Created by Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) Birmingham, Little Geeks is an innovative new festival exploring the digital world.
The inaugural programme has something for everyone but is particularly geared towards families with children, as MAC Chief Executive & Artistic Director Debbie Kermode explains: “Little Geeks came out of recognition that technology is such a huge part of every generation’s lives today. We love intergenerational activities here at MAC, and we’re very aware that there is this extraordinary approach to learning that’s called reverse mentoring. This is where children, even very little ones, are teaching mums, dads, grandparents and other older people how to do little digital tricks. We’ve seen this process in some of our other activities at MAC, and we thought it’d be a wonderful festival idea to bring families together.
“For mums and dads, digital can be a negative thing in children’s lives when they’re poring over iPads and other technology instead of playing with other things. So what we wanted to do is show the creative side of technology. For example, we’ve also tried to bring nature into technology here, because technology really can be a useful tool to understand wildlife. I guess we just wanted to prove that the digital world doesn’t just exist indoors in a darkened room when staring blankly at a screen. Artists have imaginative ways of bringing out new experiences for people.”
Little Geeks’ activities come with a family-friendly price tag.
“A lot of our activities are free because we were very generously supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. There are a few paid events, but they’re very reasonably priced thanks to our support. The free events allow people to pop by with their families and have a go at what Little Geeks is all about without even buying a ticket.”
Little Geeks will also see MAC working closely with local communities and schools, particularly with regard to the Girls That Geek conference day which takes place prior to the festival.
“There should be a concern within the education and jobs sectors that more boys are going into technology careers than girls. It’s a massive issue because technology is for everybody; it’s a very creative output and is really the future for us all. I think it’s important that girls get the opportunity to explore that career possibility. Although the day is open to all, what we really want to ensure is that girls gain more confidence and become inspired by the digital world.
“We have this day which is going to be ‘girls only’, and we’re inviting schools to bring pupils along to the event. Hopefully we can make young women realise that they can contribute to this extremely exciting but often male-dominated area. The progression of technology is moving so fast and girls can’t be left behind.”
Debbie has high hopes for the future of Little Geeks.
“I think what we’ll do is learn from our audience - we’re an organisation that listens to people. From there, we’ll begin to progress and make Little Geeks a brand. We’ll see, but there’s been such an exciting response already that we’re really keen to continue it. We hope in the future some of the universities will come on board because it could be a great opportunity for them to showcase their work. I think Birmingham needs festivals like Little Geeks because there’s so much terrific work being done across the city. It’s nice to bring it all together in one place.”
Little Geeks runs at Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham from Saturday 27 October to Friday 2 November.
RETRO GAMING NIGHT FOR BIG GEEKS
Sat 27 Oct
Have you been missing all those video games you used to play as a kid? Well this is your chance to revel in being a big kid and rediscover some of those retro classics with Dead Pixels, including Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat, Doom, Sonic The Hedgehog and Mario Kart. Plus, now you’re a big geek instead of a little geek, you can play your favourite video games whilst enjoying a delicious pint of craft beer!
SMART PLAY ZONE
Sat 27 - Tues 30 Oct
The main event for little (and big) geeks is the supercool Smart Play Zone. MAC’s Little Geeks HQ will be jam-packed full of the very best retro games. The tech hub will also feature drone demos, and you can even help build a Raspberry Pi weather station.
MARSHMALLOW LASER FEAST: IN THE EYES OF THE ANIMALS
Sat 27 - Sun 28 Oct
Discover what it’s like to be a creature of the forest. Once you’re immersed in a whole new world thanks to the virtual reality headset, a combination of animal-like sight, a 360º film and an accompanying soundtrack will provide you with an artistic interpretation of what it’s like to be one of four British species.
MESHWORK ORCHESTRA
Wed 31 Oct - Fri 2 Nov
Make music by weaving textiles with conductive materials and become part of the Meshwork Orchestra. You’ll be able to create textile sensors as part of an electronic musical instrument which you can play. This is a commissioned installation by acclaimed artist-educator Becca Rose Glowacki.
TOM DALE COMPANY: I INFINITE
Thurs 1 - Fri 2 Nov
A digitally animated live dance show inspired by the digital world’s quest to recreate life. Set in a white, digitally animated environment, I Infinite combines dance, music, art and design to explore the boundaries between the digital and organic world.
VISUAL POKE: SPOOKY DIGITAL PROJECTION MAPPING
Fri 2 Nov
You may think you know MAC well - but do you? Keep your eyes peeled because it’s about to be temporarily transformed - on the outside, at least - with digital projection mapping from Visual Poke that has a decidedly haunted feel to it. Get ready for spooky goings-on as the building gets an instant digital makeover with some eye-catching visuals that simply have to be seen to be believed…
Created by Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) Birmingham, Little Geeks is an innovative new festival exploring the digital world.
