The Weekenders, Events for Austin Families, October 19-21, 2012

Free Harry Potter Wand Making – You just can’t have enough wands! Join The Art Garage for their popular FREE Harry Potter wand-making event. Make a wand to accessorize your Halloween costume or just for fun! There will be other studio specials and surprises, too!  Friday from 5 – 7 p.m.The Art Garage, 11190 Circle Drive #202-3.

Metz Movies in the Park: Ghost Busters- Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to enjoy a movie under the stars. FREE!! Enjoy free popcorn and drinks. Movie begins on Friday at dusk. Metz Recreation Center, 2407 Canterbury Street.

The Adventures of Tintin in Leander – Leander’s fall Movies in the Park series wraps up with a free screening of The Adventures of Tintin. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner to enjoy this movie under the stars on a 20-foot tall screen. Concessions will be available for sale. Alcohol and glass containers are prohibited. Friendly pets on a leash are welcome. FREE!! Friday at dusk. Robin Bledsoe Park, 601 S. Bagdad Road, Leander.

Friday Night Storytime- Enjoy two delightful new books this evening: Zoe Gets Ready by Bethanie Deeney Murgvia and My Brave Year of Firsts by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell. FREE!! Friday, 7:30pm. Barnes and Noble, La Frontera Village, 2701 Parker Road Bldg A Suite 700, Round Rock.

Free Movies at Mueller Lake Park – Kids’ activities begin at 6 p.m. followed by a FREE screening of Puss in Boots beginning at dusk (around 7:30 p.m.). Grab your family and your blanket (please no chairs) and head to Mueller Lake Park Amphitheater on Friday.  Saturday, October 20 at 7 p.m. Return for Movie Music in the Park, Halloween Edition, which includes a FREE screening of Ghostbusters (1984).  Mueller Lake Park Amphitheater, near the roundabout along Simond Avenue.

Boo at the Zoo-See the animals at night and ride the haunted train, which runs every 20 minutes from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 and include your train ticket for a specific time. Please note that coupons and vouchers will not be valid for this event. Friday and Saturday, 7:00- 9:00pm. Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary, 10808 Rawhide Trail.

Central Market North Lamar – Live music and dancing, oh my!  This is a great spot for parents to enjoy music while letting their kids burn some energy on the playground.  There are also ducks to feed in the nearby pond.  Here is the lineup of FREE entertainment.

• Friday,  6:30 – 9:00pm- The Copa Kings were formed in Austin, Texas, out of a desire to breathe new life into some of the great jazz standards of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. With great reverence, the band brings a unique passion, artistry and flair to the jazz music of this period.
• Saturday, 6:30-9:00pm- The Ruby Jane Show- Ruby Jane is a teenage powerhouse of talent.

Shakespeare on the Farm – Present Company Theatre invites Shakespeare lovers to enjoy their fourth installment of Shakespeare on the Farm with Julius Caesar. The show runs from October 19 – November 4, 2012, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, beginning at 7 p.m. with the Shakespeare Field Guide pre-show. Bring a picnic and come spread your blanket under the stars at the Rain Lily Farm in East Austin. Promoting the philosophy of accessible and sustainable art, Shakespeare On the Farm is FREE, but a suggested donation of $10 helps support the event. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:00 p.m Rain Lily Farm, 914 Shady Lane.

The Adventures of Tintin in Leander – Friday, October 19 at dusk.  Leander’s fall Movies in the Park series wraps up with a free screening of The Adventures of Tintin. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner to enjoy this movie under the stars on a 20-foot tall screen. Concessions will be available for sale. Alcohol and glass containers are prohibited. Friendly pets on a leash are welcome. Robin Bledsoe Park, 601 S. Bagdad Road, Leander.

Free Williamson County Symphony Orchestra Concerts – Friday, at 7:30pm, Enjoy a FREE concert at Anderson Mill Baptist Church (Directions and Program). Saturday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. The orchestra will perform again for FREE at Hutto High School Performing Arts Center (Directions and Program)

Simon Kidgits Club Boo Bash– Kidgits members, Boo Bash is back! Get ready for the Kidgits Club’s spookiest event of the year…dress up for our costume contest, make Halloween crafts, guess how many pieces of candy are in the jar, and more! $5 for an annual membership. Saturday from noon-2pm in the Lakeline Mall in the Dillard’s Women’s Court, 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Cedar Park.!

Storytime- A weekend storytime for families with kids of all ages. FREE!! Saturday, 11:00am. Wells Branch Community Library, 15001 Wells Port Drive.

