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Fun & Free Events for LA Kids this Weekend: Course of the Force, Drum Downtown, and Frozen Planet: July 7 - 8.

7/4/12 - By Toby B

I don't know about you, but as I plan for this weekend, I still have a little bit of a fireworks hangover. You know: echoing booms and elusive flashes of light around the edges of my vision. No worries - the fun that's in store for us this weekend will make all those red, white, and booms a thing of the past.  We've got multi-generational drum circles,  movies for everyone from tots to tweens to polar bears, stories from the Silk Road, magicians, puppeteers, and cowboys.  We've...hold the phone...

Okay,  that's weird. Could have sworn I saw a Jedi in a track suit.  Perhaps those fireworks addled my brain more than I realized. Anyway, did I mention the music festivals?  There's LevittLA and Manhattan Beach; and Santa Monica Pier's Twilight Dance begins this Thursday,  and ...

...There!  On the Pier!  You can't tell me I didn't see that: Jabba the Hut is stretching his hamstrings!  There can only be one explanation: a 5-day light saber relay from Santa Monica down to San Diego. The Course for the Force raises funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation and gives aspiring Jedi a chance to strut their stuff. Now if only the room would stop spinning.

Keep reading for our favorite picks for this weekend...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

ALL WEEKEND

Course of the Force -  Santa Monica to San Diego
Brave Jedi run a light saber relay down to San Diego, pausing for a few Conival celebrations along the way. First stop: Santa Monica Pier!

Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival 2012 - Griffith Park
A Midsummer Night’s Dream enters the rotation this weekend (along with A Winter’s Tale) at the free Shakespeare Festival in Griffith Park. Before Sunday’s performance, families can join the Players in the Park workshop to learn about the play, Shakespeare’s language, and more.

Family Amphitheater Performances - West Los Angeles
The offerings at the Skirball Cultural Center this weekend are Chinese Magician Minh Tran (Saturday) and puppeteer Scott Land (Sunday).

SATURDAY JULY 7

Drum Downtown - Downtown
Drummers of all ages and experience are invited to join in the music-making at the Music Center Plaza (drums or percussion instruments provided).

Silk Road Story Time - Pasadena
Gather round in the travelers tent at the Pacific Asia Museum for tales from the Silk Road plus craft, Asian snack, and a balloon. This month: Tales of Tricksters.

Summer 2012 Kids Club - Sherman Oaks
Musician Martin Espino brings hand-made and unique musical instruments for kids to play.

Foot2Pedal - Burbank
Kids learn bike and pedestrian safety skills in this free four-hour class.

25 Cent Family Flicks - Hollywood
Grauman's Chinese Theatre launches its (almost free) Saturday morning family film screenings with Bee Movie (PG).

Street Food Cinema  - Downtown
Here’s one for the tweens: this week’s offering at the weekly screening in Exposition Park is Twilight  (PG-13). So the only question that remains: Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Cinespia - Hollywood
Introduce your kids to the wacky romantic comedies of old Hollywood:  Bringing up Baby (NR) screens at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Frozen Planet in Concert - Hollywood
The rest of the country may be experiencing a heat wave, but it’s positively frigid at the Hollywood Bowl, as BBC/Discovery Channel’s Frozen Planet plays on the big screen with live orchestral accompaniment.

Pageant of the Masters - Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach’s annual Festival of the Arts kicks off with the opening night of Pageant of the Masters. Prepare to be amazed as hundreds of participants bring great works of art to life right in front of you.

SUNDAY JULY 8

Latino Arts and Culture Family Day - Southwest Cowboys and Ranchers - Griffith Park
In July, the Autry celebrates the Southwest cowboys and ranchers with crafts and screenings of The Cisco Kid.

Family Jam: Mariachi Melodies - Westwood
The colorful songs of all-female mariachi band Las Colibrí bring the magic of Mexican music to the Fowler. Kids can make a musical instrument and play along.

LevittLA Summer Concert Series - Children's Concerts - Downtown
Bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic meals to enjoy the free weekly kids concert in MacArthur Park. This week: Ballet Folklorico ASOSOL.

Manhattan Beach Summer Concerts in the Park - Manhattan Beach
Families can enjoy the country sounds of the Doo-Wah Riders at Polliwog Park Amphitheater.

Memories with Mom - The Grove
Moms share a special day with their girls at the American Girl Store at the Grove.

The Sunflowers - Topanga
The Sunflowers entertain with music, puppets, and story theater at Theatricum Botanicum.

Summer Family Fun Series - Fairfax Farmers Market
Families are invited for some summer fun on the Market Plaza with free family-friendly activities. This week: create your own wildlife tambourine, face painting, and performances by Birdie's Playhouse.

As always, there are many more activities listed on our daily events calendar. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, we hope you have a spectacular time. May the Force be with you.