Art&Seek Jr. is one mom‘s quest to find activities to end the seemingly endless chorus of the “I’m Bored Blues” while having fun herself.  Impossible you say? Check back on Tuesdays for kid-friendly events that are fun for adults, too.

The other day my daughter and two of her little friends treated me to an impromptu show.

It had everything you look for in a concert; great seating (my comfy oversized chair), refreshments (chocolate milk and gummy worms), and cool tunes (Katie Perry was the soundtrack for the performance).  The Tres R’s (Rose, Reese and Ramsey) chose “Roar” as their opening number. They would have made Katie proud as they emerged from behind the stage door, aka the bedroom, with pink feather boas and flash light microphones in hand.

As I listened to them belt out the song in their little girl voices, I was transported back to my own childhood in Bellevue, Nebraska, and the shows my friends and I use to put on.  These “recitals” came about one boring summer when my friends and I decided what our neighborhood really needed was cultural enlightenment—well, that and a McDonald’s. We’d recently tasted the spotlight after taking ballet classes at the Entenman School of Dance in beautiful downtown Bellevue and we felt well qualified to expose our neighbors to the art of dance. My basement was our own personal Winspear Opera House with painted refrigerator boxes serving as scenery, and my grandmother’s old mint-green sofa conscripted as theater seating. We played Elton John and Helen Reddy on my parent’s hi-fi as we twirled and kicked to the beat, while our long-suffering mothers looked on. True, we were no Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, but we felt the same “let’s put on a show!” enthusiasm. Our audience eventually died out–there were pot roasts that needed to be put in the oven –but the show went on anyway for several more years until horses became our next big thing.

Irish dancing, anyone? Come out to ArtsPark this weekend and see free performances. (photo: ArtsPark)

No need to put on a show. You and the tinies can celebrate the arts at one of these cool events this weekend.

It’s April so that must means it’s time for ArtsPark. In case you haven’t heard of it, ArtsPark is a super-cool event that brings together arts and cultural organizations from across North Texas together under one roof at NorthPark Center. You and the kiddies can find out more about the arts organizations in our area, learn a new creative skill, or just come out and enjoy the live performances, programs and demonstrations. The fun happens this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

Come meet a mermaid at the 34th Annual Scarborough Renaissance Festival. (photo: Therese Powell)

How about an introduction to opera? Join the Dallas Opera and the Dallas Children’s Theater this Saturday at the Winspear Opera House for a performance of the children’s tale, Jack and the Beanstalk. Tickets are $5–a real bargain for the super-posh Winspear, and at only 40 minutes in length it’s perfect for the littlest opera goers.

Celebrate spring with the Crow Collection of Asian Art with their Adventure Asia-Family Day this Saturday. Kids (and adults) can learn how to move like a real ninja, create origami, participate in a family yoga class, and make their own dragon boat model for a race against other boats.

You’ll find plenty of art and culture at the 34th Annual Scarborough Renaissance Festival. Besides the music, artisans, humongous turkey legs and fun “Renaissance era” rides, there are also strolling costumed entertainers (Queen Margaret of Scotland and the Isles is our favorite), mermaids perched in shells, and handsome knights that the tiny tykes will thoroughly enjoy meeting. The Faire opens for its month long run this Saturday in Waxahachie.

Therese Powell is an Art&Seek calendar coordinator and KERA-TV producer. She spends most of her free time seeking out adventures for her 8-year-old daughter, Rose. Tell us about your quirky kid adventures by leaving a comment. Or e-mail Therese at [email protected].