Archive for January, 2009

Not a football fan? This weekend, celebrate the Year of the Ox with these activities for all ages.

Lunar New Year Fest at Flushing Library
Costumed performers, Chinese and Korean music and red lantern crafts are on tap (on a first-come, first-served basis). See the schedule for performances throughout the day.
When: Sat. 1/31, 10:30am; All ages; Free.
Where: 41-17 Main St., Flushing, 718-661-1200, queenslibrary.org.

Lion Dance
Acrobats and martial artists dressed in colorful costumes and accompanied by drums and gongs perform this folk tradition. Get there early for a good view
When: Sun. 2/1, 11am; All Ages; Free.
Where: outside China Institute at 125 East 65th St. (bet. Park & Lexington), chinainstitute.org.

Lunar New Year Parade
Care to brave the crowds in Chinatown? Join the parade of floats, marching bands, magic and acrobats.
When: Sun. 2/1, 12pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Begins at Mott & Hester St., betterchinatown.com.

This weekend: Cardinals or Steelers?

Hear
They Might Be Giants Kids Show
This family-friendly afternoon performance features tunes from their children’s CD as well as songs from the band’s many years.
When: Sat. 1/31, 4pm (doors open at 3); All ages; $25 (general admission, standing).
Where: Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St., 212-505-FISH, lepoissonrouge.com.

Go
Classic Hits for Kids: Percussion
Bounce to the beat as the CPSM Percussion Ensemble performs on percussion family instruments including the marimba, xylophone, and tympani.
When: Sun. 2/1, 2pm, Ages 6+; $12.
Where: Kupferberg Center, LeFrak Concert Hall at Queens College, 718-793-8080, kupferbergcenterarts.org.

See
Animal Rhythms
Treehouse Shakers presents an original dance-play of two African folktales.
When: Sun. 2/1, 11am; $15.
Where: BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange, 421 5th Ave at 8th St., Brooklyn, 212-715-1914, treehouseshakers.com.

Shop
Estella
Enjoy up to 75-percent off baby and toddler clothes from brands like Okkies and One Kid.
When: Through Sun. 1/31
Where: 493 Sixth Ave. (bet. 12th & 13th St.), 212-255-3553, estella-nyc.com.

Your corner dry cleaner has ruined your favorite sweater for the last time. Time to make a switch — why not go eco-friendlier?

Green Apple Cleaners was founded when a father-to-be of twins started wondering about chemicals and his pregnant wife. The result was a process that uses natural, recycled CO2 and water to clean garments, at five locations in NYC. Combine that with fuel-efficient delivery vans, reusable garment bags and a hanger-recycling program, and you’ve got an eco-conscious, door-to-door service.

And hopefully, salvaged sweaters.

Visit greenapplecleaners.com.

Every family has a way of showing love for one another — hugs, high fives, fist bumps, butterfly kisses. How about snuzzling?

Do You Love Me? by NYC-based designer Joost Elffers introduces the Snuzzles, a family that shows their affection by rubbing noses. The book’s rhyming text and bold, modern graphics show unconditional love (”Do you love me? Always, dear. Do you need me? Ever near.”) through this cast of colorful, alien-like characters.

Spread the love.

Available at amazon.com.

How does your closet grow? With silver belts, and cashmere shells and pretty mittens all in a row?

Expand your wardrobe responsibly. Camilla Boutique in Boerum Hill offers eco-friendly and sustainable goodies like cute organic cotton jackets from Kate Quinn and colorful hooded towels from Speesees for kids, or simple canvas totes and stylish Loyale Estancia tunics for Mom. Owner Camilla Ares is into green designers who create fashion in an ethical way, so you can shop in good conscience.

Oh yes, and the store is known to have good sales — as if you needed more incentive.

355 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, 718-422-0282, camillaboutique.com.

Your DC loves helping with dinner, but sometimes it’s hard to keep him engaged as you slice and dice.Learn some new ways to bond in the kitchen: This month, Pamplona hosts interactive, family-friendly cooking classes. At “Mommy and Me Taught by Daddy,” chef Alex Urena teaches simple dinners to make with your kids (Jan. 24) and dishes for picky eaters (Jan. 31). After a light breakfast, parent and child will have fun in a hands-on culinary experience. Each class is limited to 20 participants, so call to book your spot.Bon appetit.When: Sat. 1/31, 10am-2pm; Ages 5+; $75/Adult, $40/Kid.Where: Pamplona, 37 East 28th St., 212-213-2328, pamplonanyc.com.

