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Old School Magic Comes To Town: The Illusionists 1903

December 22, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

Be transported back to the golden age of magic this month thanks to the world-class performers of The Illusionists 1903. This new show, on now at the Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House, features world-class illusionists from all over the world.

The masters of magic perform some of the worlds greatest and deadliest illusions, including sawing a woman in half, amazing levitation and unbelievable mind-reading. It’s hard to maintain the cynicism we have in 2015, when faced with such flawlessly executed illusions by larger than life personalities.

To balance out the more serious moments where it feels like lives are actually on the line, the show features plenty of audience participation, laughs to lighten the mood, and turn-of-the-century grandeur to really make you feel like you’re back in the early 1900s.

The age recommendation for this show is 5 and over. Cheese, at 4.5, was slightly under the recommended age, but sat through the almost 2.5 hour performance (including the 20 min interval) very well. She was a bit scared when the woman was sawn in half, but she enjoyed the levitation scene as well as the tricks involving physical humour.

The Illusionists 1093 is a great show that will entertain the whole family. Teens won’t even think to check their Snapchat during the show, it’s that engaging.

The Illusionists 1903 is on now until December 28 at the Sydney Opera House.
Book: sydneyoperahouse.com

Images of the performance by Dan Boud.

Thanks to the Sydney Opera House for hosting us.

The Wiggles BIG SHOW plus Cinder Emma Fairytale

December 21, 2015 / Cheese, Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 2 Comments

The annual Wiggles Big Show is a monumental event that travels across the country every December. In Sydney, the show is at the Allphones Arena, Homebush. While the Wiggles do a lot of regional touring all year round at smaller venues, their Big Show is their most popular as they go all out with staging, cast and props.

This was our second Big Show, and the first year that the Big Show included a second short show added on, called “Cinder Emma”, a fairytale story with some traditional Wiggles songs woven into the old Cinderella story, but told with typical Wiggles humour. Expect men in drag and lots of jokes for the parents.

Going to a Wiggles show is a full-on experience somewhat akin to rock show, with very tiny groupies. I find the shows overwhelming so I’ve jotted down a few helpful tips for anyone considering attending a Wiggles show in the future.

Book tickets early and quickly
Book them literally as soon as they go on sale. The front sections sell out within minutes, I kid you not.

Book seats up the front
This is important particularly in the Big Show as the areas are massive – if you’re too far from the action kids can’t focus on the show.

Book seats on the aisle
We accidentally booked aisle seats this year and they were wonderful. Putting your kid in an aisle seat means not only can they see the action for the entire show even if there is a large adult in the seat in front of them, but they can also jump out of their seat and dance in the aisle.

Arrive early
Allow plenty of time for parking or public transport, slowly walking to the arena, picking up tickets, re-printing tickets once you’ve lost them (oops!), going through security, lining up for merchandise, getting snacks, going to the bathroom, and then finally finding your seats. We were an hour early and it flew by.

Parking on-site
We live a long way from the Allphones so drove and parked in the very pricey car park. You can book a spot online for $25 for all day parking, or pre-pay when you get there for the same. They do have hourly rates that are a bit cheaper, but if you are planning on making a quick getaway after the show, I’d advise prepaying parking as the lines at the parking stations get very long.

Merchandise
It’s impossible to get into the show without buying some kind of Wiggles merchandise. I can never say no, and I always regret the purchase as whatever we buy always breaks the same day. This time we bought a bow set that lights up. It was too small for my four-year-old’s head. Annoyingly another $22 down the drain. Last time it was a Dorothy the Dinosaur fairy outfit – the wings and skirt elastic BOTH broke before we got the outfits home. No more Wiggles merch for us!

Food
You can take water bottles and prepackaged snacks into the arena. I did try taking a Subway sandwich in last year and they wouldn’t let me, so it appears the rule is no food bought fresh nearby as they want you to buy the burgers and chips the have on sale inside the area instead. The show was on a crazy hot day so we did splurge on ice creams ($4.50 for a Golden Gaytime and it was totally worth every cent).

