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Irene's May Picks

Mon, 3 May 2010 4:58:00 PM

Daily except Wed 03/14/10 - 08/01/10

The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 212.423.3337 http://www.thejewishmuseum.org, Ages: All Ages, Time: 10:30am-12:30pm, Cost: Free with admission

America's favorite monkey, the irrepressible Curious George, is always in trouble! In a great turn of fate, he helped his creators get out of life-threatening danger. Nearly 80 original drawings for Margret and H. A. Rey's children's books and documentation related to their escape from Nazi-occupied Europe are on view in the exhibition, Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey.

Daily 04/23/10 - 01/02/11

Discovery Times Square Exposition, 226 W 44th Street, New York, NY, 888.988.8692 http://www.kingtut.org, Ages: All Ages, Time: Hours vary (timed tickets, on the 1/2 hour). Cost: Adults $27.50; Seniors (65 & up) $25.50; Children (4-12) $17.50, (under 4) free

More than 3,000 years after King Tut's reign, and 30 years after the original groundbreaking exhibition opened in New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs showcases 130 outstanding works from the tomb of Tutankhamun, as well as those of his royal predecessors, his family, and court officials.

Daily 04/24/10 - 01/15/11

Tigers: The Exhibition - Tracking a Legend, South Street Seaport, New York, NY http://www.tigersnyc.com, Ages: 3 & up, Time: Daily, 10am-8pm; Cost: Adults $15-$17; Children $13-$15

A high-tech, hands-on exploration into the compelling world of the awe-inspiring tiger and its habitat includes a climbable Digi-Track Wall (winner of Wired Magazine's NextFest People's Choice award), activity stations, rare HD footage of tigers in the wild, and more!

Daily 05/08/10 - 05/30/10

PS 39 - Henry Bristow Landmark School, 417 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 718.330.9310 Ages: All Ages, Time: 10am-3pm, Cost: Free; bring cash for food and activities

PS 39's inaugural Spring Carnival and pre-Mother's day Plant Sale promises pony rides, a bouncy house, live Bluegrass music, games, face-painting, food, crafts, and raffle prizes. Rain date May 15, 2010.

Daily 05/15/10 - 05/16/10

National Museum of the American Indian, One Bowling Green, New York, NY, 212.514.3700 http:// www.americanindian.si.edu, Ages: All Ages, Time: 12n-4:30pm, Cost: Free

The Smithsonian's annual Children's festival, inspired this year by the A Song for the Horse Nation exhibition, focuses on the relationship between man (or kid!) and horse. The Native Pride Dancers perform the Grass Dance, Women's Fancy Shawl Dance and Men's Fancy Dance in the museum's Rotunda - and invite the audience to participate in the Rabbit Dance, Indian Two Step, Snake Dance, and Round Dance.

Daily 05/16/10

Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks, NY, 718.347.FARM http://www.queensfarm.org, Ages: All Ages, Time: 11am-4pm, Cost: $3

Hayrides, historic house and greenhouse tours, sheep-shearing demos, food, pony rides, and a petting zoo are all scheduled, as are cultural exhibits, and a spring plant sale.

Daily 05/23/10

Inwood Hill Park, 184 Seaman Avenue, New York, NY, 212.627.1076, ext.16 http://www.drumsalongthehudson.org, Ages: All Ages, Time: 11am-6pm, Cost: Free

The eighth annual multi-cultural, family-oriented festival - Manhattan's only open air powwow - includes Native American crafts, storytelling, dancing, and drumming, as well as an Environmental Tent where attendees can learn more about practical ways to implement "green" living.

Daily 05/23/10

Riverside Park, Riverside Drive Between 62nd and 153rd Streets, New York, NY http://www.mamapalooza.com/NYCFest10.html, Ages: All Ages, Time: 12n-5pm, Cost: Free

Summer on the Hudson presents the 7th annual music and arts festival celebrating mothers and the people who love them. Audra Rox, Moey's Music Party, and Swingset Mamas perform; a Gymboree play tent is set up for little ones; and mom-inspired arts & crafts, food, and more abound.

April Weekend Activities

Thu, 1 Apr 2010 3:32:00 PM

Daily 03/28/10 - 04/11/10

Macy's, Broadway and 34th Street, NY, NY, 212.494.4495

http://www.macys.com, Ages: All Ages, Time: During store hours; Closed Easter Sun: Free

Spring Is In The Air, the 2010 Macy's Flower Show, fills the entire Main Floor, as well as the world-famous windows, with 10 different garden environments and over 30,000 varieties of exotic trees, flowering plants, and brilliant color. 20-minute guided complimentary tours are available every half hour between 11am and 4pm at the Macy's 35th and Broadway door.

