AHEAD OF THE CURRENT/Events in the weeks to come.

International Children's Festival

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Here’s a Penn perk you should definitely know about if you have children. With your PennCard you can get a handsome discount on tickets to the Philadelphia International Children’s Festival (April 30-May 6), the oldest—and surely one of the best—of its kind in the U.S. The acts change every year, but you can always count on at least one acrobatic circus spectacular and one theatrical piece of such zaniness you’ll feel you’ve bought a one-way ticket out of your workaday world—and may lose all desire to return anytime soon. This year, the circus slot is filled by the Russian American Kid Circus, a dazzling ensemble of 6- to 16-year-olds known for their aerial feats and precision balancing. The silly slot, or one of them, belongs to Michel Lauzierè, left, a Canadian comedian who uses plates, pie pans, bicycle horns and more to capture kids’ attention. Also on tap is outrageous slapstick, Native American puppets, Ugandan music, “serious” theater, a hip-hop extravaganza and a glimpse into the cultural arts of Japan. A ticket to any show will grant you free access to the outdoor Plaza Stage featuring jugglers, storytellers, musician, dancers and artisans. And come hungry, since on weekends an outdoor International Food Court sets up on the plaza with offerings from the Carribean, Senegal, Mexico and the Middle East. —J.H