Posted 29 Sep 2011
Every October since 2008, NewcastleGatehead hosts the award-winning Juice Festival , ten days of family fun showcasing the creativity of children in the Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead area. Past Juice Festivals have included hip hop workshops and dance performances, a participatory digital photo exhibition, a series of young ranters showcase events, and an interactive book treasure hunt. Organizers of the Juice Festival strive to bring the arts to children, and children to the arts.
This year's Juice Festival promises to be even bigger and better than ever. Running from the 19th through the 30th of October, organizers have planned a cornucopia of events for children from toddlers to teens. The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art will be presenting interactive dance workshops for children from the ages of 5 to ten. This age group will also enjoy the participatory Big Bugs event at the Great North Museum. The Laing Art Gallery is hosting a Big Monster Wednesday for all young art monsters. Scary costumes are welcome at this drop-in event. At the Life Science Centre in Times Square, aspiring aeronautical engineers can try their hand at building an airship for Wallace and Gromit.
The UK's top graffiti artists will be participating in workshops and a colourful art jam in Gateshead. The same venue will also be hosting brass and steel pans workshops for young musicians, while crazy drama and art activities will be held at the Live Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne. Seven Stories on Lime Street will be hosting a very special Tracy Beaker event, no grownups allowed!
Tyneside Cinema is running a special film festival all week long, as well as film-making workshops. The Live Theatre will be featuring stage performances by First Draft. You might even get to meet the cast members. Beat This and Fool Ensemble will be presenting percussion workshops and clowning and mask workshops at Swinburne House.
Perennial favourites at the Juice Festival are the Just Jam hip hop events held at Dance City and the huge Juice Festival Monster Parade held on Baltic Square on the eve of Halloween. There are plenty of fine
hotels in Gateshead so why not book one today and enjoy this fun filled festival for all the family.