The inaugural programme has something for everyone but is particularly geared towards families with children, as MAC Chief Executive & Artistic Director Debbie Kermode explains: “Little Geeks came out of recognition that technology is such a huge part of every generation’s lives today. We love intergenerational activities here at MAC, and we’re very aware that there is this extraordinary approach to learning that’s called reverse mentoring. This is where children, even very little ones, are teaching mums, dads, grandparents and other older people how to do little digital tricks. We’ve seen this process in some of our other activities at MAC, and we thought it’d be a wonderful festival idea to bring families together.
“For mums and dads, digital can be a negative thing in children’s lives when they’re poring over iPads and other technology instead of playing with other things. So what we wanted to do is show the creative side of technology. For example, we’ve also tried to bring nature into technology here, because technology really can be a useful tool to understand wildlife. I guess we just wanted to prove that the digital world doesn’t just exist indoors in a darkened room when staring blankly at a screen. Artists have imaginative ways of bringing out new experiences for people.”
Little Geeks’ activities come with a family-friendly price tag.
“A lot of our activities are free because we were very generously supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. There are a few paid events, but they’re very reasonably priced thanks to our support. The free events allow people to pop by with their families and have a go at what Little Geeks is all about without even buying a ticket.”
Little Geeks will also see MAC working closely with local communities and schools, particularly with regard to the Girls That Geek conference day which takes place prior to the festival.
“There should be a concern within the education and jobs sectors that more boys are going into technology careers than girls. It’s a massive issue because technology is for everybody; it’s a very creative output and is really the future for us all. I think it’s important that girls get the opportunity to explore that career possibility. Although the day is open to all, what we really want to ensure is that girls gain more confidence and become inspired by the digital world.
“We have this day which is going to be ‘girls only’, and we’re inviting schools to bring pupils along to the event. Hopefully we can make young women realise that they can contribute to this extremely exciting but often male-dominated area. The progression of technology is moving so fast and girls can’t be left behind.”
Debbie has high hopes for the future of Little Geeks.
“I think what we’ll do is learn from our audience - we’re an organisation that listens to people. From there, we’ll begin to progress and make Little Geeks a brand. We’ll see, but there’s been such an exciting response already that we’re really keen to continue it. We hope in the future some of the universities will come on board because it could be a great opportunity for them to showcase their work. I think Birmingham needs festivals like Little Geeks because there’s so much terrific work being done across the city. It’s nice to bring it all together in one place.”
Little Geeks runs at Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham from Saturday 27 October to Friday 2 November.
More information HERE
Festival Highlights
RETRO GAMING NIGHT FOR BIG GEEKS
Sat 27 Oct
Have you been missing all those video games you used to play as a kid? Well this is your chance to revel in being a big kid and rediscover some of those retro classics with Dead Pixels, including Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat, Doom, Sonic The Hedgehog and Mario Kart. Plus, now you’re a big geek instead of a little geek, you can play your favourite video games whilst enjoying a delicious pint of craft beer!
SMART PLAY ZONE
Sat 27 - Tues 30 Oct
The main event for little (and big) geeks is the supercool Smart Play Zone. MAC’s Little Geeks HQ will be jam-packed full of the very best retro games. The tech hub will also feature drone demos, and you can even help build a Raspberry Pi weather station.
MARSHMALLOW LASER FEAST: IN THE EYES OF THE ANIMALS
Sat 27 - Sun 28 Oct
Discover what it’s like to be a creature of the forest. Once you’re immersed in a whole new world thanks to the virtual reality headset, a combination of animal-like sight, a 360º film and an accompanying soundtrack will provide you with an artistic interpretation of what it’s like to be one of four British species.
MESHWORK ORCHESTRA
Wed 31 Oct - Fri 2 Nov
Make music by weaving textiles with conductive materials and become part of the Meshwork Orchestra. You’ll be able to create textile sensors as part of an electronic musical instrument which you can play. This is a commissioned installation by acclaimed artist-educator Becca Rose Glowacki.
TOM DALE COMPANY: I INFINITE
Thurs 1 - Fri 2 Nov
A digitally animated live dance show inspired by the digital world’s quest to recreate life. Set in a white, digitally animated environment, I Infinite combines dance, music, art and design to explore the boundaries between the digital and organic world.
VISUAL POKE: SPOOKY DIGITAL PROJECTION MAPPING
Fri 2 Nov
You may think you know MAC well - but do you? Keep your eyes peeled because it’s about to be temporarily transformed - on the outside, at least - with digital projection mapping from Visual Poke that has a decidedly haunted feel to it. Get ready for spooky goings-on as the building gets an instant digital makeover with some eye-catching visuals that simply have to be seen to be believed…