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Remember in 1977 when the debut of the first (or fourth, really) movie in the Star Wars saga changed the cultural landscape (or space-scape) forever? No? Well you didn’t have to grow up in that generation to know and love Star Wars characters including (and maybe most of all) the wise green master, Yoda. In fact, fans seem to be having more fun with the series as time goes on (May the 4th Be With You, anyone?) and this year the fun expands farther into the universe with the inaugural Star Wars Reads Day.
On Saturday, October 6, more than 1,000 events will be held across the country at libraries, Barnes & Noble stores, schools and more locations to celebrate reading and Star Wars with activities with Star Wars-themed crafts, trivia contests, raffles and giveaways. You can meet costumed Storm Troopers at The Parks at Arlington Barnes & Noble store starting at noon. Find an event nearest to you on the site’s event map.
You can get a heads up on the fun with activity kits, which you can print from home, for recipes, trivia quizzes, games, coloring pages and crafts like the Fortune Wookiee and your own Jedi lightsaber.
Stay tuned for next year’s Star Wars Reads Day, you will.
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Courtesy Universal Studios Home Entertainment
We’ve seen the creation of clothing lines inspired by film, like Banana Republic’s Mad Men Collection. But Skechers has gone in the opposite direction, taking its best-selling kids footwear line called Twinkles Toes (colorful sneakers with sequins on the toecap) and using that as inspiration for an animated, feature-length film about Grace “Twinkle Toes” Hastings, a girl who works to overcome her stage fright after she get accepted to a dance academy.
Twinkle Toes – The Movie, by Universal Studios Home Entertainment, will make its DVD debut tomorrow, July 31, and The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano will be hosting a free launch party on Saturday, August 4 from 12–4pm with free activities and entertainment for the kids. Meet in the Grand Court to color with glitter crayons, get temporary tattoos, bedazzle a craft, and decorate pink tote bags with jewels. Students from Power House of Dance will perform dance routines at noon and 2pm, and afterward your own kids can get a free dance lesson.
Register at the event for the chance to win a Twinkle Toes prize package from Skechers, and from home you can play online games at twinkletoesusa.com and even watch a few clips from the DVD at universalstudiosentertainment.com.
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With the recent tragedy in Aurora, CO, some moviegoers have been avoiding the latest Batman installment, and rightfully so. Everyone wants to stay safe, and most people have seen enough violence on the news this week without paying to see more on screen. But is Christopher Nolan’s film worth seeing after all? During this time of sorrow and sadness, a message about social justice, responsibility and hope may be just what you and your family need.
But before you take your family, read Jane Boursaw’s family-oriented review of The Dark Knight Rises, which provides details of the violent content and mature themes you can expect. Is The Dark Knight Rises appropriate for your children? Will you find it worthwhile? Go read what Jane has to say. For other movie reviews for parents, check out the movie review section of our website.
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Looking for fun out of the sun? Take your family to Ice Age: Continental Drift, the fourth installment in one of our favorite family-friendly franchises. Our prehistoric pals are drifting through life quite happily until a certain nutty squirrel makes mischief … again. What has Scrat gotten up to now? In his never-ending quest for the acorn, he seems to have accidentally split the earth’s landmass! Now Sid, Manny, Diego and company must navigate danger on the icy seas to return to their friends and families. Get a sneak peek of their adventure in the trailer
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Want to know more about Ice Age: Continental Drift? Click here to read Jane Louise Boursaw’s review, which includes information for parents about kid-friendly content. Before you take your kids, always check with Jane! More family-oriented reviews can be found in the movie review section of our website.
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Courtesy of The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
If you’ve seen John Wayne or Roy Rogers in black and white western movies, chances are you’ve seen cowgirl actress Dale Evans (1912-2001). In commemoration of Evans’ film and music career, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is celebrating her 100th birthday (and the museum’s 10th anniversary of its opening) with events on June 1 at Central Market in Fort Worth and June 2 at the museum.
Go on museum tours, listen to live music and talks by Evans’ daughter, Cheryl Rogers Barnett, and take the kids to watch three western movies in the Cowgirl Theater that Dale starred in with husband, Roy Rogers: Lights of Old Santa Fe at 11:00am, My Pal Trigger at 1:30pm, and Cowboy and the Senorita at 3:30pm. The daytime activities on Saturday are free with admission of just $5, and admission is free for children ages 3 and younger. Visit cowgirl.net for more information.
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