Kids discover a West Africa Sense-ation

Stimulate your senses in the different worlds of West Africa at the two-day family fun

Kids Fest: West Africa Sense-ation at the Immigration Museum on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 January 2011.

 Kids Fest will feature five different West African worlds just for kids, including a folktales area, a West African bazaar, a safari, a drum and dance performance space and a delicious cuisine section, each highlighting West African culture and traditions and stimulating all the senses.

Kids Fest: West Africa Sense-ation celebrates the Immigration Museum’s special exhibition West Africa: Rhythm and Spirit, which will be open to visitors throughout the two days. The exhibition explores the long-held traditional beliefs and cultural practices of contemporary West African society and features over 200 traditional objects, including colourful masks, intricately carved figures, musical instruments, beautifully decorative cloth and jewellery as well as photographs and film, providing a window into the life of today’s West African culture.

Activities in the West Africa worlds include:

Rhythm: Drum and Dance

Dance to the rhythm and beats of West Africa as performers entertain with drum workshops and energetic music and dance.

Folktales

Create your own puppet inspired by the mystical Bamana masquerades from Mali, listen to exciting legends and folktales from West Africa and learn about the adventures of Titi the tortoise while making a take-home picture of a tortoise using recycled felt. You can also contribute to a giant tortoise collage that will be on display in the museum.

Safari

Have your face painted as a West African animal, create a picture holder and step into a safari scene for a photo with the whole family.

West African Bazaar

Follow your nose into the bazaar and discover the wonderful aromas of West African herbs and spices then colour in and decorate a traditional Nigerian mask.

West African Cuisine

Allow your tastebuds to explode with the delicious flavours of West African food, sweets and drinks.

Self-guided family activities with West African themes will also be available at the Immigration Museum every day of the summer school holidays, from 18 December 2010 until 6 February 2011 (except Christmas Day).

Kids Fest: West Africa Sense-ation
Immigration Museum
11am – 4pm, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 January 2011
Adult $8, children and concession FREE

Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne.  Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm (except Christmas Day)

Admission: Adult $8, child/concession FREE. More info 13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum