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.
Happening All Week
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Tuesday, February 10 – Friday, February 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Exhibit is open until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.) The Ransom Center celebrates 150 years of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with an exhibition for the curious and curiouser of all ages. Learn about Lewis Carroll and the real Alice who inspired his story. See one of the few surviving copies of the first edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Discover the rich array of personal and literary references that Carroll incorporated throughout Alice. Explore the surprising transformations of Alice and her story as they have traveled through time and across continents. Follow the White Rabbit’s path through the exhibition, have a tea party, or watch a 1933 paper filmstrip that has been carefully treated by Ransom Center conservators. The Center’s vast collections offer a new look at a story that has delighted generations and inspired artists from Salvador Dalí to Walt Disney. FREE! Harry Ransom Center, 300 W 21st St, Austin.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Baby Bloomers – 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Little ones ages 0-3 and their families are invited to explore the color blue. Cross your fingers for beautiful blue skies as participants go ice fishing, create hurricanes in jars, paint with bubbles, and create rain. Foodie Kids will be in the Thinkery Kitchen Lab for a hands-on cooking demo and The Que Pastas will perform. Cost: Members $2.50 each / Non-Members $4.50 each. All people attending, regardless of age, must purchase a ticket. Purchase a ticket online as limited walk-up tickets will be available. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin.
Story Time in the Garden: Faeries of the Forest – 10:00 a.m. Those naughty faeries are playing tricks in the forest. Discover the best ways to spot faeries, learn faerie code, and hear all about faerie adventure stories. FREE with Garden admission ($1-$3; kids under 3 are FREE). Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, 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.
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 – Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd, 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.
Breaking Up with Ever After – 6:30 p.m. Creative Action and SafePlace are excited to announce the opening show to begin Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month featuring the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble. FREE! Boyd Vance Theatre, Carver Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St, Austin.
Tuesday, February 10, 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 TuneBugz Demo Classes (RSVP) – 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Are you ready to sing and play-along with music from all over the world, in a wide range of styles, meters and tonalities? Music is the language of Austin, so why not let some of your earliest conversations with your child be musical ones? FREE but RSVP is requested here. All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Ct, Austin.
For the Love of Kids Health Fair - 10:30 a.m. to Noon. Bring your kids to play while you chat with experts about healthy children and sleep, safety, nutrition. Plus, get a child ID. FREE for Toybrary members; $5 per child for non-members. Toybrary, 7817 Rockwood Ln, #101, Austin.
Free Admission to Laguna Gloria – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. FREE! Read about Heidi’s experience at Laguna Gloria here. The Contemporary Austin, Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th St, Austin.
Love Is In the Air Storytime – 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a reading of My Heart is Like a Zoo and then make Valentines for all the people who make your heart beat a little faster. 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.
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 – Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S Fifth St, Austin.
Discovery! Writing Workshop: Lunar New Year – 4:30 p.m. In honor of the upcoming Lunar New Year, participants will look at the Chinese zodiac, read about their birth-year animal’s attributes, write about their personalities, and pen their own horoscopes. Appropriate for kids in 3rd grade through middle school. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin.
Kickstart: 3D Printer Demo (Pflugerville) – 4:30 p.m. Kids ages 8-12 are invited to join Kickstart, the library’s tech club for tweens. Tweens will get a 3D printed object to paint and then visit the library’s 3D printer to learn more about how it works. FREE! Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W Pflugerville St, Pflugerville.
Night Crafters (17+) – 6-8:00 p.m. Call a sitter! It’s time to get crafty. The Austin Public Library offers many programs for the whole family, but what about when you just want to unwind and craft with some adults? This month, crafters will make Valentine keepsake cards and envelopes. All supplies provided. Adults only, please. FREE! APL – Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd, Austin.
Black History Month Celebration: Film Series – 6:30 p.m. Soul Food Junkies: To many African Americans, soul food is sacrament, ritual, and a key expression of cultural identity. But does this traditional cuisine do more harm to health than it soothes the soul? FREE! APL – Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St, Austin.
Family Movie Night: Maleficent – 6:30 p.m. A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land. Rated PG. FREE! APL – Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S Fifth St, 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.
Wednesday, February 11, 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.
Ms. Staci Storytime – 10:30 p.m. Ms. Staci is back to read some of her favorite stories and to sing some of your favorite songs. Kids, don’t forget your dancing shoes. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, 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.
Lisons Ensemble French Bilingual Storytime – 3:15 p.m. Bonjour and welcome to this très special French/English dual language story time Join the fun, s’il vous plait, for stories, songs, and crafts in French and English. Children of all ages are welcome but space is limited. FREE! APL – Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Rd, 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 – Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St, Austin.
Everything Art – 4:00 p.m. Explore different art techniques and art media using Caldecott winning titles and other awesomely illustrated children’s books. FREE! APL – Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd, 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 Two Tons Of Steel and Hoodygoode. 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.
BCBasics for Target: Babywearing 101 (RSVP) – 6:30 p.m. Bump Club invites you to learn all about babywearing — the benefits, the choosing, and the using by the experts at Babywearing International of Greater Austin. Attendees will get a 10% shopping discount and the chance to win a $3,000 dream registry. FREE but RSVP is required here. Target Austin Arboretum, 10107 Research Blvd, Austin.
Thursday, February 12, 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.
Little Yoga – 10:30 a.m. This 30-minute class allows children ages 3-6 to experience exercise in a mellow environment. With adult participation, they will practice breathing and age appropriate stretching. FREE! Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, 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.
Valentine’s Concert: Songs of Love – Noon. Take a 30-minute lunchtime break to hear members of One Ounce Opera share their favorite Valentine’s Day-themed songs spanning centuries and styles. FREE! Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E 8th St, Austin.
Valentine Decorating – 2-4:00 p.m. Decorate to your heart’s content with paper, glitter, stickers, and all other supplies provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Each adult may bring a maximum of three children. FREE! Terra Toys, 2438 W Anderson Ln, Austin.
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 a special puppet show performance. FREE! Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd, Cedar Park.
Kids Club: Let’s Make Valentines (Pflugerville) – 3:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-8 are invited to craft Valentine’s cards. Materials provided while supplies last. FREE! Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W Pflugerville St, Pflugerville.
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 – Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr, Austin.
Thinkery at the Library – 3:30-5:30 p.m. Youth can create electric circuits, learn to craft with redstone in Minecraft, and participate in fun physics activities. Recommended for ages 8-14. FREE! APL – Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr, Austin.
Japanese Storytime – 4:00 p.m. Listen to Japanese kids’ tales told in English with puppets, toys, and a lot of imagination. Plus, learn a few phrases and sayings in Japanese. For school age and up. FREE! Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Austin.
Lego Lab – 4:00 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 – Cepeda Branch, 651 N Pleasant Valley Rd, Austin.
Crafternoon – 4-5:00 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 – Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S Fifth St, Austin.
Hello Lamp Post: Austin Launch Party – 4-6:00 p.m. The hidden life of Austin’s street furniture will come to light with the launch of Hello Lamp Post, an international art project created by London-based designers Pan Studio which invites people to strike up conversations with familiar objects around the city using text messaging. Starting February 12, anyone can text the official Hello Lamp Post phone number and “wake up” lamp posts, mail boxes, hydrants, or even buildings and discover what these objects have to say. The public is invited to a free kick-off event, complete with drinks and bites. FREE! Republic Square Park, 400 W Guadalupe, Austin.
Hill Country Galleria Wine Walk (Bee Cave) – 5-9:00 p.m. Attendees will get to know the eclectic mix of businesses in the Galleria while discovering great tasting wines from all over the world. The event begins at Twin Liquors, where attendees will sample their first flight of wines and receive a Wine Walk Map that will lead them to the next wine tasting location. Additionally, attendees will receive a Hill Country Galleria shopping bag with exclusive offers to Galleria retail stores and restaurants. This event is open to everyone, so bring your friends, family, groups, or date for a fun way to spend a Thursday evening. FREE! Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave.
Black History Month Celebration: Film Series – 6:30 p.m. Dark Girls: Documentary exploring the deep-seated biases and attitudes about skin color–particularly dark skinned women, outside of and within the Black American culture. FREE! APL – Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St, Austin.
Live Music at Central Market North – 6:30-9:00 p.m. Dance to the Waller Creek Vipers. FREE! Central Market, 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Live Music at Central Market Westgate – 6:30-9:00 p.m. Vocal Jazz by Karen Tennison. FREE! Central Market Westgate, 4477 S Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Pajama Storytime -7:00 p.m. Feel free to wear pajamas to this family storytime featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. Children of all ages welcome. Seating is limited; please arrive a few minutes early to gain entrance. FREE! APL – Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd, Austin.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Yoga Story Time (RSVP) – 9:30 a.m. Join in a Story Time Yoga adventure where participants will stretch, read, and breathe. All ages are welcome. RSVP requested here. 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.
Free TuneBugz Demo Classes (RSVP) -10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Are you ready to sing and play-along with music from all over the world, in a wide range of styles, meters and tonalities? We know that music is the language of Austin, so why not let some of your earliest conversations with your child be musical ones? FREE but RSVP is required here. All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Ct, 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.
Valentine Decorating – 2-4:00 p.m. Decorate to your heart’s content with paper, glitter, stickers, and all other supplies provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Each adult may bring a maximum of three children. FREE! Terra Toys, 2438 W Anderson Ln, 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 – Terrazas Branch, 1105 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin.
Free Mobile Food Pantry – 4-6:00 p.m. East Austin Children’s Promise, in partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank, hosts one of the largest mobile food pantries in Central Texas at Southwest Key’s El Centro de Familia. ALL families are eligible to receive food available: no ID required and there are no income or zipcode guidelines. You may also get help applying for Food Stamps upon request. FREE! Southwest Key, 6002 Jain Ln, Austin.
Villain-tine Party (Round Rock) – 6-8:00 p.m. Teens are invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day by dressing as their favorite villains while enjoying games, food, and fun. FREE! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E Main St, Round Rock.
Live Music at Central Market North – 6:30-9:00 p.m. Phenomenal Songwriter Anthony da Costa. FREE! Central Market, 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Live Music at Central Market Westgate – 6:30-9:00 p.m. Vocal Jazz and Colombian music from Laura Otero. FREE! Central Market Westgate, 4477 S Lamar Blvd, 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, John Evans Band performs. A special backyard menu will be available for purchase. Family-friendly and FREE! Hill’s Cafe, 4700 S Congress Ave, Austin.
Teen Valentine’s Dance – 7-9:30 p.m. The DJ will play the hottest jams, plus there will be door prizes, guessing games, free food, drinks, and maybe even a freestyle battle and dance contest. Ages 13-17 welcome. FREE! Turner-Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Dr, Austin.
Valentine’s Escape – 7:30 p.m. Feeling the love in the air? Celebrate a perfect Valentine’s weekend with popcorn and a movie in the park, featuring 50 First Dates. FREE! (Parents can send their children to Parent’s Night Out from 6-10:00 p.m. Appropriate for ages 5-11; starting at $26 per child.) Dittmar Recreation Center, 1009 W Dittmar Rd, 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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