Box Office: 028 9023 0804www.belfastchildrensfestival.com

Booking Tickets Booking Policy No refunds or exchanges after purchase. Latecomers cannot be admitted. All information is correct at time of print. Young at Art reserves the right to change or cancel events and refuse admission. Booking charges may vary from venue to venue.

Family ticket - admits 4 with discount Family plus ticket - admits 6 with discount And you don’t have to be related! Adults go free to most workshops.

Festival tickets are priced to be accessible to all and we direct special help to communities in need through our Friendship Fund and Community Ticket Scheme.

Many events sold out in last year’s festival, so book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Online: www.belfastchildrensfestival.com Telephone: 028 9023 0804

Festival Box Office, Writers’ Square, Belfast (opposite St Anne’s Cathedral) Open: Tuesday - Saturday, 9am - 4pm

Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place Belfast BT1 5AD Telephone: 028 9024 6609 Open: Monday – Saturday, 9am - 5.30pm Sunday 11am - 4pm

At venues: Old Museum Arts Centre: 028 9023 3332 Waterfront Hall: 028 9033 4455 Island Arts Centre: 028 9250 9254

Box Office: 028 9023 0804www.belfastchildrensfestival.com

Schools and GroupsSchools and organised groups can access special discounts, group rates and carers’ tickets as well as workshops, resources and extra support for disadvantaged groups. There’s too much to list here so go online or call the box office: 028 9023 0804

1Things to NoteKeep up to dateThe festival welcomes families and •groups of friends in all shapes and sizes!

Look out for special rates for families.•

Babes in arms (under 1s) go free to •all events, except Baby Rave.

Please respect age guidelines set for •each event.

Children must be accompanied by an •adult, except where otherwise stated.

No eating, drinking or using cameras/•mobiles allowed during performances.

Special needs or seating requirements •should be made known to us when booking.

And finally please respect the •enjoyment of others.

If in doubt contact the box office.•

Enjoy the festival!•

Catch up on all the festival news and lots more of interest to parents, families and children with the festival’s new media partner ni4kids.

www.ni4kids.com

Remember also to check the festival website for regular updates, extra events and our new family pages.

3Water TheatreBig Telly Theatre Company (N. Ireland) in association with Lisburn City Council

Sinbad

Tuesday 27 May 7.30pm, Wednesday 28 May 10am & 12pm Thursday 29 May 10am & 7.30pm Friday 30 May 10am & 12pm Saturday 31 May 2pm & 7.30pm Sunday 1 June 1pm

A Splashing Adventure

Age: 5 years + Duration: 50 mins Tickets: £8 Family ticket: £26 Family Plus ticket: £40www.big-telly.com

Following the success of The Little Mermaid in 2005, the latest swimming pool extravaganza will tell the adventures of Sinbad. Join this seafaring swashbuckler on one of his journeys and encounter some interesting surprises along the way including magical sea horses, gigantic ‘roc’ birds and even two foot tall hairy red men!

A performance without words guaranteed to leave you speechless.

Valley LeisurePlex, Lisburn

See page 34 for details of special water workshops.

5Various artformsYoung at Art & WaterfrontFestival in a

Weekend

Make a day of it at the Belfast Continental Market, City Hall Friday 23 – Monday 26 Maywww.belfastcity.gov.uk/events

Weekend family fun all under one roof

Festival in a Weekend returns by popular demand! Once again, the Waterfront will be a hive of activity with plenty of fun things to do for all ages. There will be a host of free and low cost events all in one building. There will be performers, music, face painting and loads more for the whole family to enjoy throughout the two days.

Many events sold out last year, so book ahead to avoid disappointment.

WaterfrontSaturday 24 & Sunday 25 May 11am – 5pmAll agesSee website for listings of free events

7Various artformsYoung at Art & New Lodge ArtsFestival goes to

the Waterworks

Saturday 31 May 11am - 9pm Sunday 1 June 11am – 4pm

Big view, big fun and lots of water

All agesMost events free.Some tickets required.

