Free, materials provided. All ages welcome. Info: www.coloradohistory.org/be, 303-620-4933.
Marvel at modern twists on the beloved fairytale of Cinderella, performed on the Shwayder Theatre stage, at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. Recommended for grades ECE-6. Final performance Sun., May 2, 1p.m. Tickets $8-9. Info: 303-316-6360, www.maccjcc.org.
Make merry with kinsfolk at Celebrate Family! a festival for families with children newborn to age 8, at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., on Sun., May 2, 10:30a.m.-2:30p.m. Features car seat safety checks, petting zoo, bounce castles, live music, face painting, train rides and more. Lunch available, free snacks for kids (dietary laws observed). Info: 303-399-2660 or www.jccdenver.org.
Explore the language of flowers in art in Les Fleurs: Flowers, Buds and Blossoms at The Children’s Art School, Sat., May 15, 1-2:30p.m. For $20, families create flower blossom paper and learn how the masters painted buds and blossoms. Spend spring Saturdays creating art in Washington Park: Sky High Art & Wings of Flight, May 15 or 22, 3-5p.m. ($35); and pastel Sketching Trips, May 15-June 5, 10a.m.-noon ($65). (Monday afternoon Sketching Trips start May 10, 4-5p.m.) Ages 7+. Decorate and design Commedia dell’ Arte clown puppets in Puppet Show Biz + Harlequin and Pierrot, May 22 & 29, 12:30-2:30p.m., ages 5+. $35. The Joy of Painting – for moms and the very young artist – is Fri., May 21, 10-11:30a.m., $10 per family. (Held at Colorado International School, 4100 E. Iliff Ave.) Pre-registration required. Located at 700 S. Franklin St. in St. John’s School. Info/costs/registration: 720-319-3813.
Get a close look at Accelerated Schools and its programs at an Open House, Wed., May 15, 10a.m.-2p.m., at 2160 S. Cook St. Learn about full- and part-time summer schools, meet parents and their students, tour the remodeled Fitzroy Mansion and enjoy light refreshments. Info: 303-758-2003 (Jane or Marianna) or www.acceleratedschools.org.
Investigate el Arbol del Tule – the Tree of Life – at a free Kids Art Saturday Workshop, Sat., May 15, 2-4p.m., at the Del Norte Gallery of the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, 772 Santa Fe Dr. Suggested donation $1. CHAC also offers modest-cost classes for preschoolers to high schoolers, as well as special-need kids, thanks to a grant from the SCFD. The hands-on classes are taught by qualified practicing artists, and they encourage children to explore the world around them through the creative process. Offered year-round. Scholarships available. Call Crystal O’Brien for details. Info: visit www.ChacWeb.org or call 303-571-0440.
Create a Denver Biennial poster at Byers Branch Library, 675 Santa Fe Dr., Mon., May 24, 4:30-5:30p.m., as part of the branch’s community art project with Center for Visual Art. Free. Kids grades K-5 are invited. Info: 720-865-0160.
Denver Public Library branches are winding up after-school activities and gearing up for summer reading fun: Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., presents: Weekly storytimes in the Children’s Pavilion, 10:30a.m., and craft activities in the Baron Project Room immediately afterward, through May 14. No preregistration required: Mon. & Wed., Tales for Twos (24-35 mo.); Tues., Book Babies I (0-6 mo.); Thur., Preschool Storytime & Craft (3-5 yrs.); Fri., Book Babies II (early walkers). Info: www.denverlibrary.org; 720-865-1306. Byers, 675 Santa Fe Dr.: Afternoon (4:30p.m.) programming for ages 6-14 resumes in June with Summer of Reading kickoff ice-cream party, Wed., June 2, 2-3p.m. Community art project with the Center for Visual Art every fourth Monday, 4p.m., through May. Info: 720-865-0160. Decker, 1501 S. Logan St.: Book Babies (4-24 mo.), Mon., 12:30p.m., and Wed., 11a.m.; Tot Tales (ages 2-3), Wed., 3p.m., through May 26. Thursday morning entertainment begins with Ann Lincoln’s Yo Ho Ho Pirate Show, June 3, 10:30-11:30a.m. Info: 720-865-0220. Eugene Field, 810 S. University Blvd.: Storytime for all ages, Tues., 10:15a.m.; Book Babies, Mon. & Tues., 11a.m. Summer of Reading program begins with cookie decorating and other family activities, Sat., May 29, 1-2p.m. Info: 720-865-0240. Schlessman, 100 Poplar St.: Begin Summer of Reading with face painting by Nancy Avalon, Sat., May 29, 1-3p.m. Info: 720-865-0000. Virginia Village, 1500 S. Dahlia St., hosts Book Babies (6-24 mo.), 10:30 & 11:30a.m., Tues.; Tot Tales (2-3 yrs.), 10:30 & 11:15a.m., Fri. Summer of Reading kick-off Sat., May 29, 11a.m.-noon. Info: 720-865-0940. All Denver Public Library branches will be closed Fri., May 28, for a furlough day, and Sun. & Mon., 30 & 31, for Memorial Day.
Pick up a free 2010 Youth Link summer activities guide to education, employment & recreation opportunities, courtesy of Denver City Councilman At-Large Doug Linkhart, the Denver Community Service Fund, Comcast and several local businesses. The bilingual guide lists 149 organizations offering tennis, gymnastics and river rafting, jobs in community-based service programs, and classes in GED, language and art appreciation. Available at schools, libraries, rec centers and www.douglinkhart.org. Info: 720-865-8000.
