Auditions held for ‘Seussical  Jr.’

Children and teens, ages 3 to 19, are invited to audition for Scottsdale Desert Stages Children’s Theatre’s upcoming production of “Seussical Jr.” Beloved Seuss stories and themes are woven together in this colorful musical that follows the adventures of the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant and a gaggle of delightful Seuss characters who try to restore harmony to the Jungle of Nool.

Auditions are 1 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road. No appointment or experience needed. Be prepared for movement. Performance dates are Aug. 22-Sept. 21. For questions call 480-483-1664 or visit www.desertstages.com.

GAPT has monkeys, pirates and Goldilocks

The Great Arizona Puppet Theater presents “Goldilocks,” June 11-22. In this hilarious, slapstick version of the traditional tale it's big trouble for the three bears when the rude little girl with the golden curls visits their house.

A GAPT favorite, “The Monkey and the Pirate” returns June 25-July 6. A monkey, a pirate and a valuable banana treasure all add up to plenty of wacky fun in this rollicking and rambunctious original show.

    Summer show times are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children. The Great Arizona Puppet Theater is located at 302 W. Latham St. in Phoenix.  Call 602-262-2050 for reservations, directions and additional information; or, visit www.azpuppets.org.

Free kids events at the Heard

From exciting music and dance performances to an extravaganza of hands-on activities, artist demonstrations and free goody bags, Target Free Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays gives kids and families a cool and creative way to spend July Saturdays. What’s better, mom and dad or grandpa and grandma can explore the Heard Museum and enjoy the activities for free as well, thanks to support from Target.

Each Saturday in July, visitors can experience exciting dance performances and meet an artist demonstrating everything from sculpture and basketweaving to Navajo weaving and jewelry-making. Plus, each child will receive free treats and a take-home souvenir bag filled with activity sheets, crayons, stickers and more.

On July 5, the theme is “Watch It Grow! Hopi Butterflies & Corn.” Find out about the importance of butterflies and corn to the Hopi people. Kids can get hands-on and make a butterfly, decorate their own wooden ear of corn, make a candy corn critter and form a finger-painted corncob. Young girls and boys who make up the Hopi Dance Group will perform several Hopi social dances. Plus, meet Jeanette Chimerica, a Hopi basketweaver, who will show how she makes both coil baskets and plaques using bright colors and traditional and contemporary designs. Plus, author Jan Cleere will talk about and sign her newest book, “Amazing Girls of Arizona True Stories of Young Pioneers,” a collection of incredible tales about young girls who experienced bold adventures and survived incredible challenges in early Arizona.

The Heard Museum is located at 2301 N. Central Ave. Admission is free on

Target Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays. For more information, call 602-252-8848 or visit www.heard.org.