UrbanBaby New York

This weekend in NYC, a winter wonderland even if the blizzard skips our zip codes, a book reading with Reverend Al Sharpton, screenings at the junior version of the Tribeca Film Festival plus a jam session with Moey. Then glam it up on Monday with a free makeover.

Do
Winter Jam NYC
Check out NYC’s annual winter sports festival in Central Park, which includes snowboarding and skiing lessons, snowshoeing, a NY Rangers’ slap shot booth and bounce house, the Lake Placid Snow Field (perfect for snowmen building and sledding) and acrobatic performances. The Parks Department’s partner, Olympic Regional Development Authority, blows snow for the entire week leading up to the event to guarantee you’ll have enough of the white stuff.
When: Sat. 2/6, 11am-4pm; free.
Where: The Bandshell area at Central Park (Enter at 72nd St.).

See
Tribeca Cinemas Kids Club
The Tribeca Film Festival team curates this family series. This weekend, Kids Club is showing Anansi, two Jamaican folktales featuring a hip spider and set to rhythmic West Indies tunes, plus An Indian in the Cupboard. Those attending Anansi are encouraged to bring a percussive instrument (homemade is fine) for the drum circle activity scheduled along with the screening.
When: Sat., 2/6. Anansi @ 10:30am. Indian in the Cupboard @1:30pm. Tickets available at tribecafilm.com and the day of the events at the Tribeca Cinemas box office (address below) from 9am-2pm.
Where: Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick St. at Laight St., one block below Canal.

Hear
Moey’s Music Party
92YTribeca
Catch Moey’s Music Party concert this Sunday. Moey, a popular mainstay on the city’s tot rocker circuit, is Melissa Levis, an award-winning Off-Broadway songwriter. This Sunday, kids can jam to Moey’s original tunes, including “NY City Kid,” (with accompanying movements where kids pretend to hail a cab or wave like a doorman).
When: Sun. 2/7 at 11am; $15 per person and babies are free. Tickets available at 92y.org.
Where: 92YTribeca Mainstage, 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St.

Go
Black History Month & Chinese New Year
Celebrations at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
The museum is offering so many activities that you could spend the entire weekend here. The museum launches a new series called W.O.R.D. Up! (Words of Real Distinction) with a book reading by Reverend Al Sharpton on Saturday. Other goings on: Chinese New Year arts ‘n’ crafts; a performance with Pre-K and K students featuring traditional Tibetan tambourine dance and New Year’s songs in Cantonese and Mandarin; and circle time with Chinese New Year stories from around the world.
When: Sat. 2/6 and Sun. 2/7; free with museum admission.
*Reverend Al Sharpton’s W.O.R.D. Up! reading requires a special admission ticket. Tickets are on sale now at the admissions desk. Visit brooklynkids.org for event times.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Brooklyn, 718-735-4400.

Shop
Fit2BMom Trunk Show at
Madison Rose Maternity
Get 50% off Fit2BMom merchandise, sophisticated, innovative maternity activewear, and meet the designer.
When: Sat. 2/6, noon-6pm.
Where: Madison Rose, 313 Court St., Carroll Gardens, 347-689-3365, madisonrosematernity.com.

Enjoy
Free Laura Geller Mini-Makeover Night
with Divalysscious Moms & The Nanny Diaries Authors
All for you. Celebrate being a gorgeous mom! Grab a cocktail (or two) on Monday night and get a complimentary mini makeover from makeup guru Laura Geller. Join Divalysscious Moms for a girls’ night out with Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, co-authors of The Nanny Diaries and the recently published Nanny Returns. The event is free, but if you spend more than $100 at The Laura Geller Makeup Studio, you’ll receive a signed copy of Nanny Returns. As James Blunt says, “You’re beautiful.”
When: Mon. 2/8, 4-9pm; free. RSVP to rsvp@laurageller.com or by calling 212-570-1280. Limited capacity so reserve your appointment time ASAP.
Where: The Laura Geller Makeup Studio, 1044 Lex.(bet. 74th and 75th Sts.)

