With the recent batch of snow it probably has been easy to entertain your kids as long as there was a sled in the house. But soon the snow will melt away and the dark and rainy days of winter will return. Having some great family entertainment to look forward to until spring arrives may help you survive your family’s cabin fever. Here are some great options from splurge to save, that you might plan for your family to attend in the weeks ahead.
Cavalia at Marymoor Park
Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse, premiers Jan. 19 and will run through Feb. 12 at . The show is a tribute to the relationship between horses and humans. Under the big white tent at the park, the show features equestrian and performing arts, in which acrobats, aerialists, dancer, riders and musicians cavort with horses in beautiful, dream-like settings.
Cavalia is a big splurge with tickets running from $17.50 for a child, age two to twelve for a Tuesday to Friday show, to $179.50 for an adult at the “Rendez-vous VIP” level. But if you have a horse-crazy child in your house, this show is definitely worth the price of admission. My husband and I took our daughter to the show last time it was in Seattle and every minute of the experience was magical.
The show’s producers emphasize that each of the horses are well cared for and the magic that is created on stage is the result of allowing the horses to “play” and follow their natural movements. When you see the horses close up, you can see the level of care and pampering each receives. Watch for the white stallion who tosses his gorgeous, long white mane on stage with the pride of a supermodel.
In addition to admiring the animal athletes, your family will also be inspired by their human partners, whose years of training results in a ballet of human and horse dancing that is breathtaking to watch in person. If you have been trying to get your child to practice piano or practice hitting a baseball, you’ll appreciate the “teachable moments” this show will provide you. You can discuss with your child afterwards how the riders have had years and years of training and practice to create those magical moments with their horses.
If you haven’t bought your tickets yet but have been thinking about going, get them this week, because once people start seeing the show and talk about it, the remaining tickets will sell out fast. You can check out ticket prices and available seating on the show’s website.
Oklahoma at the Fifth Avenue Theatre
The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma is coming to the Fifth Avenue Theater February 3 until March 4, 2011. You can get FREE tickets to the 7 pm show on Feb. 5. A total of 2,100 tickets will be given away for that show to those who come in person to the 5th Avenue Theatre Box Office on this Saturday, January 21, beginning at 8 AM (limit 4 tickets per household).
Can't make the show on Super Bowl Sunday? You can also grab special $39 tickets for selected shows by using the coupon code FAMILY when ordering tickets in person at the box office or by phone 888 5th-4TIX. Thanks to Thrifty Mom Northwest for sharing this great tip!
And the historic 5th Avenue theater invites families to Community Day on Feb. 5 from 10 am to 5 pm, where attendees will celebrate the show with free classes, tours, food and more.
Peter Pan in Neverland at the
If a big splurge is not in your budget this month you can still enjoy a live musical with your kids by taking them to see the Emily Dickson and Explorer Elementary Schools’ Big Theater and Studio East production of Peter Pan of Neverland this weekend, Jan. 20 and 21, at the Performing Arts Center. Showtimes are 7 pm both nights with an additional 2 pm matinee show on Saturday. Tickets are $6 and available in advance at during lunch hours and will also be sold at the door while seats remain.
Many Voices, One Land – Free Music, Stories and Entertainment at the Library
One of the great things about living on the plateau is that we have several King County Library System (KCLS) libraries, including our own popular , within easy driving distance. In addition to being a wealth of resources for families of media and books to borrow, the KCLS provides ongoing programs of live entertainment that that engage children of all ages in learning and fun. In February and March the KCLS is offering a series of programs to celebrate cultures around the world. You can view a complete list of programs online.
You might save the date for some exceptional programs coming to a library near you. Feb. 4 at 3 pm David Helfand and Justin Lader will present Music from Distant Lands for ages eight and up at the Issaquah Library featuring a variety of instruments including the Celtic harp, mandocello, guitar and viola. On Feb. 24. at the for kids three and up, at 3 pm there will be a presentation of the Red Thread: A Chinese Tale of Connection and Celebration presented by Live Paint! And Creative Arts Company. Feb. 26 at 2 pm for kids ages five and up you can enjoy a performance of popular music and dance from Indian at the .
