What's kid-friendly this weekend in West LA: July 11 - 12, 2009

July 9, 10:20 PMWest LA Early Childhood ExaminerShazneen Gandhi

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Here's a list of kid-friendly events in West LA this weekend. Unless otherwise noted, these events are free. Enjoy!

Events scheduled for the entire weekend:

11:00 AM -5:00 PM Sat. & Sun. -  Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy at the Japanese American National Museum, 369 East First Street, Los Angeles, California 90012.  This exhibition examines the traditional Japanese kokeshi folk toy, complete with a special display of more than 100 custom-painted kokeshi toys. $9 adults, $5 children 6-17.  Call (213) 625-0414 for more information.

Events scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2009

8:30 AM - Youth Sports Summer Sports Workshop and Skills Competition at Wilson Park, 2200 Jefferson Ave., Torrance. Spend today at baseball, softball, basketball and soccer workshops with skills competition days on July 18 (basketball), July 25 (baseball/softball) and Aug. 1 (soccer). For kids in K-8th grade. Advance registration required. $10 for one sport, $19 for two sports, $25 for three sports. Call (310) 618-2720 for more information.

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Growing the Park, a family festival, celebrating the 4th Anniversary of the Orange County Great Park (off the 5 freeway and Sand Canyon in Irvine).  Mark the past, present and future at 3 themed areas: the Back Forty, the Runway and Sky's the Limit. The Anaheim Ducks and the LA Galaxy will host interactive sporting activities. The Discovery Science Center will have hands-on kids' science activities. Check out modern military equipment and vintage artifacts. There is also a petting zoo, music, kite flying and balloon rides. For more information, click here or call (949) 724-7420.

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Parent & Me activities at Bel Bambini, 464 North Robertson Boulevard, West Hollywood, California 90048.  The activities include activities with The Treehouse Social Club, arts and crafts, a Very Meri t-shirt design contest, Glimmer Body Art and Piggy & Paws Ceramic Handprints. For information about more activities aimed at parents going on at the store on both Saturday and Sunday, click here.

10:00 AM - Noon - Family Nature Walk in Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills. Let the whole family get involved in this low-stress, stroller friendly walk led by a trained and knowledgeable docent. This walk is suitable for kids aged 0-8 and is a great opportunity to get the kids involved with nature as they discover flora and fauna on this great hike! For more information, click here.

10:00 AM Critter Club: Slime And Scales at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A. Hear tales, play games, make a craft and visit slimy, scaly critters. Ages 3-5. Museum admission: $9 adults, $6.50 children 13-17, $2 children 5-12.

10:00AM - Noon - Family Fun at the L.A. County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Artist Leigh Adams shows kids how to make a mosaic. Pre-registration required. $6 per person; $20 per family plus $50 class fee, which also includes admission. Call 626-821-4623 for more information.

10:00 AM - Ford Big!World!Fun!: The On Ensemble at the Ford Theatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hollywood. The On Ensemble blends traditional Japanese drumming with the sounds of Africa, the Pacific Islands and rock 'n' roll; science-based arts and crafts at 9 a.m. Reservations required. $5 adults, children free. 

10:00 AM - Musical Exploration: What Is Classical? at the Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A. Learn about classical music from the Grammy-nominated Beethoven's Wig. Ages 5 and older. $8 per person (show only) or free with museum admission: $14.95 adults, $11.95 students, $10.95 children 6-17. Call (213) 765-6803, ext. 6 for more information.

11:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Family Day: Books Galore at the Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., L.A. Explore the colorful world of Japanese and Asian-American books. Call 213-625-0414 for more information.

Noon and 2:00 PM - Family Amphitheater Performances at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Japanese drumming from the Taiko Center of L.A. Click here for more information about this program. Free with admission: $10 adults, $5 children 2-12. Click here for information regarding other family programs at Skirball. 