Imagine a screening of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel at Cannes or Sundance. Not exactly a likely scenario. But the Squeakquel and other films of similar caliber are part of your world because they’re part of Junior’s. Newsflash: You can do better. Much better.

Check out the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Tickets just went on sale for the festival, which runs from February 26th through March 21st. You can catch the best of indie kids’ films from around the globe. Typically, the NYICFF flicks score big on all fab four fronts; they’re intelligent, creative, entertaining and have cross-generational appeal. An antidote to the formulaic. Bonus: Kids who attend the screenings for the shorts get to vote on the films! Winners are announced on March 14th. Below are some of the movies being screened for the five-and-under set:

Eleanor’s Secret (France) - Characters from classic fairytales come alive to help little Nate learn to read in this 76-minute animated French film.

Shorts for Tots - The best of short films and animation from around the world for kids ages 3-6. Includes Japan’s Mr. Shape, the United States’ Electric Car, Sweden’s Booo and Animals plus lots more.

Turtle: The Incredible Journey (UK/Austria) - Think nature footage “on par with Planet Earth and March of the Penguins.” Follow the 6,000-mile journey of a single loggerhead turtle from the Florida Coast.

The screenings sell out, so motivate now.

For tickets, a complete list of screenings and showtimes, visit gkids.com.

This weekend in NYC, the streets are alive with the sound of music from kiddie rockers, Peter of Peter, Paul & Mary and The Little Orchestra Society.

Hear
Peter Yarrow Concert
Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary will be giving a small, intimate concert this Sunday. Songwriter Yarrow is the guy behind some of the trio’s most moving hits, including “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “Day is Done.” The concert is part of the new Housing Works Playhouse Children’s Music Series.
When: Sun. 1/31 at 11am. $15 for adults and kids over one, and babies on laps are free. Tix available at housingworks.org.
Where: Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, 126 Crosby St.

Give
Divalysscious Moms’
Help Haiti Heal Relief Kids Concert
Rock out with some of the hottest tot bands. Featured groups and singers include Bari Koral, Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz, Rebecca Frezza, Mama Doni and Princess Katie & Racer Steve. Divalysscious Moms is the ultra-chic moms’ group “where high heels meet high chairs.” (Divalysscious Moms’ relief concert following the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster raised $15k!) Drinks and food included. Suggested donation is $50 per family. RSVP to events@divamoms.com. The concert will take place at the Rodeo Bar & Grill, 375 3rd Ave. at 27th St. divamoms.com.

Go
The Little Orchestra Society’s Magic, Music and Mystery Concert
The Happy Concerts division of the Little Orchestra Society is presenting a special treat this weekend. Illusionist Lynn Dillies will perform her magic to the music of Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite (in addition to other pieces).
When: Sat. 1/30 at 11am & 1pm. Tix are $10-$50 and are available by calling 212-721-6500 or visiting littleorchestra.org. (Suggested ages is 6-12, with slightly younger children frequently in attendance at Happy Concerts.)
Where: Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Ctr., 1941 B’way at 65th St.

Do
Sesame Street Family Day
Kings Highway Library
Brooklyn Public Library has been celebrating Sesame Street’s big 4-0 since this fall. Now the party extends to Brooklyn’s Kings Highway Library. This Sunday, kids can sign up for an Elmo library card (while supplies last), watch the film Elmo in Grouchland (1:15 & 2:45pm), and create Sesame-themed arts ‘n’ crafts. A walkaround Cookie Monster will also be on hand for pics (Bring your own camera). To get tickets for Cookie Monster, visit the library this week. Supplies are limited to the first 240 customers.
When: Sun. 1/31, 1:30-4:30pm; free. (All ages)
Where: Kings Highway Library, 2115 Ocean Ave. (near Kings Highway)

Living in the present is fine once June rolls around and you’ve got shortened, summer Friday workdays, weekends at the beach and plenty of park time. But at the height of cabin fever season, in NY’s overheated buildings, you could use a mental pick-me-up. So focus on the positive. Look what’s coming to a neighborhood near you later this year:

Scribble Press
For when Junior is over Build-A-Bear and ready for a loftier pursuit. She can become a published author by creating a book at Scribble Press. Kids can make board books, softcover books, notepads and day planners. A fitting activity for the nation’s publishing capital. scribblepress.com.

