KCKidsFun

The radio stations and stores have officially skipped over Thanksgiving and are heralding the impending 2009 holiday season. Talk in our house has turned to Christmas lists and Santa. My shoulders are slumping from the mere thought of digging out Christmas decor.

But one thing I do get excited about – even in November – is the wide range of upcoming holiday performances for children in Kansas City. It is time to start calendaring those events and buying tickets. Last year, we took our older kids to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Sprint Center. What’s on tap for this year? I’m not even sure where to start – but I’ll give it a shot.

Take a look at these fantastic holiday performances you might share with your KC kids:

• A Christmas Story, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, KCMO – November 20 thru December 27
• Madeline’s Christmas, Theatre for Young America, City Stage at Union Station – December 1 thru 26
• Miller-Marley Youth Ballet presents Clara’s Dream – Blue Valley North High School, December 5 and 6
• Ballet Conservatory of Independence presents The Nutcracker – Liberty Performing Arts Theater – December 11 and 12
• How the Symphony Saved Christmas, Kansas City Symphony – Lyric Theatre, KCMO – December 12 and 13
• Ibsen Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker – Park Hill High School, Kansas City North – December 12
• The Nativity, Paul Mesner Puppets – Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral, 13th & Broadway, KCMO – December 18 thru 20
• The Nutcracker, Kansas City Ballet, December 16 thru 27

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On a related note, we’re hoping that some of you might be interested in helping some children attend the Ballet Conservatory of Independence’s performance of The Nutcracker. Tickets to the December 11th and 12th performances start at $6 for children and $10 for adults – but they are having special performances for school groups as well. Those tickets start are $4.

Local writer Rita Arens is helping the Ballet Conservatory publicize these performances but heard this from the Kansas City Missouri School District:

When I called the KCMO school district a few weeks ago, the very nice woman there told me so many of the kids are on the reduced or free lunch program they probably couldn’t afford the $4 ticket price.

So, Rita set out to do something about that. And we’d like to help. Because $4 shouldn’t keep children from taking a worthwhile field trip.

The district will send one class from each of their 33 elementary schools if enough money is raised to cover their ticket prices. Can you help? Can you spare $4 (or $20 or $100) to help kids share the magical experience of The Nutcracker? Ultimately, we’re looking for about $3,000 but every little bit helps.

If you (or your family or your company) would like to sponsor some of the KCMOSD kids to see The Nutcracker, please contact Rita ASAP. Her email is ritajarens <at> gmail.com and her phone number is 816-529-9814.

Thanks everyone!

FABULOUS FAMILY ACTIVITY!!!!! You won’t want to miss this–and, it’s for a good cause; all proceeds benefit Children’s TLC. What could be better? The activity is the 12th Annual Crown Center Pumpkin Patch, presented by KPMG. Saturday, October 11 is the date, with Sunday, October 12 being the rain date. The place–Crown Center Square, at 25th and Grand Blvd in KCMO. The time–10am until 4pm. (And don’t forget to wear your costume!!) Now, for the good stuff!!

The whole day will be packed with fun things to do, including a petting zoo, carnival booths, games, inflatables, concessions and live entertainment. And did I mention PUMPKINS? How about 30,000 pounds of them?!? There will be FREE admission and parking at Crown Center Square. At the event, tickets may be purchased for $0.50 each, and these can be used for pumpkins, games, etc.

Here’s the fantastic lineup of LOCAL talent:

• 10:00 am Miller-Marley Performers
• 12:00 pm Berkley Matthews
• 12:30 pm Costume Parade and Contest
• 1:00 pm The Doo Dads
• 2:00 pm Dino O’Dell
• 3:00 pm Oogles ‘n’ Googles

As previously mentioned, this day of family fun benefits one of KCKidsFun’s community partners, Children’s TLC. The mission of CTLC is to provide therapeutic and educational services for children with disabilities in an environment which fosters their independence and celebrates their successes. CTLC was established in Kansas City in 1947 and is located at 31st and Main Street. No child is denied services due to inablity to pay. That’s where WE come in–grab the family, head out to the Crown Center Pumpkin Patch, and support a great cause!!

If you are unable to make it down to Crown Center on the 11th, or, if you just can’t get your fill of pumpkins, check out our comprehensive listing of city-wide pumpkin patches. There’s lots to do in the next few weeks…don’t miss out!