Midlands Arts Centre announces October half term activities
The Midlands Arts Centre has announced a range of half term activities that will be taking place during October.
Guests can meet a variety of live owls on Saturday, 25 October from 11 to 2pm, as the arts centre celebrates the launch of its Birdland Family Trail and its upcoming Christmas show, The Owl Who Came for Christmas.
The Owl Who Came for Christmas (Mon 1 - Sun 28 December) tells the heart-warming tale of Rosie the Owl and her festive feathered adventures, as she wakes up one day to find herself nestled in a family's new Christmas tree.
For one day only, Steve Cross of Shropshire Falconry will educate guests on Owls.
To keep the owls comfortable and happy, visitors are refrained from petting or stroking the owls while holding them.
There will also be 15-minute breaks between time slots to allow them to rest. No dogs are permitted at this event.
MAC will also launch its unique Birdland Trail with a day of drop-in stalls and activities, all inspired by the great outdoors and its residents. The event will take place on Saturday, 25 October from 10 am to 4 pm.
Juneau Projects (aka Phil Duckworth and Ben Sadler) are Birmingham-based artists who love nature and working with people.
Alongside people from local communities, they have created a beautiful trail of ceramic birds inspired by those in MAC’s neighbouring Cannon Hill Park.
Visitors can collect the family Birdland Trail spotters guide map from MAC’s foyer, meet local conservation and wildlife organisations including the RSPB and local birdwatching groups to learn how people can support nature. Guests can also make a bird feeder for gardens as a memento.
Lynsey Rutter, MAC’s head of learning & participation, said: “The Birdland Trail provides families with another fun, free, accessible activity, which we know is so important during the school holidays.
“Our gorgeous bird sculptures mirror those found just outside MAC’s doors in Cannon Hill Park, which amazingly plays host to over 50 different species!
“Join us for our wonderful programme of Birdland activities throughout autumn.”
The Little Geeks festival will take place between 25 October to 1 November. The MAC’s very own digital tech festival will feature live shows, gaming, hi and lo-fi tech and workshops.
The programme includes;
- Exciting live shows including WiFi Wars: Halloween Special
- Incredible interactive experiences like the free Smart Play Zone and budget-friendly Ambient Arcade. Book into Soundplay Dome for an immersive experience in a small group environment, designed with access for all in mind.
- An eerie-sistible programme of creative courses to get you in the Halloween spirit, like the Digital Creepy Creatures Camp.
Other crafty courses include LED T-shirts, Ghost Story Writing, Gothic Illustration and much more. Guets can drop-in for a free Light Painting activity on Halloween itself and create a magical image to take away.
On Sunday, 2 November, MAC will also host the inaugural Farshore Funny Fest in association with the Beano - an ultimate day out for children aged 6+ and their families this October half term.
People can enjoy laugh-out-loud workshops, silly science shows, hilarious headliners, face painting, scavenger hunts, book signings and meet your favourite characters.
Tickets cost £7.95 per child and each ticket comes with a goodie bag.
The festival sees bestselling storytellers from across the country come for hilarious sessions, including Beano’s Directors of Mischief and Mayhem Mike Stirling and Craig Graham and Betty and the Yeti comic creator Hugh Raine.
It will also see appearances from Birmingham locals Farhana Islam and Laura Howell, ready to set children’s imaginations alight!
