Right Here: Family-Friendly Arts & Cultural Activities at Florida’s Cultural Capital®
The Rickie Report is excited to share so many events and activities that are available here in Palm Beach County! Family-friendly arts and cultural activities are abundant! No need to hear “I’m bored” anymore!
Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
invites you to experience
family-friendly arts
cultural activities,
venues and
locales
Right Here – In Florida’s Cultural Capital®
Explore hundreds of family-fun things to do online at http://artscalendar.com/thepalmbeaches
The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County invites visitors to enjoy a fun variety of family-friendly activities, venues and locales taking place all over the county and discover why it’s called, Florida’s Cultural Capital®! With a colorful and diverse array of arts and cultural activities, offerings and fun, there’s sure to be something for families of varying age, taste, and budget. Check out happening events on tap, visit websites, and even purchase tickets by visiting: http://artscalendar.com/thepalmbeaches.
It’s all about `Outdoor Florida’ on the South end of Palm Beach County at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Nestled along AIA in Boca Raton, this venue offers visitors an expansive outdoor nature center with its Sea Turtle Garden, container garden of herbs and local flora, gopher tortoise exhibit and a butterfly nursery. Nature Craft for Father’s Day is planned to take place on June 15; 11 a.m. – Noon; ages 7 – 12; RSVP (561) 544-8615.
Enjoy live theater by taking the family for a “peek” ‘under the sea’ through the eyes of the Sol Children Theatre Troup’s musical play adaptation of Disney’s Broadway production, The Little Mermaid, Jr. July 4–5, Olympic Heights Performing Arts Theater, in Boca Raton; 561.447.8829.
Just north of Boca Raton in the heart of Downtown Delray Beach, visitors will find the charming and whimsical Puppetry Arts Center of the Palm Beaches. Robin Hood, by Master Puppeteer Jerry Bickel with the Bits ‘N Pieces Marionettes takes the stage 10:30 a.m., May 16, 17; and 2 p.m., May 18;
A short walk from the Puppetry Arts Center finds Arts Garage, home of jazz, blues, big band, live theatre, comedy and more! Dance in your seats to the popular family musical, “Footloose,” May 16 – May 19; table reservations available; show times vary. 561-450-6357, orinfo@artsgarage.org.
On the western end of Delray Beach visitors can experience the magical and serene setting of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. This year, its annual Sushi and Stroll event offers several dates and themes to enjoy. On June 7, from 5:30 p.m – 8:30 p.m. `Sip while you stroll’ at the Morikami’s Sip & Stroll: An All-About-Sake Evening event. Enjoy a unique selection of sake and menu items from the Cornell Café and learn all about the appeal of this age-old Japanese spirit. www.morikami.org.
Nature enthusiasts can also enjoy a visit to the Sandoway House Nature Center, found along AIA in northern Delray Beach. Sandoway is home to the largest private collection of shells in southeast Florida with 10,000 museum quality shells on display. Shark feeding anyone? Plan to arrive at 1:30 p.m. sharp, Tuesday through Sunday, to participate in this thrilling local favorite. If getting your toes in the sand is more your thing, sign up for its May 25 Beach Walk, taking place from 11 a.m. – noon. www.sandowayhouse.org.
For those who like to shop until they drop, explore artsy and trendy Lake Avenue in Downtown Lake Worth. At the corner of Lake and L Street, visitors will not want to miss stopping in at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County to find over 1200 artist-created items for sale in its Uniquely Palm Beach Store. While there, check out its exhibitions by Palm Beach County artists: Artist as Author through May 18; and, County Contemporary: All Media Juried Show – June 14 – Sept. 7. In the Cultural Council’s Cultural Information Center, take advantage of utilizing its interactive, touch-screen Explore Board to peruse arts and cultural venues; pick up brochures, event calendars, maps, the Winter issue ofart&culture magazine, and fill your day book or extended stay itinerary with destination stops sure to fulfill your quest for exciting arts and cultural happenings fun for the entire family – found all over the county. www.PalmBeachCulture.com
Just north of Lake Worth, in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County’s world class community youth choir, Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, presents “Ubuntu”, a special 10th Anniversary performance at the Annual Spring Concert on May 19. This award winning community chorus featuring 350 of the area’s top, talented youth voices; 7 p.m.; 561-832-SHOW; 1-800-KRAVIS-1.
