The Flint Children's Museum is home to many fun activities for children of all ages. Check it out this weekend. Photo by Kent Miller
Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are a few (well, more than a few) suggestions. You don’t have to be a visitor to see something new in the Flint area.
• Visit the Flint Children’s Museum this weekend and check out their newest exhibit “Save It.” What do money and the planet Earth have in common? They both need to be saved! This month, learn all about ways to recycle, reduce and reuse — along with money saving skills! The Children’s Museum is open Tuesday through Friday, from 9 to 5, and on Saturdays from 10 to 5. For a listing of scheduled daily programs and activities visit flintchildrensmuseum.com.
• The Good Ol’ Redbeard’s General Store, located on E. Main Street in Downtown Flushing, is hosting a “Psychic Fair and Hypnosis Stage Show” starting tonight at 5. Enjoy some lighthearted fun, in good taste, with a handwriting analysis, psychic and astrology readings, food and beverages, raffles and a Hypnosis Stage Show, which runs from 7:30 to 8:30. For more information call (810) 210-7602.
• Friday and Saturday, the Whaley Historical House Museum is open for public guided tours. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Whaley House is filled with hundreds of family and period artifacts that tell the story of the Whaley’s and Victorian Era Flint. The Whaley House is open on Saturdays from 1 to 4 and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 to 3. For more information call 471-4714 or visit whaleyhouse.com.
• The Grand Blanc United Methodist Church is holding its Annual Rummage and Bake Sale on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 to 1. Call 694-9040 for more information.
• The Flint Cultural Center’s Sloan Museum is open this weekend featuring their hands-on exhibit “CSI: Crime Scene Insects.” Insects are often the first to arrive at a crime scene and can provide many clues as to what may have happened. They are considered to be one of the most reliable sources for estimating the time of death, location of the crime, the nature of any wounds and much more. Visitors will be able to re-create crime scenes, explore the five stages of decomposition, open morgue drawers and lots of other CSI stuff. So, if you’re into forensics – this is a must-see exhibit.
*Admission to the Sloan Museum also includes admission to visit the Buick Gallery and Research Center, which is located on Walnut Street, behind The Whiting. The Gallery features over 25 classic and concept Buicks, Chevrolets and other locally built automobiles, including a 1954 Wildcat II and a Hellcat Tank Destroyer built by Buick during World War II. Sloan Museum and the Buick Gallery and Research Center are open Monday through Saturday, from 10 to 5, and on Sundays from 12 to 5. Call 237-3450 for more information.
• On Saturday and Sunday, Longway Planetarium presents “Skeeter Scarecrow’s Starry Sky.” Skeeter, the scarecrow, explains how the motion of the Earth causes day and night, how to use the Big Dipper to find the North Star for directions, and what makes each planet unique. Skeeter will also take visitors on a tour of the major constellations of each season. This sky show starts at 12:30 and 3:30 and is recommended for ages 8 and older.
*Laser Rock Shows are also back this weekend at Longway. Tonight, “Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon” starts at 8 and “Pink Floyd: The Wall” begins at 9. Then on Saturday evening, “Laser Jimi Hendrix” begins at 8 with “Laser Queen” finishing out the night at 9. For more information on Longway’s weekend events call 237-3400.
• Visit the Flint Institute of Arts this weekend and get the opportunity to view the exhibit “Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection.” African American art cannot be reduced to a single definition. It is a complex mix of sources, strong emotions and goals. This exhibit offers a glimpse into the private desires of African American artists who created art that speaks to experiences on individual and collective levels, reflecting both international and domestic influences. To learn more about this exciting exhibit, and upcoming exhibits, visit FIA’s web site at flintarts.org.
• In cooperation with the Friends of Modern Art, the Flint Institute of Arts’ Film Theater presents the award-winning film “Tiny Furniture.” In a smart indie comedy set in New York City, a newly minted college graduate seeks direction in her life while dealing with her artist mother and two would-be boyfriends. Show times are tonight and Saturday evening, starting at 7:30, and on Sunday at 2. For tickets, and a listing of upcoming films, visit flintarts.org.
• U-of-M Flint Theatre performs “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” tonight and Saturday, starting at 7:30, and on Sunday at 2 and 4. In order to escape a father’s command, two young lovers flee the city and are transported, by the power of influence of the dreamscape night, to a world ruled by the laws of nature and love. For tickets call the U-of-M Theatre Box Office at 237-6520.
• Clio Cast and Crew presents “The Odd Couple” tonight and Saturday, beginning at 7:30, and on Sunday at 2. Performances will take place at Theatre 57, which is located on W. Vienna Road in Clio. Call 687-2588 for tickets or for more information.
• The Flint Farmers’ Market, in Downtown Flint, is open Saturday from 8 to 5. Enjoy great shopping for fresh fruit, produce, meats, wines, gourmet coffee, baked goods, cheesecakes, flowers, vintage wares, unique crafts and fine arts – and Tom’s book. The Market is also open for business on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 5. For more information visit flintfarmersmarket.com.
• From 11 to Noon on Saturday, the Flint Public Library is hosting “Super Storytime.” Families, with young children, meet in the Library’s Children’s Room for stories and hands-on activities featuring “Spring is Here” events.
*The Library is also holding a “Friends of the Library Book Drop-Off” on Saturday from 10 to Noon. The Library is looking for donations of gently used books, DVDs, CDs and videos. Feel free to drop these items off at the Garage Entrance.
*Also, the Flint Public Library is celebrating its 160th Birthday this year. The Library was actually established by the Ladies Library Association, and the first building was built in 1867. The Library will be hosting a series of special activities throughout the year in celebration of this anniversary. For more information on Library events visit fpl.info.
• On Saturday, For-Mar Nature Preserve is hosting “Nature’s Pranksters” a Family Adventures in Nature class. Did you plan the perfect prank on someone for April Fool’s Day? Did someone play the perfect trick on you? Come learn all about nature’s tricksters and pranksters. This class runs from 2 to 3:30 and is recommended for all ages. Call For-Mar at 789-8567 for details.
• “HOP” on by to see the Easter Bunny this weekend at the Genesee Valley Center, who arrives on Saturday. Visit with the Bunny in a beautiful Live Landscape display, designed and professionally installed by the Genesee Area Landscape and Nursery Association. Photos are available Monday through Saturday, from 10 to 8, and on Sundays, from 12 to 5, through April 23. Visit geneseemall.com for details.
• Saturday evening, starting at 8, the “River North Chicago Dance Company” will perform at The Whiting. In celebration of Miles Davis’s 85th Birthday, Artistic Director Frank Chaves created a set of jazz dances combining his unique style with his American dance company in an exciting show you won’t want to miss. For tickets call The Whiting at 237-7333 or visit TheWhiting.com.
• This weekend, Swartz Creek Center Stage presents the theater production of “The Curious Savage.” Performed as a dinner theater, this comedy is about a woman, Ethel, whose husband recently died and left her with approximately $10 million. Ethel wants to make the best of the money, in spite of the efforts of her grown-up stepchildren. Performances are Saturday evening starting at 7, with dinner served at 6:15, and on Sunday at 4 with dinner served at 3:15. For more information, including tickets, call (810) 591-4388.
See and Be Seen 