Shake Shack
Shack attack. Madison Square Park’s institution is getting some siblings, in addition to the one on the UWS. ShackBurgers, cheddar fries and the Shack’s frozen custard shakes will soon be available on the UES on 86th Street, on Prince Street in Nolita, the Theater District … and Kuwait City, Kuwait. Okay, that last one isn’t exactly accessible by subway, but we thought it was worth mentioning. shakeshack.com.

Silly Souls
Speaking our minds is what we’re all about in NY. Our kids are no different. And now the company known for emblazoning irreverent, humorous phrases - “Bald and the Beautiful,” “Organic Pest In-side,” “No Hair Day” - on onesies and other garb for the gaga set is opening its first stand-alone store. Silly Souls will sell bibs, booties, bodysuits (aka onesies) big sister and big brother presents, socks and much more at its new store coming this March to Limelight Marketplace in the Flatiron District. Got sass? sillysouls.com.

Launch dates TBD. Stay tuned. Our promise: They’ll open well before the Second Avenue subway does.

Some monkey business (sans Tiger), some pirate action (unfortunately, sans Johnny Depp), some shopping and some giving. This weekend in NYC …

Give
K.I.D.S. and the Haiti Relief Effort
Earlier this week, we gave you a list of organizations and companies, both national and local, many with connections to the baby/kid/maternity world, trying to raise money for victims of the Haiti quake. Here’s another: KIDS. The acronym stands for Kids in Distressed Situations and is a New York-based charity that’s been in Haiti since 1995. KIDS has collected 20 containers of NEW products (worth a total of $2 million) - apparel, shoes, baby supplies, water and underwear - from corporate giants, including Jockey, Toys “R” Us, Gerber Childrenswear and UGG Australia. Some of the donations are already en route to Haiti. (KIDS has been cleared to ship through the port Cap-Haitien on Haiti’s north coast plus deliver two containers a day through the Port-au-Prince airport.) KIDS is looking for monetary contributions to cover the cost of shipping plus additional corporate donations. For every $10 donation, the charity can send $100 worth of products. Visit kidsdonations.org/haiti. Individuals can also donate NEW items via KIDS. Note: Socks and underwear are in high demand.

See
Uncle Pirate
The name Wilson conjures up images of the beat-up volleyball Tom Hanks’ character “befriended” in Castaway. But in the Vital Theatre Company’s show Uncle Pirate, Wilson is just a regular fourth-grade boy who one day discovers his uncle is a real pirate. And so the adventures - and Wilson’s quest to survive the school year - begin with all the requisite pirate paraphernalia: hats with skull & crossbones images, eye patches, swords, etc.
When: Saturdays and Sundays through 2/28, at 11am and 1pm. Tickets available at 212-579-0528 and online at vitaltheatre.org.$25 per ticket.
Where: Vital Theatre Co., 2162 B’way, at 76th St.

Hear
FunkeyMonkeys Concert
The FunkeyMonkeys, helmed by Dora the Explorer composer Josh Sitron, are back. Check out their show entitled “The FunkeyMonkeys’ Sing, Dance & Underpants Variety Show on the UWS, which is running for eight consecutive Sundays. Each week is a slightly different performance, with a rotating cast of opera singers, musicians and dancers.
When: Eight consecutive Sundays, starting this weekend on 1/24 and running through 3/14. Shows are at 2:30pm and 4:30pm. Tickets, $15 each, available at funkeymonkeys.com.
Where: The Triad Theater, 158 W. 72nd St. (near B’way).

Watch
Sammie & Tudie
These mainstays on the NYC birthday party circuit are performing this Saturday at Theater Ten Ten. Sammie and Tudie are clowns (not scary) who perform comedy bits, tell stories, do magic and create museum-worthy balloon sculptures.
When: Sat. 1/23 at 11am (also 2/20, 2/27 & 3/6). Tickets available at 212-288-3246, x300; $20 per ticket. (Ages 3 and up. Children under two will not be admitted.)
Where: Theater Ten Ten, 1010 Park Ave., bet. 84th and 85th Sts. (at Park Avenue Christian Church).

