The Wizard of Oz on Ice: Dorothy and pals don skates in this chilly touring extravaganza, based on the L. Frank Baum fairy tale. Jeri Campbell stars as the Kansas farm girl, and Bobby McFerrin provides the speaking and singing voices for all of the principals except Dorothy; that part is sung by Laurnea Wilkerson. Shows are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 11; 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12; noon and 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13; and 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at America West Arena, First Street and Jefferson. Tickets range from $11.50 to $27.50, available at the arena and Dillard's. For details call 379-7800 or 678-2222.
at the wingding
Way Out West Bird Expo: Tons of flapping, squawking, chattering birds representing hundreds of species are on display and numerous products are on sale at this avian extravaganza, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in the Exhibit Building at Arizona State Fairgrounds, 19th Avenue and McDowell. Admission is $4, $2.50 for seniors, $1.50 for kids ages 5 to 12; fairgrounds parking costs $3 per vehicle. Call 258-6711.
on the stage
The Falcon: Childsplay wraps up its 19th season with this production, adapted by playwright Gregory L. Palmer from an eastern-European folktale titled "Fenist, the Bright Falcon." Set in the 1850s, the play centers on a Russian family visited by a stranger who promises to pay for her supper by relating a tale about a prince disguised as a bird. This week's performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13; and 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in Stage West at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe. The play, appropriate for kids age 5 and up, continues through Sunday, April 21. Tickets are $12.25, $9.25 for students and seniors. Call 252-8497 or 350-8101.
good sports
Fishing Clinic for Kids: Representatives from the Arizona Game and Fish Department instruct kids ages 9 to 17 in the proper ways to catch the slippery title creatures from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Kiwanis Park Recreation Center, 6111 South All-America Way in Tempe. The fee is $8; equipment is provided. Call 350-5201; the TDD number for the hearing-impaired is 350-5050.
Hop for Life: The Desert Mountain States chapter of Leukemia Society of America has found a way to harness one of the world's great untapped natural resources--the energy of kids. In this annual event, children jump up and down for two minutes. At the end of that time, the number of bounces is tallied, and those who have pledged a certain amount of money ante up; the proceeds benefit LSA's programs. The event is scheduled at various Valley locations Monday, April 15, through Friday, April 19. For details call 788-8622.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day: All Valley Y branches team up on Saturday, April 13, for this celebration of mental and physical fitness. Various events are scheduled at each location; for details call 257-5138 or 528-5540.
arts and minds
"Paint Out": Scottsdale Artists League hosts this series for kids of all ages, featuring hands-on sessions about art and how to make it. This week's event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, in Papago Park. Participation is free with regular admission: $6, $5 for seniors, $1 for kids ages 5 to 12, free for younger kids. The final entry is on Saturday, April 20. For details call 941-1225.
Performathon: A number of instructors and about 200 students from Tempe's Arizona Community School of the Arts show off their musical skills at this fifth annual fund raiser, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Tempe Public Library, 3500 South Rural. Performances are planned throughout the day. Admission is free, but donations are accepted; proceeds benefit the school. Call 829-7303.
"Salon des Enfants": Works by students in the Phoenix Elementary School District are featured in this exhibit, displayed from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11; and the same hours Friday, April 12, at Alwun House, 1204 East Roosevelt. Admission is free. Call 253-7967.
"Something Positive": This installation by at-risk inner-city youngsters continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 11; and the same hours Friday, April 12, in Atrium Lobby at Phoenix City Hall, 200 West Washington. Call 253-7887.
"Tales of Japan": Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre performs this production at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 13, concluding City of Tempe's Saturday Performing Arts Series, which introduces children to the performing arts. The scene is Edna Vihel Activity Building, 3340 South Rural in Tempe. Admission is $2 for children age 2 and up; one adult is admitted free with each kid. Call 350-5287; the TDD number for the hearing-impaired is 350-5050.
