Weekend Plans: Math exhibit opens, Barbie Bash, Black History Month events, puppets, more

I'll start out with one for parents who are looking to cut their grocery bills. Faye Prosser, my colleague over at the WRAL Smart Shopper blog, will be leading one of her great workshops from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, at the WRAL studios in Raleigh. Tickets are $20. I highly recommend her workshops. She talks about coupons, taking advantage of sales, the importance of meal planning and more. Click here for tickets (there are not too many left).

We have consignment sales in Raleigh, Apex and Cary this week. See my earlier post for details.

Saturday is FAFSA Day when parents and their college-bound high schoolers can get help and information about financial aid. Christine Hall of CMH College Consulting wrote about the event in this earlier post where you'll find more information.

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham opens a new exhibit to the public Saturday. Math Moves! focuses on ratio and proportion. Visitors can explore shadows and shapes, motion and sound; use their bodies as a unit of measurement; and more. The exhibit is part of a three-year national study that launched this year and is driven by the Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education. And on Friday night, the museum will offer a new event designed just for teens that explores digital gaming. Read more about it here.

Marbles Kids Museum will have some special events this weekend. First is the Barbie Bash. Take in Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2 at the IMAX Theatre at 10 a.m., Saturday. Then enjoy some themed crafts and other activities. Also this weekend: Music Makers with the NC Symphony provides an opportunity to meet a musician and learn more about the symphony's upcoming Young People's Series concert. It's from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. And from 1 p.m .to 3 p.m., Sunday, kids can challenge themselves during Gadgets & Gizmos as they build towers with all kinds of materials. The last two events are free with admission to Marbles, which is $5 per person. Click here for details.

Cary will mark Black History Month with workshops and a concert this weekend. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, there will be a series of creative workshops, live entertainment, films and children's activities at the Cary Arts Center. It's all free. And at 3 p.m., Sunday, at the Cary Arts Center, award-winning folklorist Donna Washington will present tales from different cultures, including African folklore. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance. Check the website for details.

The State Capitol and Richard B. Harrison Library will host a session of the 2012 National African American Read-In from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday. It will be at the State Capitol in downtown Raleigh and is free and open to the public. The public is invited to share favorite passages from the writings of contemporary and historical black authors. All ages are welcome.

Historic Stagville State Historic Site in Durham and Morehead Planetarium and Science Center are teaming up for Stagville under the Stars from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday. No reservations are required. I'm told this is a great family event. Read my earlier post for details.

The Cashore Marionettes will stop at N.C. State this weekend for two shows. A 3 p.m., Saturday, show is designed for all ages. An 8 p.m., Saturday, show is designed for adults and young adults. It looks like the 8 p.m. show is sold out. Tickets for the family-friendly 3 p.m. show are $26. The shows are part of N.C. State's Center Stage series.

The Sandbox Band is playing the Broad Street Cafe's kids series. The free, hour-long concert is 4:30 p.m., Sunday, at the Durham cafe. Read my earlier post for details. I know this is a favorite series for many families in Durham.

The Chapel Hill Philharmonia will present a free concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, at Hill Hall Auditorium on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. UNC award-winning voice students will perform some classic opera pieces. This is a great opportunity to expose kids to opera.

And Carolina Parent's Camp and Education Fair is noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, at Cary Academy.