Shop
Bump Brooklyn
Get up to 50% off fall/winter merchandise at this hip maternity store located in the heart of Brooklyn’s “baby district.” The store will donate 10% of this weekend’s sales to Save the Children and the Haiti relief effort.
When: Starting 1/22. Weekend hrs.: Fri. & Sat., 11am-7pm and Sun., noon-6pm. bumpbrooklyn.com.
Where: Bump Brooklyn, 464 Bergen St. (between 5th and Flatbush Aves.) 718-638-1960.

Belly Dance Maternity
Clothes originally priced $50-$350 are now going for $10-$50, even designer denim. Brands include Olian Maternity, Paige Maternity Jeans, NOM, Japanese Weekend, Liz Lange Michael Stars Maternity and more.
****CASH ONLY****
When: Sat. 1/23, 9am-3pm
Where: Belly Dance Maternity, 548 Hudson St. (between Charles and Perry Sts.), 212-645-3640, bellydancematernity.com.

As New Yorkers, we’re not exactly known for being subtle, especially when it comes to griping, ranting, “flaming,” wailing, whining and other derivations of what we call “asserting ourselves.” But for all of our complaining, we still know how to go big when it comes to giving back. As images of a devastated Haiti flicker across our television and computer screens - in particular, the pictures and video of Haiti’s tiniest victims, many wearing diapers and not much else - we can’t help but wonder what we can do to assist. UrbanBaby has come up with a list of companies and organizations, many in the
baby/child/maternity world, that are organizing fundraisers and sales to help victims of the Haiti earthquake:

*****FUNDRAISING EVENTS*****

Babybites
Babybites is hosting two simultaneous charity events on Fri., 1/29 from 6:15-7:15pm at New York Kids Club locations on the UWS and UES. Families can enjoy 30 minutes of free play in NYKC’s state-of-the-art gyms and then a performance by Music by Aardvarks. All NYKC employees plus Collin and Mike of Music by Aardvarks will be donating their time. One-hundred percent of proceeds will be donated to the UJA-Federation Haiti Relief Fund. $40 per family. RSVP to ronni@babybites.net. UWS New York Kids Club - 169 Amsterdam Ave. at 68th St. UES New York Kids Club - 219 E. 67th St. between 2nd and 3rd Aves.

Citibabes
This mecca for hip, downtown urban babies and their parents (with a second location in Scarsdale) will be donating a portion of its proceeds (from class registrations, membership sales, birthday party and retail sales) from the month of January to the Red Cross. In addition, Citibabes kids will be hosting a bake sale with all proceeds going to the Haiti relief effort. citibabes.com.

Divalysscious Moms
Help Haiti Heal Relief Kids Concert
Rock out with some of the hottest tot bands on Sat. 1/30, 10am-2pm. Featured groups and singers include Bari Koral, Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck, Doni Zasloff Thomas (aka Mama Doni) and Princess Katie & Racer Steve. Divalysscious Moms is the ultra-chic moms’ group “where high heels meet high chairs.” (Divalysscious Moms’ relief concert following the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster raised $15k!) Suggested donation is $50 per family. RSVP to rsvp@divamoms.com. The concert will take place at the Rodeo Bar & Grill, 375 3rd Ave. at 27th St. divamoms.com.

*****SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE*****

Baby star
This apparel and accessories company is all about modern, organic, affordable green classics. Baby star will donate 10% of January sales to Mercy Corps. Shop at babystar.com.

Bump Brooklyn
The motto of this hip maternity store in the heart of Brooklyn’s booming “baby district” is: “Give up wine, coffee, sushi - not fashion.” Starting Fri. 1/22, get up to 50% off Bump’s fall/winter merchandise. The store will donate 10% of this weekend’s sales to Save the Children. Bump Brooklyn is located at 464 Bergen St. between 5th and Flatbush Aves. 718-638-1960. Weekend hrs.: Fri. & Sat., 11am-7pm and Sun., noon-6pm. bumpbrooklyn.com.

