Special Events

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Children's Festival 15-19 February

Hit the creative ground running in the February half-term!
Packed with fun activities for children up to the age of 12 our renowned festival celebrates all that's best about being a child!
Make sure you call our box office on 01252 330040 and book early, as sessions are popular and sell out quickly!
Shows that can be booked online feature a book online link.

African Drumming

Mon 15 Feb, 10.30am-12.30pm for 3-7 yrs (all children must be accompanied by an adult)
1.30pm-3.30pm for 8-11 yrs (paying adults welcome, children may attend this session unaccompanied)
£5 per session
Led by renowned musician and artist Noah Messomo from the Cameroon rain forest, you will learn the basics of African percussion at this fun-filled session.

Toddler's Pottery

Mon 15 Feb, 10.30am-11.15am under 5s (maximum of two children per adult) £2.50 per child
A fun introduction to pottery for toddlers! Have fun squishing, squashing and mashing!

FREE! The Amazing Art Afternoon

Mon 15 Feb,1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm (45 minute sessions)
Ideal for children under 12, children must be accompanied by an adult
Get down on the floor and get creative in our fabulous art session with artist Doug Field. These sessions are a little chaotic, midly messy, but most of all a whole lot of fun!

FREE! Tribal Groove

Mon 15 Feb,10.30am-11.15am 8-12yrs
Dancer Rachel Holbrook will show you how to use your body like a drum kit.

FREE! Storytime

Wed 17 Feb, 10.30am-11.30am
Sit back and relax with Ginny Arnison as delves into the exciting world of books! In conjunction with Hampshire Libraries.

Forever Young Pottery

Wed 17 Feb, 10.30am-12.30pm £4 per adult and £4 per child
Have fun with ceramicist Nonny Tabbush. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Forever Young Printing: Decorate Your Own Pillowcase

Wed 17 Feb, 2pm-4pm £4 per adult and £4 per child
Using lots of colour and a range of stamps you will make a personalised pillowcase to take away.

FREE! Tribal Groove

Wed 17 Feb, 10.45am-11.30am all ages
Dancer Rachel Holbrook will teach you how to use your body like a drum kit.

Forever Young Pottery

Thurs 18 Feb,10.30am-12.30pm £4 per adult and £4 per child
The original and still the most popular. Have fun with ceramist Nonny Tabbush.

Black Sheep Comedy Storytelling Workshop

Thurs 18 Feb,12noon-1pm £2 per person, suitable for 7+
Join the performers and writers from CBBC The Legend of Dick and Dom and The Slammer for a pre-show warm-up of games and exercises that will help you create and tell your own stories. Find a starting point then let your imagination run away with you in this hour-long creative workshop that will leave you with a brand new tale to tell. Places are limited, so book early.

Book online

Black Sheep present Fairly Tales…

" " Thur 18 Feb 2pm £6 reserved seating

A world famous author wants to tell you his stories – but his idiot assistant has accidentally wiped all his books clean! We’re going to need your help to fill them up with words again…

Whose Line is it Anyway? meets Jackanory in this improvised comedy show for all the family. Watch as hilarious new stories are created out of thin air by two storytellers who’ll have to pull out all the stops if they’re going to get from Once Upon A Time to Happily Ever After! Every performance is unique, because it’s your words and suggestions that form the starting points of every story they tell. This show is ideal for children aged 6+ and their families.

The award winning improvised comedy show the whole family will enjoy, from writers of CBBC’s The Slammer, The Legend of Dick and Dom, and Planet Ajay.

"The children dissolved into giggles and the parents shone. The Black Sheep produce children’s theatre that defies gravity” – The Times

"Hilarious masters of improvisation” – Pick of the Day, Daily Mail

FREE! Aldershot Military Museum Dress-Up Morning

Fri 19 Feb, 11am-2pm all ages
Come here and have a go at dressing up in historical outfits brought from the museum.

Forever Young Pre-show Workshop: Little Red Riding Hood

Fri 19 Feb, 11am-1pm £4 per adult £4 per child
Alice Butcher and Ginny Farquhar will help you to make your very own interactive picture, inspired by a scene from this well known story. This workshop will set the tone for the show that follows and is certainly not one to be missed.

Forever Young Pottery

Fri 19 Feb,10.30am-12.30pm £4 per adult £4 per child
The original and still the most popular. Have fun with ceramist Nonny Tabbush.

FREE! Music in the Afternoon

Fri 19 Feb,1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm babies to 4 yrs
For pre-school children and their families, the Len Tyler Music School is acclaimed for work with young children. Expect a fun-filled forty minutes of music games, songs and percussion activities.

