Third series of BAFTA winning show to launch, along with raft of special events.
Coolabi Group is celebrating 50 years since the first transmission of Clangers with a new third series, plus a raft of special events.
The new series launches on CBeebies on July 20 with special commemorative episode, The Visitor, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing that inspired the Clangers.
The Visitor features an astronaut, inspired by renowned space scientist and life-long friend of the Clangers, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, who lands on the Clangers’ Little Blue Planet, in a storyline that pays homage to the original moon landings episode, The Tablecloth.
The episode will also feature in a series of screening events on July 20.
Bluedot festival in Cheshire will feature a panel discussion hosted by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, who will be joined by Clangers executive producer Dan Postgate, the son of original Clangers co-creator Oliver Postgate, series producer Dan Maddicott from Coolabi Group, and series co-directors Jo Chalkley and Chris Tichborne from animation studio Factory.
The discussion – which will cover the history of Clangers, the new series and the making of both Moon landing episodes – will be live streamed via the Clangers official YouTube channel.
The Bluedot panel event will be followed by a Clangers-themed dance party featuring a special, one-of-a-kind DJ set of cosmic proportions and will be hosted by family rave specialists, Big Fish Little Fish.
The Science Museum in London will also be celebrating the landmark anniversary with a screening of both Moon landings episodes, introduced by series narrator Sir Michael Palin. Sue Horne from the UK Space Agency will also showcase some scientific experiments for families.
Sir Michael Palin also introduces a curated YouTube Kids Space playlist launching on July 18 on the YouTube Kids app, which includes a ten minute Clangers space compilation clip alongside a mix of space themed songs, learning, animation and preschool content.
The Clangers’ 50th anniversary celebrations continue with the exclusive release of a limited-edition print, Once in a Blue Moon [Maybe Twice], which is an illustration of the Little Blue Planet by the late Clangers co-creator, Peter Firmin.
The 50 numbered prints are available to purchase from the Clangers online shop.
“Clangers is an iconic and growing preschool property that is just as relevant today as it was 50 years ago,” said Jeremy Banks, chief executive at Coolabi Group. “We have an exciting year ahead and we shall look forward to more celebrations to come later in the year when the brand officially turns 50 on November 16.”
Clangers will also be part of a special CBeebies Prom, which will be presented by CBeebies and BBC Radio 3 from the Royal Albert Hall.
On top of all this, Clangers will be hosting the chill out zone at BBC Summer Social 2019 at Croxteth Country Park in Liverpool on Saturday August 3 and Sunday August 4.
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