School holiday idea #2: A gentle weekend of live music and art

When: Saturday 12 April

Time: Half a day, morning (or afternoon option if a relaxed performance is preferred)

Suitable for ages: All ages 

Cost: Free – just the price of your lunch (or BYO)

Booking: You will need to pre-book for Nat Bartsch – Forever Changed, as capacity is limited (it’s free!).  

Content notes: This itinerary also may be suitable for neurodivergent people, as Nat’s music is composed with the specific needs of neurodivergent people in mind, and there is a relaxed performance option at 3pm. 

9.30am – If it’s raining out, you might be driving to Fed Square. Park in the Fed Square car park, then walk through to The Edge, where you’ll find beanbags out for pianist and composer Nat Bartsch’s live music concert. Find a comfy spot to enjoy Nat’s beautiful music.  

10am – The concert begins! Nat Bartsch will be performing music from her album Forever Changed. Nat is neurodivergent, and her music explores the unique sensory preferences and needs of autistic people and those with ADHD. The lyrical and ambient sounds are designed to soothe and relax those with sensory-seeking needs, while being enjoyable for people of all ages.  

11am – After a beautiful morning of live music, walk through into the Atrium, to The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Kids may enjoy wandering through the Top Arts 2025 exhibition, to see what the next generation of artists from schools around Victoria are producing.  

11.30am – Head to ACMI to check out their Story of the Moving Image exhibition, where kids can explore movie sets, make their own flipbook animation, learn about editing and play classic games at the Games Lab. Or you can wander across to Koorie Heritage Trust to explore Stitchin’ Stories: Blak and Threadly at KHT, to see textile creations by eight First Peoples designers.   

12.30pm – Time for lunch! Burgers anyone? Have a tasty pub meal at Beer Deluxe or Transport Hotel, or watch the world go by at Time Out Café, overlooking Swanston Street Forecourt and Flinders Street Station. Prefer the fun of a sushi train? Head to Chocolate Buddha.