Font Resize
THEATER / MR. MCGEE & THE BITING FLEA
Jan. 22-Feb. 21: This new production at the Children's Theatre Company is based on six whimsical stories written by popular New Zealand children's writer Pamela Allen. Watch what happens when a wayward duckling doesn't listen to its mother, meet the monster who lives in Mary Elizabeth's house and see Mr. McGee shed most of his clothes and dive into the ocean to escape a biting flea. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 23, 2 and 5 p.m. Jan. 24; 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; $40-$16; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.
EVENT / GLOBAL HOTDISH VARIETY SHOW
Jan. 23: Local actor and singer T. Mychael Rambo hosts a 90-minute variety show including yo-yo tricks by Dazzling Dave, Persian song poems performed by Maryam Yusefzadeh and Tim O'Keefe, Appalachian clog dancing, the 9-year-old singer who wowed the Minnesota State Fair talent show, a state trivia contest and a capella songs from the fur-trade era sung in four-part harmony by men with paddles. Audience participation encouraged. 2-3:30 p.m.; Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $12-$5, ages 6 and younger free, includes gallery admission; reservations, 651-259-3015.
FESTIVAL / FROSTY FUN
Jan. 23: If the St. Paul Winter Carnival isn't enough to lure you
STORYTELLING / THE WONDERWEAVERS
Jan. 23: Storytellers Colleen Shaskin and Tina Rohde will tell tales about a sneezing dragon and a frog named Snog and will share their lively adaptation of the book "The Most Wonderful Egg in the World." 10:30 a.m.; Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul; free; 651-224-8320 or redballoonbookshop.com.
EVENT / ROCK THE CRADLE
Jan. 24: It's a giant playdate at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Children's Theatre Company. Now in its fifth year, Rock the Cradle, sponsored by 89.3 The Current, is a free day of hands-on art and music activities, family yoga, theater, puppetry and more. There will be storytimes with DJs including Mary Lucia and Mark Wheat, a disco with local kid dance band Koo Koo Kanga Roo and performances by local musicians Jeremy Messersmith, Adam Levy and Haley Bonar. Thousands of people are expected, so check the Web site for parking info and restrictions on strollers and backpacks. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; free; minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current.
THEATER / THE SNOWY DAY
Through Feb. 14: Stages Theatre Company has a knack for expanding slim children's picture books into full-length plays. Now, they've fleshed out "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats. The 1963 Caldecott winner was the first popular picture book to have an African-American main character. Stages Theatre, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins; $15-$5; 952-979-1111 or stagestheatre.org.
EXHIBIT / DINOSAURS: LAND OF FIRE AND ICE
Through May: Staff at the Minnesota Children's Museum used up-to-date research to design an interactive exhibit where kids can explore two distinct climates — the land of fire and the land of ice. Kids can walk through a bog, meet the animatronic T-Rex, climb icy steps and pretend to be a paleontologist by uncovering fossils with brushes. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Minnesota Children's Museum, 10 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; $7.95; 651-225-6000 or mcm.org.
HISTORY EXHIBIT / MINNESOTA'S GREATEST GENERATION
Ongoing: The Minnesota History Center exhibit uses recorded interviews, photographs, film footage and hundreds of artifacts to document the experiences of an entire generation, from childhood in the 1920s through World War II and into the present. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17, free for children ages 5 and younger. 651-259-3000 or mnhs.org.
FILM / FREE FAMILY FLICKS
Ongoing: The Theatres at Mall of America shows free family flicks every Saturday at 10 a.m. Arrive early to get a seat. See theatresmoa.com to find out what's showing.
NATURE / BIRDING
Ongoing: See songbirds up close and watch experts band birds as part of an ongoing effort to help scientists learn more about bird migrations and habits. All ages welcome. Carpenter Nature Center has been capturing, banding and releasing birds for 26 years. 9 a.m.-noon every fourth Friday of the month, Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings; free; please call ahead to let them know you're coming; 651-437-4359 or CarpenterNatureCenter.org.
