From live music and theater performances to Día del Niño celebrations, the weekend of April 27-29 is brimming activities that both Mom and Dad and the wee ones will adore.
Friday:
“Seussical the Musical, Jr.”
Coming to DC Ranch’s The Homestead Playhouse is the production of “Seussical the Musical, Jr.” featuring young actors and actresses, ages 5 to15 years old, from the Scottsdale area. Get your tickets today to see these young talents light up the stage on April 26-29.Audience members of all ages will enjoy the delightful medley of Dr. Seuss stories that will transport them alongside Horton the Elephant as he tries to save the Whos from the evil clutches of Vlad Vladikoff the Sour Kangaroo and some mischievous monkeys and the Cat in the Hat as he tries to entertain two kids with the help of Thing 1 and Thing 2. Tickets are limited. Visit http://www.dcranch.com/calendar/seussical-the-musical/2018-04-26/ to purchase your tickets. Curtain times are at 6:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, April 26-28; with a 3:30 p.m. matinee showing on Sunday, April 29.
Children Helping Children” Coloring Contest at Benihana
Every year on May 5, Japan honors its children’s health, prosperity and happiness with a nationwide celebration. Once again, Benihana is bringing this holiday to life with it’s annual “Children Helping Children” coloring contest. Now through May 5, children who dine at the restaurant may participate in the coloring contest. One winner will be selected in each restaurant to receive a dinner for eight friends of family members at Benihana.
Saturday:
5th Annual Chalk Art Festival
Dozens of chalk artists will hit the pavement during the 5th annual Chalk Art Festival on Saturday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tempe Marketplace and Westgate Entertainment District. Artists from the Arizona Business Committee for the Arts (AZBCA) will descend both shopping venues to craft colorful, eye-popping, dimension-bending illustrations on 6-by-6-foot canvas murals. Inspired guests can head over the kid zone (which is free to enjoy) and community participation mural area, where kids and adults can get in on the artsy fun.
Kierland Concert Series: Classic Rock Faves
The whole fam is invited to enjoy the Kierland Concert Series, presented by J. Jill, every Saturday at 6 to 8 p.m., through May 19 in the Center Plaza. This free event is the coolest ticket in town as Frost Gelato Cart & Crepe Club will be present at every concert offering delicious home-made gelato and crepes at the events. This Saturday welcomes Chuck E. Baby performing classic rock favorites.
Moonlit Drive-In Movies at the Promenade: Coco
The Promenade, located at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and North Scottsdale Road, hosts their annual Moonlit Drive-In Movie series this April with the showing of “Coco.” Every Saturday night, festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot near Golden Spoon Yogurt (movie starts at 7:30 p.m.) Moviegoers will enjoy the movies for free with a canned food donation to benefit the Harvest Compassion Food Bank. Viewers are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets or other portable seating options. A balloon twister will be on site between 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. offering free balloon animals. Other contests, prizes and activities are planned.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria Honors Teachers
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria will award 45 lucky teachers with a pizza party. One winner will be selected from the neighborhood around each pizzeria. Teachers must be nominated by an adult starting April 23 by filling out a form on grimaldispizzeria.com/teachers explaining why their teacher deserves a pizza party. Nominations will be taken through May 11. Must be 18 or older to participate.
Sunday:
Día del Niño at Heard Museum
The Heard Museum will celebrate its second annual Día del Niño, or Children’s Day, with a community celebración and free admission to the museum for children 12 and under with up to two accompanying parents or guardians. Families will enjoy a day of fun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that includes arts, book readings inside the museum with special guest readers, music, dance, games and activities for kids of all ages. There will also be specials all day from the Heard’s Courtyard Café and Coffee Cantina. Activities will include a mobile print-making station with Xico, Inc. and a special guest artist, instrument petting zoo brought to you by Harmony Project Phoenix, arts and crafts lead by Heard Museum, Native health, Phoenix Indian Center and others. Kids can also participate in an Explorer Passport Program that will guide young visitors through the museum galleries. By completing, the passport kids will be entered into raffles that take place every 30 minutes for a variety of fun. This is a free event.
Dia del Niño at Castles ~n~ Coasters
This free festival at Castles ~n~ Coasters brings the community together to celebrate children and the Hispanic culture, all while raising money for the patients at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Families will enjoy a fun-filled day with live entertainment, carnival games, prizes and much more hosted by our amazing community corporate partners.
Dinosaurs in the Desert at the Phoenix Zoo
Time’s ticking to enjoy this local attraction. Finish your week off with a stroll around the Phoenix Zoo and enjoying the limited-time self-guided expedition, Dinosaurs in the Desert, featuring 23 roaring, moving animatronic dinosaurs. The exhibit is on display through April 30.
Sonoran Safari at i.d.e.a. Museum
Head to i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa to explore the artistic landscape of the world’s 11th largest desert—the only place where the famous saguaro cactus grows in the wild—during the limited-time exhibit, Sonoran Safari. Through art and hands-on activities, guests learn about the desert’s native plants, animals, reptiles and birds. On view through May 27.
