spring holidays at the drum theatre, dandenong
The Drum Theatre in Dandenong is turning up the volume this September with two unmissable shows designed to get little ones (and their grown-ups) dancing, giggling and going totally wild!
The Drum Theatre in Dandenong is turning up the volume this September with two unmissable shows designed to get little ones (and their grown-ups) dancing, giggling and going totally wild!
Emma Memma’s Dance Island Party – Third Show Added!
Due to overwhelming demand, ARIA award-winning children’s entertainer Emma Memma has announced a third leg of her brand-new Dance Island Party Tour.
Families can expect a magical mix of favourites from last year’s Boop and Twirl Tour alongside brand new tracks from the upcoming Dance Island Party album, including Coconut Tree, Welcome to Dance Island, Beach Trolley and the soon-to-be fan-favourite Jellyfish Blob.
Emma’s shows are all about movement, creativity, inclusiveness and friendship. With her trademark love of dance, sign language and music, Emma makes visual communication shine while delivering a joyful experience for fans of all ages.
She’ll be joined on stage by her colourful friends — Elvin Melvin, BB Butterfly, Waffles the Wombat and her Memma Mates — who’ll be swimming, twirling, signing and, of course, partying.
Each 45-minute show features an Auslan interpreter, and both Emma and Elvin will sign and dance throughout, ensuring accessibility and connection for everyone.
Polite Mammals – Variety Show Mayhem!
If that’s not enough festival fun, get ready to go totally wild with Polite Mammals, a neo-vaudevillian variety show that celebrates animals of every kind — real, imaginary, sparkly, stinky, polite and very rude!
Inspired by classic 90s Aussie kids’ TV (The Ferals, Lift Off, Recovery), Polite Mammals rockets through 20+ animal-inspired characters in under an hour. Expect farting skunks, a dancing praying mantis, Frankenstein cockroaches, and even a singing bin chicken (yes, the ibis gets its moment in the spotlight!).
This all-ages comedy extravaganza mashes together puppetry, dance, original music and plenty of absurd mischief. Originally created at ArtPlay with the help of actual kids aged 5–9, it’s guaranteed to be a laugh-out-loud experience for the whole family.
Presented in partnership with Greater Dandenong.
To learn more about our partnership content at Mamma Knows Melbourne, click here.
iwagumi air scape from chapel street precinct
Experience this larger-than-life temporary sculpture, which will encompass Prahran Square day and night from August 1 – August 17.Iwagumi Air Scape is a celebration of the Japanese reverence towards beautiful rock compositions as found in nature.
Prahran Square will turn into an awe inspiring interactive sculpture garden from August 1-17
“Iwagumi Air Scape is a celebration of the Japanese reverence towards beautiful rock compositions as found in nature. By day, visitors can explore immense air-filled inflatables that appear to be thousands of tonnes of rock. As the sun sets, the artwork transforms with a vibrant display of colour and an interactive soundscape inspired by nature’s gentle inhabitants.
Designed to be amongst an inner city backdrop like Prahran Square - with sharply contrasting features of the wilderness with this urban environment.
An open-air temporary art installation, Iwagumi Air Scape delivers a public realm statement about nature and harmony that is at once monumental and subtle.
the nitty gritty
Exhibition runs from Aug 1-17
Cost: FREE
Venue:
Prahran Square
Mamma’s special mention: There is heaps to do around Prahran Square - grab a bite on Greville Street or check out the amazing Prahran Market OR how about a sweet treat at Reverie Patisserie?
Presented in partnership with Chapel Street Precinct on behalf of City of Stonnington
To learn more about our partnership content at Mamma Knows Melbourne, click here.
roola boola children's arts festival from the city of stonnington
The Roola Boola Children's Arts Festival has started this week in the City of Stonnington, and will run until Friday 8 July. With boisterous fun for children on offer, the Festival will feature performances, workshops, free events and unique activities that will ignite and inspire children's imaginations these school holidays.
The Roola Boola Children's Arts Festival is back in the City of Stonnington these winter school holidays, from July 8-18!
With boisterous fun for children on offer, the Festival will feature performances, workshops, free events and unique activities that will ignite and inspire children's imaginations!
Roola Boola Children's Arts Festival is one of Melbourne's most successful annual children's arts festivals and features spectacular and spellbinding performances at Chapel off Chapel
Performance highlights include productions from Victorian State Ballet, All The Queens Men, Magnus ‘Danger Magnus, and Emilie Bloom.
Snow White by Victorian State Ballet is a spectacular classical ballet rendition of this much-loved fairy tale. Featuring highly skilled ballet artists and exciting choreography from the Victorian State Ballet, Snow White takes to the stage at Roola Boola following a nationwide sold-out season.
Suitable for audiences of all ages, Snow White will have audiences enchanted until the final curtain call.
Wednesday 9 July, 10:30am and 1pm.
Play Date by All The Queens Men will have children, their carers and accompanying adults singing and dancing like no one’s watching. Pop duo Turtle and Sugar Rush invite you the ultimate dance party overflowing with high energy and joy.
Guaranteed to give you a rush, Play Date will have children and their ‘chosen’ families moving and grooving in a playful explosion of music and movement.
Friday 11 July, 10.30am and 1pm.
Fritz by Emilie Bloom is a nonstop, high-energy rollercoaster of the ridiculous. When the Magician Master, Madame Magica suddenly vanishes, the spotlight turns to Fritz – her eccentric and lovable rabbit to carry on the show. Fuelled by slapstick and clowning, this heartwarming story is magical entertainment from start to finish for the whole family – everyone is welcome!
Wednesday 16 July, 10.30am and 1pm.
KABOOM! by Magnus Danger Magnus is an all-ages electromagnetic extravaganza! Magnus has exploded his way across Australia, setting curiosities ablaze with this entertaining and educational show, utilising a fascinating array of scientific gadgets and gizmos.
KABOOM! is an absolute feast for the senses, full of chaotic mayhem for kids aged 4 and up. Friday 18 July, 10.30am and 1pm.
At Chapel Off Chapel, workshops for children (accompanied by their parent/guardian) are on offer from MaaMaa and Nonna’s Kitchen, Magic School of Confidence, Gumnut Music, Fizz Kids and more. Kids can immerse themselves in magic, puppetry, circus, dance, music, theatre, craft – there’s something for every child to explore and enjoy.
This year’s Beyond the Chapel satellite activations include well-known venues and arts institutions hosting a variety of children’s workshops. Stonnington Libraries, NICA, Duldig Studio, Hello Music Studio and more will open their doors to offer fun and inspiring activities.
the nitty gritty
Festival runs from July 8-18 2025
Venues:
Chapel off Chapel
12 Little Chapel St, Prahran
Presented in partnership with City of Stonnington
To learn more about our partnership content at Mamma Knows Melbourne, click here.