At VOA Learning Center April 24 and 25 As Part Of “Fine Arts Fund Presents”

Miami University’s Voice of America Learning Center, as one of the Fine Arts Fund’s community arts centers, will host two events that are part of the “Fine Arts Fund Presents” series of performances throughout the region.

A Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra woodwind quintet will present a free concert at 2 pm on Saturday, April 24, in the VOALC auditorium.  The quintet is comprised of CSO musicians Joan Voohees (flute), Chris Philpotts (oboe), Ron Aufmann (clarinet), Hugh Michie (bassoon), and Tom Sherwood (French horn), and will present a variety of music for all ages.  The group enjoys sharing with young audiences the role of their instruments in the orchestra through their playing, and through an interactive question-and-answer session that is part of the presentation.

Photos courtesy of Playhouse in the Park

Family dinner theatre is the theme for Sunday evening, April 25, with the Playhouse In the Park production of “The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi.”  Dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served beginning at 6 pm at the Learning Center, followed by this fun, loose adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling classic tale.   The delightful, free-flowing comic brawl with lessons about sharing and cooperation, tells the story of Darzee, the diva tailor bird, who is incensed when Rikki Tikki Tavi shows up.  Darzee and friend Chuchu pull out all the stops to run off Rikki, the pesky mongoose, until they see that Nag, the deadly cobra, runs in fear when spying a mongoose on the loose! Tickets are $7 each, and children under 12 are free – no advance tickets are required (pay at the door, cash or check only for this performance).

These family-oriented performances are made possible through grants from the Fine Arts Fund and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr./ US Bank Foundation. The Learning Center’s Community & Alumni Network is serving as the host for these events, which will take place in the auditorium of the Center, located at 7847 VOA Park Drive (corner of Cox Road and VOA Park Drive) in West Chester.

Media Release provided by Miami University Voice of America Learning Center

It’s the last weekend in March. Can you believe it?  Don’t let a little rain stop you from getting out with your family this weekend. There’s plenty to see and do regardless of what part of town you are in. Here are a few of our favorites. As always, feel free to add ideas in the comments! We love hearing about the things you’re doing.

Have a great weekend,

Shannan

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Read to a Therapy Dog (Fairfield, OH) – The Lane Public Library Fairfield invites children to stop in and practice reading with a four legged friend on Saturday from 6-7p.m.  Registration required. Call (513) 894-6557 or visit the library web site for details.

The Garden of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (Mt. Adams, OH) –  Playhouse in the Park presents a fun comedy about sharing and cooperation. Perfect for ages 4 and up. Shows Saturday at 10:30 & 1:00pm. Cost is $6, $5 ages 4-18; Reservations needed, call (513) 421-3888 or visit the Playhouse web site for details.

Lunch with Easter Bunny - Parky’s Farm Hayloft Barn hosts lunch with the Easter Bunny on Saturday from 10:30am – 1:30pm.  Includes complimentary photo and egg hunt.  Cost is $8.95; reservations required. Call (513) 521-7275 or visit http://www.greatparks.org for additional information.

Pancake Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt (Union, KY) The City of Union invites families to join them for an Easter Egg hung at the Union Community Building.  Open to children of all ages; Runs from 8:30 – Noon, Easter Egg Hunt starts at 10am and cost is just $3.  Children should bring a basket for their “loot.” For more info, call (859)384-1511 or visit the city’s web site.

Easter Bunny Express Train Rides (Lebanon, OH) – The Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad invites you and your family to take a ride on the Easter Bunny Express!  Ride includes visit with the Easter bunny, an Easter egg hunt, a gift for children, games and more.  Cost is $18.50, $15.50 ages 62 & up & 5-16, $8.50 ages 2-4, free ages 1 & under. Tickets available online (They reco you buy them in advance); Rides Saturday & Sunday at 10, 12:15, 2:30 and 4:45pm. Call (513) 933-8022 or visit http://www.lebanonrr.com for tickets.

Just for Kids Fishing Day (Pleasant Plain, OH) – Head out to Stonelick State Park and grab your tackle box and your reel for a fun time fishing. Open to parents & children ages 15 and under. Includes hot dog, chips & drink. Cost: Free; Runs from 11 – 3pm. Call (513) 734-4323 for more information.

Fa Mulan (Cold Spring, KY) - St. Joseph School presents Fa Mulan, a play based on a poem on a Chinese hero named Mulan. Cost is $5; shows run Saturday 7:30 – 9:30 & Sunday 2 – 4:30pm.  Call  (859) 441-2025 or visit the school web site for more information.

