ALL WEEKEND 2/11 - 2/12

The 86th annual Jump Fest
John Satre Memorial Hill, Salisbury
The 86th annual Jump Fest, slated for February 10 to 12 at John Satre Memorial Hill in Salisbury features the Eastern U.S. Championships, where the region’s best will show off their skill and grace, reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour as they soar over 200 feet in the air.
On Saturday, the Salisbury Invitational Competition for juniors goes on from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring 20 and 30 meter jumps, and leaps of  65 to 98 feet. Sunday brings the Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships starting at 1 p.m., where everyone will be aiming to beat the course record, an impressive 231-foot jump.
 
Saturday also brings the event that has become a tradition along with ski jumping, the 11th annual Ice Carving Competition from 11 a,.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds at Salisbury’s Scoville Memorial Library. 
For happy viewing, the Association recommends that spectators dress warmly in lots of layers and bring a cowbell, the traditional way to cheer on the jumpers.  Hot food and beverages are available starting about 10:00 AM each day to help watchers keep warm. Limited bleacher seating is provided or viewers can bring their own lawn chairs.

Monster Jam
Hartford XL Center
Monster Jam will feature the return of Grave Digger driven by Randy Brown, Turtle, Stone Crusher, Mopar Magic, Crushstation, Instigator and Thrasher driven by Connecticut’s own Pat Summa. The show includes Quad Wars and more exciting action to be announced.
 
Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, monster trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster trucks can fly up to125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.

For Mommy Poppins Readers!  Save $5 Per Ticket
Valid on $35.50 & $24.50 Seats 2/11 7:30 show and 2/12 2pm show only
All Kids’ Tickets (Ages 2-12)
Valid on Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster Outlets and XL Center Ticket Office
Promo Code: MOM5

SATURDAY 2/11

“Lion’s Whiskers” by Catskill Puppet Theater
Washington Montessori School, New Preston
The puppet shows are open to the public and are geared to pre-school and elementary school children. "Lion’s Whiskers’" is based on a traditional Ethiopian folktale and features original music and a multitude of masks and almost-life-sized puppets.

African Beat! Ancient Musical Instruments
The Institute for American Indian Studies, Washington
Celebrate the universal language of music!  Through performance, discussion and demonstration local Roxbury resident and African musician, Mark Ingram tells the history and evolution of musical instruments through time.
 
Using handmade traditional instruments such as log drums, animal hide drums, marimbas, flutes, kalimbas, banjo and many more Mark weaves a fun exploration of African-American history, nature, music and art.  Educational and fun for the entire family!
Please call for reservations.

HIP-HOP Family Concert
Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale
The NHSO brings you From Haydn to Hip Hop! Be sure to bring your dancing shoes as a trio of musicians performs this kid-friendly 50-minute program featuring Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto, Glenn Miller’s In the Mood, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and everything in between. Special guest Brian Gillie shares authentic dance moves and teaches children to improvise steps and perform choreographed routines. He’ll also explore the many facets of culture and music that have influenced the way people have “cut a rug” over the past three hundred years.

Dance Company Pilobolus Performance
Shepaug Valley High School, Washington
ASAP is proud to present one of the most popular and unusual dance companies in the world. Pilobolus will perform an electrifying mix of dance, incorporating humor, intelligence, physical invention and raw athleticism. Students from the ASAP Inter-district Dance and Percussion Project will perform as part of the shows. Pilobolus was recently nominated for a Grammy for their video collaboration with OK GO. Saturday show sold out. Friday night still available.

What’s Your Game?
Connecticut Science Center, Hartford
Saturday’s just got more fun! Come to the CT Science Center and take a journey to the Sun, see things on a smaller scale, or make new animal friends. Each new 90 minute adventure has hands-on activities for kids to enjoy.
Using computer programming software, write and design your own computer game or application! Create your own characters and missions and then write the code to make it all happen. Laptops provided.

Make A Real Clock Activity
Timexpo: The Timex Museum, Waterbury
Choose from one of our many designs. Decorate and assemble your very own working clock. Make at Home Kits also available.

Wildlife Tracking Club
White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield
Red Trees School of Natural Living's Andrew Dobos and Deneen Bernier take you on a wildlife tracking walk through the winter woods. There are always clues left behind by the animals for us to decipher, telling a story of their habits and lives. Get to know our beloved wildlife that much better. Children should be accompanied by an adult and all should dress extra warm and wear good boots!

Family Friendly Drop In Weekend at the Aldrich
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefiled
Every weekend The Aldrich offers visitors the opportunity to extend their visits and learn more about the work and the ideas on view in our exhibitions. Just stop by the Education Center to enjoy self-guided, hands-on projects for all age levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Drop-In Hours will also be available during winter holiday vacation days and snow days, weather permitting.

Music Through History: An Indoor Family Lawn Show with Musician Rick Spencer
Litchfield History Museum
Is the weather outside frightful? Do you long for summer days lounging in the grass? Friends and families are invited to join musician and historian Rick Spencer as he performs myriad songs from various periods of American history, including music from the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Refreshments (and chairs) will be provided or bring your own!


Family Winter Survival
Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton
What do you do if you get lost in the woods in winter?
Learn what basic supplies you may need to survive a night outdoors. Includes fire building and shelter construction.
 Dress for winter weather.


Around the World Performance: Maori Stories and Songs with Ataahua Papa, Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Norwalk
Renowned Maori singer-storyteller Ataahua Papa brings Polynesian culture to life through music and storytelling. Papa has toured extensively in New Zealand, the U.S. and Canada. She is part of MATOU, a New York-based music collective that combines Maori music with Native American instruments, and performs regularly with First Nation's Women's a capella group, Ulali.

Teddy Bear Tea Party
Stamford Museum and Nature Center
Dress your favorite Teddy in his holiday best, and come enjoy tea and treats with other Teddy Bears (and their owners).  Call for reservations; the cost is $25/person for members, $35/person for non-members.


SUNDAY 2/12

Bald Eagle Viewing
Farmingville Elementary School, Ridgefield
During the winter months bald eagles gather near the Shepaug Dam on the Housatonic River in Southbury.  This area appeals to the wintering birds because the hydroelectric station's operation prevents water from freezing making it easy for the birds to feed on their favorite food, fish.  Since the Shepaug Eagle Observation Area opened in 1985, thousands of visitors have been able to observe these majestic birds.  The 2011 viewing season averaged 7 bald eagle sighting per day.This program is great for adults and/or children and very popular.  Because of the limited space, It generally fills up.  Reservations are a must.

Open Skate at South Kent School
South Kent School
Participants must wear hat and skates on the ice during open skate and skates and helmet for sticks and pucks. A park or day pass is required to participate and can be purchased at the rink during skating hours or in the Kent Park and Rec office. Bring your own hot cocoa  and a blanket to sit on if you plan to watch the kids.

Astronomy Day Family Day
Bruce Museum, Greenwich,
Co-sponsored by the Astronomical Society of Greenwich. Activities and crafts for everyone focusing on the stars and planets! STARLAB Planetarium will run continuous shows throughout the day featuring our local night skies. Members of the Astronomical Society will be on hand to show off telescopes and share information about the Bowman Observatory. All activities are inclusive, suitable for children five years and up, and are free with Museum admission.


Sunday Explorers
Stamford
Visitors can join a winter hike or outdoor activity. Head inside the nature center classroom for fun science experiments like making slime, crystal snowflakes or fake snow
.  Join us for our "Animal Meet and Greet" and a chance to meet one of our nature center or farm animals up close and personal. We'll have self-guided crafts and activities to round out the day, including our new Winter Wheels in the Woods Activity trail! Inclement weather will cancel activity trail.


Songs from the Civil War
Greenwich Historical Society

The National Anthem, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Dixie, Stars and Stripes Forever, Swing Lo Sweet, Chariot, Steal Away. Songs from the Civil War era are truly a part of the American musical lexicon. During an afternoon of song and readings, vocalists Stephanie Kies, Bea Crumbine, Bob Leinbach and Bill Kies will explore the lyrical history of the Civil War accompanied by a complement of local musicians on drums, banjo, fiddle, piano, bugle and guitar. The program will frame each year of the War Between the States within a particular context: bravado and marching songs, camp songs, songs about home, and songs of victory and defeat.