Local News: Family friendly fun at the Melbourne Recital Centre

By Jack Alfonso

Families will be provided with the chance to enjoy some of Australia’s favourite entertainers at the Melbourne Recital Centre (MRC) during the Music Play Family Festival.

Taking place across the school holidays on April 12 and 13, families can enjoy new ways to learn, listen, play and discover music together while witnessing acts such as Peter Combe, Teeny Tiny Stevies, All Day Fritz, Declan the Music Man and Song Play all scheduled to perform across the festival.

The MRC’s director of programming Marshall McGuire said 2021 was a time to “come together and have some musical fun”.

“Music Play in April is the perfect time to come together as a family to enjoy concerts, adventures and outdoor fun, featuring some of Australia’s best-loved performers, including the adored Peter Combe, and Melbourne’s own Teeny Tiny Stevies,” he said.

Comprising of sisters Byll and Beth Stephen, Teeny Tiny Stevies is exemplifying how adults can still feel an attraction to kids’ music, with their “don’t be annoying” songwriting philosophy propelling them to millions of online clicks and sold-out gigs.

Byll told The Age that they were “taking [kids’] challenges seriously” but the focus was not explicitly directed towards kids’ entertainment.

“Always [on] our mind, as well, is that parents and carers are going to listen to this over and over and over again,” she said. “When you can pop a joke in that’s not going to be annoying, too, pop something in there that makes them have a little giggle.”

Additionally, well-known and much-loved children’s entertainer Peter Combe will be providing a musical trip down memory lane on April 12, with an intergenerational experience in conjunction with backup singers The Fabulous Combettes.

The immersive Music Play will take over the entirety of MRC, offering a musical playground for kids and families to engage their imaginations during the April school holidays.

“We hope you’ll join us for our autumn celebration of music and adventure, for all ages,” Marshall McGuire said.

The festival takes place from 9am on both April 12 and 13 at the MRC, with tickets going for $10 •