family fun - march 2010

Picks of the Month

Be among the first to see a new children’s health exhibit at Milwaukee’s Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Supported by a $725,000 donation by Kohl’s Department Stores and in partnership with Children’s Hospital and Health Systems, the 2,000-square-foot exhibit immerses youngsters in a giant, interactive board game that features health-related challenges and physical activities designed to help them learn about nutrition, activity and rest, safety and personal care. Educational programs for families and school or community groups also will be available at the Museum to complement the exhibit.

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 at the zoo is March 6

Behind the Scenes Weekend March 13 and 14 from10 a.m.-2:45 p.m. gives visitors a chance to view areas normally closed to the public. Highlights include winter quarters for warm-weather animals, a look at the Aquatic & Reptilke Center’s marine lab and the kitchen of the small mammal house. Call 414-256-5466 for additional info.

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:

Milwaukee’s Trinity Academy of Irish Dance performs Saturday, March 6, at 12:30 and 1 p.m.

Neighborhood Night March 18 means free admission from 5-8 p.m.

Visit Kohl’s Healthy Kids: It’s Your Move, the newest exhibit area of the Museum, and learn vital health information. It’s our Pick of the Month for March.

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.

An “Archaeology Fair” is set for March 5-6. 278-2702.

“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:

“WILD OCEAN” (through March 18): Explores the interplay between man and the endangered ocean ecosystem, an epic struggle for survival where animals collide with the most voracious sea predator, mankind.

“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.

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

"GALILEO: THE POWER OF THE TELESCOPE" (through March 18). The Soref Planetarium original production tells Galileo's personal and powerful story, exploring how his discoveries displaced long-held views about the universe. Narrated by Dava Sobel, author of the award-winning biography "Galileo's Daughter."

“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.

A special weekend program, "Tesla Lives," provides electrifying performances that look into the genius of Nicola Tesla.

On March 13 and 17, St. Patrick is celebrated and each visitor wearing green will receive $5 off admission.

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

IT’S A GREAT MONTH to take in a game and there are plenty this month. In addition to the NBA playoff drive of the Bucks, the first two rounds of the NCAA Division I basketball tournament will bring eight top college teams to the Bradley Center. Get all the details in KeyMilwaukee.com sports.

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.

THE WIZ, March 5-28; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Todd Wehr Theater. First Stage Children’s Theater presents the timeless classic, with a modern, soulful twist. Join Dorothy and her friends in an urban land of Oz. Most appreciated by adults, teens and children ages six and up. 273-7206.

WISCONSIN KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW, March 6-7; See more than 1,200 dogs representing more than 125 different breeds at this popular show in the Wisconsin Expo Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave. Talk to breeders and handlers and visit with exhibitors offering the latest in pet products and supplies.

INDIAN SUMMER POW WOW, MARCH 6-7; The Wisconsin Products Pavilion at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St. is the site of this traditional pow wow with singing and dancing, a marketplace with more than 50 vendors, fry bread and Indian tacos to enjoy. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. 604-1000.

STORY TIME IN THE GALLERIES, March 6, 13, 20 and 27; This popular family event at the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr., continues at 10:30 a.m.

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL SPORTS SHOW, March 10-14; Celebrating its 70th anniversary, this show give every visitor a taste of what to expect during the summer in Wisconsin. Staged in the Wisconsin Expo Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, the show includes a kids activities at the Family Adventure Pavilion and a contest for 2010’s fastest retriever. Noon-9 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. 800-472-2070.

IF YOU TAKE A MOUSE TO SCHOOL, March 13-28; Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St. First Stage Children’s Theater show based on the book by Laura Numeroff. Most appreciated by families, children ages three to six. 267-2961.

MILWAUKEE’S ST. PATRICK’S PARADE, March 13; The sixth oldest St. Patrick’s Parade in the country dating back to 1843 before the incorporation of the State of Wisconsin, the parade this year combines with the 44th anniversary Shamrock Club of Wisconsin parade. Featuring more than 150 units, including Irish dance groups, pipe and drum corps and local celebrities, the parade kicks off at the entrance to the Shops of Grand Avenue at W. Wisconsin Ave. and N. Old World 3rd St. www.saintpatricksparade.org

YO GABBBA GABBA LIVE! THERE’S A PARTY IN MY CITY, March 14; Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. State-of-the-art production and interactive experience by touring company of hit Nickelodeon television show. Performances at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. www.pabsttheater.org.

IRISH FAMILY DAY AT THE DOMES, March 14; Mitchell Park Horticultural Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., are always green, but in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day adds events for children, and live entertainment sponsored by Milwaukee Irish Fest, Milwaukee County Parks and Friends of the Domes. Noon to 5 p.m.

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 as well as local Irish performers. 345-8800.

GOLDEN DRAGON CHINESE ACROBATS, March 20; Pabst Theater. 6 p.m.

MIDWEST GAMING CLASSIC, March 27-28; Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel, 375 S. Moorland Rd., Brookfield. The largest electronic gaming event in the U.S. features all types of electronic games, from home console systems to classic, full-size arcade games. Visitors can tour the Classic Gaming and Computing Museum, play games or enter tournaments. Speakers include famous pinball and game designers. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 964-4032.