Upcoming Events in March for the Entire Family

Friday, March 4

Cats – New Haven – Introduce your family to the wonders of live theater with the magic, mystery and memory of Cats. Shubert Theater, 247 College St. 7:30 p.m. $15-$72. 800-228-6622. Also on 3/5
at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and 3/6 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 5
Irish Night – Milford – Celebrate the green with the Highland Rovers Band, TRAD, Fairfield Gaelic Pipe Band, step dancers, raffles and more. Coffee and dessert provided. Lauralton Hall, 200 High St. 7:30 p.m. $25. RSVP. 203-877-2786, ext. 114.

Family Entertainment Series – Hamden – Pumpernickel Puppets present Sir George and the Dragon. Thornton Wilder Hall, Miller Cultural Complex, 2901 Dixwell Ave. 1 p.m. $2-$3. 203-287-2546.

Pirates of Penzance – Madison – Enjoy this excellent performance by the students of The Country School. The Country School, 341 Opening Hill Road. 7 p.m. $5. 203-421-3113. Also on March 6 at 2 p.m.


Sunday, March 6
Stamford Young Artists – Stamford – Listen to the Young String Ensemble, Young People’s Symphony and Young Artists Philharmonic. Palace Theater, 61 Atlantic Street. 7 p.m. $13-$20. 203-325-4466.

Friday, March 11
Swan Lake – Fairfield – Performed by the Russian National Ballet Theatre, the show embodies the tradition of classical Russian Ballet and new developments in dance from around the world. Quick Center for the Arts, 200 Barlow Road. 8 p.m. $35, $40 and $45. 203-254-4010.

Saturday, March 12
Critters & Crafts – Westport – Enjoy a family program with a live animal, story and crafts. Children must be with an adult. Ages 3 and up. Earthplace, 10 Woodside Lane. 2:30-3:15 p.m. Regular admission. 203-227-7253. Also on March 26.

Winter Creature Cruises – Norwalk – Journey out to Long Island Sound and see seals that spend the winter just off the shore. Educators discuss their histories. For ages 8 and up. Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St. 9:30 a.m. $18.50-$20.50. 203-852-0700. Also on March 13, 26 and 27; times vary.

Celtic Dreams – Hamden – The New Haven Symphony Orchestra Pops transports you to the magical land of Eire! Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Avenue. 2:30-5 p.m. $35 and $45. 203-865-0831.

Sunday, March 13
Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade – New Haven – Come watch over 3,200 marchers and musical units celebrate the diversity of many cultures. Begins at Chapel Street; ends at Orange Street. 1 p.m. Free. 203-484-0556.

Summer Festival Program Auditions – Fairfield – Musicians,ages 8-18, can audition for the Summer Festival Music CampProgram offered by Chamber Music Central. Unquowa School, 981 Stratfield Road. 203-227-0662. Also on March 20.

Friday, March 18
All Shook Up – New Haven – It’s a square town until a motorcycle ridin’, guitar playin’ and hip swivelin’ hunk rides in and shakes things up. This musical comedy features over 24 Elvis hits. Shubert Theater, 247 College St. 8 p.m. $15-$72. 800-228- 6622. Also on March 19 at 2 and 8 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m.

Grease – Waterbury – The one that you want is back! Grease is rockin’ in this new production. Take a trip to a time of poodle skirts, drive-ins and T-birds! Palace Theater, 100 E. Main St. 8 p.m. $47-$62. 203-346-2000. Also on March 19 at 2 and 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 19
Construction Club – Newington – Come to the monthly gathering to build projects with LEGO bricks. Lucy Robbins Welles Library, 95 Cedar Street. Ages 7 and up. 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Pre-register. 860-665-8700.

A Night at the Peabody Museum – New Haven – Come after hours – see the museum come alive with games, crafts, scavenger hunts, live animals and more. Yale Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Ave. 6-9 p.m. $12-$18. RSVP. 203-432-3740.

The Ugly Duckling – Ridgefield – Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre presents the tale of a perky, hot pink Florida flamingo hatched by proper Polar Penguin parents! Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $15. 203-438-5795.

Sunday, March 20
Sound Tigers – Bridgeport – Cheer the Sound Tigers on when they play the Binghamton Senators. Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard, 600 Main St. 3 p.m. $19.50-$46. 800-745-3000.

Spring Hike – Hamden – A strenuous hike over rough terrain lasting 3-5 hours. For experienced hikers. Dress for the weather and wear hiking books. Bring snacks and water. Sleeping Giant State Park, off Rte. 10. 11 a.m. Free. www.sgpa.org.

