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Weekend Plans: Ice skating lessons, Escher family tours, symphony for kids

The N.C. Museum of Art offers family tours of its Escher exhibit. Emily Saves the Orchestra at the N.C. Symphony. And the popular Chinese Lantern Festival is extended!

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Three Kings Day in Cary
By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
Happy weekend! Here are some activities to keep you busy on this winter weekend! As always, check WRAL.com’s Out & About calendar for more.
The Chinese Lantern Festival at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary was extended through Jan. 17 so there is still time to catch this beautiful display of lights!
Cary’s annual Three Kings Day Parade and festivities are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, in downtown Cary. The event celebrates Three Kings Day, traditionally Jan. 6, when gifts are exchanged in most Spanish speaking and some European countries. Participants will be wearing traditional dress and have some musical accompaniment. It’s free! Note that Cary will close North Academy Street from Ambassador Loop to Wilkinson Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. for the parade.
The N.C. Museum of Art will host family-friendly tours of its M.C. Escher exhibit at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The tours are free, but you’ll need to have an exhibition ticket to participate. The 30-minute tour, best for kids ages 6 to 12 and their adults, takes visitors through this great exhibit. The exhibit recently was extended to run through Jan. 24.
Emily Saves the Orchestra will be featured during the N.C. Symphony’s youth series. Concerts are scheduled at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., Saturday. Here’s a description: “During a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Emily, a spunky 10-year-old, is drawn out of her seat and onto the stage by the strains of the beautiful music, but her bold behavior brings her more than she has bargained for. She soon finds herself face to face with the terrible monster Cacopholous in a battle to save music.” Get there an hour before the concert to participate in an instrument zoo, face painting and more. Tickets are $23.
Umstead State Park will celebrate 100 S'more Years from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, at its visitor center, 8801 Glenwood Ave. They'll provide the s'mores ingredients and fire. You can enjoy a free s'more and learn a bit about the park before or after a quick hike. No reservations are required for this one. N.C. State Parks is celebrating its 100th anniversary with special events across the state.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in Chapel Hill will host a free Teen Science Cafe from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, for teens ages 13 to 18. The evening will focus on two-dimensional nanomaterials with guest scientists from the Warren Lab.
Raleigh’s downtown ice rink will hold free ice skating lessons on Saturday. This is first come, first served.
In Durham, Northgate Mall’s Discovery Nook will feature a special program from Morehead Planetarium at 12:30 p.m., Saturday. It’s free.
Finally, if you were planning on heading out to Cary’s Bond Park this weekend for the annual Winter Wonderland, note that the event has been moved to Jan. 22 and Jan. 23. I’m told that Jan. 22 is sold out, but there are still slots on Jan. 23.

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