SoCal kids & families, Feb. 1-8: ‘Solar System Encounter,’ ‘Grumpy Monkey’ and more
SoCal kids & families, Feb. 1-8: ‘Solar System Encounter,’ ‘Grumpy Monkey’ 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 week
Welcome to another 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!
Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ The national tour of the Tony-winning musical based on the animated 1994 tale roars into Orange County. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Special matinee, 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 1 thru 25. $39 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘Solar System Encounter’ and ‘Artemis Adventures’ 3 … 2 … 1 … lift off! The universe awaits in these two kid-friendly interactive exhibits focused on astronomy and space exploration. Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Open daily. $17-$2; ages 2 and under, free. discoverycube.org
‘Beyond Volume: Music and Deafness’ Presented as part of the ongoing “Symphonies for Youth” series, this multi-sensory concert uses pieces by Beethoven and other composers to highlight different ways of experiencing music and sound; for children ages 5 to 11. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 and 10. $24, $28. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘Grumpy Monkey, The Musical’ Your simian protagonist and his pals seek adventure in this world-premiere, kid-friendly musical comedy based on the children’s book; presented by Pasadena Playhouse. Porticos Art Space 2033 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 3 thru March 3. $32. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
‘Babe’ This little piggy went all the way to the box office in this charming 1995 fable about a plucky porker chasing his dream of becoming a sheepherder. With James Cromwell. New Beverly Cinema, 7165 Beverly Blvd., L.A. 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 3-4. $13; advance purchase recommended. thenewbev.com
‘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
‘Pinkalicious’ The Morgan-Wixson’s young-persons theater program stages this musical based on Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann’s children’s book about a little girl who loves the color pink perhaps a bit too much. Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. 11 a.m. Saturdays-Sundays, thru Feb. 4. $12, $15. (310) 828-7519. morgan-wixson.org
‘Magic Strings’ Bob Baker’s classic family-friendly puppet show gets a multimedia-enhanced makeover that explores the history of the beloved local institution. Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 4949 York Blvd., Highland Park. Various showtimes, Jan. 20 thru April 7. $25; under age 2, free. bobbakermarionettetheater.com