Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: 2/04-2/06

Happy Wednesday Smarties. I hope that your homes are healthy, there is some crazy stuff going around the schools (we have the flu and we got flu shots!). On a positive note, it is another great weekend in the Queen City. We are truly blessed to have the wonderful resources that we do. Children’s Theatre opens “You Take a Mouse to School”, The Mint Uptown is having family night, you can find out all about birds and if feeling a little adventurous how to have your own chickens! All in all, a very Smarty weekend. Get out and enjoy!

You Take a Mouse to School
Wachovia Playhouse, ImaginOn Theatre
February 4-6, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 11:00am(sold out), 1:00pm(sold out); Sun., 2:00pm(sold out)
In this rollicking romp, Laura Numeroff’s beloved Mouse protagonist heads into the classroom for a day of school like no other! Because if you take a Mouse to school, first he’ll ask you for your lunchbox – and then he’ll want to get his paws on everything, from spelling and math to a messy science experiment. Adapted from the wildly popular picture book, and full of physical comedy and visual delights, this production is a hilarious treat for young audiences. Performed by the Tarradiddle Players. Ages 3+. Cost is $14-$18.

How I Became a Pirate
ImaginOn
February 5-6, Sat., 3:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm, 4:00pm
Jump on board for this fun family musical based on the hilarious and award-winning book by Carolina native Melinda Long. Young Jeremy Jacob joins Captain Braid Beard’s scurvy crew for some high seas adventure, but soon learns that the truly important things in life are worth much more than buried treasure. Cost is $18-$24.

First Friday: EndearMINT
Mint Museum Uptown
February 4, 6:00PM-11:00pm
Fun for all ages, evening gallery tours, hands-on art activities, live entertainment, café specials, cash bar and much more! Members free, non-members $10.

Reptiles & Amphibians
Discovery Place
Ongoing, Mon.-Fri., 9:00am-4:00pm; Sat., 10:00am-6:00pm; Sun., 12:00pm-5:00pm
Join the Discovery Place Explore More Life lab team for a special unit during the month of February all about reptiles and amphibians. Get up close to the Pacman, Mossy Tree and Whites Frog while participating in hands-on activities about frog calls and reptile and amphibian habitats and movement. Open daily during Museum hours.

Great Groundhogs
McDowell Nature Center
February 4, 10:30am-11:15am
Join us with your preschooler as we read a fabulous animal tale and then enjoy crafts and activities related to groundhogs. For more information contact McDowell Nature Center at 704.588.5224. Ages 3-5. Cost is $3.

Breakfast in the Preserve: Owl Prowl
McDowell Nature Center
February 5, 8:00am-9:30am
Wake up early, enjoy a hot breakfast of Eggs, Pancakes and Sausage, and hit the trails early to catch the sights and sounds of our local owls before they settle down for the day. For more information call McDowell Nature Center at 704.588.5224. All ages. Cost is $5 for 4+, under 3 is free.

Chicks in the City
Wing Haven
February 5, 10:30am-11:30am
If you’re interested in starting your own urban flock to provide fresh eggs for your family, you’ll need to acquaint yourself with the local ordinances as well as make sure that you have a safe home for the ladies. Dia Steiger, Wing Haven’s Executive Director, will provide an overview of our city laws regarding backyard flocks as well as the basics of feeding and housing chickens in an urban setting. Please pre-register. Cost is $5.

Feed the Birds
Latta Plantation Nature Center
February 5, 1:00pm-2:00pm
February is National Bird-Feeding Month so join us at the nature center as we explore different types of homemade bird feeders and make some to take home. Also, get tips and tricks on how to successfully feed and watch birds. All ages. Cost is $2.

RACE: Are We So Different?
Discovery Place
Ongoing
Are we all different? Or just variations of the same? Is race an idea? Or is it a reality? These and other questions about the perceptions and experience of race and racism will be explored when Discovery Place presents RACE: Are We So Different? February 5 through May 8, 2011. This exhibit presents a powerful combination of artifacts, historic and contemporary photography, multimedia and interactive activities appropriate for all audiences.