What: Canton Festival of the Arts
Where:Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton, Georgia 770-704-6244
When: May 19 & 20, 2012
Cost: Free, small fee for kid’s activities
Find the Canton Festival of the Arts on Facebook 

A guest post by Jennifer Dunn
Every May the Canton Festival of the Arts returns to bring culture and excitement to the Georgia foothills, and 2012 aims to be bigger and better than ever! Less than an hour from downtown Atlanta, Canton is a wonderful blend of scenery and refinement, and the festival – with juried art exhibits and a hands-on children’s art experience – reflects this delicate mixture.

The festival features an eclectic mixture of artist exhibitors, literary panels, and fun activities for kids of all ages. Even better, it’s free to enter, and the free parking is located conveniently nearby! Here’s a taste of what’s planned for the festival

Canton Festival of the Arts For Kids
The highlight of the Canton Festival of the Arts is always the interactive children’s experience. This year will once again feature a live mural, where children have the opportunity to paint their ideas and dreams while uncovering their creative skills with the guidance of local artists.

Other activities include a “Believe in Yourself” improve technique class and DIY classes for aspiring handymen and women ages 5-12 guided by craftspeople from Canton’s Home Depot. The children will complete simple projects while learning tool safety.

Renee’s Wacky Hair ensures Festival guests appear just as entertaining as the attractions (don’t worry, mom and dad, it’s temporary and easy to remove!). Plus, a sketch artist offers up sketch portraits right before your eyes.

Canton Festival of the Arts For the Parents
More than 60 fine arts exhibitors, from painters to potters to sculptors will be on hand showing off their beautiful creations. There’s also the Serenity Garden, where you can learn tips on gardening, canning, and living a totally green lifestyle.

One of the highlights of the festival is the literary celebration. We’ve invited some big names to this year’s festival, including Braxton Cosby, nephew of Bill Cosby and creator of “sci-fance,” his unique blending of science fiction and romance.

Also on hand are several noted Southern cookbook authors, including Smoke House author Joe Dabney and Sweet Auburn Desserts author Sonya Jones. Renowned Georgia author Terry Kay (To Dance with the White Dog) will provide a workshop for writers and aspiring writers.

Speaking of food, there is a plethora of delicious foods to choose from. Oh, and did we mention the wine and beer garden? Stop by for food and drinks and enjoy them while listening to local country, folks, and bluegrass bands from around the region!

Parking for Canton Festival of the Arts
Parking is free and, due to the location of the festival, all over town! Street parking abounds, but there’s a public parking lot on the corner of Archer & W. Marietta Streets and a large public parking deck and lot by the Cherokee County Justice Center on North St. adjacent to Canton’s town square. Signs and friendly festival volunteers will wave you to the festival!

The Castillo de San Marcos is the only 17th Century fort in the United States

What: Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Where: 1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084
When: Anytime (but weekends they shoot off the cannons)
Cost: $6 per person, Under 15 FREE
Photos: For additional Photos of the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook

While passing through St. Augustine, along the main route A1A, we happen to pass a rather large stone fort, or castle – it’s kind of a bit of both. My son, recognizing it from his social studies books, informed us that it was the only 17th Century fort still in existence in the United States. Well, of course we had to stop.

Investigating holes in the coquina from past battles.

The Castillo de San Marcos was built by the Spanish. It took more than 80 years to erect the fort which at the time, was quite innovative. The walls are thick and graduated to withstand cannons and gun fire rather than tall and thin to block arrows and catapults. A limestone mixture of shell, sand and calcite called ‘coquina’ was used for the bricks and proved to be quite good at absorbing shot from guns and cannons. A sewer system used the natural tides to wash out waste helping keep the fort sanitary.

Costumed interpreter at the Castillo de San Marcos

The fort was used by various occupants since the 1600′s. That’s a lot of history to cover. We listened to a costumed Ranger talk in the Plaza as he brought us through several hundred years and gave us an idea of what daily life was like for soldiers and other occupants. It was a story of greed, pirates, imprisonment and daily routine. Even my 7-year-old was quietly listening.

Working through the Jr. Ranger Booklet, which is available free at the gift shop.

