Young role models: Notes from the Camp Director
Parents intending to send their kids to camp sometimes have difficulty accepting the idea that a teenager can fulfill the role of leader, teacher or surrogate parent. This is understandable as many parents did not have an opportunity to att
Free clubs for kids at Golf Show
The golf course is increasingly a place for family time as more and more children are coming into the game that has traditionally been more of an adult pursuit. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009, the Annual Golf and Travel
Local pooch stars as Toto
The Wizard of Oz (Fallen Rock/Isabel Bader Theatre) — For seven years, the guys from Fallen Rock Productions have been making theatre for two reasons: to entertain families, and to raise money for charity. Not your typica
Mom’s dance night out
Bring your girlfriends for a City Parent Mom Club Mom’s Night Out, Zumba Dance Party at Annex Dance Academy, Oakville. Sweat and dance to great music and learn awesome easy-to-follow moves in a fun party atmosphere.
A camp you can trust
Over the past decade, 'trust' has been gaining special attention as one of the most important ingredients of family life, and it plays a critical role in ensuring and enhancing family peace of mind.
Seasoned songwriter creates noteworthy CD
Maggie G: Around the House — Toronto musician Maggie G (aka Margot Glatt) is a longtime producer of adult records and writer of kids’ music for TV. She’s now turned her skills to making a full-length CD, and
Music for the holidays
Leah Salomaa: Under a Winter Star — Toronto’s Salomaa specializes in recordings aimed at families, not just kids. I was able to test out her new holiday CD in the perfect setting: a weekend in a house overflowi
Puppetmongers work their magic
Bed & Breakfast (Puppetmongers/Tarragon) — For 19 years, Ann Powell and brother David have brought their amazing puppeteering talents to the Tarragon over the holidays. This year, they’re reviving thei
Petty’s Cinderella cranks up the comedy
Cinderella The Sillylicious Family Musical — For 13 years, Ross Petty has been producing holiday pantomime-style shows for Toronto families. And the experience really shows: the entertaining moments keep coming a
Shoe museum puts the boots to cold with sock drive
Beginning on World Kindness Day, the Bata Shoe Museum will give everyone a chance to show their kindness by giving the gift of warmth. From November 13 to 30 the Bata Shoe Museum will be launching its first annual fundraiser,
Sillylicious family musical
Cinderella, the Sillylicious Family Musical (Ross Petty Productions/Elgin Theatre) — Ross Petty takes no prisoners: at least when it comes to taking the fairytale classics, tossing in a little drama and drag, mus
Old-fashioned radio play
It’s a Wonderful Life (Canadian Stage/Bluma Appel) — The Frank Capra film is an annual holiday tradition in many homes. People don’t just watch it for Jimmy Stewart: it’s a great story that celebrates relat
Play features acrobatics on ladders
Ghosts and Ladders (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People) — The new season is getting underway and Lorraine Kimsa and this show promises to be action-packed and dynamic — perfect for those who don’t like s
McKhool’s CD launch party
Chris McKhool: FiddleFire — They always say to “write what you know.” McKhool does just that: he keeps the lyrical content of this recording firmly grounded in the topic of music. The effect ranges. In songs
Tunes from Sesame Street
Putumayo Kids Presents Sesame Street Playground (Putumayo Kids) — A few generations ago, this compilation would have driven the kids wild. I know my own age group, which grew up on Sesame Street, would have been
Olympic supporters
Even though the excitement of the Summer Olympics is still fresh in our minds it’s time to look ahead to 2010 when the Winter Olympics come to Canada. The back-to-school crowd can get a head start on the Games by
Music appreciation 101
Music & Truffles (Mooredale Concerts) — Time once again to think about cultural education, not just regular school stuff, and Music & Truffles is the program that will get young ones up to speed on classi
The Ex marks the spot for families
Canadian National Exhibition — Our annual farewell to summer event is about more than the midway and the food building. The CNE this year has some great events for kids and families. Of course, the young set alwa
Weird and wonderful talent on the street
BuskerFest — The only thing similar to the artists at BuskerFest and those not-so-talented dudes who sometimes strum guitars on street corners is that they both work outside. But this event brings the top outdoor performers from around th
See the circus through art
The Circus Comes to Town (Toronto Reference Library) — A lot of art and entertainment helps us escape the everyday. And when you see this collection of posters, pamphlets, books and artefacts celebrating c