NEWS RELEASE

December 15, 2006

Ontario ’s Cultural Attractions Offer Family Fun This season
Holiday Schedule Includes Music, Exhibitions And Interactive Activities For Kids And Adults

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario ’s cultural attractions are offering a wide selection of festive activities and programs to entertain kids and adults during the winter holiday.

“From Holiday Shenanigans at Science North in Sudbury to the music-filled December Family Bonus Days at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Ontario’s cultural attractions have a holiday line-up that people of all ages can enjoy,” said Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco.

Science North, Sudbury

The Holiday Science Camps for kids at Science North will keep your kids busy with science, magic and other fun adventures while you take care of your seasonal to-do list. Visit
http://www.sciencenorth.ca or call (705) 523-4629 (1-800-461-4898 outside of Sudbury) for more information.

Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton

Holiday Traditions at the Royal Botanical Gardens include a colourful ommunity Christmas tree display, holiday shopping at Shop @ The Gardens, Santa in the Gardens, Sunday brunch and activities for the kids every weekend in December. Come by and listen to the community choirs on December 16 and 17. Visit http://www.rbg.ca or call (905) 527-1158, ext. 2796 (1-800-694-4769 toll free outside of the Greater Toronto Area) for details.

Ontario Science Centre, Toronto

Celebrate the holidays with the Magical Machines of Rowland Emmett. The whimsical mechanical contraptions include the Toot Sweet machine from the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This annual holiday tradition closes on January 7, 2007. And don’t forget to check out the Marvel Super Heroes Science Exhibition before it closes on March 27, 2007. Visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca or call 416-696-1000 for more information about the centre’s extended hours and holiday programming.

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto

Two photographers. Two visions . The outstanding work of iconic photographers Ansel Adams and Alfred Eisenstaedt is on display until February 4. Ansel Adams is well known for his vivid landscape shots while Alfred Eisenstaedt is a key architect of modern subjects in a candid and spontaneous panorama of human experiences . These exhibitions, organized by the Boston Museum of Fine Art and the Art Gallery of Ontario respectively, include more than 150 photographs. Plus, play, learn and imagine together at Family Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Visit www.ago.net or call the Family Fun Hotline (416) 979-6615 for details.

Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto

ROM for the Holidays . This holiday season, experiment with design at the Royal Ontario Museum. From Wednesday, December 27 until Friday, December 29, you can create a 3D sculpture, add your own miniature creation to a futuristic cityscape display or build a unique chair out of recycled materials in a design challenge face off. These are just a few of the family-oriented activities offered daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., all inspired by the Italian Arts & Design exhibit. Visit http://www.rom.on.ca or call (416) 586-5549 for more information.

Ontario Heritage Trust, Toronto

The whole family will love the special holiday performances this season at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre. The beloved children’s classic, Aladdin, presented by Ross Petty Productions, returns to the Elgin Theatre and runs until December 24. For further information or to order tickets, call 416-872-5555 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca and www.rosspetty.com. Another holiday favourite, The Nutcracker, presented by the Canadian Ballet School, will be performed just three times this year at the Winter Garden Theatre. For further information or to order tickets, call 416-872-5555 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca.

McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg

Bundle up the kids and bring them to McMichael for December Family Bonus Days. From Wednesday, December 27 to Friday, December 29, McMichael will entertain your family with popular children’s performers Magoo, Junkyard Tales, puppeteers David Hannan and Jennifer Gillespie and daredevil juggler Circus Johnathan. The gallery also offers seasonal, hands-on art activities. Performances are scheduled at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. Visit www.mcmichael.com or call (905) 893-1121 (1-888-213-1121 toll free) for more details.

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Contacts:
Mark Thompson, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-4071
Guy Lepage, Communications Branch, (416) 416 314-3497