SoCal kids & families, Aug. 22-29: ‘My Penguin Friend,’ Festival Chapín, ‘Magical Music of Harry Potter’ 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!
‘My Penguin Friend’ The beginning of a beautiful friendship: A lonely fisherman from Brazil rescues and then bonds with an injured penguin, forging a lifelong connection, in this heartwarming 2024 tale starring Jean Reno and based on a true story. Various theaters, showtimes and prices. 97 mins. Rated PG. mypenguinfriend.com
‘John Williams’ Magical Music of Harry Potter’ Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez leads Pacific Symphony and guest vocalists in clip-enhanced selections from Williams’ and others’ scores from the fantasy film franchise. Cosplay encouraged — but no wands, brooms or other props, please. Great Park Live, 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23. $40-$450. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
8th Annual Festival Chapín Los Angeles This supersized celebration of Guatemalan and Mayan culture returns for another year food and fun, arts & crafts, and performances by Ballet Folklórico del Inguat, Maya Excelsior Marimba, Grupo Phoenix, et al. Lafayette Park, 625 S. Lafayette Park Place, L.A. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 24-25. Free. festivalchapin.com
Butterfly Pavilion It’s your last weekend to catch this exhibit featuring hundreds of butterflies flitting about in an outdoor netted enclosure before it flits away again. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily thru Aug. 25. $8 with museum admission ($8-$17; ages 2 and younger, free). nhm.org
‘LatinaFest: Arte, Libros y Cultura’ This daylong celebration of art, books and culture includes author readings, panel discussions, workshops and more. Plaza de la Raza, 3540 N. Mission Road, L.A. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25. $12.51; ages 11 and under, free. latinafest.com
Roll @ Santa Monica Get your skate on at this new pop-up outdoor roller rink, with all-ages group skating lessons on Saturday and Sunday mornings plus themed skate nights every 2nd Wednesday of the month. 1324 5th St., Santa Monica. Noon to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, noon to 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays thru Oct. 14. Admission (includes skate rental), $15; socks, lockers and party tents also available to rent. rollatsantamonica.com
‘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 thru Aug. 25. Free; reservations strongly encouraged. (310) 838-4264. theactorsgang.com
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
‘Enchanted Toy Shop’ Bob Baker’s classic and colorful puppet show, originally created in 1958, is back and includes previews of three new numbers from the company’s upcoming 2025 production “Choo Choo Revue.” Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 4949 York Blvd., Highland Park. Various times, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, June 22 thru Sept. 1. $25; age 2 and under, free. (213) 250-9995. bobbakermarionettetheater.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
‘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, thru Sept 29. $12.50, $15. (310) 394-9779. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘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; thru Sept. 1. 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
‘Wendy’s Peter Pan’ 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