4 fun family time things to do in Inverness this weekend
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Choose between a night of magic, an autumn seed workshop for youngsters and the return of the original Hocus Pocus ...
1Magic moments
On Saturday, September 30 at 8pm Ben Hart: JADOO brings magic for an audience of 12+ years. World-renowned, multi award-winning magician and West End star Ben Hart returns to the stage at Eden Court in his most personal show yet. Drawn from his experience of travelling India to discover lost, real magic, Ben sheds his usual sleight-of-hand trickery and lies in favour of stunning displays of wonderment, mysticism, extra-sensory power, and a search for the truth… Rooted in his family heritage in India, Ben's mind-popping show is rich in colour, infectious passion, and wicked humour. The magician has an unparalleled reputation for making extraordinary works of magic and is a member of The Inner Magic Circle (the highest position at The Magic Circle) and has collaborated with and designed magic for the RSC, Penn and Teller, Mission Impossible 7, and Mischief Theatre, to name a few. His work has been seen on TV including his own series for the BBC and Britain's Got Talent (finalist), AGT The Champions, The One Show, and hundreds of other TV appearances around the world. Don’t miss this chance to catch the world’s foremost magic storyteller in this all-new show.
2 The original
Back to the source HOCUS POCUS (PG) returns and it seems that time has been exceedingly kind to director Kenny Ortega’s family-oriented supernatural comedy, which sour reviewer says "... suffered the indignity of a lacklustre sequel last year". To mark its 30th anniversary, Hocus Pocus returns to haunt cinemas including Vue Cinema from Saturday, September 30 in the run-up to Halloween. On October 31, 1993, exactly 300 years after the diabolical Sanderson sisters were hanged, Max Dennison (Omri Katz), his younger sister Dani (Thora Birch) and classmate Allison Watts (Vinessa Shaw) go trick or treating around Salem, Massachusetts. They visit the Sanderson sisters’ old cottage and unknowingly light the Black Flame Candle that fulfils a prophecy to resurrect Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary (Kathy Najimy) during a full moon on All Hallow’s Eve. With the help of Binx the cat (voiced by Jason Marsden), the children steal Winifred’s spellbook and seek temporary shelter on sacred ground where the witches cannot strike.
3 From little acorns ...
On Sunday, October 1 at both 10.15am and 11.30am, this month’s free Little Seedlings workshop for youngsters (from four to 10) at Dobbies Garden Centre is is all about Seed Gathering Season with Super seeds and how important seeds are to our environment. Seed Gathering Season is part of a month-long campaign run by The Tree Council which begins on the Autumn equinox on September 23. It's a crucial time of year where everyone can get involved in gathering tree seeds, nuts and fruits that will grow to become the next generation of life-giving trees, shrubs and hedgerows. The workshop is designed to be a fun, interactive session when Highland children will be introduced to a variety of seeds commonly found in gardens and parks, including pinecones, sycamore and apples. The workshop will delve into the essential role seeds and plants play in nature, from producing oxygen to providing food and habitats for animals, as well as enriching the soil. And the workshop will demonstrate the journey of tree growth, from planting to germination, helping children understand how seeds travel, whether that’s through the wind, animal fur, or many other ways in everyday nature.There will be a special focus on acorns and oak trees, showcasing their unique character and remarkable lifespan of up to 1,000 years. Kids will also get the chance to create their very own acorn collage to take home. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
4 Fun for little ones
There's the latest Museum Minis on Thursday, October 5 at Inverness Museum from 11am for an hour. The informal toddler sessions are held on the first Thursday of each month, a relaxed play session with a story and a simple craft which is suitable for youngsters from birth to four years, though the activities are aimed at twos and threes. The museum has high chairs in the café and baby-changing facilities. There is no charge, though donations are encouraged.
5 Piper takes flight for Season Two
Interrupting Chicken – Season Two (eight episodes, streaming from Friday, September 29 exclusively on Apple TV+). The animated series for pre-schoolers, based on the award-winning book series written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein, returns for a second helping of inspirational and educational adventures. The feathered heroine is a little chicken named Piper (voiced by Juliet Donenfeld), who has a habit of interrupting stories because she cannot contain her wild imagination. Piper’s friends CJ (Sarah Elizabeth Thompson), Duckston (Luke Lowe) and Theodore (Jakari Fraser) are inextricably drawn into her madcap misadventures.
HEADS UP
Dobbies Garden Centre's next Little Seedlings event on Saturday, October 7 at 10.30am marks Red Squirrel Awareness Week (October 2-8) – it will be all about red squirrels!