To engage the youngest even more, we requested a free Junior Ranger book on the Castillo. The booklet is a great way to engage kids in the fort and guide discussions about the many time periods covered in a single place. It’s also a great way for adults to learn about the fort.

The Castillo seems to have strong programming with a variety of events at various times. Had we been there a day later, we would have seen them shooting the cannons (something my boys have asked to go back to see). Several Foursquare tips also mention that the Fort is amazing at night (and one says a bit spooky). To make it even better, the staff we encountered were enthusiastic, helpful and obviously enjoy what they do.

We went on a cool October day, but remember this is Florida, so summers can be quite hot, bring lots of sunscreen and stay hydrated. There is limited metered parking in front of the Castillo. It’s central Downtown location is also a great home base for a tour of St. Augustine. On our list for next time, in addition to a return visit to the Castillo, is the Pirate Museum, Gator Zoo and the Government House Museum.

The view out to sea from the top deck.

Peter Pan gets an inventive twist at Atlanta's Ctr. for Puppetry Arts

What: Center Puppetry Arts Peter Pan
Where: Center for Puppetry Arts
When: April 5 – May 27, 2012
Cost:  $9.25 for members and $16.50 for non-members
Win Tickets below to the April 14, 12 noon show!

My children love the story of Peter Pan. It’s one of my favorite’s too. I’m not sure why, but it seems to transcend gender and generations. The Center for Puppetry Arts is putting a slightly inventive twist on the popular tale for what’s sure to be one of their most popular puppet shows.

This adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s beloved children’s book depicts Wendy Darling as an amateur inventor, who along with her brothers John and Michael, travel to Neverland with the impetuous Peter and his fairy companion, Tinkerbell.

Adventures abound as the children romp with the Lost Boys, swim with mermaids, rescue the resourceful Princess Tigerlily and battle the nefarious Captain Hook. Following the novel’s classic episodes, Peter Pan celebrates the carefree spirit of childhood and the value of following your dreams.

An original score by Jeffrey Bützer complements the vivid designs, featuring an array of musical instruments including accordion, toy piano, saxophone, cello, flute, guitar, glockenspiel and more. You may also learn a new language during the show. Princess Tigerlily, the daughter of the chief of the Neverland tribe, speaks Cherokee. The Center for Puppetry Arts was pleased to work with the Cherokee Nation Education Services and the Translation Department of Education Services to translate Tigerlily’s dialogue into this beautiful language for the show. I’m not sure there were Cherokee in London, but it’s an interesting twist for the tale.

Peter Pan is presented in Mainstage Theater April 5 through May 27. Show times are as follows:

• Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday: 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday*: 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (*The Ctr. is closed on Easter Sunday)

Single show tickets include museum admission as well as the Create-A-Puppet Workshop, where kids can make their own Cranky Crocodile Hand Puppet.

Find Peter's Shadow in Atlantic Station and win tickets to the show.

WIN TICKETS
Enter below to win a family four pack of tickets to see the show on April 14 at 12 noon.

Want another chance to win? Visit Atlantic Station.

Peter Pan has lost his shadow and it is loose in Atlantic Station! Join the Center for Puppetry Arts and Atlantic Station in this exciting chance to win FREE tickets to Peter Pan!

How to Enter:

1. Find Peter’s shadow somewhere in Atlantic Station, March 22 through April 5.
2. Take a picture of his shadow and email it to PR@PUPPET.ORG
3. You will be entered in a drawing to win 4 FREE tickets to Peter Pan, which opens April 5.

Limit one entry per email address.  Drawings will be held twice a week, for a total of 4 winners.  Contest tickets valid April 5 – 22 only.

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What: Motherhood the Musical 
Where: 14^th Street Playhouse, 173 14^th St., Atlanta
When: March 22 – May 20, 2012
Cost: Tickets are $45 at www.woodruffcentertickets.org or by phone 404-733-5000
Win Tickets here!

I like to say the being a mom is like being a cat with nine lives. The problem is you have to live all nine of them at the same time.