Lemonade
This UES newcomer on Lex. is sure to quench your thirst for stylish but streamlined kids’ clothes that aren’t over-the-top. Boutique owner Maggie Eigen, a former NYC preschool teacher, is donating a portion of her proceeds to the Haiti relief effort. Shop at Lemonade at 1038 Lex. at 74th St. 212-585-4371. Store hrs.: M-F, 10:30am-6pm and Sat., 11am-5pm.

Miss Brittany’s Organic Preschool
Miss Brittany is an NYC preschool teacher who developed organic fun dough (play dough). Her company is donating $2 for every purchase made at organicfundough.com to the Jewish Federation Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund. One-hundred percent of collected donations will directly support non-sectarian needs on the ground in Haiti. Emergency relief will be distributed through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and IsraAID.

Oeuf
The New York-based design company will be donating 10% of all online sales through the end of February to Save the Children for the Haiti Earthquake Children in Emergency Fund. (Oeuf was years ahead of the eco-friendly trend.) This fab company offers delicious Alpaca sweaters, jumpers, dresses and hats as well as sleek, modern baby furniture. Shop at oeufnyc.com.

Petunia Pickle Bottom
This pioneer on the couture diaper bag scene is hosting a two-day outlet sale starting today. Twenty-five percent of sale proceeds will go to Jacmel, Haiti (15 miles from the earthquake epicenter in Port-au-Prince) and orphans at the Hands & Feet Project (a children’s village). The money will be used not only for immediate relief but also to help the organization prepare for the onslaught of children orphaned as a result of the earthquake. Save 30%-60% at petuniaoutlet.com.

Puj
Puj designs products to “simplify parenthood.” The company recently launched a cool, soft infant tub that folds up and stores flat. Puj is donating 10% of online sales to Save the Children. Go to pujbaby.com to shop.

Skip Hop
This NYC company, known for designing mod, innovative products for parents and babies, will be giving five percent of all Web site sales to purchase formula, diapers and other essential infant supplies for the youngest earthquake victims. Skip Hop has already donated more than $10,000 worth of baby formula to Partners in Health to assist in relief efforts in Haiti.
Shop skiphop.com.

*****OTHER WAYS TO DONATE*****

American Red Cross
We love our cell phones, and apparently we love donating with them. In an online Washington Post article, staff writer Thomas Heath reports that the Red Cross has received $22 million via text-message donations for Haiti “far outpacing the charity’s previous record of $400,000 for emergency relief using similar technology.”
Text “Haiti” to 90999 and a $10 donation will be added to your phone bill. redcross.org.

Save the Children
This organization has worked continuously in Haiti for more than three decades. Since the earthquake, Save the Children staff members have been distributing life-saving medical supplies and hygiene kits. They’re also setting up child-friendly spaces in camps for displaced families, so kids can have structured activities and areas to play. To give money to Save the Children, you can text “SAVE” to 20222 and a $10 charge will be added to your phone bill, visit savethechildren.org or call 1-800-728-3843.

UNICEF
UNICEF is the lead UN agency for water and sanitation in the quake zone. The organization has been sending and distributing medical aid and shelter materials in addition to water and sanitation supplies. To donate money to UNICEF, visit unicef.org or call 1-800-FOR-KIDS (1-800-367-5437).

Photo credit: Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross

A Mars day trip, shadow dancing (unrelated to Andy Gibbs), tap dancing, MLK Day activities and Jerry Stiller. Serenity now!

Go
“Mission to Mars” on the Intrepid
Saturday an exhibit spotlighting the red planet opens at the Intrepid. Front and center: a full-scale model of a Mars Rover. On weekends, museum educators will hold interactive, multimedia demos where you get to touch Rover artifacts, a piece of solar panel and parachute material. FYI … the USS Intrepid acted as a space capsule recovery ship for Mercury 7 and Gemini 3 NASA missions.
When: Runs 1/16-6/30. Hours: M-F, 10am-5pm, Sat. & Sun. 10am-6pm. Free with admission.
Where: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, (46th St and 12th Ave.) intrepidmuseum.org.

