Growing Up Troppo – August
Festival frenzy is well underway in the Top End and nothing signals the great vibe of Darwin more than the Darwin Festival – and it’s not just the grown-ups who will be wowed by this year’s line up, with oodles of family-friendly performances and activities on offer.
by Libby Larsen.
The free Santos Opening Night Concert is a great way to get the whole gang into festival spirit, followed on opening weekend by the annual City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic. A much-loved favourite for Darwin’s tiny tots, they won’t be disappointed with a jam-packed morning of music, art and crafts, tea parties, pony rides, circus, special guest appearances from festival performers and more.
A world of interactive play awaits kids at emBARK!, with Lego marble mazes, dancing and a storytelling session under the Tree of Knowledge. Check out Number Please, a fun interactive installation in Festival Park where the kids can find old phones and explore the world of telephony with Professor O’Brien.
There are loads of opportunities for families to ‘shake their sillies out’. Starting at 5.30pm, everyone in the family can boogie on down to You Should Be Dancing Darwin.
Melbourne-based comedian Tessa Waters brings her smash hit show How to Be a Rockstar to Darwin. It’s all about the classic rock star entrance, power poses, and signature rock star dance moves. I’m totally in!
Circa is performing their fun, whimsical and exhilarating acrobatic performance Troppo. Marooned on a deserted tropical island, there’s lots of silliness as the performers ‘go troppo’ – something we are all too familiar with in the Top End!
In a Dark Dark Wood is a contemporary retelling of Hansel and Gretel for kids aged six and over. In this adaptation, Pippa and her brother Mo take off into the woods to a world with no rules and endless ice cream – but all is not what it seems!
In addition to the fabulous events on offer, one my family’s favourite things is to head to Festival Park, chill, soak up the atmosphere, grab a delicious dinner from one of the gourmet food stalls and catch up with friends while the kids play.
Happy Darwin Festival everyone!
Travel is, and has always been, Libby’s passion and she believes that this shouldn’t stop when you have kids. Libby knows that the best travel advice and tips come from other parents and so she started Growing up Troppo. It has loads of inspiration about hip places to stay, play and eat with kids that importantly parents love too.
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Image: City of Darwin Teddy Bears' Picnic; Elise Derwin
