SoCal kids & families, Feb. 22-29: ‘Cinderella,’ CicLAvia, ‘Jurassic Quest’ 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!
‘Jurassic Quest’ Travel back to a time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth with this super-sized spectacular featuring large animatronic dinos, smaller puppet-style dinos, etc. plus hands-on activities, play zones, dinosaur rides and much, much more. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23-25. $19-$36. jurassicquest.com
Storytime Saturday This month’s edition of the storytelling and art-making series takes inspiration from Javaka Steptoe’s biographical picture-book “Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.” Laguna Art Museum, 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. Free for children accompanied by a paying adult ($9, $12). (949) 494-8971. Details at lagunaartmuseum.org
‘Cinderella’ Someday her prince will come — and that day is today! — in Storybook Theatre’s family-friendly musical based on the classic fairytale. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. 1 p.m. Saturdays, thru June 1. $15. (323) 851-4839. theatrewest.org
Dan and Claudia Zanes The husband-and-wife duo, superstars in the world of kids’ music, perform a pair of interactive and sensory-friendly concerts. UCLA Nimoy Theater, 1262 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. $10, $32. cap.ucla.edu
‘The Witches’ Anjelica Huston is the witchiest one of all — she’s turning kids into mice! — in Nicolas Roeg’s darkly comic 1990 adaptation of the Roald Dahl children’s book. Presented in 35mm. New Beverly Cinema, 7165 Beverly Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 24-25. $10. thenewbev.com
CicLAvia – Melrose You can walk, you can jog, you can bike, you can skate — you just can’t drive — in the 50th iteration of this open streets event that also features hubs for bathroom breaks, water refills, bike repairs, etc. plus hands-on activities and live entertainment. Melrose Ave. between Fairfax Ave. and Vermont Ave., L.A. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. Free. ciclavia.org
Lunar New Year Celebration Kick off the Year of the Dragon with a concert by the South Coast Chinese Orchestra, an Orange County-based ensemble that performs on traditional Chinese instruments as well as western string instruments. The Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Theater, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown L.A. 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. Free; four tickets per household; RSVP required. (213) 765-6800. grammymuseum.org
Mt. Lowe Chamber Players The ensemble presents an intimate and interactive family concert for children for ages 3 years and up that features an introduction to string instruments plus favorite movie themes and dance music from around the world. Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena. 3 p.m Sunday, Feb 25. Free. mtlowechamberplayers.com
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, thru Feb. 25. $39 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘Dining with the Sultan at Charles White Elementary School’ The Los Angeles County Museum of Art serves up a kid-sized companion to its current exhibit “Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting” exploring the place of food in Islamic art and culture. 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
‘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, extended thru March 10. $32. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.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
‘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