January 2006
Editor’s Note: Event information is subject to cancellation or change. Please phone ahead to confirm event dates, times and costs.
Highlights
The Peking Acrobats
Hailing from the People’s Republic of China, The Peking Acrobats have been diplomats of their spirited culture for decades. Since 1958, the group has toured the world, entertaining audiences with the graceful presentation of their ancient folk art, acrobatics. Selected from the finest acrobat schools in China, these gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers transform 2000-year-old athletic disciplines into an all-ages kaleidoscope of entertainment and wonder. All ages. 7pm. $16-$22. Admiral Theatre, 515 Pacific Ave., Bremerton. 360-373-6743. www.admiraltheatre.org.
Monster Jam
Ford Truck presents the U.S. Hot Rod Monster Jam Jan. 13 through 15 for fans of all ages. 8pm Friday, 2 and 8pm Saturday, 1 and 7pm Sunday. $18 adults, mid-level $10. Kids are half price with discount coupon available at Burger King. For tickets purchased on the day of the show, adult seats cost $2 more, kid seats $1 more. Call the Tacoma Dome box office at 253-628-0888 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Kids ‘N’ Critters Naturefest
Free Kids’ Days at Northwest Trek! Up to four children ages 17 and younger can visit the park free with one paying adult during the Kids ‘N’ Critters Naturefest, held Jan. 14 through 16. Kids can explore their wild sides as they participate in hands-on crafts, a scavenger hunt, listen to sensational stories and compare their abilities with those of amazing animals. Park open 9:30am-3pm; trams and activities run throughout the day. Tram seating limited to first 1,500 visitors. Adults $9.50. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, 11610 Trek Dr. E, Eatonville. 360-832-6117. www.nwtrek.org.
Hot Tips!
Missoula Children's Theatre
Auditions for The Jungle Book, a production of the Missoula Children's
Theatre, will be held at 3:30pm Jan. 2. Fifty children will be selected
to participate in the Jan. 7 performance. Pantages Theater, Ninth and
Broadway, Tacoma. 253-591-5894. www.broadwaycenter.org.
Daddy Daughter Dance
Don't miss the first Daddy/Daughter Sweetheart Dance sponsored by Puyallup
Parks and Recreation. Register by Jan. 30; dance takes place 6-9pm Feb.
4 at the Best Western Park Plaza Ballroom. $24 per couple, $5 for each
additional daughter. 253-841-5457. www.cityofpuyallup.org.
The calendar is prepared two months in advance. Dates, times and places of events sometimes change, so please call to confirm information.
1 Sunday
Model Train Festival. All aboard! This popular annual event, now in its 10th year, features model trains throughout the museum. Special exhibits for children include the Lego® Train Display by TrainBuilder Productions, Kids’ Play Scale, and Mary’s Big Circus. 10am-5pm today and tomorrow. $8 adults, $6 ages 6 to 17, free 5 and younger. Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 1-888-238-4373. www.washingtonhistory.org.
Last Day for Fantasy Lights. This holiday 2.5-mile drive-through features more than 290 illuminated displays at Spanaway Park. 5-9pm. $13 per car or van. Spanaway Park, Tacoma. 253-798-4753.
Last Day for ZooLights. See half a million lights depicting zoo animals, local landmarks and more. Enjoy hot beverages and music. 5-9pm. $7. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St., Tacoma. 253-591-5337. www.pdza.org.
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Open 9:30am-4pm daily. $8.75 adults, $7 ages 4 to 14, free ages 3 and younger. Pierce County residents receive discounted admission. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park. 253-591-5337. www.pdza.org.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Open 9:30am-3pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. $9.50 adults, $7 ages 5 to 17, $5 ages 3 to 4, free ages 2 and younger. Pierce County residents receive discounted admission. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, 11610 Trek Dr. E, Eatonville. 360-832-7166. www.nwtrek.org.
2 Monday
Last Day for Model Train Festival. Tacoma. See Jan. 1.
3 Tuesday
W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory. Visitors will find a springtime retreat from January weather among colorful tulips, miniature daffodils, azaleas and cyclamen. 10am-4:30pm Tuesdays through Sundays. Special musical performance second Sundays 1-2:30pm. FREE, but donations welcome. W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, 316 S G St., Tacoma. 253-591-5330. www.metroparkstacoma.org.
