Dan Zanes returning to Raleigh for family show

Zanes, a member of the 1980s band Del Fuegos, made his first stop in the Triangle last summer at the art museum. I was well with child at that point and couldn't make it, but I'm told it was a great time. So glad to hear he's back. And I'm glad to see the earlier show time. It was 7 p.m. last year, which I think is a little too late for a lot of Zanes' younger fans.

Other family shows on the art museum's summer series is The Open Dream Ensemble’s latest production, Peril on the Red Planet, at 4 p.m., Aug. 28. It tells the story of a 13-year-old whiz kid’s efforts to save the planet from famine. Tickets are $5 to $10.

And Paperhand Puppet Intervention returns with its fantastical creatures and settings all accented with original live music. They'll perform at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 and Sept. 11. Tickets are $7.50 to $15.

The museum also will feature some family-friendly movies including "Monsters vs. Aliens" on June 19, "Where the Wild Things Are" on July 16, "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" on July 31, and "Fantastic Mr. Fox" on Aug. 14. The outdoor movies start at 9 p.m.

Tickets for all concerts and movies go on sale April 16 for museum members and April 23 for the general public. Tickets will be available for purchase online or by phone through the Museum Box Office at (919) 715-5923.