By Kate Hodges
29th October 2020
EVENT and DO Happy Halloween!
Halloween is going to look very different this year. For many of us, trick or treating is off the agenda – find more advice about what is safe here. We like the idea of doing some halloween crafting and leaving treat bags on the doorsteps of those in your bubble, or creating a spooky scavenger hunt in your house or around your neighbourhood; find free printable here. Perhaps this is the time for your family to rediscover the joys of traditional Halloween customs; bobbing for apples or divining your future and finding out who you’re going to marry!
EVENT Fiery Samhuinn
Edinburgh’s Samhuinn Fire Festival is usually a blazingly spectacular, fire-suffused show that takes place in the open air, and is a blend of street theatre, pyrotechnics and performance. Each year, a stand-off between the summer and winter kings is overseen by the Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the Goddess. This year, of course, things are slightly different. But the summer king must, of course, still pass his mantle to his winter counterpart. Join a virtual hearth fire for an evening of performance, music and ritual taking the fire online! Tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can basis, or watch online for free. More here
EVENT Fountain of Truth
There are only a few days left to catch Kara Walker’s extraordinary, gigantic sculpture at Tate Modern. The 13m high fountain is inspired by the Victoria Memorial, but rather than celebrating the British Empire, explores the accompanying slave trade. It’s an epic, thought-provoking piece that can be enjoyed on many levels; small children will relish its detail, while older children and teenagers will appreciate the themes explored. Free, but book online. Until November 8.
RECIPE S’ap Dudes?
Nature’s bounty may be a little thinner through the winter, but pine goodies are there for the picking all through the colder months. Toasted pine nuts are a store-cupboard staple, and pine-needle tea is good for you and super-easy to make (but do avoid it if you’re pregnant). If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try baking scented Pine Needle Shortbread, making this aromatic Pine Needle Vinegar or experimenting with White Pine and Rosemary Ice-Cream
EVENT African Tour
Take an interactive journey around parts of sub-Saharan Africa and explore the ancient and medieval art of the region. Inspired by Modern Art Oxford’s exhibition Between Making And Knowing Something by Mariana Castillo Deball and Black History Month, Natty Mark Samuel’s workshop, aimed at teenagers will explore artists who have inspired contemporary western artists, but whose stories have often remained hidden or untold. Thursday, 2pm. Free. More here
What we’ve been reading this week:
The most underrated parenting skill? Live-editing children’s books. Kids’ classics can need a lot of updating to remove dated gender dynamics and casual imperialism. But you can only go so far. “Everyone I know does this. A friend reports turning Cinderella into an architect who helped the prince with design renovations at his castle. Another mentions redacting those bits in Enid Blyton where the girls wash up and pack while the boys kick around waiting for the adventure to start.’” Read more here
Found something inspirational to read that you’d like to share? Want to share your creations with us? Have an idea for things to do? We’d love to hear from you. Email Kate