Do
ShadowPLAY
New York Hall of Science
Experiment with colorful lights, crystal-themed shadow puppets, colored gels and tubes in this new interactive exhibition. Dancing encouraged.
When: Sat. 1/16 and Sun. 1/17, 10am-5:45pm. Free with admission. Check nysci.org for additional dates.
Where: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 718-699-0005.

Create
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Diversity Craft
Head to Central Park to partake in a community art project led by the staff of Belvedere Castle.
When: Sat. 1/16 (rain or shine), noon-3pm; free.
Where: Belvedere Castle, Central Park, mid-Park at 79th St. 212-772-0210, centralparknyc.org.

Make-a-Wish Balloons for MLK Day
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Kids can decorate make-a-wish birthday balloons to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. The projects will then be displayed in the museum’s lobby window.
When: Sat. 1/16 and Sun. 1/17 at 1:30pm; free with museum admission. (All ages)
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Brooklyn, 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

Dance
American Tap Dance Foundation’s Open House
Tap dancing. Gregory Hines, Gene Kelly and Savion Glover made/make it look so easy. Saturday kids can sample a class to see if they’re able to master the fancy footwork that provides such an aural and visual feast for audiences.
When: Sat. 1/16, noon-1pm; free. (Ages 3.5-18)
Where: American Tap Dance Ctr., 154 Christopher St. (bet. Greenwich and Washington Sts.)#2B, atdf.org.

Heads-up
Jerry Stiller Book Reading
Next Wednesday, funnyman Jerry Stiller reads from two selections from The PJ Library Collection to launch the PJ Library program in NYC. PJ sends out Jewish-themed books and CDs to children free of charge if the kids live in a PJ region. A fee-based subscription is available for families living outside PJ regions.
When: Wed. 1/20, 3pm; free. (All ages)
Where: JCC in Manhattan, 344 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th St., 646-505-5708.

We already know good things come in threes. Think Law & Order franchises, CSI cities, Jonas brothers (okay, minus the “bonus” Jonas), Musketeers, American Idol judges until Season 8, ingredients in a BLT. So you could say that Three, the puppet production opening today at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, has some good karma going for it.

In fact, Three is one of the most popular shows ever to run at the Swedish Cottage and debuted there back in 2004. Presented by the City Parks Foundation, Three is “an adventurous mash-up” of the classic fairytales The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. The main character, the Big Bad Wolf (BBW in UB parlance), has to travel into all the abovementioned tales to change his rap and transform himself into the Big Good Wolf (BGW). But old habits are hard to break. His first attempt at switching from BBW to BGW fails miserably. With the help of the Fairy God Mice and the audience, the furry guy long associated with the ingestion of a certain grandmother, is able to redeem himself. The show was written by Emmy-nominated writer Jeff Borkin. What makes Swedish Cottage Marionette productions particularly enjoyable for the whole family is their cross-generational appeal; there’s something for you.

Showtimes: 1/12-6/25; T-F, 10:30am and noon, plus 2:30pm on Wednesdays. Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm. Call 212-988-9093 for reservations. Tickets are $5 for children and $8 for adults.

Where: The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Central Park at 79th St. and the West Drive, just south of the Delacorte Theater. cityparksfoundation.org.

After the snow, go for the Yellowgold, check out the city’s indie rock scene and try to grab your 15 minutes of fame …

Hear
Gustafer Yellowgold
The little yellow guy from the sun makes his debut appearance at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza. The show, a sensory pleaser on multiple levels, is a multimedia, storybook concert experience. Gustafer’s got that magical cross-generational appeal - always a plus for parents! Bonus - Gustafer Yellowgold will be doing a meet-and-greet.
When: Sat. 1/9 @10am. Tickets, $20 each, available at livenation.com. Kids under two are free.
Where: The Fillmore at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Plaza.

