Free Summer Movie Series at the Imperial

So I just found out that the Imperial Theater downtown is hosting a free family movie series this summer on Saturday mornings! Head downtown for just the movie, or combine it with a trip to the Augusta Market at the River, the art museum, the history museum, Oglethorpe Park on Riverwalk, Book Tavern bookstore, and/or one of the many kid-friendly eateries in downtown Augusta and you’ve got yourself a weekend! (* View the category “Downtown Augusta” if you’re looking for more kid-friendly fun downtown!)

Here is the press release from the Imperial detailing the movie series:

READ IT LEARN IT AND WATCH IT: 

A FREE SUMMER FAMILY FUN FILM SERIES

 Contact: Danielle Maynard

boxoffice@imperialtheatre.com

706-722-8341

AUGUSTA, GA. — The Imperial Theatre is pleased to present their “Free Summer Family Fun Film Series” consisting of six (6) popular, if not classic films; five of which with roots in a popular literary work. The Imperial Theatre’s goal with the series is to actively and intentionally make a connection with the books or the historical events upon which the films are based. The Imperial’s vision is that parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, friends and/or caregivers accompany the younger counterparts ranging in age from as young in some cases as 4 years old up to 14 years old, to the films (12 to 14 years old probably not so much J). The Imperial Theatre would like to promote cross-generational dialogue and learning with adults actively participating in the program. That involvement would help motivate the children to actively involve themselves by reading the associated literary works, when appropriate, prior to each film.  Although most of the selections are family films, two (2) of the films, “Jumanji” and “James and the Giant Peach” may have more appeal to an older segment/age-group. Films which we feel may be geared more towards the older age group will be so noted in promotional materials. Following is a list of the films in the series:

Sat., 6/11 The Wizard of Oz

Sat., 6/18 Babe

Sat., 7/09 James and the Giant Peach

Sat., 7/16 Jumanji

Sat., 7/23 Balto

Sat., 7/30 The Muppet Movie

 

All films begin at 10AM on their respective dates.

The Read It Learn It Watch It Summer Family Film Series is made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation for the CSRA. We are also working with Communities in Schools which will promote the series in the educational community.

 

Tickets for the event are available on-line at imperialtheatre.com, by calling

706-722-8341 or at the box-office at 749 Broad Street. We are open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.

More art fun this weekend!

So I just discovered that one of our favorite annual activities for the kids is taking place this weekend as well! The Morris Museum of Art’s Art Rocks! Social Canvas Festival is being held this Sunday (March 20th) from noon until 4pm. Here is their description of the event:

“Enjoy painting demonstrations by some of your favorite local artists as they are inspired during live performances by bands including Those Lavender Whales. Join in the fun at art-making stations, take part in gallery scavenger hunts and help paint a giant canvas. Free and fun for all ages. Noon to 4pm.”

Here are some pics from last year’s Social Canvas Festival… so much fun!

Be sure to check the Morris Museum of Art’s calendar often for more of their great events and activities for kids!  http://www.themorris.org/calendar/calendar.html

Art & History Fun!

10th Annual Spring Artists’ Market and Festival

Coming out of blog hibernation for a quick post about this weekend’s event at the Gertrude Herbert Art Institute in downtown Augusta. I always seem to miss this event since it tends to sneak up on me, so I didn’t want the same to happen to any of this blog’s followers! This FREE family-fun festival is taking place this Saturday, March 19th, from 11am to 2pm. There will be face painting and hands-on art projects for the kids and gallery viewing for the adults. We attended several years ago and the whole family had a great time!

For more info on the festival and the art institute: http://www.ghia.org/events/10th-annual-spring-artists-market-and-festival

 

Mondays at the Museum

If you haven’t checked out the new “Mondays at the Museum” programs at the Augusta Museum of History, Monday, March 21st, is your next chance! We have attended a couple of these programs and they are very well done– the kids love visiting the exhibits and hearing some of the more “kid-friendly” stories behind the historical artifacts, and they enjoy the related craft that follows. Mondays at the Museum happen once a month at 10am. The cost is $4/kid (or $2/kid for members of the museum). Next Monday’s topic is Irish immigration in Augusta and will feature a visit to the train exhibit followed by a shamrock jewelry craft!

For more info on events at the history museum: http://www.augustamuseum.org/Calendar

 

End of summer sanity-saver… $1 kids’ movies at Regal and Masters Cinema!

