Tag Archives: Missouri History Museum

Arts & Culture for Kids, Holidays

Metro Theater Company presents “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”

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EdwardTulane“Open your heart. Someone will come. Someone will come for you. But first you must open your heart.”

— Kate DiCamillo, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

If you are a fan of the early chapter book series, Mercy Watson, you know author Kate DiCamillo’s vivid characters and settings, humor, and ability to find subtle poignancy in just about anything. Her novels for older kids quietly, yet fearlessly breathe life and honestly grab it in such a way that both youth and their parents can be intrigued and entertained. Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane are some of her award winning works.

St. Louis’s Metro Theater Company brings the novel, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, to the stage (adapted for the theater by Dwayne Hartford) in a new family friendly play. The open to the public performances are Dec 9-30 at the Missouri History Museum, Lee Auditorium. The play, which explores love, family, friendship, and adventure, is 70 minutes, and best enjoyed by families, adults, and children (age 7 or second grade and up).

Edward Tulane is a toy rabbit who cares for nobody but himself. Ripped from the arms of the little girl who adores him, this privileged toy rabbit is thrown into a life-changing adventure. From the depths of the ocean to the top of a garbage heap, Edward discovers
what it means to love others on his extraordinary journey home. With themes of family, home, and redemption, this play is the perfect way to celebrate the warmth of the holiday season.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is the winner of the Boston Globe Horn Book Award for children’s fiction and Parents’ Choice Award for fiction. It was a finalist for the Quill Awards for children’s chapter books, and named U.S. National Education Association “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children.” The New York Times Book Review said, “Perhaps no other current American children’s book writer has appeared on the scene so quickly or so brightly as Kate DiCamillo… The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, may well be her best.”

Metro Theater Company Education Guide for Edward Tulane

St. Louis Public Radio feature, December 9, 2016

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Ticket Information

Performances
December 9, 2016 at 7 pm
December 11, 2016 at 1 pm and 4 pm
December 16, 2016 at 7 pm
December 18, 2016 at 1 pm and 4 pm
December 26-30, 2016 at 2 pm

Missouri History Museum (Lee Auditorium)
Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue in Forest Park

Tickets $20 adults; $16 students, seniors, and military; $14 Missouri History Museum members, groups of 10 or more

Buy online or call 314.932.7414, ext 106.

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About Metro Theater Company

Since 1973, Metro Theater Company has been creating accessible sensory productions that respect young people’s intelligence, tell compelling stories, stimulate curiosity and provoke thoughtful reflection. The Company has reached a total audience of more than two million and has a national reputation for excellence in the field of professional theater for young audiences. Metro Theater Company has received major honors and awards, both locally and nationally, and has 15 consecutive years of support from The Shubert Foundation and 31 years of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Photos: Metro Theater Company

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Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Arts & Culture for Kids, Community

Day of the Dead Celebration

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diadelosmuertos_nov5_6_pdf_16632Missouri History Museum Event!

Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated throughout Latin America and around the world in many other cultures. It brings together groups of people to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Join the Missouri History Museum for an expanded version of the holiday commemoration with traditional music, dancing, an art display, alters, informational tables, and more.

Saturday, November 5, 2016, 11 am to 4 pm
Sunday, November 6, 2016, 11 am to 4 pm

Missouri History Museum
Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park
St. Louis, MO
T 314.746.4599

Schedule of Events

11:30 to 1:30 pm
Simultaneous Live Music in the Grand Hall and on the Museum’s Lower Level

Ongoing
The Film “The Book of Life” will be shown continuously in the New Classroom

11 am to 4 pm
Community Partners tables on the Museum’s Main Level

11 am to 4 pm
Childrens’ Craft Tables on the Museum’s Main Level

11 am to 4 pm
Dia de los Muertos Art Display on the Museum’s Main Level

11 am to 4 pm
Altars from many countries, some reflecting on 9/11, the unknown soldier, and a tribute to Selena in the ATT Room

11 am to 4 pm
Face Painting in the Schnucks Classroom

1:30 to 2 pm
Live Alter by Chef Martin Lopez

Dance performances in the Lee Auditorium
2 to 2:30 pm, Panamanian
2:30 to 3 pm, Bolivian
3 to 3:30 pm, Almas de Mexico
3:30 to 4 pm, The Oaxaca

 

 

Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Arts & Culture for Kids, Community

Spring Sing

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SpringSingHave you ever wanted to sing with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL)? The brilliant opera company presents “Spring Sing!” on Saturday, May 9 at 12:30 pm at the Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard. This fun and informal event brings together professional singers of OTSL and hundreds of community participants from diverse backgrounds for an annual “spontaneous” concert at an iconic St. Louis location.

In addition to main season artists, Spring Sing! features special guest appearances from internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and world renowned soprano Christine Brewer, who receives her star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame this month. Both performed as part of the #WithNormandy: A Concert for Peace and Unity event, which raised nearly $5,000 for the “Friends of Normandy” scholarship fund in September 2014. Members of the Normandy High School Choir, under the direction of Duane Foster, perform as part of the community choir, along with members of the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School Choir under the direction of Addie Akin. OTSL chorus master and head of music staff Robert Ainsley conducts the 30-minute concert, which features classic opera choruses from Verdi and Mozart, as well as traditional choral selections from the American songbook.

No auditions are needed and anyone age 15 and up is welcome to join. Music and listening tracks are provided in advance to make the learning process enjoyable. Participants also receive the OTSL Company Discount on single tickets for the 2015 Festival Season.

