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Date: 7/16/2015
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Museums have announced the schedule for weeks three and four of their annual “Summer Spectacular” Family Series, which runs through Aug. 14.
Every Monday through Friday, families visiting the Quadrangle will find a schedule packed with hands-on art and science activities, live reptile demonstrations and family entertainment for all ages. All programs and performances are free with admission unless otherwise noted. The 2015 premier sponsor is MassMutual; the Summer Spectacular is underwritten by the Berkshire Bank Foundation and the Charles H. Hall Foundation (Bank of America, Trustee).
The centerpiece of the six-week series is the array of top-tier family performers from around the northeast, appearing in the Davis Auditorium every Wednesday through Friday at 11 a.m. This year’s slate includes a mini-residency by the Puppet People, who will perform every Thursday during the Spectacular, as well as shows by family favorites like Mr. G (July 24) and host of others. A full schedule of performers can be found at www.springfieldmuseums.org. Featured performers during the next two weeks of the Spectacular include:
• July 22 – West African Music by Akwaaba Drum & Dance Ensemble;
• July 23 – The Last Dragon by The Puppet People;
• July 24 – Grammy-nominated performer Mister G;
• July 29 – Little Red Riding Hood by Cactushead Puppets;
• July 30 – The Firebird by The Puppet People; and
• July 31 – Abrakadabra by Mike Bent
Fun and educational presentations are offered every week during the Spectacular, starting with live animal demonstrations by Forest Park’s “Zoo on the Go” program from 1 to 2 p.m. every Monday. More live animal programs featuring reptiles from the Springfield Science Museum’s Solutia Live Animal Center take place on Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The six-week Spectacular also features activity and dress-up stations available daily from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center at the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, and a hands-on History Cart with artifacts from years’ past at the Wood Museum of Springfield History on Thursdays from noon to 2 p.m. There are also daily planetarium shows and impromptu science demonstrations by the Roving Scientist at the Museum’s Family Science Adventures Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
General admission is free for members and Springfield residents with proof of address and most Summer Spectacular activities. General admission is $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and college students, $9.50 for children 3-17, and free for children under three and museum members. There is a $5 special exhibit fee in addition to museum admission for Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!, which also includes the American Impressionism exhibit at the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts.
The Springfield Museums are open seven days a week during the summer starting June 29. Summer hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
For more information, call 263-6800, ext. 322.