Free Saturday Family Theatre, 2/25/06-6/24/06

Our next FREE Saturday Family Theatre Performance will be held on FEBRUARY 25! Come join us for the always popular classic Aesop fable, ANDROCLES AND THE LION. In this show, Androcles, a young slave, runs away from his master, the miserly Pantalone. While hiding in a cave, he comes face-to-face with a very fierce feline! This hour-long show, which is performed in the funny, farcical Commedia del’Arte style, is wonderfully entertaining for both children and adults.

Upcoming Performances Include…
EUREKA (April 15) The exciting story of the California Gold Rush seen from the perspective of a young boy.
ALL ABOUT ME (May 20) A delightful production about personal identity issues where dance, poetry and masks are cleverly combined and all elements of identity are woven into a moving tapestry.
FEAST FROM THE EAST (June 24) Charming tales from various Eastern cultures are cleverly performed.
Whether you choose to attend one, two or all of our Free Saturday Family Series productions, please remember that everyone is welcome at the theatre.

For reservations, please call Lee Alpern at 562.495.4595 x 12, or email her at leeict@earthlink.net. Be sure to include a daytime phone number so we can confirm your reservation, as well as the number of people attending. There is no limit on the number of people per party, so feel free to bring your organization or group to see these fun-filled, family-friendly plays. All performances are at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center at 11am (unless noted otherwise). Admission is FREE. If you park in the parking structure, there is an $8 parking fee (not an ICT charge) but parking is also available at meters on Ocean Blvd.

The Tweaksters at the Walt Disney Concert Hall

The Tweaksters offer unforgettable, wordless theatre blending balletic feats, precision juggling, acrobatics, and creative choreography with odd objects. Their zany sense of humor is designed to tweak and delight audiences of all ages. This show will impress you and your youngster alike--it's fresh, funny, and all without words!

PILLOW THEATRE is a series of four Saturday morning shows designed especially for families with children ages 3 through 6. Imaginative artists in music, theatre, and dance engage children in lively shows that encourage creative thinking. Pillow Theatre is fun for children, parents, grandparents and friends.
An interactive arts workshop will follow each performance, weather permitting. Join us in Walt Disney Concert Hall. Sit on one of our colorful pillows or bring one of your own. Stuffed animals welcome too! After the show, the whole family can enjoy an arts workshop.

Location: BP Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall Directions to the Music Center
Time: 10:30 a.m. and repeats at 11:30 a.m. (Shows are 1/2 hour each followed by an arts workshop.)
Cost: $5 per person/per show (All ages, two and up. General seating.)
http://musiccenter.org/education/pillowtheatre/

American Girl Place opens in LA, April 2006

American Girl Place is the place for girls! It’s where the magic of the past and present come to life in dazzling ways. Much more than a store, it’s the place where imaginations soar—from boutiques to Character birthday celebrations, from the Cafe to the Theater and beyond.
The newest American Girl Place opens April 2006. We are now accepting Cafe and Theater reservations.
For more information, call toll-free 1-877 AG PLACE (877-247-5223).
189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036
www.americangirl.com
Regular Store Hours
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Hours subject to change.

Black College Expo

The Annual Black College Expo will be held Saturday, February 11, 2006, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Its mission is to become a resource base of information for parents and students to gain higher knowledge about the college admission process and the opportunities that exist. Presenting a college fair, focusing on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's), in an entertaining atmosphere, it is...." An Infotainment College Fair"
$5.00 cover charge. Various parking rates in and around the Convention Center and Staples Center
www.blackcollegeexpo.com

Beauty and the Beast

Southern California Youth Theater presents Beauty and the Beast at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, Hermosa Beach. Feb 3 & 4, 2pm & 7pm. Tickets $10 For information call 310/528-9024

Family Storytime: Varmits! Saturday, Feb 4th

2pm, Los Angeles Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., L.A. In honor of Ground Hog Day, hear stories about squirrels, skunks, gophers and more. Free. 213-228-7000.

Free Crafts for Kids

11am - 3pm Saturdays, Lakeshore Learning Stores: 2649 E. Dominguez, Carson, 310-537-4778; 8888 Venice Blvd., L.A., 310-559-9630; 3848 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, 626-356-3848; and 17072 Devonshire St., Northridge, 818-366-4105. February projects include: "Love Bug Card," Feb. 4; "Valentine Centerpiece," Feb. 11; "Fish Out of Water," Feb. 18; and "Dinosaur and Insect Puppet," Feb. 25. Visit www.lakeshorelearning.com for monthly event calendar.

Home Depot Workshops

10, 10:30 and 11am Saturdays, various locations. Professionals help kids create projects such as birdhouses, step stools and sailboats. Ages 6-12. Free. Call local store, www.homedepot.com

Kids' Club Imagination Saturdays

10am - noon. Local Michaels stores. Get creative with fun craft activities. Free. 800-MICHAELS.