Get out there and play
Put on your dancing shoes for a weekend of music and dancing at¡Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival. In its 20th year, the free festival will bring a wide range of Latin music—from salsa to reggaeton and mariachi to norteña—to Grant Park, 331 E. Randolph St., Chicago.
Take a break from dancing and visit the Lowrider Car Show, where your family can get an up-close look at cars and trucks with modified suspension systems so that the vehicles—many of which are from the‘50s and‘60s—ride low to the ground. If your kids still haven’t danced themselves tired, visit The Kid’s Zone to play on the jumping jack and learn about electrical safety at the“Safety Club for Kids.”
¡Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival is open from 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free valet parking is available for bikes at the northwest corner of Lake Shore and Monroe drives. For a full musical schedule and more information, call (312) 744-3315 or visit cityofchicago.org/specialevents.
Photo courtesy of Veronica Resa/City of Chicago
Get out there and play some more
Kids have vivid imaginations that can take them anywhere. Apply those creative imaginations during the Family Puppetry Workshop at the Goodman Theatre Saturday. As part of the Latino Theatre Festival, the workshop is meant to complement the performance of“De La Oreja Al Corazon,” a Spanish puppet piece from Mexico City.
Your family will learn how to create and use puppets from a puppeteer in English and Spanish during the free workshop. All materials are provided, but registration is required by 8 p.m. Friday. Children will be able to take their puppet creations home.
Patrons who attend the puppetry workshop can buy discounted tickets to the matinee performance of“De La Oreja Al Corazon” at 3 p.m. The play is about a young orphan who discovers a talent for music and follows his dreams with the help of an old man, Don Pepe Ojeda. The play is performed in Spanish with English subtitles. A discussion with performers will follow the show.
The Family Puppetry Workshop begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. For reservations, call (312) 443-3800. Discounted tickets to“De La Oreja Al Corazon” are $15, $5 kids. For more information, visit goodmantheatre.org.
Photo courtesy of Alejandro Benitez.
Inside Fun
Ariel always wanted to be“Part of Your World” and now you can be a part of hers while you sing along“Under the Sea.” One of only three venues in the country, The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, is hosting“The Little Mermaid Sing-a-long” for a limited engagement Friday through Sept. 1. Dress as your favorite characters and get ready to sing your movie-loving heart out.
You won’t have to have the entire movie memorized—even if your kids do—as all of the lyrics will be on screen. All audience members will receive a goodie bag full of props to use during the film.
You can pick up a Chicago Parent goodie bag at the 5:30 p.m. sneak peak on Friday. Performances of“The Little Mermaid Sing-a-long” are 5:30 and 7:45 p.m. daily with additional shows at 10:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Wednesday and 1 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day. Tickets are $12, $9 children and seniors. For tickets and more information, call (312) 902-1500 or visit the Web site, musicboxtheatre.com.
Piece of the prize
This week, three lucky Chicago Parent readers will win ExoBonz from Curious Toys. For more product information, visit curioustoys.com. To win, visit our discussion board.
