Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in west la, CA

Local Preschool Theatre for August

by Susan Choi

August 11, 2009

A few months ago, I posted about local theatre shows geared for preschoolers. As I contemplate shelling out the bucks to watch Legally Blonde: The Musical (check out this link for a special discount available to Savvy readers), I realized that it is time to do another posting on current shows. Kids really enjoy live shows and we're so fortunate to be in a place that has so many options for our little ones. So take advantage and get your kids a little culture with some Snoopy or burping Shakespearean actors.

Snoopy! The Musical is playing at the Knightsbridge Theatre in Los Feliz on Saturdays at 5 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through August 23rd. It is a series of vignettes about a group of five-year old friends we've come to know as the Peanuts Gang. Through song and dance, this show teaches children (young and old) life lessons about friendship, learning, and living to your full potential.

Cymbeline The Puppet King is playing at Media Park in Culver City on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am through August 30th. Performed through the Actors' Gang, Cymbeline is a comical, child-friendly take on Shakespeare's tragic tale. In this minimally furnished stage, the actors use maximum energy to keep the audience well engaged. There is wit to keep the parents laughing, and physical humor to appease the little ones. Admission is free.

Aesop's Fables is playing at the Westchester Playhouse this Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm. This is a performance of the Kentwood Kid's Summer program which is sure to be entertaining!

Santa Monica Playhouse is continuing its performances of Cinderella on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 pm and 3 pm. On August 29 and 30, at 12:30 pm and 3 pm (in lieu of Cinderella), the Santa Monica Playhouse will be putting on a special performance of And Awaaay We Go to Wonderland. This is a special interactive show in which the audience helps decide the fates of their favorite fairy tale characters. From solving riddles to fun sing-a-longs, this unique performance is worth watching. Santa Monica Playhouse is a nonprofit organization that puts on wonderful productions of family friendly theatre.

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"Me" Time at The Beauty Space

by Susan Choi

April 27, 2009

Thanks to the fabulous hubby, I was able to do a mini-vacation with my girlfriends last weekend. We stayed overnight at a local hotel, ate tons of food, sang karaoke and yip yapped until 3 am. The next morning, after enjoying a delicious breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien, we went over to a new hand and foot salon on Melrose Avenue. (One of my girlfriends is pregnant with her first, so soaking in a hot tub and other favorite spa activities were off the list.)

The Beauty Space, located inside the M Salon on Melrose Avenue, is owned by a fellow mom of a preschooler. Let's face it Moms, when we actually have a chance to go out and do something for ourselves, it has to be worth the effort, right? Time away from the kids is a luxury in itself, but wouldn't it be nice if that time is spent with an amazing spa experience? And...drum roll please...it is affordable? That is what The Beauty Space is. My girlfriends and I had such a wonderful time that I felt it was worth highlighting. The owner, Neferteri, is offering the following Mother's Day package for Savvy readers:

ROSE PETAL Manicure & Pedicure ~ Valued at $95
Illuminating Sea Salt Scrub ~ Valued at $20
Mandarin Honey 10min Hand & Foot Massage ~ Valued at $15
Moisture Lock Hand & Foot Paraffin Dip ~ Valued at $20
Fresh Fruit, Pastries, and Drinks ~ Valued at $15
Silky Eye Brow Design ~ $20 NOW FREE

TOTAL VALUE: $180

$52 MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL!

This offer expires: June 6th, 2009

Receive a $10 gift voucher for your next visit if you book before May 9th, 2009

M Salon Full Service~Beauty Space Spa 8209 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

(310) 654-9852

All tools were clean and sterile. The manicurist was very conscientious. It is a little space within the salon but the ambiance is great. When calling the salon, ask for Neferteri and ask for the Savvy Mother's Day special. Since it is a small space, I would recommend going by yourself or with a girlfriend. If you would like to bring your daughter with you (no active kids please), she can sit on your lap while you soak your feet, but there aren't extra people around to give your kid a mini manicure. This isn't your local nail salon, this is a hand and foot spa! There is an esthetician and hair stylists on site as well. So indulge in a little "me" time. You deserve it!