Noon - 4:45 PM - Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A. Get an up-close look at these creatures at the Discovery Center. Museum admission: $9 adults, $6.50 children 13-17, $2 children 5-12.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM - Let's Make History at the Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. Craft time with a Western flavor. Museum admission: $9 adults, $5 students, $3 children 3-12. Call (323) 667-2000 for more information.

1:30 PM -3:30 A Listen Learn & Make Family Workshop: Birds Boxes and the World of Joseph Cornell at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Learn about Cornell's assemblage art and then make your own bird-themed shadowbox. Reservations required. Ages 3-12. $6. Call 323-937-4230, ext. 50 for more information.

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Sunset Concert Series at the Redondo Beach Pier, Redondo Beach. Rootsy, twangy rock from Danny Hamilton and The Mudslingers.

6:00 PM - White Light White Night - at South Bay BMW, 18800 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance. This fundraiser for Walk With Sally, a local nonprofit that helps kids whose lives have been affected by cancer, includes a performance from rocker Gavin Rossdale. $100 (advance), $150 (at door).

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Free Morris Wand and Soundtrack Concert at Paraiso Amphitheater, Paraiso Town Center 350 Via Las Brisas, Newbury Park, CA 91320.    Morris Wand and Soundtrack are a band known for their covers of classic doo wop and oldies. Click here, or call (818) 871-2900 ext. 12 or email info@paraiso.com for more information.

7:30 PM - Basically Beatles at the L.A. County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. The California Philharmonic performs Beatles and Bach music - so roll over, Beethoven, tell Tchaikovsky the news!  Tickets: $20-$90.

Events scheduled for Sunday, July 12, 2009

Family Day at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, 490 E. Union St., Pasadena. Draw inspiration from the museum's exhibitions while making some crafts. Ages 4-12. Call (626) 568-3665 for more information.

10:00 AM -7:00 PM - Japanese Summer Festival at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance. Fourteenth annual fest features dancers, music, martial arts demos and a traditional Mikoshi parade. $3-$5.

11:00 AM - Family Fundays at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Rhythm Child Norman Jones drums up some fun. $8.

Noon - 3 PM - Comedy Day at the Farmer's Market, Third and Fairfax, L.A. As part of the Market's 75th anniversary, there will be improv comedy performances, kids' caricature drawings and crazy hat decorating. Call (323) 933-9211for more information.

Noon - 2 PM - Sunday Afternoon for Kids: Film Festival in Ninety Minutes at the Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Brick Maier shows kids how to make a mini-movie festival. Reservations recommended. RSVP by emailing rsvp@826LA.com.  Ages 8-13.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Let's Make History at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, 234 Museum Dr., L.A. Learn about Native American art and crafts and then make a take-home craft. 

2:00 PM - Basically Beatles at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. The California Philharmonic performs Beatles and Bach music - so roll over, Beethoven, tell Tchaikovsky the news!  Tickets: $20-$90.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Lion Of Judah Masks at the Zimmer Children's Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100, L.A. The Lion of Judah is Ethiopia's national symbol; make a lion mask and learn about Ethiopia. $3 with admission: $8 adults, $5 children 3 and older.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Stories In The Afternoon: A Banner Day at Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. After listening to stories about festivals, make a banner. Ages 6 and older. Free with admission: $8 adults, free for children under 18.

5:30 PM - A Great Day with Grandparents at the American Girl Place, 189 The Grove Dr., L.A. Girls can share some fun activities and a meal with their grandparents. Take home a photo and other keepsakes. Reservations required. Ages 6 and older. $52 per person.  Call (877) 247-5223 for more information.

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM - Summer Music Series at Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site, 4600 Virginia Rd., Long Beach. The Witcher Brothers serve up some colorful bluegrass music.

6:30 PM - Target Children's Night at Levitt Pavilion, MacArthur Park, W. Sixth and S. Park View St., L.A. Hudson Vagabond Puppets perform Ferdinand The Bull.