Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: May 20-22

It is Wednesday Smarties! With the end of school right around the corner, dance recitals, and sports tournaments I am really feeling in need of vacation. Take a break from all the madness and escape with Bugs Bunny and the Symphony. Relive a little bit of your childhood and support our Symphony. Head out to the mint for a picnic and movie or head over to the Nature Museum for some family fun. Get out and Enjoy!

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Belk Theater
May 19-20, Thurs., 7:00pm; Sat., 8:00pm
A sequel to the popular Bugs Bunny on Broadway, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony features a new fusion of on-screen Looney Tunes and live symphony orchestra accompaniment, adding an enlarged “cast” of Warner Bros.’ animated characters and cartoons, along with favorites like Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and Scooby-Doo, to this celebrated melding of classical music and classic animation. Tickets begin at $26.

Cop-on-Top
Chick-fil-A Cotswold
May 19 – May 21, Thurs. -Fri., 7:00am-7:00pm; Sat., 10:00am-7:00pm
NC Police Department and Chick-fil-A Cotswold have teamed up! Members of the Police Department will be stationed on top of the restaurant roof to wave at customers and encourage them to donate to the North Carolina Special Olympics. There will also be special activities involving local celebrities,
games, fire trucks, police cars, face painting, the cow mascot and more. Cost is free.

Britax Fitting Station
Britax North American headquarters, 13501 South Ridge Drive
May 20, 8:00am-noon
A car seat checking station is where certified child passenger safety technicians assist you with car seat installation. There they will teach you the correct way to install your child seat, provide safety recommendations, and answer any questions that you may have. For best results, please bring: your child, your vehicle and vehicle owner’s manual, your child safety seat and all parts, accessories, and instructions, a second adult to assist with watching your child while you learn how to install your car seat . No appointment is needed, and seats from all manufacturers are welcome. Instruction lasts approximately 30 minutes per car seat. Cost is free.

Jr. Mint Kids Club Spring Fling
Mint Museum Randolph
May 20, 6:30pm, movie begins at dusk
Please join us for the Jr. Mint Kids Club Spring Fling featuring live entertainment by Radio Disney and a live screening of the movie The Muppets take Manhattan. Bring a picnic (no alcohol please), your family and friends, and enjoy a beautiful spring evening on the lawn of the historic Mint Museum Randolph. Cash bar and refreshments from Bruster’s available for purchase! Cost is free.

Super Kids Save the World!
ImaginOn
Ongoing
Put on your super-hero cape and grab your galoshes because it’s time to save the world at The Magic House! From a farmer’s market to a recycling center, this exhibit teaches kids how to live green! In the house, kids learn what they can do in their own homes to help the environment. They’ll also get a chance to sit in an energy efficient car. In the research lab kids get to wear lab coats and pretend they are scientists. Parents love the “Re-Use Charity Shop”…Because they’ll find a lot of familiar toys! It’s an exhibit teaching an important message and giving kids & parents a super way to have fun! Ages 3-11.

Rocks Rock
Charlotte Nature Museum
May 21, 10:00am-1:00pm
The Charlotte Gem and Mineral Club, a non-profit educational organization for people interested in mineralogy, geology, paleontology and lapidary arts, will be on-site to identify rocks and offer information about the rock cycle and properties of minerals, including those that are fluorescent. Little rock hounds can bring their own unearthed beauties to the Museum for identification while polishing their knowledge about the roles that gemstones, rocks and minerals play in science and industry. Just a stone’s throw away gather for a special story time that will include “Stories Read from the Rocks,” by Bertha Morris Parker, “Rocks in His Head,” by Carol Otis Hurst, and “Julie the Rockhound,” by Gail Langer Karwoski. Make sure to catch the puppet show, “Growing Up Wild” and stop by the hotspot The Naturalist Lab to make a miniature volcano. Creature Feature activities are free with Museum admission. Admission: $6 ages two and older, younger-than-two and Members are free. Parking is free.

Go Kids Go!
Latta Park, 601 E. Park Ave.
May 21, 9:00am-noon
Go Kids Go!, formerly called Keeping Kids in Motion, is a free community event for children ages 6-12 and their families that supports the JLC’s Healthy Child Initiative to improve the mental, dental and physical health of Charlotte’s children. The program encourages and educates children about fun ways to stay active, eating nutritious meals and leading healthy lifestyles. At each Go Kids Go! event, kids will participate in three various fun-filled physical activities as well as a nutrition lesson hosted by the JLC’s Kids in the Kitchen group. Parents will enjoy a discussion with a nutritionist from Presbyterian Healthcare. Parent registration on-site required. Sneakers or athletic shoes suggested. Space is limited. First come, first served.

Slippery Slimy Science Creations
Latta Plantation Nature Center
May 21, 1:00pm-2:00pm
Be prepared to get messy as we experiment with making ooey, gooey slime, homemade play dough, and much more. Plus, you will get to take your creations home with you! Ages 5-10. Cost is $3. Registration required.

Open Farm Day at Hodges Farm
Hodges Farm, Charlotte
May 21 10:00am-2:00pm
Come out and visit our historic farm at no expense. We will be offering free pony rides, food, hay rides and more. Meet all the human and animal members at our farm. Don’t forget to ask about our riding lesson and summer camp programs. Hope to see you there.

The Charlotte Pet Expo
The Park Expo Center
May 21, 10:00am-6:00pm
You’re welcome to bring your dog or your bird or even your lizard – just make sure that you have proof of current age-appropriate immunizations (if applicable) and that your canine companion is on a non-retractable lead. Check out 100 + pet-friendly exhibitors and rescue groups, see live demonstrations in agility, obedience training, pet Care & activism, great giveaways and prizes, amazing discounts on your favorite pet products, a pet fashion show and costume contest, fabulous retailers, author book signings and much more fun for the whole family! Plus we will be offering low-cost immunizations for furry friends that need them! If you’re a pet owner – or want to be one – you’ll find everything you need under one roof, so that you can play, shop, learn or adopt in air-conditioned comfort.

Matthews Summer Concert and Movie Series
Stumptown Park
May 21, 7:00pm. Movies begin at approximately 8:00pm
All concerts begin at 7 PM. Pre-Movie activities begin at 7 PM, movies begin approximately 8:30 PM or dusk. Vendors will be on site selling dinner food, treats and drinks.No pets. This weeks’s movie is “Despicable Me” and the pre-movie activity is the National Turtle Day exhibits.

Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center: Booth Playhouse
May 22, 3:00pm
Justin Roberts is truly one of the “all-stars” of the indie family music scene. With numerous national awards and recognition and a devoted fan base, Justin and The Not Ready for Naptime Players dish out unexpectedly intelligent and whimsically rocking music for kids and their parents. The concert will include songs from Justin’s Grammy nominated seventh family music CD, Jungle Gym. Cost is $10.