The writers of Motherhood, The Musical, must have had a hard time paring down the craziness of family life into a concise production. The description of the show sounds pretty spot on though…

Motherhood the Musical ^® is the joyous journey and loving look at the blessings and perils of being a mom. It’s climbing the emotional mountain only to find that there’s laundry at the top. It’s discovering how powerful your love can be and how quickly your children grow up. It’s helping them find their way and not losing yours. It’s about laughing and crying, craziness and calm, smiles and tears…and all before breakfast.  It will remind you that it’s not just about Motherhood … it’s about you.

It’s about me huh? Well, that part might be a bit off, otherwise I’d have my own bathroom that no male is allowed to enter.

If you’d like to win two tickets to see the production, enter here. We’ll pick a winner on Monday.

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Kylend Hetherington (Billy) in “Billy Elliot the Musical.” Photo by Kyle Froman.

What: Billy Elliot
Where: Fox Theatre
When: March 13 – 18, 2012
Cost: $28 – $73 (plus taxes and fees)

Billy Elliot is a Tony award winning musical about a boy’s journey to realize his dreams. The show actually has four children who play Billy Elliot, J.P. Viernes, Zach Manske, Ty Forhan and Kylend Hetherington.  The boys range in age from 12 to 15 years-old. The boys have been on their own journey across the United States while touring with the show. We asked these seasoned travelers some questions about life on the road. Click below to learn about their favorite places and what they can’t live without.

JP Viernes

JP Viernes (JP stands for John Peter), 15 years-old from Half Moon Bay CA (about 30 minutes south of San Francisco). JP has visited 14 cities while on tour with Billly Elliott.

• What are your favorite places to visit (other than Atlanta of course)? One of my favorite places to visit is Chicago. I was with Billy Elliot there for almost a year, and I never ran out of things to do! It’s really diverse and unique place. I also love to visit San Francisco because it’s the closest big city near my hometown.
• What city would you recommend kids your age visit? I think people my age would love Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The beaches are awesome, and it’s almost always sunny. It’s also really close by to Miami, and Miami has a lot of shopping and restaurants to go to if you don’t want to swim.
• What is your favorite place to visit in Atlanta? I love museums, so I’m definitely going to check out some of the museums in Atlanta. I’ve heard there’s a whole museum about Coca-Cola, and that sounds interesting. I’m also excited to see the theatre we’ll be in, The Fox. (FTWS Note:  watch out for the Beverly drink at WOCC )
• What type of food would you like to eat while in Atlanta? My favorite foods are Asian foods, especially Thai and Japanese places. I love hot dogs and burgers too so hopefully Atlanta has some good restaurants!
• Do you have a favorite hotel or hotel chain? My favorite hotel chain is the Westin! They have amazing two-headed showers and these extremely comfortable beds.
• What’s one thing you always have with you when you travel? My journal so I can keep track of my experiences. A day can go by so quickly and writing it all down makes me appreciate it.  I always bring my iPhone too so I can look up things to do when I’m in a new city.

Kylend Hetherington

Kylend Hetherington, 14 years-old from Auburn, MI. Zach has been with the show since it started, so he’s visited more cities than he can count!

• What city would you recommend kids your age visit? Any of them.  Orlando for obvious reasons, St. Louis has an amazing kids museum, Philadelphia has lots of history, Seattle has a cool wharf area.  I could go on about every city.
•  What are you looking forward to doing in Atlanta? I am looking forward to seeing World of Coke.  I would like to see the Aquarium too if I got a chance.
• What type of food are you looking forward to eating while in Atlanta? I like lots of kinds of foods.  Seafood, Chinese, pizza.  One of my favorite things is sausage gravy and biscuits.
•  Do you have a favorite hotel or hotel chain? I don’t have a favorite.  Most of them have treated us very well.  Although, I do prefer one with a pool.
• What’s one thing you always have with you when you travel? My computer.

Ty Forhan

Ty Forhan, 13 years-old from Bradford, ON. Ty has visited eight cities with the tour.