Ahoy! Calling all families and children. For an entire weekend, the Waterworks Park will be transformed into a fantastical landscape - even the water will be dressed up!

Jump aboard a storyboat. Be blown through a wind tunnel and travel back in time. With free entertainment, workshops, nature tours, outdoor cinema and a unique children’s market, bring the whole family and a picnic for a great day out.

A mixture of free and low cost events for all ages. Full listing of all free events will be on the website.

Waterworks Park, Antrim Road

9Young at Art & ni4kidsThe Children’s

Market

Saturday 31 May 11am - 9pm Sunday 1 June 11am - 4pm

Fun for all the family

Tickets: Free (no booking required)www.ni4kids.com

Whether you are a first-time or seasoned parent, the eldest or youngest child, a family big or small, granny or granddad, the children’s market will have something for you. A unique collection of stalls with everything from stuff to buy to information and advice on what children and their adults need or want. Watch the website for further details.

Waterworks Park, Antrim Road

11Music and danceYoung at Art (N. Ireland)‘Fantastic fun for babies and their parents’

Baby Rave - Baby Afro

Saturday 24 May 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pm Sunday 25 May 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pm

Go with the ‘fro!

Age: 0-4 yearsDuration: 1 hour Tickets: £5 Family ticket: £15 Family plus ticket: £23

It’s gone global, travelling to Australia and back again. The child-sized rave returns with a unique new theme. African dance beats are guaranteed to get those tiny (and much larger) feet tapping. Complete with DJ, dance facilitators, lighting, projections and pram parking, the Waterfront Auditorium will be transformed for this popular music and dance sensation for babies and parents.

Waterfront

www.myspace.com/belfastbabyrave A Festival in a Weekend event

13Music/Interactive Young at Art (N. Ireland)The Baby Jazz

Experiment

Monday 26 May 11am, 12.30pm & 2pm Tuesday 27 May 10am, 11am & 12.30pm Wednesday 28 May 10am, 11am & 12.30pm

Bam-bam-boo-ka!

Age: 2-4 yearsDuration: 35-40 minsTickets: £5 Family ticket: £15 Family plus ticket: £23

From the creators of the Baby Rave comes a new experiment in music for the very young. How can we say things without words? How does music make language? Come and help make a new language. This is a special new percussion based activity for small children with jazz beats, movement and colour. An intimate event for early years.

Old Museum Arts Centre

15Puppetry El Retablo (Spain) Animales

Friday 30 May 6.30pm Saturday 31 May 11.30am & 2.30pm Sunday 1 June 11.30am & 2.30pm

When is a sock not a sock? When it’s a dog

Age: 3-6 yearsDuration: 45 minsTickets: £7 Family ticket: £23 Family plus ticket: £35www.titereselretablo.com

Using different everyday objects and materials, this award-winning production creates an extraordinary and colourful parade of animals. A poetic, playful and humorous look at the animal world, Animales is non-verbal but uses colours, sounds and rhythm to captivate. This is puppetry at its best.

Old Museum Arts Centre

17Theatre & DanceTheatre Mala Scena (Croatia)Parachutists

or on the art of falling

Friday 23 May 10.15am & 12pm Saturday 24 May 11am & 2pm Sunday 25 May 11am

A lesson in the art of falling…

Age: 3-8 years Duration: 40 minsTickets: £7 Family ticket: £23 Family plus ticket: £35www.mala-scena.hr

Using acrobatics, dance and lots of parachute silk to suspend themselves, two parachutists Larisa and Damir tell the story of flying and falling and life’s ups and downs. Look out for the whizzing balloons, the colourful feathers and a few other surprises! Warning! Not to be tried out at home.

