SoCal kids & families, Aug. 8-15: Natsumatsuri Family Festival, ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’ and more
SoCal kids & families, Aug. 8-15: Natsumatsuri Family Festival, ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’ 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!
‘Legally Blonde The Musical’ Sorority sister Elle Woods shakes up Harvard Law in a youth theater production of the hit stage show based on the 2001 Reese Witherspoon comedy. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. 7 p.m. Thursday, 2 and 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Aug. 8-11. $15, $20. (805) 667-2900. rubicontheatre.org
Dance DTLA They hip-hop and they don’t stop and you can, too, as the annual summer series of outdoor all-ages dance parties continues, 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. 9. Free. musiccenter.org
‘Birdbrain’ A cockatoo who’s in a bit of a fix turns to her fine feathered friends for assistance as the Wayward Artist stages Craig Holland’s family-friendly puppet musical. Grand Central Arts Center, 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana. 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 5 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 9 thru 18. $15, $20. (657) 205-6273. thewaywardartist.org
Natsumatsuri Family Festival The annual celebration of Japanese culture returns with performances by drum ensembles Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko and East LA Taiko, storytelling by Nadine Sachiko Hsu, plus a scavenger hunt, hands-on crafts and oragami … and free museum admission all day long. Japanese American National Museum, outdoor plaza, 100 N. Central Ave., Little Tokyo, downtown L.A. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10. Free; advance reservations recommended. janm.org
Roll @ Santa Monica Get your skate on with the launch of this new temporary outdoor roller rink that kicks off with a special grand opening celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Also featured: 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
Bloco Obini The all-female percussion ensemble lays down some Afro-Brazilian beats in this entry in the LA Soundscapes Family Shows series. The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E., Hollywood. 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11. $10. (323) 850-2000. theford.com
‘Annie’ The sun’ll come out next Thursday when the delightful 1982 big-screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical based on the classic Depression-era comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” screens as part of the “Segerstrom at The Frida” film series. John Huston directs and Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney, Tim Curry and Carol Burnet star. The Frida Cinema, Calle Cuatro Plaza, 305 E. 4th St., Santa Ana. 7:30 p.m. next Thursday, Aug. 15. $12. thefridacinema.org
‘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 thru Aug. 18. $33 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.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
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
‘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
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 big-name musical acts. 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
‘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
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