Archive for May, 2009

Your last gallery outing as a family resulted in tears, tantrums and a nearly destroyed light installation. Luckily, the local art scene has a new exhibit that’s entirely kid-friendly.

Young at Art: Children’s Artwork from Studio in a School features 150 works created by pre-kindergarten to 12th grade students from throughout the city’s five boroughs. Paintings, sculptures, drawings, collages and prints created by kids use color, creative materials and innovative techniques to capture diverse subjects from the energy of NYC to fantastical animals. Thanks to Studio in a School, children learn to explore the creative process and express themselves in new ways — and get a gallery show to boot.

When: Through June 7. Mon.-Fri. 10am-6pm, Sat. 11am-5pm; Free.
Where: Affirmation Arts, 523 West 37th St. (bet. 10th & 11th Ave.), studioinaschool.org.

This weekend: Countdown to June.

Go
Mamapalozza
Celebrate mothers at this music fest featuring Swingset Mamas, Moey’s Music and AudraRox, as well as a play tent and arts and crafts.
When: Sun. 5/31, 12-5pm; Free.
Where: Riverside Park, West 68th St. Pier, momsrock.stirsite.com.

Hear
Randy Kaplan
Introduce the tike set to inventive originals alongside Tin Pan Alley gems, Broadway showstoppers and Delta blues.
When: Sun. 5/31, 11am; $15.
Where: 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St., 212-415-5500, 92YTribeca.org.

Do
Baby Loves Salsa
The Jose Conde band does bilingual tunes that help parents and kids learn about salsa music and Spanish.
When: Sat. 5/30, 12pm (doors open at 11am), Ages 2-6; $15.
Where: The Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St. (bet. 9th & 10th Ave.), 866-468-7619, babylovessalsa.com.

Shop
Bundle
The Soho shop does a Sunday Funday with face painting, balloon animals and snacks.
When: Sun. 5/31, 12-3pm.
Where: 128 Thompson St. (bet. Prince & Houston), 212-982-9465, bundlenyc.com.

She works hard for the money…and feels guilty leaving the kids behind to put in a long day at the office. But what if that schedule involved maximum security prisons?

NYC criminal defense attorney Claudia Trupp chronicles the challenges of a being a working mom with a hardcore career (and a criminal-filled one at that) in Hard Time & Nursery Rhymes: A Mother’s Tale of Law and Disorder. This wise and witty memoir puts a new spin on the work/life balance. Filled with anecdotes of life with her three young daughters (whether it’s marshmallows for breakfast or shopping at American Girl) that parallel stories of her most memorable cases, this relatable book opens up discussion about bigger issues like faith and perspective.

So you better treat her right.

Available at amazon.com.

Once in awhile, a professional blowout is worth the splurge — after all, it saves time in the morning when you have a whole brood to get out the door. But when you pay big bucks you want it to last more than 12 hours.

Hairstylist Fabio Scalia recently opened a new location at the Empire Hotel (along with another salon in Brooklyn Heights) where his staff has mastered the art of the blowout. Below, Fabio shares his tips on maintaining silky smooth locks.

Before you leave the salon: Wait 10 minutes after your blowout to go outside, after your hair cools off and the cuticles close up — otherwise your new ‘do will drink in the humidity.

Prior to bedtime: Avoid down pillows, which may create static and nests of knots in the back of the hair (a satin pillowcase will do). If you’ve gotten a straight blowout, wear it up so that tension is created and it stays flat. To avoid a mark or crease from the hair elastic use more than one ponytail so that it turns into waves.

In the morning: Fabio recommends Kerastase Voile Relax if your hair has no tendency to frizz. Brush your hair only if it is straight.

Fabio Scalia Salon, 1885 Broadway (bet. 62nd & 63rd St.), 212-792-7479.

You didn’t expect any special treatment after having a baby, but it’s a rare thrill when someone actually offers his seat on the subway. Stores are catching on that you deserve VIP status, too.

The Mommy Pass is a discount card for NYC parents. Many local family-friendly businesses, from clothing and toys to spa treatments and fitness, offer a percentage (about 5 to 30-percent) off their services for members (like 15-percent off at The Shoe Box, or 10-percent off at Tribeca’s Blue Bench). A $50 fee grants access to the savings pass and all the goodies that come along with it (check out the website for a list of participators).

Available at themommypass.com.

This weekend: Happy Memorial Day.

Do
Meet Momtrepreneurs
Teutonia Strollers hosts an event to meet Lyss Stern of Divalysscious, Jennifer Strom Simonte of Nom Maternity, and Allison Schlanger and Alison Berna of Apple Seeds. Hear personal stories about how they have designed motherhood to meet their priorities, values and passions. Enjoy snacks, and enter to win prizes.
When: Thurs. 5/21, 5-7pm.
Where: Schneiders, 41 West 25th St., teutoniausa.com.