5 Thursday
Free night at the Washington State History Museum. All ages. 5-8pm. FREE every Thursday. Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 1-888-238-4373. www.wshs.org.
Free night at the Museum of Flight. All ages. 5-9pm. FREE first Thursdays. 9404 E Marginal Way S (next to Boeing Field), Seattle. 206-764-5720. www.museumofflight.org.
Free day at the Seattle Art Museum. All ages. 10am-9pm. FREE first Thursdays. 100 University St., Seattle. 206-654-3100. www.seattleartmuseum.org.
Free night at the Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington. All ages. FREE Thursdays 5-8pm. 15th Ave. NE, Seattle. 206-543-2280. www.henryart.org.
6 Friday
Free First Friday Night at Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia. All ages. 5-9pm. FREE. Hands On Children’s Museum, 11th Ave. and Capitol Way, Olympia. 360-956-0818. www.hocm.org.
Free First Friday at Children’s Museum of Tacoma. All ages. 10am-7pm. FREE for families. Children’s Museum, 936 Broadway, Tacoma. 253-627-6031. www.childrensmuseumoftacoma.org.
Bremerton’s First Friday Art Walk. Stroll the downtown Arts District within walking distance of the ferry. Features entertainment and refreshments. All ages. 5-8pm. FREE. Bremerton. www.visitkitsap.com.
7 Saturday
The Jungle Book. Presented by Missoula Children's Theatre, original music and rollicking humor give new life to this classic tale by Rudyard Kipling. All ages. 1 and 4 pm. $10-$17. Pantages Theater, Tacoma. 253-591-5894. www.broadwaycenter.org.
Gig Harbor Art Walk. Enjoy specials
and demonstrations at Gig Harbor’s art galleries.
All ages. 1-5pm. FREE. Downtown Gig Harbor. 253-851-5546. www.gigharborguide.com.
8 Sunday
Second Sunday Music Series. Enjoy music and flowers at the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory. A variety of musicians, instruments and music styles are featured the second Sunday of each month. All ages. 1-2:30pm. FREE, but donations welcome. W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, 316 S G St., Tacoma. 253-591-5330.
12 Thursday
Free night at the Washington State History Museum. Tacoma. See Jan 5.
13 Friday
Hawaiian Slack Key. The International Music and Dance Series features legendary Hawaiian Slack Key Master Led Ka'apana. 7:30pm. $25-$35. Rialto Theater, Tacoma. 253-591-5894. www.broadwaycenter.org.
Monster Jam. Tacoma. See Highlights.
Peking Acrobats. Bremerton. See Highlights.
14 Saturday
Family Inner Tubing at Mount Rainier. Head to Mt. Rainier and sled or inner tube down the hills. Equipment and transportation provided. Bring lunch, snacks, water and warm winter clothes. Ages 3 and older. Trip requires pre-registration and participation by two or more inter-generational family members. 9:30am-6:30pm today and Jan. 29. $12 per person. Depart from Metro Parks main office, 4702 S 19th St., Tacoma. 253-305-1030. www.metroparkstacoma.org.
Super Baby Shower. Babies "R" Us is throwing a party for expectant moms and others looking for great ideas for planning a baby shower. Representatives from local business who can help with locations, food, invitations and centerpieces will be on hand. Noon-4pm. FREE. 2502 S 48th St., Tacoma. 253-472-4441.
Bravo! Kids. Magician Louie Foxx will perform, using humor, audience involvement and shadow puppetry. All ages. 2pm. $5. Auburn Riverside Theatre, 501 Oravetz Rd., Auburn. 253-931-3043. www.auburnwa.gov.
Parents’ Night Out. Take a break or make a date while the kids have a blast at Hands On Children’s Museum with activities, pizza, veggies and creative play. Ages 4 to 10. 6-9:30pm. $20 first child, $15 each additional sibling. Pre-registration required. Hands On Children’s Museum, 11th and Capitol Way, Olympia. 360-956-0818. www.hocm.org.
Kids ‘N’ Critters Naturefest. Eatonville. See Highlights.
