The Bluecoat launches a new programme of free events to keep families busy over the Summer holidays.
Performers and artists have been chosen by children from Holy Cross School to stage activities on the Bluecoat Platform, a sculpture by Simon & Tom Bloor with children from Out of the Blue. The summer programme, starting from 21 July and lasting for four weeks, will consist of storytelling, music, comedy for kids, designed to engage children of all ages.
Visitors will be able to join storyteller Robin Simpson, the hilariously funny Gav Cross and friendly Og the Giant for a series of interactive performances. Kids will be able to get silly with the Ugly Bucket crew and Alice Rowbottom will be leading a puppet making workshop. Amazelab will host a bubbles workshop and Luan Barber Norton will be encouraging you to draw funny characters in her illustration workshop. Families are invited to explore their imaginations with Alex Macupova’s fun abstract painting workshop and become a DJ creating their own sounds with Mali Draper.
One of the selected artists, abstract artist Alex Macupova, said:
“Creativity is a powerful tool. I`m looking forward to seeing everyone’s imagination taken to a whole new level.”
Bluecoat Platform is a new outdoor family friendly sculpture, and is part of the UK wide Here and Now programme, celebrating the legacy of arts centres and the 40th anniversary of the National Lottery. It is inspired by the shapes and structures that the children from Out of the Blue, Bluecoat’s after school art club, made in a workshop with the artists Simon & Tom Bloor. Resembling a scaled up model of their designs, this playful sculpture creates a physical platform to bring some of Bluecoat’s artistic activities out of the building for audiences to enjoy this summer.
The Bluecoat will be serving Cheshire Farm ice cream over the summer holidays.
Please note: Some activities are aimed as specific age groups but all are welcome.
Wednesday 21 July – 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Performance, suitable for under 6s
Robin Simpson
Interactive funny storytelling and songs.
Thursday 22 July – 1-4pm
Workshop, suitable for children aged 7-11
Luan Barber Norton
Learn to draw funny, silly characters in this workshop.
Friday 23 July, 1-4pm
Workshop, suitable for the whole family
Luan Barber Norton
Learn to draw funny, silly characters in this workshop.
Wednesday 28 July – 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Performance, suitable for under 6s
Ugly Bucket
Fun and silly performances to join in with.
Thursday 29 July – 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Performance, suitable for children aged 7-11
Gav Cross
Join us for this hilariously funny interactive storytelling session.
Friday 30 July – 1pm-4pm
Workshop, suitable for the whole family
Alice Rowbottom
Create puppets and direct their performances in this making workshop.
Wednesday 4 Aug – 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Performance, suitable for under 6s
Gav Cross
Join us for this hilariously funny interactive storytelling session.
Thursday 5 Aug – 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Performance, suitable for children aged 7-11
Ugly Bucket
Fun and silly performances to join in with.
Friday 6 Aug – 1-4pm
Workshop, suitable for the whole family
Amazelabs
Find out more about bubbles in this hands on workshop.
Wednesday 11 Aug – 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Performance, suitable for under 6s
Og the Giant
Fun storytelling sessions, with songs and activities too!
Thursday 12 Aug – 1-4pm
Workshop, suitable for children aged 7-11
Alex Macupova
Unleash your imagination and create abstract paintings in this workshop.
Friday 13 Aug – 1-4pm
Workshop, suitable for the whole family
Mali Draper
Become a DJ, and create your own sound worlds in this interactive workshop.
About the performers
Robin Simpson
Robin is an actor and a storyteller. As an actor he has appeared in TV programmes such as Coronation Street, Holby City and Home Fires, and this Christmas he’ll be appearing in York Theatre Royal’s Pantomime as an Ugly Sister. Robin has been telling stories to children and families for over a decade in his own, inimitable style.
Gav Cross
Gav is a storyteller, theatre maker & teacher who runs hilariously funny interactive storytelling sessions for kids. He’s a firm favourite at the Bluecoat, you may have seen him perform with comedy troupe Funny Looking Kids.
Luan Barber Norton
Luan is a wholesome illustrator spreading love and good vibes wherever she goes. Her workshop sessions are supportive and encouraging, she believes anyone can create art! The workshops will feature fun and silly drawings, helping children to be more confident in character designing.
Alex Macupova
Alexandra Macupova is a Liverpool based abstract artist, who explores limitless imagination, colours, and boundaries of consciousness through her art. She uses her artwork as an outlet to bring harmony, euphoria, and positivity into our confused lives.
Mali Draper
Mali Draper is an artist based in Liverpool, working with sound, drawing, story-telling and writing. The workshop will be lively and active, mixing sound and interactive technology that is accessible for children, providing a chance for the children to get lost in building a world of sounds.
Og the Giant
Og The Giant is a guide on a magical journey to the Imaginarium! He’s a passionate Giant who loves to find new ways to look after ourselves, to stick together, and to share stories. In his session Og will lead interactive activities to warm up brains, physical games to warm up bodies and encourage singing to warm up voices.
Ugly Bucket
Ugly Bucket are an award winning Liverpool based company that specialise in physical comedy. They combine clowning with music and movement to give current issues a fresh perspective. Productions by Ugly Bucket are known for their high energy, honesty, and their seriously silly nature.
Amaze labs
Amazelab is a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, maths) educational resource provider putting a fun and creative take on all things STEAM in a thought-provoking way.
Alice Rowbottom
Alice is a performer, puppeteer and puppet maker based in Liverpool. She has worked for companies such as Headstrung Puppets, Oldham Coliseum, Little Angel Theatre, and Horse and Bamboo.
For further information visit www.thebluecoat.org.uk/family
