Young (2017)

Musical Theatre-Oke

You know you want to...

Cabaret? West Side Story? Jesus Christ Superstar? If you're a fan of emotions getting so high you've just gotta sing - you won't miss this session for the world. If not, don't worry the venue for this event is completely sound proofed. However, we KNOW some of our Also-ers are looking for the opportunity to belt out 'I Know Him So Well' and their like, with a live piano accompanist, and we want to be the ones who make that dream come true. You're welcome.

Lip Sync Battles

Hosted by Juliet Russell

Want to be a pop star? Got the attitude, the moves, the outfit, but not necessarily the voice?  Then this, my friends is for you.  We will be opening up the Also stage to those who want to perform as their favourite star without having to actually sing as well. Distracted by needing to know the notes? Worry no more. Get on stage and do your thing. Make it look great and we'll make you sound great. Bring your song on your phone to take part!

Big Eye Lantern Workshop

Kate Sullivan

We have a lantern parade leading the lighting of the bonfire, led by our friend Alstice the Festival Hare on Saturday night.  So we are putting on a lantern making workshop on Saturday morning where we will have all of the materials needed to make sure you can create your own Big Eye Lantern complete with light to follow behind Alstice for all the fun of the parade.

Bonfire Night

You bring the foraged stick, we'll bring the marshmallows and follow Alstice in a procession as he leads us to the now traditional Saturday night lighting of the bonfire, then we can have a wonderful time rocking around the campfire before the night starts in earnest.  Start assembling for the procession at The Orangerie.  Bring your lanterns. 

Little Beasts Cos Play

Costume Workshop

Planning on going to the Kidnight Beast and don't have a costume? Want a costume to help you blend in to the surroundings, or simply need fur to run round literally like an animal? Come to our Beasts Costume Workshop to make your ears, tail, horns, snout or fur covering. 

Dare to Draw Monsters with Art Macabre

Are you feeling brave? Do you dare to see your nightmares and monstrous ideas come to life? Art Macabre present a family friendly creative drawing workshop suitable for all ages, from tots to teens and even grown ups. Art Macabre needs your imagination and drawing skills to help design, create and bring to life a new monster creature! A theatrical costumed drawing workshop - don't miss it - this is a magically creative session. 

DJing for kids

Tips from the top and with DJ Vertigo in control we mean from the very top.  This super successful session always draws kids keen to have a go.  Yes, our resident DJ Vertigo passes the magic on to kids who are curious how to DJ in a rapid fire have-a-go environment. Learn to beatmix and get any dancefloor eating out of the palm of your hand. Essential skillz for the next generation of Dave and Davina Doubledecks.

Shakespeare for Children

As Creatives

In this 1-hour workshop, kids get to take an interactive look at Shakespeare’s comedy, The Tempest. With its themes of betrayal and revenge (as well as magic of course), it fits in perfectly with this year's ALSO theme: Truth or Dare. 

The Art of Numbers

As Creatives

Numbed by numbers or crazy about calculus? Either way we promise that maths and fun really do go together. Unbelievable? An hour of fun with numbers? Yes, really! We will play lots of number based games and even the maths haters will find themselves discovering the joy and magic of calculus and algorithm.

Play in a Day (well, 90 minutes)

As Creatives

In this 90-minute session, you get to help create and perform in a Truth or Dare inspired play! We'll develop a plot, learn the script, rehearse and learn the very best in stagecraft so you are ready to perform for friends and family. All brought to you by As-Creatives!

Outdoor Poetry for Kids

As Creatives

How would the Also Festival trees describe their festival experience? Draw inspiration from the stunning surroundings to create richly descriptive poetry, written from the point of view of one of the trees. In this one hour workshop, As Creatives will help to bring out the poet in even the most reluctant of writers.

Playground Games

As Creatives

Great for Sunday mornings! Truth or Dare is a game that’s been around for a long time but what about some of the other gems that were once known by every kid in the playground? An hour of old –fashioned fun, just for the sake of it. If they dare, parents are welcome to come and share some of the games that they remember from their own pasts too...