Chisholm Trail Days in Georgetown – Saturday, October 20, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. This FREE family event features living history encampments, western demonstrators, working blacksmiths, a children’s corral, authentic chuckwagons, a BBQ cook off, and live western music. There will even be a cattle drive along the river beginning at 4 p.m.  Activities are free, excluding food and outside vendors (for example, there will be a fee for pony rides). A cowboy breakfast will be served beginning at 9 a.m. for $3 per meal.  A BBQ dinner will be held at the Community Center from 5:15 – 7 p.m. for $10 per person. Proceeds from this year’s event benefit The Nest, Head Start, CASA, and the educational programs of The Williamson Museum. San Gabriel Park, 445 E Morrow Street, Georgetown.

Viva la Vida Festival – Saturday, October 20, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. The traditional street festival is no longer scheduled to occur, but the festival will go on. The event will move inside the Mexic-Arte Museum and will still feature Latino artists, music, entertainment, Day of the Dead-themed exhibitions, and educational programs. Although the procession will not take place this year, festival participants are encouraged to wear costumes to the event as there will be a costume contest at 7:30 p.m. Attendees will also enjoy traditional foods from local restaurants, hands-on art activities, and artist demonstrations.  Admission for children 12 and under and Museum members will be FREE all day. From 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., admission will be FREE for everyone. From 1 – 10 p.m., admission will be $5 for adults.  Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave., Austin.

Saturday Night Concert at Hill Country Galleria – Hill Country Galleria will host FREE concerts in their outdoor amphitheatre on Saturday nights this fall. Bring a blanket and enjoy this free Saturday Night Concert Series. The Loose Wheels will perform on Saturday at 7:00pm. Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave.

Fall Eco-Art Fest- Come celebrate GrowinTogether & EcoSchool, cultivating youth to grow a beautiful sustainable world with live music by local youth, Free local food, Mask-Making, Face Painting, Paper crafting, Build Water-Efficient Garden & Chicken coop. Come play, learn, and connect with others like we do everyday in our program.
Family friendly! Totally FREE!! Saturday, 3:00- 7:00pm. Eco School, 4105 Manchaca Road.

Hutto Olde Tyme Days – Saturday, October 20, from 10 a.m. – midnight. More than 100 vendors, live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, an antique car show and more. FREE admission during the day. The evening concert and street dance is $5 (gates open at 7 p.m.). Go here for the full schedule. Parking is $2 per car at the city’s Co-op on U.S. Hwy 79 in Hutto.

What’s the Story Steve? – Move Your Tale and ColdTowne Theater collaborate to present this fully improvised theatrical journey through a story of the audience’s making. Featuring Steve the improvising poodle, a portion of the show follows Steve through an original tale. Pay what you wish. Appropriate for audiences of all ages. On October 20th and 27th, wear your Halloween costume and help Steve construct an improvised haunted house, create spooky tales and see them brought to life! Saturday at 10 a.m. ColdTowne Theater, 4803 Airport Blvd.

DogToberFest Austin – Saturday, October 20, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. DogToberFest is an Austin based non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness about dog rescue, as well as to raise funds for local rescue organizations. The event includes a silent auction, Canine Costume Contest, demonstrations from Texas Hearing and Service Dogs and the Austin Police Department K9 Unit, wiener dog races, and more fun for the entire family.  Admission is FREE. The Phase II section of The Domain (between iPic Theaters and The Range Golf Club), Austin.

Night Time Storytime- When is the best time to go Trick-o-Treating? NIGHT TIME! Lots of things come to life at night – bats, owls, opossums (it’s called being nocturnal!). Join us today for storytimes all about when the sun goes down – NIGHT TIME including Little Owl’s Night and other stories.  FREE!! Saturday, 11:30am. BookPeople,  603 N. Lamar, Austin.
Literature Live! Presents Grandmother’s Story: A Tlingit Tale– Two Native American Tlingit children are endangered when one of them mocks the Moon.  A benevolent Grandmother in the Sky Country protects the children from the angry Moon and helps them find their way home. Literature LIVE! performances bring stories to life using puppetry, storytelling, and dramatization with lively dialogue, beautiful sets, and a ready invitation to audiences to immerse themselves in story.  Recommended for ages 5 and over. FREE!! Saturday, 1:00pm. Recycled Reads, 5335 Burnet Road.

Food-Free Family Storytime-The Round Rock Public Library presents Food-Free Family Storytime, a reading activity that welcomes families with children of all ages to a fun environment that’s safe for individuals affected by food allergies.This interactive program includes a variety of activities such as books, fingerplays, music, movies, and puppets. FREE!! Saturday, 10:30. The Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock.

Festival de Otoño–  Come celebrate this year’s Mexican themed Fall Festival with the communities from all three Austin Montessori School campuses. The Festival will feature Mexican inspired arts, activities, food, music and a special performance by Southwest Key Ballet Folklorico group! Children may also participate in rock wall climbing and moonwalks. Saturday, 1:00- 4:00pm. Austin Montessori School , 5006 Sunset Trail.