Whew… after a month involving a LOT of traveling, we are finally settling back into summer in Augusta.  I’m super late getting on the ball with this, but if you haven’t checked out the area’s great deals for inexpensive summer movie fun yet, here’s the scoop: both Regal Cinema at the Augusta Exchange and Masters Value Cinema on Washington Road are offering $1 family movie specials all summer (through the end of this month).  My two older boys and I went to Dolphin Tale 2 this morning for only $3 total and it was a great way to spend the morning!  Both theaters show their $1 specials at 10am; Regal Cinemas has two movies that play both Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 (so you could conceivably go both mornings and see two different movies), and Masters Cinema shows one movie each week on both Tuesday and Thursday.  I love having all those options so that we can work one in around our schedule each week this month.  Tomorrow (Thursday) The Penguins of Madagascar is playing at Masters Cinema, and then there are two weeks left of $1 morning movies at each theater.  Happy viewing!!

Link to Regal Cinemas Summer Express Movies schedule: (next week, July 21 & 23, is “Week 8” on their schedule): http://www.regmovies.com/movies/summer-movie-express

Link to Masters Value Cinema summer movie specials:  http://www.georgiatheatrecompany.com/gtc-promotions.aspx

More indoor summer activities in the area…

To follow up on my last post, here are a couple more FREE! indoor activities going on in the area…

“Music and Me” with Miss Emily at the Augusta Public Library downtown headquarters.  This is a free music, rhyme and movement time for little ones held at the headquarters branch on Telfair Street every Monday at 10:15.  It took my 2-year-old for the first time this past week and we had a great time!  It was a big group, so the instructor is thinking of offering two different times in the future.  To receive updates on the Music and Me times, follow “Children’s Department – Augusta Public Library” on Facebook.

Chick-Fil-A is hosting a summer kids night series again this year, starting tonight (Thursday, June 11th), from 5pm to 7:30pm.  This week Home Depot will be there to help the kids build bird houses.  There will be a different (free) craft/activity every Thursday at the same time.  Check their website for event details.  http://www.cfarestaurant.com/augustaexchange/home

Also, the Book Tavern bookstore downtown is continuing with its “Super Awesome Storytime” at 10:30 every Wednesday morning.  You may know the storytime leader and guitar player, Mr. Kenny, from his time with the public libraries or from his past performances at the Morris Museum of Art.  More details here:  http://www.booktavern.com/?page_id=720

And of course remember to keep checking the public libraries’ websites for the many, many free events they have going all summer as part of their Super Hero-themed summer reading program (both Richmond and Columbia County libraries).

Enjoy!!

Summer’s Greatest Hits in the CSRA: Indoor Edition

So summer is in full swing and I thought I’d give a run-down of some of our favorite indoor activities for spending a summer in the CSRA.  Because they are our favorites, I have already blogged in detail about them, so this will just be an overview.  I wanted to get this post out today so no one misses any of these gems!

1. Mommy & Me Time at the Morris Museum of Art:  Held once a month on a Thursday, June’s session is tomorrow!  A look in the galleries and hands-on art project for young kids starts at 10am.

2. The Augusta-Richmond County and Columbia County libraries Summer Reading Programs:  Tons of on-going entertainment provided by all branches of the library.  The Augusta-RC libraries have a big summer reading program kick-off event this Saturday.  Both counties’ libraries post events to their websites.

3. Imagination Station Children’s Museum in Hickman Park.  (Of course!!)  See yesterday’s post and their main website for special programming events in addition to normal open play hours.

4. Michaels Kids Craft Club, Passport Imagination: Cool crafts for kids at Michaels craft store on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 to 12.

5. Augusta Museum of History: Always a fun place hang out and stay cool.

Hopefully this will get you all started, and I’ll be back with more… (and will add links as soon as possible!).  Have fun!!

Summer’s Here!

It’s summer!!  And I will be trying to post a bit more to get us all through the long hot months of school being out.  First, let me fill you in on all the exciting stuff happening this summer at Imagination Station, Augusta’s small children’s museum designed to serve children ages 0 to 6 (older siblings welcome).  Our biggest annual event is coming up in just a few weeks– our Second Annual FREE Community Picnic on Saturday, June 20th, 11am-1pm.  We will have food and drink, and the museum will be open for tours (membership information and deals available that day as well).  Mr. Bill and his Guitar George will be performing (if you haven’t seen local jazz legend Bill Karp perform for kids, you won’t want to miss him and his wife Nancy that day!), Pickles the Clown will be leading songs and face painting, and more.  Augusta-Richmond County Public Libraries will be there as well, and the Book Bank Foundation will have free book giveaways for all the kids.  It is sure to be a fun time for all, so I hope to see you there!!