During the show
I was unprepared for the amount of parents and children who did not stay in their seats. Children were set loose in the aisle to dance and run around while the parents either stayed in their seats or got up and down chasing their kids. Being in aisle seats the people next to us drive me nuts getting up and down the entire first half while they rotated who chased their kids up the aisle and who got to sit down and check their Facebook page. The normal theatre etiquette rules do not apply here!

Make gifts
If your child wants to meet a Wiggle, make a bow, dog bone, sign or rose for Dorothy and hold them up during the show. The Wiggles personally run around and collect these, so have your camera ready.

Dress up
The majority of the kids wear Wiggles costumes or colours that are similar to the Wiggles. There’s no need to buy one, they’re pretty easy to make.

Have fun!
The Wiggles show was the highlight of my daughter’s week. Possibly life thus far. While Hot Potato isn’t personally my favorite song (sorry Wiggles!) my daughter loves it, and seeing her dance and sing with a big smile plastered on her face was just the best thing ever.

Wiggles tour dates.

Babies Proms at the Sydney Opera House

December 21, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

Cheese and I love the Babies Proms held several times a year at the the Sydney Opera House. Babies Proms are aimed at children aged two to five, perfect for their first live music experience. The Sydney Opera House has been running the interactive and engaging Babies Proms for over 30 years, so they’ve had plenty of time to fine tune what is now a tradition for many Sydney families.

We have just seen our final Babies Prom of the year, Babies Proms: Jingle Bell Jazz. The show was a fabulous mix of classic Christmas songs, with a jazz and calypso twist. Let by Australian stage and screen star, Valerie Bader, kids sang and danced their way through Christmas classics such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Jingle Bells.

If you’re considering booking a Babies Prom for 2016, their new schedule is up now (I’m booking Music for Tutus for us!).

I’ve put together a few points to help families making their way to their very first Babies Prom.

Get there early
The show is general admission. Kids sit on the floor in the middle of the room on a carpet and adults sit in the chairs around the sides. To get seats closest to the carpet (to keep an eye on rouge kids!) people start lining up often 30 mins before the show begins.

Know where you’re going
The Babies Proms are held in the Studio, which is on the side of the Opera House, not in the big theatres in the sails. You can catch the elevator to this level or walk around the concourse straight into the side doors of the Opera House to get there.

Parking at the Opera House
The cheapest parking is on weekends, where you can book a bay online beforehand and pay $10 for the entire day. If you’re seeing a show on a week day, parking costs a lot more, so consider the train!

Public transport
I often catch the train and walk to the Opera House. Circular Quay has elevators, as does the Sydney Opera House, so it’s all very stroller-friendly.

Stroller-check
You can bring a stroller of any size and leave it in the foyer outside the theatre with all the other strollers.

Bring a camera
While there is no photography allowed during the Babies Prom shows, after the performance has ended kids can go up to the musicians or actors, try their instruments and have a photo taken. Lighting is dim however, so bring a camera with a flash.

Meal time
The snack bar outside the Studio used to sell wonderful kids packs for $7, but this month they haven’t had them anymore, sadly. The only food choices are currently big adult sandwiches or chips, so either bring your own food or arrive early for breakfast/lunch at Opera Kitchen (kids meals around $15 each).

Keep a close eye on kids
Some shows sell out and get very busy. When the show ends it can be a bit chaotic as kids return to their parents and line up for photos with the cast. It’s very easy for kids to get lost.

Dress festive
Kids can wear whatever they like, but it’s fun to get into the mood of whatever the theme of the show is. At the Jingle Bell Jazz show, for example, there were lots of kids in Christmas gear, and a few even dressed up as Chrissie elves.

Once Upon a Time: The Sleeping Beauty

December 15, 2015 / Cheese, Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

Once a year, the Australian Ballet puts on a special performance for children called Once Upon a Time. Last year’s ballet was The Nutcracker, and this year’s was The Sleeping Beauty. The show runs parallel to the major full-length ballet being performed, so while adults have been enjoying the full version of The Sleeping Beauty this month, for this one special day, kids were treated to a child-friendly version of the famous ballet in the Joan Sutherland Theatre.

