SoCal kids & families, March 7-14: ‘Dinosaur World Live,’ ‘Kung Fu Panda 4,’ the Nowruz Family Festival 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!
‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Our portly protagonist Po (voice of Jack Black) is back in action in this 2024 entry in the animated franchise. With Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane, Awkwafina, Ke Huy Quan and Viola Davis. Various theaters, showtimes and prices beginning Friday, March 8. 94 mins. Rated PG. kungfupandatickets.com
‘Dinosaur World Live’ T-Rex, Triceratops and Segnosaurus — oh my! Those are just a few of the prehistoric dinos brought to life through the magic of puppetry in this stage show for ages 3 and up. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8. $20-$40. (310) 506-4522. arts.pepperdine.edu
Also at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9. $17-$48. (562) 944-9801. lamiradatheatre.com
Also at Haugh Performing Arts Center, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10. $12-$26. (626) 963-9411. haughpac.com
‘Swan Lake: Reimagined’ The LA Phil’s “Symphonies for Youth” series continues with this exploration of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet; for ages 5 to 11. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9. $24, $28. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘Percussive Storytelling’ Turn the beat around with this kid-friendly interactive program from Grammy-winning percussionist and composer Cory Hills. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9. $10. (626) 355-4318. sierramadreplayhouse.org
The Nowruz Family Festival Happy Iranian New Year! This free and family-friendly outdoor offering presented by the Farhang Foundation returns with performances by the Ava Choir, L.A. Daf Ensemble, Melieka Fathi Dance Company and Firuze Dance Company, et al. Plus, there’ll be arts and crafts, fun and games, puppetry, stiltwalkers, storytelling, tasty treats and much much more. UCLA, 10745 Dickson Court, Westwood. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10. Free. farhang.org
And following the free festival is a ticketed concert inside Royce Hall featuring vocalist Sahar Boroujerdi, soprano Hila Plitmann, the L.A.-based Iranshahr Orchestra and others. 6 p.m. Sunday, March 10. $25-$220. farhang.org
‘Labyrinth’ Girl babysits infant step-brother, step-brother gets spirited away by goblins, girl tries to get step-brother back in this creature-filled 1986 fantasy tale written by Monty Python’s Terry Jones, directed by Muppets creator Jim Henson and starring Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie. Various local theaters (see website). 4, 4:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10. $18, $20. fathomevents.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, extended thru March 10. $32. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
‘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
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. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9-10. $35-$86; discounts available. (909) 477-2775. ipballet.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
‘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
‘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