Easter Egg Hunts - (various locations) You can also check our post, Easter Egg Hunts, The Easter Bunny, Egg Hunts & More  for a listing of more egg hunts.

Family First Saturday – Cincinnati Art Museum - (Eden Park, Mt. Adams) Free – 1-4pm – Theme: “Film Fest” – Great way to introduce your kids to the art museum. They can enjoy art activities, entertainment, art demos and more. Parking is $4.

What are you doing this weekend? The weather’s starting to take a turn for the better, and if your kids are like mine they can’t wait to get out of the house. Here are a few events and activities you might consider this weekend.

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St. Patty’s Day Parade (Downtown) –This weekend is the wonderful St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Festivities begin  at 11:00 a.m.  with the parade starting at Fifth and Sentinel Streets. The Parade travels west on Fifth to Plum Street.  Visit the Cincinnati St Patrick’s Day Parade web site for details.

Zing Zang Zoom (Downtown)- At US Bank Arena Friday, Saturday & Sunday – The Circus continues through the weekend!  Catch shows Friday March 12: 7:00 pm; Saturday March 13: 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm and Sunday March 14: 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm. SAVE $5* on tickets using code FAMFUN in person at the US Bank Arena box office or online www.ticketmaster.com.

St. Andrew’s Church Model Train Display (Milford) – More than 70 train enthusiasts come together at St. Andrew Church for an event that’s sure to have children in awe.  Saturday, March 13, 9:30am to 2:30pm; cost is $3, children 12 & under free.  Visit http://www.standrew-milford.org or call (513) 732-2793 for details.

1/2 Price Books Half Pint Book Drive (Florence, Kenwood, Northgate)- A fun way to teach children about giving back. This weekend drop off your gently used books and know that they’ll go to children in need. Visit Half Priced Books online for details.

Babywearing Bliss (Downtown)- Park + Vine hosts Babywearing Bliss, a free workshop on safely and comfortably carrying a baby from birth through toddler years at 2pm, Sunday, March 14th. Visit Park +Vine online for details.

Jungle Book (Clifton)- The Clifton Performance Theatre presents the Jungle Book. Children’s Repertory performances take place Saturday March 13 at 7 PM & Sunday March 14 at 2 PM. Tickets available online or by calling 513-861-7469.

Fifth Third Bank Cincinnati Home & Garden Show – (Downtown)  March 12-14 – Kids under 13 are free. Adults/$11.  Duke Energy Convention Center. Click here for more info.

The Children’s Theatre of Mason (Mason) presents Cinderella – Mason High School Auditorium.  Tickets can be purchased at the door one hour before show time. $10/person.

Whole Foods Market (Deerfield Towne Center) – Saturday, March 13 – Get Your Irish On – St. Patty’s Day Celebration Party – Noon-3pm – Free – Kid get to participate in potato stamping and face painting.  First 100 patrons arriving at Noon will get a goodie bag.

Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic – (various locations) – 1oam - Saturday, March 13 – build a tabletop basketball goal - free bu please pre-register.

Rosenthal Next Generation Series -(Mt. Adams) – Saturday, March 13 -   ”The Stinky Cheese Man” – Cincinnati Playhouse in Park – 1o:30am & 1pm – $5/kids 4-18 and $6/adults. See our previous FFC post for more information.

Celtic Lands Culture Fest (dowtown) -Passport to the World –  Cincinnati Museum Center - March 13-14 - Activities in the rotunda are free but admission charged if you visit a museum. Enjoy singing, dancing, and more.

Pathways Concert Series (dowtown) -Magnifique –  Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Sunday,March 14 – 3pm – $5/kids, $10/adults.  Concerts are shortened and last 60-90 minutes.

This weekend’s biggest and best family-friendly deal in town is the Fine Arts Fund Sampler Weekend, hands down. There will be events for kids and adults happening all over town, on both Saturday and Sunday. ALL FREE. You really can’t beat that. Download the whole mega-schedule here (it’s a PDF).

Some events that look particularly interesting for families/kids:

Saturday, Feb. 20

Contemporary Arts Center (UnMuseum) 44 East 6th Street
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Make! Education staff will be on hand in the A-Z ArtLab to help visitors create their own artwork.

Crone Cottage 605 Fairfield, Bellevue
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., Gallery Open & activity: Create little fairy friends (great for ages 7-12)

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mount Adams Circle

11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m., Creative Dramatics for Children: Ongoing session of acting games and exercises led by
the Playhouse’s zany master of fun, John Bromels. Held in the Rosenthal Plaza.

