Day Two OOTB

Okay Day 2....well we missed the train, so we drove in. Mum, Dad, Kihi & Maya headed in to see Mr McGee and Sand Song as well as sample some of the free activities. The start of the day with Mr McGee was a fantastic start. It was Ms 5's first theatre experience and she was a little wary of the lights going out and cuddled up to mum for most of the show (dad is in the background if you look close). The MrMcGee head and singing freaked her out a bit at first (and a couple of other younger kids seemed a little frightened too). Dad took one for the team and switched seats with Kihi to sit behind the extraordinarily tall person in front (we should of brought cushions like the clever people behind us). The show was in Maya's word's "brazilliant" (I think we were thinking of brilliant and magnificent???). Kihi loved the fact that he knew the stories but most importantly, the nude scene had him in stitches. It was a great vibe in the theatre and was a whole lot of fun for both kids and adults. The stage, the performers, the stories - it was all fantastic - makes me wish I had a career in the arts really.

Now as for Sand Song I have to confess that I was a little nervous - I do tend to judge harshly any representations of 'Aboriginality' particularly when it is "the" Indigenous bit of the festival. While my husband and children are involved in traditional dance, I kind of get a little frustrated by museum-like notions of Aboriginal culture. However I was pleasantly surprised by this performance/workshop. Sand song had a beautiful blend of the traditional and contemporary Aboriginal experience and was respectful and sacred as well as fun and interactive. The use of Aboriginal language and contemporary Aboriginal english was relatable and not too kitsch or cringe-worthy. The noodle boxes were also a nice take on the dilly bag.

The facilitators/performers were inclusive and engaging - and Aunty did the best Kookaburra true! From there we headed upstairs to a beautiful set and we were part of the corroborree. We were the audience but we were part of the ceremony. The dancers were truly beautiful and very engaging. It was a very intimate setting and it was a joy to see them enjoy what they do. The sociologist in me also enjoyed watching others watching the performance. I could sense some uncomfortability with the intimacy and at times confusion about what was happening. Though, once tunnel ball and leap frog started all could relate. The final part was absolutely beautiful and mystical. I think different people would have taken different things from Sand Song and I liked that possibility. I'm not sure what the kids took away - they said they liked it - but it was a very different experience to the other performances and workshops - they kind of sat there in awe. We rate this one - too deadly :)...

We sussed out other activities in the cultural precinct - we went over to the library and checked out the Torres Strait Islander space though it was quite crowded.

We went to the art gallery and Miss Maya made a hat - big line and hard work for mum as she directed me how to correctly make roses for her headpiece. The boys hung around outside waiting patiently for the ladies to make hats. I heard a loud noise, and of course it was Kihi who had dropped his dream jar on the stairs - nice echoing sound as it landed on each row of stairs. Dad was thinking "okay it's going to smash" each time it fell. Though they caught it and his dream jar was in tact phew. They were soon shooed away from using the stairs as seats and went away to check out the naked statues. Before heading off, we checked out zoom where we got to draw on walls (thanks OOTB for that one - I've been fighting a war against drawing on walls in my house for years!!!). Though it was nice to get to interact with the visual arts in a fun, and creative way, rather than being merely observers in a cold and at times unwelcoming setting.

We missed a fair bit at the world stage and I kind of wish it was bigger as there was stuff I would've have loved to sit down and watch for a bit and to have a rest.

I'm looking forward to the next two days - with Grug, Pirates & Flourpot and bringing Eliakim the 3 year old along to see how he engages with the festival.

Before I go, I have to give a shout out to the volunteers and workers - there are heaps of people around to help with directions, programs and information. I have found in particular the volunteers to be really embracing the fun of out of the box in what they do and how they do it - I can't for the life of me, imagine giving up a long weekend to deal with so many kids, prams and crazy parents!!! Too deadly too....