SouthernMamas has  50 free passes to a Savannah advance screening this week of the new 3-D animated movie from Universal, DESPICABLE ME. The movie stars Steve Carrell and is due out on July 9. The screening is 7 PM Wed. June 16 at Carmike 10, 511 Stephenson Ave.

If interested in having these passes for your employees or coworkers, just comment below with your email and I’ll get these passes to you as soon as possible because the screening is this week!

Here’s what the movie is about: In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden deep beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by an army of tireless, little yellow minions, we discover Gru (Steve Carell) planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon (Yes, the moon!) in Universal’s new 3-D CGI feature, Despicable Me.

Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.

One of the world’s greatest super-villains has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes. www.despicable.me

SouthernMamas reader Evelyn Lopez wins a family four pack of tickets to CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! at Savannah Civic Center June 22 & 23.

Thanks to everyone who entered to win. For more info on tickets for Curious George Live!, click here. Order online by clicking here.

Children 1 Year and Up are required to have a ticket.

THREE SHOWS:
Tues. June 22 @ 7 PM
Wed. June 23 @ 10:30 AM
Wed. June 23 @ 7 PM

TICKET PRICES ALL DAYS
$15.00 – $50.00

Mark you calendars. Angela Beasely’s Puppet People will perform a children’s puppet show at the Savannah Visitor’s Center on June 26 & July 10.

The show is called “Monkey Bubbles Takes A Train Ride.” There will be two performances on each day – 10 AM & 11 AM. Cost is $6 per person. Mention SouthernMamas to receive a dollar off the admission! First hour of parking is free!

This is a unique opportunity for children as the beloved Puppet People rarely have performances that are open to the public, so this is a great chance to see their No. 1 Family Show!

Also this summer, Puppet People is offering a Special on their Basic Children’s Birthday Party Package. For this summer only, the price is $325 instead of $350. All you have to do is mention you saw this post on Southern Mamas! This is the “Worry-Free” children’s birthday party package because it includes a brief interactive puppet tour, a puppet show, a puppet making craft (which also serves as party favors), a cake table, tablecloths, paper plates, napkins & plastic ware – basically everything except food and invitations! So, all Mom has to worry about is bringing the cake.

Another SouthernMamas deal: mention Southern Mamas, and Puppet People will take $3 dollars off their “Backstage Pass” Tour, which normally costs $15 per person. This private tour includes a full hour one-on-one with Angela Beasley herself!

Angela has been making puppets for over 40 years, and many of her past creations are on display in the Puppet People studios. Puppet People is  also one of only about three companies nationwide that has life-size puppets. Angela made the “family” of about 30 life-size puppets (and all her other puppets) with her own hands. Each puppet has his or her own hilarious personality, which Angela loves to show-off during the tour!

This week, a SouthernMamas subscriber will win a family four pack of tickets to CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE!, which will be at Savannah Civic Center June 22 & 23.

For more info on tickets for Curious George Live!, click here. Order online by clicking here.

Children 1 Year and Up are required to have a ticket.

THREE SHOWS:
Tues. June 22 @ 7 PM
Wed. June 23 @ 10:30 AM
Wed. June 23 @ 7 PM

TICKET PRICES ALL DAYS
$15.00 – $50.00

CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! is the new can’t miss live stage musical that will delight your whole family! Curious George is the inquisitive and loveable little monkey who takes everyone along on intriguing problem-solving adventures. Live on stage in his World Premiere musical tour, Curious George swings and flips his way through a fun-filled story that takes the audience from home to Rome.

During the summer, you can take your kids to the cinema for selected free screenings at Regal Cinema. Regal Entertainment Group has a nine week long Free Family Festival going on at selected theatres since 1991.

Participated theatres show G and PG rated movies for free on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10 AM. Examples of movies include; Hotel for Dogs, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar Escape 2 Africa, and Shrek the Third. Click here for schedule updates.