Learning Through Art, Inc.
1420 Sycamore Street, Suite F50
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Presents Books Alive! For Kids® an afternoon of making books come alive through sight, sound
and touch. The program provides hands-on activities, performances by Drums For Peace and Kathy Wade; cast
members Zak Morgan and C.J. Thompson of Books Alive! For Kids® television series

The New School Montessori 3 Burton Woods Lane
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre: Enhance creative thinking skills and physical fitness with
an interdisciplinary music or movement workshop by learning Nigerian or Ghanaian basic dance movements. For the entire family.

Center for the Arts Wyoming, 322 Wyoming Avenue

• 10 – 10:25 a.m., Family Music Time – Ages 1-6 with a grown-up. Play instruments! Move and groove to music! Sing and stir up the musical energy with Miss Mary and Miss Kelli of the Center’s Musik Kids Program
• 10:30 – 11:10 a.m., School House Symphony – ages pre-K to adults. Well-known in our region for its exceptional educational program, the six-member ensemble represents the string, woodwind, brass and percussion families. The performance of will include selections from Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and starts with things the students already know and explores classical music in an entertaining and interactive approach. A ton of fun!
• 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., ART OPEN HOUSE – pre-K to adults. Did you ever wonder how one becomes an artist? Stop by at any time, do a fun hands-on art project and talk to our art director Miss Melinda! Our brand new Art School opens its doors to those young and young at heart for some fun art activities. A must do!

Clovernook Center for the Blind, 7000 Hamilton Avenue, North College Hill
10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m., Linton Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions: Hit It! Be prepared to become part of the action at this hands-on concert! Experience the percussion music of North and South America, Africa, and Asia. For children, ages 2-6, and their families.

Fitton Center for the Creative Arts, 101 South Monument, Hamilton
10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ongoing activities Pop-ups, Puppets and Paper Crafts, Squish and Sculpt: Family Clay-Play, Who Needs a Brush? Painting with Unique Tools, Beyond Stick Figures: Drawing the Human Form, Boundaries Gallery Exhibition: Photos and Sculpture with CReaTioN STaTioN activity

Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 South College Ave
3-5 p.m., Winter Children’s Arts Festival! Visual Arts, Puppetry, Music, Dance, Story Telling: A hands-on experiential event!

Campbell County Public Library- Newport Branch, 901 East 6th Street
12 p.m., Creative Movement and Mask Making: Support your child’s curiosity and imagination through movement games and the creation of their own distinct mask. Especially for ages 5-8, but siblings are welcome!

Sunday, Feb. 21

Cincinnati Art Museum 953 Eden Park Drive
12 p.m., Madcap Puppets (Auditorium) **Free Tickets available at 11 a.m.** In Madcap’s production of Aesop’s Fables, Aesop is an old man recalling three of our bestloved stories re-told by a cast of puppets and you!

Know Theatre of Cincinnati 1120 Jackson Street
11 a.m., “Brother’s Grimm” takes young audiences on a journey through the familiar tales of Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm – and how the art of storytelling has changed their interpretations over time

Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Downtown Branch, 800 Vine Street
3 p.m., Frisch Marionette Company’s Variety Show: A lively, upbeat show featuring hand puppets and trick marionettes performing songs, dances and comical routines

Live theatre for kids?????

Yes, where there’s a will there’s a way and the Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre series at the Playhouse in the Park makes it possible. Their 2010 season is starting this Saturday, Feb. 6. Visiting the Playhouse in the Park not only exposes your kids to a fantastic Cincinnati landmark but it also gives you a chance to see some outstanding performances that are engaging and fun for kids. There are story tellers, musicians, puppets, and more.

The performances are held in the main lobby and are best for kids ages 4 and up. Seeing one of these performances is cheaper than going to the movies and well worth it ($5/children & $6/adults, & parking is free). There are two show times – 10:30am and 1pm.

After the show, head over to Mt. Adams and go to the local United Dairy Farmers for an ice cream treat. This is a great way to create some family memories while instilling a love of the arts.

Here are the upcoming shows:

· “The Mouse That Barked & Other Delightful Tales of Good Deeds and Second Chances” – Feb. 6

· “Animalia” – Feb. 13

· Storyteller Diane Macklin – Feb. 20

· “Aesop’s Classic Fables” with the Madcap Puppets – Feb. 27

· “World of Wonder” – March 6

· “The Stinky Cheese Man” – March 13

· “An Asian Occasion of Storytelling” – March 20

· “The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi” – March 27 & April 3