{"id":2370,"date":"2016-01-19T14:22:37","date_gmt":"2016-01-19T14:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2370"},"modified":"2018-08-20T11:02:14","modified_gmt":"2018-08-20T11:02:14","slug":"things-to-get-excited-about-in-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/2016\/01\/things-to-get-excited-about-in-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to get excited about in 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"otherworlds\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Otherworlds<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>22nd<\/sup>\u00a0January –\u00a015th<\/sup>\u00a0May<\/em>\u00a0<\/i>\u2013<\/b><\/em>\u00a0Get ready for a stratospheric adventure by taking a quick journey through space at this amazing photographic exhibition by Michael Benson which features original music by Brian Eno! Make like Tim Peake and explore the beauty of our solar system and the legacy of space exploration in this coming together of Art and Science which launches on the 22nd<\/sup>\u00a0January and continues until 15th<\/sup>\u00a0May at the Natural History Museum. If you’ve been avidly watching Stargazing live like we have then this is the perfect exhibition to engage with these fascinating parts of the universe, up close and personal.\u00a0(Ticketed)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"MiniVault_posterimage\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Mini VAULT<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>30th<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 31st<\/sup>\u00a0Jan, 13th<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 14th<\/sup>\u00a0Feb & 27th<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 28th<\/sup>\u00a0Feb\u00a0<\/em>\u2013\u00a0<\/b>A magical world for under 11\u2019s. It\u2019s a family festival of spectacular underground shows and events for families. Located in the magnificent maze of cave and caverns under Waterloo station it is a fantastic collection of circus, magic, theatre, comedy, storytelling, games, live music, interactive installations, face painting, a baby space and more!\u00a0(Ticketed and Free)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"RD\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/b>Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl<\/b><\/a> 10th<\/sup>\u00a0February \u2013 3 July\u00a0<\/em>\u2013This is truly the year of the book! This time it\u2019s the 100th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of Roald Dahl\u2019s birth so The Southbank Centre are celebrating the life of this fantabulous writer who is beloved by gazillions of children and adults alike. The exhibition is full of interactive installations to inspire imagination and creativity. Running from the 10th<\/sup>\u00a0February \u2013 3rd July as part of the Imagine Children\u2019s festival this event promises to be choc-a-block with secrets about Dahl\u2019s most famous characters and we can\u2019t wait.\u00a0(Ticketed)<\/em>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\"clangers\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/b>The Clangers, Bagpuss and Co.<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>19th<\/sup>\u00a0March – 9th<\/sup>\u00a0October\u2013<\/b><\/em>\u00a0<\/b>The Clangers are back! So now is the perfect time to introduce your kids\u2019 to the programmes you loved as a child at the V&A Museum of Childhood. Introduce them to this retrospective exhibition of Smallfilms \u2013 the creators of wonders such as The Clangers, Bagpuss and other creations such as Pogles Wood and Ivor the Engine. It will be a wonderful opportunity to remember your own childhood and to pass some of that joy onto your kids.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget to look out for film screenings, events, animation discussions and workshops for the whole family running alongside the exhibition.\u00a0<\/span>(Free)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Land-of-the-Lions-banner\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Lions are King at the London Zoo<\/a><\/b> Opens 25th March <\/em>\u2013 Why not explore London Zoo\u2019s new 27,000 square foot effort to save the endangered Asiatic Lion called the Land of Lions. This spring they are opening their new 360-degree den that is mocked up to look like an Indian Village to display how close the realms of animal and human really are. It promises to be a roaring good time!\u00a0(Free with Entry)<\/em>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\"arcelormittal-orbit-tower-slide\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/b>ArcelorMittal Orbit<\/b><\/a> (TBC)<\/em>\u2013 It\u2019s going to be the world\u2019s longest helter-skelter and after all the fun we had at Carsten H\u00f6ller\u2019s installation at the Hayward Gallery we can\u2019t wait to see what he has twisting round what is already the UK\u2019s tallest work of public art at the Olympic Park. When it\u2019s ready in the spring we will be the first in line to take it for a whirl!\u00a0(Ticketed)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"S400\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Shakespeare\u2019s 400th<\/sup> Death Anniversary Various events\u2013<\/b><\/em>\u00a0<\/b>2016 is a monumental year when it comes to anniversaries along with Roald Dahl\u2019s birth anniversary there is Shakespeare\u2019s death day party. Stratford-upon-Avon has become the summit of all things Shakespearian but London-town is not to be left out. On the 23rd<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 24th<\/sup>\u00a0April The Globe has created a wonder of short films of each of Shakespeare\u2019s plays that will be showing along the Thames. Running from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge it has been named The Complete Walk<\/a>. Take a wander and introduce the kids to these amazing stories. The RSC is also putting on a unique touring production of \u201cA Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream\u201d that is touching down in London at the Barbican Theatre<\/a> from the 17th<\/sup>-21st<\/sup>\u00a0May and with its use of local schools and amateur troops to make up the fairies and Bottom\u2019s acting troop it will be an inspiring experience for any young actor.\u00a0(The Complete Walk is Free, RSC Performances are Ticketed)<\/em>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

