Shrek, The Altamont Fair, Cirkopolis, And More This Weekend

It is way. too. cold. We want to go to the pool. And you just know that as soon as the pool closes and school starts, we’ll have a heat wave, and all the kids will be sweating at their desks. We’re going to see bunches of family on Saturday, and besides that we have not too much planned. J’s room is all turquoise, complete with a re-vamped ceiling fan and pictures hung to her specifications. The only thing we’re missing are the doors-Cute W’s still laboring over them. I’m going to try to enjoy a couple of days of serenity around the house before we start all over again and tear M’s room apart.

Here’s this week’s KidsOutAndAbout newsletter. Here’s my review of Cirque Éloize’s Cirkopolis at Proctors Theater. Remember, you can get a free kid’s ticket with a paid adult with the coupon code BIGMAC.

Multiple Days:

• Shrek the Musical in Washington Park at Washington Park Playhouse. Lawn seating is free at this Park Playhouse musical. Adapted from the classic Dreamworks films and the famous children’s novel by William Steig, Shrek tells the hysterical and heart-warming story of an ogre just trying to fit in.
• Herb Harvesting Demonstration in the King’s Garden at Fort Ticonderoga. Our gardeners discuss the individual plants in the herb garden, their uses, and explain how to harvest different types.
• Kids! Register to Show and Sell Art at the Stockade Art Show on 9/7 at Stockade Art Show. Welcoming young artists (8 to 18 years old) to show and sell art at our show. $10 fee. Art is judged with 3 prizes. Fine arts only, please: no crafts. See more info. on website: http://www.stockadeartshow.com/
• The Altamont Fair. A three county fair representing Albany, Schenectady and Greene Counties. We strive to make the Altamont Fair the best it can be in terms of agricultural traditions, educational experience, and entertainment.
• Dinosaurs! @ miSci at miSci Museum of Innovation and Science (formerly the Schenectady Museum). Discover dinosarus at miSci this summer!
• Cirque Eloize Cirkopolis at Proctors Theater. With Cirkopolis, Cirque Éloize presents a show that combines the worlds of circus, dance and theatre.
• Double M Rodeo at Double M Western Store. Friday and Saturday Nights — BBQ by North Country BBQ – Rotterdam NY starting at 6 pm, Rodeo at 8 pm
• Open Cockpit Day at the Empire state Aerosciences Museum at Empire State Aerosciences Museum. ESAM WILL FEATURE “OPEN COCKPITS” OF HISTORIC AIRCRAFT ON WEEKENDS IN AUGUST
•  Civil War Heritage Days at Watervliet Historical Society. Civil War re-enactors, acoustical musical groups, area historians and scholars gather to educate and entertain the public at Schuyler Flats in Colonie

Friday, August 16th:

• Friday, August 16: “I CAN SKATE!” tm at Rollarama Skating Center, Inc.. FREE learn to skate, learn the basics instructional class offered at Rollarama Skating Center, every Friday night at 6:30 pm, ending at 7:00 pm.
• Friday, August 16: Summer Cinema: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (PG, 94 mins.)  at Bethlehem Public Library. Bring a blanket and pillow- we’ll bring the movie and popcorn!
• Friday, August 16: PARENTS NIGHT OUT – Every Third Friday of the Month at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Plan a Date – And we will provide the Sitter!!!
• Friday, August 16: Free Kiddie Cones with Kids Meal Purchase at Pirates Lakeside Grill on Fridays During Our Season! at Pirates Lakeside Grill. Get a free vanilla, chocolate, or twist kiddie cone or cup with purchase of a Kids’ Meal at Pirates Lakeside Grill! See our menu and hours at www.pirateslakesidegrill.com. 266 County Road 7 Nassau, NY 12123 (518) 265-7087
• Friday, August 16: Saratoga Children’s Theatre Performs Annie at Saratoga Children’s Theatre. SCT announces live performances of Annie at the St. Clements School, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY on Friday, August 16 at 5:30 PM, Saturday, August 17 at 11 AM, Friday, August 23 at 6 PM and Saturday, August 24 at 12 PM.
• Friday, August 16: August Making Connections Autism Program at The Children’s Museum at Saratoga. This FREE program is designed for individuals who are developmentally 2-10 on the autism spectrum. Siblings welcome!
• Friday, August 16: PARENTS NIGHT OUT – Every Third Friday of the Month at Tiny Tots Tea Room . Drop the Munchkins off for Parents Night Out for Dinner, Play, Crafts and More!
• Friday, August 16: Museum Adventures at Berkshire Museum. Each week features songs, stories, scavenger hunts, play time, and more in the Aquarium and galleries. Program geared towards children 18 months to 3 years. Older and younger siblings are welcome.
• Friday, August 16: Saratoga Children’s Theatre Teen Troupe Performs “The Wedding Singer” at Saratoga Children’s Theatre. The Saratoga Children’s Theatre announces live performances of The Wedding Singer at the Bernhard Theatre, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY on Friday, August 16 at 1 PM and 7 PM and Saturday August 17 at 1 PM and 7 PM.
• Friday, August 16: Art Night Schenectady at Art Night Schenectady. Celebrate the visual and performing arts, music and fun throughout Schenectady on the third Friday of each month
• Friday, August 16: Free Fun Friday! at Berkshire Museum. Berkshire Museum will be open to the public free-of-charge as part of the Newton, Mass.-based Highland Street Foundation’s summer-long Free Fun Fridays program.