Daily except Wed 03/14/10 - 08/01/10

The Jewish Museum,1109 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY,212.423.3337,

http://www.thejewishmuseum.org

Ages: All Ages, Time: 10:30am-12:30pm, Cost: Free with paid admission

Sun 04/04/10 - 04/25/10

Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge Street, NY, NY, 212.219.0302

http://www.eldridgestreet.org, Ages: 5-10, Time: 1pm, Cost: $15 per family

Families can discover why so many immigrants came to America by embarking on a fun-filled family scavenger hunt throughout the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, which is filled with clues that lead to a special Passover Freedom party - complete with holiday food, music, and art making.

Opening April 9, 2010
Cirque du Soleil OVOat Randall's Island Park. www.cirquedusoleil.com

OVO is a headlong rush into a colourful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects' home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion.

Sunday, 04/18/10

Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture, 515 West 20th Street Suite 4E, NY, NY, 212.924.4500, http://www.cgjc.org, Ages: 5-12, Time: 2pm-5pm, Cost: Free with paid admission

Families can explore some of the ethnic crafts brought to America by immigrants, experiment with origami, learn the craft of paper cutting, and create African and Mexican dolls to celebrate Immigrant Heritage Week.

Sunday, 04/25/10

Riverside Park, Riverside Drive Between 62nd and 153rd Streets, NYC, 212.870.3070

http://www.riversideparkfund.org, Ages: All Ages, Time: 10am-4pm, Cost: Free admission

Hippo Playground's 27th annual springtime fair helps raise funds for the beloved Riverside Park destination with kid favorites such as pony rides, a petting zoo, a jumping castle, face painting, a maze, games, prizes, and more. Enter on 91st Street and Riverside Drive.

Irene's Picks for March

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 12:33:00 PM

Weekend Activities for March, 2010

Each Sun 01/16/10 - 12/18/10

Art Farm in the City, 419 East 91st Street, New York, NY, 212.410.3117

http://www.theartfarms.org, Ages: 1-10, Time: 8am-10am

Cost: Children $15; Adults free (w/child): On Sunday mornings, families can drop by Art Farm in the City to feed the animals breakfast.

Each Sun 10/05/08 - 12/31/10

Book Time, P.S. Bookshop, 76 Washington Street, Brooklyn, NY, 718.222.3340

http://www.psbookshop.com, Ages: 2-5, Time: 4pm-5pm, Cost: Free

Families are invited to an hour of stories and songs accompanied by guitar for children ages two to five. Advance reservations are requested so that the shop can plan appropriately for the number and ages of children attending; drop-ins are also welcome.

Each Sun 02/20/10 - 03/07/10

Galli's Fairytale Theater, 38 West 38th Street, New York, NY, 212.810.6485

http://www.gallitheaterny.com, Ages: 3-19, Time: 3pm, Cost: Adults $20; Children $15

Galli's version of the classic fairytale uses dance, movement, comedy - and the audience - to keep kids fully engaged. Order tickets in advance online, by phone, or via email.

Sunday, 03/14/10 – The Hobbit

College of Staten Island Center for the Arts, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY

http://www.cfashows.com, Ages: All Ages, Time: 3pm, Cost: $20

Theatre Sans Fil (theater without strings) performs Tolkien's award-winning story of Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, and their dwarf friends with over 50 life-sized puppets, modern set design, spectacular lighting, and original music. Order tickets in advance.

03/14/10 – Sleeping Beauty

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, 2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn, NY

718.951.4500, http://www.brooklyncenteronline.org, Ages: 3-19, Time: 2pm, Cost: $6

Master storyteller David Gonzalez puts a new spin on the classic fairy tale, using live and electronic music, dance, image projections, and lighting to create a magical multimedia world. Order tickets in advance.

Each Sun 02/27/10 - 04/18/10 – The Velveteen Rabbit

Manhattan Children's Theatre, 52 White Street, New York, NY, 212.352.3101

http://www.mctny.org, Ages: 4-19, Time: Sun 12n & 2pm, Cost: $20

Manhattan Children's Theatre presents an original adaptation of Margery Williams' beloved tale about a stuffed rabbit's longing to be something more than sawdust and velveteen. Order tickets in advance.

Each Sun 03/06/10 - 03/28/10 – Tours for Fours, What’s your story?

Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY, 212.708.9805

http://www.moma.org, Ages: 4-4, Time: 10:20am-11:15am

Cost: Free (two adults & three children)

Gallery activities designed for four-year-olds introduce children and their adult companions to modern artwork. Each month a new theme is introduced (this month, families explore the way narratives are used in art).

