Children’s Music has come a long way from the bopping keyboard with squeaky children’s choir days. Today, there are children’s music bands, children’s music songer-songwriters and even children’s music Grammy Awards. The Okee Dokee Brothers are all of the above (yes, they won a Grammy) and also friends since childhood.
Go see them on Saturday at 11a at the Carrboro Arts Center.
Harris Lake is a beautiful park, albeit a bit of a drive from (downtown) Raleigh. (~25 minutes) This Saturday, they celebrate their Longleaf Pines, and they have about 60 acres full of them. The Festival features hayrides through the longleaf preserve, entertainment, crafts, live animals and even a fire engine. Since this is not hipster downtown, but rather the rural fringe of Wake County, food will not be provided by some fancy food trucks, but catered by Chick-Fil-A. (So you might want to bring your own kale chips and alfalfa sandwiches.)
The festival takes place this Saturday, April 13, from 11a to 3p at Harris Lake County Park.
Longleaf Pines by Chris M Morris, licensed under the CC BY license.
Whether you want to learn about the thermodynamics of a steam engine, or understand the mechanics of the Walschaerts valve gear, New Hope Valley Railway is the place to be this Sunday. Of course, you can just ignore the science, and ride the choo choo for pure enjoyment.
Untitled (New Hope Valley Railway) by abbyladybug, used under the CC BY_NC license.
As part of NC Science Fest, several astronomers’ groups are offering stargazing opportunities to the general public. The weather should clear up just in time for sunset tonight, and viewing conditions should be moderately good.
There are two good viewing areas outside the light pollution of downtown: Ebenezer Church Rec Area by Jordan Lake and Annie Louise Wilkerson MD Nature Preserve in North Raleigh. The event in North Raleigh starts at 8pm. Jordan Lake has less light pollution, but only starts at 9pm.
Since we’re always looking for a balanced diet for ourselves and our youngens, how about adding some yummy chili to that tasty hotdog?
Chillyfest, an annual chili cook off for food businesses and individuals is happening on Fayetteville Street this weekend. Bring an empty stomach, $8 for 10 tastings and, “chilly out’.
Have you also secretly dreamed about what your kids will be when they graduate college? Lawyer, ballet dancer, nuclear engineer? You probably realized by now that they’ll do what they will, but how becoming a brand advocate for Oscar Mayer and drive cross country in a giant hot dog? This dream comes true for 12 marketing or PR college grads every year, who get selected by Oscar Meyer to do just that. Check out their hotdoggerblog.com and visit two of them this Saturday when they are in the area.
9am-12pm, Walmart near Brier Creek (Hwy 70& I-540, specifically 10050 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh NC)
1pm-4pm, Walmart in Morrisville (Hwy 54& I-540, specifically 1001 Shiloh Glenn Dr., Morrisville)
The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is holding its annual Reptile & Amphibian Day, and the focus is on Snakes!
If you have the guts, go for the snake feeding at 2p and 4p. Otherwise, visit one of the many info booths with turtles, snakes and other lovely critters. There are local snakes like the copperhead, and international visitors like Gila Monsters and Geckos from Madagascar.
Copperhead by P. Wood used under the CC BY_NC_SA license.
While Rome is celebrating Francis I, we and many others celebrate St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland. My recommendation would be to partake in the events earlier in the day, and then head home as inebriation and excitement rises as the day goes on.
The main parade starts at noon and travels up Fayetteville Street, past the Capitol and down Blount St. to Moore Square, where the Festival takes place. Beautiful 70 degree weather will make this a beautiful day.
Just next door, Marbles will also host a number of St. Patrick Day’s activities like Clover Creations or a Leprechaun Freeze Dance.
Shreddin’ Irish! (St. Patrick’s Day Parade by twbuckner, licensed under CC BY.)
Briefly mentioned last week, Oaks and Spokes is a festival celebrating cycling in Raleigh. Events, mostly geared towards adults, have taken place all week, but on Sunday the kids will take over for a the “Kidical Mass” ride through historic Oakwood and Mordecai.
The event will kick off on Sunday at 10am at the Oak City Cycling Project, but the ride won’t start until 11:30am. Kids old and skilled enough to ride alone are encouraged to do so, with the watchful parents riding along. Two loops are planned through Mordecai and Oakwook, and you can expect to be done by 1pm.
The weather should also get better, with Sunday clear and in the 60s.
Trash + symphony = …?
The NC Symphony Kids Series culminates this weekend with the widely anticipated (ok, by me anyway) “Rhythm in your Rubbish”, a performance that brings together our NC Symphony with Toronto-based Platypus Theatre, a troupe that specializes in quirky performances for kids together with a classical orchestra.
Rhythm in your Rubbish is suitable for kids 4-12, and there will be two performances on Saturday (at 1p and 4p). Both are pretty well sold, but some seats are still available.