KCKidsFun

Did you know that Kansas City’s Power & Light District isn’t just for adults? The monthly Sprint Family Fun Series is back on Sat. May 21, 2011 with the Young Audiences Arts Festival. You’ll find live music, dancing and entertainment from Mr. Stinky Feet and more! Plus, a free puppet show by Paul Mesner Puppets!

The entire event is FREE and open to the public. It begins at 11 AM in the KC Live Block of the Power & Light District and ends at 3 PM – Rain or Shine. Other activities will be located in the Elements Courtyard, across the street from KC Live. In addition, you might want to check out the Downtown Art Annual, happening simultaneously on Walnut and 14th Streets in the Power & Light District.  Both events are free to attend and open to the public.

Here’s the schedule for the events on May 21: (June’s schedule TBA)

11:00-11:35: Paul Mesner Puppets – “Anansi the Spider” Lively telling of classic folk tales from Africa and the Caribbean.

11:50 –12:20 pm: Mr. Stinky Feet and the Hiccups – Young and old always enjoy Jim’s bright, happy songs celebrating food, friendship and family. Come prepared to sing, dance and have fun.

12:40-1:00 pm: Traditional Music Society – “Carnival on Parade” Carnival in Brazil!  Take a musical journey to the biggest parade in the world.

1:10-1:30 pm: Mauricio Salguero – “Uno, Dos, Tres” Sing, shake and move with music and dances from Latin America.

1:35-1:55 pm: Tri-Percussion – “Music Around the World” - Fun-filled performance featuring the musical styles and instruments from four areas of the world: Ghana, Brazil, the Caribbean, and the United States.

2:10 -2:30 pm: Coterie Theatre-“Musical Selections from The Wiz” Join the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion as they present a sneak peek of the Coterie’s summer production. It’s a timeless classic told now with a modern, soulful twist.

2:40-3:00 pm: TurpinTyme Ragsters – “Rags to Riches:  The Music of Scott Joplin” Rags to Riches is a big, “brassy” performance highlighting the Ragtime music of the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Congratulations to our lucky ticket winner!  Tina Swartz has won the 4-pack of tickets to an upcoming performance of Bridge to Terabithia at Coterie Theatre!  Tina, I will send you an email with details on how to get your tickets.  Thanks to all who entered!

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Let me begin by apologizing for my tardiness in getting this contest underway! This beautiful Friday just sort of got away from me! We are thankful to our friends at Coterie Theatre for providing us with a 4-pack of tickets to an upcoming performance of Bridge to Terabithia.

For those of you that don’t remember the Newbury Award-winning book by Katharine Paterson, it follows Jesse, a budding artist who feels separate from his family and rural Virginia culture.  He has dreams of becoming something special. Leslie, the new girl from the city and the ultimate outsider, opens up a world of imagination, art and literature for him. Together they create Terabithia, a fantasy kingdom where they are safe from those who don’t understand them. Their friendship grows as Jesse’s world expands. When tragedy strikes, the strength gained in Terabithia lets Jesse move forward on his own, and lets him share the magic of his dreams.

It’s important to note that this production is part of Coterie’s Preteen/Young Adult Series and is meant for ages 10+ (5th grade and up). Coterie has always been more than generous and makes it possible for numerous KC Kids Fun readers to attend their various productions. That being said, I can guarantee you that there will be another giveaway geared toward the younger kids if you need to sit this one out!

So, back to the contest.  Here’s all you need to do to enter.  Simply leave a comment at the end of this post and tell us what YOU did to enjoy this beautiful day!!  Did you walk the dog?  Eat your lunch outside?  Wash your car?  Open up the windows in the house?

One lucky winner will have his or her name randomly drawn on Monday night, January 31, 2011 at 9pm.  The lucky winner will receive 4 tickets to Terabithia, for a mutually agreed-upon date. If you aren’t the lucky winner, you can check out the production until February 27, 2011.  Click here for their ticketing link! Good Luck!

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Must be 21 years of age to enter and win.  Only one entry per household will be considered. No substitutions or transfers.  Giveaway prize is not redeemable for cash.  By entering, winner consents to allow the use of his/her name for promotional purposes without further compensation. Winner releases all sponsors of liability regarding use and enjoyment of the prize. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Yes, it’s true!  There really is someone (something) out there that LOVES the bitter cold snowy weather that we’ve been experiencing! I’m quite certain that the Kansas City Zoo’s Nikita is loving life right about now.

What about the rest of us? The driveway’s been shoveled (9 times), the snow fort has been built, the sleds well-worn.  Check out some of the activities going on in and around KC this weekend.  You just might find something wonderful…indoors!