Each Sun 03/07/10 - 03/28/10

Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge Street, New York, NY, 212.219.0302

http://www.eldridgestreet.org, Ages: 5-10, Time: 1pm, Cost: $15 per family

Families can find out what makes someone a hero and someone else a villain. Participants hear the tales of legendary Jewish heroes and villains - the honorable, horrible, fabulous, and fierce - from David and Goliath to Esther and Haman, and then choose what role to play and craft a mask.

The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 212.423.3200

http://www.thepaperbagplayers.org, Ages: 4-19, Time: 11:30am & 2pm

Cost: Adults $20; Children $15; Members $17/$13

Daily 03/21/10 - The beloved Paper Bag Players perform an interactive collection of wacky playlets. Reserve seats in advance.

Daily 03/28/10 David Grover with Grover's Gang perform favorite songs focusing on freedom and crunchy Matzah (not necessarily in that order) in honor of Passover. Reserve in advance.

Irene's February Picks

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 1:45:00 PM

Sunday, February 14: 12pm-3pm: Baby Loves Disco Ball
Hosted by: BLD founders Andy Blackman Hurwitz & Heather Murphy Monteith. Most appropriate for 6 months to 7 years old. Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, NY, NY
Details: $15 online advance purchase, $18 at the door. Buy tickets online at www.babylovesdisco.com

Sunday, February, 14: Time: 10am-4pm; Performance 1:30pm

The Bell House, 149 7th Street. Brooklyn, NY. 718.643.6510

http://www.thebellhouseny.com, Ages: 0-10, Cost: $10/Person (babies free)

The Bell House hosts a family party complete with a bouncy castle, performances by Rolie Polie Guacamole and John Samson/Co-Creative Music, kids' music and videos, and free kids' juice boxes and snacks.

Art Farm in the City, 419 East 91st Street, New York, NY, 212.410.3117

http://www.theartfarms.org, Ages: 1-19, Time: 8am-10am, Cost: Children $15

On Sunday mornings during February, families can drop by Art Farm in the City to feed the animals breakfast.

Sunday, February 14: Time: 2pm-5pm

Kids can use little stones to create colorful mosaics and create a miniature New York street scene

Sunday, February 21, Time: 2pm-5pm

Kids can create funny costumes out of felt and fabric, and design silly masks, make noisemakers, and illustrate a Purim scroll to prepare for Purim.

Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture, 515 West 20th Street, #4E, NY, 212-924.4500

http://www.cgjc.org, Ages: 5-12, Cost: Free with paid admission

Sunday, February 21: Time: 10:30am-1:30pm

92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 212.415.5500

http://www.92y.org, Ages: All Ages, Cost: Adults $20; Children $15, (under 2) free

Masks, games, puppet shows, and tasty treats are all part of the Y's Purim celebration.
Festivities include a funky disco party with MC Karina and special guests DJ Petey B and Astrograss; Mordechai's Movement Madness led by Leaping Legs, Inc; and the opportunity for kids to listen to the story of Purim and meet the heroes of the Megillah - Queen Esther and King Ahashverosh. Dress in costume - prizes are awarded for the best ones.

Sunday, February 21: Time: 3pm

College of Staten Island Center for the Arts, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island

http://www.cfashows.com, Ages: All Ages, Cost: $10-$15

Whimsical puppetry and original music bring a new sense of appreciation to the beloved stories by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd. Order tickets in advance.

Through June 30th: Mission to Mars – Full-Scale Mars Rover Exhibition
Details: Tickets are available for purchase on the Intrepid’s website, www.intrepidmuseum.org. Located at Pier 86 (46^th Street and 12^th Avenue), Manhattan

IRENE’S JANUARY PICKS

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 1:42:00 PM

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 · 718-623-7200

Entrance is now free on weekdays til March 2, 2010 and on Saturdays 10-12 noon. School groups are also free. Free guided tours are offered Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. Meet in front of the Visitor Center.

The Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY

The Desert Challenge WHEN: Public: Sundays through August 31.
WHAT: The Jewish Children's Museum is taking kids to Sinai with “The Desert Challenge,” a series of activities meant to stimulate the Jewish People’s exodus from Egypt. Interactive

WHO: Rock Climbing: Ages 5-12. Bumper Cars: Ages 3-6. Treasure Dig: Ages 3 and up.
Kids are retracing the steps of the Jewish people through journeys and, water and…bumper cars exhibits involve digging, climbing and, well…wandering. A mock water-bed laden with treasures left behind during the splitting of the sea will have children donning their goggles to dig for buried artifacts. To get to Mount Sinai, children will traverse a 36’ rock climbing wall. And to re-experience the wandering in the desert, children will take the drivers seat of bumper cars and meander through a driving course.

