SoCal kids & families, Aug. 1-8: ‘Bluey’s Big Play,’ DOGust Birthday Brunch, ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox,’ Okee Dokee Brothers and more
Fun, artsy and family friendly 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 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 arts & entertainment at the Los Angeles Times.
Let’s have some fun!
Dance DTLA The annual summer series of outdoor all-ages dance parties continues with a sultry night of samba, with instructors on hand to get you groovin’. The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. Free. musiccenter.org
‘Bluey’s Big Play’ Your toddler’s favorite Aussie sheepdog and her pals are brought to life through the magic of puppetry in this touring stage show based on the popular animated series. Segerstrom Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3; 1 p.m. (in American Sign Language) and 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. $28 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘The Comedy of Arrs’ The Actors’ Gang puts a kid-friendly, pirate-themed spin on the Shakespeare classic “The Comedy of Errors” in this 45-minute production. Media Park, 9070 Venice Blvd., downtown Culver City. 11 a.m. Saturdays-Sundays, Aug. 3 thru 25. Free; reservations strongly encouraged. (310) 838-4264. theactorsgang.com
‘DOGust Birthday Brunch’ The dog days of summer ain’t over yet! This celebration of shelter dogs adopted into their forever homes includes puppy-friendly activities plus a live DJ, a pop-up store, complimentary food and drink (while supplies last) and more. Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, 12005 Bluff Creek Drive, Playa Vista, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Free; reservations recommended. annenbergpetspace.org
‘Cinderella’ This long-running, multimedia-enhanced staging of the classic fairytale returns. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 2 p.m. Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 3 thru Sept 29. $12.50, $15. (310) 394-9779. santamonicaplayhouse.com
The Okee Dokee Brothers The Grammy-winning folk duo comprised of lifelong BFFs Justin Lansing and Joe Mailander plays a pair of outdoor shows. The Getty Center, N. Sepulveda Blvd. & Getty Center Drive, L.A. 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 3-4. Free; advance reservations required. (310) 440-7300. getty.edu
‘Symphony in the Cities’ Pacific Symphony takes its show on the road with the return of this annual series of free concerts featuring a mix of classical music, film score selections, pop hits, patriotic favorites and more. And show up an hour or so early for fun pre-show activities. Oso Viejo Community Park, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. Also at Musco Center, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange. 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 (advance registration required at muscocenter.org); plus Saturday, Aug. 17 in Lake Forest and Sunday, Aug. 18 in Irvine. pacificsymphony.org
‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ George Clooney voices our vulpine protagonist in Wes Anderson’s charming stop motion-animated 2009 take on Roald Dahl’s tale. With Bill Murray and Meryl Streep; for ages seven and up. UCLA Hammer Museum’s Billy Wilder Theater, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. Free; no advance reservations; first come, first served. cinema.ucla.edu
‘Peter Pan: The Musical’ “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up” takes flight in an updated version of the classic stage show based on J.M. Barrie’s beloved fantasy tale. Segerstrom Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 6 thru 18. $33 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
California Science Center What kid doesn’t dream of becoming an astronaut? The Space Shuttle Endeavour is currently off exhibit, but the museum’s new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Work in Progress gallery will put you in close proximity to a SpaceX Dragon Cargo Spacecraft and a Rocket Lab Electron Rocket. California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, L.A. Free; special exhibits, experiences and IMAX films, various prices. Open daily. (323) 724-3623. californiasciencecenter.org
2024 OC Fair Ride the rides, play the games, pet the animals, check out the exhibits, do a little shopping, sample the belly-busting food options and, for an additional fee, enjoy performances by such big-name musical acts as X, Kool & the Gang, Rick Springfield, Alice Cooper and many others. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; 11 a.m. to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays; thru Aug. 18. $9-$15; children 5 and under, free; passes, $60; carnival tickets and wristbands, $50-$125; concerts, various prices (includes fair admission); advance purchase required. (714) 708-1500. ocfair.com
‘The Old Man and the Old Moon’ For its last-ever Outside SCR presentation at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, South Coast Repertory offers PigPen Theatre Co.’s fantastical, family friendly and indie folk-infused fable. Mission San Juan Capistrano, Central Courtyard, 26801 Old Mission Rd., San Juan Capistrano. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, thru Aug. 11; American Sign Language performance, Sunday, Aug. 4. $40-$60; discounts available. (714) 708-5555. scr.org
‘Wendy’s Peter Pan’ Neverland is also the setting for an outdoor staging of artistic director Ellen Geer’s reimaginging of J.M. Barrie’s fantasy tale. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Various dates and times thru Oct. 4. $15-$60. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com
Sawdust Art & Craft Festival The annual summer showcase for works and wares by local artists and artisans is up and running and also features hands-on art demonstrations plus live music, balloon artists, magicians, food and drink and more. Sawdust, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays thru Sept. 1. $5-$12; ages 5 and under free, no ticket required; passes, $29-$49. sawdustartfestival.org