Family-friendly Weekend Events for February 8, 9 & 10
Friday, February 8
Bring the kids (ages 2–5) to Fantastic Fridays: Chinese New Year, this Friday from 10 am to noon. Celebrate Chinese New Year and usher in the year of the Rat with a fun-filled program that includes fireless fireworks, wonton making, and traditional Chinese New Year stories. Drop-ins accepted on a space-available basis. To register call (415) 561-7752, or download the form at www.parksconservancy.org. The cost is $10 per child, accompanied by a parent or caregiver (stay as long as you like!)
Friday Nights at the de Young: Mardi Gras Meets Chinese New Year: A Cross-Cultural Mashup this Friday night from 5 to 8:45 pm at the de Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Join us for a parade featuring elements of Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year. The cafe and a no-host cocktail bar are open for dinner and drinks. There are hands-on art-making activities available for children and adults. More info: (415) 750-7694 or www.famsf.org.
Saturday, February 9
The first Marin Kids Consignment sale takes place this Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Marin Kids Consignment will hold its inaugural sale at Playtime Safari, located at 5470 Nave Drive in Novato. Come and shop for bargain priced baby, toddler, and maternity clothes. For more information on the sale and consigning clothing, visit www.marinkidsconsignment.com.
The Bonnie Lockhart Sing-and-Dance will be taking place at the Belvedere-Tiburon Library on Saturday at 11 am. Local musician Bonnie Lockhart will encourage kids to sing and dance in this free music program for ages 0-5 in the Founders Room. The Belvedere-Tiburon Library is located at 1501 Tiburon Blvd. in Tiburon. For more info, call (415) 789-2665. Bonnie Lockhart's website is www.bonnielockhart.com.
Looking for some kid’s books? The San Rafael Public Library’s big book sale takes place on Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. The sale will include recently published hardcover fiction and nonfiction, and offerings that cover a wide range of subjects including art, spirituality, cooking, and gardening. Children’s books as well as videos, books on tape, CDs and DVDs will also be offered. All proceeds benefit the library. The book sale will take place at Canoles Hall, First Presbyterian Church at Mission Avenue and E Street in San Rafael. Prices run $1 to $5, typically. For more info, call (415) 485-3104.
The Bay Area Discovery Museum teams up with World Arts West to present World On Stage. This Saturday at 11 am the Peruvian Dance Company performs. Come and experience the diversity of Peruvian culture. The Peruvian Dance Company reflects the many influences found throughout the different regions of Peru, including the coast, the Andes and the Amazon, through traditional music and dance. Members $7.50, general $9.50. For info, call (415) 339-3900 or www.badm.org
Calling all toy experts! Bring the family to the new Top Secret: Mission Toy exhibit opening February 9 at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. Use your investigative skills to check out toys from around the world. Explore dolls and balls, robots, puzzles and secret de-coding devices. Find out why tops are tops and how string can be a fascinating thing, and even build your own special toy in Top Secret: Mission Toy. For more info, go to www.badm.org.
Experience Elephant Seals, every Saturday and Sunday through March 29, from 11 am to 4:30 pm at Elephant Seal Overlook, Point Reyes National Seashore (weather permitting). View an elephant seal colony through binoculars and scopes. Ask volunteer docents about the amazing adaptations and life cycles of northern elephant seals. For more information call (415) 669-1534 or go to their website.
Sunday, February 10
Bring the family to the San Francisco Symphony’s Chinese New Year Celebration on Sunday at 4 pm. Come and welcome the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rat, with the Symphony’s annual Chinese New Year concert. This family event features a mix of music and instruments in a fusion of East and West. It includes a festival reception with Asian instruments, lion dancers, and more. Tickets range from $20–$50. For ages 6 and up. For more info, go to www.sfsymphony.org.
Love song sing-along and pasta dinner. Come and listen the Marin’s Children’s Chorus as they sing the songs of love, and enjoy a pasta dinner from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Seating is limited. Ticket prices are adults $15 and children $10 (includes dinner, beverage and dessert). The fundraiser will be taking place at First Presbyterian Church at 1510 5th Avenue in San Rafael. To order tickets, go to www.marinchorus.org or call (415) 456-2480.