Here’s a list of free summer movies at Savannah Stadium 10 1132-34 Shawnee Street
912-961-1535

06/22/2010-06/24/2010 Tale of Despereaux (G)
Tale of Despereaux (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks Squeakquel (PG)
Alvin And The Chipmunks Squeakquel (PG)

06/29/2010-07/01/2010 Charlotte’s Web (G)
Charlotte’s Web (G)
Polar Express (G)
Polar Express (G)
Night At The Museum II (PG)
Night At The Museum II (PG)

07/06/2010-07/08/2010 Wallace and Gromit (G)
Wallace and Gromit (G)
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (PG)

07/13/2010-07/15/2010 Polar Express (G)
Polar Express (G)
Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (PG)
Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (PG)

07/20/2010-07/22/2010 Doogal (G)
Doogal (G)
Planet 51 (PG)
Planet 51 (PG)

07/27/2010-07/29/2010 Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (G)
Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything (G)
Imagine That (PG)
Imagine That (PG)

08/03/2010-08/05/2010 March Of The Penguins (G)
March Of The Penguins (G)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (PG)

08/10/2010-08/12/2010 Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)

08/17/2010-08/19/2010 ARCTIC TALE (G)
ARCTIC TALE (G)

08/17/2010-08/19/2011 Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)
Monsters Vs. Aliens (PG)

Carrie Christian's studio

Starting Thurs. June 10 from 6:30-8 PM, Savannah artist Carrie Christian will host a weekly craft club called Pretty Pickle’s Craft and Cake Club at her studio: nine classes for $90, which includes all supplies and delicious treats.

Classes will cover a variety of fun crafting techniques, such as jewelry, hair and fashion accessories, sewing and much more.

Schedule Includes:
June 10: CUPCAKES ARE SWEET!
A night dedicated to everything cupcake. Snack on a sampling of cupcakes while creating cupcake inspired crafts. Activities include cupcake “shrinky-dink” earrings and a hand sewn cupcake tote!

Artist Carrie Christian

June 17: COME ON IN AND LET YOUR HAIR DOWN!
Accessories, Accessories, Accessories! Make beautiful, personalized accessories for your hair. Using feathers, beads, buttons, rhinestones, ribbon and more, we will be making headbands, barrettes, and clips to dress up our hair for summer.
June 24: FLOWER POWER!
Tonight’s crafts will all be flower related! Make a thimble “garden” necklace, embellished flower pin, and a fabric flower ring, all
while enjoying flower inspired snacks and goodies!
July 15, 22: CHRISTMAS IN JULY!
Take a break from the heat and enjoy Christmas in July. We will transport ourselves to the holidays with Christmas inspired crafts,
gram cracker “gingerbread” houses, ornaments, and pinecone elves, just to name a few. Christmas in July will end with a Christmas
party, complete with all the trimmings!
July 29: LITTLE IS BEAUTIFUL!
• Celebrating all things mini! Miniatures will be the theme of tonight’s class. Make dazzling, tiny works of art, doll house creations, and other small wonders while nibbling on petite treats.
• Aug. 12: GREETINGS AND SALUTATIONS!
Tonight we will make personalized banner “greeting” cards. Send something special to a loved one or just let a friend know you’re
thinking of them with these adorable custom made cards.
• Aug. 19: ORIENTAL NIGHTS!
For our last class we will have an Asian inspired party filled with Asian inspired crafts. Activities include simple
origami, personal felt fortune cookies, and decorating paper lanterns. “Sushi” and other refreshments served.

To sign reserve a spot, contact Carrie Christian
Email: carrieachristian@hotmail.com
Phone: 912.323.0123

Yes, there is a summer art program in Savannah for the pre-K set!

Savannah artist Carrie Christian is now hosting Saturday Pre-K art classes.
10:30-11:30AM
10 classes offered
$9 a class (includes all supplies)
Sign up now!

Lessons are designed to help create a foundation on which your child’s artistic education
will grow and blossom. Students will learn basic concepts such as color, composition, and perspective, while creating drawings, paintings, sculptures, and mixed media projects.

Students will work with a variety of materials, including colored pencils, oil pastels, acrylic, watercolor, and collage.

Dates:
June 12,19,26
July 10, 17, 24, 31
August 7, 14, 21
Please call or email with any questions!

Carrie’s studio is located at 212 E. 37th St., directly behind Bella Mia (bridal shop) at the corner of 37th and Abercorn Streets.
Phone: 912-323-0123
Email: carrieachristian@hotmail.com

Artist Carrie Christian

Carrie Christian received her MFA in Painting and her BFA in Illustration from Savannah Collage of Art and Design. Her works have been exhibited nationally and internationally.

She was included in the 2007 & 2009 Southern Editions of New American Paintings publication. Her work has been exhibited both in the Mobile Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum in New Orleans and included among many private collections.

Forget trying to find the perfect Father’s Day gift. The last Friday night of each month is Kids Night Out at Starlight Pottery, 7070 Hodgson Memorial Drive. And this month, from 6-8 PM Fri. May 28, kids will make Father’s Day gifts at the paint-your-own pottery studio.

For ages 5 and up. $25 per child includes pottery painting, pizza and drink, games and more!
Drop off your kids for this very popular event.
Reservations required: 303-9599.

On the last Thursday of each month, Starlight Pottery hosts LADIES NIGHT OUT
The next Ladies Night Out is 6-9 PM Thurs May 27. Gather your friends and reserve a table. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink. Price of the pottery is all you pay, no additional studio fee or after hours fee!
Call today to reserve a table: 303-9599.

Starlight Pottery’s studio is in mid-town Savannah. The studio is in the Eisenhower Shopping Plaza at the intersection of Eisenhower and Hodgson Memorial Drive. Starlight Pottery is a great place to host your next birthday party, bridal shower, baby shower, youth group, ladies group, etc. Bring your Girl Scout or Boy Scout troops, too. Become a fan on Facebook and receive special announcements and offers.

This week, a SouthernMamas subscriber will win a family four pack of tickets to CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE!, which will be at Savannah Civic Center June 22 & 23.

Tickets for the CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! show in Savannah in June go on sale at 10 AM Mon. April 26. For more info, click here. Order online by clicking here.

Children 1 Year and Up are required to have a ticket.

THREE SHOWS:
Tues. June 22 @ 7 PM
Wed. June 23 @ 10:30 AM
Wed. June 23 @ 7 PM

TICKET PRICES ALL DAYS
$15.00 – $50.00

CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! is the new can’t miss live stage musical that will delight your whole family! Curious George is the inquisitive and loveable little monkey who takes everyone along on intriguing problem-solving adventures. Live on stage in his World Premiere musical tour, Curious George swings and flips his way through a fun-filled story that takes the audience from home to Rome.

Tickets for the CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! show in Savannah in June don’t officially go on sale until Mon. April 26.

But SouthernMamas readers can order CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! tickets online from now through Sunday (April 25) by using the code: GEWW

This is an exclusive offer that won’t be valid once tickets go on sale next week. Order online by clicking here.

CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! will be at Savannah Civic Center June 22 & 23.

CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! is the new can’t miss live stage musical that will delight your whole family! Curious George is the inquisitive and loveable little monkey who takes everyone along on intriguing problem-solving adventures. Live on stage in his World Premiere musical tour, Curious George swings and flips his way through a fun-filled story that takes the audience from home to Rome.

Laugh out loud, tap your toes, sing and dance along as you follow Curious George on his quest to win the Golden Meatball Contest.

Children 1 Year and Up are required to have a ticket.

THREE SHOWS:
Tues. June 22 @ 7 PM
Wed. June 23 @ 10:30 AM
Wed. June 23 @ 7 PM

TICKET PRICES ALL DAYS
$15.00 – $50.00

Amy Estees and Molly Taylor will win two tickets each to “Beauty and the Beast” presented by The Children’s Ballet Theatre of the Academy of Dance.

Thanks to everyone who entered.

The ballet will be Sat. May 8 at the Savannah Civic Center. There will be two shows, one at 3 PM and one at 6 pm.