Old Museum Arts Centre

19

TheatreMonkeyshine Theatre Company (Ireland)

The Bedmaker

Saturday 24 May 10.30am, 11.45am, 2pm, 3.15pm & 4.30pm Sunday 25 May 10.30am, 11.45am, 2pm, 3.15pm & 4.30pm Monday 26 May 10.30am, 11.45am, 2pm, 3.15pm & 4.30pm

Let the story unfold

Age: 3-6 yearsDuration: 45 mins Ticket: £7 Family ticket: £23 Family Plus ticket: £35www.monkeyshinetheatre.com

Meet the bedmaker and a curious bed. Climb in, cosy-up, and take part in a magical journey. An intimate, playful show for a small audience in a big bed. Be transported to a magical land, meet the King of all hot water bottles in his quilted kingdom and travel into space and touch the sparkly stars. Includes interactive element.

Community Arts Forum (Writers’ Square, opposite St Anne’s Cathedral)

21TheatreCahoots NI (N. Ireland)The Snail

and the Whale

Friday 23 May 10am, 12pm & 7.30pm Saturday 24 May 2pm, 4pm & 7.30pm

On top of the world…

Age: 4 years +Duration: 45 minsTicket: £7 Family ticket: £23 Family Plus ticket: £35www.cahootsni.com

Determined to see the world, a tiny sea snail hitches a lift on the tail of a whale. When the whale gets into difficulties he discovers just how good a friend a snail can be. A delightful blend of black light animation, magic, live music and a well known story magically adapted from the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler.

The Drama and Film Centre (access via 20 University Square)

23Theatre Erfreuliches Theater Erfurt (Germany)

The Queen of Colours

Friday 23 May 7pm Saturday 24 May 12.15pm & 2.30pm Sunday 25 May 12.15pm & 2.30pm

Amazing what a little colour can do...

A Festival in a Weekend eventAge: 4 years +Duration: 50 minsTickets: £7 Family Ticket: £23 Family Plus Ticket: £35www.erfreulichestheatre.de

A little Queen, alone in her castle, is bored of living in a black and white world. The Court Painter and Court Musician magically bring some colour and adventure to her world. But what happens when the colours take over…? A live cartoon before your very eyes! Live painting, shadow puppetry, video projection, storytelling and music cleverly mix to tell the story, based on the book by Jutta Bauer.

Waterfront

25StorytellingChirine el Ansary (Egypt)Tales from an

Egyptian Oasis

Saturday 24 May 10.30am & 4.30pm Sunday 25 May 10.30am & 4.30pm

The shadow warrior comes…

A Festival in a Weekend eventAge: 6–160 yearsDuration: 50 minsTickets: £6 Family Ticket: £20 Family Plus Ticket: £29

Full of riddles and rhymes, some soft bits and some parts fast and furious, Chirine el Ansary brings tales of struggles, fear, love, real courage and the desert. Exotic, colourful stories from far away lands told in a unique storytelling style.

Waterfront

27TheatreThe Telling Theatre (Denmark)Beowulf

Monday 26 May 2pm & 4.30pm Tuesday 27 May 10am & 12pm Wednesday 28 May 10am

Vikings, trolls and a talented tin watering can...

A Festival in a Weekend eventAge: 8 years +Duration: 70 minsTickets: £7 Family Ticket: £23 Family Plus Ticket: £35www.thetellingtheatre.com

It’s 7th century Denmark. Grendel, the bog troll, has been ravaging King Hrothgar’s kingdom, but he is about to meet his match. The Vikings invade Belfast with this special adaptation of the greatest Nordic saga. It’s been a poem. It’s been a film. Now see it live on stage!

Waterfront

29Various artformsYoung at Art and Artistic Upstarts (N. Ireland)

Dazzle & Twinkle

Friday 30 May 7pm Saturday 31 May 3pm & 7pm Sunday 1 June 3pm

For the twinkles in your eyes and toes

Age: 4–8 years (but all ages welcome)Duration: 90 minsPrice: £7 Family ticket: £23 Family plus ticket: £35

The creators of Glitter & Sparkle, the adult club sensation, will bring a sparkly atmosphere and new event for families to a magically transformed venue. Atmospheric lighting and decorations will blend with dashes of cabaret, music and dance. Dress up, step out and have a ball!

