Archive for August, 2009

Countdown to Labor Day …

Hear
The Metropolitan Opera’s Summer HD Festival
The Met’s Summer HD FestivalStarting this Saturday for 10 consecutive nights, The Metropolitcan Opera will present award-winning productions from its popular “The Met: Live in HD” series. Each opera will be shown on a giant screen in front of the opera house at Lincoln Center. Watch the stars under the stars; the productions feature opera greats, including Renee Fleming and Juan Diego Florez. Donizetti’s comic opera La Fille du Regiment will be shown on Saturday, Romeo and Juliette on Sunday.
When: Sat. 8/29 - Mon. 9/7. Nightly performances begin between 7:30 and 8pm; free tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis (3,000 seats available). Visit metoperafamily.org for exact times and schedule.
Where: In front of the Metropolitan Opera house at Lincoln Ctr.

Go
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day
There are few events more New York than the NYC Marathon, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the U.S. Open. Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day kicks off the Open with a day of interactive games, tennis clinics and musical entertainment.
Unfortunately, the big afternoon concert with Jordin Sparks is already sold out.
When: Sat. 8/29, 9:30am-1pm; free.
Where: USTA Billie Jean King Nat’l Tennis Center, Flushing Queens, usopen.org.

Do
NYC Adventures
The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and Backpacker magazine turn Central Park into an urban adventure playground. Trampoline performances, kayaking, yoga clinics, rock-climbing walls, a bike helmet giveaway and obstacle courses are all on tap.
When: Sat. 8/29, noon-4pm; free.
Where: Central Park Bandshell. Enter 72nd St from either side of Park, nycgovparks.org.

Dance
Let’s Dance Brooklyn!
This Fort Greene dance studio is hosting an open house on Sunday. It’s an opportunity to meet LDB instructors and for kids to trial a free dance class.
When: Sun. 8/30, Open House, 11am-2pm; Toddler & Parent Dance (ages 15 mos.-3yrs), 11:30am and 12:15pm; Creative Ballet (ages 3.5-5yrs.), 1pm; free.
Where: Let’s Dance Brooklyn, 138 S. Oxford St., Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Shop
Still Hip’s Bag Sale
The funky Clinton Hill resale boutique is getting ready to “purge” its summer and overstocked gear fall and winter inventory. Buy a bag for $15 or $18 and then go search sale bins and tables for kids’ clothing, maternity wear, toys and gear. Still Hip carries brands such as Zutano, Oilily, Hanna Andersson and Cadeau.
When: Sun. 8/30, noon-3pm (or until supplies last!
Where: Still Hip, 238 Grand Ave. (near Clifton), Brooklyn, 718-398-0008, stillhipbrooklyn.com.

The Tuesday after Labor Day marks the official start of nursery school admissions season. But if your child has the curse of a bad NYC birthday - one that doesn’t make the cut-off for schools - you’ll probably be searching for alternative activities to keep junior entertained and enhanced this year.

Manhattan Movement & Arts Center on the UWS is launching its Pre-school Readiness/Alternative Program for kids ages 2-3.5 this fall. It’s a two-hour, drop-off program. The curriculum consists of a structured format with a theme of the day. Kids will learn language arts, art, science, cooking, math and music. Students will also have a 30-minute, high-energy workout and some quiet time to explore reading, puzzles and block building.The program emphasizes a process-over-product philosophy in which kids learn best by doing and experimenting. Families who sign up by September 1st receive $50 off tuition.

At least you’ll be able to enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend. No mad dash for applications until next year.

Manhattan Movements & Arts Center, 248 W. 60th St. 212-787-1098. Registration form available at manhattanmovement.com.

Putting Woodstock in perspective …

Do
Kidstock
Day trip! Your kids have been hearing plenty about Woodstock. Why not show them what it was all about? (Well, the PG version.) One of the original Woodstock producers, Michael Lang, plus the Belleayre Music Conservatory bring us Kidstock in the Catskills. Uncle Rock hosts the festivities which include a performance by Paul Green’s School of Rock All-stars, the real-life inspiration for the Jack Black movie; a rock ‘n’ roll fashion show (kids should dress accordingly); a music history lesson and a kids pet poetry reading. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a pet food donation for Friends of Snuffy, a charity organization founded by music vet Mary Gormley. A way to rock on 40 years later.
When: Sun. 8/23, 1-5pm; free admission.
Where: Belleayre Mtn, 181 Galli Curci Rd, Highmount, NY (Catskills), belleayremusic.org.