See
The Ballet Academy East’s Spring Performance
The dancers of the BAE Pre-Professional Division present works choreographed by renowned artists. This family matinee includes crafts and photo opportunities with dancers.
When: Sat. 5/23, 2pm; $30-$35.
Where: Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 899 Tenth Ave., 212-279-4200, ticketcentral.com.

Visit
Clifford’s Big Memorial Day Celebration
Pose for photos with the big red dog (bring a camera) and enjoy a reading of Clifford and the Big Parade.
When: Sat. 5/23, 3pm; Ages 3+; Free.
Where: The Scholastic Store, 557 Broadway (bet. Prince & Spring St.), 212-343-6166.

Go
Chelsea Piers Sky Rink
Cool your heels at the indoor ice skating rink — at a discount.
When: Sundays in May, 1-3:50pm; $10 admission and free skate rental.
Where: Pier 61, 20th St. & West Side Highway, 212-336-6100.

Shop
Petit Bateau
Prices start at $2 for women’s and children’s clothing at this sample sale. Cash only, no children or strollers allowed.
When: Through Fri. 5/22; Thurs. 10am-4pm, Fri. 10am-2pm.
Where: 131 West 33rd St., Room 807.

BLTs and French fries are not everyday foods in your home — but what about checking out a life-sized version?

The Whitney Museum’s current Claes Oldenburg exhibition features fun sculptures that kids will get a kick out of, from the aforementioned fast food to a room of giant saxophones, clarinets, harps and violas in a series that Oldenburg made with his wife and artistic collaborator Coosje van Bruggen. The iconic pieces Giant BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich) (1963), and French Fries and Ketchup (1963) are the perfect entree into the work of this artist who is best known for changing expectations of how ordinary objects “behave.”

Just make sure your little artists are on their best behavior.

When: Through August 2009.
Where: Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. at 75th St., 212-570-3600, whitney.org.

Pumping and dumping, latching, proper positioning — you’re learning all the techniques, but breastfeeding is not going so swimmingly.

Stop by Yummy Mummy, a just-opened uptown boutique that focuses on everything related to breastfeeding. This full-service, one-stop-shop for new and expectant parents focuses on nursing products and resources, as well as classes on lactation-related topics taught by Certified Lactation Consultants. From nursing bras and pads to books and DVDs, the specialty store run by an UES native and mother is all about making the breastfeeding experience a little easier.

1201 Lexington Ave. (bet. 81st & 82nd St.), 212-87-YUMMY, yummymummystore.com.

In past seasons, you had to enroll your child in a summer program by mid-winter or risk getting shut out. Not so in this post-meltdown world. Below are a few day camps set right here in the city, a number of which can transport junior to an exotic foreign land sans passport and without ever leaving the island of Manhattan:

Wild Blue: Global exploration on East 75th Street. Wild Blue’s half-day afternoon schedule for 3 to 4-year-olds includes cooking dishes and making crafts from around the world plus learning about the scientific events that make Mother Earth tick (there’s a full-day option for older kids). The session runs from June 29th to August 20th. Sign up by the week, or drop in for a day (with at least 24 hours notice).

NY Chinese Cultural Center: Kids 3-and-a-half and older can immerse themselves
in all things Chinese, including folk dance, language, acrobatics and paper cutting. This downtown camp runs from July 6th until August 21st, and little ones may attend anywhere from one to seven weeks. Choose from half-day or full-day options.

Mini Chef Cooking Camp: Another opportunity to span the globe via the kitchen. Every Monday in June from 3:15 to 4:30pm, your little Barefoot Contessa can whip up a culinary masterpiece of her own at Paradou restaurant (in the garden, no less) in the Meatpacking District. French chef Sylvie Berger will show kids how to make Parisian pastries, homemade pasta and dim sum.

Manhattan Movement & Arts Center: The scene of Jimmy Fallon’s recent attempt at aerial dancing a la Cirque du Soleil on late-night TV. MMAC Summer Kids is for the child who likes to move it, move it, and the parent who may not want to commit to a full-fledged camp. Options include two- and three-hour programs once or twice a week. MMAC Summer Kids (ages 2 to 12) runs from July 6th through July 31st and includes classes such as Movement & Melodies, Rooted in Rhythm, Junior Picassos and Funky Fitness.

Chocolate, caramel, vanilla bean — kids come in an endless array of delicious shades.

I’m Your Peanut Butter Big Brother, by Park Slope mom Selina Alko, sweetly wonders what a diverse family’s new baby will look like. Told from the viewpoint of a big brother-to-be, the book’s lyrical text bounces along to this SVA grad’s funky illustrations (Will the latest addition have eyes that look like hot cocoa footballs or a perfect pair of pennies?). Little ones will love the wordplay using edible references (cotton candy hair, a jelly-bean smile) and be engaged by this story about an interracial home.

Leave room for seconds.

Available at borders.com.