"Fun Flicks for Kicks": Borders Books & Music at Biltmore Fashion Park, 24th Street and Camelback, Suite 200, hosts this free, all-ages series, which continues with a screening of The Little Mermaid (G) at 2 p.m. Thursday, August 29. Each kid receives a gratis bag of popcorn. For details call 957-6660.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: The Harkins Theatres chain presents an exclusive, silver-anniversary engagement of director Mel Stuart's 1971 fantasy, based on Roald Dahl's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and starring Gene Wilder as confectioner Wonka and Peter Ostrum as pure-hearted Charlie Bucket; see the related story on page 63. The G-rated movie is scheduled to open on Friday, August 30, at the following Harkins cinemas: Westridge Mall 6 (75th Avenue and Thomas), Bell Towne Centre 8 (Seventh Street and Bell), Arcadia 8 (40th Street and Thomas), Fiesta 5 (1520 South Longmore in Mesa), Bell Tower 8 (51st Avenue and Bell in Glendale) and Shea 14 (74th Street and Shea in Scottsdale). For more information, see Showtimes or call the individual theatres.
wet and wild
Labor Day at the Wave Pool: City of Tempe's cool pool and its accompanying water slide, located at Kiwanis Park Recreation Center, 6111 South All-America Way, will be open for family fun from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, September 2. Admission is $4, $2 for kids ages 3 to 17. Raft or tube rental is an additional $3. Call 350-5201; the TDD number for the hearing-impaired is 350-5050.
safety first
Kids' Care Fair: The Arizona Factory Shops facility, located off I-17 exit 229 north of the Valley, hosts this inaugural event, featuring "Kid Smart" safety demonstrations, entertainment and free milk and cookies. It's scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 31. For details call 465-9500.
road trip
"Jim Gary's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs" in Flagstaff: New Jersey artist Gary concocts giant dino sculpture out of old auto parts, and about 20 of his labors of love are displayed through Sunday, November 3, at the Museum of Northern Arizona, located three miles north of Flag on U.S. Highway 180. The entrance fee, which doesn't include admission to the museum proper, is $6, $5 for seniors, $4 for kids ages 2 to 12. For more information, call 1-520-774-5213.
at the museum
Arizona Museum for Youth: "Fly, Float & Locomote: Transportation in Art" features mixed-media representational works about how to get from here to there by Laurie Campbell, David Gilhooly, Jamie Maverick, Luis Jimenez, Robert McCall and others. The exhibit continues through Friday, September 13, at the museum, 35 North Robson in Mesa. Various workshops and related special events are scheduled; call 644-3690 for details. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $2, free for kids under 2. For general information, call 644-2467.
Arizona Science Center: The "TechZone 1996" exhibit features information and hands-on displays about the latest scientific innovations, from voice-recognition devices to air bags; it continues through Monday, September 2. The center is located at 147 East Adams. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission: $4.50, $3.50 for kids ages 4 to 12 and seniors, gratis for those age 3 and younger. Call 256-9518 or 258-7250.
Mesa Southwest Museum: "Kuykendall Doll and Figure Collection," featuring about 350 of the title creations, continues through Sunday, September 29. The center is located at 53 North Macdonald. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $4, $3.50 for seniors and students with ID, $2 for kids ages 3 to 12, free for those younger. For details call 644-2230.
on the stage
Beauty and the Beast: Desert Stages, Inc., presents the musical. Opening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 30; 1, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 31; and 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, September 1, at the theatre, 8473 East McDonald in Scottsdale. The production continues through Sunday, September 22. Tickets are $6 in advance, $9 at the door. For details call 483-1664.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater: The troupe presents performances of Rapunzel at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, August 29; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, August 30; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, August 31; 2 p.m. Sunday, September 1; and 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 4, at its theatre, 3302 North Seventh Street. The production continues through Sunday, September 8. Admission is $4.50. For details call 277-1275.