Black Box, Hill Street

31Urban arts - various/interactivetransUrban Arts

Akidemy

Saturday 24 May Sunday 25 MayFor a full listing including times visit www.belfastchildrensfestival.com or www.transbelfast.com

So you think you can do it?

A Festival in a Weekend eventAge: 8-14 years

Duration: Various from ½ day to 2 daysTickets: £5 - £20 (lunch not included)

It’s back! The Akidemy is your chance to meet urban arts professionals. Do you fancy finding out what it’s like to be a DJ, a rock musician, or a music producer? Or perhaps fashion design, photography, aerosol art or film production is more your thing? Specially designed courses across the weekend will offer 1/2 day. Full day and 2 day experiences that you will never forget.

Listings of all courses are on the festival website or visit: www.transbelfast.com.

Waterfront

trans presents:

33Various artformsMore of it than

we think 2

Opening times vary depending on venue

Spotlight on Northern Ireland’s young artists

FreeSupported by Belfast Harbour Commissioners

A multi-artform exhibition showcasing the wealth of creative activity carried out by children in schools, community centres and groups across Northern Ireland. Selected by competition, a variety of artwork created during 2007-08 has been selected.

The exhibition will run across all the festival venues from Friday 23 May – Sunday 1 June.

All festival venuesWaterfront Old Museum Arts Centre Black Box

35WindshapersSheelagh Colclough

Do your bit for the environment. Harness windpower for your creativity and make your own windmills or wind chimes with professional artists.

After a splashing adventure with Sinbad (see page 3) see what it’s like to be part of Big Telly’s spectacular water theatre experience. Bring your swimming gear!

Step back in time with an historic character from North Belfast as they unlock the gate to the park and history comes to life.

Step on board and be transported through tall tales. It may be a duck pond but through live storytelling, you can travel the world.

Water Workshops The StoryboatVictorian Waterworks

WaterfrontSaturday 24 May 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pm Sunday 25 May 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pmWaterworks, Antrim RoadSaturday 31 May 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, 5pm & 6.30pm Sunday 1 June 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pmAge: 5-11 years Duration: 1 hour Tickets: £3

Valley LeisurePlex, LisburnSaturday 31 May 3.30pm & 4.30pm Sunday 1 June 10am & 11amAge: 8 years +Duration: 1 hourTickets: £3

Waterworks Park, Antrim RoadSaturday 31 May 11.30am, 1pm, 3pm, 4.30pm, 6.30pm Sunday 1 June 11.30am, 1pm, 3pmAges: 7–11 yearsDuration: 45–60 minsPrice: £3 per child (adults go free)

Waterworks Park, Antrim RoadSaturday 31 May 11.15am, 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 3.15pm, 4.30pm, 5.45pm, 7pm Sunday 1 June 11.15am, 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 3.15pmAges: 4–11 yearsDuration: 30-45 minsPrice: £3 per child

37

Open Space

About Young at Art

Open Space was set up in 2001 by Young at Art as a professional forum to stimulate discussion about youth arts. Details of the 2008 festival Open Space including free tickets, discussions and social events are on www.youngatart.co.uk

Belfast Children’s Festival is run by Young at Art, a children’s arts charity with a mission to make life from birth to eighteen as creative as possible. A year-round programme of outreach and events across Northern Ireland accompanies the festival.

Young at Art is a charity and fundraises 85% of its costs from foundations, sponsors and donations.

What’s the Story?Rory O’Connor of the Creativity Hub

Rory’s Story Cubes are a unique new storytelling aid for all ages. Stretch your mind and improve your imagination in this unique interactive event. What’s your story?

