5 Due West Festival Events for Kids & Families

Footscray is officially one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world and now it’s bringing the hottest festival to the west – the Due West Arts Festival.

From Friday 15 November to Sunday 24 November you can experience art, music, performance like never before, inspired by the people and culture of Melbourne’s West.

Here are my top 5 things to do at the festival with your family.

 

1. Due West Opening Night Party

On Friday 15 November head down to Footscray Community Arts Centre and the Maribyrnong River for the free opening night of the festival. 

Led by Indigenous Elders and artists from Melbourne’s West, audiences will participate in the creation of an immersive communal sound sonata as part of an evening filled with music and dancing. Some of the artists include N’Arweet Carolyn Briggs (AM), Snuff Puppets, River of 3 Dancers, and Flag Inc. Bring a blanket and cushion, a picnic and your family and friends! 

Due West Arts Festival Opening Night, Footscray Community Arts Centre, Moreland St Footscray
Friday 15 November 6pm
Free

 

2. Meet the Cloggers

What is clogging? I have no idea – but it sure does sound fun! Meet the Cloggers is a family friendly free dance performance descend on Yarraville Pop Up Park for an afternoon of dancing. 

City West Cloggers have been clogging in the West since 1988, putting a spin on the classic tap dance with the addition of a ‘jingle tap’ fitted to the dancer’s regular shoe. Dancing in lines and guided by their instructor, President of the Australian Clogging Association Neville Flegg, The Cloggers are eager to share their art form with Due West audiences in this one-off, public event.

Meet the Cloggers, Yarraville Pop Up Park
Sunday 24 November  2-4pm
Free

 

3.  Sunshine Silos Projection Festival

Head to Parsons Reserve in Sunshine and take a tour through the Sunshine Silo Project. The projections are a celebration of the area’s rich industrial history, the arts, and the long-standing cultural diversity of Sunshine.

You’ll enjoy a program of projections, art, live music and performance. With roving performers, activities for children, and food trucks – it promises to be a unique celebration. 

Sunshine Silos Projection Festival, Parsons Reserve, Sunshine
Saturday 16 November 4-11pm
Free

 

4. One Night in Footscray

Get ready to spend one night in Footscray from 5pm till late for this one-off free event. Discover the galleries, venues and hidden in-between spaces of this eclectic cultural hub.

The free and accessible program includes vivid installations, musical performances, enlightening exhibitions, puppetry, dance, and a walking food degustation. Click here for the top 10 best One Night in Footscray events for families and kids. 

One Night in Footscray, various locations
Friday 22 November 5pm-late
Free

 

5. Children of the Evolution

Children of the Evolution turns up the heat in this riotous interactive chat show created by young performers aged 9-13 years. Armed with microphones, questioning minds, and big imaginations they tackle topics from the ridiculous to the political.

In this new physical, fun and hard-hitting show, children take adult experts to task. Kids get to come along and have their say about stuff that doesn’t make sense. 

Children of the Evolution, Footscray Community Arts Centre, Moreland St, Footscray
Friday 22 November 7pm
Saturday 23 November 2pm
Sunday 24 November 2pm
$5 for kids and $15 full

For more things to do in Footscray with kids visit Footscray Park Playground & Quarry Park

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