The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus is Metro Theater Company's annual fall touring production and is perfect for all ages. In addition to appearing at schools across the St. Louis region and in Nashville, there will be several free public performances that are open to all.
The story centers on Sheila and her friends, who, as the desert sun beats down, find themselves in search of something – anything – interesting to explore. When a walking, talking (and surprisingly well-dresssed) coyote shows up, the kids find themselves on the adventure of a lifetime.
The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus was written by Eric Coble and workshoped by Metro Theater Company in April, 2018, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of New Visions/New Voices 2018. Catch this modern-day fable before it returns to the Kennedy Center next April!
Free performances take place at the Missouri History Museum on Oct. 12 and 13 at 2 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The November 9 free performance will take place at the St. Louis Public Library, Central Branch (1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103) at 2 p.m.
More information: metroplays.org
Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, macaws speak the English language and much more at the WOW! Amazing Animal Show at the World Bird Sanctuary. Every program showcases different animals so each day is a new experience.
Visit the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park and see a star show to experience the largest artificial sky in the Western Hemisphere. Star shows are lead LIVE by one of the Planetarium's educators, creating a new and tailored experience for every audience.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
Young visitors and their families are invited to the Energy Stage at the Saint Louis Science Center to enjoy interactive read-alouds of science-themed picture books. Story times are followed by a short demonstration or discussion connected to the book's main concepts.
Play Day in the Park is a fun, free community event sponsored by The Magic House, Forest Park Forever, the St. Louis Public Library and the St. Louis County Library. The day is meant to showcase the importance of play and reading in children's lives. Activities include bubble play, outdoor art, parachute games, STEM activities, sports and more.
