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MUSIC / WILL HALE AND THE TADPOLE PARADE BAND
Nov. 14: Anyone who has brought kids to a Will Hale show knows they won't stay in their seats. The local musician is known for interactive performances where children, parents and grandparents dance, sing and play a little air guitar. 11 a.m., doors open at 10:30 a.m.; Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; adults $8, children $5, under 2 free; 612-338-2674 or thecedar.org.
DANCE / BABY LOVES DISCO'S 5TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
Nov. 14: Disco tunes, flashing lights... and diaper changing stations? That's what families can expect at Baby Loves Disco's 5th Birthday Party at the Envy in Minneapolis. The party features disco tunes from the '70s and '80s mixed by a DJ, bubble machines, healthy snacks and a "chill-out" area with tents, books and puzzles. 2 to 5 p.m.; 400 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; $12 in advance, $15 at the door; 612.673.9694 or babylovesdisco.com.
BOOKS / RED BALLOON TURNS 25
Nov. 14-15: St. Paul's favorite children's bookstore celebrates its 25th anniversary. Costumed characters Madeline and Clifford the Big Red Dog will welcome visitors, followed by a "Clifford and Friends Story time" with co-owner Carol Erdahl. Several of the local illustrators who have created the store's commemorative posters are scheduled to present and sign their work. And, on Nov. 15,
MUSIC / THE ROSE ENSEMBLE
Nov. 15: The Rose Ensemble ventures into the Pacific with its new choral program "The Last Queen of Hawaii: Music from the Soul of the Hawaiian Saga." Ensemble founder and director Jordan Sramek delved into manuscript libraries in Hawaii to create a program that honors the Hawaiians' struggle to keep alive their rich musical traditions. 1 p.m.; Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul; free; 651-292-3225 or landmarkcenter.org.
TOUR / A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT THE RAMSEY HOUSE
Nov. 18-Jan. 3: This holiday-themed tour includes a 12-foot tree adorned with blown-glass ornaments and the Ramsey family's dining room table set for an 1875 Christmas dinner. Music from the vintage Steinway piano completes the ambiance. Tours start every 30 minutes. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon-3 p.m. Sundays (horse-drawn carriage rides on select Saturdays starting Nov. 28); Alexander Ramsey House, 265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul; $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children; 651-296-8760 or www.mnhs.org.
THEATER / A PATH HOME: A STORY OF THICH NHAT HANH
Through Nov. 22: The story of the Vietnamese peace activist is told with giant puppets and a meditative spirit in a new production at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. Creator and puppeteer Masanari Kawahara explores how the Buddhist monk's pacifism developed as a response to his experience of war and violence. 7:30 on Nov. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2 p.m. on Nov. 8, 15 and 22; In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, 1500 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis; $12 to $17; 612-721-2535 or hobt.org.
HOLIDAYS / A NORDIC CHRISTMAS
Ongoing through December: The American Swedish Institute opens its annual holiday displays, with five rooms in the historic Turnblad mansion decorated with trees and table settings from the five Nordic countries. New this year is a playhouse stuga for kids, with a tree for decorating and Sankta Lucia and star boy costumes. On Saturday only, there will be family crafts, tomte story time, Christmas bingo, live music and Swedish baked goods. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis; $4 to $6, free for kids younger than 6; 612-871-4907 or www.americanswedishinst.org.
HISTORY EXHIBIT / MINNESOTA'S GREATEST GENERATION
Ongoing: The latest exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, "Minnesota's Greatest Generation," 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. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 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 age 5 and younger. 651-259-3000 or www.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. to noon every fourth Friday of the month (except December, when program is on Dec. 18), 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.
