Special Third Fridays Event Gives Spring a Little Sizzle

During this winter’s never-ending polar vortex, my family’s Friday nights were limited to Netflix. And if we were feeling really adventurous, the movie theater.

We watched every kids’ movie that came out this winter. All of them. Because I had to escape the thralls of cabin fever before I turned into Jack Torrance. Which also means my Friday nights were spent falling asleep during The Nut Job, Walking with Dinosaurs and Frozen.

But there’s an option that can break up the movie monotony caused by weather’s Debbie Downer, Mother Nature. To fire up your Friday and welcome in the first day of spring, Third Degree Glass Factory, St. Louis’ only public-access glass art education center, is hosting “Child’s Play,” a kid-centered version of its popular Third Fridays events on March 21^st.

Said Anne Murphy, public relations representative for Third Degree, “One of the things we love about holding Third Fridays is that it attracts all ages. We find children are especially fascinated by molten glass and fire spinning. We thought it would be fun to make the March 21^st Third Friday a spring kick-off with lots of fun things to see and do for children and families.”

A one-of-a-kind outing for every one of your family members

Third Friday is a free mash-up of art, theater and music that can keep even the antsiest kid enthralled for hours.

Kids will not only be mesmerized by Third Degree’s glassblowing demonstrations, but can take in a performance of Iceberg to Nowhere by Tesseract Theater, enjoy face painting and balloon animals, participate in a magic show, watch fire spinning by St. Louis’ Fire Technicians Performance Troupe, and dance to the sounds of Maple Jam. Guests who want to try their hand at creating their own glass creations can work alongside instructors, with lessons starting at $25.

What’s incredibly unique about this Third Friday is that one child will see his or her drawing evolve into glass art. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Artmart will help kids create their own masterpieces. At 7:30, Third Degree glassblowers will select a drawing and create a piece of glass inspired by the child’s imagination – right before guests’ eyes. The mini-artist will be able to take the piece home after it has cooled for a few days.

Moms and dads also can relax knowing dinner is taken care of by Curbside Cookery, Pi On the Spot and Destination Desserts who are rolling in for Food Truck Third Friday. A cash bar will also be available where you can try Third Degree’s drink special Spring Fever cocktail.

Twelve years of celebrating art

Third Fridays are Third Degree’s signature community events. For almost 12 years, Third Fridays have introduced kids and adults to glassblowing through artist-led demonstrations, which Murphy noted, “Are always different due to the unpredictable nature of molten glass and the creative process of the glass artist.” But just as important, Third Degree partners with other artists and organizations dedicated to promoting the arts in St. Louis.

“We believe art should be fun and entertaining,” remarked Murphy. “So we plan Third Fridays with this in mind. We love to partner with art/cultural organizations or new businesses to highlight what they do that’s special. It gives our visitors an adventure, a new experience. And we hope that this introduction will help our partners gain more audience.”

This is the perfect chance to introduce your family to Third Degree if you haven’t yet done so. The Child’s Play Third Friday party runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 21 at Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar Blvd. The event is free, and more information can be found at www.thirddegreeglassfactory.com.

Put some sizzle in your Spring Break @stlglass free Child's Play event http://t.co/wLzhdec7bG #stl http://t.co/PKqX4TqcpE

— STL Parent (@stlparent) March 18, 2014