• What are your favorite places to visit (other than Atlanta of course)? I love visiting Orlando Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Florida and Washington DC.
• What city would you recommend kids your age visit? I would recommend Orlando Florida because it has a lot for children to do like Disney World or Universal Studios.
• What are you looking forward to doing when you come to Atlanta? I’m looking forward to going to the museum because I enjoy it a lot and have done it in almost every city.
• What type of food will you be looking to eat while you’re in Atlanta? I’m looking forward to eating some pasta.
• Do you have a favorite hotel or hotel chain? I love the DoubleTree because of their cookies.
• What’s one thing you always have with you when you travel? I  will always have my sunglasses.

Zach Manske

Zach Manske, 12 years-old from Woodbury, MN. Zach has visited 10 cities so far on the Billy Elliott tour.

• What are your favorite places to visit (other than Atlanta of course)? Washington D.C was one of my favorite cities we have visited. I debuted at the Kennedy Center and we got to see the President at the White House. The whole cast and crew got a tour of the White House. We got to see the White House decorated for Christmas.
• What city would you recommend kids your age visit? I would recommend Orlando because there are a variety of sites to see from Disney to Sea World. 
• What type of food are you looking forward to eating while in Atlanta? I love seafood so I hope I can find a seafood restaurant.
• Do you have a favorite hotel or hotel chain? We have stayed in a lot of DoubleTrees and I like them because they have cookies. Yum. (FTWS Note: Can’t argue with that Zach. I still look forward to DoubleTree cookies.)
• What’s one thing you always have with you when you travel? One of our cast members gave me a stuffed monkey that I bring to every one of my shows so I always travel with that.

Watch Field Trips w/Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

Twice a month, Field Trips with Sue is a featured segment on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. We generally talk about what’s going on around Atlanta and fun places we’ve visited. Here’s a round up of this weeks show.

In the first Field Trips with Sue on Better Mornings Atlanta segment we talked about:

• Atlanta Preservation Center’s Phoenix Flies Celebration
• Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
• Opening of Six Flags Over Georgia on March 17 (correction: admission price on March 17 is $19.67 (not $19.97 as I had stated)

In our second Field Trips with Sue on Better Mornings Atlanta segment we talked about Spring Break 2012 Ideas including:

At Southern Cross, it's fun to just meet the horses.

• Southern Cross Guest Ranch in Madison, Ga.
• Disney World on the Cheap – Stay tuned for a post on this next week!
• Biltmore Estates with Kids (Through March 31 children 16 and under are free)

The company of “Billy Elliot the Musical.” Photo by Michael Brosilow.

What: Billy Elliott
Where: Fox Theatre
When: March 13 – 18, 2012
Cost: $28 – $73 (plus taxes and fees)

I had not heard of the show Billy Elliott until the PR folks sent me a release. I’m a sucker for musicals and  I love a good underdog beats the odds story, so I’m thinking Billy Elliott is my kind of show. Click on the link to follow this post and see how you could win tickets!

Kylend Hetherington (Billy) and Maximilien A. Baud (Older Billy) in “Billy Elliot the Musical.” Photo by Kyle Froman.

I haven’t seen it, but Time calls it the “Best Musical of the Decade.” The New York Post says it’s “The Best Show You Will Ever See,” and The New York Times says “The Most Inspiring Show I’ve Seen in Years.” It won ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Are you excited to see Billy Elliott yet? Well, it’s coming to the Fox Theatre next week.

The story follow’s Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring, into a ballet class and discovers his dream to dance. It’s something I’d like my boys to see. I feel like I’ve been preaching a lot lately about ‘follow your own path, regardless of what that may be.’ With two boys in middle school, we’re in the prime “but I need to be like everyone else,” years. It might have to be a date night though. My husband isn’t a theatre guy, but he loves Elton John (how weird is that), and the score for Billy Elliott is by Elton John. More accolades, the New York Post calls it “his best score yet!” I’ll probably let my husband be the judge there.

If you’d like to win tickets to see Billy Elliott on opening night, enter below.

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Watch Field Trips w/Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

Field Trips with Sue is a travel blog that features things to do in the Southeast and Atlanta with kids. Twice a month we talk about places we’ve featured on the blog during a Field Trips with Sue segment on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. If you aren’t up early in the morning or you missed the segments, here’s a wrap up of today’s show. The first link will take you to the segment. The links below go to a website or post for more information.

