SoCal kids & families, July 25-Aug. 1: Segerstrom’s All Abilities Celebration, ‘Barbie The Movie: In Concert’ 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!
Dance DTLA Scoot your boots on over to the Music Center as the annual summer series of outdoor all-ages dance parties continues with a night of country line dancing, with instructors on hand to guide your steps. The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 26. Free. musiccenter.org
Fifth Annual All Abilities Celebration This inclusive outing for individuals with disabilities and their families features live music and dance performances, interactive workshops, information booths hosted by local community organizations and much more, and also includes American Sign Language interpretation throughout the entire event. Segerstrom Center’s Argyros Plaza, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 27. Free with Plaza Pass (sign up at the link). (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘Barbie The Movie: In Concert’ The all-female Barbie Land Sinfonietta performs live-to-picture to accompany a screening of the blockbuster 2023 fantasy comedy starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 27. $18-$264. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com
‘Wonder-Full in the Park: A Tribute to the Music of Stevie Wonder’ The Levitt’s free summer concert series continues with a salute to the R&B legend featuring DJ Spinna, DJ Monalisa and MC Cognito. Levitt Pavilion, MacArthur Park, 2230 W. 6th St., L.A. 6 p.m. Saturday, July 27. Free; RSVP recommended. eventbrite.com
‘Citizens of the World: An International Youth Festival’ LA Phil artistic director Gustavo Dudamel leads young musicians from Youth Orchestra Los Angeles and the National Children’s Symphony of Venezuela in a pair of free concerts — both of which are currently sold-out, but check with the box office in the coming days for any returns or cancellations. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 5:30 p.m. Sunday-Monday, July 28-29. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps’ A lonely goatherd seeks to reverse a curse that prevents him from finding true love in this family-friendly 2024 fantasy comedy featuring puppets crafted by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. With Sean Astin, Christopher Lloyd, et al. 94 mins. Rated PG. Various theaters, days, dates and times. Opens Sunday, July 28. manandwitch.com
‘Symphony in the Cities’ Pacific Symphony takes its show on the road with the return of this annual series of free concerts featuring a mix of classical music, film score selections, pop hits, patriotic favorites and more. And show up an hour or so early for fun pre-show activities. Fairview Park, 2525 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa. 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. Also at Oso Viejo Community Park, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024 at 7 p.m.; Musco Center, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange. 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 (advance registration required at muscocenter.org); plus Saturday, Aug. 17 in Lake Forest and Sunday, Aug. 18 in Irvine. pacificsymphony.org
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 such big-name musical acts as X, Kool & the Gang, Rick Springfield, Alice Cooper and many others. 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; July 19 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
‘The Old Man and the Old Moon’ For its last-ever Outside SCR presentation at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, South Coast Repertory offers PigPen Theatre Co.’s fantastical, family friendly and indie folk-infused fable. Mission San Juan Capistrano, Central Courtyard, 26801 Old Mission Rd., San Juan Capistrano. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, thru Aug. 11; American Sign Language performance, Sunday, Aug. 4. $40-$60; discounts available. (714) 708-5555. scr.org
‘Peter Pan’ “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up” takes flight in an updated version of the classic musical based on J.M. Barrie’s beloved fantasy tale and featuring a new book by acclaimed playwright Larissa FastHorse. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday thru July 28. $57 and up. (323) 468-1770. broadwayinhollywood.com
(Also at Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa, Aug. 6 thru 18)
‘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
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
‘Dino Quest’ RAWR! The dinosaurs are back in an updated version of this exhibit featuring hands-on activities including a fossil excavation site. Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Included with museum admission ($17-$22). discoverycube.org
Butterfly Pavilion This exhibit featuring hundreds of butterflies flitting about in an outdoor netted enclosure returns for another season. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, L.A. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily thru Aug. 25 (museum closed the first Tuesday of each month). $8 plus with museum admission ($8-$17; ages 2 and younger, free). nhm.org
‘Enchanted Toy Shop’ Bob Baker’s classic and colorful puppet show 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, thru Sept. 1. $25; age 2 and under, free. (213) 250-9995. bobbakermarionettetheater.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