To be 40 years old may seem quite ancient to children, but when the OLD TOWN SCHOOL OF fOLK MUSIC celebrates its 40th anniversary with a birthday party for families, this musical institution will be very young at heart and still growing. When part of the school moves to a new location, its current building will be transformed into a Children’s Music and Performing Arts Center. The school’s birthday party Saturday will include live music by the Little Folk Band and lots of sing-alongs, stories and games. The festivities will also give kids a chance to decorate cupcakes and make birthday cards.
Happy 40th Birthday Party Old Town School, 2:30-5 p.m. Saturday, Old Town School of Folk Music, 909 W. Armitage Ave., $2; 773-525-7793.
When the Chicago Chamber Musicians present a family concert, Bill Kurtis will narrate the well-known tale of “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev. Donna La Pietra will tell “The Story of Babar” accompanied by the music of Francis Poulenc. The story is both dramatic and celebratory as Babar, an orphaned elephant, leaves his home to move to the city, where he is befriended by an old lady, and then later returns to the jungle for a festive wedding to Celeste. Children will be able to meet the musicians of the ensemble and enjoy animal crackers and juice at a reception afterwards.
“The Story of Babar” and “Peter and the Wolf,” by the Chicago Chamber Musicians with narration by Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra, followed by a reception, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Winter Garden, Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State St., $7; 312-225-5226.
Children can get an up-close, personal look at some of the creatures of the Earth when NatureConnections sponsors an Earth Day program featuring Dave Di Naso’s “Traveling World of Reptiles.” They can touch a python if they dare, and feel the sharp spines of an iguana. They can also learn why these scary-looking animals might find the habits of humans, who are destroying their habitats, frightening.
Dave DiNaso’s “Traveling World of Reptiles,” 1 p.m. Saturday, in the Thomas Hughes Children’s Library, Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., free, but reservations required; 312-747-4200.
The Metamorphosis Theatre will show how an ugly green caterpillar survives being teased about his slimy appearance and surprises everyone with his amazing transformation into a beautiful butterfly. The play is called “Ooooogy Green” and it will be presented by the DuPage Children’s Museum. Later in the day, the company will hold a workshop on “The Tortoise and the Hare.”
“Ooooogy Green and Other Fables,” 2 p.m. Sunday, $5, reservations recommended; “The Tortoise and the Hare on Stage,” $10 per family, pre-registration required, Memorial Room, Wheaton Park District Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard Rd., Wheaton; 630-260-9907.
More Top Picks Air Purifiers Humidifiers
The story line of AlphaBet Soup’s production of “Aladdin” may be similar to the original, but in this version he has a monkey for a sidekick and he encounters two genies who grant wishes. In addition, children in the audience will have a chance to help Aladdin in various ways to make sure that he wins the hand of the princess.
“Aladdin,” 11 a.m. Saturday, Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University, off I-57 at Sauk Trail, University Park, $6; 708-235-2222.