Watch
Downtown Dance Festival
Ethnic, classical and contemporary dance performances from across the globe are part of the 28th annual Downtown Dance Festival. At the end of each day, audience members are invited onstage to learn choreography. This should get you in the mood for the Fame movie coming this fall.
When: Sat. 8/22 and Sun. 8/23, 1pm-4pm; free.
Where: The Lawn at Battery Park, nyc-arts.org.

See
Curious George
Hudson River Park’s RiverFlicks for Kids is showing Curious George. Will Ferrell stars as The Man in the Yellow Hat in this 2006 film. Free popcorn.
When: Fri. 8/21, dusk (about 8:30pm); free.
Where: Hudson River Park, Pier 46 (at Charles St.), hudsonriverpark.org.

Visit
Claes Oldenburg’s French Fries and Ketchup, etc.
Only a few weeks left to see pop artist Claes Oldenburg’s early sculptures at The Whitney. Highlights include his Giant BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich), French Fries and Ketchup and Soft Toilet.
When: (Until 9/6). Hrs this weekend: Fri., 1-9pm, Sat. and Sun., 11am-6pm; free with the price of museum admission.
Where: The Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. (at 75th St.), 212-570-3600, whitney.org.

Whether your kitchen is the eat-in kind with a shrine to the likes of Sub-Zero and Viking, or a little galley version used mainly to heat up Ramen noodles, chances are it doesn’t get as much of a workout as its non-urban counterparts. That’s because dining (or ordering) out is a way of life in New York.

One rite of passage for budding foodies here is a meal at The Four Seasons Restaurant. And what better way to partake in that ritual than by enjoying a free meal at the esteemed eatery. This Friday is Children’s Day. Kids ages 5-14 eat for free (two children per adult). Restaurant co-owner Alex von Bidder jokes that they didn’t always have these limits for Children’s Day. “We had no restrictions the first year, and so Manhattan parents would show up with their 35-year-old kids,” he recalls. “Or we had people show up with 10 or 12 kids. So we had to put a little fine print down.” The Four Seasons is offering an Almost Grown Up Luncheon in the Pool Room as well as a Junior Executives Dinner in the Grill Room. Kids can order anything from the a la carte menu, and the restaurant, as always, is ready, willing and able to accommodate picky eaters.

It doesn’t get much better. A free lunch at the home of the power lunch.

Where: The Four Seasons Restaurant, 99 East 52nd St. (entrance bet. Park and Lex.)
When: Fri., 8/21, RSVP soon to 212-754-9494, fourseasonsrestaurant.com.

Pod living, street walking (not that kind!), Indian dancing and a French fairytale, fantasy film.

Visit
Waterpod
Images of Biosphere and pod people come to mind …
The Waterpod Project is a combo floating art exhibit and living space. It is a commercial barge that showcases sustainable technology and represents an alternative living space for the global warming epoch. Be sure to check out the live chickens and the bicycle power system.
When: Fri. 8/14, 3pm-7pm; Sat. 8/15 and Sun. 8/16, 11am-7pm;free.
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5, (at Furman and Joralemon Streets), waterpod.org.

Do
Summer Streets
Take to the streets, specifically Park Avenue and connecting streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. They’ll all be closed to traffic so you can walk, bike or run. Picnic in the middle of Park Ave. between 51st and 52nd streets. Shoot hoops at the New York Knicks Groove Truck on 12th St. near 4th Ave. Rent free bikes and skates. It’s all part of NYC’s greening initiative to encourage us to use more sustainable modes of transportation.
When: Sat. 8/15, 7am-1pm; free.
Where: Park Avenue and connecting streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, nyc.gov.

