NAU Theatre family-friendly performances June 2, 3 & 8

NAU's Peaks Summer Theatre Festival has great family-friendly entertainment for the summer months.

NAU Theatre students will perform “Josefina Javelina, a Hairy Tale, The Play” and “The Three Little Javelinas” based on the books by Susan Lowell, adapted for the stage by Darby Winterhalter Lofstrand, and directed by Bob Yowell.  

The performance will be staged at the Studio Theatre on the NAU campus, June 2 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and June 3 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  - suggested donation of $10 for a family of four or $5 for an individual.

It will also be staged at Heritage Square, in downtown Flagstaff, June 8 from 6-8 p.m - for free.

"Josefina Javelina" is adapted from Arizona author, Susan Lowell, children's book. It tells the story of a little javelina with big dreams and her journey to make those dreams come true.  

"The Three Little Javelinas" is based off the children's tale "The Three Little Pigs."  The actors, talented performers from the NAU Theatre Department, will perform and then interact with the kids and their parents.

Free olive oil tasting event fundraiser for Camp Colton

Montessori Schools of Flagstaff is having an Olive Oil (& Balsamic!) Social Event to send their  sixth graders to Camp Colton. Locally owned Olio Primo of Flagstaff will sample their finest gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinegars - all for free - Thursday, Feb. 9th from 5-7pm at their Switzer Mesa Campus, 850 N Locust St.

The free event offer an opportunity to learn about varieties of olives from around the world and how balsamic vinegar is made in the true artisan tradition. 

$5 of every $15 bottle sold during the event goes toward their Camp Colton 6th grade trip.

Nature drawing for Tiny Tots at Flagstaff's Montoya Center

Desert Cottontail by Zack

This week a new session of "nature drawing for tiny tots" kicks off at the Joe C Montoya Community Center (245 N. Thorpe Rd). The classes aimed at kiddos 3 to 6 years old start this Thursday Feb 2, then repeat Feb 9th and 23rd - all from 10-11am. Cost is $10 per class. Wildlife artist and naturalist Zack Zdinak leads the courses. You can per-register or just walk in. More info at lifedraw.com/education.

Free Family Fun: Centennial Skate Celebration in Flagstaff

Arizona marks its 100th year of statehood on February 14, 2012. To celebrate, Jay Lively Ice Center is having a free ice skating celebration session. On Feb. 14th, from 2:30-4pm, everyone can go ice skating for free and get free skate rentals. Plus they'll have cake and hot cocoa!

Family Fridays start today at the Arizona Snowbowl

Gather the fam after school and hit the slopes for some discounted fun!
Starting today (February 25), the Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff has Family Fridays. From 2-6 pm on Fridays, lift tickets are $10, rentals are $10 and even family lessons are just $10.
For more info, call 928-779-1951x189 and check out arizonasnowbowl.com.

Museum of Northern Arizona launches new 'Discovery' activities for kids

MNAZ's new Discovery Room

The Museum of Northern Arizona has a new fun room for children to get some hands on experience at the museum. The Discovery Room's current theme explores dinosaur life and their evolution through games, puzzles, books, a puppet show, and images to color. The room has kid-sized tables and chairs and encourages children to be a part of the museum. Head to the dinosaur exhibit section of the museum, then to this room with your kids for the most impact!

Dino toys in the Discovery Room

And, starting March 1, children 4–8, older siblings, and families will share a new hands-on, kid-friendly way to explore the Museum’s nine exhibit galleries. Backpackers will be encouraged to look closely at objects with magnifying glasses, share their own knowledge from travels throughout the region, play games, solve puzzles, learn about new people and places, and complete activities together as a group. Discovery Backpacks will be free for paid visitors to check out from MNA’s Front Desk, so be sure to ask!

The Museum is located three miles north of historic downtown Flagstaff on scenic Highway 180. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors (65+), $5 students, and $4 children (7–17).

Romeo and Juliet new Mainstage Jr TheatriKIDS Theatrikos performance this week

Today kicks off the new Mainstage Jr. TheatriKIDS Series at Theatrikos Theatre Company with Romeo and Juliet. (Perfect with kids into Gnomeo and Juliet at the movies!)
Romeo and Juliet runs today (Feb 17, 2011) through Sunday (Feb 20) at The Doris-Harper White Community Playhouse. Shows all nights at 7pm plus matinees at 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets by calling 928-774-3940  or visit Theatrikos.com.

Valentine's Date Night for parents

Summit Gymnastics is having a Valentine's Date Night for parents this Saturday from 6:30-9:30pm.
You drop the kiddos off at Summit for a night of fun supervised play while you go have a romantic date just the two of you!
Costs are $16 for the first child and $12 for each additional sibling. Add $2 for a Pizza dinner. 
Call now to reserve your spot or ask any questions at 928-526-0644.

Free Flagstaff Fun: Free Valentine's Day puppet and card craft events

Puppets. Courtesy Michaels

Tomorrow (February 8, 2011) there's a free Valentine's Day craft event at Michaels for kids ages three and up! The project has kids creating puppets! It runs from 10am until noon.
There's another free event for kids three and up at Michaels on Sunday, February 13 from 1-3pm to create free Valentine's Day cards.
Michaels is located at 1500 Riordan Ranch St, in the Bookman's shopping center near Target.

Documentary 'Race to Nowhere' screening in Flagstaff - A must see for parents

As part of a nationwide movement to bring attention to the problems with the country's educational system, the documentary film 'Race to Nowhere' will be shown Thursday, February 10 at the Orpheum downtown Flagstaff, doors open at 5:30, screening at 6:30.

Hundreds of theaters, schools and organizations nationwide are hosting community screenings during a six month campaign to screen the film nationwide. Flagstaff Montessori Schools are hosting the Flagstaff screening. Tens of thousands of people nation-wide are coming together, using the film as the centerpiece for raising awareness, radically changing the national dialogue on education and galvanizing change.

Advance purchase tickets are $5.00, available only online at www.racetonowhere.com. Tickets at the door will be $10.00.

The film is rated PG-13, so not suitable for younger elementary students. But it is an important film for all parents to see about the quality of education in the US.

About the film: A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children’s lives, creating unhealthy, disengaged, unprepared and stressed-out youth.  Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people in all types of communities who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace; students are disengaged; stress-related illness and depression are rampant; and many young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired. 

Black History Month celebration honoring Buffalo Soliders in Camp Verde

Courtesy: azstateparks.com

The Fort Verde State Historic Park will celebrate the Buffalo Soldiers and African American Heritage Month on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 9 am - 5 pm, and Sunday, Feb. 13 from 9 am to Noon.
The celebration is in conjunction with the 11th annual Camp Verde Pecan and Wine Festival.
The Buffalo Soldiers event will be living history presentations and military encampments, riding demonstrations and 1870s period equipment and uniforms. Many of these re-enactors have appeared in feature films, commercials, historical videos, parades and re-enactments. Fort Verde SHP is about an hour south of Flagstaff in Camp Verde. Directions HERE.

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Sweetheart skate event on Valentine's Day in Flagstaff

Celebrate with your sweetie this Valentine's Day without spending lots of money but still having lots of fun with some romance thrown in.
Take part in the sweetheart skating event at Flagstaff's Jay Lively Activity Center (1650 N. Turquoise Dr.) on Valentine's Day. The event runs from 5:30-7pm. Cost is $8 per person, including skate rental.