Friday, March 25
Arts Festival – Enfield – Enjoy a display of works of art by talented students. Enfield High School, 1264 Enfield Street. 7-9 p.m. Free. 860-668-1818. Also on March 26 from noon-3 p.m.

The Original Connecticut Home and Remodeling Show – Hartford – Features hundreds of the latest products and services for the home by leading exhibitors. CT Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. 5-9 p.m. $10. 860-563-4565. Also on March 26 and 27; times vary.

Faculty Friday Concerts – New Haven – Enjoy A Century of Ragtime during this “musical smorgasbord.” NMS Recital Hall, 100 Audubon Street. Free. 7:30 p.m. 203-624-5189.

Insider’s Tour of Stone Barns
11 a.m. (Also on Saturday, 11 a.m.)
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture,
630 Bedford Road, Tarrytown, NY
An intimate tour of the farm and greenhouse program.
Not recommended for those younger than 12. Stonebarnscenter.org

“Wonderland!”
7 p.m. (Also on Saturday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
John Jay Middle School,
40 North Salem Road, Cross River, NY
John Jay theater students perform this musical about a modern day Alice as a newly single mom who’s quest for happier times leads her to New York City where she meets. jjms.klschools.org

“Beauty and The Beast”
8 p.m. (Also on Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
Darien High School,
80 High School Lane, Darien, CT
Darien theater students perform this classic fairy tale about a beautiful girl who meets a man cursed to look like a beast until he finds true love requited. darienps.org/dhs

Saturday, March 26
Touch-A-Truck
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Coleytown Elementary School,
65 Easton Road, Westport, CT
Children and their families have an opportunity to explore a variety of big trucks up close and personal with supervision to ensure their safety. Westportwestoncoop.org/newsandevents.html

Behind-the-Scenes Tour – Norwalk – See how the animal husbandry staff meets the varying food and water needs of the resident animals. Ages 10 and up. The Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St. 8:15-10 a.m. $22.50-$32.50. RSVP. 203-852- 0700, ext. 2206.

Thomas and Friends Live! On Stage – Wallingford – Come and see Thomas Saves the Day! Toyota Presents the Oakdale Theatre, 95 South Turnpike Road. 2 and 5 p.m. $28-$57.60. 203-265-1501.

Brass City Ballet Birthday Gala – Waterbury – Enjoy an evening of classics including the original production of Snow White featuring a mix of pop, opera and rock music. Palace Theater, 100 East Main St. 6:30 p.m. $25-$55. 203-346-2000.

Sunday, March 27
Borders of the Mind – Ridgefield – Mentalist Joshua Kane leads audiences through a dazzling demonstration of the power of the mind. Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. 2 and 5 p.m. $25. 203-438-5795.

Mindbender Mansion – Hartford – This fun and quirky exhibit gallery is filled with brain teasers and interactive challenges guaranteed to test even the most experienced puzzlers. The Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Boulevard. Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free for members and children 2 and under; $14 for youth; $15.50 for seniors; and $17 for adults. 860-SCIENCE.

Click, Clack, Moo
1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Westport Country Playhouse,
25 Powers Court, Westport, CT
TheaterWorks USA presents this musical based on the book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin. Shivering cows type a request for blankets to Farmer Brown via laptop and threaten to go on strike if they don’t get blankets. For children prekindergarten
to 4th grade. Westportplayhouse.org

Children’s Museums & Other Attractions for Family Fun in Connecticut

A list of local museums, performance arts centers and other attractions for the children in the Fairfield County and surrounding areas in CT. You may also want your nanny to visit some of these attractions with your children. Enjoy!

MUSEUMS/ATTRACTIONS

THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 950 Trout Brook Drive, West Hartford, CT (860) 231-2824 http://www.thechildrensmuseumct.org/ A one-of-a-kind science and nature museum providing rich learning experiences through hands-on exhibits, over 100 live animals, digital planetarium shows, science demonstrations and a variety of educational programs. We feature the only science-based preschool in CT and the Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton.

COCO KEY WATER RESORT Holiday Inn, 3580 East Main St., Waterbury, CT (203) 706-1000 http://www.cocokeywaterresort.com/ A real Key Water adventure. From the thrilling Shark Slam, Gator Gush and Barracuda Blast water slides, to the Coral Reef Cavern activity pool, Dip in Theatre, Coconut Grove adventure river, Palm Grotto indoor/outdoor spa, Parrot Perch’s interactive play island, Pizza Hut Express and snack bar, there is something for everyone!

THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT (203) 372-3521 http://www.discoverymuseum.org/ A hands-on, brains-on interactive museum for kids of all ages, located on the Fairfield/Bridgeport border. The museum offers exciting exhibits, thrilling planetarium shows, the Challenger Learning Center, the area’s only CineMuse High Definition Theatre and the Kids at Work preschool activity area.

THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT (203) 852-0700 http://www.maritimeaquarium.org/ Families will have a great time while learning about the vital natural resource just off our shore. Explore at your own pace. Thirty-four exhibits featuring more than 1,200 marine animals of 259 species. A Touch Tank and nose-to-nose interactions bring close encounters with our friends of the sea. Movies at IMAX Theater as well.

MATTATUCK MUSEUM ARTS & HISTORY CENTER 144 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT (203) 753-0381 http://www.mattatuckmuseum.org/ The museum brings the past, present and future together through exhibits and collections showcasing the history of the region and art of Connecticut. View great works by American Masters, experience the “you-were-there” history of the Waterbury region and explore the 10,000 buttons on display.

NATURE’S ART & DINOSAUR CROSSING 1650 Route 85, Oakdale, CT (860) 443-4367 http://www.thedinosaurplace.com/ A day of prehistoric fun awaits at Nature’s Art, aka the Dinosaur Place. Indoors enjoy hands-on science and nature activities such as mining for gemstones and excavating a dinosaur skeleton. Outdoors encounter more than 25 life-sized dinosaurs set amid walking trails, romp in Monty’s Playground and enjoy ice cream.

QUASSY AMUSEMENT PARK Middlebury, CT 1-800-FOR-PARKhttp://www.quassy.com/ Affordable family fun close to home. Rides, “Saturation Station” water play area, entertainment, food, arcade, special events.

SHORE LINE TROLLEY MUSEUM 17 River Street, East Haven, CT (203) 467-6927 http://www.bera.org/ Savor the atmosphere of the trolley era. Ride the historic Branford Electric Railway, the oldest continually operating suburban trolley in the United States. Anational historic site. Days of operation: Memorial Day to Labor Day, Daily. Hours:10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun. in May, Sept., Oct. Abbreviated schedule in Nov. & Dec.

STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN Mathews Park, 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT (203) 899-0606 http://www.steppingstonesmuseum.org/ Join the crew and discover building basics with Stepping Stones’ newest exhibit, Build It! Help finish a two-story home under construction. Children can build walls, apply siding and decorate with carpet squares and wallpaper. Learn about the building process and take a sneak peak at Stepping Stones’ expansion plans for 2010.

PERFORMANCE ARTS

EDGERTON CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT (203) 371-7908 http://www.edgertoncenter.org/ The Edgerton Center, a 776-seat theatre located on Sacred Heart University’s Fairfield campus, is dedicated to presenting professional family theatre, with an educational emphasis, to Connecticut’s younger audiences.

PLAYHOUSE ON THE GREEN 177 State Street, Bridgeport, CT (203) 333-3666 http://www.playhouseonthegreen.org/ The Playhouse presents Project Broadway, a summer theater program for children in gr. 1-8. Work as a team with professional artists to create a Broadway style musical! Weeklong programs in July & Aug. Project Broadway @ Night for gr. 9-12 is a five-week program, which will result in a production of Romeo and Juliet!

QUICK CENTER FOR THE ARTS Fairfield University(203) 254-4010http://www.quickcenter.com/ Presenting the finest in family-oriented events, including plays and musicals, children’s summer theatre camps, and interactive workshops. Ask about special group discounts and free birthday parties.

RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, CT (203) 438-5795 http://www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org/ Features live events and first run movies for children and adults alike. The Children’s Series features nine exciting performances one Saturday per month through May. For information call the box office at 203-438-5795.

SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

XL CENTER & WOLF PACK
1 Civic Center Plaza, Hartford, CThttp://www.hartfordciviccenter.com/

www.hartfordwolfpack.com
Home to the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack, and host to a wide array of family shows, concerts & sporting events. Box Office Info Line: 860-727-8010; Event tickets (Ticketmaster): 860-525-4500; Hartford Wolf Pack tickets & Birthday Parties: 860-548-2000; Hartford Wolf Pack Kid’s Club: 860-246-7825.

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency