Having trawled the Edinburgh Book Festival program and the Fringe festival program I hereby highlight the events recommended for toddlers ie. people under 2 years old. It goes without saying, as an adult if you only attend these events you might feel like a toddler yourself but here goes:
Book Festival
I am looking forward to the annual occupation of Charlotte Square. Located at the west end of the magnificent George St it's one of those excellent grassed town squares that you wish were public. The office people looking on to it certainly don't seem to use it for the other 11 months of the year. It is gloriously open to the public in August and these toddler and babes in arms events are free events! but they require booking.
Bookbugs
Little ones and their grown-ups can sing along with traditional nursery songs and action rhymes. This incredibly popular event is hosted by Edinburgh City Libraries and is part of Scottish Book Trust’s Early Years Programme. Maximum 4 tickets per booking.
Scots Rhymes
Craigmillar Books for Babies returns with their ever-popular singalong event chock full of Scots rhymes. A lovely playful half-hour which helps to develop language, rhythm and coordination skills through motion and gesture. Maximum 4 tickets per booking.
Fringe Festival
The choice here is overwhelming, even when you isolate the events suitable for under-twos. Weirdly it is not possible to do this on the fringe website as far as I can imagine but in some spare minutes after toddler bedtime I lay on the recliner and manually trawled the program. In doing this I questioned the age rating of some of the shows, witness Oz, seemingly about the trauma of death in the family. Why this is rated as being suitable for 0 to 1 year olds I have no idea, perhaps it's a typo in the program or perhaps it's for babies so young that it remains for the adults to seek interest in the storyline. On the other hand a trawl through the online program led me to shows which the printed program missed for 0 to 2 year olds including Baby Disco, surely worth a visit with a little one who has newly found their feet and Buzzing, which discovers the poetry in insects at the Botanic Garden. Here are the rest of those isolated events for your delectation. I have copied in the blurb from the program and you can click on the links to find out cost and times and to buy a ticket! Only a couple are free but I have indicated when they are:
The Amazing Bubble Show
C too St Columbas by the Castle, Johnston Terrace
Breathtaking bubbles, people-inside-bubbles, square bubbles, amazing bubble colours, sculptural bubbles, special effect bubbles. A show for kids of all ages to thrill, laugh, love and learn about the world of Bubble-Ology. Book early.
Doctor Austin and Sparks in Space
C Central Carlton Hotel North Bridge
Puckish pop scientist Doctor Austin is back with cheeky puppy Professor Sparks in an all-new puppet science show for the whole family that's out of this world - literally!
Flamenco for kids
C Plaza George Sq Theatre
Flamenco for all the family - learn the rhythms, stamp your feet, clap along, get up on stage...and dance! Costumes for kids and instruments to try out.
Hairy Maclary
Assembly @ George St
Out of the gate and onto the stage went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy. Come and see the UK show, based on Lynley Dodd's much-loved children's books, featuring many of your favourite characters.
Little baby Snoogle-Fleejer
Church Hill Theatre
An imaginative tale by President Jimmy Carter. Others might flee at the sight of a terrifying sea monster, but Jeremy is surprised to discover a kindred spirit and learns some valuable lessons along the way.
Monkey Music
Pleasance Courtyard
Back by popular demand award winning Monkey Music has fun filled workshops for six-months to two-years (10:30am) and two-years to five-years (11:30am). There'll be action songs, games and fun with percussion instruments. Join in the fun with Monkey.
Our Little Green Book of Children's verse
St Cuthberts Parish Church, corner Lothian Rd and Princes,
FREE non-ticketed
New original fun-filled show! Come and join performance poet Jenny Wilcock as she travels through her garden and beyond.
Oz by Don Zoldis
the Spaces@Surgeons Hall, Nicolson St
Reeling from her sister's death, a young woman finds herself on a journey of the mind, into a world suspiciously resembling 'the Wizard of Oz'. Enjoy a hilarious and often heartwarming exploration of grief and perseverance.
Pandora's Book
Church Hill Theatre
A precocious little adventurer must save the day when stories escape from a magical book. Join Pandora as she outwits folktales from around the world in this whimsical, humorous tale featuring live music, puppetry and multicultural performance techniques.
Penguin
Pleasance courtyard
'Penguin' is a spectacular puppet show, adapted from award-winning book by Polly Dunbar. Follow the twists and turns of this wonderful tale, in which a silent Penguin turns marvellously eloquent and a little boy finally gets his heart's desire.
Petite Rouge
the Spaces@Surgeons Hall
'Petite Rouge' - book, music and lyrics by Joan Cushing. Children's musical - Red Riding Hood is a duckling and the wolf an alligator called Claude! This entertaining fable is colourful with jazzy foot-tapping tunes.
The Red Bus Children's Show
The Meadows
Classic entertainment for children on board our original 1962 red double-decker Routemaster bus in the Meadows. Puppetry, singing and storytelling every day, 11am 'til 5pm. You can't miss us! Rides first and last thing.
