I have experience over the past 20 years running both workshops, setting up activities for families and facilitating discussion groups.
Baby Rock Sampler
At each live show I set up the gig space and chill out zones for open-ended play. Each space had arts and crafts activities with a plenty of options for kids to make masks and costumes, draw and collage, with different height tables for even the smallest of toddlers to be able to create comfortably, and used camping lights to set the tone and draw the children in.
I also provided dressing up boxes, inflatables and arranged free face painting to continue to keep the kids' attention so parents and carers could relax and enjoy the live performances.
For some shows we worked with the acts to provide interactive music and movement sessions so the whole family could join in with some of the set, sometimes testing out unusual instruments with the bands.
As part of the project I also facilitated a group discussion at Accrington Town Hall with the Lancashire music industry as part of the ENLIGHTEN weekend in 2024. We explored the challenges and opportunities around matinees shows, not just for families but for wider audiences. The networking element of this event also led to the formation of new partnerships.
M19 Collective
As M19 we put on a couple for live storytelling workshops at Contents May Vary’s Art Market in Macclesfield and at The Big Draw at the Inspire Centre in Levenshulme.
These sessions used mind mapping to get the public to co-write non-linear life stories based on an old photo and fictional facts on a person and building.
The workshops were very popular and unlocked the imagination of the audience.
Freelance Workshops
I have experience leading arts and crafts workshops for families, taking learning from my live performances. Again, these were usually led by children's ideas with assistance from myself.
As part of Eurocultured in Dublin and Manchester (2008-2009) I devised and led mask making and shadow puppetry workshops for families.
I ran costume workshops for kids using paper and fabric at Anson Cabin Project in 2007 leading to a community parade in Longsight.
I was also asked to run the children's tent at Bristol Vegan Fayre in the same year, running drop-in mask masking and other craft activities for families.
For adults, I set up Plug & Play sessions at Sandbar in Manchester in 2011. These featured creative speed dating for artists, to help set up new collaborations.