THRIVE ON ARTS Festival

Thrive On Arts

Thanks to C&K Childcare and Kindergarten, Thrive on Arts is back once again for the September school holidays. Thrive on Arts is a creative space for young people, families and the wider community that celebrates play, imagination, creativity and storytelling during Toowoomba’s most vibrant and floral time of year.

In 2022, the Empire Theatre will be stomping and roaring our way back to prehistoric times.

The family program includes a mixture of activities to excite ages 1-12years and their adults. Whether it be music, drama, art, or a workshop that brings you to the space, stay a while and experience something new.

On Stage for Kids 

	Dinosaur Time Machine Thursday 29 September, 10.30am & 12:30pm Armitage Centre  Price: $26 The science of dinosaurs told through puppetry, theatre and circus. Buckle up and take a trip in a giant time machine to get up close and personal with a life sized T-Rex. Learn about the ancient world of dinosaurs in the most exciting way possible. Two adventurous performers use science, circus, puppetry and imagination to give you a glimpse into history that you won't forget.
	Wind in the Willows Friday 30 September, 10.30am & 12:30pm Armitage Centre Price: $12 Mr Toad's insatiable need for speed triggers a daring adventure as he discovers motor cars and the thrill of the open road. His friends, Ratty, Moley and Badger try to stop his reckless and destructive ways encouraging him to be a sensible Toad. Meanwhile, his home Toad Hall is invaded by the wild wooders. His friends step up to help, going into battle to evict the invaders and recapture Toad Hall.
	Justine Clarke - Everybody Roar! Saturday 1 October, 10.30am, Empire Theatre  Price: $29 EVERYBODY ROAR! is a celebration of all the family favourites from Justine Clarke’s gold and platinum selling albums. With a live band of the finest musicians in the country Justine invites the audience to join in and sing along together to hits like Watermelon, Dinosaur Roar, The Gumtree Family, A Banana Is A Banana and many more. So, get ready to sing, dance, clap, stomp and roar with Justine Clarke!
	Movie Screening - Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Saturday 1 October, 12.30pm, Armitage Centre Price: FREE (bookings required) Our prehistoric pals – Manny, Sid, Diego and Scrat venture to a mysterious underground world, inhabited by dinosaurs and a one-eyed weasel named Buck. Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers
	First Five Forever Concert - Dippy's Big Day Out Featuring the Toowoomba Concert Orchestra Sunday 2 October, 10:30am & 12.30pm, Armitage Centre Price: FREE  Toowoomba Region Libraries, First 5 Forever and Empire Theatres presents an introduction to orchestral music for the whole family. Join us as Toowoomba Concert Orchestra brings this children’s book alive!

Workshops 

Circa - Youth Workshops 

Friday 30 September, 9:00am & Saturday 1 October, 11:30am | Ages: 5-9 years | Price: $50 pp

Friday 30 September, 12:00pm | Ages: 10+ years | Price: $60 pp

Class Duration: 2 hours 

Discover your inner acrobat with Circa Classes Workshops!

Explore the action-packed world of circus with our Circa Classes trainers through tumbling, acrobatics, handstands and more.

This workshop is suitable for beginners with no previous circus experience.

Circa - Adult & Bubs Workshop

Saturday 1 October, 9am | Ages: 2-5 years | Price: $25 pp (includes 1x free ticket for accompanying adult)

Class Duration: 45 mins

Is your little one climbing the curtains, balancing on top of things or rolling around like a little acrobat?

Circa Classes Adults and Bubs workshop is a fun introduction to circus for 2–5-year-olds and their grown-ups.

Through storytelling, games and physical activities, participants will learn about movement, listening, coordination and creativity.

Dead Puppet Society - Creature Design & Puppet Making Workshop 

Thursday 29 September, 1:30pm | Ages: 10+ years | Price: $30pp

Class Duration: 2 hours 

Travel back to the Pleistocene era with Dead Puppet Society as we delve into a world of creature design and puppet construction in this fun and hands-on workshop.

In honour of the visiting Megafauna puppets, participants will be invited to create and design their own ancient inspired puppet character, and learn simple hinging and building techniques. Students will also be introduced to the hierarchy of manipulation and learn our three principles of puppetry to bring their character to life.

Using readily available materials participants will follow our prototyping design process and learn about the biomechanics of movement and grow their understanding of manipulation and puppet functionality, as well as:

- Explore design techniques
- Build a tabletop puppet
- Create external design features

Free Family Activities

Acknowledgement of Country
Thursday 29 September, 9am, Empire Church Lawn

Storytime Under the Magnolia by First Five Forever
Each day, 9.30am & 10am, Empire Church Lawn - Under the Magnolia Tree
Join the Toowoomba Libraries First 5 Forever team and enjoy some interactive story time under the shade of our magnificent magnolia tree. Reading, singing and playing is a great way to kick start the day.

Megafauna
Each day, 10am, 11.15am &12.30pm, Empire Church Lawn
Follow an ancient giant from a forgotten time. As our Diprotdon searches for its seasonal feeding ground on its migratory route, it becomes lost in a concrete jungle. Let your imagination wander with this incredible open-air performance by Dead Puppet Society, and reflect on how humans have altered this island’s creatures and landscape.

Dino Stomp Party
Each Day, 11.30am, Empire Church Theatre
Come and join TJ the DJ and stomp and dance along to all the best dino themed tracks! A mix of great visuals and a stompin soundtrack, TJ the DJ will have you walking like a dinosaur and roaring along with the crowd for this prehistoric party. 

Dig, Craft and Play
Each day, 9am-2pm, Empire Church Lawn and Church Theatre
Do you want to be a dinosaur or a palaeontologist? See what it takes to be a palaeontologist and then make your own dino costume.

Other Free Activities
Hands on megafauna and palaeontology displays 
Lawn games and scavenger hunt
Visit the C&K Tent 
Coffee cart on site

Thrive on Arts is presented by Empire Theatres and C& K Childcare and Kindergarten