family fun - march 2009

Picks of the Month

It’s still a month for largely indoor activities and two major family events are available. At the Betty Brinn Children’s Center, a new exhibit developed in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service opens and it’s sure to be a hit with the younger set. Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home, a green-built exhibit, opens March 14 and encourages families to spend time together outdoors and inspires children to discover and care for the natural resources that sustain our planet. Older family members should save time for Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. And even if you’re not Irish, you’ll enjoy the 43rd annual St. Patrick’s Parade, starting at noon March 14.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO

10001 W. Bluemound Road. Just 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee at Highway 45 and Interstate 94. Open 365 days a year. Ph. (414) 256-5412 or www.milwaukeezoo.org.

It’s always a good time to visit the Milwaukee County Zoo, one of the premier zoological parks in the country.

Family free day is March 7 with free admission from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Behind-the-scenes weekendis set for March 14-15

BETTY BRINN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

929 E. Wisconsin Ave. Ph. 414-291-0888 Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. www.bbcmkids.org

Programs include:

• Tot Time, ages 1 to 3 with parent or caregiver, 10:30 a.m. Tuedays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays. Toddlers will enjoy sing-alongs, finger-play, stories, and art experiences. Adults learn how these experiences impact early childhood development.
  
  
  
• Pre-School Pop-in, ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Pre-schoolers participate in music, movement and visual art activities that encourage early reading and introduce beginning math concepts. Adults learn about age-appropriate activities that stimulate a child's development.

Special events:

Neighborhood Night March 19 means free admission from 5-8 p.m.

The new special exhibit – Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl: Home Sweet Home, opens March 14 and continues through May 31.

THE MUSEUM CENTER
800 W. Wells St.

Includes Milwaukee Public Museum, one of the world's best natural history museums (Ph. 278-2700); and the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater 414-319-IMAX. www.mpm.edu

TITANIC: THE ARTIFACT EXHIBITION continues through May 25, 2009. Authentic artifacts and room-recreations tell the story of the 2,228 passengers aboard the Titanic during her ill-fated maiden voyage. Learn haunting tales of lives abruptly ended or forever altered when the Titanic collided with an iceberg on April 14, 1912.

THE HEBIOR Mammoth, a specimen with great significance to the state of Wisconsin, is now on display. Found less than 30 miles from Milwaukee in Kenosha County, the mammoth is among a group of important findes that help date the early presence of humans in North America.

Special events:

The Museum’s “Streets of Old Milwaukee” come alive March 6-7. Learn about the traditions of Milwaukee and early 20th century culture through crafts, stories, activities, music and more. Docents in period attire share stories and artifacts that highlight Milwaukee businesses and homes as they were 100 years ago. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 278-2702.

The Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater in the Museum Center, the only IMAX theater in the state, doubles as a state-of-the-art digital planetarium.

Current IMAX shows:

• "Mysteries of the Great Lakes," which takes viewers through the greatest freshwater system in the world (through March 19, 2009)
• "Ghosts of the Abyss" in which Academy Award winning director and storyteller James Cameron journeys back to the legendary wreck of the Titanic (through June 11, 2009)
• "Sea Mnsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” brings extraordinary marine reptiles of the dinosaur age to life in a remarkable journey into the relatively unexplored world of “other” dinosaurs, those reptiles that lived beneath the water (through Oct. 1).

The Daniel M. Soref Planetarium in the IMAX currently is offering three shows:

• "Night of the Titanic," a tale of how human error and natural disaster sank the "unsinkable" ship (through May 24).
• "Seven Wonders," which tells the story of the seven wonders of the ancient world, investigating theories of how they were created and then traveling through the universe to glimpse natural wonders far beyond earth (through March 10).
• Rock Star 2,” a cosmic light show featuring rock selections from the late ‘60s through the early ‘90s (through June 11).
• Astronaut” answers the question of what it takes to become an astronaut and gives a first-hand look at the lives of the men and women who travel through space (Opening March 20 through Oct. 1).

Call 414-319-4629 for IMAX planetarium show times and reservations.

DISCOVERY WORLD at PIER WISCONSIN

500 N. Harbor Dr. 765-9966. The newest addition to Milwaukee’s world-class lineup of museums and visitor attractions is the home of the 19th century re-creation of a Great Lakes sailing vessel, the Denis Sullivan. Until the ship is returns for the summer season, the Discovery World Museum offers saltwater and fresh water aquariums, interactive exhibits created by several of the city’s leading corporations and the HIVE, a virtual-reality chamber that puts visitors into 30 simulated environments.. Open to the public from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun. www.discoveryworld.org.

Milwaukee’s popular Segway tours have moved to Discovery World. See KeyMilwaukee.com tours for all the details.

New exhibits at Discovery World:

• “City of Freshwater,” opening this month, was unveiled late in January at the City of Milwaukee birthday celebration. Installation will continue this month on the exhibit, which will focus on Milwaukee’s leadership role in use of its water resources.