19 Thursday
Third Thursday Artwalk. Visit Tacoma’s downtown galleries. All ages. 5-8pm. FREE, including the Tacoma Art Museum, the Washington State History Museum and the Museum of Glass. Tacoma. 253-591-5341.
20 Friday
Biglittlethings. Imago Theatre presents hitchhiking rabbits, insomniac hippos, guilty raccoons, spies in dresses and giant caterpillars. Ages 4 and older. $10 to $14. Auburn Performing Arts Center, Auburn High School, 700 E Main St., Auburn. 253-931-3043.
21 Saturday
Discovery Walk. This nature walk is designed for all ages, with a special invitation to grandparents. Today’s destination is Swan Creek. 10-11:30am. FREE. Sponsored by Tahoma Audubon Society. 2917 Morrison Road, University Place. Call 253-591-6439 for directions. www.tahomaaudubon.org.
Snowshoe Walk. Join a naturalist on a guided snowshoe hike. Search for tracks and other signs of wildlife. Pack a lunch and dress for the weather. Ages 15 and older. Trip requires pre-registration and participation by two or more inter-generational family members. Departs at 9:45am. $15 per person. Metro Parks main office, 4702 S 19th St., Tacoma. 253-305-1030. www.metroparkstacoma.org.
Paint Your Own Ceramic. Paint a ceramic for a special Valentine's Day gift. All ages. 11am. $5. Tacoma Mall, 4502 S Steele St., Tacoma. 253-475-4566. www.simon.com.kidgits.
22 Sunday
Family Cross Country Skiing. Learn about this great winter activity. No experience necessary. Pack a lunch and dress for the weather. Ages 8 and older. Trip requires pre-registration and participation by two or more inter-generational family members. 8am-5pm. $19 per person. Depart from Metro Parks main office, 4702 S 19th St., Tacoma. 253-305-1030. www.metroparkstacoma.org.
Pops I Big Band Salute. Join the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra for a swinging program of big band music with Lynn Roberts, the only female singer to have performed with all the superstar band leaders--Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Harry James. 2:30pm. Call or visit Web site for ticket prices. Pantages Theater, Ninth and Broadway, Tacoma. 253-272-7264. www.tacomasymphonyorchestra.com.
26 Thursday
Free night at the Washington State History Museum. Tacoma. See Jan 5.
27 Friday
Leahy. Influenced by Celtic, country, classical and pop music, this group of nine talented brothers and sisters have performed since they were young. Oldest brother Donnell is internationally proclaimed as one of the best fiddle players in the world. 8pm. $25-$32. Dinner show at 6:30pm is $63. Admiral Theatre, 515 Pacific Ave., Bremerton. 360-373-6743. www.admiraltheatre.org.
28 Saturday
Circo Comedia. In the tradition of the Quebec Circus, Saucier, master equilibrist performs his feats from dizzying heights while Smythe, catastrophic clown, gets carried away by his own folly. Entertainment for the entire family. 1 and 4pm. $10-$17. Pantages Theater, Ninth and Broadway, Tacoma. 253-591-5894. www.broadwaycenter.org.
Fun and Whimsical Garden Sculpture. Guests will create a concrete veneer sculpture that reflects their garden's unique personality. Forms will be carved in balsa foam and covered with colored concrete veneer. Ages 10 and up, with adult companion. 1-5pm. $45, includes admission and supplies. Pre-registration required. Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma. 253-272-4258. www.TacomaArtMuseum.org.
29 Sunday
Family Inner Tubing at Mount Rainier. Tacoma. See Jan. 14.
30 Monday
Nature Storytime. Join an Audubon naturalist for an exploration of one of the most enchanting wildlife habitats a backyard can hold, then listen to a story. Today’s topic will be Snowflakes. All ages. 10:30am-noon. FREE, but reservations required. Call for directions. Fircrest. 253-565-9278. www.tahomaaudubon.org.
Calendar Deadline Details
Calendar submission deadline is the 20th
of the month, about six weeks prior to publication. Next deadline is Jan.
20 for March events. Please e-mail information, including date, time,
cost and ages to PugetSoundParent@aol.com.
All submissions are run on a space available basis.
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