Smarty Scoop on Weekend Activities: November 11-13

Happy Wednesday Smarties! Friday is Veterans’s Day, please take the time to say thank you to all those who have served and are serving our country in the Armed Forces. A fantastic exhibit opens this weekend at Discovery Place, Mummies of the World. It is a must see for the whole family! It is hard to believe but the holiday festivities are in full swing. The Southern Christmas Show is back and is the perfect way to get into the spirit. Get out and Enjoy!!

Mummies of the World
Discovery Place
Opens November 11
Mummies of the World, the largest exhibition of mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, presents a never-before-seen collection of naturally and intentionally preserved mummies. This compelling collection, presented with reverence and dignity, includes ancient mummies and important artifacts from Asia, Oceania, South America, Europe, as well as ancient Egypt, dating as far back as 6,500 years.

The Commedia Cinderella
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
November 11-13, Fri., 11:00am; Sat., 11:00am, 1:oopm; Sun., 2:00pm
In this funny, fast-paced show, the Tarradiddle Players put a slapstick spin on one of the world’s most famous fairytales. Beautiful Cinderella is forced to work as a kitchen maid by her mean Stepmother and two ugly Stepsisters, but thanks to a little help from her Fairy Godmother, she still has a chance to win the hand of the handsome Prince. With roots in the humorous, physical acting style of Italian Commedia dell’arte, this production is a lighthearted treat. Cost is $14-$18.

John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean
Booth Playhouse, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
November 11-13, Fri., 7:30pm, Sat., 2:00pm and 7:30pm; Sun., 2:00pm
A one-of-a-kind live black-light puppet show, John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean is a magical undersea adventure for kids of all ages. Tank, Bubbles and Dorsel and three best friends who just happen to be fish, and they’re about to set out on a journey of discovery. And it all starts with a treasure map. As they swim off in search of clues, they’ll sing, they’ll dance, and they’ll make new friends, including everyone in the audience. Ultimately they discover the greatest treasure of all: friendship. Costs begin at $24.50.

Schoolhouse Rock Live!
Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts, Matthews Community Center
November 11-13, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 2:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
With songs like “Do the Circulation”, “Unpack Your Adjectives” and “Conjunction Junction” this pop culture phenomenon will come to life on our stage. Tom, a school teacher nervous about his first day, tries to relax by watching TV when various characters emerge from the TV set and show him how to win his students over with imagination, music and dance. Cost is $9-$10.

Carolina Renaissance Festival
The Carolina Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds, 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville
Weekends, October 08 through Nov. 11, 10:00am-5:30pm
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 11-stage theater, a 22-acre village marketplace, an interactive circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast — all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure! Cost is $10-$20; Free for ages 5 and under.

Southern Christmas Show
The Park Expo & Conference Center
November 10-20
You’ll get a holiday kick out of this year’s Southern Christmas Show. Check out the holiday trees, mantels and doors. Stroll the Christmas Village. Munch on tasty treats and sway with yuletide entertainment.
You’ll be made in the shade with hip gifts for mom and dad, brother and sis, and all the guys and gals on your list. So get decked out in your holiday best, and come ready to have a blast at the South’s favorite holiday tradition. Cost is $3-$8.

Birkdale Village Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting Ceremony
Birkdale Village
November 12, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Join Santa Claus for Birkdale Village’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony. Enjoy music, food and more starting at 5:00pm. Santa will arrive to the beat of the Hopewell High School Jazz Band and then light our 34 foot Tree!

Carolina Rocks!
Settlemyre Planetarium of the Museum of York County, Rock Hill, NC
November 12, 12:00pm-1:00pm
Learn how rocks and minerals are formed and how to identify and to classify them. Irene Boland, adjunct curator of the Naturalist Center and Winthrop University professor of Geology will share her rocks and minerals expertise. This program is for kids of all ages who love rocks! Cost is $3-$5.

Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival
Rural Hill, Huntersville
November 12-13, 8:00am-5:00pm
What better way to wrap up the autumn season than with your canine pal and several hundred of his new best friends? Bring your dog (or dogs) to the Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival November 12th and 13th for one of the area’s best known dog events, now in its seventeenth year!. Many of the world’s best and brightest border collies will be on hand to perform their and their owner’s sheep herding skills to all in attendance. Also on hand will be dog sports demonstrations, open trails, historic agriculture machinery, living history demonstrations in the 1760’s cabin, pumpkin chunkin’, kid’s jump-arounds, food, shopping, and much more! Cost is $7-$10; free for ages 4 and under.

Family Day at the Bechtler
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
November 12
Learn about the art and artists of the Bechtler collection and engage imaginations through special museum tours and hands-on art activities during Family Day at the Bechtler. The Bechtler classroom and video gallery are open from noon until 4:30 p.m. for experimentation with methods and materials addressed in the exhibition Geometry and Experimentation: European Art of the 1960s and 1970s. Art projects will illustrate the integration of mathematics and visual art so children can explore geometry, line and color while creating their own works of art. Family-focused tours will be offered at 1 and 3 p.m. highlighting the Geometry and Experimentation exhibition located in the museum’s fourth-floor gallery. All children’s merchandise in the Bechtler museum store will be discounted 10% on Family Day. Admission is free for everyone under 18 years old; all others receive a discounted ticket price of $4. (Museum members are free.)