarkey welcome to the The Albemarle Soul Band!

Their young musicians will be performing classic tracks from the soul and motown era including Proud Mary, Respect and Hard to Handle!

HOSTED BY

TAKE THE STAGE!

It’s time to celebrate!

Join the Beats Bus crew in the Big Top to share anything you’ve made in the festival. Show us your moves, your lyrics, your drawing, stories or jokes - everyone is welcome!

All the family

4 - 5pm Big Top Performance

SAT u RDAY 24 JUNE 2023

SAT u RDAY 24 JUNE 2023

SUNDAY 25 JUNE 2023

SUNDAY 25 JUNE 2023

THANK YOu

A bIG THANK YOU TO OuR fUNDERS FROM EVERYONE AT THE BIG MALARKEY FESTIVAL

THANKS TO

The funtastical Hull Libraries staff and volunteers / HEY volunteers / Helen Thackeray / Howard

Flitton and the East Park Team / EPICompany Ltd / Our amazing festival team for creating a weekend of magic for us all to enjoy! / And of course to you for joining us, you’ve been amazing!

Hope to see you next year!

Hope to see you next year!

f ESTIVAL TEAM

Ellen Bianchini / Programmer

Claire Thompson / Producer

Joshua Bell / Event Manager

Gavin Turner / Technical Manager

Katie Holdstock / Festival Support

Cath Anderson and Rachael Forrester / Staff & Volunteer Co-ordinators

Lucy King / Design and Marketing