Rainforest Exhibit set to open

The Please Touch Museum in Memorial Hall will launch its Rainforest Rhythm exhibit and welcome back its Annual Junior Jazz Festival on Saturday.

Stretching 2,800-square feet, Rainforest Rhythm will replace the seasonal Enchanted Colonial Village exhibit in the museum's River Adventures zone. The new music-themed exhibit, open through Nov. 25, was created to give visitors a sensory rain-forest experience.

While there, families can interact with a display of singing frogs, feel the texture of a nine-foot forest snake replica and listen to stories in the Storybook Cottage. The exhibit also will feature a collection of 12 "Totems" created by Philadelphia artist James Dupree and various opportunities for creating rain-forest music with nature-inspired instruments.

The museum will offer visitors a chance to create and explore music at the 17th Annual Junior Jazz Festival. Taking place Saturday and Sunday and continuing through Feb. 28, the festival will introduce children to jazz by featuring various child-friendly performers and activities.

This weekend's highlights include a performance by Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. Tony Miceli and his Jazz Band, Louie Miranda, and Fandango are among future performers. A Please Touch Playhouse production of Scat Cat's Junior Jazz Jamboree will be offered weekdays through Feb. 27.

Claymobile Creations will debut today at 11 a.m. at the Kathryn E. Narrow Resource Center at The Clay Studio. The exhibition will showcase works created by students enrolled in the studio's Community Outreach Program during this past fall.

Now in its fourth year, Claymobile Creations will run through Feb. 22, and it will be celebrated at both the studio's First Friday opening reception next Friday and a special reception honoring participating students on Feb. 15.

The Walnut Street Theatre will present three productions of

Nate the Great,

produced by Theatreworks USA, for families Saturday.

Based on the first volume of Marjorie Weinman Sharmat's book series bearing the same name, the theatre's Kids Season installment will introduce audiences to Nate, an independent detective who's just been handed his toughest case yet.