|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Not-To-Miss Events
Summerfest It’s puppets galore this summer with the return of Summerfest at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Children will delight in this series as visiting artists perform a different children’s tale every two weeks. The fun begins with “Anansi the Spider” from July 10-22. See “Pinocchio” from July 24-Aug. 5, and next month, “The Legend of the Banana Kid” from Aug. 7-19. After the show, make a new friend in the Create-A-Puppet Workshop and explore the wonders of the puppet world in the interactive museum. Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $16 includes show, workshop and museum admission. 1404 Spring St., Atlanta. 404-873-3391.
Asian Cultural Experience
Twelve Asian countries will be featured at this
cultural celebration. The Performance Celebration,
featuring music and dance, begins at 6 p.m.,
Saturday. Throughout the festival, enjoy fashion
shows, rare cultural artifacts, and a variety of
demonstrations, including calligraphy, woodwork,
pottery, vegetable and ice carving, and origami.
There also will be demonstrations of Thai massage
and martial arts, as well as games such as Igo,
Sungka and Mah Jongg. Visitors can also sample foods
and a bazaar will include a treasure trove of arts
and crafts for sale. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Adults, $12;
seniors, $9; children, $7. Includes Garden
admission. Sunset Safari Series Enjoy the wonders of Zoo Atlanta after hours; the animals don’t stop having fun when the sun sets, so why should you? Spend an evening with your family at Sunset Safari celebrating the cultures of Africa, Latin America and Asia and learning more about their wildlife. There will be extended animal viewing, regional cuisine and live entertainment. Children can make cultural-themed crafts and have their faces painted. Free with admission: adults, $10; children 3-11, $5; under 3, free. 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta. 404-624-9453. Children’s Education
Village At the National Blacks Arts Festival’s Education Village, children ages 5 to 12 can explore African culture through fun-filled learning activities. Kids can make a drum, weave a basket and other art fun. In the Story Circle, hear Anansi folktales told by storyteller, Mama Koku. There will be craft demonstrations, a family film series and a Multi-Cultural Family Book Fair. Sat. noon.-6 p.m.Free. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-454-0504.
What to Know Young Chefs’ Academy has
What's Cookin' at Young Chefs' Academy
Instead, she and her six classmates, ages 6 to 10, made ravioli from scratch. First, they went “shopping.” Each child was charged with finding an ingredient, measuring out the appropriate amount, and adding it to the communal mixing bowl. They then took turns stirring. Under the direction of their instructor and with the help of an assistant chef, the children hand-rolled the dough using a pasta cutter, then manually stuffed the raviolis with a cheese and herbal filling that they previously mixed together. The young chefs topped off the dish with a marinara sauce that they also made from scratch. The result: hearty ravioli that would do any fine Italian restaurant proud. At Young Chefs’ Academy, kids get to experience – in a clean, safe, child-friendly environment – what they’ve probably only seen their parents do in the kitchen. It’s education in its purest form: learning by doing. The fact that children actually eat these gourmet creations surprises some parents, when it’s a struggle to get most kids to venture beyond macaroni and cheese. The kids even get involved in the cleanup, with no coaxing or prodding. Jennifer Fox, who owns the Sandy Springs Young Chefs’ Academy, says that kids really value dishes they have made themselves. “There’s a certain pride in ownership,” she explains. Young Chefs’ Academy classes, for ages 3 to 14, are offered several times a week, for 60-90 minutes. They cost from $25 to $35 a class. Students also have the option of joining the Chefs Club or purchasing Fun Paks, both of which provide classes at a discount. Free Outdoor Summer Concerts Concerts by the Springs. Sandy Springs Historic Site & Park, Entertainment Lawn. July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 2. 