You can order Beauty and the Beast tickets one of three ways:
-Call 921-2190 Mon-Fri 2-6 PM; Sat. 11 AM-2 PM
-Email aodsav@gmail.com
-Or purchase tickets at the Savannah Civic Center Box office

The price is $30 adults; $20 kids, senior and military; $15 tickets for groups of ten or more so you can pull your friends together to go for a discount. All tickets are general admission.

Here’s a great FREE way to check out the brand new stage and bandshell at Forsyth Park.

The St. Andrew’s School Spring Concert at Forsyth Park will be 5:30-8:30 PM Mon. May 3. The public’s invited to this free spring concert at the park’s new bandshell. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of music. The program features students in grades 3 through 12 and includes string, chorus and band students. Musical selections include pop, jazz and classic pieces.

This week, two SouthernMamas readers will win two tickets each to “Beauty and the Beast” presented by The Children’s Ballet Theatre of the Academy of Dance.

The ballet will be Sat. May 8 at the Savannah Civic Center. There will be two shows, one at 3 PM and one at 6 pm.

Can’t wait for the giveaway? You can order Beauty and the Beast tickets one of three ways:
-Call 921-2190 Mon-Fri 2-6 PM; Sat. 11 AM-2 PM
-Email aodsav@gmail.com
-Or purchase tickets at the Savannah Civic Center Box office

The price is $30 adults; $20 kids, senior and military; $15 tickets for groups of ten or more so you can pull your friends together to go for a discount. All tickets are general admission.

The Savannah Coastal Puppetry Guild is bringing a wonderful puppeteer from Missouri who is playing At the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta for a month to come to the Savannah Theatre, 222 Bull St.

PAUL MESNER PUPPETS will perform The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by A. Wolf (used with permission of Jon Scieszka) on Tues. April 13. The 1 PM show is FREE and must have reservations (call 912-660-3255). The 4 PM show is $5.

For more info, call 912-660-3255.

In this revealing no-squealing adaptation of the popular book written by Jon Scieszka’s and illustrated by Lane Smith, A. Wolf has a chance to tell his side of the story. He only wanted a cup of sugar and he did have a cold. For years we have only known this story from the pigs point of view. Mr. A. Wolf tells all about what really happened to those three little houses made of straw, sticks and bricks and the three pigs who lived in them.

Sponsored by grants from the Grassroots Arts Program, (City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs) & The Arts Ashore Legacy Fund (Savannah Community

Chances are Roger Day is the only children’s musician who has written a song that tells kids what to eat to strengthen their brain.

Blueberries are what you chew
If you want to elevate your IQ
Folic acid in whole wheat in bread
Now that’s a smart thing to feed your head

“Brain Food – Eat it Up” is one of the many smart tunes on his new album, “Why Does Gray Matter? And Other Brainy Songs for Kids.” Another highlight is the tune “Left Brain/Right Brain,” in which the left brain (logical) is a string quartet and the right brain (creative) is a Clash-inspired punk rock band.

MY RIGHT BRAIN WANTS TO ROCK THE HOUSE
MY RIGHT BRAIN WANTS TO DRAW AND ILLUSTRATE
My left brain follows the directions
It always starts at “a” goes to “z”
My left brain loves to do my taxes
It fills out every form on Schedule C

Day writes and performs interactive music that encourages children to sing and jump along. The two-time winner of a Parents’ Choice Gold Award will perform songs from the album in his family show, “Shake Up Your Brain!,” at 12:30 PM Sat. March 27 at the Charles H. Morris Center in Trustees Garden as part of the Savannah Music Festival. Tickets are $10 adults 18 and older, $5 age 6 and older, under 6 free.  Buy tickets by clicking here.

