Unbreakable
Freeze! It’s Toy Story 2 on Ice
Only after Walt Disney’s body has been thawed will Disney on Ice give us something epic or topical — Moses Burning George Bush on Ice, say, or Osama Meets His Lama on Ice. Meanwhile, the American originators of sanitized fun bring us Toy Story 2 on Ice at the Oakland Arena for ten shows this week, February 12-17 (tickets: 510-762-2277). Woody, Buzz, Wheezy, and the other Pixar toys are introduced by Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy as astronauts who launch the story on a planet far, far away. Pixar and Disney worlds finally collide when Buzz Lightyear arrives to battle a bad guy with a case of heavy breathing called Evil Emperor Zurg. Cut to earth, where old toys like the good wrangler Woody are being sold, and the rest, you might say, is Toy Story. But how, my ten-year-old adviser asks, will Disney handle the all-important car pileup? With huge sets, lots of lasers, and more fanfare, one hopes, than warfare. — Ann Murphy
Toy Story 2 on Ice
Love and Macaroni
You never forget your first love. What you may forget, however, are all those lame, store-bought valentines that your first love gave you. Let your kids deliver something better to their friends and crushes than store-bought Blue’s Clues cardstock by bringing them to the El Sobrante Library this Thursday, February 13. From 3:30 to 4 p.m., children of all ages will make their own valentines to display in the library or take home, created from the library’s own supplies. Kids are welcome to bring their own materials, as well, just in case the supplies turn out to be old Dewey Decimal file cards. Call 510-374-3991. — Stefanie Kalem
MOCHA Shake
Early spring doesn’t have to be a time for vegging out in front of a screen with computer games. At the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) there’s always something going on for young artists eager for hands-on creativity. The museum’s motto is: “When school is out, MOCHA is in.” Free drop-in art activities take place Monday, February 17 (President’s Day), 1-4 p.m., in MOCHA’s Big Studio. The Thornhill School has its exhibition now through March 15, with a reception on Thursday, February 20. And as always, the Little Studio (self-paced exploration for kids 5 and under), Big Studio (guided art projects for 6 and up), and Weekend Family Workshops (every Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.) give every kid a chance to express her/himself in a variety of media. MOCHA is at 538 9th St., Suite 210, Oakland. Visit www.mocha.org for further details. — Kelly Vance