Clydebuilt Present Red Riding Hood's Magic Purse

Fri 19 Feb, 2pm £6 reserved seating
A classic story, told with a twist! Favourite characters abound, an adventurous Red Riding Hood, an independent Granny (home at last from her trip around the world), and of course the wonderful, Wicked Wolf who plans to have "Granny for lunch and Little Rosie for afternoon tea!"
Find out how Little Red Riding Hood's magic purse saves the day in this delightful show for children aged 3-7 and their families.

Easter Boredom Busters

Don't succumb to boredom during the Easter holidays!

Packed with fun and challanging activities for people up to the age of 16 there's no excuse not to be creative in your spare time! Make sure you call our box office on 01252 330040 and book early, as sessions are popular and sell out quickly! Shows that can be booked online feature a book online link.

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How the Koala Learnt to Hug

Sat 27 Mar, 2pm £6 reserved seating
A stage adaptation of this beautiful Australian fairy tale by author and director Steven Lee, this heartwarming tale has been adapted from Steven's first collection of short stories and is a charming tale about the magic of family and, of course, about the importance of a nice, warm hug! Join Steven and a of wild characters, including Natascha the Witch and Karen the Koala, for some great stories, sing-along-songs, superb games and first-class hugging!

Book online

Forever Young Pottery

Wed 7 Apr, 10.30am-12.30pm 3yrs+ £4 per adult £4 per child
Enjoy a manic morning of squishing, squashing, building and a whole lot of mess! With artist Penny Eccles.

Forever Young Mosaics

Thurs 8 Apr, 10.30am-12.30pm 3yrs+ £4 per adult £4 per child
With an array of brightly coloured materials create a family heirloom with artist Penny Eccles.

Scarecrow

Sat 10 April 2pm reserved seating £6

A furrowed field. The end of winter. The distant cawing of crows. A couple of farm workers turn up with a bundle of sticks and a pile of old clothes. They build a scarecrow.This is the story of a lonely scarecrow and a bunch of noisy crows. It’s about solitude and community in hard, hard times.

The scarecrow hates the crows. Well that’s what you’d expect. But every time he chases them off they just keep coming back. The crows can take or leave the scarecrow. They’re too busy squabbling, eating and living their lives. All he wants is to be left alone. We follow their relationship over a year, from their beginnings as enemies, to their conclusion as grudging friends.

From the creative team that brought you The Gardener, nominated for The Children’s Theatre Prize in Germany and The Chronos Prize in France, ‘Scarecrow’ is a family show, perfect for children aged 5-9 and features puppetry and live music.

Book online

Taiko Drumming

Wed 14 Apr, 11am-1pm (8-12 yrs) and 2-4pm (12-16 yrs) £12 per person per session
Mark Alcock will guide you through this energetic workshop, giving you a real taste of Japanses culture, rhythm and teamwork. Free foam earplugs available on request.

Hippy Bag

Wed 14 Apr, 10.30am-4.30pm 12-16yrs £20 (£16 concs)
Design and create a small, embellished bag. Working with textile artists Alice Butcher and Ginny Farquhar, the day will include design, fabric selection, bag construction, applique, embroidery and embellishing.

weaving

Funky Woven Purse

Thurs 15 Apr, 10.30am-12.30pm 8-12yrs £8
It's easy, it's functional and it's fun! Create a lovely and unique little purse using an exciting mix of materials and techniques with artist Sharon Kearley.

Clothes Re-fashioning

Fri 16 Apr, 10.30am-4.30pm 12-16yrs £20 (£16 concs)
Have fun learning how to turn old clothes into fantastic new outfits using a variety of quick and easy techniques. You bring the clothes and artists Alice Butcher and Ginny Farquhar will help you re-fashion them into something fresh and new. All other materials, trims and embellishments will be provided.

Step into the Country in conjunction with the Blackwater Valley Community Partnership

Sat 20 Mar, 1pm-5pm FREE entry

Experience the outdoors indoors and learn about local countryside sites, green areas and traditional crafts. There will be plenty of hands-on activities as well as workshops, storytelling, stands and demonstrations.

Find out how to make a hazel hurdle, watch a wood turner hard at work, discover the wonders of flint knapping and have a go at the ancient craft of weaving. For the more adventurous, there will be a guided walk out and about, so dress up warmly! Art created by local school children will be exhibited in the gallery.

www.blackwater-valley.org.uk

Children's parties

At a loss what to do to celebrate your childs birthday? Why not have a creative party at the West End Centre?! We'll provide the artists, materials and space, all you need to do is bring the crowd and the party food!

From 2pm-4pm on Saturdays (booking in advance is mandatory). £10 per head with a minimum of 12 children. The first hour of your Creative Birthday Experience will be spent getting crafty, working with an artist, in the second hour you have space to serve the party food.

To discuss our full range of party options please call 01252 330040.