This weekend: Bundle up.

See
The Snow Quest
Enjoy a magical journey discovered by two princesses, filled with original live music, song and dance.
When: Sat. 1/24, 11am, 2:30pm & 6pm; Ages 3-10; $20.
Where: Baruch Performing Arts Center, 25th St. bet. Lexington & Third Ave., 646-312-4085, baruch.cuny.edu.

Hear
Brady Rymer
The Long Island-based Grammy nominee for “Best Musical Album for Children” performs a high-spirited celebration.
When: Sun. 1/25, 11am; $15.
Where: 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St., 212-415-5500, 92y.org.

Go
Golly Gee Whiz
Catch this fun and frolicking family musical based on the classic Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney films of the 1930s.
When: Sat. & Sun., 1/24 & 1/25, 2pm & 4pm; $20/Adults, $8/Kids.
Where: TADA! Theater, 15 West 28th St., 2nd floor (bet. Broadway & 5th Ave.), 212-252-1619, tadatheater.com.

Shop
Netto Sample Sale
Get deep discounts on new furniture, case group sleepers and changers, and floor samples.
When: Thurs. & Fri., 1/22 & 1/24, 11am-4pm, Sat. 1/24 12-4pm.
Where: 270 Lafayette St. (at Prince), Suite 1204, nettocollection.com.

Yoyamart Warehouse Sale
Apparel and furniture are up to 80-percent off.
When: Fri. & Sat., 1/23 & 1/24, 11am-7pm, Sun. 1/25 12-5pm.
Where: 632 Hudson St. (bet. Jane & Horatio), yoyashop.com.

Your friends and neighbors are, to put it mildly, freaking out about the preschool process. While their hysteria has not been contagious, you’re ready to start thinking about the next step for your DC.

Next week, the Battery Park City Neighbors’ Association and the BPC Parks Conservancy sponsor the seventh annual Downtown Preschool Fair. Most preschools and daycare centers located below Canal Street — including Claremont Prep, JCP Early Childhood Center, citibabes and miniMasters — will be on hand to answer questions, share information and allow parents to meet the owners and heads of schools. This one-stop shopping approach lets parents familiarize themselves in an open, friendly environment.

You make the call.

When: Tues., 1/27, 7-8:30pm; Free.
Where: Stuyvesant High School, 345 Chambers St., bpcna.org.

The thought of schlepping the family down to D.C. today briefly crossed your mind, but the crowds held you back.

Celebrate the momentous event in a quieter way: Check out, “Changing States” an Obama-inspired artwork on display in the lobby of the Museum of Arts and Design until the end of the month. Australian artist Benjamin Shine was so inspired by Barack Obama’s message of hope ad change that he created a tribute to the next president. The resulting piece portraits the new president using the material of a retired cotton American flag woven through mesh fabric.

The museum’s shop will also offer products — including a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle — inspired by the artwork, so you can bring a piece of history home.

2 Columbus Circle (at 59th St. & Broadway), 212-299-7777, madmuseum.org.

2009 is already here, but the world will soon ring in the year of the ox. And few celebrations are as big as the one right here in the city.

The Museum of Chinese in America and the Children’s Museum of the Arts hosts its first ever Lunar New Year Arts Festival. Guest artists and performances will help visitors explore both ancient and modern Chinese art forms in art, music, dance, and theater. Don’t miss the special lion dance performance by Columbia University’s Liondance Troupe, followed by a workshop where kids can learn about the art of lion dancing and try a few moves of their own.

Or, join MOCA’s docents to witness how Chinatown transforms itself in preparation for the New Year. Learn about the traditions and customs (what do those red envelopes mean?) on a cultural walking tour, and taste a few neighborhood favorites.

Lunar New Year Arts Festival
When: Sun. 1/18, 12-5pm (lion dance performance at 12:30pm); All ages; $10.
Where: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette St. (bet. Grand & Broome), 212-619-4785, mocanyc.org.

Preparing for the New Year Walking Tour
When: Sat. 1/17, 1pm; $15/Adults, $12/Students, under age 5 free (RSVP at education@mocanyc.org).
Where: Tours leave from 70 Mulberry St. (at Bayard St.), 2nd Floor, 212-619-4785, mocanyc.org.