If last Saturday’s Savannah Music Festival children’s concert The Amazing Musical Rescue with RJ & The Upbeats is any indication, the Roger Day concert is sure to be a fun time where kids can be themselves. The performers and Savannah Music Festival ushers couldn’t have been more patient and relaxed when it came to kids – aka my 1-year-old – who couldn’t sit still or stop blaring the show-provided kazoo. The Savannah Music Festival deserves a round of applause for including family, kid-friendly shows in the series. What better way to show gratitude and support than by attending this Saturday’s Roger Day concert.

Artist Carrie Christian

Beginning Sat. April 10, Savannah artist Carrie Christian will host weekend creative art classes at her studio.

Classes for Pre-K/toddler aged children (2-5), run 10:30-11:30 AM. Younger siblings are welcome as long as accompanied by a parent.

Classes for Elementary aged children (6-10), run 1-2 PM.

Carrie’s studio is located at 212 E. 37th St., directly behind Bella Mia (bridal shop), at the corner of 37th and Abercorn Streets. Classes are $9 per child and include all supplies.

Carrie Christian's studio

Classes are pay as you go, but a conformation email or call would be greatly appreciated in regards to space and supply availability. Carrie Christian, T:912.323.0123
Email: carrieachristian@hotmail.com

Carrie Christian received her MFA in Painting and her BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her works have been exhibited nationally and internationally, and are included among the collections of both the Mobile Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum.

She’s also experienced in Savannah Arts Academy portfolio preparation.

For more information, parent references, and pricing, please contact: Carrie Christian, T:912.323.0123
Email: carrieachristian@hotmail.com

This week, SouthernMamas gave away FREE tickets to the the Savannah Music Festival children’s concerts.

Winners of  tickets to Shake up Your Brain with Roger Day and free copies of Roger Day’s new CD “Why does Gray Matter?” are:
Silvia Straub
Kasey Berman
Monica Patel
Yasmiene Shemdin

Winners of tickets to The Amazing Musical Rescue with RJ & The Upbeats are:
Brandi Zetrouer
Eliza Brooks
Gena Cox
Dusti Smith

Congratulations! For info on the concerts, click here.

The movie “The Wiggles Big Big Show in the Round” is coming to Savannah for four days in March at the Carmike Wynnsong Theatre 11

This circus-inspired Wiggly live concert movie has acrobats, gymnasts, dancers, trapeze artists and a ringmaster. Of course, the show also includes Sam, Jeff, Anthony and Murray and the world famous Wiggly dancers, as well as Wiggly friends Wags the Dog, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus and Captain Feathersword.

Tickets are $10 each. Movie dates are March 20,21,27, & 28 2010. For more info, click here.

Win a FREE ticket to the the Savannah Music Festival children’s concerts this week on SouthernMamas.

Thanks to Savannah Music Festival, we’re giving away FOUR tickets to Shake up Your Brain with Roger Day to FOUR winners and FOUR tickets to The Amazing Musical Rescue with RJ & The Upbeats to FOUR Winners. Winners of the Roger Day tickets will also receive a free copy of Roger Day’s new CD “Why does Gray Matter?”

Here are the rules on how to win this month long contest.

THE AMAZING MUSICAL RESCUE: RJ & THE UPBEATS will be at 12:30 PM Sat. March 20 at CHARLES H. MORRIS CENTER
Tickets: $10 adult 18 and older, $5 age 6 and older, under 6 are free. Buy tickets by clicking here.
Open your imagination and enter the wonderful world of The UpBeats. Mischievous forces have sabotaged the creativity of music and it’s up to RJ & The UpBeats to save music.

SHAKE UP YOUR BRAIN: ROGER DAY, 12:30 PM Sat. March 27 at CHARLES H. MORRIS CENTER
Tickets: $10 adult 18 and older, $5 age 6 and older, under 6 free.
Two-time Parents’ Choice award-winning singer/songwriter Roger Day urges kids to reach their potential by using “body and brain, mind and muscle.” In this program for the entire family, he performs songs from his new album “Why Does Gray Matter? And Other Brainy Songs for Kids.” Buy tickets by clicking here.

Your March is already filling up with activities, and the month hasn’t even started yet.

