SoCal kids & families, April 4-11: ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ ‘The Little Mermaid’ 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!
‘Magic Strings’ It’s your last weekend to catch this multimedia-enhanced makeover of the company’s classic show. Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 4949 York Blvd., Highland Park. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 5; 10:30 a.m., 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6; 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7. $25; under age 2, free. bobbakermarionettetheater.com
Bubblefest It’s also your last weekend to catch the annual festival dedicated to the art and science of bubbles featuring live demonstrations, interactive exhibits, a laser show and more. Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, thru April 7. Special event pricing, $31 and up (includes museum admission). discoverycube.org
‘Alice in Wonderland’ Lewis Carroll’s classic fantasy tale springs to life in this immersive, multimedia-enhanced stage spectacular featuring a large cast and more than 20 songs. Historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. 8th St., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6-7. $20-$100. ebellofla.org
‘The Muppets Take Manhattan’ They’re gonna give their regards to Broadway in this tune-filled and heart-felt 1984 comedy directed by Frank Oz. With Art Carney, Dabney Coleman, Gregory Hines, Linda Lavin and Joan Rivers. New Beverly Cinema, 7165 Beverly Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, April 6-7. $10. thenewbev.com
‘Family @ The Playhouse: Magician Arty Loon’ Put a little abra in your cadabra with a morning matinee featuring the L.A.-based illusionist and children’s entertainer. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6. $10. (626) 355-4318. sierramadreplayhouse.org
‘The Little Mermaid’ Princess Ariel ditches the ocean for love as Disney’s 1989 animated musical based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale returns to the big screen for a limited engagement which includes a special one-night-only sing-along fan event (7 p.m. Thursday, April 11, $22). El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 10 a.m., 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursday, April 11 thru 21. $12. (800) 347-6396. elcapitantheatre.com
‘Dinosaur Encounters’ Tremble in terror — or delight — with this series of 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
‘Cinderella’ This long-running, kid-friendly take on the classic fairytale returns in a new multimedia-enhanced staging. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 2 p.m. Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 3 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