The Once Upon a Time performance is special because it’s the one show of the year where a child-friendly show is staged in the big theatre, using all the same props, performers and costumes as in the full-length version. Much of the choreography the children see is from the full-length performance too, so the children watch a first-class ballet company, performing exquisite dancing, in a world-famous theatre. Pretty amazing, right?

The main differences between the Once Upon a Time and full-length The Sleeping Beauty are the narrator and the show length. The narrator is a character within the ballet who explains to the children the story that is taking place, engages them by asking questions, and reminds kids of the characters’ names and plot points. The full-length ballet runs about 2.5 hours, and the Once Upon A Time version ran for about an hour and 10 minutes.

The Once Upon a Time series is aimed at children aged four and up, but there were plenty of younger kids (and older children aged up to 10) in the audience enjoying the performance.

Taking Cheese to this special ballet is a highlight of the year for me. I loved sitting with her in the auditorium and watching her face light up as she saw Aurora pirouetting across the stage in her stunning pink tutu. I believe kids are never to young to experience culture, particularly when it’s as breathtakingly beautiful as this ballet is.

“Once Upon a Time: The Sleeping Beauty“ is a performance designed for children aged four and above, adapted from David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty, with an original script.
Sydney Opera House

Sydney’s Best Shows For Kids: The 3 Little Pigs

December 13, 2015 / Sydney, Sydney Life, Theatre / 0 comment

The key to a great kiddie show is making sure the adults enjoy it as much as the little ones. A tough ask, but the 3 Little Pigs, now playing at the Sydney Opera House, absolutely nails it.

Aimed at kids aged 3+, the show manages to get that perfect mix of appealing to preschoolers with upbeat music, dancing and a fast-paced, easy-to-follow story, plus impress adults at the same time with skillfully-written lyrics and exceptional performers. Add in a few jokes for the adults and you’ve got a musical that will entertain the whole family.

The 3 Little Pigs has flown into Sydney from London’s West End (where it was created), and New York, where it also enjoyed a successful run. An upbeat re-telling of the classic story, the pigs in this version like to rap and are pretty adept at the running man.

The show runs for 50 minutes – the perfect amount of time to tell a full story and leave the audience happy rather than wiggly. My four-year-old sat mesmerised through out the entire show, while I enjoyed the clever writing and excellent vocals of the cast.

In this retelling, the pigs’ mum makes an appearance (my daughter’s favourite character), and there are the additional themes of the importance of family and working together.

The 3 Little Pigs is playing at the Sydney Opera House for a limited run – I’d highly suggest getting tickets and taking your little ones to see this curly tail.

3 Little Pigs
Wed 9 ‐ Sun 27 Dec 2015
Price $30.00 to $49.00
Open Daily 10am & noon

Sydney Opera House
Playhouse
Bennelong Point, Sydney 2000
Telephone 02 9250 7777

Images thanks to Elliott Franks Photography Services

Thank you to the Sydney Opera House for hosting us.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Sheraton On The Park Christmas Edition High Tea

December 11, 2015 / CBD, Sydney, Sydney Food / 1 Comment

A high tea at the Sheraton on the Park, Sydney, is always a special event. On this occasion, we were sampling the new Christmas Edition High Tea, which promised to get us feeling festive (and full!) in time for the holiday season. Christmas is only 2 weeks away, so I’ve been embracing the holiday spirit this week, starting with an amazing high tea.

The Christmas High Tea comes with scones, sweets and savouries, and your choice of tea, hot chocolate (made with Lindt chocolate) or coffee. I chose the English breakfast, which arrived in a cute glass pot, and made at least three cups of tea.