Kidrockers Concert: The So So Glos & The Beets
Kidrockers is a family concert series that presents up-and-coming indie rock bands. This Sunday, Kidrockers is featuring The So So Glos and The Beets, both NYC bands. Because Lady Gaga can wait.
When: Sun. 1/10 at 1pm. Tickets, $12 in advance and $15 at the door, are available at brownpapertickets.com.
Where: The Living Room, 154 Ludlow (bet. Stanton and Rivington)

Become Almost Famous
Reality Show Casting Call
Last call. Producers are looking to cast pregnant women for an upcoming reality show being produced for a major cable television network. The program will feature a well-known, high-end maternity designer helping subjects look and feel like “million dollar mommas.” The show is looking for women who will deliver between April and June 2010. Act now. Producers are only in town until the 14th to meet candidates. E-mail MaternityMomNYC@gmail.com immediately with the following info.:
1. Name, city and due date. (Must be in tri-state area.)
2. Why are couture maternity clothing and concierge services a must during your pregnancy?
3. What are your feelings about being pregnant? Excited? Nervous?
4. Are there any special circumstances regarding your pregnancy? Is this your first child? Was it hard to conceive? Are you expecting twins?
5. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your partner (if applicable). What makes you unique?
6. Phone number and e-mail address.
7. Please include a recent picture. maternitymomsnyc.webs.com.

Do
Free Trial Classes
Manhattan Movement & Arts Center
Come sample a few of the classes given in MMAC’s 18,000-square-foot facility. The center is hosting an open house this Saturday, spotlighting its circus arts, pre-ballet, Lil’ Picassos and preschool readiness program.
When: Sat. 1/9, 9am-noon; free. Call 212-787-1178 for open house reservations.
9:15-10am - Circus Arts (Ages 5-7)
9:15-10am - Pre-ballet (Ages 2-3)
10:15-11am - Pre-ballet (Ages 3-4)
10:15-11am - Lil’ Picassos (Ages 18mths-2.5 yrs.)
11:15-noon - Preschool readiness informational session. (With activities for kids.)
Where: Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, 248 W. 60th St. (bet. Amsterdam and WEA)

Go
ABC easy as 123!
The Scholastic Store
To the letter. Little Scholastic celebrates the release of its newest alphabet and numbers books with an afternoon of readings, sing-a-longs and arts ‘n’ crafts plus healthy snacks from Ella’s Kitchen.
When: Sat. 1/9 at 3pm; free. (Ages 2+)
Where: The Scholastic Store, 557 B’way (bet. Prince and Spring Sts.) Stroller entrance: 130 Mercer St.

Shop
Shoofly’s Winter Clearance Sale
Get 50% off on children’s shoes, boots, hats and selected clothing items. Shoofly stocks Naturino, Geox, Camper, Aster, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada plus additional brands. All sales final.
When: Now until 1/30.
Where: Shoofly, 42 Hudson St. (bet. Duane and Thomas Sts.) 212-406-3270.

These days it seems like almost anyone can land a reality show. So why not you? Aren’t you more interesting than the Kardashians and some of these other famous-only-for-being-famous reality TV stars? You know you’ve got enough moxie to go Manolo-covered toe to toe with any of the Real Housewives. Seize the day.

Producers of a new TV series are in town looking for a few good pregnant women who appreciate couture fashion and concierge services. The show, which is being produced for a major cable television network, will feature a well-known, high-end maternity designer helping subjects look and feel like “million dollar mommas.” The designer/lifestyle guru, along with her team of experts, will assist participants with prenatal fitness and nutrition. Plus they’ll advise the women on dealing with some of the more stressful aspects of raising an urban baby, including navigating the school scene and securing the best childcare.

The show is looking for women who will deliver between April and June 2010. As with most reality programs, a big personality is a plus. To quote Bethenny Frankel: Go big or go home.

HOW TO APPLY:

Producers are here until January 14th to meet candidates. Those interested should e-mail MaternityMomNYC@gmail.com immediately with the following info.:

1. Name, city and due date. (Must be in tri-state area.)

2. Why are couture maternity clothing and concierge services a must during your pregnancy?

3. What are your feelings about being pregnant? Excited? Nervous?

4. Are there any special circumstances regarding your pregnancy? Is this your first child? Was it hard to conceive? Are you expecting twins?

5. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your partner (if applicable). What makes you unique?

6. Phone number and e-mail address.

7. Please include a recent picture.

Visit maternitymomsnyc.webs.com.