New York Botanical Garden

200th Street and Kazimiroff Blvd, Bronx, NY 718.817.8700, http://www.nybg.org

When: Sunday, January 10, 2010, Ages: 2-8, Time: 10am-5pm

Cost: Adults $20; Seniors & Students $18; Children (2-12) $10, (under 2) free

Kids are invited to meet Thomas the Tank Engine and Sir Topham Hatt, become certified as honorary engineers, and take home coloring sheets, stickers, and temporary tattoos of Thomas and his engine friends.

The Living Room

154 Ludlow Street, New York, NY 800.838.3006, http://www.livingroomny.com

When: January 10, 2010, Ages: 3-13, Time: 1pm-2:30pm, Cost: $12 in advance; $15 at the door

Kidrockers presents a kid-friendly afternoon rock concert featuring bands The So So Glos and The Beets, hosted by Seth Herzog and Craig Baldo.

Kupferberg Center Performances at Queens College

65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Queens, NY 718.793.8080, http://www.kupferbergcenter.org

When: January 10, 2010, Ages: 5-19, Time: 3pm, Cost: Adults $20; Children (12 & under) $12

An original version of the holiday classic features dazzling Russian-trained dancers, exquisite costumes, and Tchaikovsky's beloved score. Order tickets in advance online or by phone.

P.S. Bookshop, 145-A Front Street Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY 718.222.3340

http://www.psbookshop.com

When: every Sunday, Ages: 2-5, Time: 4pm-5pm, Cost: Free

Families are invited to an hour of stories and songs accompanied by guitar for children ages two to five (younger babies are welcome as well). Advance reservations are requested so that the shop can plan appropriately for the number and ages of children attending; drop-ins are also welcome.

Lincoln Center, 140 West 65th Street, New York City, NY, 888.541.3750, http://www.bigapplecircus.org

Ages: All Ages, Time: Showtimes vary; check website for schedule.

Cost: $28-$135; Children (under 3) free, on ticketed adult's lap

Run away to the Circus! The Big Apple Circus is celebrating its 32nd season at Damrosch Park - behind Lincoln Center - with a new show: Bello is Back!. Get discount tickets with our Deals & Steals offer!

Rodeo Bar, 375 3rd Avenue, New York, NY, 212.683.6500, http://www.rodeobar.com

When: January 24, 2010, Time: 3pm-5pm, Cost: Free; food for purchase

Kid-friendly and safe for adults, this show features banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitars, and harmonies in homage to favorite Americana artists such as Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Stephen Foster, The Carter Family, Buck Owens, Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, Ola Belle Reed, John Denver, Pete Seeger, and more. Lots of harmonies, chances to sing along, and dancin' in the aisles await. Brunch, including special kid-sized meals, is available at menu prices.

Irene's December Picks

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:43:00 AM

1. Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY

Ice Sculpting Weekends
Weekends through Dec,
plus Dec 28-31
Watch amazing ice-carving demonstrations by artists who will transform blocks of ice into glistening animal statues. Don’t miss our first Salute to Wildlife Ice Carving Competition on December 27, when fifteen of the best New York chefs and ice sculptors will face off to create frozen animal-inspired art. Celebrity judges will be on hand and you’ll have the chance to vote for your favorite.

Horse-drawn Carriage Rides
Weekends through Dec 27
The Bronx Zoo’s beloved Clydesdale horses Ranger, Jesse, and Monty have trotted into the spotlight to take guests on festive wagon rides, Saturdays & Sundays through the end of the year. Clydesdale carriage rides operate from 11:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5 per person for ages 3 and over, and can be purchased at the Children’s Zoo ticket window. Rides pick up on Astor Court.

2. Prospect Park Zoo

Wild Holiday Party:

Presents to the Animals
Dec 12-13, 19-20, & 26-27
Presents Schedule

Baboons and Meerkats: Dec. 12–13 & 26–27
Time: 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Otters and Pallas cats: Dec. 19–20
Time: 11:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.

3. Audubon Center in the Boathouse, Sun Dec 20 and Sunday December 27 1pm – 3pm

Nature Crafts

When one of those rare, unplanned weekends comes along, take the kids to the Prospect

Park and then follow it with a trip to the park's Audubon Center for a

free, drop-in, arts-and-crafts session. Every Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to

3 p.m., staff naturalists lead structured, creative activities, using all

natural materials. Lots of environmentally-correct fun!

