MAPS Festival - A Guide to this Brand New Festival for Newcastle & Gateshead | February 2019

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February Half Term is going to be EPIC this year. We're so lucky that there's so much going on in the North East (look out for my full guide at the beginning of next month) and one of the main attractions this year is the brand new MAPS Festival which takes place from 15 - 17 February across venues in Newcastle & Gateshead.

MAPS Festival is brought to us by the fabulous folks from Chalk and promises a diverse range of unique experiences and activities for children and their grown-ups. As a previous visitor to many Chalk events in the past, I know that they always make sure the grown-ups have just as much fun as the kiddies and have fond memories of dancing like nobody is watching at these types of events in the past. Chalk really seem to have raised the bar even higher with this festival though (if that is even possible) and the programme of events they've put together looks perfect. This festival's debut programme of events is both fresh and exciting.  Highlights for me include:

• A Cosmic Space Rave
• Viz for Kids
• Live Podcast Recording 
• 3D Tetris 
• Discos with Cat DJs
• Beatboxing Sessions

Most of these events are suitable for the whole family and require adults to supervise their children at all times. There are a couple of events for grown-ups only and some just for babies and their grown-ups too. Please check each event's requirements on their ticket page (linked under each event) before making a purchase.   Each event is available to book separately and tickets are selling fast so if something tickles your fancy, I'd recommend booking sooner rather than later.

Here is an overview of what to expect and how to book tickets:

PlayShapes 

PlayShapes takes place throughout the entire festival and is ideal for kids who are bored of the same old soft plays and playground and want to build their own. You'll find a range of shapes that can be rolled, stacked, balanced and used to create bespoke dens or obstacle courses. At the end of the session, grown-ups and kids will work together to reassemble the shapes in a giant game of Tetris.

• When: Daily from 15th February - 17 February. 45-minute sessions begin at 10:15am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:15pm, 3:30pm and 4:15pm. The 10:15am session on Friday will be quieter and more relaxed/suitable to those on the autistic spectrum and their families or anyone who may benefit from a quieter session. 
• Where: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art 
• Best for: Those who are bored of soft play and love building structures/dens 
• Cost: £6 per ticket (admits one child+one adult) 
• Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/playshapes

Rozi Plain feat. Film Bee Immersive Gig - Festival Opening 

Singer-songwriter Rozi Plain has one of the most unique voices in the UK and will open the MAPS Festival in spectacular style. This immersive show will feature sensory experiences for little ones and their grown-ups brought to you by Newcastle Artists Film Bee. Lauren Laverne has described Rozi Plain as 'Brilliant' and it sounds like it's going to be a unique way to spend a Friday afternoon. 

• When: Friday 15 February 1pm-2pm 
• Where: Caedmon Hall, Gateshead Library 
• Best for: This is a special event for adults with babies under 12 months 
• Cost: £10 (admits one adult+baby)
• Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/#/rozi-plain/

Warm Digits Live + Workshop 

This early-evening gig will have your little ones spinning with delight and is the perfect way to start half-term. Expect a feast for your senses with bubbles, ear-bending music, lights, live drums and guitars. The gig will begin at 6pm and families will have the opportunity to take part in a pre-gig workshop - a messy (scratching, staining and painting) filmmaking experience where you'll help to create abstract visuals for the main show. 

• When: Friday 15 February 4:30pm - 7pm 
• Where: Cobalt, Ouseburn 
• Best for: An after-school treat for all ages (workshops are aimed at ages 3+ - the perfect end of term treat. 
• Cost: £6 per child ticket, £8 per adult ticket. Babes in arms are admitted free but do require a ticket. 
• Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/#/warm-digits/

Viz for Kids 

Led by Alex Collier who after an eight-year stint as co-editor and cartoonist at Viz comics before moving into children's writing (including Mr Bean: The Animated Series and Danger Mouse), this 90-minute session will show children (and adults) how to create their very own comic. Expect bums, farting, underpants and lots of other sophisticated humour. 

• When: Saturday 16 February 10am and 12noon 
• Where: Gosforth Civic Theatre 
• Best for: Best suited to children aged 7+ and their families. Adults are encouraged to take part too.
• Cost: £6 per ticket 
• Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/#/viz-for-kids-1

Rewired Family Rave 

Join artist Sophie Lisa Beresford for a one-off high energy family rave. Lisa will take you through some dance moves before the main event. Expect lots of crazy dancing, live MCing, glow sticks, face paint and lots of energy in the room as the music is cranked up. 

