Frisbee’s show is full of all the tricks that kids love – juggling, mind-reading, fire-eating, upside-down escape – they definitely won’t be bored.

Families are invited to come out and enjoy the show in the garden. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. To attend, enter the Botanical Garden at the “Friend Entrance”, across from the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park (directions).

The garden hosts Family Shows the last Sunday of every month from June to September. Remaining shows coming up include:

Aug 29th: “The Comedy Magician” Robert Strong
Sept 26th: Award-Winning Magician Timothy James

Sarah B.

Many species of marine mammals frequent the California coast, including seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales and dolphins. With the Whale Bus on site, kids can explore marine mammal life with real specimens like bones, pelts, and baleen, and participate in hands-on activities.

Kids will also learn about the lives of marine mammals as well as the bigger picture of caring for the marine environment. Designed for ages 6 to 11.

Catch the Whale Bus at the Richmond branch library, 351 Ninth Avenue.

Sarah B.

On Friday night, approximately 300 people participated in the California Academy of Science’s first “Penguins + Pajamas” event. Children age 6 to 18 and their chaperones were treated to evening access to the Academy, special programs and a chance to sleep overnight among the penguins and aquatic life.

The first thing that strikes you at Penguins + Pajamas is how empty the Academy is. As I walked around looking for photo ops and attendees to talk to, I felt like I was in a ghost town. It was a welcome change from the crowded frenzy of a typical visit to the Academy.

After checking in for the night under the T-Rex, families left their belongings in the center atrium. Both the Academy Cafe and The Moss Room were open for dinner, so many headed there to fuel up before taking in the many exhibits and programs the night had to offer.

There was plenty to see and do at Penguins + Pajamas. First off was a live snake demo where Academy staff member Clinton held a Darth Vader-esque snake on his lap and invited guests to stroke the reptile (tip: stroke a snake in one direction: from the head towards the tail).

The multi-level Rainforests of the World exhibit was open for the first couple of hours and the richly colored butterflies were on hand to welcome visitors. On the lower level, the tide pools were well staffed to help kids interact with the starfish, sea anenome, and other unusual sea creatures.

At 8pm everyone gathered in the African Hall to catch the penguin show. As the kids and parents piled up on the floor in front of the penguin exhibit, I’m sure the birds were just as intrigued with the evening’s events.

After learning about the penguin’s habits, kids embarked on a quick scavenger hunt. Academy staff spread out items related to the penguins on the floor of the African Hall. To collect their items, kids had to “walk like a penguin” with their knees touching at all times.

Penguins + Pajamas attendees had a choice of three locations to sleep for the night: amongst the penguins in African Hall, alongside Claude the albino alligator in the lower swamp, or with the fishes in the lower Aquarium. Most of the kids I talked to said they planned to sleep with the penguins while the parents seemed to favor the aquarium area (darker?). I’m guessing the kids won that debate…

The night also included an Alligator Program at the upper swamp. Clinton the Academy staffer was back to lead attendees on an imaginary boatride down a Louisiana swamp. There were also plans for telescopes up on the living roof, but the San Francisco fog quickly put an end to that.

Since I didn’t have a kid in tow, I left before everyone bedded down for the night. Still on the schedule was the “Fragile Planet” show in the Planetarium, snack and storytime, a late-night movie, and finally, lights out at 11pm.

Wake-up came early on Saturday morning at 6:30am. Breakfast was served in the Academy Cafe and attendees had to be out by 8am so the Academy could prepare for its regular Saturday opening time of 9:30am.

There are two more Penguins + Pajamas events this summer on July 16 and August 13 and there is space available. The cost is $119 per person for non-members, $99 per person for Academy members (discounts for groups of 10 or more). More info

The price includes overnight parking in the Music Concourse parking garage as well as next-day museum admission, breakfast, snacks, and a special commemorative gift. And don’t think this event is just for little kids; I saw just as many teenagers as I did small kids wandering around the Academy.

If you’re yearning to stroll quietly through the Rainforest, take in a planetarium show without stressing about showtimes, or just want a chance to spend more time with the fish in the Aquarium, then don’t miss out on Penguins + Pajamas. Kids will love the chance to roam around uninhibited in the science playground and parents who normally get shortchanged will love the extra time and space.

Sarah B.

The band is from Arizona where they got deep into the movies and eventually formed their own tribute band, and their music is inspired by the Twilight characters and films.

