Riverside Theatres is opening its doors to the public for the first time since March with its annual Spot On Children’s Festival, running from 29 September to 2 October.
This year’s four-day program offers an exciting mix of in-person and live-streamed shows and workshops, giving families the flexibility to choose how they wish to participate.
“I’m delighted to see Riverside Theatres welcoming audiences back into the venue, in line with public health requirements, after months of being closed,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.
“While COVID-19 has led to us develop our Riverside Theatres Digital series and stream live concerts into homes across Australia, there’s nothing quite like the experience of being in a theatre ‒ watching the curtain rise and becoming immersed in a show.”
The Spot On Children’s Festival 2020 will feature live performances by The Beanies, Junkyard Beats, DrAudiYO, Tiptoe Giants, Lili and Pascal, and Avocado Smash.
It will also offer fun-filled workshops, including a behind-the-scenes look at making a podcast, tips to create your own junkyard orchestra and a comedy masterclass.
Riverside Theatres Director Robert Love said he was thrilled that the festival is being delivered in-person and online.
“We love presenting the annual Spot on Children’s Festival each year in the spring school holidays. This is our ninth year hosting Spot On and I look forward to seeing our young audiences experiencing this entertaining and educational program, whether it’s in-person or online,” Mr Love said.
Riverside Theatres temporarily closed its doors to the public on Monday 23 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it has continued to entertain audiences through its popular digital series of star-studded live concerts, Riverside Theatres Digital.
Riverside Theatres is registered with the NSW Government as a COVID Safe venue.
The Spot On Children’s Festival has been developed in-line with federal and state government health guidelines, and following consultation with Live Performance Australia, other NSW venues, and various government bodies on enhanced health, hygiene and safety measures.
These measures include: reduced audience capacity with socially-distanced seating; extra cleaning; increased sanitisation of high-touch surfaces; the provision of hand sanitiser, anti-bacterial wipes and hand-washing facilities throughout the venue; traffic management plans to alleviate congestion in public spaces; and dedicated COVID Safe Hygiene Marshals.