Seesaw
Dancebase
Sparkleshark
the Spaces@Surgeons Hall
Sparkleshark' by Philip Ridley is an adventure-laden show wherein teens battle monsters and rescue princesses, becoming fast friends. Highly interactive, come and witness the power of storytelling! First premiered at the Royal National Theatre in 1997.
Tall Storrie and Wee Godley
Pleasance Dome
Scots mother and daughter team Janey Godley and Ashley Storrie have exciting games, storytelling, comedy, funny improv and music. Kids are encouraged to bring along their own favourite instrument and join the house band.
A World of Pure Imagination
Laughing Horse@The Three Sisters, Cowgate
FREE non-ticketed
Interactive show of favourite stories and poetry from authors including Kipling and Lewis Carroll. Each performance varies, uniquely brought to life by entertainers inviting you to share their world of pure imagination.
Ok, so the last one sounds right up my street. But with the likes of a children's musical penned by ex-president Jimmy Carter I feel I must issue a disclaimer and point out that the above selection is made wholly on the basis of age bracket alone and I have not viewed any one of the above shows. Barring Monkey Music which I did go to last year and about which my most generous comment is that I will reserve judgement until revisiting this year.
Saturday 26 June 2010
Friday 25 June 2010
Thank you Emergency Budget for crushing building development
Today I head that a medium sized developer was shelving a building project that has been in progress for about 4 years. His reason? the risk of the banks pulling out of his project in a couple of years time is too great. This affects not only his livelihood but the livelihood of all his consultants. Thank you Conservative Emergency Budget for crushing the construction industry. I am profoundly miserable that you ever got in to power. And don't get me started about the inane, erroneous and patronising handle of "Big Society".
Gareth Malone and the Korrel question
I am rarely addicted to a tv series. The last one was a grudging but profound addiction to Madmen and before that a wholehearted addiction to Six Feet Under which was quelled when David picked up a sadistic hitch-hiker and I nearly had a heart-attack. At that point I decided that it was only a tv program and that I should not put myself in the position where I could die at midnight watching it on a Monday evening after a hard day's work and a bottle of wine. But then came The Choir! to which I was not addicted but wept with emotion whenever I stumbled across it.
So, in the post madmen vacuum I have landed upon Gareth, thinking woman's crumpet, to elevate my scarce tv-watching minutes. And his Glyndebourne program does not disappoint.
He is surely doing an essential job with joy and flair and determination. He inspires people to find a voice, and whilst his guise appears to be from Royal College of Music silver spoon elite he is drawing out the latent but universal instinct to sing from a culture who have lost it. Of course this glittering intro precedes my critical take on the second episode of the Glyndebourne Knight Crew project. The bulk of the crew has been selected to hone evident talents but from an immediate reading of the program it seems that the program exists to focus in on marginalised youngsters and follow what is hoped to be a transformational exercise. This is how some of the suspense is created for the viewer.
Hence Kia, Stefan and Korrel. The less obviously talented crew members make it through on account of their looks and their expected stage presence therefore Stefan, the 18 year old cadet who was adopted as a toddler, Kia, who is having a hard time settling into a new school and Korrel, trawled from a young offenders centre. Kia was singled out by Gareth as she had fallen out of participation, and whispered the notes she was asked to sing in a one-to-one session. It was cringe-making watching as we feel for Kia, racked by shyness yet glowing when she loses her reserve. I could not believe there would be a turn-around. Stefan was singled out by Gareth he was apparently tone-deaf. Yet tone-deaf is not a word you would hear on a Gareth Malone program and I wonder whether it should ever have been coined. Stefan when asked to sing a note repeatedly repeatedly repeatedly sang a different one. I am familiar with this from the example of my brother as a young teen. I was convinced as I was when watching Stefan that this is where his career in singing would end. But marvellously and magically Gareth persisted and the next time we see Stefan he can not only sing his part but sustain it whilst Gareth sings a semi-tone above! I was totally bowled over. Clearly tone-deafness does not exist or if it is present is not absolute. The euphoria you feel as a viewer is amazing. The confidence it gives the performers is profound. It's a total success already, against the odds, set up by the program construction.
But this is where I come to a perceived fault. Korrel was really the one who would only succeed against the odds. Young offender is used as a term for his status but no one delves into why he was in prison aged 14 and what mark this left on him. Arrestingly handsome he plays truant, talks on the phone over Gareth's presentations and his gangly teenager body language spells a lack of trust. Gareth follows him in his spare time for a pep talk at the young offenders institution to talk him into participating fully. His call to arms is the challenge that "this will be the best thing you have done in your life" Korrel is practically fighting back the tears, his hormones awry and his rebellious nature foxed into silence. But will it really? what if Korrel already saved a 3 year old sister from drowning? or what if he gets up earlier than his mother in the morning to make her a cup of tea? The arrogance of suggesting that performing in the Knight Crew will beat anything that Korrel has ever experienced was too much for me. He dropped out soon after that, but not until he had a rare to-camera talk where he revealed that these people at Glyndebourne who are running this thing would never survive in prison, that they do not know what it is like. And this has stayed with me. Firstly I feel the awkwardness of putting him on the spot in a case-study rough diamond but secondly because what he seems to be saying is that these Glyndebourne people cannot earn his respect because they would not survive what he has. Nobody pointed out to him that they would not have found themselves in prison in the first place, but then Korrel was a child when this happened, in all likelihood he was a victim of his circumstance. But his circumstances remain a question that this program does not have the time to delve into, it just places upon him the high expectation of being able to comply as the rest of the cast are being asked to. The pity of it is that at such a young age Korrel is using his prison experiences as a benchmark to judge the behaviour of every figure of authority he meets. On reflection this is understandable but I feel that this has to be challenged. Now he has left the cast has he been thoroughly dropped?
And what of the rest of the cast? after their performances what a come-down period there could be! Once the cameras have left their lives and they return to their life what will they do with their energy? It's safe to say that this exercise will be exercising areas of their mind and body that go beyond their experience so far, will they return to school and be able to channel the energy successfully? Whilst this experience shoots them to fame and acclaim has anybody pointed out that the life of an actor or musician is not as financially secure as they may think? This last comment is a sadly jaded view from me and I would almost delete it yet I think it is relevant to consider when making choices of what to study and why.
Conclusion: Gareth is doing a great job. Specialist mentoring is needed for specialist cases.
Crusts in milk
Excuse me but toddlers CAN eat the crusts of bread. If toddler leaves the crusts, plump them up in a little ramekin of milk and offer them when toddler is next hungry. Squishy milky stodge seems to go down very well.
Friday 18 June 2010
front mounted bike seats for toddlers
Here am I, a relatively new mother, longing to get out from behind the pram and back onto her bicycle, looking out for the time when her child is old enough to sit on the bike too. So why is it that it took me until I was given a hand-me-down bike seat to spend an entire evening online weighing up the alternatives? And now, months later, having finally bought a tiddly helmet, I have actually attempted to put the bike seat on the bike. Falling at the first hurdle I have found I can't even get it on over the luggage rack so I am returning to that old list of favourites. Let's take a closer look! Whilst our hand me down is to be fitted behind the rider, all of these are for front-loaded children. Instinct tells me that this is a great idea, providing head-on collisions are not a feature of our road experience.
In general in this position on the bike the child is in a kind of recumbent position, with legs strapped into modern day stocks. The first one here has the child's legs flung far forward and kept immobile, leading me to think that you'll need a very "biddable" child (as my mum would say) to tolerate this. This is the i-bert safe-T-seat. Although it's american and all about safety, the whole thing and your child cantilevers off the stem of the bike. This seems a bit far-fetched to me but it's not the only model to do so....
£72.99 on ebay
Next, the anthropomorphicly named Rabbit seat is clumsy looking but I'll try not to let that put me off. This seems to rely on gravity and fixes to the crossbar.
£51.08
The Bobike is probably Dutch and has that aura of confident if slightly geeky design whilst flying in a higher aesthetic stratosphere than our own UK efforts (with a price that reflects that). They have chosen to go for stem-mounting as well so it must be all right.
£90
The Hamax is Norwegian and judging by their standard of living we can probably assume that the design has reached the apex of comfort and safety although without too much thought given to design flair.
£55.99
And lastly in my selection, another animal-named product is the kangaroo, the only one complete with headrest for toddlers who nod off at the wheel. For us I think that is going a bit too far. By the time a child is strong enough to support a helmet he or she is over 1 year old and probably also by then having only one nap a day which is likely to be from about 2-3 hours long. Following this train of thought, therefore, I would not expect to need the headrest unless going on a 20-30 mile scenic trek complete with food provisions, all-weather clothing, GPS and first aid box etc etc, an unlikely picture at the moment for us. The fixing method seems to involve the installation of an independent bridge. Conclusion, then, nice idea Kangaroos but we'll pass having whittled it down to the above four options.
£69.99
I am coming down in favour of the Rabbit, although if price was no object it would probably be the bobike, the two polar extremes of style. My only reservation is that I wont have enough room for my legs to actually turn the pedals comfortably, thus negating the whole exercise. Time for an internet trawl to see who has actually used these seats and can compare them.
Even better, tell me if you have?
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Radio 3 bookends my day
Radio 3 bookends my day. It fills, illuminates, illustrates and enumerates those quite times first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Sarah Mohr-Pietsch on R3 Breakfast Show even managed to get in the buzz word vuvuzela this morning, here's a lurid description from the world's encyclopaedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vuvuzela
But R3 does more, the music transports the spirit to new invisible landscapes. My unmissables are SMP's show and Late Junction with Verity Sharp or Fiona Talk-alot-ington
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00sq54f/Breakfast_Tuesday_Sara_MohrPietsch/
Sunday 13 June 2010
Cruiser shoes, why so overdesigned?
Why is bottom-line design so overdesigned? Why do we have to pay more for things which are designed to be simple? It seems to me that the same goes for prams (whilst I don't have a bugaboo I do deem it to be the apple mac of the pram world) as for shoes, Camper costs practically twice the price of Clarks!
To illustrate today's theme all I need to do is to attach two images and you can go compare...
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