Shakespeare for kids

Shakespeare was one of the wordiest writers who ever lived. His works are so linguistically complicated, they're hard to understand sometimes—even for adults. So, how to get a kid interested in the Bard of Avon? At the A Midsummer Night's Dream & Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy event at Fairytale Town, of course. At this A Midsummer Night's Dream-themed event, kids are encouraged to dress up like fairies, enjoy all-you-can-eat ice cream, participate in hands-on activities, shop at an “enchanted” market and listen to music by Celtic rock band 1916. There will also be performances of Pyramus and Thisbe (at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.) by Shakespeare Lite, the education and outreach limb of the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival, which presents condensed versions of the Bard's plays to the Sacramento region. $15-$20 for adults; $5-$10 for children ages 2-12; 5 p.m. at Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive; (916) 808-7462; www.fairytaletown.org.