Chronic Twilight watching resulted in songs inspired by parts of the movie, including “I Love Watching You Sleep,” “Fang Bang” and “Money Sex Cat.” The punkish “Bella Doesn’t Dance,” kicks off with the lines, “I know a girl named Bella/She is seventeen/She doesn’t know I’m a vampire/And she wants to have sex with me.” Yup, that’s Book 1, right there.

Bassist Diana Welsch says, “We do a really energetic show and we’re all dressed in black and covered in body glitter, because vampires shine in the sunlight, obviously.”

The Cullens will play a free show at the Richmond branch library, 351 9th Avenue, on Sunday June 20th from 3:30pm – 5:30pm. For more information, call the teen services librarian at 355-5610.

Sarah B.

And on Monday, June 21 at 2pm, the Bubble Lady will be at the Library for some bubblicious adventures in Bubble Land. Tons of bubble fun for everyone!

Both events are free and take place at the Senator Milton Marks/Richmond Branch Library, 351 Ninth Avenue. For more information, call 355-5600.

Sarah B.

The conference is presented by youth, for youth and stresses environmental stewardship, hands-on activities, and increased youth involvement in sustainability issues.

The event includes interactive workshops led by students, information on Green jobs and internships, great food and live entertainment.

The conference is free and will take place at the SF County Fair Building (Hall of Flowers) at 9th Ave and Lincoln Way in Golden Gate Park, 10am to 4pm.

Registration is required. Register in advance here or at the event from 9am – 10am.

Sarah B.

Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park. Photo by Guy Stilson

Water Wonders at Stow Lake | June 19 or July 17
On Saturday, June 19th or Saturday, July 17 from 9:30am until 11am, join the Academy for “Water Wonders at Stow Lake”, an exploration of Stow Lake, an important freshwater ecosystem in Golden Gate Park. Learn about aquatic food chains through hands-on activities and fun educational games.

Wild Woodlands | August 21
On Saturday, August 21 from 9:30am – 11:30am, the Academy will lead a “Wild Woodlands” tour. Explore an oak woodland in Golden Gate Park and take a closer look at the fascinating world of plants through fun hands-on activities, plus learn about the importance of maintaining biodiversity in our parks, and the controversial issue of native versus invasive species.

The cost for any of the above tours is $10 for non-members, $8 for members (museum admission not included). Space is limited so call 800-794-7576 or go online to purchase tickets (select the date on the calendar to get started). For each tour, participants should meet at the Academy’s Business Entrance off Middle Drive and wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes for outdoor activities.

Sarah B.

The SFFMC is free, open to the whole family and features more than 50 concert performers, dozens of dance workshops, open mic, impromptu music in the hallways and more.

Plus participate in over 40 music and song workshops including Jewish folksongs, Brazilian Choro Roda, Songs of the Copper Family, Tunes of Northern Italy or harmony singing in our Flash Mob Choir.

There are also loads of great family activities and performances for children and the whole family. See the full schedule

Bluegrass and old-time music fans will enjoy the high-energy bluegrass band Poor Man’s Whiskey and the gypsy jamgrass band, Absynth Quintet.

Saturday morning is host to the jug band mini-fest featuring the Jugtown Pirates. And on Sunday, Bay Area blues and classic folk legend Barbara Dane will perform with Johnny Harper.

Other highlights include Red Hot Chatchka, a capella group Jou Jou, the Gypsy/Jazz/Japanese music of Shamalamacord, and the unique guitar stylings of Matthew Montfort from Ancient future.

Sarah B.

The firefighters will also bring their truck along for the kids to explore. The event is free and takes place at the Library, 351 9th Avenue. For more information, call 355-5600.

Sarah B.

Can you believe it’s been a year since the Richmond District Library reopened? It was one of the first things I covered here on the blog; watch a video of the 2009 reopening celebration above. It was a great day for the neighborhood.

To honor the first anniversary of the new and improved branch, the Richmond Library staff will host an open house for the neighborhood this Saturday, May 15 from 1pm – 5pm.

Stop by to see the annual Lion Dance blessing at 1pm along with other readings and performances, featuring vocalist Ruth Keady in a special jazz performance. Take a listen:

There will be plenty for kids to enjoy too including a puppet show, a native american dance demonstration, plus arts and crafts. Check out the full schedule of events below.

Congratulations to the friendly staff at the Library for a great first year. Every time I’m in there, the library is buzzing with activity and packed with patrons reading, computing, studying, browsing… It’s a great resource for everyone in the neighborhood, both young and old.

The Richmond Branch is located at 351 9th Avenue between Clement and Geary.

Sarah B.