• When: 16 February | 2pm - 3:30pm 
• Where: Star and Shadow Cinema, Newcastle 
• Best for: Most suited to children aged 5+ and their families. All are welcome though. 
• Cost: £5 per child (includes admission, rave, dance workshop, glow stick, face painting) and £3 per adult. 
• Buy tickets here:  www.mapsfestival.co.uk/#/makina-dance-class-rave

Leafcutter John 

Join Leafcutter John for a spectacular early-evening Saturday night gig for the whole family in Newcastle. The gig is played using handheld lights and promises to mesmerise the room. Check out this video of Leafcutter John in action:

When: Saturday 16 February 5pm-6pm
Where: Star and Shadow Cinema, Newcastle
Best for: The whole family
Cost: £8 per adult, £6 per child, Babes in Arms are admitted free of charge but still require a ticket.
Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/#/leafcutter-john/

Printing Workshops with Emer Tumilty 

Participants will get the chance to create their very own printed T-Shirt or Tote Bag based on Emer's bold colour combinations and geomatic shapes. 

• When: Saturday 16 February 2pm (T-Shirts) and 4pm (Tote Bags)
• Where: Gosforth Civic Theatre 
• Best for: Adults and Older Kids/Teens 
• Cost: £15 per person 
• Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/tickets

The Hoovering Podcast | LIVE 

This is a unique opportunity to join The Guilty Feminist's Jess Fostekew for a live recording of her Hoovering Podcast. Expect a panel of celebrity guests who will join Jess for some eating, chat and humour. Jess' podcast has had over half a million downloads since it launched 10 months ago. 

• When: Saturday 16 February 7pm - 8:30pm 
• Where: Gosforth Civic Centre 
• Best for: This event is adults-only (limited tickets available for accompanying babies under 9 months)
• Cost: £10.50 each 
• Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/#/hoovering

Cat Clay Social + DJ 

Cat lover unite! North East illustrator and ceramicist, Alex Sickling (known for her cat-themed pottery) will lead this workshop and take you through the process of making your very own cat sculpture from clay all to the backdrop of a magical cat-themed DJ set. 

• When: Sunday 17 February 10am + 11:30am 
• Where: Tyneside Cinema Pop-Up 
• Best for: Cat lovers of all ages 
• Cost: £5 per ticket for those wanting to make a clay cat
• Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/#/cat-clay-social-1/

Emer Tumilty - Shapes, Colour, Go! 

Participants are welcome to join Emer in cutting out and applying their own abstract shapes to create a giant collaborative mural.

When: Sunday 17 February 10am - 3pm (FREE drop-in event)
Where: Tyneside Cinema Pop-Up
Best for: The whole family looking for a free drop-in creative activity
Cost: FREE
Buy tickets here: N/A - simply drop in. Find out more here. 

Bellatrix Family Beatbox Workshop 

Join the amazing Bellatrix in one of two, one-hour beatboxing workshops. Bel is a beatboxing champion and will lead this workshop.  Learn some tricks of the trade from one of the best!

• When: Sunday 17 February 1pm (suitable for the whole family) and 2:15 pm (suitable for over 8s)
• Where: Cluny 2 
• Best for: Everyone! The later session is best suited to older children. 
• Cost: £6 per person 
• Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/#/bellatrix-family-beatbox-workshops/

Henge Closing Party + Bonkers Costume Workshop 

The closing party is not to be missed! Let your hair down at the cosmic space rave wit Henge (who are playing at festivals up and down the UK including Bestival this year). Expect to begin the evening with a cosmic costume making workshop and face paint bar before being showered in glitter in preparation for a gig that is not to be missed. Here's a peek at what to expect:

• When: Sunday 17 February 4:15pm - 6pm 
• Where: Cluny 2
• Best for: The whole family 
• Cost: £8 per person. Babes in Arms are admitted free of charge but still require a ticket. 
• Buy tickets here: www.mapsfestival.co.uk/#/henge-closing-party/

Wow! What a line-up. We are so lucky that such an eclectic and fun-filled festival is taking place here in the North East this February and I think it's going to be a huge success. February Half Term is going to be cracking! I can see myself enjoying any of these events on offer.

Please remember to double check all details via the ticket links shared under each event to check suitability, event details and who requires a ticket before booking. 

You can find out more about the MAPS Festival here. 

Check out our previous reviews featuring Chalk events:

• A 1960s family rave at Washington Arts Centre (May 2017)
• Robot Lab at Discovery Museum (Jan 2017)

Let me know which of these events have caught your eye.....

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