Weekend Plans: Concert, theater, improv for kids, Lego-palooza, more

This weekend is the big weekend when Marbles Kids Museum extends its Sunday hours. Starting this weekend, Marbles will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays. It's hours had been noon to 5 p.m., Sundays.

The N.C. Symphony rounds out its Young People's Series with a final concert for the season on Saturday at the Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh. This one, called Bug Songs, will feature music and sounds that mimic insects. Shows are 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Saturday. Tickets are $20. The Triangle Youth Ballet will be part of the performance. And the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences will be on hand before the concert with some bugs and other critters. For more on the concert and next season's series, read my earlier post. The concerts are best for ages 4 to 12. I'll be at the 11 a.m. show. Be sure to say hi if you see me!

Lego-palooza is back at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for its eighth year. The two-day event is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. It's free and best for ages 6 and up. The event includes brickfilms (stop-motion animated videos using Lego figures), along with an exhibit of hundreds of Lego models created by the NC Lego User Group. This very popular event will be in a new location this year at Morehead. You'll find the exhibits in the Rotunda on the main floor and the State Dining Room on the third floor. The brickfilms are on the Science Stage on the main floor next to the Rotunda. A note from Morehead: Elevator service to the third floor is limited to guests who have disabilities. Visitors are asked not to bring strollers because they cannot be accommodated on the elevator or in the exhibit areas.

Morehead also will have one of its Star Families programs from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., Saturday. The program, designed for families with kids ages 7 to 12, require pre-registration. Saturday's topic is Women in Astronomy. The fee is $5 per person.

We have five consignment sales this weekend. You'll find great deals at events in Raleigh, Apex, Wilmington and Cary. For details, read my earlier post.

Transactors Improv Company will present its TAFFY: Transactors for Families improv show at Common Ground Theatre in Durham at 11 a.m., Saturday. The 45-minute performance features short-form improv with individual scenes running five to 10 minutes and based on audience suggestions. Transactors has been offering more shows for families in the past few months and I hear they've been really popular. I can't wait to catch one myself. Tickets for Saturday's show are $7 for adults and $5 for kids. Children 2 and younger are admitted free. The theater is located at 4815B Hillsborough Rd., in Durham. Another show is scheduled for 11 a.m., May 12. Call (919) 698-3870 or visit Common Ground's website for tickets and directions.

Raleigh Little Theatre's run of "The Adventures of Nate the Great," based on the series of books by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, opens Friday at the theater near Cameron Village. The show runs through March 25. Tickets are $13 for teens and adults and $9 for kids 12 and under. Here's a synopsis: "Nate the Great is the sharpest kid detective ever to solve his neighborhood's mysteries. With his faithful dog, Sludge, and his friends, he solves important cases, always remembering to leave a note for his mother and wear his galoshes! It's the Our Gang comedies meet Raymond Chandler, a spoof of "B" movie mysteries."

The ninth annual Garner Storytelling Festival starts at 1 p.m, Saturday, at North Garner Middle School, 720 Powell Dr. The free event features professional storytellers Susanna and Timmy Abell, Willa Brigham, John Golden, and Cyndi Morgan, along with local students.

Cary's annual Kite Festival is 1 p.m., Saturday, at Fred G. Bond Metro Park, 801 High House Rd., in Cary. The annual event includes an expert kite flyer, who will be on hand for stunt kite demonstrations. And there's a kite flying contest for all kinds of categories (including my favorites - best crash and best tangle). Registration for the contest begins at 12:30 p.m.

Durham Family Theatre presents "The House at Pooh Corner" with shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday and next weekend. The performance, featuring theater students, is at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, 504 W. Chapel Hill St. in downtown Durham. Suggested donations are $12 for adults and $10 for kids, students and seniors.

Carolina Theater presents The Peking Acrobats at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday. Set to a live Chinese orchestra, the acrobats do everything from wire-walking and trick-cycling to precision tumbling and more. Tickets are $32 to $42.

Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil stops at the RBC Center with two shows: 8 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $50 a piece. This major show celebrates Jackson and his music as only Cirque du Soleil can. I was originally told that this show isn't the most family friendly out there. Then the show's promoters told me that it is, though there are some parts that young children might not enjoy (explosions, loud music, costumes for "Thriller"). They definitely recommend it for families with older children. Follow the link above for details where you'll be able to see some video and judge for yourself.

The Streets at Southpoint in Durham celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend with a kids party with free cupcakes, face painting and more; spring kid's fashion show; and a concert by Big Bang Boom. The Greensboro-based power pop trio writes children's music that parents don't mind listening to. I've seen them perform and definitely recommend them. It will be a fun concert. There are other events and specials too. Check the website for details. Among those helping out with the celebration is Flip4Kids, a language program for children. They'll be making, decorating and filling pinatas from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. near the Sears wing.

North Hills Bookery will hold a storytime at 10 a.m., Saturday, at the store. See my earlier look at the store and storytime.

N.C. Parent Consultants will hold a free session for parents at 10 a.m., Saturday, at 519 Keisler Dr., Suite 202, in Cary. The topic is Helping With Fears and Anxiety, strategies to help children when common worries become worrisome. It's free, but you must register at least 48 hours in advance. Just email them at enroll@ncparentconsultants.com to register.