Stocker Arts Center Student Matinee Season Continues Lorain County Community College's Stocker Arts Center continues the season with the Student Matinee Series at the Hoke Theatre. The Student Matinee Series is made up of weekday performances designed with students as well as the general public in mind. The following performances are upcoming: "The Stinky Cheese Man And Other Fairly Stupid Tales" Griffin Theatre Company 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., Thursday, February 8 "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" presented by the Griffin Theatre Company deconstructs the tradition of the fairy tale. Jack has got to use his wits to save himself from the terrible Giant, but a host of familiar fairytale characters keep messing up his plans-and then there's that annoying Stinky Cheese Man! Characters slide in and out of tales, Cinderella rebuffs Rumpelstiltskin and Goldilocks meets the three elephants. The performance is based on the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith and is recommended for kids in preschool to grade 3. To learn more about the presentation, visit www.lorainccc.edu/stocker/lccc_events/stinky-cheese-man-fairly-stupid-tales-copy<http://www.lorainccc.edu/stocker/lccc_events/stinky-cheese-man-fairly-stupid-tales-copy>. "Huck and Tom and the Mighty Mississippi" Virginia Rep on Tour 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, February 21 The greatest young adventurers in American literature spring to life in this footstompin' musical based on the novels of Mark Twain. Join Huckleberry, Tom, Jim, Becky Thatcher, Aunt Polly, and all the residents and rapscallions of Hannibal, Missouri as they explore the majestic river that defined their lives, tested their souls and carried their spirit into the heart of America. To learn more about this presentation recommended for grades 2-8, visit http://www.va-rep.org/tour. "Mary Poppins" Open Door Patriot Theatre 9:30 a.m., Thursday, March 15 and Friday, March 16 When Jane and Michael, the children of the wealthy and uptight Banks family, are faced with the prospect of a new nanny, they are pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the magical Mary Poppins. Join the fantastical adventures of Mary and her friend, Bert on the streets of London. This presentation is geared toward grades 1-8. "Bill Blagg - The Science of Magic" 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., Thursday, March 22 For centuries magicians have used scientific principles to make people levitate in mid-air and vanish in the blink of an eye. Illusionist Bill Blagg's one-of-a-kind educational experience takes students on a rare, never-before-seen journey "behind the scenes" of the magic world. Students will discover firsthand how magicians use science to create the impossible. Bill's comedy-filled, action-packed, presentation is highly interactive and makes science fun and exciting. Students will use the scientific method to levitate one of their teachers in mid-air and even learn how the science of reflection can make their homework magically disappear. The show is recommended for grades 1-3 for the 9:45 a.m. show and grades 4-7 for the 11:45 a.m. show. For more information, visit http://shawentertainment.com/bill-blagg-2. "Nugget & Fang" ArtsPower 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., Tuesday, April 10 ArtsPower's colorful new musical tells the story of Nugget, a minnow, and Fang, a shark, who get along swimmingly - until Nugget's first day of minnow school. There, Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks. To regain Nugget's trust, Fang takes desperate and hilarious measures. Nothing goes as planned. Fang is moping in deep waters when he notices that Nugget and his minnow schoolmates are caught up in some big trouble (and one very big net). Holy mackerel! Can Fang save the day and prove he's a true friend? https://artspower.org/shows/nugget-fang. The presentation was adapted with special permission from "Nugget & Fang" with text by Michael Slack and illustrations by Tammi Sauer and was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers in 2013. The presentation is recommended for students in preschool through grade 2. "Frindle" Griffin Theatre Company 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. on Monday, April 16 Nicholas Allen has plenty of ideas. When he ends up in Mrs. Granger's language arts class, he has his best idea ever. He decides to create his own word, "frindle." Before long Nick's word creates a buzz in his school, his town and then to his surprise it spreads all around the country, and a power struggle erupts with the strict Mrs. Granger. The show is based on the multiple award winning best-selling novel by Andrew Clements with this quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will have your young audience inventing their own words. The show is recommended for frades 3-7. Learn more at www.geodesicmanagement.com/childrens-theater/frindle<http://www.geodesicmanagement.com/childrens-theater/frindle>. "Are You My Mother?" ArtsPower 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, May 9 At long last, Baby Bird emerges from her shell and expects to be greeted by her mother's song. But her mother is not there. Where is she? Why isn't she home? With the help of Dog, Cat, and Hen, Baby Bird sets out in search of Mother Bird in this colorful musical adventure based on P.D. Eastman's whimsical and well-loved picture book. This event is geared toward students in kindergarten through grade 2. For more information, visit https://artspower.org/shows/are-you-my-mother. Jonathan Kingham & Ryan Shea Smith "Songwriting Made Simple" 10 a.m., Friday, May 18 This event is free and there are no tickets. Guests may remember Jonathan and Ryan from Stocker's '10-'11, '13-14, '15-'16 or '16-'17 seasons. On all their visits they have worked with students who have written fantastic new songs with them. Students will write more new songs this season in the Songwriting Workshop and sing them at this concert. Jonathan wrote his first song in 1996 and since then has won several awards and twice placed in the top five of the John Lennon Song contest. His singing has been featured in films, soap operas and on "Felicity." Based in Nashville, he splits his time touring, writing, recording and producing music. Learn more about him at www.jonathankingham.com<http://www.jonathankingham.com>. Seattle native Ryan Shea Smith is a songwriter and recipient of multiple songwriting awards. His musical skills were honed at the University of Washington and a steady touring schedule. He is known for his singing and impressive command of keyboard and guitar. Ryan's sophomore release "Stay Awhile" is a John Lennon song contest winner. Visit www.ryansheasmith.com<http://www.ryansheasmith.com> to learn more. Tickets for the Stocker Arts Center Student Matinee Series events are $5 each (except for "Songwriting Made Simple") and are available for schools and the general public. For more information about the Stocker Student Matinee Series, visit www.lorainccc.edu/stocker/event-categories/student-matinee-series<http://www.lorainccc.edu/stocker/event-categories/student-matinee-series>. The Stocker Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to Student Matinee Series events. Call (440) 366-4040 for tickets or for a season calendar. Tickets are available at www.stockerartscenter.com<http://www.stockerartscenter.com>. Stocker Arts Center is located on the campus of Lorain County Community College at 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio. Parking on campus is free.