2012 Aki Matsuri ~ Japan Fall Festival – Saturday, October 20, from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Taiko drums, traditional and festive Japanese dance and musical instruments, the beauty of the tea ceremony, Kendo swords, Okinawan traditional dance, and Eisa Taiko performace — all this will bring the esthetic gifts of Japanese culture to Austin and Central Texas during the 2012 Aki Matsuri, Japan Fall Festival. Visitors will enjoy a range of Japanese food, drink samples, art collections, Yukata photo booth, calligraphy, origami workshop, and Japanese games and entertainment. FREE for JASGA members and children under 18; $5 for non-members.  O. Henry Middle School, 2610 W 10th St, Austin.

Pfall ChiliPfest –  Enjoy tons of activities such as washers, a classic car and hot rod show, raffles and door prizes, food and arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, and of course a chili cook off. ChiliPfest is FREE and open to the public.  You can buy tickets to eat and vote for your favorite chili. Saturday, 11:00am. Downtown Pflugerville.

I Spy Pie! at Central Market North – Saturday, October 20, from noon – 3 p.m.  Join Creative Action for an afternoon of arts and crafts, live music and pie tasting! Enjoy performances by Emmy Award winning The Biscuit Brothers and Jungle Jill and the Jay Birds as five bakeries compete for the honor of having the best pie in Austin. Competing are Texas Pie Kitchen, Jeffrey’s, Central Market Bakery, Central Market Cooking School, and Tiny Pies.  Admission to the event is FREE. Pie-tasting tickets, which give attendees the opportunity to taste all pie entries, as well as vote for their favorite entry are $5. Proceeds will benefit Creative Action, formerly Theatre Action Project (TAP).  If you’d like to stick around Central Market following the event (there’s a playground and a yummy cafe!), you can also catch a free fiddle performance of The Ruby Jane Show, starting at 6:30 p.m. Central Market, 4001 North Lamar Blvd. Austin.

Craft Time for Kids: Dancing Spider– Here’s a chance to do a dance with a spectacular spider that children make themselves. FREE!! Saturday, 11:00am- 3:00pm. Lakeshore Learning Center, 9828 Great Hills Trail.

Mariachi Girl- Mariachi Girl is a new bilingual Spanish/English musical for children and family audiences! Eight-year-old Carmencita dreams of being in her father’s Mariachi band, but her father insists that mariachi groups can only include men.  When Carmencita reads a book about a famous female mariachi it expands her world and notion of what is possible.  Full of vibrant original mariachi music, this play explores how one girl can challenge her identity in a modern society while embracing her rich heritage.  Mariachi Girl is a co-production with ZACH Theatre and Teatro Vivo in partnership with the University of Texas.  For ages 7 and up. Saturday, 11:00am and 1:00pm. ZACH Theatre, 1510 Toomey Road.

The Pumpkin Hunt-The Pumpkin Hunt is a family-friendly event where children of all ages can enjoy fall activities. All activities are ongoing throughout the day, allowing families to customize their experience at the farm. Pumpkins of all sizes will be available for purchase. The premier event, the Pumpkin Hunt, includes a wagon ride into the Christmas tree fields where mini pumpkins are hidden in the trees. After the Hunt, enjoy pumpkin decorating on the pavilion along with the other activities and games. Free Admission and some activities are free as well, other activities have a small cost ($2.50- 5.00). Saturday, 10:00am- 5:00pm and Sunday from 1:00- 5:00pm. Evergreen Farm, Monkey Road, Elgin

Sweet Berry Farm Fall Festival- Head out to the farm for horse rides, mazes, pumpkin decorating, pet the animals,  take a hayride, and you can even stuff your own scarecrow! Plenty of picnic areas available. Admission and parking are free but there are charges for the activities. Saturday, 8:30am- 5:30pm and Sunday from 1:00- 5:00pm. Sweet Berry Farms, Marble Falls.

Family Fun Day- Plenty of fun farm activities for the entire family including hayrides, animal shows, cow milking demos, costume contest, plus good food and other products from local vendors. Saturday and Sunday, 11:00am- 9:00pm.  Admission: $8 adults, $6 (3-12 years old, Free for  children 2 and under. FREE pumpkins for each family of 4+. Crowe’s Nest Farm in Manor.

The Pumpkin Festival- Live Bluegrass Music, Mazes, Pumpkin Painting, Rubber Duck Races, Pumpkin Photo Ops, Kiddy Train Ride, scenic Hayride, Hay Jumps, Play Grounds, Face Painting, Animals to Visit and Picnic Areas. Saturday, 10:00am-5:30  and Sunday from Noon- 5:30pm. Admission $5 kids ages 2-12 and $7 for adults. Elgin Christmas Tree Farm.

