It Takes a Village is a mini festival exploring matrescence and the life-changing experience of becoming a parent.
For three joyful days in October, babies, toddlers and their families are invited to join us in Crosby Library to explore matrescence, motherhood, parenthood and all the new experiences that unfold when a new baby enters our lives. Hurly Burly Theatre Company return to the library for the premiere of their After Party Playlab, an interactive installation for babies and grown-ups to explore through live music, song, movement and play.
As well as the Playlab, around it we're bringing together live music, shared reading, zine-making, somatic movement, a baby-friendly film screening at Plaza Cinema, conversations celebrating the unexpected elements of motherhood. For new parents, old parents, grandparents, carers, friends and the community around them, the festival aims to illuminate the joyful, hardcore, exhausting, kick-off of care and the messy, gritty, mosh pit of motherhood.
It takes a village to raise a child. Join us for three days celebrating everyone in that village.
Kirsty Barlow's 'Quiet Space'
We want It Takes a Village to be as accessible and welcoming as possible to everyone, no matter what your background is and what your family set up might look like. Part of this has been creating a dedicated quiet space with the help of artist Kirsty Barlow.
Kirsty's artwork, Quiet Space, will be installed as part of the festival, using fabric draping to create a secluded, quiet, chilled out area for everyone visiting. This gentle pocket in the library is a chance to reset, breastfeed or just have a moment to yourself. Some of the fabrics used in the installation will also decorate the space to make the whole library feel soft and gentle amongst the punk parenthood activities!
Find the full festival programme and book your free place here.