Child’s Life Visits the ROM

During March Break this year I visited the ROM with my two boys now 8 and 11 years old. The ride down on the subway from Finch station was an adventure all by itself for the boys, it's been awhile since we headed into the city without our usual four wheels.

March Break was a very busy time at the museum, it was great to see so many enthusiastic kids bouncing around the MAYA activities and special events on the main floor. There was a buzz of excitement all around, entertainers, crafts, puzzles and loads more to keep younger minds engaged and busy.

The boys had a pretty long list of 'must sees'. First on the list was the special MAYA: Secrets of their Ancient World exhibit. The MAYA exhibit has been receiving alot of publicity so naturally I was interested in seeing what it was all about. The exhibit is actually quite large, it features many artifacts - carvings, pottery, jewellery, masks and incredible ceremonial pieces as well as explanatory videos throughout. My 11 year old was captivated by the carvings on the items, the ancient Mayan designs have an almost modern styling that are really beautiful, or in other words 'cool'. My eight year old was very interested in knowing all about the tablets and symbols they used. My personal favourite was the mask of the Red Queen, made from over 1100 pieces of malachite, bone and shells entirely reconstructed by some very patient archaeologists.

The items in this exhibit are really old - some of the pieces are dated to 250 CE, being so close to this kind of history seemed almost mind boggling for the boys. It really is difficult for us to visualize this kind of time span, and the condition of the items in MAYA are truly amazing. It's such an interesting culture that we hear so little about, I think we all took away from it a certain sense of 'awe'. You can download the Family Adventure Trail and Graphic Novel booklets in pdf format from the ROM website or pick them up when you arrive at the museum.

Talking about hard to visualize time spans, my 8 year old was itching to see the dinosaurs in the Micheal-Lee Chin Crystal. We visited this exhibit when it first opened in 2008, and it's still an incredible sight - for those of you who have not yet been you owe yourself a trip. We all love the Prehistoric Sea Turtle that hangs from the ceiling, also the Barosaurus at 90 feet long, is spectacular - standing beside this giant really gives one a perspective of what the massive proportions of this prehistoric world must have been like. So many creatures are included from the smallest (or giant!) insect up to the the woolly mammoth and other massive dinosaurs including the monstrous Tyranosaurus rex that tower over you as you walk through, always a hit with the kids!

We also made visits to the Mammal Gallery, Bat Cave, Bird Gallery, studied Butterflies and learned loads about the ROMs resident bees from an enthusiastic volunteer. By request we made time to visit Greece, Rome and Japan. Not too much looking at the statues and pottery here though, the boys had a main objective - armour and weaponry. I actually learned loads, as my 11 year old explained the history and evolution of Roman Armour to me along the way. The Samurai costumes and weapons were especially popular with them as well.

Visit the Royal Ontario Museum website for more info and family friendly events. The MAYA: Secrets of their Ancient World exhibit closes April 9. Plus, don't miss Ultimate Dinosaurs: Giants from Gondwana coming this June!


www.rom.on.ca


Written by Justine Mohan for Child’s Life

Disney on Ice - Dare to Dream

Written by local mom, Lynnsey Griffiths

This was my first time going to a Disney on Ice production and I thought it would be great fun for the kids but it turns out it was great fun for me as well. The ice stage was set-up in a way that there was not a bad seat in the house.

Mickey & Minnie were fabulous as the hosts of the event, introducing each storyline and interacting with the crowd by giving clues to which Disney Princess was up next.

The Princess & the Frog was short and sweet. The animal costumes were fabulous in this skit and the jazz music had my feet tapping! Cinderella was up next and did not disappoint, and all the kids were singing along to Bibbity-Bobbity-Boo!

Last was Rapunzel who stole the show. The skit was the longest of the three, and was fabulous! The skating numbers in this skit were by far the most difficult and the way they brought the storyline to life was great. The best part was when all the floating lanterns came down from the sky.

A little surprise happened during the grand finale when a few more of the Disney Princesses showed up to make a little guest appearance which had all the little girls excited!

I left the show with two very happy little girls wearing their Rapunzel hair purchased from the Disney booth! Another Disney on Ice show will definitely be in our future!

Written for Child’s Life by local mom, Lynnsey Griffiths.

Family Week at the Sony Centre

KIDS SEE A SHOW FOR FREE!
Sony Centre For The Performing Arts Celebrates Family Day All Week Long!