Scones
Freshly baked chestnut scone and plain scone with strawberry jam, pure double cream and butter
Fois gras – apricot brioche

Savoury
Avocado, mozzarella, tomato open turkish sandwich
Vegetable wrap (vegetarian alternative)
Sandwich with cranberry, tomato, cheese (vegetarian alternative)
Fruit and cheese tart (vegetarian alternative)

Sweet treats
Gingerbread mille feuille with cranberry cream
Pistachio macarons
Orange tart with campari jelly
Black forest trifle
Lemon berry yule log
Warm cinnamon, orange chocolate drink
Almond stolen (on the scone tier)
English fruit cake (on the scone tier)

I really enjoyed the scones at this high tea. Sydney scones are often small and biscuit-like, but the Sheraton ones are bigger and fluffier than most. The jam was tart and not too liquidy (hey, I’m a mess jam-spreader!) and the cream was nice and thick.

The savouries were especially made for this vegetarian, which I always appreciate. I enjoyed the avocado and mozzarella on turkish toast best (which is on the regular menu too), with the delightful hidden pesto giving it a pop of flavour. The vegetable wrap had creamy sweet potato inside, with fresh greens, and the little sandwich has really fresh fluffy bread – again with a surprising spread of cranberry inside that made the flavours that bit extra vibrant.

There were a lot more sweets on this platter than on most high teas. I managed to fit one of everything in somehow (yes I’m still feeling full the day after), with my favourites being the very chocolaty trifle and lemon berry yule log. The trifle had three tiers of components plus grated chocolate on top, all of which, when scooped up together, made for a perfect chocolatey mouthful. The lemon berry yule log had one of my fave combinations of lemon and berries, wrapped in a little scroll shape.

The chocolate orange drink was a tiny sip of heaven (I love chocolate and orange together), and the gingerbread mille feuille was just divine. The crispy gingerbread wafers combined with the cranberry cream made for a light and refreshing treat – as well as being extremely pretty.

I also enjoyed the macaron with its fresh berry centre, and the little slice of fruit and nut Christmas cake, and the “almond stole”, which was kind of like a tea cake with almond inside. Light, fresh and sweet.

I highly enjoyed the Christmas high tea, and would strongly recommend it for a special outing in the lead up to Christmas. It’s only available until Dec 24, so get in quick!

The Christmas Edition High Tea Stand includes one coffee or tea per person. $109 for two. Additional cost for sparkling wine

The Christmas Edition High Tea is served Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat & Sun 11am-2pm and 2:30pm-4:30pm until December 24th.

Sheraton On The Park High Tea
161 Elizabeth Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9286 6000
Prices: $$$
Get Directions

Thank you to Sheraton On The Park for hosting us.

Bake Bar: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Randwick, Sydney

November 30, 2015 / Eastern Suburbs, Randwick, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

I’ve been going to Bake Bar weekly for about a year now and only just took my camera there for the first time to take some pictures for a blog post. It’s one of my favourite little cafes that I’m reluctant to share incase it gets even busier!

Bake Bar is kind of the perfect cafe to take kids to. It’s casual, with an open layout on a busy road (so you don’t need to worry about the noise your kiddos might make!), and it has a really cute little nook in the back that’s perfect for holing up with kids for a cosy coffee and snack.

There are two places to order food inside – one to sit down and one to go. I love this and sometimes will grab something from the “to go” counter and perch at one of the stools for a bit with my daughter, maybe snack a bit, then leave with her to the playground that’s just up the road.

Bake Bar is famous for their amazing sourdough bread. I buy a loaf every week (bonus points because they slice it for me!) as well as a berry scone with poppy seeds, a chocolate croissant for Cheese and a bagel for Alec. The bread is so incredibly good. It’s so soft and fluffy with a firm but not hard crust. There’s nothing worse than bread with a tough crust that hurts the roof of your mouth.

If you’re thinking of dining in, here’s what we ate on our most recent visits: Avocado & Tomato (on sourdough, $9.50) plus Haloumi ($3), Gusto’s Famous Brekkie Combo fruit salad yoghurt (small $7.50), Eggs Poached (served with tomato, spinach & your choice of hollandaise or yoghurt basil pesto $11.50) and the Chunky Beef Pie $5.50.

