FEATURED EVENTS

Small screen, big laughs! Amid social distancing, ComedySportz Buffalo is back in action! Watch players compete for virtual (family-friendly) comedy glory, all from the comfort of your own home! Registration is free and required through Zoom (limited to the first 100 guests). Running Time Approx 40 minutes.

Please join Renowned Silhouette Artist Karl Johnson at a LIVE virtual event where he will be creating hand cut silhouette portraits. Each one takes just minutes and all ages are welcome even the squirmy ones. Original Silhouettes are $30. Payment is made when you register for the event. Please reserve one time slot per person. Duplicate silhouettes and frames will also be available for purchase. Your completed silhouettes will be mailed to you after the event with free shipping!

Kickstart 2021 as CultureFest! takes over January with virtual events leading up to Lunar New Year, a festive holiday celebrated in many Asian cultures. In partnership with Send Chinatown Love.

Imagine being able to help children and parents navigate through the challenges of autism. Or realize that your efforts helped advance groundbreaking research to improve interventions and create new programs. Or know that your gift helped a child enjoy the simple pleasures of summer camp. The UW Autism Center’s 5th annual benefit event, Illuminating Autism, provides the opportunity to achieve all of these dreams and more. Come join our growing community of supporters to celebrate and enjoy presentations highlighting the Center’s impact while having fun and participating in live and silent auctions.

Online: Storytime comes to life in this exciting early childhood environmental education exploration program! Kids will hear stories of the earth, animals, how to be a kid exploring the natural world around them, and much more! Students will then engage in at-home activities that connect to the themes of the book read during the session.

With cutting edge technology, best-in-class ballet masters and instructors, and a curriculum 75 years perfected, The Washington School of Ballet sets a new standard in ballet education. Our 2021 Summer Intensive provides students in the Upper Level (ages 12+) with the option to either train fully in-studio or in a virtual format. The Washington School of Ballet Summer Intensive gives students from around the world the opportunity to study for five weeks with our acclaimed faculty including Artistic Director Julie Kent and Professional Division Head Xiomara Reyes. Men’s division classes are led by Rinat Imaev and Damien Johnson.

Second Generation Theatre and Theatre of Youth have collaborated to create an interactive theatre experience for theatre patrons ages 5-12. ONCE UPON A TIME is a 40-minute musical presented via ZOOM. It follows traditional fairy tale characters as they learn about inner strength and becoming the heroes of their own stories. An upbeat, high energy musical with captivating melodies, ONCE UPON A TIME empowers children to proudly be themselves. **ONCE UPON A TIME requires parental participation! Parents/guardians will receive an email with information on setting up some magical items before the show for your child to discover during the performance.**

The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris When street magician Carter runs away, he never expects to find friends and magic in a sleepy New England town. But like any good trick, things change instantly as greedy B.B. Bosso and his crew of crooked carnies arrive to steal anything and everything they can get their sticky fingers on. Carter and five other illusionists together must use teamwork and magic to save the town of Mineral Wells from Bosso’s villainous clutches. Limit 15. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link and a free copy of the book. Please contact emilycrosby@ropl.org to schedule your book pick up. Scheduling of book and craft pick up starts on Monday, January 11. Book Club Zoom meeting is on Monday, February 8 at 4:30 p.m.

It’s time to head outside and explore the starry skies! Join our planetarium educators on Facebook Live as they take you on a journey of what’s currently visible in the evening skies. Together, we’ll explore the sky above Minnesota, including seasonal constellations, the Moon, and visible planets. There’s something in the sky for everyone! Don’t forget to bring your questions, as we’ll save time for Q & A. Be sure to download your own current Minnesota Skies Guide. https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/star-map/ All ages