The Most Beautiful LetterKarl O’Neill

A skilled stage and screen actor best known as Tim Carey in RTE’s Fair City, Karl will read from his first children’s novel and give a sneak preview of his newest work. If you had to write the most beautiful letter, what would you say?

Tea and TalesBooks, bean bags and storytelling.

Back by popular demand! Children and parents can choose to listen to stories on the hour read by some of the best authors of children’s contemporary fiction or simply relax in a quiet comfy area and choose from the large selection of books on offer.

Waterfront Saturday 24 May & Sunday 25 May 11am–4pm Old Museum Arts Centre Monday 26 May, Saturday 31 May & Sunday 1 June 11am-4pmA Festival in a Weekend eventAge: All agesTickets: Free (No booking required)

No Alibis Bookstore Sunday 25 May 4pmAge: 6–9 yearsDuration: 45–60 minsTickets: Free (Booking required)

No Alibis Bookstore Sunday 1 June 2.30pm and 4.30pmAge: 7–11 yearsDuration: 60 minsTickets: Free (Booking required)

39

Sponsors

Media Partners

Festival SupportersFunders

Partners

Fri 23 May 10am Snail and the Whale Drama/Film Ctr 4 years +10.15am Parachutists… OMAC 3-8 years12pm Parachutists… OMAC 3-8 years12pm Snail and the Whale Drama/Film Ctr 4 years +7pm Queen of Colours Waterfront 4 years +7.30pm Snail and the Whale Drama/Film Ctr 4 years +

Sat 24 May 11-5pm Festival in a Weekend Waterfront All ages10-5pm Akidemy Waterfront 8-14 years10.30am Egyptian Oasis Waterfront 6 years +10.30am Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 11-4pm Facepainting Waterfront All ages11-4pm Free art workshops Waterfront All ages11-4pm Tea and Tales Waterfront All ages11am Windshapers Waterfront 5-11 years11am Parachutists… OMAC 3-8 years11.45am Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 12.15pm Queen of Colours Waterfront 4 years +12.30pm Windshapers Waterfront 5-11 years12.30pm Baby Afro Waterfront 0-4 years2pm Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 2pm Windshapers Waterfront 5-11 years2pm Baby Afro Waterfront 0-4 years2pm Parachutists… OMAC 3-8 years2pm Snail and the Whale Drama/Film Ctr 4 years +2.30pm Queen of Colours Waterfront 4 years +3.15pm Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 3.30pm Windshapers Waterfront 5-11 years3.30pm Baby Afro Waterfront 0-4 years4pm Snail and the Whale Drama/Film Ctr 4 years +4.30pm Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 4.30pm Egyptian Oasis Waterfront 6 years +7.30pm Snail and the Whale Drama/Film Ctr 4 years +

Sun 25 May 11-5pm Festival in a Weekend Waterfront All ages10-5pm Akidemy Waterfront 8-14 years10.30am Egyptian Oasis Waterfront 6 years +10.30am Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 11-4pm Facepainting Waterfront All ages11-4pm Free art workshops Waterfront All ages11-4pm Tea and Tales Waterfront All ages

Sun 25 May 11am Windshapers Waterfront 5-11 years11am Parachutists … OMAC 3-8 years11.45am Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 12.15pm Queen of Colours Waterfront 4 years +12.30pm Windshapers Waterfront 5-11 years12.30pm Baby Afro Waterfront 0-4 years2pm Bedmaker CAF 3 -6 years 2pm Windshapers Waterfront 5 -11 years2pm Baby Afro Waterfront 0-4 years2.30pm Queen of Colours Waterfront 4 years +3.15pm Bedmaker CAF 3 -6 years 3.30pm Baby Afro Waterfront 0-4 years3.30pm Windshapers Waterfront 5-11 years4pm Most Beautiful Letter No Alibis 6-9 years4.30pm Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 4.30pm Egyptian Oasis Waterfront 6 years +