I love the avocado and tomato on sourdough because the bread is a star at Bake Bar, so you know it’s going to be good. My other favourite dish is the fruit salad yogurt because it’s light and filling at the same time. You can make your own combination from their muesli bar too, and add in granola or a berry coulis.

Bake Bar does get busy particularly on weekends, but there is a fast turnover of tables so the wait is never long. If you take your kids, they have a small selection of books you can find to read to them stored underneath the water cooler.

Before you go, grab one of their delicious pastries for the road. The fruit tarts are excellent, as are the croissants.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Bake Bar
67 Frenchmans Rd,
Randwick NSW 2031
Phone: (02) 8021 0728
Prices: $
Hours: Daily 6am-6pm
Get Directions

5th Earl Rosebery: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Sydney

November 29, 2015 / Inner West, Roseberry, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Rosebery in Sydney’s inner east has been exploding lately with new cafes. The latest I’ve noticed is 5th Earl Rosebery, a cute little place that opened a week ago near to my favourite Black Star.

When I saw the sign encouraging cake eating, I knew we had to try it out.

The cafe has a large indoor and outdoor area with plenty of tables and space. It has a bit of an eclectic vibe, with miss matched chairs and chalkboard menus.

At the counter lives a delicious looking assortment of pastries, including croissants by Grumpy’s.

We arrived during a particularly busy period and were delighted by the particularly good service. I’m pretty sure it was the owner who greeted us and cleared a table for us pronto, on the outdoor baloney area (always my fave place to sit cos the lighting is better!). The balcony is completely covered, so no chance of sunburn in high summer.

We ordered a fresh Apple Juice ($6), kids’ Bacon And Eggs (with bread soldiers, $9), Zucchini and Corn Fritters (with asparagus, shaved Spanish ham – exchanged for avocado – roasted tomatoes, 2 poached eggs and pomegranate molasses, $17) and the Burger (with fries, price unknown).

The eggs were a large serving and come in a choice of fried, poached or scrambled. We don’t eat bacon, so that’s not in the picture.

I appreciated the option to swap the ham for a vegetarian ingredient. I really enjoyed the fritters. The asparagus was a nice touch (love asparagus!), the roasted tomato was nice and juicy and the eggs perfectly poached.

Alec’s burger was a great size with a cute little container of fries. The apple juice was deliciously sweet. Really once of the nicest juices I’ve had in a long time.

The service was particularly noteworthy. After sitting down next to a large group, we were told that it would take 20-25 minutes for our meals and did we still want to wait. I really appreciated being told, particularly with the little one who has a short attention span.

The staff kindly put through Cheese’s dish quickly and ours followed soon after. Despite the warning of a long wait, the food all came out within 15 minutes of ordering. The staff repeatedly came and checked on us and our meals too, in case we needed anything. It’s service like this that turns curious diners into regulars.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

5th Earl Rosebery
34 Morley Ave,
Rosebery
Phone: (02) 8338 1110
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 6:30am-3:30pm
Get Directions

Moo Gourmet Burgers, Bondi Beach: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bondi, Sydney

November 15, 2015 / Bondi, Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, Sydney Food / 2 Comments

I love a good burger! Being vegetarian makes it hard to find good burgers, so I was very excited when walking past Moo Gourmet Burgers in Bondi to see their menu out front listed three different types of vegetarian burgers.

Moo Gourmet Burgers is a small chain of burger stores focusing on producing great burgers, amazing shakes, and addictive chips. Moo Gourmet Burgers only uses ethically farmed, free range, free to roam, sustainable products free from hormone growth promotants and antibiotic treatments. Their menu includes 20 different gourmet burgers.

All beef burgers are made with 100% Australian Grasslands Premium Beef. As well as the 3 vegetarian options there is a selection of premium burgers including the double Wagyu beef “Deluxe Moo®”, Duck & Bacon, Greek Lamb, and Grilled Salmon.

