I first met the Hamp family of Wake Forest about a year ago when I did a story about their adoption of a little girl from Uganda whose uncles killed her mother and older sister and left herself for dead in a dispute over land. It's a horrible story, but it's been amazing to see how the Hamps have helped Jane turn her life around. You can read the story here.

Well, in addition to raising five kids, working and taking mission trips to Uganda, the mom, Paige Holland Hamp, has also been busy building her production company NorthBend Productions.

Starting this weekend, 60 kids from across the Triangle will perform in NorthBend Production’s “Children of Eden,” a musical loosely based on the book of Genesis in the Bible, but really focuses on the age-old conflict between parents and their kids. While it’s based somewhat on the Bible, it’s not necessarily a Christian show. But it is family-friendly.

Hamp, who I'll feature in my Family Picks column in The N&O on Friday, says the area needs more high-quality, family-friendly opportunities in the arts, particularly in the area’s far-flung communities including her own in Wake Forest.

“We pick shows that are positive,” said Hamp, the mom of five who started NorthBend Productions about seven years ago. “They can still be challenging, but you feel comfortable going with your children, your grandmother or your minister and you’re not going to be embarrassed.”

The cast, from kids in third grade to age 21, come from across the Triangle. Some are homeschooled, others go to private or public schools. Some are on their way to becoming stage veterans, others are new to the stage altogether.

Show times are 3 p.m., Jan. 18, at Wake Forest Baptist Church, 107 E. South Avenue, Wake Forest. And also 7 p.m., Jan. 23, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Jan. 24, at the Fletcher Opera Theatre at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh. Tickets start at $10 and there are special rates for groups. Second graders and up will probably get the most out of it.

Also this weekend ...

The local kids band Sandbox will be rocking the Broad Street Cafe, 1116 Broad St., in Durham at 4:30 p.m., Jan. 18. The Broad Street Cafe hosts regular performances for kid and families.

If you missed last week’s column, a reminder that this weekend’s is Marbles Kids Museum “Can Opener” for its Canstruction event. The event, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., Jan. 17, features special activities about healthy eating and nutrition. Plus you can see the giant sculptures made out of canned goods. Marbles is at 201 E. Hargett St. in downtown Raleigh.

If you're a government employee, this is the weekend to head down to Carolina Premium Outlets in Smithfield. Merchants are offering savings of 25 percent to 65 percent off specially priced merchandise. Just bring your employee ID to the information center. I'm told it's for state, local and military employees.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Raise-A-Reader Book Fair runs from noon to 2:30 p.m., Jan. 17, at the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham. There are performances, free books and other activities for kids. In Raleigh, Quail Ridge Books & Music will host a special storytime for kids at 10 a.m. featuring a local author who has written books for preschoolers about King. For other local MLK Day events, check out this list.

And it will be a busy Saturday at local Borders stores. At 10 a.m., there will be a special story time for toddlers featuring the stories of Sandra Boynton. At 2 p.m., there's a special Kids Inauguration Party.

As always, the TriangleMom2Mom calendar has lots more events this weekend and the weeks to come.

Check out our other daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!
WEEKEND: Relax!