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Melbourne Fringe Festival is back between Thursday 13 September to Sunday 30 September 2018, brimming with the best of independent theatre, circus, music and live art for children and families.
Families are spoilt for choice with amazing theatrical performances, workshops, live art, dance events and even fashion shows, throughout the city. It’s been called the Olympics of art as 3,320 artists perform 443 shows across 152 venues.
Fringe prices start at FREE and stay affordable.
Here are my Top 21 events of Melbourne Fringe 2018 for kids, from babies right up to teens.
1. Capitalism Works for Me! True/False
A cheeky public vote on capitalism. Love it? Hate it? Not sure but just like pressing buttons? This is the large LED scoreboard with a political message for you. Children will love being part of this experience at the State Library of Victoria, the Queen Victoria Market, Bourke Street Mall, and Fringe Hub – Arts House on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Capitalism Works for Me! True/False | Various Locations | 13 – 15 Sept, 20 – 22 Sept, 27 – 29 Sept | FREE
2. Kids in Fashion
Join Adele Vascoe and RMIT Fashion students to design the fashions of the future, and launch them on the catwalk. This empowering artwork celebrates the designer and activist inside every child. All ages welcome. Auslan interpreted.
Kids in Fashion | The Space Dance and Arts Centre – The Skydeck | Sat 15 Sept | FREE
3. The Pied Piper
Melbourne artist Hanna Morouchka brings us her smash show from Paris, a new twist on the classic story. Join Countess Arabella, Grandma, Fish Man and rats Angela and Charles for a musical comedy for ages 6 to 106.
The Pied Piper | Errol’s & Co | Sat 15 – Sun 16 Sept, Sat 22 – Sun 23 Sept, Sat 29 – Sun 30 Sept | $14 – $20
4. Lake
Artist Nick Barlow invites us to explore two precious resources; water and people. Start by creating costumes from reclaimed plastics, and then join a procession which becomes a public art installation. Meanwhile, water is transported from Moonee Ponds Creek to create a large temporary pond, where a performer creates sculptures from cardboard boxes.
Lake | Cross Keys Pavilion & Strathmore Pop-Up Park | Sun 16 Sept | FREE – bookings essential
5. Juan Vesuvius says RELAX
Kids aged 3+ can shake what their mumma gave them, in an event hosted by the Caribbean’s most ridiculous DJ, Juan Vesuvius. Expect interactive storytelling, comedy and a relaxed environment that welcomes all children and families, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or sensory or communication disabilities.
Juan Vesuvius says RELAX | Arts House – Festival Club | Sat 22 Sept | FREE
6. Starting School
Rhythmic kids should pack their dancing shoes and join in with funny maestro Andrew McClelland’s dance marathon, paying tribute to artists both new and old. Expect Madonna, Michael Jackson, Jarvis Cocker, the Beatles and more.
Starting School | Arts House – Festival Club | Sat 22 Sept | FREE
7. Truth or Dare
Kids can turn the heat on their parents in this playground classic, from Germany’s leading live art practitioner Sibylle Peters. If you’ve ever been curious about what kids would really like to know about adults, this is your chance.
Truth or Dare | Northcote Town Hall – Civic Square | Sat 22 – Sun 23 Sept | Free
8. Club Kids Music Academy
Take samplers, drum machines, keyboards and a whole lot of studio tech, and let children 3 – 8 years old (rough guide, open to all) have a go at making their very own experimental electronic music. DJ Tiesto, watch out.
Club Kids Music Academy | Northcote Town Hall | Sat 22 – Sun 23 Sept | FREE
9. The GREATEST Magic Show!
Melbourne magicians Justin and Sam bring slime, levitating children, escapology and their own unique comic charisma to this magic show for the whole family.
The GREATEST Magic Show! | The Melba Spiegeltent | Sat 22 – Wed 26 Sept | $15 – $23
10. The World’s Worst Babysitter
Parents can take a therapeutic break in the company of Lauren Bok, who’s miles worse than the worst babysitter you’ve ever had. She’s all about eating ice cream and avoiding bedtimes. It’s comic, clowning chaos.
The World’s Worst Babysitter | The Melba Spiegeltent | Sat 22 – Sun 23 Sept, Thur 27 – Sun 30 Sept | $10 – $25
11. Prehistoric VR
Travel back 200 million years ago and dive under the sea to swim with the wonderful creatures of the prehistoric ocean. This Virtual Reality experience is adapted from a large-scale puppet show, and is the first 360-degree VR puppetry experience of its kind.
Prehistoric VR | ACMI – Studio 1 | Sun 23 – Sun 30 Sept | $10
12. Hear Me Roar: Fringe Pop Up
What if six children and six artists spent six hours reimagining our world? Join internationally renowned children’s theatre company Polyglot and influence their work-in-progress. Aimed at 8 – 12 year olds.