Weekend Warrior: Last Week of April and a Pat on My Back

by Susan Choi

April 23, 2009

I feel like I say this every month but I can't believe it is already the end of the month! April flew by and May is around the corner. For many students, May is the last month of school! Yikes! Already? Do you have your summer plans set yet? If not, check out the Camps and Classes section of the main Savvy Source site. I'll share a few favorites on Tuesday. Until then, there are some fun activities available this weekend--many of them are free to the public!

Is your daughter a Fancy Nancy fan? Then RSVP for a special Storyopolis and the Geffen Playhouse event featuring Robin Press Glasser, the illustrator of the Fancy Nancy books. She will be presenting her new book Tea for Ruby, which was written by Sarah Ferguson, the dutchess of York. This free event is on Saturday at 11 am. Advance RSVP is required by emailing education (at) geffenplayhouse (dot) com. Please indicate the number of people in your party.

On Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, the Los Angeles Times is hosting their annual Festival of Books at UCLA. This event features authors and musicians, and has something for everyone, regardless of your subject preference or age. This event is free but tickets are required for indoor panel and speaker sessions (available through ticketmaster.com).

Taiko Center of LA will be performing at the Mark Taper Auditorium on Saturday at 2 pm. The mission of the Taiko Center of LA is to preserve this Japanese art form of drumming. Therefore performances are often free to the public, and participation in classes and workshops is welcomed.

Pillow Theatre at the LA Music Center is hosting another free event for preschoolers. This month's performance is ZunZun, musical theatre duo Stephen Snyder and Gwynne Cropsey, blend a variety of folkloric instruments, storytelling and comedy to celebrate the vast array of sights, sounds, stories and songs of the endangered rain forests of the Americas. The Rain Forest Sings (La Selva Canta) is a musical journey filled with songs about monkeys, snakes, jaguars, the rainforest canopy, and an orchestra of birds performed in Spanish, English and Portuguese. Performances are at 10 am and 11 am. This event is free but tickets are required. The box office will be open one hour prior to each performance.

The Murad Inclusive Health Center and Spa invites all new, seasoned and expecting moms to enjoy a day filled with treats and tips for moms and moms-to-be. On Saturday from 12 noon to 4 pm, Murad's team of experts will provide guests with the most up-to-date tips and trends in diet, nutrition and acupuncture. Indulge in Mama Mio and Mineral Essence products and free makeovers and receive a complimentary Murad gift product for scheduling a Murad signature treatment. Attendees will enjoy a free 30 minute yoga class, receive Murad Skin evaluations and be pampered! No cost to attend, just RSVP.

At the Skirball Cultural Center on Sunday at 10 am, create your very own 3D superhero figure to take home. After drawing inspiration from the galleries, head over to the art studio and use clay, glue, fabric, and other special materials. Fee includes admission to workshop and Noah's Ark: $25 Child-Adult Pair; $15 Member Child-Adult Pair; $5 per additional Adult or Child. Entrance to Noah's Ark at 10 am and studio art workshop begins at 11:30 am.

This weekend, there are two really important walks you can participate in:
March for Babies is sponsored by March of Dimes. It will be held at Exposition Park on Saturday at 8 am (registration at 7 am).
Children's Cancer Research Fund is sponsoring a Kids 4 Kids 5K Run/Walk in Century City on Sunday at 10 am (registration at 8 am).
Please click on the respective links for more information and to register.

Not to toot my own horn but GoCityKids-LA added West LA Savvy Source as an exceptional local blog site for parents. If you like us too, go on their site to get more information on other events going on throughout the week, and give us a rating and review (subliminal text: five stars, best local blog). Thanks!

Chinese New Year Festivities and a Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway!

by Susan Choi

February 06, 2009

The lunar (or Chinese) new year was January 26 th this year but a lot of festivities are happening this weekend. This is the year of the ox, known for their patience, self-assurance, and stubbornness. Do you want to know what Chinese zodiac sign you are? On Saturday and Sunday, at the LA Zoo from 10am-4pm, there will be a variety of ways to celebrate the new year . There will be  Read more...

Calling All Foodies: DineLA week is Back!

by Susan Choi

January 29, 2009

If I had to list the loves of my life, it would go something like this: hubby, kiddies, my mom, friends, prime rib, chocolate, ice cream, steak, McDonald's fries, In-n-Out everything...I could really go on forever. I LOVE food. Love, love, love it. When it was just my husband and I, we loved trying out different restaurants. This was in San Francisco, so unfortunately, we have not had a chance  Read more...