Please register by April 24 as space is limited. Once registered, please visit the Spring Sing Resource page. For more information or questions, please contact Dan Mayo at dmayo@opera-stl.org or 314.963.4251.

More an avid listener and not a singer? Spring Sing! is open to the public for anyone to listen and enjoy so feel free to bring your little ones to experience this great 30 minute concert. Make a day of it with a visit to the Saint Louis Art Museum or the Saint Louis Zoo before or after Spring Sing!

Register for Spring Sing!
Spring Sing! Resources Page

Spring Sing! Schedule

Rehearsal: Members of Spring Sing! need to attend either one morning (10 am to 1 pm) or one afternoon (2 pm to 5 pm) rehearsal on Saturday, May 2 held at Opera Theatre’s Sally S. Levy Opera Center (210 Hazel Ave, 63119 in Webster Groves). To ease the logistics of learning music and rehearsing, OTSL will send you a recording that teaches your part in advance.

Performance: The performance will take place at the Missouri History Museum on Saturday, May 9 at 12:30 pm.

Photo: Philip Deitch

Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers

Halloween family fun in St. Louis

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Being somewhat new to St. Louis, I am amazed at how many Halloween events there are in the region. If you have a child under the age of five, there are many not so scary fun opportunities to choose from. Here are a few highlights:

The Magic House’s 10th Annual Not-So-Haunted House. October 22-24 and October 29-31. Kids are invited to dress up and enjoy trick or treating throughout the museum. Special visits from 15 storybook characters from Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and The Wizard of Oz will make the event a festive one. Cost: Free with regular admission ($8.75 ages 1 and above. A membership is well worth it if you come often.)

Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday. October 30, 9 am to 4 pm. FREE, no reservations needed. Costumes are welcomed. Trick or treating along the Pumpkin Trail, costumed characters, clowns, and entertainment.

Botanical Garden: Ghouls in the Garden. Sunday, October 24 , 1 to 4 pm. Advance reservations required by October 21. Trick or treaters enjoy treats throughout the Garden and visit the Children’s Garden. $5 non-member children (ages 3 to 12); adults included with Garden admission. Garden members are free.

Missouri History Museum Storytelling (ages 2 to 7). Friday, October 29 at 10:30 am and October 30 at 1 pm. FREE. Kids can wear their costumes and listen to not-so-scary Halloween stories.

The Butterfly House “Bootterflies” Halloween Party (ages 3 to 10). Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24, 11 am to 2 pm. Non-spooky Halloween family fun, featuring bug inspired games and crafts. Kids receive game prizes and a goody bag. Admission FREE to $6.

Eckert’s Costume Carnival (Millstadt Farm location). Sunday, October 31. Any child, 12 years old or younger who comes in costume, receives FREE admission to the entertainment farm. More about all the Fall fun events available at the Millstadt Farm throughout October.

Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, What to Read

Read it again!

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There are an enormous number of free story times (or story based events that also incorporate songs, movement, and/or crafts) in the St. Louis region, specially tailored for toddlers and preschoolers. These events are a great way to meet new people, socialize your child, learn about new books, and well, get out of the house. Here are a few resources for this summer and beyond.

Libraries

St. Louis County Libraries

St. Louis Public Libraries

Kirkwood Public Library (Note: They will open at their renovated location on July 17)

Webster Groves Public Library

Rock Hill Public Library

University City Public Library

Museums

Missouri History Museum’s Summer Family Fun Series

Missouri Botanical Garden’s Little Sprouts Classes (class session, not drop-in)

Stores

Borders: Sunset Hills

Borders: Brentwood

Borders: Creve Coeur

Borders: St. Louis South County

Barnes & Noble: West County Mall

Barnes & Noble: Crestwood

Subterranean Books

Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers, Date Night

June 19-20 Weekend Events

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It’s oh so hot and humid in St. Louis right now. Here are some cool events for the weekend of June 19-20.

Bill Viola’s Visitation video installation opens at the St. Louis Art Museum on Sunday, June 20. The work was inspired by devotional art of the Middle Ages and explores universal themes of life and death, faith and sorrow, heaven and earth. Bill Viola’s pieces are often mesmerizing, a little disturbing, and meditative. Take the time to ponder this one. (Hm… and don’t bring your 10 and under child to the Viola installation. Probably a bit on the nightmare feeding side of things.)

Vatican Splendors at the Missouri History Museum. This exhibition features rare paintings, mosaics, frescoes, maps, artifacts, and other historical documents from the Vatican–many never seen outside of Rome. When I was at the Vatican Museum a few years ago, I was swept along by the swarms of people trying to get to the Sistine Chapel that I never did get to see most of the museum’s artifacts up close. Here’s a wonderful opportunity to experience a bit of history.

KIDDIE FRIENDLY: The Magic House opens their new exhibit space, Children’s Village Hospital, this Sunday, June 20. My daughter is infatuated with giving all of her stuffed animals shots and then putting painter’s tape (band-aids) on them that we’re sure to visit this exhibit soon. Let your little doctor explore a pretend hospital nursery and get decked out in scrubs and lab coats. No insurance required.

Arts & Culture Events for Preschoolers

Summer Fun at the Missouri History Museum

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The Missouri History Museum is offering free family activities June 11 through July 30. The kids series includes performances, storytelling, and arts/crafts related to the museum’s current exhibitions. The programs start at 10:30 am and 11:30 am on Tuesday and Fridays. The earlier one is perfect for preschoolers before (hopefully) nap time.

Be sure to catch performances by Babaloo on June 15 and Radio Disney on June 22.