Archive for March, 2009

Who says kids and opera don’t mix?

This Saturday, New York City Opera and Target present a special family performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City. The one-hour presentation introduces kids to the music, characters and storytelling that make up this opera classic. Also included in the day is a 45-minute interactive workshop for participants to learn an aria, see how artists get into character and better understand the plot and music.

In order to introduce kids to the arts, the performance is offering a special deal: Each adult ticket entitles up to four children to attend the performance for free. Now that’s magic.

When: Sat., 4/4, 1pm; Ages 6-14; $20/Adults, Kids free.
Where: LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, LaGuardia Community College, Queens, 212-721-6500, nycopera.com.

What would New York be without a decent deli on every corner?

The city’s legacy expands with the new F. Martinella in Brooklyn Heights, a recreation of the old-fashioned deli decorated with NYC subway tiles and black-and-white photos that give kids a glimpse into the past. But the real focus is on the food, with a solid sampling of fresh sandwiches, salads, soups and wraps to eat in or take out (check out Chef Vinnie Massa’s signature stromboli). In between mouthfuls, take advantage of the very 2009 amenities — flat-screen TVs and free WiFi.

There’s no place like home.

119 Court St. (near State St.), Brooklyn, 718-858-6000, fmartinella.com.

After a weekend full of errands, birthday parties and dodging tourist traffic, you and your stroller-bound little sprout are ready for a break.

Start the week with a story: Every Monday, Housing Works Bookstore Cafe hosts an event for wee ones to read stories and sing songs. A non-profit bookstore and event space in Soho (not to mention a hotspot for local literary insiders), Housing Works also offers special cafe and book discounts during story time — even better, the profits from all those magazines and macchiatos goe directly to help homeless New Yorkers.

Monday doesn’t have to be manic — in fact, it can be downright relaxing.

When: Mondays, 11:30am; Ages 3 and under; Free.
Where: 126 Crosby St. (bet. Prince & Houston), 212-334-3324, housingworks.org.

This weekend: Hope that March goes out like a lamb.

Hear
They Might Be Giants
After two sold-out performances, the group returns to Le Poisson Rouge for a kids show.
When: Sat. 3/28, 3pm; All ages; $26.
Where: 158 Bleecker St., 212-505-FISH, lepoissonrouge.com.

See
Robbi K & Friends
Bring your own drum for a drum circle with this children’s musician who has performed as a back-up singer for the likes of Mary J. Blige, Chaka Kahn and Aretha Franklin.
When: Sun. 3/29, 11am; $15.
Where: 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St., 212-415-5500, 92ytribeca.org.

Go
Mammoth Follies
This vaudeville-style musical revue at the Kupferberg Center borrows from the traditional Japanese Bunraku style of puppetry.
When: Sun. 3/29, 2pm; Ages 3+; $12.
Where: Colden Auditorium, Queens College, 718-793-8080, kupferbergcenterarts.org.

Visit
Martin Esteves
Learn the technique of this New York-based artist by copying and tracing over pictures.
When: Sat. 3/28, 2 & 3pm; Ages 5+; $10.
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., 212-721-1223, cmom.org.

Do
XA and the City
Make a reservation with two or more girlfriends for “Girls Night In” (or moms’ night out) at Xac Anthony Salon and Spa — blowouts, cocktails, skin analysis and a trunk show.
When: Thursdays, 6-12pm; $45.
Where: 140 West 19th St. (bet. 6th & 7th Ave.), 212-929-5430, xacanthony.com.

A “mall” with Masa in it has always been your kind of shopping center — unless you needed clothes for the kids.

But Kee-Ka, a Brooklyn-based company that was among the first to do the cute nickname tee trend, has now opened a baby store at the Time Warner Center. The first strictly baby-and-kids outpost among the Shops at Columbus Circle, Kee-Ka features an all-organic (certified organic cotton, low-impact dyes, Fair Trade suppliers) product line of bibs, blankets, onesies, leggings, socks and caps for sizes 0 to 4T. Known for simple graphics paired with words like “Cupcake” or “Peanut,” the line makes for a great gift (with recycled packaging, to boot).

Now you can really be a mallrat.

Open Mon.-Sat. 10am-9pm, Sun. 11am-7pm. 10 Columbus Circle, ground floor, 718-302-9665, shopsatcolumbuscircle.com.

Hips, shoulders, knees and back — you could write a song about all the body parts that need extra attention during pregnancy.

No matter your trimester, try the prenatal Pilates class at Core Pilates NYC that goes beyond the typical mat class. Using the famed tower apparatus and special breathing techniques, this workout helps create synergy between the abs, lower back and pelvic floor — a band of muscles that is much-needed for pregnancy, delivery, and getting your pre-baby bod back (it’s helpful if you have prior Pilates experience). Limited to just four moms-to-be, the weekly Saturday class (by reservation, $32) offers semi-private attention from the center’s expert (certified prenatal Pilates) instructors. Or, book a one-on-one session at this cozy Union Square studio to really focus on stretching, easing swelling, increasing circulation and maintaining muscle.

You and your belly will be singing a happy tune.