From February 18-26 only, adults who purchase a full-price ticket to select Sony Centre shows will receive a child's ticket for free! Family Week at the Sony Centre is designed to introduce young people to the magic of the performing arts and make live entertainment accessible to the next generation of theatre lovers. Research proves that the majority of kids who attended the theatre in their youth become theatre-going adults.

"Family programming is an essential part of the Sony Centre's mandate to be Toronto's theatre for the people - all people," said Dan Brambilla, CEO of the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, "and our family programming is chosen with a view to entertain families from every segment of the city's diverse population."

For specific performances between March 1 and May 19, kids aged 2-12 can see a participating show for FREE when accompanied by a full-paying adult.  Tickets must be purchased during Family Week, February 18-26. Participating shows include:

BRIT FLOYD - The World's Greatest Pink Floyd Show - A brand new show celebrating the amazing musical legacy of Pink Floyd!  March 1, 2012

MYTHBUSTERS - An all-new, live stage show starring Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage promises an unexpected evening of on-stage experiments, audience participation, rocking video and behind-the-scenes stories. Due to overwhelming demand, a 4:30pm show has been added in addition to the 8pm performance. March 29, 2012

TAO Japanese Drummers- A modern take on traditional Japanese percussion, TAO's taiko drummers use their entire bodies to express the music they create. March 30, 2012

DISTANT WORLDS: music from FINAL FANTASY - Back by popular demand, DISTANT WORLDS features the award-winning music from the record-breaking video game series "Final Fantasy", performed live by the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. In Toronto, composer Nobuo Uematsu and producer Arnie Roth will appear as soloists with the orchestra, with Uematsu on keyboards and Roth on violin! March 31, 2012
 
RIVERDANCE - This will be the very last chance to experience the internationally acclaimed celebration of Irish music, song and dance, live on stage.  RIVERDANCE, the show that has touched the hearts of millions around the world, will make its final appearance in Toronto, ever, at the Sony Centre. April 19-21, 2012

NATIONAL CHINESE ACROBATS - An unforgettable performance for the whole family, the NATIONAL CHINESE ACROBATS join the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in an unforgettable performance featuring daring maneuvers, feats of strength, gymnastics, balancing and more.
May 12, 2012

BOLSHOI BALLET presents SWAN LAKE - The Bolshoi Ballet returns to Toronto with the most revered of classical ballets, SWAN LAKE, a perennial dance favourite. Today, the Bolshoi Ballet remains one of the world's most famous ballet companies, with fans including the likes of Lady Gaga! May 15-19, 2012

Tickets can be purchased from February 18 at 10am until February 26 at 6pm
in person at the Sony Centre box office, 1 Front Street East,
or by calling toll-free at 1-855-872-SONY (7669), or online at sonycentre.ca/family
Use discount code: FAMILY
For more info visit www.sonycentre.ca

Cineplex Family Favourites

Starting February 18th, Cineplex offers a fun and affordable way to enjoy the weekend with your family!

Every Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m., for only $2.50* per person, you can enjoy Family Favourites on the big screen, with a different film each week. This exciting new program kicks off with the original Muppet Movie on Saturday, February 18th. Tickets are on sale now, and SCENE® members can earn 25 points for each film!


Visit the Cineplex website for full details and movie schedules:
http://www.cineplex.com

A portion of the proceeds will go towards supporting Starlight Children’s Foundation, the national charity partner of Cineplex Entertainment. For more than 20 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries, by providing entertainment, education and family activities that help them cope with the pain, fear, and isolation of prolonged illness.

Save 20% on Pinkalicious Tickets

SAVE 20% ON
PINKALICIOUS, THE MUSICAL
EXTENDED THROUGH JANUARY 2012
At the LOWER OSSINGTON THEATRE
Sundays at 1pm

Tickets: $23.00 *
with code VEBNOV20
Regularly 29.50
The Lower Ossington Theatre
100a Ossington Avenue, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z4

Based on the book "PINKALICIOUS"
by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann

Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe - a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament?


3 Ways to order your Tickets:

ONLINE:   
Click here or visit www.vitaltheatre.ca

PHONE:   
Call (416) 642-8973

IN PERSON:
Advanced tickets must be purchased online or over the phone. Tickets are available for purchase the day of the show, one hour prior to the performance.
*The VEBNOV20 Discount is subject to availability for non-premium seats only and cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer can be revoked at any time. Offer not valid on prior purchases. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Telephone and internet orders are subject to standard service fees. Offer valid through January 29th 2012.