May 2006
Calendar Highlights
Seattle International Children's Festival
Seattle International Children's Festival turns 20 this year. From its beginnings as a modest arts event, it has grown throughout the years into a world-class gathering that features professional performances from around the globe, as well as imaginative hands-on kids' activities. Headlining this year's festival is best-selling children's author (and well-known star of stage, screen and television) John Lithgow. In addition to Lithgow, performers include Dutch hip-hop skate-dancers, European clowns, Mongolian folk artists, Japanese animators, an American cowboy yodeler, Israeli puppeteers, an Arab musician and more.
The opening night show stars Lithgow, and includes performances by four international performers (7pm May 15, $20). Weekday shows, May 15-19, are intended for school groups, but the public is welcome to attend on a space-available basis. Sat., May 20 is Family Day, and features shows at 12:30, 2, 3:30 and 5pm. See individual performance times online. Age recommendations vary for each performer, but there is something for everyone ages 2 and older.
Discovery Centers are free to Festival ticket holders, and offer hands-on activities that include architectural design, origami, rope tricks, science activities and more, as well as indoor and outdoor performances by students.
Performances 10am-2pm weekdays, 12:30-6pm Sat. Discovery Centers 9:30am-2:30pm weekdays, noon-5pm Sat. $15, $10 seniors and youth, packages available, advance ticket purchase strongly recommended. Several venues at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. 206-684-7346. www.seattleinternational.org.
Calendar Hot Tips
Game On
Ever wonder how computer games got their start? Find out at Game On: The History, Culture and Future of Video Games, opening May 26 at Pacific Science Center. The exhibit features more than 100 playable games that span the evolution of video games from the 1960s through today. None of the games are M-rated (mature). 10am-5pm Mondays-Fridays, 10am-6pm weekends through Aug. 31. $3 plus Science Center admission. $10, $8.50 seniors, $7 ages 3-12. 200 Second Ave. N, Seattle. 206-443-2001. www.pacsci.org.
Butterflies Fly Free
Butterflies & Blooms returns to Woodland Park Zoo May 26-Sept. 30, featuring nearly 1,000 free-flying North American butterflies. 9:30am-6pm daily. $1 in addition to zoo admission, free ages 2 and younger. $10, $7 ages 3-12, free ages 2 and younger. 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle. 206-684-4800. www.zoo.org.
Groceries and the Arts
Seattle Whole Foods Market shoppers with youngsters have a good reason to visit on Wednesdays. Kids create while their parents shop, when drama and art specialists from The Moonpaper Tent offer workshops with weekly themes for ages 4 and older. 10am-noon. $10, drop-in. Roosevelt Square, 1026 NE 64th St., Seattle. 206-985-1500. www.wholefoods.com.
Teacher of the Year Contest
Washington state students have a chance to reward a favorite teacher.
Ivar's and Kidd Valley restaurants are sponsoring a writing contest for
ages 14 and younger in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Month. Essays
will be judged (based on age) on several criteria, and prizes will be
awarded to winning students and their teachers. Entry forms may be picked
up at participating Ivar's or Kidd Valley locations, or online. Deadline
is May 19. www.ivars.net. www.kiddvalley.com.
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