99 University Place, 212-260-5464, corepilatesnyc.com.

There’s nothing better to lift spirits than helping the children in your own community. Not only is it a boost to your serotonin levels, but volunteering is a way to give back when your bank account is a bit anemic. Whether you’re a stay-at-home, recently downsized or just looking for more meaning in your weekly schedule, pro bono work can provide networking possibilities, structure to your day, a bonding experience, and perhaps, a chance to flex those professional muscles. Check out these local hands-on volunteer opps:

Association to Benefit Children: ABC’s programs focus on “vulnerable” children — those with disabilities or severe developmental/medical conditions, as well as kids from impoverished families. Volunteers can work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers or school-aged kids through educational (homework help, computer instruction, reading) and recreational (arts and crafts, free play, story telling) activities, or holding, feeding and singing to babies. Visit a-b-c.org.

Candlelighters, NYC: Dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families, Candlelighters, NYC takes a grassroots approach to providing support. Volunteers with this UES organization make homemade dinners for families (some of whom fly in from around the country) when their children are undergoing treatment at local hospitals. Or, do doggie daycare for a weekend so the kids are able to visit with their own pets. Visit candlelightersnyc.org.

New York Cares: This giant of public service helps almost half a million New Yorkers a year, with a third of the organization’s projects serving kids. You can read with an elementary school child, lead any number of recreational classes (cooking, yoga and sports), or tutor high-school students for the SATs. Another option is to take children from a homeless shelter to a local library to get a library card and books. Visit nycares.org.

The New York Center for Children: The NYCC is a child-friendly clinic on the UES that provides free medical and clinical examinations and therapy to victims of child abuse (from infancy through age 18) and their families. Case tracking involving follow-up phone calls on the center’s behalf, one-on-one tutoring sessions and playroom duty are a few of the ways volunteers can assist. Visit newyorkcenterforchildren.org.

Prep for Prep: Anyone who has been through the ongoing school process has probably heard of this organization that puts promising low-income middle schoolers through an intensive 14-month academic program, and helps place them in NYC private schools (as well as boarding schools) with generous financial aid. Volunteers can conduct mock interviews with Prep students, serve as business plan mentors and judges for the Prep for Prep/Goldman Sachs Foundation Institute for Entrepreneurship, or tutor (volunteers with expertise in math or the sciences are especially in demand). Visit prepforprep.org.

Visit volunteernyc.org.

Roaming the halls of your favorite museum with baby in tow sounds like a leisurely way to spend an afternoon — until his faint whimper turns into a wail, the security guard gives you the stare down and you have to hightail it to the nearest exit.

Luckily the Whitney Museum’s Family Programs launched the new Stroller Tours, educational art events for parents with babies up to 18 months. Led by Teaching Fellows (Ph.D. candidates in art history), the tours take place on occasional Fridays before the museum opens to the public, so you can enjoy important works without worry. Next Friday (March 27) focuses on artist Jenny Holzer’s use of nontraditional media and public settings, followed by a once-a-month lineup. Best of all, crying babies are welcome — the other parents will understand.

Now that’s contemporary.

When: Select Fridays, 12-1pm; parents and babies ages 0-18 months; $25 (registration required).
Where: 945 Madison Ave. at 75th St., 212-570-3600, whitney.org.

This weekend: Celebrate spring.

See
El Louie Show
Join bilingual singer/songwriter Louie Miranda as he performs songs from his CD collection.
When: Sun. 3/22, 2 & 3pm; All ages; $10.
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., 212-721-1223, cmom.org.

Visit
Tales of Wonderful Women
Storyteller Christine Campbell shares stories about women of courage and wonder.
When: Fri. 3/20, 4:30pm; Ages 6+; Free.
Where: Queens Library at Jackson Heights, 35-51 81 St., 718-899-2500, queenslibrary.org.

Go
Jeanne Birdsall
This National Book Award-winning author of The Penderwicks talks about the popular book series, and actress Rita Wolf performs an excerpt.
When: Sun. 3/22, 1pm; $18/Adults, $12/Kids.
Where: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St., 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org.

Do
Building Blocks
Hear The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and learn about the structures of tall buildings. Kids will construct their own skyscrapers with building blocks.
When: Sat. 3/21, 10:30am; Ages 4-7; $5.
Where: The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, 212-945-6324.

Shop
Housing Works Bookstore
Get 30-percent off hardcover and $2 soft cover children’s books.
When: Sat.-Sun., 3/21-3/22, 12-7pm.
Where: 126 Crosby St. (bet. Houston & Prince), 212-334-3324.

Belly Dance Maternity
All merchandise, in the store and online, is 20-percent off.
When: Sat.-Sun., 3/21-3/22.
Where: 548 Hudson St. (bet. Charles & Perry), 212-645-3640, bellydancematernity.com.

Once in awhile, life imitates art — this time, it’s in the form of a children’s book.

“Faith Ringgold: A Sampler,” a new exhibition at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, features the prophetic artwork of the Harlem-born artist and award-winning author. Illustrations from her 1993 book Dinner at Aunt Connie’s House foreshadow a young African American family in the White House (the story includes a brief history lesson that comes to life through 12 talking paintings of women like Rosa Parks and Zora Neale Hurston). The adventure is told through the eyes of the young Melody, who concludes the story by deciding that she wants to be President.

Another prediction, indeed.

When: Through 5/3; Free with museum admission ($7.50).
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (at St. Marks Ave.), 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.