Babar and the beginning of the world (6+)

Babar the elephant is one of the most beloved children’s book characters of all time. The book series by French writer and illustrator Jean de Brunhoff has captured the hearts of children all over the world since the first publication in 1931. Composer Francis Poulenc even wrote a classical piece for it! For this concert, well-known children’s book author Mylo Freeman wrote a new beginning to the story of Babar. And it takes us all the way back to the beginning of the world!

Through the beautiful classical piece La création du monde, Ensemble SeaSession takes us back to the earliest days of the Earth, when humans first emerged and gazed in wonder at all the extraordinary animals. Like the little elephant Babar, who ends up in the big city and learns all about how humans live from a kind old lady – and almost becomes one.

This concert is Dutch spoken. You’re welcome to enjoy the music.

Make your own animal mask
In African mythology, masks have magical powers, including animal masks. If you put on an animal mask, there is no longer any difference between humans and animals. Before the concert, you can paint or decorate a mask of a hyena, crocodile, chameleon, buffalo, monkey or an elephant.  We will make a beautiful exhibition of all the masks, which you can admire afterwards. Of course, you can take your mask home afterwards. There will also be free colouring sheets to take home afterwards, designed by Sjeng Schupp. 

Arts & Crafts / Entreehal / 12:30 - 17:00
In the Entreehal, you can once again enjoy arts and crafts in abundance. Prior to the performances, we are also offering free workshops where the audience can learn about the meaning of African (animal) masks. In the workshop, participants will get to work with animal masks: the masks can be painted and decorated with paint, rope, cardboard, paper, cork, leftover materials, etc. Anything goes! After the performance, the masks can be admired in the Entreehal. 

Duration: approx. 45 minutes, starting one hour before the performance.

After the performance in the Main Hall, too, there will be plenty of time for finishing touches. 

Jazz Expres / Piet Heinkade
The Jazz Express will be placed on the Piet Heinkade as part of the 50th anniversary of the BIMHUIS.  
12:30 - 13:15 hrs: Concert 1
15:00 - 15:45 hrs: Concert 2
16:30 - 17:15 hrs: Concert 3

SoundLAB / Atrium Hall (2nd floor) / 13:00 - 17:00 
In SoundLAB you can play with wondrous instruments such as the Dato DUO, Toonpad, Formonium and the MODi, with which you can create a whole new piece of music together with others. During the Kijk Muziekmiddag, you can just drop in and try out the instruments or join a flash workshop. Become a composer in 15 minutes!

14:50 - Mini workshop 1
15:20 - Mini workshop 2
15:50 - Mini workshop 3

Duration: approx. 20 minutes. We gather at SoundLAB.

Guided tour: Artist Route
Follow the Artist Trail and join an exciting tour backstage at the Muziekgebouw. Find out where musicians play and technicians prepare everything behind the scenes. You might even meet a real artist!

14:50 - Guided tour 1
15:20 - Guided tour 2
15:50 - Guided tour 3

Duration: approx. 20 minutes. We gather in the Entreehal at the meeting point. Full = full.