By ANN PINSON / The Dallas Morning News
Everyone likes free stuff, and sometimes that's especially true for
families with young children. We've compiled a list of fun freebies,
starting June 25 and looking ahead into July.
Dallas Children's Museum
File 2004 / DMN
Jack Colbert of Rockwall plays in the Dallas Children's Museum's Greek village kitchen.
'Elizabeth I: Ruler and Legend'
This traveling exhibit explores the life of Queen Elizabeth I of
England, the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn.
She reigned from 1558 to 1603. There will be an opening reception on
June 25 at 2 p.m. for the exhibit, which runs through Aug. 5 at the
Grand Prairie Main Library, 901 Conover Drive, Grand Prairie.
972-237-5700. The library is presenting several special events related
to the exhibit; for a complete schedule, go to www.gptx.org.
• Fascinating Falcons program with live birds, presented by On the Wing
Again. July 21 at 2 p.m.
• Martha Hannah, a comedian who uses songs and stories to teach kids
about the Middle Ages and Renaissance, performs. July 28 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Living History Days
Chestnut Square Historic Village holds this free event on the fourth
Sunday of each month, and it always features a stagecoach on display and
old-time arts and crafts demonstrations, as well as a studio where kids
can dress up in old-fashioned garb for a photo. To reflect this month's
"Old-Fashioned Fourth" theme, the schedule includes a pie-eating
contest, music, a children's parade, homemade ice cream, live music and
a flag display. June 26 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Chestnut Square Historic
Village, 315 S. Chestnut, McKinney. The grounds open for picnics at
noon. ($10 for a photo in the studio.) 972-562-8790.
www.chestnutsquare.org.
Church carnival
This Concord Church event will feature food, prizes, music and games.
June 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church, 6808 Boulder Drive.
214-455-5670. www.concorddallas.org.
Stephanie's Day
This event for children with special needs and their families includes
puppet shows, live music, clowns, face painting and information on
support groups and resources. Local radio and television personalities,
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, Dallas Desperados dancers and the Dallas
Mavericks mascot are scheduled to make appearances. The event is
June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lower level of Stonebriar Centre,
2601 Preston Road, Frisco. 972-668-6255. www.shopstonebriar.com.
Library Live
Big Thought, an organization that provides arts programs for kids,
brings performers from many cultures to libraries year-round. On
June 28, Marsha Webb will present a program about Appalachian music and
instruments at 2 p.m. at the Audelia Road Branch Library, 10045 Audelia Road. 214-670-1350. For future performances, go to www.bigthought.org.
Zooniversity
File 2004 / DMN
A green iguana from Venezuela was part of a Zooniversity presentation last year.
• June 27 at 2 p.m. at the Betty Warmack Branch Library, 760 Bardin Road,
Grand Prairie. 972-237-5770.
• June 28 at 2 p.m. at Watauga Public Library, 7109 Whitley Road,
Watauga. 817-514-5866.
• June 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the Zula Bryant Wylie Library, 225 Cedar
St., Cedar Hill. 972-291-7323.
• June 29 at 2 p.m. at the Christopher A. Parr Library, 6200 Windhaven
Parkway, Plano. 972-769-4300.
• June 30 at 2 p.m. at the Grand Prairie Main Library, 901 Conover
Drive, Grand Prairie. 972-237-5700.
Summer Movie Camp
These free family screenings with offerings rated G or PG are held at
AMC theaters in Grapevine, Fort Worth, Mesquite, Arlington, Frisco and
Dallas. This week, the featured film is Racing Stripes. Seating
is limited, and the film schedule may change without notice. Movies are
shown on Wednesdays through Aug. 3 at 10:30 a.m. For a complete
schedule, location information and theater phone numbers, go to
www.moviewatcher.com.
Family Film Festival
For more kid-friendly free movies that are rated G or PG, check out the
screenings at Regal Entertainment Group theaters in Dallas, Fort Worth,
Garland and Grand Prairie. The screenings are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
at 10 a.m. through Aug. 3. Seating is limited. For location and schedule
information, go to www.regalcinemas.com/family_film.
Irving Arts Center
The Irving Arts Center will hold a handful of free programs for kids
this month and next. On June 29 at 10 a.m., ICT Children's Theatre
will present a 35-minute interactive performance of Rumpelstiltskin. On July 10, Alpana Jacob and her students from the Arathi School of
Dance will present arts and crafts, in addition to teaching kids about
traditional and folk dances of India, from 2 to 4 p.m. And on July 24,
instructor Steve Beck, who speaks Spanish and English, will lead the
kids in arts and crafts projects from 2 to 4 p.m. All events will be at
the arts center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving. 972-252-2787.
www.irvingartscenter.com.
The Nasher Sculpture Center
Together in the Center is held on the first Saturday of each month, and
the Nasher keeps things hopping with art activities for kids, yoga in
the garden, artist demonstrations and guided tours. The next event is
July 2, with free admission from 10 a.m. to noon. 2001 Flora.
214-242-5100. www.nashersculpturecenter.org.
Published in The Dallas Morning News: 06.24.05
