The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection hosts “Rock, Paper, Fun,” a program for children ages 7-11. Inspired by rock and art paintings from Western Arnhem land, participants will begin by making hand stencils, and then experiment with various styles and techniques to create a “rock” art picture. Free but registration is required. Call 244-0234 or email . 400 Worrell Dr., Peter Jefferson Place.

Santa comes to town
PHOTO BY Matti Mattila - Flickr

Santa comes to Charlottesville in style. An old-fashioned Revolutionary pipe and drum parade, complete with historic costumed characters, snakes through the Downtown Mall starting at the Ice Park at 10am and ending at the Pavilion. A show at the Pavilion, starting at 11am, includes musical performances, dances and musket firings, and brief greetings from historic and modern public officials. Enjoy carriage rides with Santa after the show from noon-4pm (for a fee). 978-4466.

Discover French cuisine during this month’s Family Fun Night at Amazement Square. Learn about the French art of cooking by making crepes from scratch and discussing dozens of other family-friendly French recipes in the Imagination Studio. 27 Ninth St., Lynchburg. 434-845-1888.

Fiddlers and Dancers
PHOTO (c) 2009 Blue Ridge Irish Music School

PVCC and The Blue Ridge Irish Music School present a multicultural showcase featuring dances from around the world including Appalachian, Polynesian, Irish, Latin, Middle Eastern, and more. V. Earl Dickinson Building, PVCC.  . 961-5376.

Glass candy
PHOTO BY Ellie - Flickr

The Artisans Center of Virginia invites would-be artists to make your own one-of-a-kind blown glass holiday ornaments. Pick your own colors and patterns, and blow your own glass ornament with help from artisan Charles Hall. This special workshop at Hall’s studio (Frozen Motion Glass Studio-Studio #7) in the McGuffey Arts Center benefits the Artisans Center of Virginia, a non-profit arts organization that supports and promotes the culture of Virginia artisans. No experience is necessary. Reservations are required. Space is limited. 540-241-9096 or . 201 Second St., Charlottesville.

Please note that ornaments require a cool down period and can be picked up at Charles’ studio on the immediate Sunday following or later in the week at the ACV office in Waynesboro.

Holiday refreshments will be served and the McGuffey Arts Center will be open all day so participants can wander through the galleries and studios.

PREP/Parent Resource Center invites the public to preview an hour of The Sprout Film Festival at the Virginia Film Festival’s Family Day. The event features films that explore the complexities of disability experience and the rich diversity of disability culture. (Special support provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.) Regal Cinema, Downtown. Mark your calendar for the full Sprout Film Festival on Friday, March 12, 2010 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center. 975-9400 ext. 68032.

Diversity
PHOTO courtesy of PREP

For the second year running, Charlottesville comes alive with the vision of film and media makers exploring the complexities of disability experience and the rich diversity of disability culture. PREP/Parent Resource Center, in collaboration with ARC of the Piedmont, Charlottesville Parks and Recreation, Light House Studio, Piedmont Council of the Arts, Very Special Arts, and the Virginia Institute of Autism, invites the public to experience film and video related to the field of developmental disabilities. The goal is an enjoyable and enlightening experience that will help break down stereotypes, promoting a greater acceptance of differences and awareness of similarities. Proceeds will support My Turn, Your Turn, a new DVD project featuring the music of Charlottesville musician and composer Cathy Bollinger. The festival will be held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center, 1400 Melbourne Rd., on the Charlottesville High School campus. 975-9400 ext. 68032.

Rock art
PHOTO courtesy of KRC

The Kluge-Ruhe Collection offers an art program for children ages 7 - 11. Inspired by rock art and paintings on paper from Western Arnhem Land, participants will begin by making hand stencils. While their paper dries, they will sketch out their own design, experimenting with different styles and techniques. Finally, they will combine the two for a fabulous “rock” art picture. Registration is required. To register, call 244-0234 or email [email protected].  400 Worrell Dr.

PHOTO courtesy of CMB

Charlottesville Municipal Band invites the public to join them as they celebrate the final mortgage payment of the Municipal Arts Center. Completed in 2000, the Municipal Arts Center serves as the band’s home and rehearsal hall as well as a community resource for over 25 arts organizations that use the space to hold meetings, rehearsals, and performances. The celebration includes performances by the band’s ensembles, light refreshments, and displays of historical memorabilia. 1119 Fifth St., SW.

Are there instructional areas or tasks within the literacy curriculum that are difficult for your child?  Are you confused about assistive technology considerations and your child’s IEP?  PREP/Parent Resource Center hosts an Assistive Technology fair, where students and parents can learn about (and try out) word prediction software, authoring and text to speech programs, IEP considerations, and AT issues related to statewide assessments. Carol Weigle, TTAC/JMU Coordinator with a specialty in Assistive Technology and Communication, addresses AT issues related to statewide assessments and IEP considerations. There will be time for Q&A. Registration required and space is limited. For more information and to register:  or (434) 975-9400 ext. 68032. Ivy Creek School Gym, 227 Lambs Lane.

Dress like a Pilgrim
PHOTO BY Just Jennifer - Flickr

Children can explore the first Thanksgiving–complete with Pilgrim outfits, games, stories, and crafts–in the Community Room at Amazement Square. Bring a can of food (or two or ten!) for Lynchburg Daily Bread to make sure that everyone in the community is well-fed during this holiday season. 27 Ninth St., Lynchburg.  434-845-1888.

Arthur and friend
Image courtesy of WHTJ

Public television station WHTJ celebrates 20 years of broadcasting in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties with a party at the Freedom of Expression exhibition at the Virginia Discovery Museum. Kids and their families are invited to come out and express themselves! All children will have the chance to make music, create their own art project, write a book, make signs, and to create buttons to wear that express a message they want everyone to read.  Participants can even write their own episode of “Charlottesville Inside-Out” and go “on-air” to interview friends and see themselves on TV!  Special PBS gifts will be given to the first 100 children in attendance. This hands-on exhibit is sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression and to inspire and help children learn about their right to the freedom of expression.  One of the main highlights of the exhibit includes screenings of an episode of PBS’ “Arthur” in the theater portion of the exhibit.  This special episode addresses free expression as Arthur’s discovers that his favorite book has been banned from his local library.  Come learn about the history of the first amendment of the United States Constitution and how the media has had an important role. 760-2996.

Day of the Dead
PHOTO BY Senor Codo - Flickr

Local children ages 4-12 and their parents can experience Halloween as Mexico children do through a variety of traditional crafts (sugar skull decorating, cut paper streamers/papel-picado, mural painting), foods (arroz con leche, pan de la muerte, hot Mexican chocolate), and Spanish songs and games at Speak! Language Center. Reservations requested. 313 2nd Street S.E., Suite 109 (entrance on Garrett St.). 245-8255.