From storytimes to live music and more, What’s Up Weekly lays out all of the family-fun events happening during the week in the Greater Austin-area.
Featured Event
The Harlem Globetrotters Washington Generals’ Revenge-Thursday and Friday, January 22 & 23 at 7:00 p.m. The Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 89th consecutive year, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry, and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages.The Globetrotters will face a great challenge this year, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to match the franchise’s historic last victory over the Globetrotters nearly a half century ago. It has been five years since the Globetrotters and Generals have faced off, as the Generals have been searching far and wide for the best players to retool their roster and have been preparing for one thing: victory over the Globetrotters. Tickets: Starting at $17. Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River, Austin.
Monday, January 19, 2015
MLK March, Festival, and Food Drive – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in Austin. The MLK Community March will kick off with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus. Participants will then march to the historic Huston-Tillotson University, where exciting activities are planned. Everyone is invited to march and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. The MLK Community Festival will begin as soon the march arrives on location. It will include all types of vendors and local musical artists to make this year’s celebration the best ever. FREE! Marchers are asked to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank. March: Begins at MLK Statue on UT Campus, East Mall. Festival: Huston-Tillotson University 900 Chicon St, Austin.
Free Admission to The LBJ Presidential Library – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To ensure President Johnson’s wish for the library to “be available to all,” entrance fees are waived on several days during the year, including MLK Day. FREE! LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St, Austin.
Signing Storytime (Round Rock) – 10:00 a.m. Join the Baby Signing Time revolution. This class is geared toward children 0-5 years and their parents. Amy from the Signing Connection will lead this storytime that incorporates classic children’s books to help you learn basic American Sign Language signs. FREE! Kaleidoscope Toys, 110 N IH 35, Ste 375, Round Rock.
Mr. Will’s Music Class for Kids (Bee Cave) – 10:00 a.m. Mr. Will is back in action with his weekly kid’s music class. Arrive early to get a seat. FREE! Whole Foods Bee Cave, 12601 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave.
Storytime with Dr. Candra -11:00 a.m. Dr. Candra will captivate your children with stories, songs, dances, and games. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Ste D-480, Austin.
Snow Day – 2-4:00 p.m. Let it snow! The weather forecast is in and there’s a 100% chance of snow. Enjoy a snow slide, hot chocolate, and wintery fun. FREE! Highland Park Baptist Church, 5206 Balcones Dr, Austin.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Storytime and Crafts – 9:30 a.m. Kids ages 2-5 will hear a new story each week. After the book, they’ll do crafts related to the story. Parental supervision is requested. FREE! Whole Foods Domain, 11920 Domain Dr, Austin.
Free Admission to Laguna Gloria – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. FREE! The Contemporary Austin, Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th St, Austin.
Armstrong Community Music School Storytime – 10:30 a.m. Sing songs with Walter Tragert, one of the talented Early Childhood Development faculty members from the Armstrong Community School. Mr. Walter will engage your child with music and movement, plus he’ll read some stories for you too. This session is perfect for kids up to 6 years old. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.
Music with Mr. Will – 11:30 a.m. Rock out with local children’s singer, “Mr. Will” Dupuy. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys & Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy Suite D-480, Austin.
An Afternoon of Art: A Breast Cancer Charity Event (RSVP) – Noon – 4:00 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of art with South African artists Kobus Moller & Claude van Lingen raising money for The Smile Never Fades, a nonprofit that focuses on the comfort of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Claude and Kobus are giving their talent, passion, and time to create memorable pieces of art. Included in the auction for TSNF is wildlife artwork by South African artist Liana Smith. An artist will be drawing caricatures for a donation to The Smile Never Fades. Bring your smiles. Family friendly and FREE to attend. Please RSVP to info@texasartinitiative.com. Art on 5th, 3005 S Lamar Blvd, Ste 110 B, Austin.
Lego Lab – 3:30 p.m. With LEGO, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with LEGOs provided by the Library. Recommended for ages 5 and up. FREE! APL – Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr, Austin.
Discovery! Create a Digital Storybook or Comic – 4:30 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to create their own book or comic on the computer. They can add characters, backgrounds, and decide what happens to all of their characters. This is a great chance to learn how to make a book or comic and then print it out to keep later or share. Recommended for 3rd grade through middle school. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin.
