Make the Center your laboratory

THE CENTER LOVES festivities for kids that celebrate the connections between the arts and science, and the Beckman Arts and Science Family Festival fits the bill. This year the festival will be held on Saturday, May 6 on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Best yet, it’s FREE!

“We are pleased to be offering a fun family day on Segerstrom Center’s beautiful Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, where everyone will have a chance to be a curious, creative explorer for a day,” says Talena Mara, the Center’s vice president of education. “Providing space for students and families to be curious and creative together is a priority at the Center.”

The day will feature performances and an assortment of engaging, hands-on activities for the entire family. Supported by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, this popular annual event returns after several years off due to the pandemic.

Doktor Kaboom will be on hand with his show Look Out! Science is Coming! which is part of Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Family Series. The good Doktor will captivate audiences with his hilarious and fun series of increasingly spectacular and (often) successful, demonstrations of the physical sciences.

The festival also will include performances by Circo Etero circus, whose jugglers and stilt walkers will roam throughout the festival wowing guests with their spectacular skills. Dancing Storytellers will delight children with their performances utilizing South Asian music and dance, and the Alley Cats, America’s Doo-Wop group, will serve up great music and hilarious comedy.

Don’t miss the Building Area, which will encourage creative play and feature oversized building kits, including Imagination Playground, Rigamjig, and Panelcraft. Other hands-on activities and workshops will include face painting, balloon twisters, mini trains, and bubbles, lots of bubbles!

There will be exhibits from the Arnold and

Mabel Beckman Foundation as well as other community partners.

“The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is committed to encouraging our next generation to approach science and technology with curiosity and excitement to unlock the full creative potential of tomorrow’s inventors and explorers,” says Dr. Anne Hultgren, executive director of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Segerstrom Center for the Arts and so many different organizations across Orange County who will be bringing their unique approaches to engaging young minds in STEM to the Argyros plaza. This venue offers a unique setting to host such a variety of hands-on activities in a relaxed, festival-style event to make STEM approachable and fun! We hope to see you there!”

Food will be available for purchase at George’s Café as well as food trucks Cali Delight and Kala. Mmmmm, churros!

Be sure to arrive early to enjoy all the free fun. For more information please visit our website at scfta.org.

6 | FREE