M.A.D.E for indoor winter school holiday fun

The hunt is on!

Come to M.A.D.E (Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka) during the winter school holidays to get out of the cold and experience a museum in a fun and kid-friendly way with a winter treasure hunt. 

Then become a curator by learning to make snowflakes and adding to the exhibition space in M.A.D.E’s Kid Curated Corner.

M.A.D.E’s yummy Saltbush Kitchen is offering a special kids winter warmer to boot – a hot chocolate and cookie deal.

When:

Monday 27th June to Friday 1st July and Monday 4th July to Friday 8th July, 2016

Where:

M.A.D.E - Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka

102 Stawell Street South

Ballarat

During the school holidays, M.A.D.E is offering FREE entry for children to the museum.  Until Monday 4 July this includes the final week of 19^th Century Bling Goldfields Jewellry exhibition.  Entry also includes the school holiday program.

Museum entry:

During 19^th Century Bling Goldfields Jewellry exhibition:

Adult $12

Children FREE

Tuesday 5^th July onwards: 

Adult $12 

Children FREE

Free for Ballarat locals upon presentation of identification

To book tickets please call 1800 287 113

More information: www.made.org/whats-on/ 

Stadium Stomp 2016 is almost upon us! Have you registered??

What a great experience and opportunity to raise much needed funds! Melbournians, you could be racing through the iconic MCG over 7,300 stairs or in the short course of 1890 stairs.

With most fun runs decreasing in numbers Stadium Stomp is increasing in popularity!

The O'Brien Group Arena is the ideal place to entertain the kids these winter school holidays, with FOUR Nutcracker activity zones open from the 25th June to the 10th July.

You can spy an ice show too with public rehearsals happening on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of June at 11:30 and 2:30!

In the Nutcracker activity zones, you'll find;

Nutcracker On Ice:

There will be three 15 minute Nutcracker shows on ice telling this magical story for all to enjoy between 11.30am and 2.30pm daily starting Monday 27 June.  Previews are Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Enchanted Chalet: 

In the Enchanted Chalet, kids can decorate Nutcracker and gingerbread men and take part in other craft activities between 10.30am and 2.30pm daily.

Winter chill out zone:

St Moritz on level 1 will be a chill-out zone for those who need a break from the ice with winter movies and to meet the characters from the Nutcracker between 11.30am and 2.30pm daily.

Skating:

• Public skating - From 9am to late every day with DJ’s across the two Olympic size ice rinks from 9am daily
• Under 8’s Ice Fun - Toys, games and music, plus snow play areas for children to enjoy a totally different toddler experience with Ice Ambassadors to make sure both parents and children have some cool ice fun. 9am to 11am daily
• Free Lessons – Beginners. Free with entry and designed to give non skaters the skills they require to enjoy their experience. Every hour from 11am to 2pm daily
• Free Lessons – How to Skate Backwards. Free with entry and designed to encourage skaters to improve their skills. Every hour from 11am to 2pm daily

If you are looking for fun and exciting activities for the kids during the winter school holidays, then O’Brien Group Arena has you covered.

Entry for all day unlimited skating and all four Nutcracker activity zones

• Adult - $27 including skate hire
• Child (6 to 14) - $23 including skate hire
• Child (3 to 5) - $14 including skate hire
• Family (two adults and two children) - $82 including skate hire

Save time and buy online!

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

Based on The Comic Strip “Peanuts”

by

Charles M. Schulz

Charles Schulz’s beloved characters come to life in this wonderfully entertaining musical by Clark Gesner. You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown will play Hayes Theatre Co from Tuesday 5 July for 31 performances including special shows for the School Holidays.  

Everyone’s favourite ‘blockhead’ Charlie Brown is joined by his kid sister Sally, blanket-hugging Linus, know-it-all Lucy, Beethoven devotee Schroeder, and of course his best friend – Snoopy for adventures and life lessons that cover the best way to fly a kite, write a book report, play baseball and combat the Red Baron.

