With a history firmly entrenched in the very best family entertainment South Florida has had to offer throughout the decades, the Gardens plans a year celebrating families and children as we enter our 2015/16 festival season. Starting October, nearly every weekend at the Gardens will play host to a movie, festival, performance or class that provides fun, inspiration and entertainment for families and children throughout the county. Here is a glimpse of what is in store for children this coming year.
Family Fridays: Come one come all to a fabulous time for the entire family including fresh popped popcorn, soft drinks, hot dogs, and other delicious snacks. The evening will begin with an adventurous “flashlight tour” and will conclude with a recently released feature film geared to the younger audience. Enjoy full theater amenities but in a safe, clean and pristine outdoors environment. Make it a family tradition to attend our Family Fridays each month October-April. We can accommodate one movie birthday for each showing. Call the Gardens office at 305-669-6990 for details, and don’t forget your flashlights for the tour! Our Family Friday titles this season are:
The Book of Life, Oct. 23
Boxtrolls, Nov. 6
Elf, Friday,Dec.11
Paddington,Jan.8
Penguins of Madagascar, Feb. 5
Minions: Beyond the Trailer, Mar. 11
Inside Out, Apr. 8
To Be Determined Disney Film, Apr. 22
Additionally, to honor our Halloween tradition, the Gardens will present FREE to the public the Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m.
Family Fun Concerts: This year Orchestra Miami proudly presents at the Gardens a new and wonderful young person’s concert series on select Sundays. Subscription prices for the 5 concerts are $60 for Adults, $40 for children (up to age 17) and Family Subscriptions (2 adults + 2 Children) are $180. Individual tickets are $15 for Adults, $10 for children (up to age 17).
Peter and the Werewolf, Sunday, Nov. 1
Babar the Elephant, Sunday, Feb 7
Coppélia for Kids, Sunday, Mar. 20
Witches, Wizards, Spells & Elves: The Magic of Shakespeare, Sunday, Apr. 24
Brundibár, Sunday, May 15
In addition to these Family Fun Concerts, Orchestra Miami will present two wonderful Orchestral events, we will be welcoming back the Alhambra Orchestra for a Holiday Concert and the Greater Miami Symphonic Band will perform two wonderful afternoon concerts, all in our newly refurbished Banyan Bowl.
Theater: Pinecrest will continue to provide live theater experiences for children of all ages, and as in the past, each production will include a sensory friendly performance at the Saturday matinees. This year Miami Childrens Theater will present:
Dear Edwina (Junior Version), Oct. 16, 17 and 18
Dr. Doolitle (The Musical—Junior Version, May 6, 7 and 8
Rounding out our theater offerings will be two productions from Miami Acting Company and one from Shakespeare Miami.
Dance: This year for the first time the Gardens will present two different dance concerts that will delight children and parents alike:
Live In Color Dance Collective, Feb. 20, 8 p.m. Every child enjoys a high energy hip hop dance show. This show performed by National Award Winning Live in Color Dance Collective under the direction of Zedric Bembry, is a culturally diverse dance company comprised of remarkably talented, captivating and vivacious individuals.
Maria Verdeja Dancers presents Happy Feet: A Special Tribute to the Art of Tap, Apr. 16, 8:00 p.m.
The Maria Verdeja School of the Arts was founded in 1987. Throughout the years, Maria and her staff of over 40 instructors and choreographers have mentored more than 10,000 students, many of whom have gone onto professional careers in dance companies and the Broadway stage.
Additionally, Flamenco Puro will present a night of passionate and professionally danced Flamenco.
This year our Festivals will include all of the family favorites we have had in the past including:
Howl-O-Ween Festival, Sunday, Oct. 25
Holiday Festival, Saturday, Dec. 6
Live Like Bella Nights of Lights, Saturday, Dec. 18-Jan. 2
Fine Arts Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Jan 9 and 10
Chili Cook Off, Saturday, Feb. 6
Eggstravaganza, Saturday, March 19
Earth Day Festival, Sunday, April 17
Finally, rounding out our family friendly activities will be our educational initiatives for children.
Creative Crafts: Kids ages 6-12 will have fun creating garden crafts to take home after each class. During class time, parents can enjoy shopping at the Pinecrest Farmer’s Market which is just steps away from the crafts workshop area. All classes are taught by VSAFL’s certified Teaching Artist Yvette Cotera. Enrollment is limited to fifteen children per class. To pre-register, call 305-753-5341. Our first session begins Oct. 18 through Nov. 15 and our second session runs Feb. 21 through Mar. 13. Fees are $60 for full session (2 sessions available, 4 classes per session) or $16 per class. The fees include all class materials and entrance to the botanical garden, petting zoo and Splash ‘N Play!
Sizzlin’ Science: Join us for Science Made Fun’s Spring Break Sizzlin’ Science Classes! All programs provide take home materials and all materials are included in this educational and FUN experience. Every child becomes a “scientist” and participates in experiments that help bring concepts “to life”. Don’t let your child sit at home this Spring Break, let us stimulate their young minds, activate their curiosity, and nurture their budding imagination.
March 23, Earthscapades and March 24, Cool Coastal Science.
Nature Film Nights: Join us at Pinecrest Gardens for the second season of our Nature Film Series. Each nature film night starts at 7 p.m. with a fun and interactive educational display inspired by that night’s film. At 8 p.m. movie-goers will make their way over to the Banyan Bowl’s outdoor amphitheater for a live action documentary featuring adventurous animals and breathtaking nature scenes. Educational Activity Sheets will be available for students participating in the Pinecrest Gardens Educational Program. $5 General Admission.
DisneyNature’s Chimpanzee, Friday, Jan. 26
DisneyNature’s Earth, Friday, Mar. 4
DisneyNature’s Wings of Life, Fri. May 13
