Kristin's Kickbacks List Week of 7-9

July 10. 10 a.m. FREE Build and Grow Clinic at Lowes. Bring your child to Lowe's and they can build a ball and cup game! The kids get goggles and an apron and a kit to build an item. They use hammers their size and get a patch afterward for completing the project. You can register online.

July 10. 10 a.m. (Come at 9 a.m. for pre-show activities) Big!World!Fun! Family Series at the John Anson Ford Theatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, L.A. One hour-long music, dance and theatre aimed for children ages 4 to 10 and families. This week is TAIKOPROJECT. Children free, adults $5. Parking $1. Reservations required. To avoid handling fees, call the box office at 323-461-3673. This is outdoors and it’s okay to bring food.

July 10. 6-10 p.m. Dive in Movie at Rancho Simi Community Pool in Simi Valley. Movie “UP” starts at 8 p.m. $3 per person, bring blankets or chairs. 1765 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley.

July 11. 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free 7.11oz Slurpees can be had by one and all at 7-11 on Sunday, July 11th. Looks like it’s nationwide at participating stores. Yummy!

July 11. 12-9 p.m. Bastille Day L.A. Festival. Monticello Old Lodge, Elysian Park, Stadium Way and Scott Ave., L.A. Street performers, Parisian Waiters Race, a Provencal Petanque Tournament, entertainment and French food. $5, children 12 and younger free.

July 12. 10 a.m. FREE Monday Morning Concert for children at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park. Admission is first-come, first-served basis. I usually go around 9:30 and bring coins for parking meters. 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303 – 818-347-9938. This week’s concert is:

THE WONDERELLES (FEMALE ‘50’S QUARTET)

The Wonderelles is lively 50's & 60's Music "girl group" who delivers to you a touch of nostalgia (classic oldies) that will leave you toe-tapping, with a smile on your face!


July 12. 7 p.m. FREE interactive J.A.M. Sessions: Korean Treasure. Learn how to achieve the elegant movements of Korean traditional dance from the Artistic Director of Born Dance Company herself and sample this rich culture as a dancer yourself. John Anson Ford Theatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, L.A. Reservations recommended. Call the box office at 323-461-3673 to avoid handling fees. Parking is $1.

July 12. Starts at dusk. FREE. Monday Movie Nights at Simi Valley Town Center mall in food court area, some seating, okay to bring chairs. Movie this week is “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past.”

July 12 and July 15. 10 a.m. Free showing of Bee Movie. The Promenade at Westlake presents the Summer Film Festival! Free family movies at Mann Westlake 8 Theatres, Mondays and Thursdays. Plus, receive a KIDS EAT FREE postcard when you see a movie during the Summer Film Festival. Enjoy lunch at one of The Promenade restaurants listed below, where you will receive a free kids meal with purchase of any adult entree and beverage. 180 Promenade Way, Promenade Mall, Westlake Village, 91362. (805) 379-2299.

July 13. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. FREE McDonald's 7-ounce iced mocha or an 8-ounce hot mocha. No purchase is necessary. Free every Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until August 3.

July 13. Free admission to Autry museum (across from L.A. Zoo).

July 13. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. An American Girl Debut at the Grove. FREE event for girls 8 and up. Something big is coming to American Girl this summer, and your girl can be part of the excitement! Join us for a day that’s all about learning to be your very best. There will be personalized crafts for girls and dolls, and fun activities designed to let your girl’s inner star shine. Plus, she can learn about American Girl’s all-new virtual world—created just for girls and their dolls! 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, 90036.

July 13. 10 a.m. AMC Summer Movie Camp will be offered at 10 a.m. each Tuesday morning this summer at participating theatres, from June 15 through August 10. This week the movie is Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (PG). Each ticket is $1 and all admission and concession proceeds will benefit two AMC charities, Variety – The Children’s Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Tickets for each week will be on sale approximately one week prior to the scheduled show date.

July 13. 5:30-7 p.m. Rhythm Child at Descanso Gardens. Bring a picnic and blankets and enjoy this popular local band, whose recent album is called Bowl of Cherries. Free with admission. $8 adults, $3 children 5-12. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada.

July 13-14. 10 a.m. FREE summer movies at select Regal Theatres. Selected G or PG movies start at 10:00am every Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and are limited to theatre capacity. Tickets for the 2010 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show. Madagascar 2 (PG) and Where The Wild Things Are (PG) are playing at both the Civic Center Stadium 16 in Simi Valley and the Canyon Country Stadium 10 on Soledad Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. Charlotte's Web (G) and Imagine That (PG) are playing at the Grand Palace Stadium 6 on 4767 Commons Way in Calabasas.

July 14. 11 a.m. FREE. Kids Club at Sherman Oaks Galleria. Jamie Shaheen shines with her bright songs. 15301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks.

July 14. 7 p.m. FREE. Children’s Night at Levitt Pavilion. The Vagabond Puppets present the dinosaur-themed “Mammoth Follies.” 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena.

July 15. 8 p.m. Free All-Time Favorite Movies Under The Stars! The Grove Presents Movies in The Park. This week is Monsters vs. Aliens. Bring a blanket (no chairs, please) and have a magical evening at The Grove. The event opens for general grass and bleacher seating at 7:15pm. Exclusive Early Access with Picnics in The Park. For early access, and to bypass the line, simply pre-order gourmet picnics from any of The Grove's fine restaurants or purchase gourmet picnics in The Park. Compliment your outdoor movie experience with a delicious meal. Early access begins at 6:30pm. Only The Grove food permitted in The Park, please. 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036. PHONE 323.900.8080.

July 15. 5:30-7 p.m. Jazz at Descanso Gardens. “The Evolution of American Jazz” concert series on Thursday evenings will feature top local talent performing on the new earthen stage on Descanso’s Main Lawn. Bring a blanket to sit on and a picnic supper (normally not allowed inside the Gardens), and settle back to savor music from some of SoCal’s finest jazz artists. Concerts run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. through August 12. Concerts are free with admission to the Gardens and free for members. This week, Reynolds Brothers with Ralf Reynolds perform the classic jazz of Tin Pan Alley.

July 15. 6-9 p.m. Thursday night summer concerts at the Autry Museum (across from L.A. Zoo. See top Latin bands in a fun, casual, energetic setting on the Autry plaza. The taco and drink bar open at 6:00 p.m., and the museum and museum store close at 8:00 p.m. Complimentary dance lessons and a separate dance floor for kids guarantee fun for all! Free for Autry members / $7 for nonmembers. This week enjoy Orquesta Charangoa. Since 1997, Charangoa has kept the flame of traditional charanga alive in L.A. One of the few women in salsa, bandleader and arranger Fay Roberts fires up her flute in this distinct Cuban charanga-style orchestra. Charangoa has appeared in some of L.A.’s top venues, on KTTV’s “Good Day L.A.,” and at many festivals throughout Los Angeles.