Mon 26 May 10.30am Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 11am Baby Jazz OMAC 2-4 years11-4pm Tea and Tales OMAC All ages11.45am Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 12.30pm Baby Jazz OMAC 2-4 years2pm Beowulf Waterfront 8 years +2pm Baby Jazz OMAC 2-4 years2pm Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 3.15pm Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years 4.30pm Beowulf Waterfront 8 years +4.30pm Bedmaker CAF 3-6 years

Tue 27 May 10am Baby Jazz OMAC 2-4 years10am Beowulf Waterfront 8 years +11am Baby Jazz OMAC 2-4 years12pm Beowulf Waterfront 8 years +12.30pm Baby Jazz OMAC 2-4 years7.30pm Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +

Wed 28 May 10am Beowulf Waterfront 8 years +10am Baby Jazz OMAC 2-4 years10am Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +11am Baby Jazz OMAC 2-4 years

Time Event Venue Age Time Event Venue Age

1Time Event Venue Age Time Event Venue Age

Box Office: 028 9023 0804www.belfastchildrensfestival.com

Drama/Film Ctr - The Drama and Film Centre OMAC - Old Museum Arts Centre LeisurePlex - Lagan Valley LeisurePlex CAF - Community Arts Forum

More of it then we think 2, an exhibition of children’s artwork, will run throughout the festival at all venues.

Wed 28 May12pm Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +12.30pm Baby Jazz OMAC 2-4 years

Thurs 29 May 10am Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +7.30pm Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +

Fri 30 May 10am Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +12pm Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +6.30pm Animales OMAC 3-6 years7pm Dazzle & Twinkle Black Box 4-8 years

Sat 31 May 11-9pm Festival goes W’wks Waterworks All ages11-9pm Children’s Market Waterworks All ages11-9pm Outdoor cinema Waterworks All ages11-8pm Free art workshops Waterworks All ages11-4pm Tea and Tales OMAC All ages11am Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years11.15am Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years11.30am Animales OMAC 3-6 years11.30am Victorian W’wks Waterworks 7-11 years12.30pm Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years12.45pm Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years1pm Victorian W’wks Waterworks 7-11 years1.30pm Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years2pm Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years2pm Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +2.30pm Animales OMAC 3-6 years3pm Dazzle & Twinkle Black Box 4-8 years3pm Victorian W’wks Waterworks 7-11 years3.15pm Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years3.30pm Water workshop LeisurePlex 8 years + 3.30pm Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years4.30pm Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years4.30pm Victorian W’wks Waterworks 7-11 years4.30pm Water workshop LeisurePlex 8 years + 5pm Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years5.45pm Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years6.30pm Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years6.30pm Victorian W’wks Waterworks 7-11 years7pm Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years

Sat 31 May7pm Dazzle & Twinkle Black Box 4-8 years7.30pm Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +

Sun 1 June 11-4pm Festival goes W’wks Waterworks All ages11-4pm Children’s Market Waterworks All ages11-4pm Outdoor cinema Waterworks All ages11-4pm Free art workshops Waterworks All ages11-4pm Tea and Tales OMAC All ages10am Water Workshops LeisurePlex 8 years + 11am Water Workshops LeisurePlex 8 years + 11am Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years11.15am Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years11.30am Animales OMAC 3-6 years11.30am Victorian W’wks Waterworks 7-11 years12.30pm Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years12.45pm Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years1pm Victorian W’wks Waterworks 7-11 years1pm Sinbad LeisurePlex 5 years +1.30pm Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years2pm Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years2.30pm What’s the Story? No Alibis 7-11 years2.30pm Animales OMAC 3-6 years3pm Dazzle & Twinkle Black Box 4-8 years3pm Victorian W’wks Waterworks 7-11 years3.15pm Storyboat Waterworks 4-11 years3.30pm Windshapers Waterworks 5-11 years4.30pm What’s the Story? No Alibis 7-11 years

Design: www.paperjamdesign.comIllustrations: www.strayillustration.com

An ASSITEJ INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Box Office: 028 9023 0804www.belfastchildrensfestival.com