An intergenerational movement, music and storytelling project connecting families, children and older community members.

Tales in the Trees began life in 2022 as We Create!, a single intergenerational movement and music workshop in Marrickville — co-facilitated by Renata Commisso and Natasha Cesco, with live musicians, for around 15 families.

 What started as one afternoon of shared play between children and grandparents quickly became something bigger.

How it’s grown

Since that first workshop, the project has been welcomed and developed across multiple communities:

• Inner West Council backed early development, leading to a public sharing in Leichhardt
• A residency with Readymade Works and City of Sydney Council, mentored by Sarah-Vyne Vassallo, gave the project room to experiment and take creative risks
• Canada Bay Council supported a further iteration, offering families three different ways to explore the work and shape it themselves, building to a full community performance — including a season as part of the Canada Bay Seniors Festival
• Burwood Council hosted a much larger community group
• Lithgow City Council brought the project into local primary schools, connecting children with grandparents and older community members in a place where that kind of connection isn’t always easy to find

Each community has shaped the work differently — the project doesn’t arrive with a fixed format, but adapts to what each group of families and elders brings to it.

What people say

“a fun and creative way to connect with each other and our local community,” 

 ” free and creative” 

alongside grandparents who came along “not sure what to expect” and left delighted. 

Many families have asked to do it again and bring friends along next time.

Why this work matters

Tales in the Trees exists because genuine connection between generations doesn’t happen by accident — it needs a reason, a shared activity, and a safe, playful space to unfold in. Through storytelling, music and movement, children and older community members get to create something together, not just spend time in the same room.