Enter the park at Lincoln Rd. and Ocean Ave. and proceed to the Prospect Park

4. Jazz for Kids

Sun Dec 20 2pm – 3pm

Blue Smoke 116 E. 27th St., New York, NY 10016

Jazz for Kids at Blue Smoke is an easy and authentic way to introduce the little ones to more-sophisticated sounds, played by the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra. After a mini-lesson about big-band classics, dancing in the aisle is encouraged.

Reservations suggested. $5

5. Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 718.230.2100

Cost: Free

BPL's Central Library hosts Sesame Street: A Celebration of 40 Years of Life on the Street, a rare, up-close look at the legendary show's history, curated by Sesame Workshop. The exhibition features original Sesame Street book art from the 1970s to the present (Grand Lobby); the story of Sesame Street, from its inception to its present and future, told through photographs, scripts, original sheet music, celluloid animation, and show props, and a special collection of Sesame Street Muppets, built by The Jim Henson Company over the show's 40 years ((Foyer Cases); a variety of Sesame Street stories, illustrated with photographs, show props, and Muppet materials, and photographs and books from around the world (Youth Wing). Visit your local library to sign up for a limited edition card featuring favorite furry monsters (available while supplies last)! Ask your librarian for more information.

EVENT CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:30:00 AM

The Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History

Central Park and West 79^th Street, New York, NY

Celebrating its twelfth year at the Museum, AMNH's wonderful Butterfly exhibit features up to 500 live, free-flying tropical beauties from Central, South, and North America in a 1,200-square-foot vivarium, a freestanding structure aflutter with activity. Wear layers - it gets hot in there! In the Hall of Oceanic Birds. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. 212.769.5200
http://www.amnh.org
Ongoing Daily 10/10/09 - 5/31/10; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: All Ages
Time: During museum hours.
Cost: Adults $24; Seniors & Students $18; Children $14

Kandinsky at the Guggenheim Museum

1071 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
The first full-scale retrospective of Kandinsky's career in the United States since 1985.
212.423.3587
http://www.guggenheim.org
Ongoing Daily except Thu 9/18/09 - 1/13/10; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 5-19
Time: During museum hours.
Cost: Free with paid admission

Top Secret: Mission Toy

Brooklyn Children’s Museum

145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Kids can play "toy detective" by testing out toys from around the world, using a cipher wheel to figure out the toys' countries of origin, looking at x-rays of toys' internal mechanisms, solving brainteasers, and much more.
718.735.4400
http://www.brooklynkids.org
Ongoing Daily except Mon, Tue 10/3/09 - 1/3/10; check with location for exceptions.

Ages: 1-12
Time: During regular museum hours
Cost: Free with paid admission

Peter Pan and Adventures in Neverland

Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, Central Park and West 79^th Street, New York, NY
Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell, Hook, and the Lost Boys lead the way to Never Never Land in a new musical marionette production of JM Barrie's children's classic, with a twist - the action takes place in NYC! Holiday dates/times vary; visit website or phone for schedule. Order tickets in advance.
212.988.9093
http://www.cit... foundation.org
Ongoing Daily except Mon 10/6/09 - 11/8/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 2-8
Time: Tue, Thu, Fri 10:30am & 12n; Wed 10:30am, 12n & 2:30pm; Sat & Sun 1pm
Cost: Adults $8; Children $5

Peter & Wolf & the Frog Prince

At Puppetworks
338 Sixth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY11215
The beloved fairy tales (two for the price of one!), adapted for marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Reservations are required.
718.965.3391
http://www.puppetworks.org
Ongoing Each Sat, Sun 9/5/09 - 12/20/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 3-18
Time: 12:30pm & 2:30pm
Cost: Adults $8; Children $7

Hands on Exhibitions and Crafts

At Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture

515 West 20th Street, Suite 4E
New York, NY10011
Kids can create beautiful stone mosaics and build a model of an ancient mud house. Visitors are welcome to play in both hands-on exhibitions and join in the arts and crafts projects at any time.
212.924.4500
educator@cgjc.org
http://www.cgjc.org
Ages: 5-12
Time: 2pm-5pm
Cost: Free with paid admission

Arty Facts: Home

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway

Brooklyn, NY
Families explore what makes a home special and make their own art to take home. Siblings younger than four or older than seven cannot be included. Meet in the Rubin Lobby, 1st Floor.
718.638.5000
http://www.brooklynmuseum.org
Ongoing Each Sun 11/1/09 - 11/29/09; check with location for exceptions.
Ages: 4-7
Time: 11am & 1:30pm
Cost: $10/family, plus museum admission