SoCal kids & families, May 9-16: Mother’s Day, Hawai’ian culture, a mental health fair 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 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 the Los Angeles Times’ Calendar.
Let’s have some fun!
‘Disney’s Aladdin’ The national tour of the hit Broadway musical based on the 1994 animated film based on the classic fable swings back through SoCal for one week only. Segerstrom Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7-12. $49 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
Cartoon Club The monthly series returns with more classic animated shorts featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, et al. New Beverly Cinema, 7165 Beverly Blvd., L.A. 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11. $10; advance purchase recommended; limited tickets available at the door. thenewbev.com
‘Wheels on the Bus’ Cart the wee ones on in for this interactive musical for toddlers, preschoolers and the grownups what brung them. Porticos Art Space, 2033 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena. 9 and 11 a.m. Saturdays-Sundays thru June 9, with two open-caption performances on June 9. $20; all attendees over the age on one must have tickets; floor seating on mats, limited bench seating available. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
‘Creative Ways: Mental Health Wellness Fair’ Gloria Molina Grand Park and Center Theatre Group co-present this inclusive, all-ages event featuring hands-on arts & crafts, interactive games, therapeutic workshops, family yoga, DJ sets, a petting zoo and more. Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, May 11 and 25. Free. grandparkla.org
‘The Pa’akai We Bring’ Aloha! Hawai’ian culture past and present is celebrated in this tune-filled show from Honolulu Theatre for Youth. Segerstrom Center’s Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 1 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. (ASL) and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11-12. $20. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
4th Annual Community & Unity People’s Kite Festival Go fly a kite, build a kite or just look at kites and talk about kites at the return of this all-ages offering from L.A.-based non-profit Clockshop. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., downtown L.A. 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Free. RSVP at clockshop.org
‘Beauty and the Beast’ She’s swell, and he’s not so bad once you get to know him, in this kid-friendly stage show based on the classic fairy tale. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 2 p.m. Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. Sundays, May 11 thru July 28. $12.50, $15. (310) 394-9779. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘Family @ The Playhouse: Bob Baker Marionette Theatre’ Members of the local puppet-theater company perform. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11. $10. (626) 355-4318. sierramadreplayhouse.org
‘MOMentum Place’ Theatricum Botanicum brings back its annual outdoor Mother’s Day celebration featuring aerialists, circus acts, music and dance — and, for an additional fee, brunch! Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Brunch, noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12; performance, 2 p.m. $10-$40; brunch, $40 extra. (310) 455-3723. theatricum.com
‘The Sound of Music’ — Sing-Along The hills — and the auditorium — will be alive with it as audience members are invited to lift their voices alongside Julie Andrews and company at this showing of Robert Wise’s Oscar-winning 1965 adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical set in pre-WWII Austria. Vidiots Eagle Theatre, 4884 Eagle Rock Blvd., Highland Park. 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12. $9-$12. vidiotsfoundation.org
Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys Ms. Klein and company play favorites from the 1910s, ’20s and ’30s in this special Mother’s Day show. Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12. $25. (310) 322-2592. oldtownmusichall.org
‘Cinderella’ Santa Monica Playhouse also offers a special Mother’s Day reprise of its multimedia-enhanced musical based on the classic fairytale. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 5:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12. $12.50, $15. (310) 394-9779. santamonicaplayhouse.com
LA County Fair Ride the rides, play the games, pet the animals and indulge in deep-fried you-name-it at the return of this month-long celebration that also includes concerts featuring War, TLC, Pat Benatar and many others. Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Pomona. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays plus Memorial Day, thru May 27. $10-$30; ages 5 and under, free; season passes, $19, $78; additional fees for rides and carnival games; concerts, various prices (includes fair admission unless purchased on the day of the show). lacountyfair.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
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
‘Dining with the Sultan at Charles White Elementary School’ LACMA serves up a kid-sized companion to the exhibit “Dining with the Sultan: The Fine Art of Feasting.” 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