Tom Chapin's Kids Koncert: The family-oriented singer-songwriter, brother of the late Harry Chapin, performs his third annual Koncert, sponsored by Camp Fire Boys and Girls, at 11 a.m. Saturday at Red River Opry, Mill and Washington in Tempe. Tickets are $8, available at the scene and Dillard's; discount coupons are available at all Valley Bashas' stores. For details call 829-6779 or 678-2222.
'tis the season
Here Comes Santa Claus: The jolly old elf rings in the holidays at 10 a.m. Saturday at Metrocenter, Interstate 17 between Dunlap and Peoria avenues. His arrival will be hailed by Metrocenter Kids Club Choir, which performs a variety of skits and tunes. Admission is free. For details call 997-2641.
boy howdy
Arizona Boys Ranch Western Barbecue and OpenHouse: This 19th annual event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the ranch, located at Rittenhouse and Hawes roads, about 13 miles east of Chandler. Highlights include skydivers, jugglers, a display of antique cars, arts and crafts, trolley tours, clowns, carnival games and live music by Rockin' R Wranglers, Lost in Austin, and Boys Ranch Ambassador Choir. Admission is free; lunch costs $6, $5 for kids 12 and under. For details call 987-2018.
Buffalo Bob Smith and Howdy Doody: Puppet master Smith and his ever-popular creation officially kick off ArtFest '95, planned for 10a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Scottsdale Civic Center, 7380 East Second Street, at a sing-along breakfast planned for 10:30 Saturday. From 2 to 4 p.m., the duo returns to sign autographs. The free arts-and-crafts blowout also includes live music, food and "Mini Monet," an area featuring hands-on activities for kids. Proceeds benefit various Valley children's charities. For details call 968-5353.
among the animals
"Where Are You?": Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway, in Papago Park, hosts the latest installment in its yearlong festival "The Celebration of the Natural World," which continues through September 1996. Through November, kids learn about hibernation and migration. They can climb into a bear's (empty) den, identify migrating birds and participate in face-painting and storytelling sessions. These and other events are free with regular zoo admission: $7, $6 for seniors, $3.50 for children ages 4 to12, free for younger children and zoo members. For details call 273-1341 or 273-7771.
arts and minds
"A Child Is a Gift": Works by artists-in-training from South Mountain Magnet Arts High School, Coalition of Black Artists, and the ArtWeb program of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix are displayed in this exhibit, which continues through January 2, 1996, at Symphony Hall, 225 East Adams. Viewing is during scheduled events only. For details call 954-8182 or 262-7272.
"Dick and Jane See Spot Run": This exhibit, featuring drawings and prints "about kids and dogs and stuff" by artists Frank Ybarra and Roberta Hancock, continues through November 24 at MARS Artspace, 126 South Central, in Luhrs Office Center. For details call 253-3541.
"Discover Holograms": In this workshop, kidsages 8 to 12 learn about holograms, three-dimensional images projected onto two-dimensional surfaces. The program isslated for 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street, and includes a tour of the center's new exhibit "New Directions in Holography: The Landscape Reinvented," which opens Thursday (see Pic Hits). Thefee is $12, $10 for members; preregistration is required. For details call 994-2315 or 994-2787.
"Taste of Art": Tempe Arts Center, located at Tempe Beach Park, First Street and Mill, hosts this series of introductory art classes for children ages 7 to 11. Sessions are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and December 9. This time, kids learn how to make fancy pillows. The fee is $15, $12 for members. For details call 968-0888.
on the stage
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in Peoria: Playhouse Theatre presents Roald Dahl's fun fable about young Charlie Bucket and eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka. Final performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the community room at Arrowhead Towne Center, 75th Avenue and Bell Road. Tickets are $4, $3 for kids age 12 and under; group rates are available. For details call 245-1566 or 979-6599.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in Phoenix: Valley Youth Theatre presents final performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. and 2p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday atits venue at Tower Plaza Shopping Center, 3883 East Thomas. For details call 267-3880.
Charlotte's Web: Desert Stages, Inc., presents its version of E.B. White's barnyard tale about the spider and the piglet. Final performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at the group's home, 8473 East McDonald in Scottsdale. Tickets are $6 in advance, $9 the day of the show. For details and reservations, call 483-1664.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater: GAPT, 3302 North Seventh Street, presents final performances of the musical The Three Little Kittens at 10 a.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Wednesday. Puppet-making and sing-along sessions are included. Tickets are $4, $3 for members; group rates are available. Reservations are suggested. For details call 277-1275.
the Portrait the Wind the Chair: Childsplay continues its 19th season with this new play by Y York (Afternoon of the Elves). The story concerns sisters Lucy and Terroba, whose fanciful imaginations get the better of them one stormy day. Final performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday at Tempe Performing Arts Center, 132 East Sixth Street. Tickets are $12.25, $9.25 for students and seniors; group rates are available. For details call 350-8112.
at the museum
"Bear With Us": This exhibit at Arizona Museum for Youth, 35 North Robson inMesa, features multimedia representations of bruins of all shapes, sizes and sorts by Joe Baker, Carolyn Lavender, Anne Coe, Linda and Don Asakawa, TomFranklin, Alonzo Jimenez, Ree Nancarrow and Dick George, plus interactive games and learning activities. It continues through February 2, 1996. Hours are 1 to 5p.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 details call 644-2467.
"Computer Works": The new exhibit, exploring the elements required to run a computer and how they relate to one another, opens Saturday at Arizona Science Center, 147 East Adams. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $4.50, $3.50 for kids ages 4 to 12 and seniors, free for kids age 3 and younger. For details call 256-9518 or 258-7250.
"The Great Russian Dinosaurs": Mesa Southwest Museum, 53 North Macdonald, presents this major touring exhibition co-sponsored by City of Mesa and Paleontological Institute of Moscow. It features 24 full skeletons, as well as remains of dino nests, eggs and hatchlings, 50 skulls and dozens ofother specimens collected this century from sites in Russia and Mongolia, many of which have never before been displayed inthe West. The American premiere of theinstallation continues through February 4, 1996. Expanded hours are in effect throughout the exhibit's run: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to6p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5, free forkids age 2 and under. For details call 644-2230.
