SoCal kids & families, Feb. 29-March 7: ‘Doc McStuffins,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and more
SoCal kids & families, Feb. 29-March 7: ‘Doc McStuffins,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ 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!
‘Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit’ Youngsters can practice their bedside manner with this immersive and interactive experience, in English and Spanish, inspired by the animated children’s series. Discovery Cube LA, 11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar. March 2 thru May 11; open daily. $16-$18; ages 2 and under, free. discoverycube.org
O.C. Lantern Festival 2024 Pacific Symphony and South Coast Chinese Cultural Center present this family-friendly Lunar New Year celebration featuring music and dance performances, storytelling, and arts & crafts (for an additional $10 fee). Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Free; advance reservations closed; standby line available. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Inland Pacific Ballet stages the hit musical based on the classic fairytale. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, March 2-3 and 9-10. $35-$86; discounts available. (909) 477-2775. ipballet.org
Cirque de la Symphonie Michael Christie and New West Symphony perform works by Beethoven, Sibelius, et al. as aerialists, acrobats and others perform feats of strength and agility in this family-friendly stage spectacular. Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2. $30-$120. Also at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center, 4235 Mar Vista Dr, Camarillo. $40-$130. (866) 776-8400. newwestsymphony.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
‘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