Friday, January 21, 2011

• Tots Open Swim is for ages newborn-6 years. Introduce your child to the water in our zero-depth-entry pool. Fridays from 10:30am-noon, 1/14-5/13 (not held on 3/18, 4/22 & 4/29). Children under five must be within arm’s reach of adult swimmer at all times. Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center, 6545 W. 151st St., Overland Park. For more information, call 913.685.6000 or visit www.bluevalleyrec.org.
• Happy Birthday Kansas! Storytimes at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site (Olathe, KS) – Storytimes to commemorate our state’s 150th Birthday! The sessions will be held from 10-11 a.m. Fridays, January 21, February 18 and March 25. Each session will include a story, craft and activity based on a different Kansas theme each session. Admission is $3/child or register for all three sessions for $7. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Register at least one week prior to the session by calling (913) 971-5111 or email Mahaffie@olatheks.org. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop is located at 1200 Kansas City Rd. in Olathe, KS. www.mahaffie.org
• Art in the Winter – Paint, make a collage, create a sculpture. Classes for ages 2-3 (with adult), 4-6, and 5-12 (for both public and home-schooled kids). Classes are held on Fridays from 1/14-2/4, various times. Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center, 6545 W. 151 St., Overland Park. For more info, call 913.685.6000 or go towww.bluevalleyrec.org.
• Bridge to Terabithia – The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Part of the Coterie’s Preteen Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org. January 18 – February 27
• FITMOM Free Demo Week classes – January 17-22: FITMOM offers prenatal, postnatal and beyond fitness classes, and small group and personal training for women during the childbearing years. FITMOM is an effective, fun, and safe way to experience the benefits of exercise in a healthy pregnancy as well as a great way to meet other new moms, get in shape, feel more energized and most importantly have fun while bonding with your baby! Register at www.fitmomkc.com
• Kansas City Royals FanFest – Overland Park Convention Center – January 21 & 22

Saturday, January 22, 2011

• Saturday Art – Kids ages 3-6 and 7-12 will create colorful original art by painting, sculpting, and making a collage. Sessions are 1/15-2/5, 2/19-3/12, 3/26-4/16, and 4/30-5/21. Held at Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center, 6545 W. 151 St., Overland Park. For more info, go towww.bluevalleyrec.org or call 913.685.6000.
• Web Studio – Techies ages 10-17 will learn animation basics and digital design. Create fun, interactive animations while learning web design basics. Then publish your animations to share with friends! Bring lunch and a drink. Saturdays 1/15 & 1/22, 9am-2pm at the Blue Valley Rec Activity Center, 6545 W. 151 St., Overland Park.
• Once Upon a Comic Book – Young technology gurus ages 6-8 will write and design a comic book in which genies and goblins come alive through animation. Saturdays 1/15-2/5, 10am-noon at Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center, 6545 W. 151 St., Overland Park.
• Bridge to Terabithia – The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Part of the Coterie’s Preteen Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org. January 18 – February 27
• Kansas City Royals FanFest – Overland Park Convention Center – January 21 & 22
• Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics – 10am at all Lowe’s stores – FREE! This week: build a Ball Toss Game
• FITMOM Free Demo Week classes – January 17-22: FITMOM offers prenatal, postnatal and beyond fitness classes, and small group and personal training for women during the childbearing years. FITMOM is an effective, fun, and safe way to experience the benefits of exercise in a healthy pregnancy as well as a great way to meet other new moms, get in shape, feel more energized and most importantly have fun while bonding with your baby! Register at www.fitmomkc.com
• Kansas City Symphony Family Concert: PETER & THE WOLF – 2 p.m., Lyric Theatre (KCMO) The Kansas City Symphony performs Prokofiev’s symphonic masterpiece live with the 2008 Academy Award®-winning film of the classic tale. This unique combination of film and live music brings the story to life as never before. Adult tickets: $38, $28 and $18. Youth tickets: $28, $18 and $12.
• Polar Bear PJ Party – Kansas City Zoo – spend the night in the Polar Bear Passage!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

• Bridge to Terabithia – The Coterie Theatre, Crown Center Shops, Level 1. Part of the Coterie’s Preteen Series. 816-474-6552 or CoterieTheatre.org. January 18 – February 27
• Sunday Family Nature Series at Ernie Miller Nature Center (Olathe, KS) -Bring the family to Ernie Miller Nature Center on Sunday afternoons this winter for entertainment and educational experiences. Programs are presented by Park Naturalists and Park Police Officers. Presentations begin at 2 pm, are approximately 45 minutes in length and are just $2.75 per person. For more information call (913) 764-7759. (This week: Wildlife Who’s Who – Meet an amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal. Learn about these animals and discover their similarities and difference.)
• Kansas City Symphony Family Concert: PETER & THE WOLF – 2 p.m., Yardley Hall (JCCC, OPKS) The Kansas City Symphony performs Prokofiev’s symphonic masterpiece live with the 2008 Academy Award®-winning film of the classic tale. This unique combination of film and live music brings the story to life as never before. Adult tickets: $38, $28 and $18. Youth tickets: $28, $18 and $12.

Monday, January 24, 2011

• Beginner Drawing – For ages 5-7 and 8-12. Popular instructor Marina Laser teaches fundamentals about line, space and composition. Kids will work with pen, pencil, colored pencils and markers. Ages 5-7: Monday 1/24-2/14, from 4-5:30pm. Ages 8-12: Monday 2/28-3/28, from 4-5:30pm. Held at Blue Valley Rec Activity Center, 6545 W. 151 St., Overland Park. More information at 913.685.6000 orwww.bluevalleyrec.org.