Flinders University is calling all explorers to experience their spring garden of fun, education and entertainment! Get ready to meet the animals, roll around in the ball pit and get those thumbs green, because once again Flinders University have partnered with Nature Play SA to cultivate a packed program of free activities and experiences for the whole family to enjoy this October! Come and be amazed by the weird, wacky and exciting wonders of science live on stage, construct your own cubby house overlooking the picturesque lake, or brew your own nature potion… SpringFest is a great day for all kids big and small! This is the perfect day out for the family to enjoy the wonderful Flinders University grounds and a range of free activities! This day will be jam-packed with activities including: Thinking Caps Science Show Interactive Animal Shows Market stalls Two stages featuring live music Arts and crafts Activities are free and so is parking. Keep reading for more information on the Spring Fest program below! Artists on the Main Stage Amelia Ryan Amelia Ryan is a multi-award-winning Cabaret Artist, Writer, Presenter, Mentor and Mum. A Musical Theatre Actress by trade (Victorian College of the Arts), she swapped ‘Song and Dance’ for ‘Comedy and Cabaret’, when she realised her ability to do a time-step (or ANY step) paled in comparison to her knack for cracking a quip. Adam Page Adam Page is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, music educator and record producer based in Adelaide, South Australia. Known widely for his critically acclaimed solo multi-instrumental looping performances, Page has carved his path internationally as a composer. He has written major works for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (which he has also conducted), the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington, Zephyr Quartet and has collaborated with John Psathas, NZ composer of the 2004 Athens Olympics ceremony music. Page’s other musical collaborations stretch far and wide, working with artists and groups such as The Australian String Quartet, Slava Grigoryan, Noel Gallagher, Katie Noonan, Riki Gooch, Jamie MacBen Todd, The Wizard Tone Art Orchestra, The Shaolin Afronauts, 1.1 Immermann, Ross McHenry, Thomas Oliver, The Adelaide Sax Pack, Darren Percival, Mal Webb, Zephyr Quartet, Lisa Tomlins and Dr. Chandrakant Sardeshmukh. He has also recorded with artists such as Electric Wire Hustle, Julien Dyne, Julia Deans, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Christoph El’ Truento, Oisima, Spook City, Ben Todd, The Shaolin Afronauts, Nico Suave and Dave Whitehead (recording various sounds for The Hobbit films). Liz Calahan Founder and Director of Bey Dance, Liz Calahan is about empowering and encouraging people to engage with each other through dance. Working with Make A Wish foundation Liz has taught dance to children that want to be on stage or find the confidence to dance ‘like everyone is Watching’ which was her aptly named show at this years ‘Dream Big Festival.’ Bortier Okoe Bortier sings messages of peace, anti-poverty, connections, resilience, and tolerance – communicating across boundaries and countries. His unifying lyrics convey strong messages for humanity while his dynamic live performances are exhilarating, delivered with power, grace and a sense of humour. Bortier’s music is unique and irresistible – making a significant contribution and progression to World Music. Bortier Okoe has performed around the world, and is revered as one of the most talented multi-instrumentalists in the African music genre. Well-known for his extraordinary musical gifts and exciting innovations. Nathan May Multi-talented emerging singer-songwriter Nathan May descends from the Arabana, Yawuru and Marridjabin clans. Nathan writes in memory of his friends and family and as a reminder that there’s always hope. He sings with a wide-open smile from deep within his soul and has an innate ability to craft songs and express feelings of wide appeal to a broad audience that are way beyond his 24 young years. Nathan has recently been nominated and a finalist for the South Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artist of the Year Award. Activities: Hub | SpringFest The Collections Project: Jake Holmes Screen Printing Workshop Activity: Have a go at making your own hand screen printed poster with South Australian artist Jake Holmes. Pick out designs and experiment with text, shapes, colour, layers and textures to make a poster of your own. Artist Bio: Jake Holmes is an Adelaide based visual artist working across a variety of mediums including; screen printing, mural painting, illustration, audio and collage. Jake is currently in residency at Flinders University and will respond to the University’s extensive collection of political posters, one of most diverse poster collections in the country. Jake Holmes is well known as the printmaker behind the rainbow ‘C’mon Aussie C’mon’ posters. In collaboration with street artists Peter Drew, they transformed the famous cricket anthem into an iconic image in support of Australian marriage equality. This has also transformed into a poster to support the ‘Change the date‘ movement, in collaboration with artist Elizabeth Close. He is also the cofounder of PRINT CULT and Tooth and Nail studio and gallery, a city-based communal studio which opened in 2011 and ran for seven years. “The opportunity to spend time with and research important political works, particularly from recent South Australian history, through my own practice is incredibly exciting.” Basket weaving Activity: Learn a new relaxing and engaging handicraft. Basket weaving is a creative, social and meditative process, as any maker will tell you, being mindful throughout the creative process is just as important as the product itself. Discover the joy of this ancient craft, while creating something with your own hands. Artist Bio: Lakun Mara is an Aboriginal owned business run by Sonya Rankine, a Ngarrindjeri, Narungga, Ngadjuri woman of South Australia. Lakun Mara key focus is cultural revival and maintenance of traditional Ngarrindjeri weaving techniques and cultural practice. Activities: Anchor Court Stage |SpringFest The Bone Detectives Activity: Ever wondered how palaeontologists can identify an animal just from its bones? The Bone Detectives is a casual, fun and interactive lecture that uses modern Australian animals to give a little perspective on how a palaeontologist would