Lego Lab – 4:30 p.m. With LEGO, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with LEGOs provided by the Library. Recommended for ages 5 and up. FREE! APL – Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd, Austin.
PJ Story Time – 6:15 p.m. Wear your pajamas, have some milk and cookies, then snuggle in for bedtime stories. All ages are welcome. FREE! Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Austin.
Pajama Storytime – 6:30 p.m. Feel free to wear pajamas to this family evening storytime featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. Children of all ages welcome. Seating is limited at all programs. Please arrive a few minutes early to gain entrance. FREE! APL – Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Dr, Austin.
Parenting Workshop: Building Cooperation and Harmony in your Home (RSVP) – 7:00 p.m. If you’ve experienced struggles with parenting your small child and find yourself yelling or getting frustrated, get support and new tools in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Emily Mathon of Empathy Parenting will discuss challenges while presenting specific, effective tools for parenting with love. FREE but RSVP is requested here. Genesis Presbyterian Church Room, 1507 Wilshire Blvd, Austin.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Whole Foods Kids Club – 9:00 a.m. Join Tina for a great story and crafts for the kids. FREE! Whole Foods Arbor Trails, 4301 W William Cannon, Austin.
Music with Mar (Round Rock)- 9:15 a.m. Music with Mar. is a class where a caregiver and child (ages birth through preschool) participate together in musical activities. These classes are focused on the four main areas of development – cognitive, social, motor and language. Classes are drop-in, so no advance sign-up needed. Cost: $10/family. A 5-class punch card is $35/family. Baby Earth, 106 E Old Settlers Blvd., Ste D-100, Round Rock.
Whole Foods Storytime – 9:30 a.m. Enjoy a story reading, an activity, and a snack. All ages are welcome and parents can participate, too. FREE! Whole Foods Mezzanine, 525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Itty Bitty Playtime & Yoga – 10:00 a.m. Itty Bitty Playtime & Yoga is a playful, educational, and relaxing time for babies and toddlers up to 18 months. Learn new ways to connect with your with your baby through movement, stretching and song. Complimentary juice and coffee served. FREE! Millie & Mox, 5145 North FM 620, Ste B110, Austin.
Tiny Tails to You Storytime – 10:30 a.m. If you’re a fan of chinchillas, bunnies, ducklings, guinea pigs, chickens, AND stories, then you’re in luck. Friends from Tiny Tails to You will be reading stories and introducing some of the cutest, softest, most adorable little creatures in Austin. What a wonderful way to make new friends. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.
A Moon of My Own Storytime & Book Signing – 10:30 a.m. Join local children’s book author Jennifer Rustgi for a reading and signing of her second picture book, A Moon of My Own, the sweet story of a young girl who goes on an enchanted adventure around the world with her faithful companion, the moon. FREE! Toybrary, 7817 Rockwood Ln, #101, Austin.
Story Time with CJ the Explorer – 12:30 p.m. Enjoy the play zone before and after the reading. FREE! All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Ct, Austin.
Community Night – 4-8:00 p.m. At the Thinkery, science and families play side by side. Every Wednesday the Museum stays open late for families to discover new ideas and learn together. Cost: Admission is by donation only, with a suggested $1 donation. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin.
Krispy Kreme Family Night – 6-8:00 p.m. Kids can decorate one FREE doughnut each, plus enjoy crafts, balloons, paper hats, coloring sheets and more. Krispy Kreme, 701 E Stassney Ln and 12586 Research Blvd, Austin.
Texas Radio Live – 6-8:00 p.m. Texas Radio Live brings you the very best Texas music with performances from Texas musicians. This week, hear Tish Hinojosa and Haley Cole. FREE, but donations to support the KDRP Radio Mission are appreciated. Read about Catherine’s experience here. Guero’s Oak Garden, 1412 S Congress Ave, Austin.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Free Admission to The Blanton -10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. FREE! Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E MLK Jr Blvd, Austin.
Hola, Hola! -10:30 a.m. Ann Benson, expert in bilingual education, will teach you how to effectively use books as a tool to teach your child Spanish. Each parent will learn to read a Spanish book to their child and take it home for Spanish reinforcement. For parents and their children ages 0-5. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin.