“’You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’ was the first musical I ever saw as a child, and I am thrilled that we will be presenting this production at Hayes Theatre Co, “ said Producer and Hayes Theatre Co General Manager Victoria Wildie.  “It’s a great opportunity to work with the team behind the hit production of RENT, Director Shaun Rennie and Choreographer Andy Dexterity who, along with Musical Director Michael Tyack, have assembled an exciting young cast for Hayes Theatre Co’s first musical presentation for children and families.  This is a production that will appeal to both young and old with its engaging characters.”

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown is the perfect holiday entertainment for kids young and old.

Starring: Rohan Browne (Strictly Ballroom, A Chorus Line) as Snoopy, Ben Gerrard (I Am My Own Wife, Molly) as Linus, Sheridan Harbridge (The Detectives Handbook, Songs for the Fallen) as Lucy, Nat Jobe (Crazy For You, The King & I) as Schroeder, Laura Murphy (GREASE The Musical, Magical Tales) as Sally and Mike Whalley (Richard III, An Officer and a Gentleman) as Charlie Brown.

“When first asked what I would like to direct following RENT, without hesitation I knew that it would be ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’,” said director Shaun Rennie.  “I have always loved this funny, bright, sweet and surprisingly insightful show and have often thought that it would be a perfect fit for the intimate Hayes Theatre Co. We have been able to cast six incredibly funny and experienced comedic actors to bring the Peanuts to life, it is a dream cast, and I can’t wait to get started.”

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown started at Theatre 80 Off Broadway in 1967 and ran for 1,597 performances before transferring to Broadway for a limited run.  After a US Tour in 1998 the musical retuned to Broadway in 1999 and received four Tony nominations. It starred Kristin Chenoweth and Roger Bart as Sally and Snoopy, with each winning a Tony award.

With Melbourne’s newest winter festival – The Big Freeze!

While it might be too late to book and save for your winter snow skiing holiday that doesn’t mean the kids have to miss out on their first snow experience. The Big Freeze will launch in 2016 with guaranteed snow and ice fun for families with kids from tots to tweens.

The Big Freeze features a vast arena of activities spread over the Cranbourne Racecourse with a focus on kids staying active, being creative and using their imaginations. A great way to spend time on the school holidays, families can enjoy hours of fun at the festival including a snow pit, snowball toss, winter inflatable slide, snow village & forest, workshops, craft, construction play and more. Held from July 2 -10 the winter school holidays will now give Melbourne families a taste of the snow close to home. 

Founder of the Festival, Anna Brown said the inspiration for the Festival “came from having two young kids and the desire for them to experience the fun of the snow without having to take them to the snow fields. A snow trip can be intimidating and expensive for parents so we are hoping this experience will give them a taste of what good fun it can be.”

New activities are being added in the lead-up to the Festival as more organisations and people want to be involved in this great family activity. Sign-up now for your chance to secure early bird tickets and lots of other great prizes or check them out on Facebook and stay up to date!

The Big Freeze Winter Festival

When: July 2 – 10, 2016
Where: Cranbourne Racecourse, Grant Street Cranbourne 
Tickets: available www.thebigfreezefestival.com.au 

The Big Freeze Winter Festival and Phillip Island Nature Parks have partnered up to provide families with the ultimate winter package of family fun. For one low ticket price, parents will be able to purchase a multi-pass that will gain entry into not one, but five attractions - The Big Freeze Festival, Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the new Antarctic Journey. 

After visiting The Big Freeze, families can continue onto Phillip Island for a short stay winter getaway. July is a great time to visit the Penguin Parade, as earlier night fall allows for younger children to enjoy watching the penguins waddle up the beach before their bedtime. Take a virtual journey into the Antarctic, including a multimedia experience that will allow you to stand on an ice floe and pat a penguin, stroke a seal or marvel at a whale within arm’s reach. Come face-to-face with koalas in their natural habitat and explore the heritage of Churchill Island, all while experiencing the daily farming activities.

Tickets can be purchased online at online with the five attraction multi-pass only $28 for children aged 2-12 years. Adult passes can be purchased separately at each location. Entrance to the Phillip Island Nature Park attractions is valid from time of purchase until December 25, 2016, so can either be redeemed over the holiday or throughout the remainder of this year.