Mr. Bill and His Guitar George and His Girlfriend Nancy perform

Pickles the Clown

And here is the rest of Imagination Station’s Summer Programming (you can also view this directly on the museum website at imagineaugusta.org):

Programming for children is generally held during museum hours, is free to members, and is free to non-members with admission (daily visitor’s pass is $10 per family, up to 3 children & $2 each additional child).  Programming for parents is typically held after hours, is for adults only, and is free to all.

 

Baby Bunch: Mondays in June at 9:00 am (June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29)

Babies and toddlers (6mo – 2 years) will interact with parents and each other while learning about different sounds, sensations, and emotions. We’ll play some easy games to get those big and small muscles movin’.

Time with Tara:  June 11 3:00 pm

Enjoy singing and dancing to the silly and sweet music of Augusta’s favorite Ms. Tara Scheyer! Best for children 3-6. Free for members; included with $10 admission (up to 3 kids) for nonmembers.

Tara Scheyer of Tara Scheyer and the Mud Puppy Band fame!!

Ms. Kathy’s Storytime: June 16 10:00 am

Stories, songs, counting and dancing are all a part of Ms. Kathy’s storytime. Every. Join us on the 3rdTuesday of each month for reading fun then stay to play at the museum.

Family Time Fun:  June 25:  2:30 (4-6 year olds); 3:30 (2-3 year olds)

From bowling to Duck, Duck, Goose and Four Square, we’ll have tons of fun. Parents will join in as partners on some games. 2:30 (4-6 year olds); 3:30 (2-3 year olds) Free for members; included with $10 admission (up to 3 kids) for nonmembers.

Disney Day: July 18 10:00 am

Come dressed as your favorite Disney character and get ready for stories, games and crafts to bring alive the world of make believe. Event is best for kids 3-6. Free for members; included with $10 admission (up to 3 kids) for nonmembers.

Ms. Kathy’s Storytime: July 21 10:00 am

Stories, songs, counting and dancing are all a part of Ms. Kathy’s storytime. Every. Join us on the 3rdTuesday of each month for reading fun then stay to play at the museum.

Family Time Fun:  July 30 2:30 (4-6 year olds); 3:30 (2-3 year olds)

Who doesn’t like a good ole game? From bowling to Duck, Duck, Goose and Four Square, we’ll have tons of fun. Parents, don’t assume you’ll be left out! Free for members; included with $10 admission (up to 3 kids) for nonmembers.

Music Parade: August 15 10:00 am

Get your creative juices flowing! We’ll make musical instruments with recycled products and then march through the park to the beat of our own drums. Free for members; included with $10 admission (up to 3 kids) for nonmembers.

Ms. Kathy’s Storytime:  August 18 10:00 am

Stories, songs, counting and dancing are all a part of Ms. Kathy’s storytime. Every. Join us on the 3rd Tuesday of each month for reading fun then stay to play at the museum.

Weekend Events

Ok, I only have a quick minute to post, but here are a couple of fun things going on for kids in the area this weekend:

Earth Day Celebration at Phinizy Swamp Park:  Saturday, 10-4:  http://phinizycenter.org/event/earth-day-augusta/

Life Under the Crown & Colonial Trades Fair:  Friday-Sunday at Living History Park:  http://www.colonialtimes.us/undercrown.html

The Jungle Book:  FREE musical adaptation of the children’s classic at Fort Gordon: Saturday, 3pm:  http://www.fortgordon.com/event/jungle-book-mct-production/

 

Enjoy!!

 

This weekend…

Looking for something to do on this rainy afternoon??  Thanks to a friend for letting me know about the Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show going on at the Julian Smith Casino next to Lake Olmstead.  The event runs today and tomorrow.  I’m thinking my boys will definitely want to see this!  Here is the event info from the Augusta Chronicle event calendar:

Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show

Saturday, March 14 –  10:00 am to 7:00 pm & Sunday, March 15 – 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Julian Smith Casino

Augusta

Exhibits, demonstrations, educational resources; hourly door prizes; treasure dig, grab bags, geode cracking; gold and silver, fine and everyday jewelry, loose gemstones, cabochons, crystals, miner

All ages

$3 adult per day, $5 weekend pass, ages 11 and younger free

Kids in the Kitchen!

Hi all!  I just got word of a fun event sponsored by the Junior League of Augusta.  “Kids in the Kitchen” will be held on Saturday, March 21st, from 9am-12pm at the Ronald McDonald House downtown (1442 Harper Street).  Here are the details about the event that I’ve received:

** FREE ADMISSION!

• Free teeth cleaning with Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures bus

• Discover new ways of healthy living

• Learn about balanced nutrition and healthy choices

• Participate in cooking demos put on by local chefs

• Get your heart pumping with fun exercises

Sounds like a great time!  For more, here is a link to their webpage: http://www.jlaugusta.org/kids-in-the-kitchen