6:30 p.m. Have a picnic with your family while listening to the music of popular local artists. Children will enjoy a balloon artist and hands-on activities. 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111. Symphony Under the Stars. Indian Hills Country Club. July 4. 8:30 p.m. A night of patriotic-themed classics performed by the Cobb Symphony Orchestra. 4001 Clubland Dr., Marietta. 770-429-7016. ASO Summer Concert Series. July 7: Wolf Creek Park; July 29: Ebenezer Baptist Church. 7 p.m. Features music from popular movies performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 404-253-5901. Roswell Riverside Sounds. Riverside Park. July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 8, Oct. 6. 7:30 p.m. Live music performed by local bands. 575 Riverside Rd., Roswell. 770-641-3705. Brown Bag Concerts. Historic Lawrenceville Courthouse. July 13. 11 a.m.-noon. Family-friendly entertainment on the lawn with face painting for kids. Bring a picnic. 185 Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 770-822-5450. Campground Concert Series. Unicoi State Park and Lodge. July 13 & 27. 8-9 p.m. Musicians perform bluegrass, country, gospel and more in the amphitheater. Free. “Pass the hat” donations for entertainers welcomed. Parking, $3. 1788 Hwy. 356 Rd., Helen. 800-573-9659, ext. 305. Summer Jazz Series. Villa Christina. July 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16. 5:30-8 p.m. Listen to classic and contemporary jazz in the gardens. Moonwalk and face painting for kids. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. 4000 Summit Blvd., Atlanta. 404-303-0133. Summer Candlelite Concert Series. Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. July 28, 8 p.m.; Sept. 8, 8 p.m. Enjoy performances of jazz, blues, oldies and show tunes. 5239 Floyd Rd., Mableton. 770-819-3285. Mountain Music Series. Red Top Mountain State Park. Through July 28. Every Saturday. 8-9 p.m. Enjoy the music of bluegrass groups. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Parking, $3. 781 Red Top Mountain Rd., Cartersville. 770-975-0055. Summer Concert Series. Mall of Georgia, Pavilion Stage. Through July 28. Saturdays. 6:30 p.m. Rock, pop and country artists perform. Bring lawn chairs. 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. 678-482-8788. Centennial Olympic Park Concert Series. Southern Company Amphitheater. Through Sept. Wednesday Wind Down: Wed. 5:30-8 p.m.; Music at Noon: Tues. and Thurs. noon-1 p.m. Live entertainment in the park featuring pop, jazz, blues and R&B artists. 265 Park Ave. NW, Atlanta. 404-222-7275. Moonlight & Music Concert Series. Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. Through Sept. 28. 4th Fridays. 8 p.m. Enjoy concerts on the lawn featuring various styles of music, rock, country, jazz, Motown and more. July 27: Shawn Mullins. Bring a picnic. 185 Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 770-822-5450. Suwanee Concert Series. Town Center Park. First Fri. of the month-Oct. 5. 7 p.m. Listen to live jazz performed in the park. Plus, food vendors and inflatables for kids. Bring blankets or chairs. Corner of Buford Hwy. and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd., Suwanee. 770-945-8996. Summer Movie Fun, at a Theater near you!
