Free Fun for Kids back with music, dancing, more
Series returns to Lowell’s Boarding House Park
It’s July, and the kids are bored already.
But don’t fret, since the Lowell Summer Music Series Free Fun for Kids starts next week and continues Wednesdays and Thursdays (except Lowell Folk Festival week) through Aug. 17 in Boarding House Park, 40 French Street, in downtown Lowell.
Popular returnees include Curious Creatures, Ben Rudnick & Friends, and the Yo-yo Guy. And newbies include Koliba Afropop, and the Airborne Comedians.
The free fun gets underway at 10 a.m. with arts and crafts from Lowell National Historical Park, children’s books from Project LEARN, healthy snacks from various natural foods sponsors, lunch from Lowell Public Schools Nutrition Program and the performance at 11 a.m.
Hot Tamale Brass Band kicks off the series on Wednesday, July 12, with energetic, fun New Orleans Jazz, Dixieland, and Second Line Music. They have performed at Mardi Gras, Boston First Night, the Honk! Festival, and over 800 times at
Red Sox games at Fenway Park. They have appeared on Sesame Street. Get ready for a Kids Mardi Gras Parade from this group that is back by popular demand.
The lineup continues with the Yo-yo Guy on Thursday, July 13. Trend N Motion, offering dance-filled animal fun, is on Wednesday, July 19, and Curious Creatures is back on Thursday, July 20, with a hands- on interactive live animal show for all ages.
Free Fun for Kids takes a break the following week for the Lowell Folk Festival, but returns on Wednesday, Aug. 2 with Airborne Comedians, two performers who’ve traveled the globe with their high- energy, unorthodox juggling show.
No show on Thursday, Aug. 3, but there’s still two more weeks of Free Fun for Kids starting with Koliba Afropop on Wednesday, Aug. 9, bringing together musicians from places like Senegal, Mozambique, and Guinea for singing, dancing and an electrifying musical performance.
The series ends on Thursday, Aug. 10, with family musicians Ben Rudnick & Friends, followed by two magic acts — Stevie Kidding Magic on Wednesday, Aug. 16, and Magic by George on Thursday, Aug. 17.
If it rains or is too hot, performances will be held in MCC’S Donahue Academic Arts Building at 240 Central Street. For more information, visit http:// lowellsummermusic.org/ kids.
In the wings
SUMMER STAGES: Several great shows are on now or opening soon on summer stages around the region. Gloucester Stage Company presents the regional premiere of Zora Howard’s critically acclaimed play “Stew,” July 7-23. It’s a moving story of women, family, overcoming emotional obstacles and the healing power of cooperative cooking. Directed by Rosalind Bevan, visit ci.ovationtix.com/34549/ production/1155175?_ ga= 2.175696934.5282 90587.1688492378470537432.1688492378 for tickets… The hills are alive with “The Sound of Music,” playing July 11-23, at North Shore Music Theatre’s in-the-round space in Beverly. Visit www.nsmt.org for details and tickets… “Fascinating Rhythm,” a dazzling journey through the music of George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein, created by and starring Kirsten Salpini and Jared Troilo, plays Boston’s Lyric Stage July 7-16. Tickets $45/$20, students at www.lyricstage. com.
AND IN WORCESTER: A free summer concert series gets underway at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 10 at Worcester’s Mechanics Hall. Featuring Jim Rice and Valerie Roy, other dates include Mondays, July 17 and 24, and Wednesday, Aug. 16. Free admission but registration is strongly recommended. For full summer lineup and to register, visit www.mechanicshall.org.