Weekend Plans: Cary theater opens, Marbles' Future Me Fair, children's opera

Good news for Pullen Park fans: The train, kiddie boats and carousel are open. The park’s rides have been closed off and on since late last year for maintenance. The kiddie boats and train are open now. The carousel will reopen at 10 a.m., Saturday. The seasonal pedal boats will return in mid-March. For more outdoor options, check our posts on parks and playgrounds in the region.

And to really get you in the mood for spring, the N.C. Museum of Art opens Bull City Summer, a photography exhibition chronicling the 2013 season at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. You'll see photos of the players, fans, concessions and behind the scenes. The exhibit opens Sunday and features works by nationally and internationally acclaimed photographers. As part of the exhibit, CAM Raleigh will open an exhibit of photos and videos in May. In April, the American Tobacco Campus's Crowe Lobby Gallery also will display some work. Bull City Summer is in the East Building (the original one) at the N.C. Museum of Art. It's free.

Cary will open The Cary, the town’s first indoor theater originally built in the 1940s, on Saturday. The Cary will offer several free movie screenings this weekend, including a free screening of “Finding Nemo” on Saturday. The venue also will host monthly kids movies. For more about this weekend’s activities and its schedule going forward, read my earlier post. Update: Theater doors will open 30 minutes before each movie. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Marbles Kids Museum wants kids to think about who they want to be when they grow up. The Future Me Fair is 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. Visitors can learn all about a variety of career possibilities with special local guests. They can learn about their own interests and skills in the Future Me Exploration Zone. It’s free with admission, which is $5 per person.

Forensic February continues at the Museum of Life and Science. The focus is on fiber analysis this week. The museum offers special programs and activities from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. It’s free with admission. Also: the museum’s Springs, Sprockets & Pulleys exhibit has been extended through March 9.

From noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, the State Capitol in downtown Raleigh will host an African American Read-In. Local authors, community leaders and children will read works by their favorite African-American writers, including fiction and non-fiction for children, teens and adults.  

Rags to Riches will present “Rapunzel” at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro. The 45-minute show is 11 a.m., Saturday. It’s best for preschoolers to grade schoolers. Tickets are $7 for kids; $9 for general admission; and $28 for a family four-pack. Kids 2 and under are free.

Opera Carolina will present “The Three Little Pigs” at 11 a.m., Saturday, at the Cary Arts Center (not to be confused with the renovated movie theater). The performance, best for grade schoolers, features the classic story with a twist. Opera Carolina’s touring company will perform. This is a great opportunity to introduce kids to professional opera. It’s part of Cary’s Marvelous Music Family Series, which also includes a related craft. Read my earlier post for details.

The N.C. Theatre continues its run of “Les Miserables,” which closes Sunday. The cast includes Broadway star and Raleigh native Lauren Kennedy and her fourth grade daughter Riley Campbell. Read my Q&A with Kennedy here. I’m told this is rated about a PG-13 because of the subject matter. Check with the box office if you have questions about whether the show is right for your family.

Learn more about Vietnam during the Children of Vietnam Tet Festival, which is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, at the VIF International Education Building, 201 Sage Rd., Chapel Hill. The free event includes dance, a traditional dress fashion show, craft booths, games and more. Go to the Children of Vietnam website to learn more about the group behind it.

Dreamsports in Apex will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday. The event offers free trial classes, inflatables, face painting and more. Learn more about the classes and camps held at the center.

And Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus makes its annual stop at the PNC Arena. It’s here with shows from Thursday to Sunday. Use discount code “NCMOM” to get four tickets for $60. This is a $40 savings on the $25 price level. It’s available for the 7 p.m., Friday; 7:30 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday, shows. Internet purchase only.