Thunder Thursdays Brew Up a Storm at Atlanta Motor Speedway July and August dates and themes are:
 Atlanta’s summers take a turn on the fast track with Thursday Thunder at Atlanta Motor Speedway. This 10-week series that hosts Bandolero, Legends and Thunder Roadster racing is one of the most affordable, exciting family activities in Atlanta. Every Thursday night until August 2 (with a special Wednesday night edition on July 4), enjoy a smorgasbord of games, contests, giveaways and hot on-track racing excitement. Each evening of grassroots racing takes place on the paved quarter-mile track at AMS, the Thunder Ring. Drivers as young as 8 years old come from all over the nation for the right to be called champions at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Fans are encouraged to participate in the festivities by dressing appropriately for that night’s theme. Gates open at 6 p.m., heat races start at 6:15 p.m., and feature races start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children 6-12; children under 6 are free. 1500 Tara Place, Hampton. Call 770-946-4211 for information or visit www.legendsofga.com or www.atlantamotorspeedway.com. – TRT
… to visit the Weinman Mineral Museum The Weinman Mineral Museum will close its doors at the end of the day on July 31. The museum has the largest public collection of Georgia fossils, gems and minerals. Visitors can see relics and precious stones from around the world and replicas of bones, shark teeth and more. Plus, check out the pavilion for gold panning and fossil digging. The Weinman Museum will reopen in 2008 as Tellus Northwest Georgia Science Museum. The facility will have exciting, new elements including science trails, galleries about minerals, fossils and transportation and a digital planetarium where you can explore the solar system, tour above the Grand Canyon and even fly into the eye of a hurricane. The Weinman Museum is located off I-75 at exit 293 and Hwy. 411 in Cartersville and is open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 11, and free for children under 6. For more information, call 770-386-0576 or visit www.weinmanmuseum.org. – DM
Seeing a 23-foot-long Burmese Python may seem a little scary at first, but as you read about these magnificent creatures and their “squamate” relatives, your fear subsides. (The thick layer of glass between you and the snake doesn’t hurt either.) Where can you see this snake and his cousins? Fernbank Museum of Natural History, of course. “Lizards & Snakes: Alive!” is on view until August 12; visitors to this traveling exhibit will come face-to-face with more than 60 live animals. All the critters in this exhibit are members of the squamate family … since they all have scales, and the Latin word squama means scale. As you walk into the exhibit, a rhinoceros iguana will greet you in his glass enclosure. At first glance, it looks like a Komodo dragon, but as you look closer, you’ll see his horn in front of his eyes. Each animal is housed in its specific habitat surrounded by facts about its size, eating habits, relatives, geographical location and more. As you meander through the cases of lizards, you’ll see brightly colored geckos, frilled lizards, venomous gila monsters, chameleons and many others. Next in line for your viewing pleasure are the limbless squamates, a.k.a. snakes. Gaze at a bright green Gabon viper, a tiny tree boa, a striped Campbell’s milk snake and even a red spitting cobra. Be sure not to tap on the glass; snakes are very calm unless they are disturbed.
767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta Admission: Adults, $13; 12 and under, $11. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Evening Hours on Fridays only: The exhibit has many fun educational activities as you walk among the animals. Learn to hunt like a rattlesnake as you play a realistic video game. Hear the different noises snakes make to escape from predators. Enjoy a hands-on encounter with a live lizard and snake (times for these vary by day). The most
kid-friendly portion is Education Alley.
This fun space designed for kids ages 6 to
12 includes puzzles, books and a video
hosted by Jeff Corwin. One station allows
you to view and touch different squamate
tongues; this is especially interesting
since lizards smell through their tongues.
Children will also have the opportunity to
view real X-rays of various lizards and
snakes and locate their native habitats on
the magnetic map of the world. Before you arrive at Fernbank, visit its website, www.fernbankmuseum.org, and download the Family Fun Guide for hints and special things to look for throughout your tour. For Fernbank members, you can take a guided tour on July 15 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – TRT
Where to Take your Preschoolers
this Month: Take your toddler to the Southern Museum’s Mommy and Me Children’s Program, where tots ages 2-5 can explore history in a fun way. This series brings the past to life with stories, games, arts and crafts and other interactive activities. In July, learn about musical instruments from the Civil War era and see how pictures were taken in the 19th century. Children can make a replica tambourine and complete a coloring activity. Mommy and Me is held on Thurs., July 12 and 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. Free with admission: adults: $7.50; children 4-12, $5.50; 3 and under, free. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117, ext. 116. www.southernmuseum.org. – Deanna Mingo |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
When I registered my 6-year-old
daughter for a cooking class at Young Chefs’
Academy, I half expected cookies with smiley
faces or some rendition of the “bugs on a
log” snack.
Exhibits: