Expressing Motherhood

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You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll nod vigorously and maybe you’ll even say out loud “Amen, sister!” You’ll bop along to the songs of Mommy Tonk and clap and stamp your feet.
You have to go.
Expressing Motherhood is the national hit play that consists of people sharing their stories about motherhood on stage. It was created by Los Angeles moms back in 2008 who were dying to get out of their houses and looking for other moms to hang with. What they have created is a thriving community of people who have either shared their own stories on stage or attended a show.
Trust Me
I appeared in this show twice – first in 2014 in an 8-show run which was terribly nerve-wracking but great for my confidence. I told the story about my long, slow transformation from cool person to PTA mom.
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That piece is unpublished, but I think there is video of the performance somewhere on the internet. The experience was so wonderful and gave me the courage to share a much more vulnerable piece about the loneliness of motherhood in a show in the fall of 2015. That essay now appears in Notre Dame Magazine.
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Every production of Expressing Motherhood features a different cast, and some performers have never appeared on stage before. Stories range from sad to funny and also include some musical acts! Definitely bring tissues, and be prepared to be entertained.
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Co-Creator/Director Lindsay Kavet continues to produce Expressing Motherhood shows around the country. She is doing the good work.

Yoga For Kids This Weekend: Imagine Fest and Beautiful Warriors

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This weekend there are two local events happening that will welcome kids to yoga and related activities. I have a friend who’s been doing yoga since her childhood. That was not my experience. My mom did Jane Fonda’s aerobics workout. But you – you have a chance to give your kids the gift of yoga. It’s a new age, everyone.

Imagine Fest

Sunday, September 25, 2016, 12pm – 7pm
Paramount Ranch
Tickets online only $40 each, $25 for students with ID
($10 parking. A VIP ticket gets you special bathrooms, snacks, and cocktails!)
www.imagineyogamusic.com

Imagine Fest is a “bohemian-styled yoga, art and live music festival” that will feature live music, and main stage yoga flow led by top instructors including Agoura Hills’ own Drorit Rudin of Agoura Power of Yoga. There will also be art installations, a vendor “village,” a guided meditation pavilion, food trucks, and special kids’ programming by sponsor Peaceful Ninjas.

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Um, sorry. You got me at Peaceful Ninjas. That means you can go enjoy the yoga and meditation while your children are being led through activities that celebrate yoga mindfulness, health, nutrition, and connection to nature.

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Proceeds from Imagine Fest will support Unlikely Heroes, a non-profit organization that provides safe home and restoration for victims of child sex slavery. Really, you have to go. It’s your civic duty. Students who purchase a ticket and simply attend the event will get SEVEN (7) community service hours! That’s nearly half their yearly requirement, and this experience is likely to change their lives.

 

Beautiful Warriors

YogaWorks Westlake Village
2475 Townsgate Rd.
Westlake Village, CA 91361
Saturday, September 24, 1:30-3:00PM
$15 per person
805-371-3030
www.yogawithjuliet.com
www.thebeautifulwarriors.com

A yoga class for girls ages 11-15
This class will encourage and empower young ladies to shine their light and rise together. The class will consist of yoga postures designed to build strength, focus and confidence while exploring the basic tenets of yoga: non violence, truthfulness, gratitude, kindness, compassion, and joy.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is a great place to exploring the pier, where you can spend a whole day.

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While your kids are still little and amazed by the world, while your underwater explorer still loves the mystery of the deep dark blue and its inhabitants, while your Earth-lover still wants to preserve our environment and learn about local plant and animal species, take them to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium for a fun family day out. I visited recently as a guest of Mommy Poppins for their Best of LA awards event. (I didn’t win, but it was an honor just to be nominated. For real!)

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Want some wolf eel with your coffee?

Yes, there is a bigger aquarium in greater Los Angeles, but this one is so close! And with the California Incline now open again, traffic isn’t as bad it has been the last year and a half. Take the 101 East to Las Virgenes, then turn right and head out to PCH. Take PCH to Ocean Ave, turn right and head down to Pico. Turn right there, and right on Appian Way. Park on the street or in the lot – either way you’ll pay about $12 for the whole day.

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From there you’ll walk along the boardwalk, past the lemonade stand, and to Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, which is under the pier. It’s a small space and won’t take you long to walk through and explore, but if you have pre-schoolers they will likely spend plenty of time watching the sharks in the waist-high tank. No touching them!

Luckily, right across the room is a touch tank where curious kids can handle anemones, starfish, and more. There are displays of sea life everywhere—there are 100 species of plants and animals right there in the facility!

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There’s a different focus or special event each day of the week. Children can help feed the sea stars Tuesdays and Fridays and 2:30PM, and watch staff feed the sharks on Sundays at 3:30. Older children can volunteer at the aquarium starting at age 15.

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While you’re at the pier, head up the stairs or ramp to check out Pacific Park with its games and amusement park rides. Stop to watch trapeze artists in training at trapeze school. Enjoy local musicians performing right there on the pier. Grab a meal or a snack at the food court or one of the restaurants at either end.

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And of course, remember to pack your beach stuff. A blanket, an umbrella, some sunscreen, and extra clothes for the kids who will run into the water no matter how many times they whine “But I hate the beach!” (Just my kids?)

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Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
1600 Ocean Front Walk (under the pier)
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tue-Fri 2pm – 5pm
Sat-Sun 12:30 – 5pm
Admission is free for kids 12 and under
Adults and kids 13 and up $5