• "Les Paul's House of Sound," a tribute to the famed Wisconsin guitarist Les Paul.

• Briggs & Stratton's "Milwaukee Muscle" exhibit, which allows visitors to design a vehicle of the future

•"Energy & Ingenuity: Harnessing the Power of You" developed by the Wisconsin Energy Foundation

MISCELLANEOUS FUN

COMEDYSPORTZ at 420 S. 1st St. continues to provide improvisational comedy suitable for the whole family. Shows every week 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday.  Also 10 p.m. Friday amateur (18+) stand up session. Call 272-8888 for show times and reservations or visit www.comedysportz.com. Be sure to use our KeyMilwaukee.com coupon for extra savings.

WISCONSIN KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW, Feb. 28-March 1; Wisconsin Expo Center. See more than 1,200 dogs representing over 125 different breeds at this popular annual show. Talk to breeders and handlers about your favorite breed. Visit with exhibitors offering the latest in pet products, services and supplies. 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. & Sun.

INDIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL WINTER POW-WOW, Feb. 28-March 1; Wisconsin State Fair Park, Wisconsin Products Pavilion, 640 S. 84th St. Traditional pow-wow with singing and dancing. Marketplace with more than 50 vendors, frybread and Indian tacos. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. 604-1000.

COLLECTIBLE TRAIN LOBBY DISPLAY AND LAYOUT, Feb. 28-March 1; Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes), 524 S. Layton Blvd. 649-9800.

DOGPARK: THE MUSICAL, through March 1; Stackner Cabaret, Milwaukee Theater Center. Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents. Follow Daisy, Champ, Bogie and Itchy through their adventures at the hippest, hottest place in town: the Dogpark, where every dog has his day, and love conquers all. 224-9490.

THE NEVERENDING STORY, March 6-April 5; First Stage Children's Theater presents story of young boy who steals the book Neverending Story and becomes drawn into the book and the dying land of Fantastica. Todd Wehr Theater of Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Best appreciated by children 6 and up, teens and adults. 273-7206.

EMILY, though March 8; Todd Wehr Auditorium, Concordia University, 12800 N. Lake Shore Dr., Mequon, tells Emily Dickinson’s story from a faith perspective. Presented by Acacia Theatre Company. 744-5995.

COLLECTIBLE TRAIN LOBBY DISPLAY AND LAYOUT, Feb. 28-March 1; Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes), 524 S. Layton Blvd. 649-9800.

STORY TIME IN THE GALLERIES, March 7, 14, 21, 28; Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. 10:30 a.m. 224-3200.

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL SPORTS SHOW, March 4-8; Wisconsin Expo Center, Wisconsin State Fair Park. Daily contests including archery, shooting, and dog retrieving; Chevy Trucks Main Stage Show; local and national expert speakers; kids outdoor and conservation activities; fishing for the young and not-so-young at the trout pond; dog training tips and demonstrations; DiscoverWisconsin.com Travel pavilion; campers and camping equipment. Noon-9 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. 800-472-2070.

SMUCKER STARS ON ICE, March 8; Bradley Center. Former Olympic medalists and world champions perform. 3 p.m. 276-4545.

43rd ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S PARADE, March 14; Downtown Milwaukee. More than 120 units including Irish dance groups, pipe and drum corps. Noon. 276-6696.

SHAMROCK CLUB POST PARADE PARTY, March 14; Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave. Four stages of continuous entertainment at this family-friendly event. 1-6 p.m. 276-6696, 345-8800.

DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE, March 14-15; The Milwaukee Theatre. Search for the City of Lost Toys. 4 & 7 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 5 p.m. Sun. 908-6002.

TARGET FAMILY SUNDAYS, March 15; Milwaukee Art Museum. Hands-on workshops, gallery activities, treats, prizes, and more.10 a.m.-4 p.m. 224-3828.

FAMILY DAY AT THE DOMES, March 15; Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes), 524 S. Layton Blvd. Family-focused special event. Enjoy live Irish music, Irish set dancing, and learn about the culture and crafts of Ireland. Regular Admission and food & beverage fees. 649-9800.

YOUTH MUSIC CELEBRATION, March 15; Elmbrook Church Auditorium, 777 S. Barker Rd., Brookfield. Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and Milwaukee Children’s Choir with area high school choirs. 3 p.m. 267-2950 or 221-7040 for tickets.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION, March 17; Irish Cultural & Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave. Traditional Irish Dinner 4-7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. with John McGivern, Milwaukee’s favorite comedian; Áthas, Irish traditional music; Kinsella Dancers, Kinsella School of Irish Dance; free hootenanny in lower pub at 7 p.m. 345-8800

SEJON PARK, March 22; Wilson Center for the Arts. Young pianist Sejoon Park, winner of the 2008 Piano Arts Competition, performing Chopin and Stravinsky. 2 p.m.