Code Breaking

As Creatives

Code breaking! Can you crack it? There is real skill in the ability read patterns and to unlock a code.  As Creatives challenge all young festival-goers to crack some real toughies as well as inventing unique ones of your own...

Lantern Making (Kids)

Saturday, 8-9pm

Come along to our drop-in lantern making session led by Susan Watt in the kids' tent. You'll get to make your very own lantern ahead of the procession Saturday evening at Gretaria. £2. All materials provided. Please pay Susan when you arrive.

Ranger Ramble

Izzie Spall

Join Wildlife Ranger Izzie Spall on an adventure to discover what mini beasts are living in and around Also Festival. From pond dipping to a butterfly safari, followed by getting creative and making a mini beast of your own! Nets and observation trays will be available to share. Meet at the Maypole.

Winging It

Andrea Duxbury

With a mixture of storytelling, imagination, and creativity inspired by the dawn chorus and the natural stories of birds around us, let your children's imagination take flight. This outdoor event is for 4-7-year-olds so please dress for the weather. Meet at the Maypole.

Forest School

Susan Watt and Vix Powell

Join Susan Watt and Forest School Leader Vix Powell for the festival's first and therefore very exciting Forest School session.  In the woodland fringes of ALSO will be our very own mud kitchen and woodland craft area.  Drop in to experience the mud kitchen for very little tots - slightly bigger scamps get to have a go at making their own tree medals.  Follow the path to the circle of tree stumps to join in. Meet at the Maypole.

Camp Fire Starter

Susan Watt and Vix Powell

Have you always wanted to be a camp fire starter?  If you're 12 + head over to the circle of tree stumps to join Susan Watt and Vix Powell to learn the skills you need to start a camp fire when you need one.  Once you've mastered that there will be a chance to practise your sweet skills in the manufacturing of the marshmallow biscuit sandwich. Meet at the Maypole.

Song Writing for Kids

Eckoes

In this introduction to songwriting, Eckoes will guide kids through all the elements needed to create a great pop song! Including structure, melodies, harmony & lyrics, we’ll look at how all these elements work together to give the overall feel of any song & uncover the magic formula.

More details

Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate

Warwickshire Libraries' Young Poet Laureate Emily Stephens will be hosting a variety activities suitable for all ages. Whether you love poetry or perhaps think that it's not for you, you will have fun having a go at book-spine poetry, found poetry and crowd sourced poetry. Find out more about the laureate scheme and how Warwickshire Libraries supports the arts. Finally, take a poem away 'in your pocket'! Runs from 10am-3pm on the Sunday, with the final event and round-up from 2-3pm at the Lake Stage.

Wild Swimming

Not only was our beautiful venue designed by the UK's most famous landscape architect, Capabilty Brown, but it features the stunning and serene Compton Pools lake. So grab your bikini (or trunks), and head lakeside for some swimming in this beautiful spot. Look out for times on the day. 

Kidnight Beast

We wanted the kids of Also Festival to experience ‘Being a Beast’ the incredible book by Charles Foster so we came up with the Kidnight Beast inspired by his work.  Kids get to experience the world as an animal by booking onto the kids' tent at 9:30pm for a woodland feast. Midnight in the woodland will be just after sunset when animals begin their nocturnal hunt for food.  Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite animal for a storytelling session followed by a ‘midnight’ feast designed for all the beasts of the forest. 

Summer Afternoon Tea - Children

Mrs Rooney and the Poly Girls - Saturday from 3pm

To be at ALSO Festival in the summer time means you get to spend your weekend immersed in fifty acres of Capability Brown landscape. You've got a perfect lakeside view, the English countryside never looks greener why not treat yourself to an afternoon tea that celebrates the English summer?  Our now legendary full afternoon tea is lovingly put together and served by Mrs Rooney and the Poly Girls in the specially decorated Dining Tent. This event is a gorgeous way to pause, to enjoy the surroundings, the joy of eating surrounded by the scent and sounds of summer while being served a delicious selection of sandwiches, cakes and tea, and yes we have a cheeky tea pot of delicious cocktail on hand for the adults. £20 Adults. £12 Children.