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Monday, March 28, 2011

APRIL FAMILY EVENTS @ KEAN UNIVERSITY

Looking for things to do with the kids in April? Read on, pick out those that interest you and mark your calendars (and make reservations if necessary). Most are inexpensive.

easter 3aKean University welcomes the spring season with a series of cultural events for the entire family. Easter Egg hunts, exhibits, afternoon tea, theater productions and dance recitals are in the line-up for all ages at Union County’s leading institution of higher education.

Liberty Hall Museum hosts the Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 23 at noon. Children will explore the grounds of Liberty Hall searching for plastic eggs hidden throughout the landscape, filled with holiday treats. A surprise visit from the Easter Bunny caps off the events of the day. Reservations are required, and admission is $5 per child, one adult is free per paying child, additional adults are $5 each.

On April 16 from 1 – 3 PM. the museum offers The Girls of Liberty Hall — A Children’s Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show. Guests will be treated to a luncheon of scones, breads, finger sandwiches, sweet treats, lemonade, iced tea and sherbet punch on real china while watching a fashion show of reproduction historic children's clothing from colonial times through early 20th century. There will also be a dress-up and play tent with games and prizes. Admission is $25 per person, reservations are required.

The on-going exhibit at Liberty Hall is Stitches in Time: Three Centuries of Hemlines, Necklines & Everything in Between. The show displays over 40 pieces of clothing and accessories from the vast fashion collection of the Liberty Hall Museum. The fashions range from 18th century shoes and fans to 20th century Christian Dior cocktails dresses, featuring elegant gowns, glittering accessories, refined evening attire and vintage undergarments in a display called “Victorian Secrets.”

General admission to the museum for regular visits is $10 for adults, $6 for students and free to children under three, Liberty Hall Museum members and Kean University students, faculty and staff. Liberty Hall is located at 1003 Morris Avenue in Union, New Jersey. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 4PM. For reservations and further information, call 908.527.0400, e-mail libertyhall@kean.edu or visit www.kean.edu/libertyhall.

Kean Stage will present The Griffin Theatre Company’s Frindle, a musical for young audiences on April 10 at 3:00 PM in the Wilkins Theatre. Griffin Theatre brings young people original productions of award-winning contemporary children’s literature. All world premieres, Griffin’s work speaks to young people with plays that reflect the life, experiences, trials and tribulations of the children in the audience. Frindle is a heartwarming story of a resourceful and gutsy 5th grader who decides to put what he learns in school to the test.

For slightly older children and their families, Kean Players on Tour presents an adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on April 1 at 12:00 and 8:00 PM, April 2 at 2:00 and 8:00 PM and April 3 at 2:00 PM in the University Center Little Theatre. Madcap merriment ensues when mismatched lovers, loutish laborers, feuding faeries, and one spirited sprite collide under a magical midsummer moon in a family-friendly adaptation of Shakespeare’s most cherished comedy.

“We’ve adapted Shakespeare’s great comedy for young audiences,” said Gail Winar, theatre professor at Kean and director of the production. “But it’s perfect for all theatre-goers: kids & parents, students & teachers, scholars & beginners. Just bring your sense of humor!”

On April 17 at 3:00 PM, New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble will present a recital of contemporary dance in the Wilkins Theatre. This fast paced contemporary dance ensemble will perform a diverse repertoire featuring the works of prominent dancers and teachers from Netherlands Dance Theatre, Nacho Duato, Paris Opera, Joffrey Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Lar Lubovitch, Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Elisa Monte, Twyla Tharp, David Parsons, Mark Morris and Alvin Ailey.

Kean Dance Theatre presents a performance that will encompass idioms of modern, jazz, Latin, funk, musical theatre, hip-hop and ballet in the Wilkins Theatre on April 1 at 7:30 PM and April 2 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Under the artistic direction of Luis Martinez, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Health, the University’s resident dance ensemble showcases innovative, theatrical, diverse and high-spirited dance works, performed and choreographed by faculty, alumni, guest choreographers, and students.

WHERE; Kean University is located at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ. TICKETS: to Frindle, “Midsummer…” and NJ Dance Theatre Ensemble are $15. Admission to Kean Dance Theatre is $12. To purchase tickets, call the Kean box office at 908.527.7469 or buy on-line at www.keanstage.com.