Fall Festival & Corn Maze– Get lost at the first annual Fall Festival & Corn Maze at Barton Hill Farms! Set amongst hundred-year-old cottonwoods on the banks of the Colorado River between Austin and Bastrop, Barton Hill Farms integrates live Texas Country music, Texas heritage, and traditional fall fun to create an experience the whole family can enjoy. Featuring a 5-acre corn maze, the Fall Festival & Corn Maze offers a dynamic outdoor experience for all ages. Moms and dads can kick back with a brew and listen to the music while the little ones explore The Lively, a 50 foot pirate ship wrecked on the banks of the river, play frontier games in a replica of the ol’ Wilbarger fort, and pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. Austin’s own educational music duo, The Biscuit Brothers, will visit Barton Hill Farms on Saturday, October 27th and Saturday, November 10th. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for ages 3 – 12, and FREE for 2 and under.  Weekends through November 18 from 9:00am- 9:00pm. Barton Hills Farm, 1115 Farm to Market 969, Bastrop.

Arabic Hafleh at Long Center City Terrace – Sunday, October 21, 2012, from 8 – 10 p.m. World Music & Dance Productions & Putumayo World Music proudly present Austin resident and internationally acclaimed Arabic singer/songwriter Zein Al-Jundi and The Phoenicia Band in an Arabic Hafleh – a celebration of Arabic culture, music & dance – and the official CD Release Party for Putumayo’s latest Arabic music compilation, Arabic Beat. In addition to the live music performance with Zein and her band, the evening will include an elaborate bellydance and Dabkeh Folkloric dance showcase, featuring, in a rare dancing appearance, Zein herself, The Bint El Balad Bellydance Ensemble and guest dance company, The UT Dabkeh Group. General admission for the concert is FREE and open to the public. General admission is standing room or lawn seating only. 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin.

Maurice Sendak’s Really Rosie– Scottish Rite Theater is proud to present a unique production of Maurice Sendak’s2 classic family musical. Rosie, the self-proclaimed sassiest kid on her block of Brooklyn’s Avenue P, entertains everyone by directing and starring in an Oscar-winning movie based on the exciting, dramatic, funny (and slightly exaggerated) story of her life. Directed for the stage by Jenny Larson, with musical direction by SRT Artistic Director Emily Marks and starring a cast of young Austin rock musicians, including Lex Land as “Rosie”, James Robinson, Matt Puckett and Claire Puckett of Mother Falcon, Hannah Hagar and Cole Wilson. Tickets: $10 adults and kids over 12, $8 for kids under 12. Sunday, 2:00pm. The Scottish Rite Theater, 18th and Lavaca.

Wonderland-Wonderland is a magical, silly place, chock full of delightful and whimsical characters. Our heroes land there after being swept away from the real world and its boring problems. They meet astounding creatures, dazzling landscapes, and exciting challenges. Our audience helps us discover exactly what kind of world Wonderland is, and what marvelous creatures live there. They even help explore it, as kids (and sometimes their parents!) get to participate in the story as it unfolds, becoming the hero’s brave and daring sidekick, or perhaps a sparkling magical fairy – or anything else we can dream up! Tickets: $8. Sunday, 2:00pm. The Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress Ave.

Whole Foods Kids’ Club – Hey kids, stop by and check out what’s going on at Kid’s Club. Each week we have an exciting activity that will let you play with your food plus learn a couple things along the way. FREE!! Sunday, 1:00pm. Whole Foods Market, 525 N. Lamar.

Kid’s Show– Bring the kids out to see a FREE show by The Hey Lollies! Sunday, 10:30am. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E. 381/2 Street.

Archeology Day– In celebration of National Archeology Month, the French Legation Museum is hosting Archeology Day.  Kids will learn about archeology and the need to preserve Texas history through fun-filled activities, including a mock archeological dig! Kids activities are FREE to the public! Tours of the historic house and detached kitchen will be given at 1:15, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 pm at the regular admission price. Sunday, from 1:00- 5:00pm at the French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos Street.

Sunday Storytime- Enjoy an all-ages, FREE storytime on Sunday at 1:00pm at Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe Street.

Urban Roots Fall Harvest Festival- The Fall Harvest Festival, presented by Whole Foods Market and Greenling, is this Sunday, Oct. 21! Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day, featuring live music, carnival games for the whole family, food, drinks, and more! Tickets: $30 online until Saturday, $35 at the door. All proceeds benefit Urban Roots. Sunday, 3:00- 6:00pm. Whole Foods Market Roof-top Plaza, 525 N Lamar Blvd.