\"AB\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/b>Above and Beyond <\/b><\/a>May 27th<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 August 29th<\/sup>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/sup><\/b><\/em>After all that spinning you\u2019d think we\u2019d want to keep our feet firmly on the ground but you couldn\u2019t be more wrong. When NASA has collaborated on an exhibition that includes flight simulators and more there\u2019s no way we\u2019d pass that up. Above and Beyond will be at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and we\u2019re buzzing. (Ticketed)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Aladdin\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Aladdin<\/b><\/a> Opens 2nd May<\/em>\u2013 Harry Potter isn\u2019t the only literary star appearing on stage this year. Disney\u2019s Aladdin is going to be taking the West End by storm too! This Tony-nominated musical will be taking audiences to a Whole New World at the Prince Edward Theatre from the 2nd May and currently booking until 1st<\/sup> October you better use one of your 3 wishes on tickets to this magical performance or you\u2019ll be kicking yourselves.\u00a0(Ticketed)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"cursed-child\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/b>Harry Potter and the Cursed Child <\/b><\/a>Previews Start 7th June\u2013<\/b><\/em> We are definitely ready to rediscover some magic in this muggle world. Just in time too because the Boy-Who-Lived is back! JK Rowling has written a play that picks up where \u201cThe Deathly Hallows\u201d left off, give or take a few years. This summer the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue will host the middle-aged Harry Potter who\u2019s trying to look out for his son Albus. Accio tickets!\u00a0(Ticketed)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"tate-new\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The New Tate Modern<\/b><\/a> Opens 17th June<\/em>\u2013 The Tate is always a wonderful place to take the family. We already love going there just for the Caf\u00e9 with its free Kids lunch for every adult meal so it\u2019s the perfect place to take the kids for an inspiring afternoon and now it\u2019s about to get even better! Its new 10 storey annexe has been filled with new works that curators have scoured the furthest reaches of the planet to find. There are also additional performance-centric pieces planned \u2013 plus an all-new observation deck to ogle London from. (Free)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Fire\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/b>Fire! Fire! at the Museum of London<\/b><\/a> 23rd<\/sup>\u00a0July-17th<\/sup>\u00a0April 2017<\/em>\u2013 \u201cLondon\u2019s burning, London\u2019s burning, fetch the engines, fetch the engines\u201d<\/i>, It\u2019s the 350th<\/sup> anniversary of the Great Fire of London and the Museum of London is putting on an exhibition about how the it went on to destroy a third of the city,\u00a0 leave 100,000 homeless and define modern London. We have so many questions we\u2019re burning to ask and from 23rd<\/sup> July-17th<\/sup> April 2017 we\u2019ll be able to answer them. (Ticketed)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"SW\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Star Wars Celebration <\/b><\/a>15th<\/sup>\u00a0\u2013 17th<\/sup>\u00a0July<\/em>\u2013<\/em> <\/b>If Sci-fi is more your thing than science then this 4-day immersive experience of screenings, interactive events and celebrity experience is the perfect treat for any Star Wars fan. Think Comic-Con but with a lot more Sith-lords. This event will take place from the 15th<\/sup> \u2013 17th<\/sup> July at the Excel London Exhibition Centre and you won\u2019t be able to Force us away. (Ticketed)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"946\"<\/a><\/p>\n

946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>11th August – 11th September –\u00a0<\/em>Adapted by the award-winning author Michael Morpurgo (creator of War Horse and other wonders) and the bold, new artistic director of the Globe Emma Rice this tender, political and surprisingly romantic story speaks to us all while revealing the secrets the US and British governments tried to keep quiet. Imaging being 12 and angry, with only a cat to tell you secrets to… This play will explode everything you thought you knew about the D-Day landings, using music, puppetry and foolishness to tell this tale of war, prejudice and love. (Ticketed)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"giselle\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Giselle<\/strong><\/a> 27th September – 19th November\u00a0<\/em>–\u00a0<\/strong>One of the most anticipated dance events of 2016. The choreographer Akram Khan has created a brand new version of the iconic romantic ballet for the English National Ballet. The classic story of love, revenge and redemption is given new life with Academy-Award winning designer Tim Yip from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame creating the stunning sets. You will be awed and inspired by this sensational dance experience. (Ticketed)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Rough<\/a><\/p>\n

Rough Runner<\/strong><\/a> 17th -18th September<\/em>–\u00a0<\/strong>Or if ballet isn’t for you a full scale running event is being brought into Clapham Common and with around 3000 Roughians of all running abilities attempting to complete the course it promises to at least be a good laugh. You can either sign up to take part and battle your way through the crazy inventions or go and watch the madness.<\/p>\n

\"Carra\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Beyond Caravaggio <\/strong><\/a>12th October – 15th January 2017 –\u00a0<\/em>Exploring the revolutionary influence of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s paintings who inspired a multitude of artists during his lifetime and in the decades after his untimely death. The National Gallery have created the first major exhibition in the UK to explore the impact of Caravaggio’s work on the art of his contemporaries and followers. Drawn to his strikingly original paintings each artist absorbed a different aspect of his work, helping to propagate his style across Europe giving rise to ‘Caravaggism’. Take an afternoon to wander through this comprehensive collection and feel inspired to create a movement of your own. (Ticketed)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Chocolate\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Chocolate Festival <\/b><\/a>2nd<\/sup>-4th<\/sup>\u00a0December\u00a0<\/em>\u2013<\/b> December is here and we are ready to start indulging (already) and it\u2019s perfect because The Chocolate Festival is returning to the Business Design Centre. A showcase of some of the best chocolatiers in the world this will be the perfect place to indulge you guilty pleasure or inspire the kids.\u00a0But be careful after tasting these wonders they\u2019ll never want Cadbury\u2019s again. Running from the 2nd<\/sup>-4th<\/sup>\u00a0December it could be the perfect place to stock up on Christmas Presents.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Otherworlds\u00a022nd\u00a0January –\u00a015th\u00a0May\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Get ready for a stratospheric adventure by taking a quick journey through space at this amazing photographic exhibition by Michael Benson which features original music by Brian Eno! Make like Tim Peake and explore the beauty of our solar system and the legacy of space exploration in this coming together of Art and Science … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2372,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,10,1,563],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-families","category-inspiring-families","category-uncategorized","category-whats-on"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2370"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2370\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5549,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2370\/revisions\/5549"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.littlebird.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}