Artsy Stuff to Do This Weekend

There is a lot going on this weekend if you're looking for something artsy in the East Valley.  There is something for everyone, whether you want a nice day or night out or a family-friendly event.  Click on the title of the event for more information.

MacFest 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2

Downtown Mesa will be buzzing with activity with the return of Mesa’s celebration of Mesa Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) beginning the first Saturday in October.

MACFest is a free event featuring unique artist creations, music and fun for the whole family. The 2010 – 2011 season will be every Saturday, October 2 – to – April 30, except December 11th and 25th and January 1st, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Artist’s exhibits will be displayed along Main Street sidewalks centered at Macdonald Street.  Info from here.

Herberger Theater Festival of the Arts

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Spend the day celebrating the arts at downtown's newly renovated performance and arts center. Enjoy shows in the different theaters throughout the day, as well as film shorts, live music and family activities. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. $5, FREE for kids 12 and younger. 602-254-7399. For more info, go here.

Target 3 for Free

Noon-5 p.m Sunday, Oct. 3. Educational and free: the perfect family event.

-Visit the exhibitions at Arizona Museum of Natural History for free on the first Sunday of every month. 53 N. MacDonald, Mesa. FREE. 480-644-2230. www.azmnh.org.

-Visit the exhibitions at Arizona Museum for Youth for free on the first Sunday of every month. Enjoy the various interactive stations and child-friendly artwork. 35 N. Robson, Mesa. FREE. 480-644-2468. http://www.arizonamuseumforyouth.com/.

-Visit the exhibitions at Mesa Contemporary Arts for free on the first Sunday of every month. 1 E. Main St., Mesa. FREE. 480-644-6500. www.mesaartscenter.com.

Costume Story Time


10 a.m Saturday, Oct. 2. Kids can pose for pictures with one of the characters from Maurice Sendak's book "Where the Wild Things Are," about a boy named Max who takes an imaginary journey to an intriguing land. The story is also read to the kids. Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe. FREE. 480-730-0205. www.changinghands.com.

"The Little Mermaid"


Through Nov. 27. 11 a.m. Saturdays. Enjoy a cool morning under the sea with this mystical musical fairytale, based on Han's Christian Anderson's tale of Arabelle and her sisters. The girls strive to escape the Sea Witch and look for their prince charming. Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert. $13, $11 for children. 480-497-1181. http://www.haletheatrearizona.com/.

Thanks to AZ Central for most of this information.