Archive for February, 2009

You’ve plowed through your child’s recommended reading list, and are running out of funny voices for the characters.

Give that bedtime reading a boost: Storytime By Design does educational, musical and interactive story hours to inspire literacy and a love for learning. Story hours are based on imaginative themes and grouped by age so kids can develop a true passion for poetry and prose. Beyond books, this program incorporates puppets, music and art — from performances of StoryTime Jam to a Phonetic Name Game song — to address everything from comprehension and language to socialization skills (they also do book-loving birthday parties).

Read on.

Where: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-2pm; Ages 6 months to 5 years; $399 for 12 classes, $299 for 8 classes.
Where: Kids at Art, 1349 Lexington Ave. at 90th St., 917-533-4201, storytimebydesign.com.

Go
Honest Abe: Four Scores and More
A star-studded lineup including James Earl Jones, violinist Mark O’Connor, and talented young musicians from Opus 118 Harlem School of Music present a musical tribute to Abraham Lincoln.
When: Sat. 2/28, 11am & 1pm; Ages 6-12; $10-$45.
Where: Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, littleorchestra.org.

See
Make a Little Room for Me
This family theater production from The Paper Bag Players features a breathtaking bicycle race, a friendly alligator and a rousing paint-flying finale.
When: Sun. 3/1, 11:30am & 2pm, Ages 4+; $18/Adults, $13/Kids.
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.

Hear
Rocknoceros
DC band does songs from their latest cleverly titled release, “Dark Side of the Moon Bounce.”
When: Sun. 3/1, 11am; $15.
Where: 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St., 92YTribeca.org.

Shop
Shop Lucky Finds
Buy gently used children’s clothing, gear and toys.
When: Sat. 2/28, 12-3pm; cash only.
Where: St. Jean Baptiste Community Center, 184 East 76th St. (bet. Lexington & 3rd Ave.), shopluckyfinds.com.

Trying to find a decent, inexpensive place to eat near Times Square is an effort in futility. Rather than fight the crowds en route to a below-average chain restaurant, you’re usually ready to hop in a cab headed anywhere.

Next time you need a post-toy store or pre-matinee bite, try the newly opened Schnipper’s Quality Kitchen, at the base of the New York Times Building. Owners and brothers Andrew and Jonathan Schnipper, founders of Hale and Hearty Soups, moved on to the burger biz with an original recipe that may become your new favorite. The extensive family-friendly menu includes kid faves like chicken fingers, hot dogs and mac and cheese, but adults will also find plenty of options (beyond burgers) among the fig and blue cheese salad, fish tacos and classic BLT — all freshly made, of course. Little ones will get a kick out of the sleek decor reminiscent of a ’50s drive-in, but you’ll appreciate quick ordering at the counter, ample room to maneuver a stroller and plenty of tables.

Still not enough to entice you to touristville? Stay tuned for beer and wine…and delivery.

Open Mon.-Sat. 11am-9pm. 620 8th Ave. at 41st St., 212-921-2400, schnippers.com.

Life these days is a little stressful, to put it mildly. You need a mind, body and soul solution — but finding a sympathetic ear is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Try the soothing hands of acupuncturist (licensed and board certified) Jill Blakeway, whose YinOva Center specializes in women’s health, from fertility issues and PPD to back pain caused from carting two toddlers around town. Believe it or not, Blakeway also works her magic (using a non-invasive electro-acupuncture) on babies suffering from the likes of colic, coughs or rashes. The center’s East-meets-West philosophy utilizes centuries-old remedies like herbal medicine, but will also refer you to a (very modern) doctor if needed.

You’re more relaxed already.

Visit yinovacenter.com.

Ever dream of having a personal cook who can magically get your kids to eat, say, bok choy and braised pork tenderloin?

While working as a private chef, Susie Cover developed kid-friendly recipes that now manifest in a menu of mini meatloaves, butternut squash pizza and Asian fish cakes. The result, Susie’s Supper Club, delivers totally delish, healthy and freshly prepared (not frozen!) meals to most Manhattan hoods (and coming soon, Brooklyn). Main courses, soups, sides and sweets (made with organic and natural ingredients) come in manageable portion sizes and will have even picky little eaters cleaning their plates — think tomato soup with whole grain cheddar croutons, finished with mini pumpkin cheesecakes.

Check out the online ordering system for recommended dishes, ingredients and nutrition info. To make things even easier, each container comes with heating instructions so you can serve those spinach squares in a flash (orders must be placed the day before, for weekday delivery).

Luckily, membership to this club is wide open.

Visit susiessupperclub.com.

Your kids have been fascinated with films ever since spotting their first NYC movie set — for flicks way beyond the PG parameter.

Take them to something more age-appropriate: The 12th annual New York International Children’s Film Festival opens next Friday with animation, live action and experimental films from around the world. Included in this year’s lineup is the U.S. premiere of Mia and the Migoo, an eco-adventure that pits a young heroine Mia against profit-hungry capitalists (sound familiar?); the new Wallace & Gromit movie A Matter of Loaf and Death; and Dragon Hunters, an action-packed animated adventure from France. Little ones (with a short attention span) will get a kick out of Shorts for Tots, with mini-films ranging from 1 to 10 minutes. Tickets and a full schedule are available online.