Kids under 12 can choose from the “Little Cow®” menu which includes a choice of 3 menu options (including a vegetarian burger), a drink, and a dessert.

Multigrain and gluten free buns are on offer.

You know a restaurant is kid-friendly when you sit down and a box of crayons and drawing paper appears immediately on your table. The walls are covered with the drawings of Moo’s kiddie customers too – another good sign.

We ordered the kids’ Mini Falafel Burger with Hummus and a chocolate milkshake, $10.95, a Vanilla Malt Milkshake, $6, the Grilled Haloumi vegetarian burger, $14.50, Kangaroo Burger, $16.50 and a side of Sweet Potato Chips, $5.50. All in all, a bit expensive for burgers, but I guess you’re paying for the view, too.

The kids’ milkshake came in the cutest cup – a miniature version of the adult one. Both shakes were classic, old school Aussie shakes.

The Bondi branch of Moo Gourmet Burgers overlooks Bondi Beach.

The kids’ burger came with a small side of chips and a little side salad. It was the perfect size for little kids – and still way too much food for my little Cheese to be able to finish.

My haloumi burger was delicious: pureed avocado, haloumi, tomato, rocket and cucumber on a fluffy fresh bun. Hubbie’s kangaroo burger was “great”. He loves word economy.

We thoroughly enjoyed our burgers at Moo Gourmet. A great easy dining option with plenty for everyone to eat and a laidback atmosphere perfect for families.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Minimal.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Moo Gourmet Burgers
70A Campbell Parade,
Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Phone: (02) 9300 8898
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily 11am-9:30pm
Get Directions

Chrissie Gifts Sorted at the Myer Christmas Giftorium

November 15, 2015 / Indoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 1 Comment

The holiday season is my favourite time of year. I admit to going a bit overboard with the festivities – I just can’t help myself. This past weekend I was invited to the opening of the Myer Christmas Giftorium in Sydney. The Giftorium is more than just a store, it’s a really one-stop Christmas destination in Sydney where kids can meet Santa, write him a letter with their wish list, ride a mini train and also check out the hottest gifts for the whole family.

The Frozen and Disney section was a very popular section of the store, particularly the Elsa singing gloves and Anna and Elsa dolls. Still a hit, almost two year on. This is also the area where you’ll find Toy Story, Minnie & Mickey, Cinderella, Marvel Avengers and Inside Out toys.

The talking storm troopers in the Star Wars pop up were also extremely popular. We have a Star Wars lover in our house so I think we will be revisiting this section shortly…

Myer have really upped their personalised gifts this year, which are MY personal favourites. The Peanuts pop up store is particularly cute. Choose your artwork and name, et voila, custom artwork.

Preschoolers will love the array of Peppa Pig toys.

This Toy Story booth is a cute photo opp for kids to pretend to be a toy on sale for Christmas.

Arty kids are covered with a particularly big arts and crafts area, including brands like Crayola and Seedling.

Another hit with the preschooler set is this huge Thomas the Tank Engine and toys.

A bit of face painting fun at the craft station.

The most popular item at the Giftorium this year – personalised Nutella jars. For only $12, it’s a gift that is unique, cheap and delicious. Myer is the only retailer in Australia to offer this service in-store. It’s available in all stores as well as online from November 6.

Christmas decorations abound with plenty of ideas for making your home look jolly.

Right in the back of the store is a mini train that gives free rides to kiddies.

Next to the train depot is this little indoor play area. Perfect for letting kids run their sillies out with one parent supervising while the other does some sneaky Christmas shopping.

Santaland is next door to the train – beat the queue by booking online. This year Santa has brought his reindeer with him – kids can give the slumbering Rudolph a little pat when they visit.

Another personalision service available at the Myer Christmas Giftorium – custom Santa sacks and Christmas stockings.

My two favourite takeaways from the Myer Christmas Giftorium.

Are you excited about Christmas too? What’s on your Chrissie wish list?