Puppets, opera part of Duke Gardens' family performance series

Duke Gardens has been ramping up its kids programming over the years. And this year's family performance series will include opera, puppets, storytelling and more for kids.

Posted 2:11 p.m. Sep 7, 2010 — Updated 5:23 p.m. Sep 7, 2010

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Duke Gardens has been ramping up its kids programming over the years. And that includes a great family performance series.

Performances are indoors this year at the Gardens' Doris Duke Center, 420 Anderson St., in Durham.

Four performance are scheduled from October to May.

Opera Express, Opera Carolina's educational touring company, will present "The Billy Goats Gruff," an operatic version of the classic tale incorporating scenes from operas by Mozart, Donizetti and Rossini. The performance is at 11 a.m. Oct. 30.

Storyteller, poet and recording artist Willa Brigham, host of "Smart Start Kids" on WRAL-TV and public television, will perform at 11 a.m. Nov. 20.

Duke's musical theater troupe Hoof 'n' Horn will present a kid-friendly show at 11 a.m. March 26.

And Paperhand Puppet Intervention will bring its creations to Duke Gardens at 1 p.m. May 28. Always an amazing show, featuring puppets of all sizes from tiny to gigantic.

Tickets for each show are $10; $6 for kids under age 16. A season discount is offered at $30 for four adult tickets and $20 for four children's tickets.

Go to tickets.duke.edu or call 919-684-4444 for tickets.

And in related news, Duke's free Family Fun Fest is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Kids can build a fairy house, plant flower seeds and more. The fun fest kicks off the gardens' Sunday Science series of free drop-in activities through Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

And of course don't forget Duke's family adventure backpacks, which you can always pick up at the Doris Duke Center.

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