When: 2/27 through 3/15; Ages 3+; $12-$25.
Where: DGA Theater (110 West 57th St. at 6th Ave), Peter Norton Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95thSt.), IFC Center (323 6th Ave. at 3rd St.) and Cantor Film Center (36 E 8th St. at University Pl.), 212-349-0330, gkids.com.

This weekend: Kate or Meryl?

Go
The Pregnant New Yorker
At this alternative health event, learn what a doula is, how to get your pet ready for baby’s arrival and how Pilates, acupuncture, physical therapy and massage can help.
When: Sat. 2/21, 1:30-3:30pm; $10 (register online).
Where: Erika Bloom Pilates Plus Studio, 795 Madison Ave. (bet. 67th & 68th St.), thepregnantnewyorker.com.

Hear
Rolie Polie Guacamole
Check out a class with this local Brooklyn-based kids’ band.
When: Sat. 2/21, 3pm; Ages 6 months-5 years; $20.
Where: Gumbo, 493 Atlantic Ave. (bet. 3rd Ave. & Nevins St.), Brooklyn, 718-855-7808.

Debi Derryberry
The children’s performer best known as the voice of Jimmy Neutron does a concert full of original songs and old favorites, and signs copies of her book Baby Banana and the Licorice Tree.
When: Sat. 2/21, 11am; Ages 2-6; Free.
Where: Bank Street Books, 2879 Broadway at 112th St., 212-875-4551, bankstreetbooks.com.

See
Make a Little Room for Me
The Paper Bag Players mark their 50th anniversary with this show featuring a bicycle race, sing-along lesson on polar bears and dancing to the Paper Bag Rag.
When: Sat.-Sun. 2/21-2/22, Sat. 11am & 2pm, Sun. 3pm; $10-$30.
Where: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St., 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org.

Mellow Fever
Gustafer Yellowgold’s multimedia musical storybook blends live tunes and moving image, featuring a yellow cone-headed fellow.
When: Sun. 2/22, 2pm; $12.
Where: Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, 718-230-0236, spsounds.com.

In the hustle and bustle of hectic city life, it’s easy to forget that beauty is all around you — like on the UWS.

For a break from the mayhem, stop by GINA Gallery of International Naive Art, which specializes in bright, happy paintings from around the world. Artists from the likes of Guatemala, Croatia, Israel and Italy create innocent and optimistic scenes of everyday life (picnics, festivals, walks in the woods) in joyful hues that kids will appreciate. The current exhibition, “Love is in the Air” features a cross-section of original works from around the globe.

This simple bliss will probably inspire you to redecorate the nursery — or just enjoy a few moments of peace in front of a colorful canvas.

Open Wed.-Sat. 10am-8pm, Sun. 12-6pm. 454 Columbus Ave., 212-877-0097, ginagallerynyc.com.

Save the museums for a rainy day: NYC’s Public Art Fund now has three projects throughout the city, featuring outdoor sculptures at Central Park, City Hall Park and downtown Brooklyn. Visit one or all — kids will love exploring the (free!) sculptures and posing for photos.

Living Sculptures
What: Christian Jankowski’s three life-size bronze sculptures inspired by real street performers in Barcelona who strike poses as historical or fantastical characters.
Where: Doris Freedman C. Freedman Plaza in Central Park, 60th St. & Fifth Ave.

Trapdoor
What: New commissions and recent works experiment with unexpected ways of seeing everyday objects. Tots will get a kick out of Martha Friedman’s Waffle, a 7-foot structure submerged in a thick pool of “syrup.”
Where: MetroTech Center (bet. Jay St. & Flatbush Ave. at Myrtle Ave.), Brooklyn

Robert Melee
What: Four large-scale figurative bronze sculptures are painted with enamel paint, resembling melted wax — or a giant Crayola man.
Where: City Hall Park (near Broadway, Chambers St., Centre St. & Park Row)

While you’ll all be glad for a break from homework and 100 lb. backpacks next week, the cries of “I’m boooored” are sure to settle in by Tuesday.

Keep then engaged and entertained: The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is hosting “Kids Week,” which features educational programs, interactive demos, special events and games for little visitors. The lineup includes circus tricks from the Ringling Brothers, face painting, puppet making, Broadway performances by Rosie’s Broadway Kids and Stomp, plus NASA interactive displays and quiz challenges.

After they’ve met Mr. Met and posed with Madame Tussauds wax figures, inquisitive kids can learn about flight, space, water and life at sea — join the hands-on activities to discover the properties of water, how Intrepid floats, how airplanes fly, what the crew did, how an aircraft carrier works.

Bye-bye boredom.

When: Sat. 2/14 through Sun. 2/22, 10am-5pm; Free with museum admission.
Where: Pier 86, 12th Ave. & 46th St., intrepidmuseum.org.