A constant nearby draw for visitors of all ages is the Palm Beach Zoo, with exciting and educational encounters available to help you get to know some of the county’s resident animals. Daily Keeper Talks and `informative feeding and enrichment’ events give visitors an up close and personal look into topics like: What makes tigers so “chuffed” (happy); how alligators and pelicans eat; and what monkeys like to do when they, `monkey around.’ Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily; www.palmbeachzoo.org.
Archelon, part of the “Savage Ancient Seas” Exhibit at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium
Hop across the street to see what’s new at the newly-expanded South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, formerly known as the South Florida Science Museum. Celebrate with fun, interactive science 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on June 7 – “Community Opening Day.” Admission is Free. Experience the first blockbuster exhibit to fill the newly open exhibit hall, Savage Ancient Seas: Dinosaurs of the Deep. Kids and adults alike will gasp in awe at Archelon, a 17-foot-wide sea turtle. Archelon will be on display as part of the Museum’s newest traveling exhibit – Savage Ancient Seas: The Ancient Aquatic Deep - opening to the public on Friday, May 17. www.sfsm.org.
Have a budding artist in the family? Every first Saturday of each month The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach offers, `Art on the go!’ ages Kindergarten to 5th Grade. These art workshops are designed just for kids. Dates vary; RSVP: www.armoryart.org
It’s well-known that the acclaimed Norton Museum of Art, in Downtown West Palm Beach, has permanent collections and exhibitions of masterpiece works of art year-round, but did you know it also offers family-friendly hands-on activities for kids of all ages? On June 20, the museum invites guests to Be a LEGO® Architect. Begin in the classroom and learn about types of buildings. Next, participants draw designs and take plans to the LEGO® building activity area to construct it in 3-D on a special city map. Are you a Florida Resident planning a staycation? The Norton offers free admission for Florida residents in June, July and August and free admission to Palm Beach County residents every Saturday from June 1 – Aug. 3. www.norton.org.
Nearby along the intracoastal waterway finds the serene and tranquil Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. Gain rare insight into the life’s work of American Sculptor Ann Weaver Norton by exploring Ann’s studio, gardens, and historic home. The vast, meticulously landscaped property is adorned with Ann’s monumental sculptures. Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wed. through Sunday; closed in August. www.ansg.org.
A natural, outdoor setting that invites guests to set their own pace and explore nearly three acres of striking sculpture and native landscape is the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach. The gardens are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and there is no charge for admission. To learn more, visit www.fourarts.org/gardens.
North Palm Beach is home to the beautiful, tucked away John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Learn about the park’s ecosystems and history with an array of events. Enjoy a Butterfly Walk on May 25; 11 – Noon; Daily nature Walks at 10 a.m.; Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Free with Park admission. Guided two-hour Kayak tours occur daily at high tide; Turtle Walks, May 28 – July 19 with RSVP required; 8 p.m. – 11 p.m., or later, depending on the turtles. 561.624.6952.
North on U.S. 1 is Juno Beach’s Loggerhead MarineLife Center, filled with nature-based exhibitions to explore, and a state-of-the-art turtle rehabilitation center. Each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. children under 5 can bring their own “hatchlings” to share and enjoy ocean-inspired stories, crafts, and more with Hatchling Tales story time. Enjoy books, music, and group activities-Free; Celebrate World Oceans Day at Loggerhead on June 8 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. to honor the body of water which links us all and to learn ways we can all generate awareness about conserving and protecting our world’s oceans- Free. www.marinelife.org.
Participating cultural and arts organizations say, `Welcome to Palm Beach County” – where Culture has found its place in the sun®. For a wide preview of family fun events and other arts and cultural offerings in Palm Beach County, visit the Cultural Council’s Arts Calendar at: http://artscalendar.com/thepalmbeaches
About the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County: The Cultural Council is Palm Beach County’s official arts agency and serves non-profit cultural organizations and professional artists throughout the county. It’s responsibilities include marketing the county’s cultural experiences to visitors and residents, administering grants to organizations and artists, expanding arts and cultural education opportunities, advocating for funding and arts-friendly policies, and serving cultural organizations and artists through capacity building training and exposure to funders and audiences. For more information, see www.palmbeachculture.com. Admission to the Cultural Council is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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