Don’t forget to make plans to attend the children’s concerts at the Savannah Music Festival.

THE AMAZING MUSICAL RESCUE: RJ & THE UPBEATS will be at 12:30 PM Sat. March 20 at CHARLES H. MORRIS CENTER
Tickets: $10 adult 18 and older, $5 age 6 and older, under 6 are free. Buy tickets by clicking here.
Open your imagination and enter the wonderful world of The UpBeats. Mischievous forces have sabotaged the creativity of music and it’s up to RJ & The UpBeats to save music.

SHAKE UP YOUR BRAIN: ROGER DAY, 12:30 PM Sat. March 27 at CHARLES H. MORRIS CENTER
Tickets: $10 adult 18 and older, $5 age 6 and older, under 6 free.
Two-time Parents’ Choice award-winning singer/songwriter Roger Day urges kids to reach their potential by using “body and brain, mind and muscle.” In this program for the entire family, he performs songs from his new album “Why Does Gray Matter? And Other Brainy Songs for Kids.” Buy tickets by clicking here.

Spring Break is closer than you think. How fun does a week-long camp at the museum sound?

After exploring the Telfair’s permanent collection, special exhibitions, and ArtZeum, participants will complete related art projects in the education studios.

Throughout the week, campers will work with accomplished, local artists who will help them process and apply their ideas and responses to the artwork in the galleries. The course will touch upon a variety of media including collage, painting, and 3-D sculpture.
March 29-April 2
10am-4 pm
Session A: Ages 6-8
Session B: Ages 9-11
$150/member, $175/non-member
Limited Space!

790-8823 or email kistt@telfair.org to register

The Telfair will also offer SPRING STUDIO ART CLASS for ages 10-14.

The class, Portfolio Builder: Youth Drawing III, is designed to help upper-elementary and middle school students improve their drawing skills. New students welcome!
Thursdays / 4:30-6 pm
April 8-May 13
$100/member, $125/non-member
5 students minimum / 12 maximum

Chances are you’re going to like Eliza Welch, a former fiction writer-turned-mom-blogger played by Uma Thurman in MOTHERHOOD.

The comedy, co-starring Anthony Edwards and Minnie Driver, comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray today (Feb. 23) We’re giving away TWO of the DVDs this week. But you have to read this post to the end to find out how to win.

Thurman’s Eliza, an urban, stay-at-home mother of two, makes me want to emulate her, at least a little. I appreciate her lists, her humor and especially her honesty about the paradox of motherhood – that desire to savor every minute of our kids’ fleeting youth while also longing to carve out time for our other ambitions. In Eliza’s case, she wants to be a hands-on mom but she also wants to return to her pre-mom passion: writing.

This film, that premiered at Sundance Film Festival premiere last year,  is perfect to watch after a long week of toddler tantrums and household budget fiascos. You’ll enjoy Eliza’s take on what it really means to be a mother. With the exception of the prince-to-the-rescue ending, MOTHERHOOD is worth watching.  And even more worth winning. 

To win a copy this week, comment below. Just tell us how many kids you have. That alone deserves winning something, right? We’ll pick a name at random and announce the winner Fri. Feb. 26.

Savannah Danse Theatre will present Peter Pan at the Lucas Theatre, 3 PM April 10.
Tickets are available at 525-5050.

From the extraordinary flying sequences and the belief in fairies, to the evil Captain Hook and his pirates, you’re sure to be entertained from beginning to end.

This ballet is for the youngest of children to the oldest adults. Join Peter, Wendy, Tiger Lily, and the Lost Boys for the sights and sounds of this delightful live performance.

Islands Dance Academy, the official school of the Savannah Danse Theatre, offers a wide range of classes for all ages in its two-studio facility.

The pre-school division gives young students an opportunity practice moving with rhythm, memorizing steps, and introduces them to the French language of ballet. The early grade school division focuses on the joy of movement while building a solid foundation of technique. The high school division gives the dancer the opportunity to fully express themselves through performance while rising to the physical and mental demands that becoming a dancer requires.