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Best Of LA - Week of March 16

cinderella2 610
(Credit: Carol Rosegg)

We're officially saying goodbye to winter this week, Los Angeles and heading into a season of spring. Celebrate new life this week by visiting the zoo where lots of little babies have entered the world, or take your kids to another fabulous family-friendly event this week including the opening of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. Two great exhibits are opening as well at museums across the valley. Don't forget to wear green and celebrate everything Irish this week for St. Patrick's Day; and if you are looking for a top notch culinary/comedy mashup, you must see Alton Brown Live!, for one night only this weekend.

Monday, March 16
greenhouse
(Credit: Carol Rosegg)

Kidspace Greenhouse
480 N Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 449-9144
www.kidspacemuseum.org

Pasadena's Kidspace Museum just opened its brand new attraction, The Kidspace Greenhouse, part of the museum's commitment to experiences that connect guests to the natural world. Inside the Greenhouse, visitors can learn about light and color theory while working on a "stained glass" project; the importance of worms and soil at "Wormy Wonders" (including a tactile touching experience!); and the cultural importance of pottery and clay pots. Technology meets the natural world in the Greenhouse as well as young learners and their families can use plants and a special device to create music.

movie theater theatre seats film
(credit: istockphoto)

2015 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards Ceremonies
Beyond the Stars Palace
417 N. Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203
www.ladramacriticscircle.com

50 local performers will take the stage at the 2015 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards Ceremony tonight performing highlights of great musicals, award presentations, and surprises. Dixie Longate will host the evening that is open to the public, with guaranteed performances from the 3D Theatricals acclaimed revival of Ragtime, The Sacred Fools-Burglars of Hamm-Center Theatre Group production of The Behavior of Broadus, and much more.

Tuesday, March 17
st patricks day parade
(credit: shutterstock)

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Various Locations

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in and around Los Angeles at various restaurants, events, and parades, including the 16th annual parade bash at Pershing Square or even a Shamrock run through Van Nuys. Explore the best parades and activities for St. Patrick's Day in Los Angeles or check out the best bars to celebrate the day.
Writeup

Wednesday, March 18
cinderella
(Credit: Carol Rosegg)

"Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella"
Ahmanson Theatre
135 N Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-2772
www.centertheatregroup.org

This fresh take on the classic princess-who-lost-her-shoe story follows the transformational story we all know of Cinderella, including the glass slippers, pumpkin, and beautiful ball gown, with a few new magical elements for this generation of theater goers. Paige Faure stars as Cinderella herself while Andy Huntington Jones takes on the role of the Prince. Directed by Mark Brokaw and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, two-time Emmy Award-winner and Golden Globe-nominee Fran Drescher joins the cast reprising her role of the wicked stepmother. Through April 26, 2015.

Thursday, March 19
Westside Connection Series Ann and Jerry Moss Theater
(Credit: Michael Burke)

Westside Connection Series
Ann and Jerry Moss Theater
The Herb Alpert Educational Village at New Roads School
3131 Olympic Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(213) 622-7001
www.laco.org

Exploring the connection between music and architecture, award-winning architect Frederick Fisher, designer of spaces such as Bergamot Station & Galleries, Santa Monica's Annenberg Beach House, and Descanso Gardens' Sturt Haaga Gallery of Art, will join forces with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra tonight at the Moss Theater. A performance of Brahms' String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 111 will accompany Fisher's talk on his collaborative approach to architecture.

Friday, March 20
scienceofhockey
(Credit: Discovery Cube Los Angeles)

Science of Hockey
Discovery Cube Los Angeles
11800 Foothill Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 91342
www.discoverycube.org

Discovery Cube Los Angeles, the recently opened science museum located in northeast Los Angeles opens its exciting Science of Hockey exhibit today. Created in association with the LA Kings, the permanent exhibit provides a link between the math and science behind the game of hockey. Visitors can jump into the game in the You Be the Goalie/ You Be the Shooter in-game virtual experience, climb aboard a Zamboni machine, design your own NHL jersey, examine uniforms and gear from the past to the present while learning about aerodynamics, explore sports nutrition, and much more.

Saturday, March 21
alton brown live
(Credit: Alton Brown Live!)

Alton Brown Live!
Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(800) 982-2787
www.HollywoodPantages.com

World-renowned and beloved TV foodie/scientist Alton Brown will hit the Pantages stage today for two shows of his Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour. Star of The Food Network's Good Eats, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Iron Chef America, Alton Brown will showcase his knack for food experimentation, comedy, lecturing, musical theater, and even puppets for a live audience. Fun for the whole family, Alton Brown Live! features the chance for select guests to join him on stage.

Sunday, March 22
Sesame Street Live Weekend
(Credit: Los Angeles Zoo/Sesame Workshop)

Sesame Street Live Weekend
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-4200
www.lazoo.org

The youngest set of visitors are in for a special treat this weekend at the Los Angeles Zoo as the Sesame Street Live Weekend invades the park both Saturday and Sunday. Meet and greets and photo opportunities with Elmo are included with admission and visitors will have the chance to win tickets to Sesame Street Live "Let's Dance!," coming this May to the Nokia Theatre. The zoo's 113 acres are bustling with little life as baby chimps, otters, hippo, and giraffes have made their entrance to the world this spring, delighting guests of all ages.

henryiv
(Credit: George Wade Photography)

Henry IV, Part One
Antaeus Theater
5112 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood CA, 91601
(818) 506-1983
www.Antaeus.org

Los Angeles' classic theater ensemble, Antaeus, opens its 2015 season with a fully partner-cast production of William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part One. Part comedy and part tragedy, one of Shakespeare's most exciting histories chronicles the coming-of-age kingship story of Henry IV with a cast of only 12. Ramón de Ocampo, Michael Kirby, James Sutorius, Stephen Caffrey, Gregory Itzin, and Joel Swetow lead the cast, directed by Michael Murray.

Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.
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