Of all the seasons, spring seems to remind me most of the joy of being a kid. It has the beauty of plants blossoming, the weather is generally pleasant and it feels like it’s possible to pack more and more (indoor and outdoor) activities into the lengthening days. With the first day of spring arriving Friday, March 20, now’s a good time to be a kid in Sacramento, because a whole ton of kid-friendly and kid-centric events happen this weekend.
On Saturday, March 21, Fairytale Town will offer free admission thanks to a grant from Sutter Children’s Center. At the Sutter Children’s Center Wellness Festival (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) kids can play games and receive health screenings, and parents can get free information about childhood health and development. Fairytale Town is located at 3901 Land Park Drive, and more details are at www.fairytaletown.org.
Young fans of fairy tales (and parents who appreciate well-written satire) can check out a community production of Shrek the Musical Jr., an adaptation of the popular DreamWorks movie by Musical Mayhem Productions Inc. of Elk Grove (www.mmpkids.com). The educational non-profit organization features performers ages 8 to 20. Shrek the Musical Jr. costs $10 and performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 20, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21—at the Cosumnes Oaks High School Performings Arts Center, 8350 Lotz Parkway in Elk Grove.
Trumpette (2020 I Street) will host the Sac Baby and Toddler Expo (www.sacbabyexpo.com) for new and expecting parents. The free expo—happening Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—will have more than a dozen vendors for parents and parents-to-be to shop from.
Lastly, the Crest Theatre (1013 K Street, www.crestsacramento.com) will screen Disney’s classic 1979 version of The Muppet Movie. Kids will appreciate the humor of Kermit the Frog and friends, while parents can look for old-school cameos by historic celebs like Milton Berle, Richard Pryor and James Coburn. There will be two screenings on Saturday, March 21, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $8 for children and seniors, and $10 for general admission.
—Jonathan Mendick
Here’s more not-necessarily family-friendly stuff:
Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992
Through Sunday, March 22
Continuing civil unrest in Ferguson, Mo., amid charges of police brutality and racial profiling, illustrate that the subject matter in Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 is alarmingly relevant. Twilight is a play that presents a raw and candid look at the riots and civil unrest following the Rodney King trial and the resulting acquittal of four white police officers who allegedly beat King, who is African-American. Powerful dialog is taken directly from post-trial interviews that offer wide-ranging points of view. $5-$12; various times at Sacramento State University, 6000 J Street, www.csus.edu/dram.
—Alan Sheckter
Mud Factor 5K
Sunday, March 22
For some reason, just doing a 5K is no longer good enough. There has to be zombies or crazy neon colors—or for athletic maniacs—additional obstacles. The Mud Factor 5K has one huge obstacle—mud—and lots of it. For anyone who thinks running in the mud is no big deal, just go try it and see. Other obstacles will make the course even harder. It should be fun, but save that double cheeseburger for after the race. $78.51, 10 a.m. at Granite Regional Park, 8181 Cucamonga Avenue; www.mudfactor.com.
—Aaron Carnes
Crafter and Artist Faire and Clothing Drive
Sunday, March 22
Food and clothing are necessities every child is entitled to. The good folks at Liaison Lounge & Restaurant understand that problem and are doing something about it. Come drop off extra food and clothes for children ranging from 5 to 16 years old. Additionally, shop from vendors on hand showing and selling their wares. With Sneaky Scottie Children’s Books, Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry and Carrie’s Yard Art, there’s certainly something for everyone. Free, noon at Liaison Lounge & Restaurant, 2667 Alta Arden Expressway; http://liaisonlounge.com.
—Eddie Jorgensen
Zouzou
Sunday, March 22
Josephine Baker, recipient of the 1961 Legion of Honour award, might be best known for her banana dance at the Folies Bergère in Paris in 1926, her civil rights activism or her musical career—but she also performed the starring role in 1934 film Zouzou. Directed by Marc Allégret, the French film with English subtitles is a story of love, crime and a traveling circus. $10-$15, 2 p.m. at the Crocker Art Museum, 216 O Street; www.crockerartmuseum.org.
—Trina L. Drotar
The Sacramento Picture!
Wednesday, March 25
Matias Bombal and Chad E. Williams premiere their film laden with images pulled from the Center for Sacramento History’s extensive archives, augmented by interviews with historian William Burg and other notable Sacramentans. This film will take some down memory lane and open Sacramento’s history for others to view the 1950s and 1960s West End Redevelopment project, timelines of J and K Streets and even a 1920 Senators baseball game. $15, 7 p.m. at the Crocker Art Museum, 216 O Street, www.crockerartmuseum.org.
