What can we say about Pandemonium! our children’s festival?
Kids love it (and so do the parents) and we have great fun creating an amazing weekend of music, dance, song, drama and crafts for children aged from birth to 10. Pandemonium! grows and changes every year with a different theme and new activities and workshops to enjoy – and it’s all free!
From its hub just off the main area, the kid’s zone is close to the village stage and perfectly positioned for parents and children to have fun together, safely tucked in an area of the site, but close enough to the action for it to be a real part of the event. We also have our Wee Folkies area which has a baby changing and feeding area, as well as a whole programme of activities for the under fives.
It all culminates in performances on the village stage and a magical lantern procession around the site on the Sunday night, where musicians, children and parents proudly parade around the site displaying the fruits of their labours!
Pandemonium! 2018
BREAKING NEWS…
Just when we thought it was safe to once again brave the muddy paths, the gluey fingers and infectious dances that compel you to swing your partners wildly round at Pandemonium!, a new and shocking discovery has been made which could change everything! A strange and intriguing egg has been unearthed and no-one knows how it got there or what’s inside. But what we do know is that it’s alive and it’s ready to get out!
There’s only one thing to do and that’s to call… (no, not the ghostbusters!) Professors Egg & Egg, Shrewsbury’s most knowledgeable and heroic dinosaur egg-sperts, brought to you by our resident theatre company Highly Sprung.
Meanwhile in the craft tent, artist extraordinaire Garry from Off Our Trolley is going to be bringing the Jurassic period to life with his creative craft workshops including a fabulous Jurassic Park in a box session! His workshops are always popular so arrive early to avoid disappointment.
New for 2018, why not come and learn a new skill? Hanny Newton is leading embroidery workshops where you can create fabulous golden fossils to take home.
You have spoken, and we have listened, so this year we are trialling some special sessions for the older children (8-10 years) where they can attend without an adult! They are clearly marked in the programme as 8-10’s* and these are the only sessions where adults are not required. They will need to be signed in and collected at the end of the session, but we hope that this will allow them to feel more independent and give you parents time to enjoy a workshop or performance yourselves.
As ever we have our big band workshops, so bring your instruments and learn some tunes. Would you like to join our Pandemonium! singing and signing choir? We think this new workshop led by Cat Kelly is going to be a big hit so come early to join in and have a great time learning to sign and sing at the same time!
There will be loads for the under 5’s to do too, with the Wee Folkies area which is open from 10am every day, with fun sensory experiences and tailored activities. It’s also a nice area to relax and feed your baby or toddler, or get out of the scorching sunshine (we hope)!
And, as every year, all activities are FREE!
Lantern Making (Pandemonium! craft tent, suitable for all ages, adult help required)
Friday: 15:30 – 16:30, 16:45 – 17:45 (for 8-10 year olds, without their grownups, children must be signed in on the door)
Saturday: 13:00 – 13:45, 14:00 – 14:45 (for 8-10s*), 15:00 – 15:45
Sunday: 11:30 – 12:15, 12:30 – 13:15 (this last session includes decorate my wheelchair/pushchair)
Come along to the crafts tent and make a willow lantern with the Pandemonium! team. Then join in the lantern procession on Sunday night. The theme for this year’s lanterns is Dinosaurs, I’m picturing some pretty huge creations!
Lanterns need to be made over two days because of drying times. Our wonderful lantern procession is on Sunday evening and therefore all lanterns must be finished by Sunday. Plan your sessions as follows: Friday and Saturday, or Friday and Sunday, or Saturday and Sunday. Please come early, these workshops are very popular. All lanterns will be lit with LED lights, not candles, to ensure participants’ safety.
Collect your lanterns between 7pm and 8pm on Sunday night from the Pandemonium! tent setting off at 8.30pm).
Jurassic Crafts with Off Our Trolley (Pandemonium! Craft Tent, suitable for all)
Garry will be helping you all to create amazing dinosaur inspired crafts. These sessions are first come first served and suitable for all ages. All materials are supplied
Dinosaur Hats and Costumes
Saturday: 10:30 – 11:30
Always fancied some spikes or a tail? Come make some fabulous costumes that you can strut your dino stuff in all weekend!
Jurassic Park in a Box Part 1 and Dinosaur Eggs
Saturday: 17:30 – 19:00
Create a tiny Jurassic world in a box that you can take anywhere. This 2-part workshop (see below for Part 2) will involve painting, gluing, and building an ideal landscape for your toy dinosaurs. Not to be missed. Thank you to the generous people at Jones the Bootmaker in Shrewsbury for donating a whopping 100 boxes! During this session we will also be making and decorating dinosaur eggs, big and small.
Prehistoric Puppets
Sunday: 10:00 – 11:00
Come and make your very own bottlesaurus or plasticadon to take home with you so your can put on puppet shows for your friends and family. Will your dinosaur be scary or cute? A fearsome carnivore or a huge herbivore?
Trolley Dinosaur and Eggs Part 2
Sunday: 14:30 – 15:30
Garry is a carnival artist by trade and every year he creates huge characters, animals and vehicles on old supermarket trolleys for the lantern procession and Monday parade. This year help him to make a gigantic dinosaur trolley. If you did Eggs Part 1, please come along to Part 2 to finish off.
Jurassic Park in a Box Part 2 and badges
Sunday: 16:00 – 17:30
The first part of your Jurassic kingdoms should have had time to dry now so come and add the finishing touches. Garry will have his badge kit with him so why not make yourself a special badge to remember your festival experience (there is a small charge of £1 per badge to help cover cost).
Dinosaur Carnival Costumes and Giant Plants
Monday: 11:00 – 12:00
The Pandemonium! Procession and performance is a real highlight for lots of families, an opportunity to show what you have learnt and created. We need some big carnival costumes though and some giant plants to make the procession look incredible. What will you wear?
Panic Circus (Circus Tent, suitable for all)
Daily from 09:30. See Professor Panic’s board for more information on what’s on
Professor Panic and his fabulous circus are with us again this year, to teach you circus skills to amaze your friends and family. Don’t miss the most incredible bubbles you will ever see and watch the masters at work. See the board outside the circus big top for details of what’s on each day.
Hands up for Singing! – Makaton signing choir (Pandemonium! Activity tent, age 5+)
Friday: 18:00 – 18:45
Saturday: 10:00 – 10:45
Sunday: 11:30 – 12:15
Iris are a folk band who perform all their songs with Makaton signing, and if that sounds pretty cool to you then here’s your chance to perform with them! Cat and Pete from the band will teach you three of their songs, along with all the signs, and you can perform with the band on the Village Stage on Monday afternoon. Come along to all 3 sessions if you can.
Inclusive Folk Music and Song Workshops (Pandemonium! Activity tent, suitable for all)
Saturday: 12:00 – 12:45
Monday: 10:00 – 10:45
Cat and Pete from the band Iris join us again for some fun, interactive, sensory music making. Perfect for all ages but especially the under 5’s and those with Special Needs or Disabilities, these workshops incorporate instruments, toys, Makaton signing, scarves and sensory materials – a truly inclusive experience for young folkies!
Up With the Sun Family Yoga (Pandemonium! Activity tent, age 3+)
Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 09:30 – 10:00
Start your day the yoga way with Sue Davies from Believe-In Yoga. The whole family can take part in this fun session, what better way to wake up your body and mind.
8-10’s Yoga (Pandemonium! Activity tent, 8-10 years*)
Saturday: 18:00 – 18:30
Sunday: 17:00 – 17:30
In these evening classes we will explore areas around the theme of dinosaurs, around their qualities, what makes each of them different, unique and special skills. Sue will help you to bring that back to yourselves to help build confidence, who you are and your special skills.
Time For Me Mindfulness (Pandemonium! Activity Tent, age 6+)
Saturday: 18:30 – 19:00
Sunday: 17:30 – 18:00
Sue from Believe-In Yoga leads this mindfulness session which helps to focus children’s breathing and thoughts, the perfect antidote to the busyness of the festival. You will explore the world around you now and your relationship with that world.
Golden Dinosaur fossils: Stitch and craft workshop (Pandemonium! Craft Tent, suitable for all)
Saturday: 10:00 – 12:30
Create your own shimmering golden dinosaur fossils with artist Hanny Newton. A range of sewing and paper craft activities are available to suit all ages and abilities. This workshop is drop-in, so spend as much or as little time as you like on your shiny creations.
Goldwork Embroidery – Golden fossils (Pandemonium! Craft Tent, 8-10’s*)
Sunday: 13:30 – 16:00
Come and learn the beautiful art of goldwork hand embroidery with artist Hanny Newton and create your own shimmering golden dinosaur fossil. No experience necessary. Drop-in as you please to this fun workshop especially for the 8-10s.
Windsong Pipes (Pandemonium! craft tent, 8-10’s*)
Saturday: 16:00 – 17:30
Sunday: 17:30 – 18:30
Is there such a thing as a flute that has no holes? Yes there is! Well, there is one hole that you blow into. What can it play? Whatever you feel or see or think. Slow and sad or happy and hoppy, it just plays in its own way.
Can I make one? Yes you can, even if you’ve never done anything like it before.
Can I play one? Yes you can even if you have never played a pipe before.
It’s called an “overtone flute” and it plays bugle notes and some in between just by blowing like a penny whistle. You only need one finger to play it but please bring all the fingers that you have. It is probably the simplest wind instrument there could be and yet it is capable of some beautiful tunes and rhythms. How does it work? Come to Pandemonium! and find out. It’s easy. It’s fun.
Windsong Whistles (Pandemonium! craft tent, age 5+)
Monday: 10:00 – 11:00
These noisy little instruments were very popular last year.
It whistles, it honks and it howls. It’s a whistle and it’s a flute that can make hooty bird songs and just may talk to whales. It can even talk the language of little aliens from far far away. If we all play well perhaps they can visit us.
Can I make one? Yes you can, there will be lots of help.
Can I play one? If you like to make a noise then yes, of course you can.
Come and enjoy making music. It’s easy. It’s fun
Children’s Big Band Workshop (Pandemonium! Activity tent, age 5+)
Saturday: 13:00 – 14:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 11:00
Monday: 11:00 – 12:00
This year our festival Big Band will be teaching you to play some tunes. Bring along your instruments and help us create the Pandemonium! Big Band. There’s no need to read music as the tunes will be taught by ear, although we can write notation for you if you need it. You will have the chance to perform the tunes you have learned in the Family Folk Slam and the children’s big finale festival show on Monday at 12:40pm on the village stage if you wish.
Professors Egg & Egg at Shrewsbury Folk Festival (suitable for all)
Professors Egg & Egg will be onsite for the weekend giving everyone a chance to grapple with the big questions about the past: what did happen to the dinosaurs and did the egg really come first? Understanding the ins and outs of palaeontology and the lessons that can be learnt from fossils from times gone by.
With egg puns a plenty, egg-xellent, and more than a few chances to get hands on, egg-citing! Come along if you dare, to see the rarest fossil ever found and perhaps even have the chance to meet what is just bursting to get out!
Do you dare get up close and personal with the: Conchovenasinoraptor!! Find out where you can catch them below.
Friday: 15:15 – 15:30 (outside the Pandemonium! tent), 18:00 – 18:15 (by the food area)
Saturday: 12:00 – 12:15 (by the food area), 14:00 – 14:15 (by the Launchpad), 16:00 – 16:15 (Pandemonium! Activity tent)
Sunday: 11:00 – 11:15 (by the Launchpad), 13:00 – 13:15 (by the food area), 15:30 – 15:45 (Pandemonium! Activity tent)
Monday: 10:00 – 10:15 (by the Launchpad)
As Free As A Bird – Story Hunt (Meet by the Pandemonium! craft tent, suitable for all)
Saturday: 09:30 – 10:30
Join the dinosaur adventure with The Travelling Whimberries as they tell the musical story of Free As A Bird. Complete the fun-filled tasks along the way and make a fabulous bird as you stroll around the site. Prizes for everyone and suitable for all the family.
How To Tame a Dinosaur (Pandemonium! Activity tent, 8-10s*)
Saturday: 15:00 – 15:30
Sunday: 11:00 – 11:30
Join storyteller Vickie Orton for tall tales and shaggy stories, all of which are true, including advice on where to find a real live dinosaur and how to tame it. This story is designed with older children in mind, this is no bedtime story!
The Fantastic Futures of Finn Flynn Victorian Time Traveller (Pandemonium! activity tent, suitable for all)
Saturday: 11:30 – 12:00, 14:30 – 15:00, 16:30 – 17:00
Sunday: 13:30 – 14:00
Shrewsbury’s very own intrepid Victorian time traveller, Finn Flynn returns to amaze children as they join in and relive his latest tales of fun and adventure. This time, he’s been further than he’s ever been before – the time of the Dinosaurs! A lost time machine, a mysterious egg and a good supply of Bourbon Creams await those brave enough to travel with Finn!
Family Folk Slam (Pandemonium! Activity tent, suitable for all)
Sunday: 14:00 – 15:30
Why should the grown-ups have all the fun? Come and join the Family Folk Slam, an opportunity to play, sing and dance along to some of the best musicians at Shrewsbury Folk Festival. The Pandemonium! tent will be transformed into an intimate gig venue where top musicians will lead songs and tunes for you to listen and play along to.
Dance workshop with The Fitzgeralds (Pandemonium! Activity Tent, age 5+)
Sunday: 16:00 – 16:45
The Fitzgeralds are a fiddling and step-dancing sensation and will have you stepping in no time. This workshop is sure to wake up your Sunday afternoon. You can catch them performing on the Village Stage on Sunday from 12:35 to 13:20 too.
Lantern Procession (suitable for all)
Sunday
On Sunday night, everyone who has created a lantern is invited to parade with them from the Pandemonium! tent to the dance tent. This is a real festival highlight, not to be missed!
19:00 – 20:00 – collect your lanterns from the Pandemonium! tent
20:15 – form up the procession outside the Pandemonium! tent
20:30 – procession from the Pandemonium! tent, around the village stage, past the food tent and finishing at the Dance tent where you can join in with the evening ceilidh
Children’s Procession and Performance on the Village Stage
Monday
12:00 – 12:30 – form up procession outside Pandemonium! Tent (make sure you bring the costumes you’ve made and anything you would like to show everyone)
12:30 – procession around Village Area followed by a performance on the Village Stage (the performance on the Village Stage will be from 12:40 – 13:35)
If you have made anything or learnt any new skills over the weekend Monday afternoon is your chance to show them off to your friends and family! Process around the village stage with your amazing masks, costumes, junk instruments and creations. Dance, sing and play all the new tunes you’ve learnt. This is your chance to shine!
Drop in daily from 10am
Our Wee Folkies area is an oasis of calm and fun for the under 5’s. As part of the main Pandemonium! tent, they feel part of the action whilst having a go at activities just for them.
The Wee Folkies area is drop-in, there is a changing area available and feeding parents are more than welcome, come and make yourselves comfy.
Dinosaur barefoot stomp
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 – 11:00, 16:30 – 17:30
Monday: 10:00 – 11:00
Come and walk through our sensory path, experiencing different dinosaur environments, muddy, sandy, icy and more (a towel will be available at the end of the walk but we advise you to also bring your own)!
Cave Painting
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 – 12:30
Paint like a caveman would, with sticks and feathers and your hands! This will get messy, please dress your child in something you don’t mind getting a little painty!
Junk Modelling Dinosaurs
Saturday and Sunday: 12:30 – 14:00
Create your own Jurassic buddy out of our fantastic array of recycled materials. Help will be on hand from our Pandemonium! Crew so you can build something amazing.
Jurassic Swamp Sensory Play
Saturday and Sunday: 14:00 – 15:30
Monday: 11:00 – 12:00
Come along and play in our dinosaur swamp, complete with trees, slime and dinosaurs!
Fossil Excavation in the sand tent
Saturday and Sunday: 15:30 – 16:30
Ever fancied yourself as an archeologist or paleontologist? Why not have a go at digging for fossils in our sand tent. Space is limited in the tent but other activities will be available while you wait.
Bedtime Hour
Friday: 18:00 – 19:00
Saturday: 18:00 – 19:00
Sunday: 18:00 – 18:40
Join Vickie Orton and her puppet friends to wind down after a busy day with stories and rhymes. Meet the Grumpalump, feed the caterpillar, dance under a parachute and learn a new rhyme or two.
