Daddy and Daughter Sweetheart Dances: Pops and their little princesses trip the light fantastic from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Kiwanis Park Recreation Center, 6111 South All-America Way in Tempe. Friday's ball is for girls ages 4 to 7, Saturday's for those 8 to 14. Admission is $7 per person. For details call 350-5201; TDD number for the hearing-impaired is 350-5050.
"HeARTfelt Greetings": Artists Mary Chuduk and Vicki Kinshella Weaver host this free Valentine-making session for kids of all ages, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday in the courtyard at Centerpoint, Seventh Street and Mill in Tempe. For details call 968-0888.
A Song in My Heart: Greasepaint, Scottsdale Youtheatre's annual spring fund raiser features a Valentine's-themed musical revue, asilent auction and dinner. The fun starts at6 p.m. Saturday at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church, 4455 East Lincoln Drive. Admission is $10, $5 for kids. For reservations and details, call 990-7646.
Valentine's Tea Party: Samantha from the American Girl series is the special guest at this free, Victorian-style event, scheduled for 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Phoenix Central Library, 1221 North Central. Space is limited, and registration is required; call 262-6625.
arts and minds
"Celebrating 40 Years: Many Faces, One World": The exhibit features works by kids from Scottsdale and its sister cities: Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Cairns, Queensland, Australia; and Alamos, Sonora, Mexico. It continues through February 25 in Young at Art Gallery at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street. Call 994-2787.
"Eighth Grade Group Show": Students from Phoenix's Ingleside Middle School show off and sell their creations in this installation, which opens with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and continues through March 8 at Wilde-Meyer Gallery, 4142 North Marshall Way in Scottsdale. The public/private partnership is designed to support art in the schools and to teach kids the intricacies ofpreparing such a show. Viewing is free; proceeds from sales benefit Ingleside's arts program. For details call 945-2323.
"Lizards, Snakes and Cheetahs": Art Ventures presents this exhibit of clay works by a dozen of the studio's young artists. It continues through February 28 at Scottsdale's Literate Lizard, 10855 North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, Suite 100. Admission is free. Viewing hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays and Mondays. For details call 860-8689 or 996-6468.
Peter the Near (Great): The performer, recognized as the national magician of the year in 1989, hosts a show from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday at Mesa Public Library, 64 East First Street. Admission is free. For details call 644-2705.
"Trickster Tales From the Melting Pot": The latest installment in City of Tempe's Saturday Performing Arts Series starts at 10a.m. Saturday at Edna Vihel Activity Building, 3340 South Rural in Tempe. This time, Seem to Be Players tell tall tales. The series continues through April 13; the next entry is March 2. Admission is $2 for children age 2 and up; one adult is admitted free with each kid. For details call 350-5287; TDD number for the hearing-impaired is 350-5050.
among the animals
"Africa! Alive": Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway, in Papago Park, hosts the latest installment in its festival "The Celebration of the Natural World," which continues through September. In "Africa! Alive," continuing through February 29, kids learn about the animals of the African continent via music, mask-making sessions, storytelling and other events. Participation is free with regular admission: $7, $6 for seniors, $3.50 for kids ages 4 to 12, free for younger children and zoo members. Call 273-1341 or 273-7771.
good sports
"Moral Kombat": The hourlong program features demonstrations in martial arts, gymnastics and board breaking, and stresses respect and nonviolence. It's slated for 2 p.m. Saturday in conjunction with the grand-opening festivities at Moodys' Karate for Kids and Taekwondo USA. The school is located at 13610 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Admission is $2; proceeds benefit Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK). Call 905-8688.
Pat Murphy's "Spring Training" Baseball Camp: The head coach of the Arizona State University baseball squad hosts this clinic for kids ages 7 to 12. It continues Saturday. Call 965-6085.
on the stage
Great Arizona Puppet Theater: My Prehistoric Birthday Present, about a boy who receives a dinosaur egg as a gift, opens at 10 a.m. Wednesday and continues through February 25 at the theatre, 3302 North Seventh Street. Admission is $4. Call 277-1275.
