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Monash University Performing Arts Centres (MPAC) presents Family Fiesta
Family Fiesta is back in 2023, just in time for the winter school holidays. Presented by Monash University Performing Arts Centres (MPAC), families can enjoy four days of literature, art and live performances. The program will kick off with the world premiere of The Velveteen Rabbit by Born in a Taxi and continues with The Carnival of the Animals with Sammy J; a 40-year celebration with author Mem Fox for Possum Magic; Claire Hooper onstage with Princess Benjamina Has a Very Cheeky Bum and much more.
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Mem Fox and 40 years of Possum Magic
Author and national treasure Mem Fox is live on stage, sharing all the adventures of 40 years of Possum Magic. There’s also a chance to meet Mem for a book signing and eat your way through a Possum Magic menu in The Count’s restaurant with mini pavlovas, pumpkin scones, minties and lamingtons.
Date: 30 June 2023
Time: 12.15 pm
Location: Alexander Theatre, The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, 48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton
Price: $10
The Velveteen Rabbit
The Velveteen Rabbit, commissioned by MPAC will premiere in its renowned home of children’s theatre, the Alexander Theatre. The toys are in charge! BYO snuggly toy and join an unpredictable adventure about a toy rabbit who becomes real…but how did it happen? Expect the unexpected as Melbourne theatre company Born in a Taxi thoughtfully and hilariously reimagines this 100-year-old timeless classic by Margery Williams. A story of discovery, disappointment, and transformation, The Velveteen Rabbit dares to tease out complex themes of loss and love in accessible ways to children. Set within a film shoot, with dynamic audience participation, music, skilled clowning, and live feed projections, this is a playful, visual, poetic exploration of a timeless classic.
Date: 28 – 30 June 2023
Time: 28 June 10 am & 1.30 pm, 29 June 11 am, 30 June 10 am
Location: Alexander Theatre, The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, 48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton
Price: $15
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The Carnival of the Animals with Sammy J
Comedian, musician, author and radio host Sammy J narrates The Carnival of the Animals, featuring verse by beloved Australian playwright Nick Enright. Hear the talented players of the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance perform Camille Saint-Saëns’s classic score. Listen out for the music of the emu, tortoise, elephant and kangaroo, with an opportunity to meet the musicians.
Date: 1 July 2023
Time: 11 am
Location: Alexander Theatre, The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, 48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton
Price: $15 – $20
Claire Hooper presents Princess Benjamina Has a Very Cheeky Bum
Channel Ten’s The Project regular Claire Hooper presents an afternoon of laughter, cheer and cheekiness. Claire brings her wit and humour as she talks about being a comedian, writer and how she dreamed up Princess Benjamina Has a Very Cheeky Bum – the story of Benji getting into mischief and a plan to get to the bottom of the matter – a clever plan that will get her to the night of the Royal Ball. This event will also be followed by a book signing.
Date: 1 July 2023
Time: 1.15 pm
Location: Alexander Theatre, The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, 48 Exhibition Walk, Clayton
Price: $10
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Pluck!
28 June & 1 July 2023
Enjoy free lunchtime music with Pluck! in The Count’s. Hear guitar music from around the world, using stringed instruments, from mandolins, ukes, banjos, pedal steel, electric and classical guitars as well as other random pluckable things. Expect a musical journey from West African-inspired sounds, to Brazil, Spain, bluegrass, 50s rock n roll, and classical.
Jazz Hands!
29 & 30 June 2023
Continuing the free music at The Count’s is much-loved Australian jazz singer Tamara Kuldin for an afternoon of sweet swingin’ melodic mayhem to put a smile on the faces of big and little kids alike.
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The House on Pleasant Street author workshop
29 June 2023
Join bestselling children’s author Sofie Laguna for an exuberant and fun-filled workshop based on her book The House on Pleasant Street, a hilarious story about family and friendship and what happens when trick-or-treating doesn’t go to plan. Sofie will share how being an actor helps her to tell stories with strong characters. Littles ones will help Sofie read the story and get their book signed.
Wylah: The Koorie Warrior author workshop
28 June 2023
Celebrate the exciting return of Wylah: The Koorie Warrior in this interactive, creative workshop with authors Jordan, a proud Peek Whurrong man, and Richard, an Indigenous Samoan. During a fun-filled 45 minutes, children will find out how the new book in the Wylah series, Custodians, was made. Learn about Aboriginal culture and create an original character for Wylah’s nation. Wylah is a warrior, hero and friend. Her adventures have been 40,000 years in the making. She is brave, clever and strong-willed, and all her best friends are giant megafauna animals. This event will also be followed by a book signing.
Wild City
28, 29, 30 June & 1 July 2023
The foyer of The Ian Potter Centre of Performing Arts will be transformed into a free installation asking, “What if wild animals lived among us in our city?” Wild City is a chance to enjoy the interactive miniature sculptural city where humans, plants and animals live together. Multi-disciplinary visual artist Kathy Holowko introduces children to ideas of human and animal architecture and shows hybrid examples of coexistence, in an experience where children are then invited to draw, plant and construct their ideas onto the mini-city.
Family Fiesta
19 June – 1 July 2023
Monash University Performing Arts Centres
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We try our best to provide accurate information on kid-friendly events around Victoria but do recommend parents check details directly to confirm dates, times, prices as some details may be subject to change.
