family fun - may 2010

Picks of the Month

It’s a great month to visit the Milwaukee County Zoo. Avoid summer crowds and leisurely enjoy all this great park has to offer, including a number of new arrivals.

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.

On Mother’s Day May 9, all moms receive free admission.

A “Party for the Planet” is set for May 15 & 16 with animal talks
and hands-on demonstrations of conservation initiatives.

Adventure Dinosaur! opens May 29 and continues through Sept. 6. With the support of Lowe’s, more than 25 realistic dinosaurs are presented in an outdoor habitat.

Watch two of the most enjoyable residents of the zoo, Amur (Siberian) tiger cubs Tula and Nuri who were born last July. Check out this video.

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:

The Animal Hospital, the newest “trading place” business, is set now open.

Moms receive free admission on Mother’s Day, May 9. Special activities are sure to please.

Neighborhood Night May 20means free admission from 5-8 p.m.

•Be sure to visit Kohl’s Healthy Kids: It’s Your Move, the newest exhibit area of the Museum, and learn vital health information.

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

Special exhibits:

The Puelicher Butterfly Wing allows visitors to stroll through a lush, tropical garden filled with butterflies, some willing to pause on fingers.

“Cabinets of Curiosity,” themed in honor of the museum’s 125th anniversary, illustrates the vast scope of museum holdings.

“Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures” opened in January and will continue through June 6. This only-in-Milwaukee exhibit will be of special interest to young adults.

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 and upcoming IMAX shows:

“MUMMIES: SECRETS OF THE PHARAOHS,” thru June 10; Part historic journey and part forensic adventure, follow researchers and explorers as they piece together the archaeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies.

“UNDER THE SEA,” through Sept. 30; Encounter some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea.

Current and upcoming shows at the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium in the IMAX :

“SECRETS OF THE DEAD SEA,” thru June 10; Ancient scrolls chronicle the passage of time by motions of the sun and moon, while rock and sand preserve a living record of a place as timeless as the star patterns above.

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.

Special May programs:

A “Night at the Aquarium” is set for May 7 from 5-9 p.m. at the Reiman Aquarium. Included is a 7 p.m. movie feature, “Shark Tale.”

The S/V Denis Sullivan returns for the season May 29, with special 10th anniversary activities planned for May 29 and 30.

Continuing exhibits at Discovery World:

"City of Freshwater" focuses on Milwaukee’s leadership role in use of its water resources.

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

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

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

MISCELLANEOUS FUN

PLENTY of pro sports action throughout the summer. Brewers attracting thousands of fans each game. Even football action provided by Milwaukee Iron at the Bradley Center. See www.keymilwaukee.com/sports for all the details.

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.

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY, through May 9; Todd Wehr Theater of Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. First Stage Children’s Theater presentation based on Judith Viorst book. Most appreciated by adults, teens and children ages 3 and up. 273-7206.

NATURE OF DOGS, through June 12; Waukesha County Museum, 101 W. Main St., Waukesha. Fine art animal photographer Mary Ludington seeks to capture the true nature of dogs, their beauty, character and spirit. Sixty photographs capture the particular personalities of the different breeds. 262-521-2859.

71ST ANNUAL CONVENTION AND COIN SHOW, April 30-May 1; Midwest Airlines Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. Central States Numismatic Society event with dealers, exhibits and seminars. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 908-6001.

STORYTIME LIVE! April 30-May 1; The Milwaukee Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave., hosts the Nickelodeon crew with favorite preschool pals. 800-745,3000.

SPRECHER’S SPECIAL MOMS’ EVENTS, May 2, 9; Sprecher Brewery, 701 W. Glendale Ave. Family-friendly, mom-focused activities. Includes hourly brewery tours 12-3 p.m., shopping for perfume to jewelry to accessories and Italiana Buffet (extra charge in addition to admission fee). Admission: Adults $4, Seniors $3, Minors $2, U.S. Military Free. Includes tour, samples, unlimited soda, kids’ card creation station. Reservations recommended. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 964-2739.

KOHLS ART GENERATION OPEN STUDIO, May 2, 9, 23, 30; Milwaukee Art Museum. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

MOTHER'S DAY AT THE DOMES, May 9; Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes), 524 S. Layton Blvd. Treat your mother or grandmother to a visit and use the backdrop of flowers for family photos. 649-9830.

ARMED FORCES WEEK CELEBRATION, May 15; Harley-Davidson Museum, W. Canal St. at S. Sixth St. Military hardware on display. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

53rd ANNUAL GEM, MINERAL & FOSSIL SHOW, May 15-16; Hart Park in Wauwatosa, 72nd and State Sts. Wisconsin Geological Society show features more than 20 dealers, exhibits, door prize, educational programs and free children’s area. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. each day. 771-8668.

TARGET FAMILY SUNDAY, May 16; Milwaukee Art Museum. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

COMMUNITY STREET FESTIVAL, May 30; Port Washington. Live music and kids activities. Noon-4 p.m. 262-305-4220.