CoMo Film : Fall Film Preview

August 18, 2011 By 1 Comment

 

School is back in session and that means Fall is approaching. Along with the cooler weather, the season brings a wealth of film. It’s not every Midwestern college town that gets to see this stuff. So go support the following:

This weekend is the second Boone Dawdle. This event has it all: music, biking, and film. It kicks off at 3pm with a bike ride from Columbia to Rocheport down the MKT and Katy Trails. In the spirit of the Dawdle, participants are enouraged to their time, taking the time to take in the sites along the way. There will be buskers along the trail as well, including True/False festival fave Dubb Nubb. Once the riders reach Les Bourgeois, they will be treated to a performance by Capybara, a picnic under the stars, and then a screening of the documentary Last Days Here. The film charts the rise and fall and rise and fall and rise of Bobby Liebling, singer and songwriter for the near-legendary band Pentagram.  Tickets for the event are $70 and include everything mentioned. If you would rather drive to Les Bourgeois, the ticket drops to $50. Details here. 

 

The first week of September, Ragtag’s Passport series starts back up. The series puts a spotlight on the foreign films not usually shown in the United States. Screenings are on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting September 7th and ending October 27th. Eight films will be screened and is you see at least six, you will be entered in a raffle to win a pair of ten-film passes to the St. Louis International Film Festival. We will have a review of the first film in the series Sound of Noise here on the blog.

 

October brings the Citizen Jane film festival to town. Kicking off on September 30th, this three day festival celebrates films made by women. There are also events to encourage lively discussions and one-of-a-kind parties. This year’s lineup has yet to be announced but you can peruse last year’s lineup to get a sense of the variety of films shown. Tickets go on sale September 1st and an all access pass is only $100. You can just go see the films for $60. Or purchase tickets to individual movies and events. If you would like to support this one of a kind festival, consider volunteering.

 

 

Filed Under: CoMo Arts and Music, CoMo Film Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

CoMo Family: Movies in the Park

June 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you are looking for some wholesome, cheap family fun this weekend, look no further than the Movies in the Park at Flat Branch Park downtown Columbia, Missouri on Friday night at 9pm. For just $2 per adult, you can enjoy the movie Yogi Bear on the big, inflatable screen. Kids age 8 and under are free.

My family and I attended the first Movie in the Park this season back in May and it did not disappoint. Before the movie begins, the kiddos can burn off some energy running around playing tag or races (or whatever kids do) in the park. I have a little guy and he really enjoyed playing with the big kids. Also, this is a crucial first step if you accidentally cave and let your kid have a soda for the movie.

Speaking of soda, there are concessions at the park, hosted by (and benefiting) the Paquin Towers Adapted Recreation program. Popcorn, candy and ice-cold drinks are sold at a very reasonable price. You are welcome to bring your own snacks, but it’s nice to know the profits for the concessions sold at the movies are going for a good cause.

If you go:

  • Bring a blanket (or three!) and maybe some pillows for nice, comfy lounging on the ground.
  • If you’re more of a chair person, try to bring your lowest-sitting chairs and sit back away from the screen, leaving room for those who are sitting on blankets.
  • The show begins at 9pm. Make sure to get there a little early to find parking, get a good spot, buy your concessions, and get settled.
  • The movies are shown at the Flat Branch Park that’s on the North side of Locust. This is the green space that does not contain the sprayground and playground.
  • Bring bug spray. And be prepared for cicada symphony in the background this month–perhaps they’ll be gone next month!
  • If it is raining, the event is canceled. There is no rain date.

If you can’t make it this Friday, Parks & Rec will be hosting other outdoor movies throughout the summer. Here is the schedule:

  • July 8, 9pm, An American Tail
  • August 12, 8:30pm, Tangled
  • September 9, 8pm, TBA

Hope to see you there!

Filed Under: CoMo Family, Kids Activities Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Upcoming Family Events

April 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

My friends often ask me where the party is happening on the weekends.

This is not because I’m cool.

Far from it, actually.

I just happen to like to keep up with the fun events in town that are kid-friendly.

This obsession is due, in part, to my son’s baby days. Let’s just say he was a little high-maintenance and required constant entertainment. Whenever he’d get fussy (after we’d tried every trick in the book), my husband and I would look at each other and declare, “It’s time to go somewhere.”

Worked like a charm every time.

So, I’ve always got a jam-packed weekend full of activities just in case he comes down with cabin fever and starts bouncing off the walls.

Here are some upcoming events that look like good, cheap family-friendly fun:

April 17-24 - Easter Bunny at Bass Pro – I have to say that Bass Pro wins my award for best family-friendly shopping experience. At Easter, they give you a free photo with the Easter Bunny, offer free crafts for the kids, and set up an egg hunt right in the store. Plus, they never give me “the look” when my son wants to sit on every. single. 4-wheeler. in the store. This is a must-attend.

Sat, April 16 - Mizzou Adventures in Education – I’ve never heard of this annual event before, but it looks like a blast. Mizzou puts 100 graduate students in Jesse Hall and makes them entertain and educate your kids FREE for a few hours. That sounds fabulous to me!

Sat, April 16 – MU Black & Gold Spring Game – If you’re looking for some good, cheap fun this Saturday, look no further. For $3 or 3 cans of food, you get into the football scrimmage game at Mizzou. There will also be a Fan Zone on the North concourse with bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, kids/family activities and more.

Sun, April 17 – Earth Day at Peace Park – What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to head out to Peace Park. Besides all of the information booths, food vendors and music, there is also a special kid’s park where families can create recycled craft projects and see nature up-close. If you come, make sure to look for the Camp Fire USA booth and stop by to say hi to me!

April 21-23 – Just Between Friends Consignment Sale – If you can muddle through all of the pre-sale, volunteering and clothing sales information on their site, I’m sure you will be able to figure out what the scoop on this event really is. I’ve always been too intimidated to go to this event at the Boone County Fairgrounds (and I don’t get intimidated very easily), but I’ve heard you can get some good deals on kids clothes there, especially if you’re willing to volunteer.

Sat, April 23 – Spring Kids Fest – Columbia Mall will be throwing a kids fest with face painting, crafts, games, music, dancing, prizes and the Easter Bunny. If you can get past the fact that this will be held at the mall on a Saturday, it will probably be a fun time. Maybe Mommy deserves a little special prize herself after surviving this event…

Sat, April 30 – Arbor Day Celebration – From 9:30 to 11am at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, free tree seedlings from the Missouri Department of Conservation will be distributed and horticulturalist Alan Helland will be on hand teach you how to select, plant and care for your young tree. What a fun activity to teach kids about Arbor Day!

Mark your May calendars for these upcoming events:

  • May 13 – Page Circus at the Boone County Fairgrounds
  • May 14 – KMOS Kids Day at the Holiday Inn Executive Center
  • May 14 – Bike Safety Rally at Shelter Insurance

Don’t forget about these recurring events that are happening too:

  • Family Fun Fests – Held the third Wednesday of the month at 6pm at Flat Branch Park; begins April 20
  • Movies in the Park – Held the second Friday of the month at 8:30pm at Flat Branch Park; begins May 6
  • Forum 8 Free Movies – Enjoy free, family-friendly movies at Forum 8 every Saturday and Sunday morning at 9am and 10am through May 1.

I have a feeling your social calendar is about to get a lot more busy!

Filed Under: CoMo Family, Kids Activities Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,