Storytelling Marks Library Reopening

Spooky tales, baseball yarns and folklore are part of “Children’s Story Hour at Barnsdall Art Park,” a free, hourlong storytelling series for families with children ages 4 to 12, presented each Sunday at 1 p.m. through Nov. 7 in the Junior Arts Center Gallery.

The series, performed by Barnsdall staff members and area actors, is a celebration of the reopening of the Central Library.

“I hope that we can direct the attention of children toward the written word and maybe just a little away from the electronic media,” said series producer Al Alu. “I’d like to see children really invigorate their gray matter, get interested in books, in words.”

To capture that interest, each week features several stories based on a single theme, Alu said. A few upcoming themes are “Museum Antics,” “Three Stalks of Corn and Other California Stories,” “Good Things to Eat,” and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

During the readings, the audience will be surrounded by works from a corresponding art exhibit, “Books by Artists,” “imaginative pieces,” Alu said, representing “each artist’s conception of books.”

Information: (213) 485-4581.

* Is your family up on its fire safety? Wicked Witch Wanda and her friends get the word out in “Get Out, Stay Out!,” a touring edu-tainment show for school age children that will play at the Wooden-O Theatre during National Fire Prevention Month in October. Written by Koni McCurdy, the humorous show, produced in conjunction with the California Burn Foundation and funded by the San Luis Obispo Assn., teaches the primary “Stop, Drop and Roll” lessons and more, including how to get out of a burning building. Performances will be held Sundays at 1 p.m. from Oct. 3 through Oct. 17 at the Wooden-O, 2207 Federal Ave.

Information: (310) 477-2199.

* The Universal Amphitheatre will rock to a different beat than usual when popular children’s star Fred Penner (“Fred Penner’s Place”) and his Cat’s Meow Band, plus Walt Disney Records’ Norman Foote, a fellow Canadian, perform a family concert on Sunday at 3:15 p.m. Both artists are known for their appeal to adults as well as children, their offbeat humor, and eclectic musical tastes ranging from ‘30s jazz to rock ‘n roll.

Tickets: (213) 480-3232.

* Samuel Goldwyn Company, in cooperation with national educational organizations, begins its “Much Ado About Education” program on Wednesday, offering students and teachers discounted admission to the expanded release of Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing,” plus free study guides and posters.

Information: (800) 6-GOLDWYN.

This is the first of an occasional column highlighting events for families and young people.