SoCal kids & families, April 25-May 2: Arts festivals — lots of ’em! — and more
Encourage your children to learn and grow with our curated list of fun, artsy and engaging events and activities in LA and OC this coming weekend and beyond
Welcome to a new edition of TV or Not TV’s curated guide to fun, artsy, kid-centric and family-friendly events, activities and happenings all around LA and OC this weekend and beyond. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the Los Angeles Times’ Calendar.
Let’s have some fun!
CalArts World Music and Dance Festival Guest artists Extra Ancestral join CalArts students and faculty members for three days’ worth of family-friendly outdoor concerts spotlighting cultural traditions from around the world. CalArts’ Wild Beast Amphitheater, 24700 McBean Pkwy., Valencia. 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, April 26-28. Free. calarts.edu
LAUSD Urban Arts Fest This all-ages event showcasing the work of talented young student artists and performers also features hands-on arts & crafts, STEAM stations, environmental exhibits, information booths and more. Los Angeles City College, 855 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Free. lausd.net
‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ Aesop’s classic fable gets a tune-filled makeover courtesy of U.K.-based Tutti Frutti Productions. Segerstrom Center’s Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 10 a.m. (sensory-friendly/relaxed) and 1 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. (ASL) and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 27-28. $20 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival: Family Day’ This free and inclusive event for children of all ages and abilities includes live performances, dance workshops, drumming lessons, arts & crafts and more. The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Free. musiccenter.org
‘Looney Toons and Friends!’ Bugs Bunny and company engage in all manner of silliness and shenanigans in a feature-length collection of vintage animated shorts. The Art Theatre of Long Beach, 2025 E. 4th St., Long Beach. 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, April 27-28. $12. (562) 438-5435. arttheatrelongbeach.org
Cinco de Mayo Family Day Learn all about the origins of the holiday commemorating Mexico’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 in this offering that includes live performances, hands-on workshops, free entry to the museum’s galleries and more. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N. Main St. downtown L.A. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. lapca.org
Skirball Puppet Festival Big puppets, little puppets, puppets with — and without — strings attached caper and cavort in the return of this popular outing that includes puppet-making workshops, dancing to a live band and more. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28. $13-$20 Adult; ages 2 and under, free; advance reservations closed; walk-ups welcome. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings “Chilax” with the “fam” at the return of this Saturday morning happening featuring arts & crafts, fun and games, gardening demos, dance lessons, a marketplace for local vendors and more. Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Free. RSVP at grandparkla.org
‘Dinosaur Encounters’ Educational and interactive performances featuring life-size dinosaur puppets. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A. 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; sensory friendly performances, 11:30 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. $6 per person plus museum admission ($8-$17; ages 2 and younger are free; advanced online tickets recommended). nhm.org
‘Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak’ The beloved illustrator of such classic children’s books as “Where the Wild Things Are” is celebrated in this super-sized survey of paintings, drawings, toys and more opening April 18. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Closed Monday. $8-$13; 2 and under, free; free on Thursdays. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org
‘Cinderella’ This long-running, kid-returns in a new multimedia-enhanced stagingfriendly take on the classic fairytale . Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 2 p.m. Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. Sundays, thru April 28. $12.50, $15. (310) 394-9779. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘Dining with the Sultan at Charles White Elementary School’ LACMA serves up a kid-sized companion to the exhibit “Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting.” Also included: monthly hands-on arts & crafts workshops (RSVP required). Charles White Elementary School, 2401 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, through Aug. 10. Free. lacma.org
Butterfly Pavilion This exhibit featuring hundreds of butterflies flitting about in an outdoor netted enclosure returns for another season. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily thru Aug. 25 (museum closed the first Tuesday of each month). $8 plus with museum admission ($8-$17; ages 2 and younger, free). nhm.org