Sign Language Story Time – 10:30 a.m. Experience kids’ tales told in American Sign Language (and spoken in English). Learn some basic signs while enjoying classic songs and stories. All ages welcome. FREE! Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Austin.
CPC Thursday Noonday Concert – Noon. Take a 30-minute lunchtime break to hear a FREE concert by guitarist Celil Refik Kay. Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E 8th St, Austin.
Music with Mr. Will (Cedar Park) – 12:15 p.m. Mr. Will is starting a new weekly residency at Sharkey’s every Thursday. This will be great for all of the NW Austin-area kiddos who aren’t able to travel down south every week for his other shows. FREE! Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, 11066 Pecan Park Blvd, Ste D415, Cedar Park.
Explorers Club (Cedar Park) – 3:30 p.m. Each Thursday, kids in grades K-5 meet to explore a set of rotating programs. This week, it’s Exciting Explorations. FREE! Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd, Cedar Park.
Minecraft Free Play -4-6:00 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your own laptop, tablet, or mobile device that has Minecraft downloaded. Recommended for ages 7 and up. FREE! APL – Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S Fifth St, Austin.
Live Music at Central Market North – 6:30-9:00 p.m. Vocal jazz by Karen Tennison. FREE! Central Market, 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Live Music at Central Market Westgate – 6:30-9:00 p.m. Latin rhythms by Jonas Alvarez. FREE! Central Market Westgate, 4477 S Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Pajama Storytime – 7:00 p.m. Feel free to wear pajamas to this family evening storytime featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. Children of all ages welcome. Seating is limited at all programs. Please arrive a few minutes early to gain entrance. FREE! APL – Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd, Austin.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Yoga Story Time – 9:30 a.m. Join in a Story Time Yoga adventure where participants will stretch, read, and breathe. All ages are welcome. RSVP appreciated here, but not required. FREE! The Little Yoga House, 1211 Parkway, Austin.
Fun Fridays – 10:00 a.m. Sing! Dance! Play! Fun Fridays are a fun musical and entertainment hour featuring local Austin musicians. Complimentary refreshments will be served. FREE! Millie & Mox, 5145 North FM 620, Ste B110, Austin.
Story Time with Princess CJ – 12:30 p.m. Enjoy the play zone before and after the reading. FREE! All Things Kids @The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Ct, Austin.
Crafternoon – 3:30 p.m. Drop by the library and make a craft while you search for books, movies, and music. There will be paper crafts, easy sewing, and more fun projects for the whole family. The library provides the supplies; you provide the creativity. FREE! APL – Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd, Austin.
Meet & Greet with Bluebonnet Author Polly Holyoke (Round Rock) – 4:00 p.m. Gather the kids and kick off to the weekend with this great after school event. Meet Polly Holyoke, author of Texas Bluebonnet Award-winner The Neptune Project. FREE! The Book Spot, 1205 Round Rock Ave #119, Round Rock.
Live Music at Central Market North – 6:30-9:00 p.m. Latin music by Leticia Rodriguez. FREE! Central Market, 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Live Music at Central Market Westgate – 6:30-9:00 p.m. Texas Troubadour Ricky Stein performs. FREE! Central Market Westgate, 4477 S Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Planet Music: Dance Around the World – 7-9:00 p.m. Dance Around the World will feature four dance groups representing different regions of the world. The event will include a folk fashion show of traditional costumes and dance lessons interspersed between performances. Featuring the Manjani West African Dance Group, The Love of China, Ballet Folklorico MariCruz, and Austin International Folk Dancers representing Eastern Europe. Family friendly and FREE! Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Head for the Hill’s: Free Music Fridays -7-9:00 p.m. Hill’s Cafe is excited to announce the return of a live, local music series to the historic Hill’s stage. This week, Chubby Knuckle Choir performs. A special backyard menu will be available for purchase. Family-friendly and FREE! Hill’s Cafe, 4700 S Congress Ave, Austin.
In her life before kids, Emily held jobs as a zookeeper, a middle school teacher, and a tour bus driver in the wilds of Montana–not one of which prepared her for the adventures of motherhood. Now she’s living the good life in Austin with her husband, two sons and a Great Dane. When she’s not off gallivanting with her boys, you might find Emily baking up a mean batch of cupcakes, recalling obscure 80s song lyrics, or dreaming of peace and quiet.
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