Weekend Plans: Sound of Music sing-along, Hurricanes fest, Ackland family day, more

I'd also recommend "Born to Be Wild 3D," which I just got a chance to see with my six-year-old this week. The G-rated, 40-minute documentary focuses on the work of two women who rescue orphaned animals - elephants and orangutans, specifically. It's a beautiful movie with lots of very cute shots of baby elephants and orangutans. It's scheduled to run at 10 a.m. and noon Friday and noon Sunday at the IMAX theater at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. Stay cool!

Sing along to the classic tunes in the movie "Sound of Music" at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Friday. Gates open for the Sound of Music sing-along at 7 p.m. The movie begins around dusk. The event will feature the Julie Andrews film plus subtitles (in case you need them) so the whole audience can sing along. There also will be a fancy dress competition and more. Picnics are allowed. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for kids 3 to 12 and $40 for a four-pack. Sounds like fun!

The Carolina Hurricanes annual summer fun festival is from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday at the RBC Center in Raleigh. Parking and admission are free. The event includes lots of games and inflatables for kids, live entertainment and some hockey.

Raleigh Little Theatre's Teens on Stage continues its run of "Gooney Bird Greene and Her True Life Adventures," adapted from the book "Gooney Bird Greene" by Lois Lowry. The show tells the story of the kids at Watertower Elementary School who are having trouble concentrating. Then new student Gooney Bird Greene enters the scene, wearing pajamas and cowboy boots. The class is never the same again. Tickets are $13 for adults and teens and $9 for kids 12 and under. Shows run Thursday and end Sunday. The Raleigh Little Theatre is on Pogue Street near Cameron Village.

The season's final American Dance Festival Saturday matinee for kids is 1 p.m. Saturday at the Durham Performing Arts Center and will include a party after the performance on the DPAC plaza. Read my earlier post for details.

The N.C. Museum of Art's outdoor summer movie series will feature the PG-rated "How to Train Your Dragon," on Saturday. The movie begins at 9 p.m., but there will be crafts, activities and photo opportunities from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for ticket holders. Tickets are $4.

Smart Momma in north Raleigh will play host to Carolina Parent's Virtual Baby Shower from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event features door prizes, a free portrait session for your baby, refreshments and more. Smart Momma, at 8601 Glenwood Ave. across from Carmax, will also have a one-day sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday with savings of up to 25 percent off baby furniture, gliders, car seats, strollers, baby carriers and more. Click here for details.

Families can sign up to be a team in the second annual Cary Scavenger Hunt. Test your knowledge of Cary as you hunt for clues across the town on Saturday. For all the details and to register, click here.

And Ackland Art Museum in Chapel Hill is offering a Family Day from 1 p.m.to 4 p.m. Sunday. The theme is "encountering ancient art" and includes a scavenger hunt, art-making station, storytime and family tour. Most of the activities are best for kids ages 4 to 10 or 12. Check the website for details and a full schedule. It's free.