Kids can enjoy disco dancing, nature, history, and a little candy

It's a weekend for babies, the Bee Gees and bubbles.

No, this is not a scene from a bad trip, though the combination is sure to make for one heck of a Friday evening.

Baby Loves Disco ( babylovesdisco.com), a traveling dance party for parents and children, is coming to The Arts Center in Carrboro on Nov. 5.

And even though the show won't be here for a few weeks, given the popularity of this family dance phenomenon, tickets are sure to sell out - especially at $5 per child (crawlers get in free), $10 for adults.

The Carrboro stop is part of the Baby Loves Disco Lemonade Tour, raising money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation ( https://www.alexslemonade.org), which seeks cures for all childhood cancers.

Babies Love Disco originated in Philadelphia, the love child of fellow soccer parents Heather Murphy Monteith and Andrew Hurwitz. Since 2005, it has spread across the country, and even to Europe.

The discos welcome entire families, and a D.J. spins tunes as the lights flicker, bubbles float and baskets of scarves are twirled around the dance floor. Changing stations are readily available.

Parents get to feel a little less parent-y, and kids can brag about their mature appreciation of the ancient form of entertainment that is disco.

If some children are a bit overwhelmed, or simply not into the disco vibe, a quiet area, or chill-out zone, is available as well.

Healthy snacks are part of the ticket, and in Carrboro, pizza will be available for purchase, along with beer, wine and soft drinks. So don't worry about making dinner.

Oh, and bedtime is still quite manageable, because this gala starts at 5:30 p.m. and comes to an end by 7:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets, visit www.artscenterlive.org or babylovesdisco.com/events/.

Nature for Sprouts

This morning, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, on the university's campus, kicks off a month of Friday programs, Nature for Sprouts, that are ideal for children ages 3 to 5. Young learners will be exposed to stories, movement, music, outdoor exploration and creative projects to introduce garden ecology and plant science in a fun and dynamic setting.

The classes start at 10:30 a.m., and cost $6 per child. Call 668-5309 to register, or visit www.sarahpdukegardens.org for more information.

Crisis at the Capitol

Older children might be interested in checking out a new, free exhibit at the State Capitol called Crisis at the Capitol: North Carolina on the Eve of War.

The exhibit is based on documentation left by 11 residents with a range of backgrounds, including Harriet Jacobs, who was born a slave in Edenton and escaped, eventually fighting for the abolition of slavery.

The exhibit runs through May 13 and can be found at One Edenton Street in downtown Raleigh. Call 733-4994 or visit www.nchistoricsites.org/capitol/default.htm for more information.

Durham YMCA hosts Trunk or Treat

Do you want to celebrate Halloween early? The Durham YMCA is hosting a Trunk or Treat event 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Durham Farmers' Market parking lot.

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and pass out candy, and of course costumes are expected. Hot dogs, soda and chips will be for sale, and the proceeds will go to the Teen Programs at the YMCA.

There will also be a haunted bus tour and contests. Admission is two bags of candy!

To register, fill out a form and turn it in to the YMCA staff: www.durhamcentral park.org/wp-content /uploads/TorT-10.pdf