International artist Georgia Amar offers summer art classes for students 7-17 at her Habitat Gallery & Studio, 828 Santa Fe Dr. One-week sessions (June 7-11 or 14-18) focus on the medium of painting, limited to 12 per session. Cost: $295 includes all materials and lunch made with student participation. Email the gallery at HabitatGallery@earthlink.net for registration form or call 303-534-9740.
Budding chamber music enthusiasts, 10 or older, are invited to a week of Intermezzo Chamber Music Sessions.The one-week day camp of chamber music instruction features lessons, coaching, master classes, rehearsals and demonstrations, as well as yoga — all in a supportive and enriching environment. Starts June 21 at 1220 S. Fillmore St. Register at www.IntermezzoCMS.com, or 303-902-1831.
Colorado International School is hosting one-of-a-kind summer day (ages 3-7) & mountain adventure (7+) camps in Mandarin, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Farsi and Arabic! Mountain Camp held June 13-19, 20-26, Aug. 1-7 or 8-14 at YMCA of the Rockies’ Estes Park and Granby sites. Day Camp offered in July and August at CIS, 4100 E. Iliff Ave. Info: 303-282-6666 or www.coloradointernationalschool.org.
Attention youthful entrepreneurs! Business persons 6 to 21 can vie for $250 to $1,000 in prizes in the Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs business competition. Get applications online or at the Young Americans Center for Financial Education, 3550 E. 1st Ave. Deadline is June 18. Winners and finalists in four age categories will be announced in Sept. Info: www.yacenter.org, 303-321-2265.
Spend your summer at Summerville, Washington Street Community Center’s June 1-Aug. 13 day camp for kids 6-11, at 809 S. Washington St. Swimming, field trips, art, music, drama, lemonade stands, car washes, games, food and sports offered. A variety of daily/weekly attendance options are available. Information:www.wscc-denver.org or 303-733-4643.
Plan now for Creative Journeys artist-in-residence/mentor camps at the Mizel Museum, 400 S. Kearney St., half- and full-day multi-activity camps featuring visual arts, storytelling, music, puppetry, drama and radio theatre, for ages 4-12. Details, call 303-394-9993, ext. 103, or visit www.mizelmuseum.org.
Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant St., has added new camps to its summer palette: Kindergarten camps (they fill fast!); more two-week camps for deeper study; and camps exploring culture, including Africa, China, Mexico and Japan. First class free with purchase of an adult or family membership before May 31. Full catalog, registration details: www.asld.org, 303-778-6990.
Enrollment’s open for Rocky Mountain Conservatory Theatre’s summer camps for ages 6-17, in the Newman Center for the Performing Arts Byron Theatre, at DU, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Mon.-Fri., 9a.m.-3:30p.m. New this year is Technical Theatre Camp – lights, costumes and sets – for ages 12-17, in addition to acting, dance, music/voice, art, rehearsal, theatre games, improv, specialty classes and professor workshops. Info: 303-476-0222, or www.rockymountainconservatorytheatre.com.
Enrollment is underway for summer camp at Emmanuel United Methodist Preschool, 2700 S. Downing St., offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in June to kids 3 (potty trained) to 5. Qualistar-rated EMP is a Denver Preschool Program provider, and has delivered quality preschool education to the community for 37 years. Info: 303-758-1697; www.empdenver.com.
For all single parents – Families First offers a free Circle of Parents support group just for you! Discover proven methods for cutting down on the frustration of being a single parent in today’s hectic world. Unlock the knowledge you already hold and share your wisdom, create a support network and rebuild your self-esteem. Group meets first, third and fifth Thursdays, 6:30-8p.m., at Evanston United Methodist Church, 2122 S. Lafayette St. Free children’s group provided. Come build upon your strengths in a safe and nurturing environment. Need immediate help? Visit www.FamiliesFirstColorado.org for quick links to parenting classes, Circle of Parents groups, the Family Support Line for English and Spanish callers, and a residential treatment center focused on the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Info: call the Family Support Line, 303-695-7996, or Families First, 303-745-0327.
University Park Mothers Club is a social, supportive and educational group for families with young children living in the University Park neighborhood and surrounding area (Colorado Blvd. to University Blvd. and Yale Ave. to I-25). All families (dads, too!) with children ages 0-5 or expecting, are welcome. The group boasts more than 75 families and 150 children. Join today at www.uparkmoms.org or email info@uparkmoms.org for more information.
Improving moms’ lives through support, education and advocacy is the mission of Mothers & More, a secular, not-for-profit national organization. The Central Denver Chapter (#218) offers monthly activities like meetings, Margarita Club, play groups, family picnics, and provides email networks, newsletters and Care Committee Support. Visitors welcome at monthly moms-only events. Information: mothersandmoredenver@yahoo.com or visit www.denvermoms.org.
No mom was ever meant to mother alone. That’s the philosophy of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). The Corona MOPS is a local chapter that meets at Corona Presbyterian Church at 8th Ave. & Downing St. Join in for brunch, meeting other moms and speakers on diverse topics. Children’s program provided. Corona MOPS meets first, third and fifth Fridays of each month, 9-11:30a.m. Motherhood is a journey of its own, and supporting each other is fundamental. For info, call 303-832-2297.