Saturday, August 17th:

• Saturday, August 17: Disney’s High School Musical on Stage at Schenectady Light Opera Company (SLOC). SLOC Youth Theater in collaboration with Freedom Park, Scotia, is please to present “Disney’s High School Musical on Stage” for three FREE performances in August 2013.
• Saturday, August 17: Albany Star Sighting at Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center & Henry Hudson Planetarium. Interactive program identifies stars, planets, comets and constellations in the night sky and the tools and techniques for becoming an amateur astronomer. Geared for skywatchers ages 8 and above.
• Saturday, August 17: Family Hike to High Point at Thacher Park at Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center. Bring the entire family along for a fun and beautiful hike!
• Saturday, August 17: Open Studio at The Hyde Collection at The Hyde Collection. Informal art studio time for all ages. Adults may visit the exhibition and collection while children age 5 and up enjoy art activities. Children age 4 and under must have adult companion in the studio. Free.
• Saturday, August 17: Saratoga Children’s Theatre Performs Annie at Saratoga Children’s Theatre. SCT announces live performances of Annie at the St. Clements School, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY on Friday, August 16 at 5:30 PM, Saturday, August 17 at 11 AM, Friday, August 23 at 6 PM and Saturday, August 24 at 12 PM.
• Saturday, August 17: Fantastic Ferns. Public Program. at Dyken Pond Environmental Center. There are many unique plant species found on planet earth, but none are more fascinating than ferns. This easy 2-hour hike will introduce you to the natural history, identification process and life cycles of different fern species.
• Saturday, August 17: Gallery Tour with Curator Nick Clark – Seriously Silly: A Decade of Art and Whimsy by Mo Willems at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Join Chief Curator Nick Clark as he introduces you to the work of one of the most popular and successful creators of children’s books in the new century. Free with Museum Admission
• Saturday, August 17: 7TH PERENNIAL 5K FOREST RUN  at Landis Arboretum. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Schoharie countryside at the beautiful Landis Arboretum during this cross country run/walk. The race begins at 9 a.m..
• Saturday, August 17: Chow Time in the Aquarium at Berkshire Museum. Visit the Aquarium and help to prepare feasts fit for turtles, fish, and even a skink.
• Saturday, August 17: WeeMuse: Countdown to Kindergarten Night at Berkshire Museum. Parents and children can participate in activities that will help little ones get ready to go to school for the first time.
• Saturday, August 17: SaratogaCountyMommies 4th Birthday Bash with Bounce Around at SaratogaCountyMommies.com. Come join us for our 4th birthday bash party as we celebrate with Bounce Around. Come Bounce Around with us and help support two wonderful children’s charities in our community!!!
• Saturday, August 17: VT PuppeTree Theatre Presents: Swimmy/Swimmer at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. By combining the elements of education and entertainment, ‘Swimmy/Swimmer’ introduces children to the fundamentals of ecology and science through fun, almost magical experiments certain to create a base for continual exploration and growth.
• Saturday, August 17: Children’s Star Sighting Show at Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center & Henry Hudson Planetarium. Interactive program exploring the stars, planets, comets and constellations in the night sky. Geared to children ages 3-7 and their families.
• Saturday, August 17: Saratoga Children’s Theatre Teen Troupe Performs “The Wedding Singer” at Saratoga Children’s Theatre. The Saratoga Children’s Theatre announces live performances of The Wedding Singer at the Bernhard Theatre, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY on Friday, August 16 at 1 PM and 7 PM and Saturday August 17 at 1 PM and 7 PM.

Sunday, August 18th:

• Sunday, August 18: VT PuppeTree Theatre Presents: Swimmy/Swimmer at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. By combining the elements of education and entertainment, ‘Swimmy/Swimmer’ introduces children to the fundamentals of ecology and science through fun, almost magical experiments certain to create a base for continual exploration and growth.
• Sunday, August 18: Kids’ Choice Yoga at Yana Yoga. Kids choose their favorites in this class for ages 4 to 9. Please pre-register.
• Sunday, August 18: FREE SAT Practice Test at Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions. FREE SAT Practice Test Sunday August 18, 2013 Comfort Suites in Clifton Park.
• Sunday, August 18: A Party for the Birds! at Thacher Nature Center at Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center. Celebrate the birthday of Roger Tory Peterson, a famous friend of birds!
• Sunday, August 18: Forest Time Travel. Public Program. at Dyken Pond Environmental Center. Come travel through time and learn about the natural succession of forests. We will be hiking through Dyken Pond trail systems observing new and old trees and discussing how forests change over time. Great for all ages. $1 suggested donation.
• Sunday, August 18: Wister Quartet ~ classical: A Free Concert at Freedom Park in Scotia at Freedom Park, Collins Park, & Quinlan Park in Scotia-Glenville ( Mohawk Avenue/Schonowee Avenue ). Part of a series of free, family-oriented summer concerts, located near Jumpin’ Jacks and Collins Park
• Sunday, August 18: D.W. Counts Down to Kindergarten at Berkshire Museum. Arthur’s younger sister gets help from her family and friends as she prepares to enter kindergarten. Perfect for 4-year-olds and their families. Presented by City Stage Co., Inc, and in partnership with the Boston Children’s Museum.