In the first segment, we talked about Dirt Bike Racing and  Dirt Bike Riding in Atlanta including:

• Supercross Championships at the Georgia Dome Sat. Feb. 25
• MSF Dirt Bike School
• Durhamtown Plantation (See this post for a Half-Off Depot deal for 53% off)

In the second segment, we talked about Spring Break Vacations from Atlanta including:

• Georgia Aquarium’s Dolphin Tales
• Marineland Dolphin Adventures in St. Augustine, FL
• Castillo de San Marco, St. Augustine, FL

Looking for more things to do with kids in Atlanta this weekend? 

The Mad Hatter at Woodruff Arts Center

The Mad Hatter Event at the Woodruff Arts Center is on Sat., Feb. 25, 2012 from 10 am – noon. It’s a morning of whimsical flair, artist performances, raffles and hands-on fun for the entire family!

Walmart Sunday Funday at Zoo Atlanta. On Feb. 26, 2012 guests mentioning this special promotion enjoy $5 admission across all ticket categories.

For early birds, twice a month you can catch Field Trips with Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. We highlight posts from the blog and other interesting things to do. Here’s what we talked about this morning. If you’d like to see the segment, just follow the link.

In the 5 am hour on Field Trips with Sue talks about Things to do in Atlanta with Kids on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

Lowe’s Build and Grow Workshop
Yellow River Game Ranch Dollar Days – The next dollar day is Feb. 20. 2012
Twyla Tharp’s Princess and the Goblin by the Atlanta Ballet

In the 6 am hour on Field Trips with Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta we focus on the High Museum of Art for Families. Including:

Toddler Thursday
Teen Programs – Monthly Poetry Slam and Teen Nights (Next Teen Night is Feb. 25, 2012)
Discovery Backpacks

What: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
Where: Movies showing at the Fox Theatre, Regal Cinemas Atlantic Station, Lefont Theatre in Sandy Springs, United Artists North Point, Georgia Theatre Company Merchants Walk and United Artists Tara Cinemas
When: Feb. 8 – 29, 2012
Cost: Matinees are $8, Others $9 for students and seniors $10 for adults
Discounts available for multiple show purchases

If you or your children have ever dreamed of visiting the Cannes or Sundance Film Festivals, here’s an opportunity to participate in a world class film festival right here in Atlanta. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is the 2nd largest of it’s kind in the world and will be screening 70 films from 17 different countries. It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce teens to a variety of narrative, documentary and short films not normally available and you don’t have to be Jewish to participate. Many of the films (at least the ones I noted) have historical significance and are a great way to followup on school studies or just learn more about history in general. Some films have English subtitles, great for a student learning another language.

Here are a few films that caught my eye. If you are planning to attend, let us know your favorites and what ones might be  a good bet for tweens or teens.

Nicky’s Family – I’ve screened this documentary about Sir Nicholas Winton, a British stockbroker who rescues Czech and Slovak children from the Nazi’s before the beginning of World War II. It’s a heart wrenching true story of parents giving up their children to man they don’t know, so he can send them to people they’ve never met, in a country they haven’t visited.  Without Sir Nicholas, all of the children would have died at the hands of the Nazis. The uplifting ending shows “Nicky’s Family” today with their own children and grandchildren and the legacy of good will his act of altruism spawned. I am a history buff, so I truly enjoyed this movie. It’s made me wonder the depth of fear these parents felt that would move them to send their children away. It would be a good movie for older tweens and teens.

Foreign Letters – Immigrant girls from Israel and Vietnam form an inseparable bond as they adjust to life in America

My Dad Baryshnikov – A scrawny Russian teen dreams of ballet stardom amidst the social upheaval of Perestroika.

Back Door Channel – Diplomats reveal the secrets behind the 1979 Camp David Accords between Egypt and Isreal.

Otto Frank, Father of Anne – Meticulous portrait of the man who dedicated his life to preserving his daughter’s memories. To go in-depth on this subject, visit the exhibit Anne Frank: In the World 1929 – 1945 in Sandy Springs.

Dirty Dancing – Set in the Catskills, (but filmed at Mountain Lake, Va.), this chronicles a coming of age summer romance between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Just remember, “No one puts Baby in the corner.”