Hear Me Roar: Fringe Pop Up | Abbotsford Convent – Salon | Mon 24 Sept | $10
13. Ollie and Rose Go Viral
Ollie and Rose’s plans to be famous on YouTube go awry when they’re sucked right into the computer! Made by a Deaf director and an Auslan interpreter actor, this innovative theatre show combines physical performance, sign language and visual storytelling. For ages 6-12.
Ollie and Rose Go Viral | Gasworks Arts Park – Garden Studio | Tues 25 – Thurs 27 Sept | $18 – $20
14. ONLY A YEAR
Bring your baby to an immersive, sensory performance created especially for 0-12 month olds. Winner of the 2017 Melbourne Fringe Best Kids Event – so book quickly.
ONLY A YEAR | Brunswick Mechanics Institute | Tues 25 – Sun 30 Sept | Two adults and one baby $45, One adult and one baby $30
15. Children Are Stinky
Watch acrobatic duo Circus Trick Tease as they tackle the real truth about children: they’re stinky! This is high energy, non-stop jokes, jumps, juggles, and 90s music. We saw this show last year and my daughter still talks about it now – high praise from a little lady.
Children Are Stinky | Kelly Park Hall, Werribee | Wed 26 Sept | $12.50 – $15
16. I Am Hear
Children aged 7 – 12 can lose themselves in a deep listening experience, immersed in the sounds of everyday objects and unusual instruments while blindfolded.
I Am Hear | Artplay | Wed 26 – Thur 27 Sept | FREE (Bookings essential)
17. Paradise
Set in an imaginary paradise in the South Pacific, this dance work will delight kids aged 4 and up. Choreographer Phillip Adams won the 2018 Australia Council Award for dance so expect the latest in glorious, uplifting movement.
Paradise | Temperance Hall | Wed 26 – Sun 30 Sept | $15 – $28
18. Ickypedia
Laughs are a shoo-in with this gooey slapstick family show from The Listies. Learn all about the Ickypedia: A Dictionary of Disgusting New Words, including Udderpants (undies for cows), Zomba (Exercise for zombies), and other even more totally ridiculous ideas.
Ickypedia | Gasworks Arts Park – Gasworks Theatre | Thurs 27 Sept | $20 – $23 (also showing at Clocktower Centre | Tue 25 Sept | $30)
19. m-ball
Representatives from Planet ZyGort travel to Earth to promote their home planet’s most popular sport, m-ball. Participants are accompanied by live performers and interact with art, music, and each other. Join in for a musical ball game unlike any other on Grand Final weekend.
M-ball | Artplay | Fri 28 – Sat 29 Sept | Free
20. Scott’s BMX Trick Bike Show
Daredevil girls and bikemad boys will love Scott Hone, he’s travelled the world doing tricks on his BMX, joining Circus Oz and inspiring kids and adults with his insane skills. Scott takes the audience on an uplifting and gobsmacking journey with his bike, backwards, frontwards, and upside-down. Great for kids aged 5 – 13.
Scott’s BMX Trick Bike Show | Emerald City – The Cobbles | Fri 28 Sept | $25
21. Amazing Drumming Monkeys
Children aged 1 and over will enjoy this interactive drumming and puppetry show. The Amazing Drumming Monkeys have been called ‘the new Wiggles’, and have been touring the world for 14 years, honing those family-friendly jokes and interactive musical moments.
Amazing Drumming Monkeys | The Melba Spiegeltent | Sat 29 – Sun 30 Sept | $15 – $17
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HOT Tips
Follow #melbfringe on Twitter for $5 shows, announced each day.
Don’t be afraid to turn up early with kids and people watch, pack some snacks and see who else turns up to the show.
Stuck waiting around for a show? Young kids will enjoy practising their clapping (go for: Serious, Very Pleased, and Encore) whereas older kids can take a selfie with the posters and upload to social media, just tag #melbfringe and see what happens.
Set your heart on a show? Why not see what else is on at that venue earlier or later that day. Many venues act as hubs for the Fringe, programming multiple events at the same time.
Short of taking out an iphone and spending the whole show having a loud conversation with their kindy squad, there’s not much your child can do to offend. Don’t be shy to bring them; your child is welcome at Fringe.
Parents are expected to stay with their children and purchase tickets for each adult and child attending, unless the infant is under 2 and sits on your lap (check individual listings to make sure)
If your child doesn’t like a show, or is bored or restless, leave quietly. Consider every ticket bought worthwhile as it supports independent artists. If your children don’t love it, don’t sweat.
Loved a show? Tell your friends, share on social, “like” the artists’ pages and, of course, Melbourne Fringe. Your support rewards the artists and helps them reach new audiences.
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