Move
East Indian Family Dance
Malini Srinivasan and dancers will perform Bharatanatyam, the oldest form of classical Indian dance, and they’ll be accompanied by Carnatic vocal. The dancers will invite audience members to participate.
When: Sat. 8/15, 6:30pm-8pm; free (all ages).
Where: Esplanade Plaza, Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan, bpcparks.org.

See
Azur & Asmar
An official selection at film festivals in Cannes, Toronto and New York, this animated French film tells the story of two boys raised as brothers and then tragically separated. They eventually embark on a dangerous quest to free the Fairy of Djinns. These screenings are sponsored by the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), North America’s largest film festival for children and teens.
When: Sat. 8/15 and Sun. 8/16 at 10am; tickets are $12.50 per adult, $8.50 per child., (ages 6 and up).
Where: IFC Center, 323 W. Sixth Ave. (at West Third), 212-349-0330, gkids.com.

It’s hard to believe that Crewcuts didn’t head uptown sooner. The stylish and modern, preppy aesthetic always seemed like a match made in heaven for the UES. But we’re not complaining. Crewcuts on Madison is here and open for business.

The 2,200-square-foot boutique is an experience in and of itself.  It’s modern and streamlined with pops of color from whimsical art - fluorescent gnomes, huge balls of yarn and tin foil sculptures (a Dachshund, kangaroo and elephant). Crewcuts on Madison houses a “Dressed-up Shop” with duds perfect for special occasions. The store also sells items through exclusive partnerships with Barbour, Hunter Wellington Boots and Fjallraven (The mini backpacks are a must-have). And, of course, it’s got all the high-quality, subdued-chic staples we’ve come to expect from Crewcuts - cotton fleece peacoats, carefully adorned t-shirts and sweaters, and the popular Riley cords. Strange as it may seem, this new Crewcuts has an extremely well-edited selection of children’s books plus some out-of-print-vintage ones.

Note to self: Check out the dressing room covered entirely in neon-colored pencils.

Crewcuts on Madison, 1200 Madison Ave. (at 87th St.), 212-348-9803, jcrew.com. Hrs: Mon.-Sat., 10am-7pm and Sun., 12pm-5pm. 

Being pregnant doesn’t mean you’ve got to give up your sense of style for drawstring pants. But in this economy, it’s hard to justify spending a lot of money on designer maternity garb that won’t be a mainstay in your wardrobe nine months down the road. Even so, vanity calls (and not in a bad way)!

Madison Rose is a new resale maternity store in Brooklyn and carries brands including Diane von Furstenberg, Cadeau and A Pea in the Pod. Ninety percent of the clothing is pre-owned, but do not confuse this boutique with a consignment shop. Husband-and-wife team Jilian and Chris DiChiaro scour the country, carefully edit potential donations and give 30%-40% of the original cost of each item to the donor upfront or a 40%-50% trade credit. MR also has a divine denim collection. Think Seven for All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity and Rock & Republic. The clothes sell for at least 50% off regular retail prices. Madison Rose also offers new nursing-wear items from Milk and Lait. Almost every piece in the store is less than $150.

That means more money for the 529.

Visit madisonrosematernity.com.

Go
19th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in NY
A visual and aural feast to celebrate the “Year of the Ox.” Crews in colorful, custom-made teak dragon boats from Hong Kong compete in various races. The weekend festivities also include a presentation by the Dragon Dancing Team, a martial arts display, various multicultural musical performances and traditional Chinese craft-making. Plus Nick Jr.’s Kai-lan will put in an appearance.
When: Sat. 8/8 and Sun. 8/9, 9am-5pm; free.
Where: Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, hkdbf-ny.org.

Watch
Stone Soup
A musical version of the classic fable of two lost soldiers who stumble upon a village in search of food. After being rejected, the soldiers whip up a bowl of stone soup and bring the whole community together. Audience members are encouraged to bring canned goods to place in a soup pot for City Harvest. Kids can make their own clay soup bowls in a free pre-show workshop.
When: Sat. 8/8 and Sun. 8/9 at 11am. Pre-show workshop at 10am; show tickets $25-$40 (ages 3 and up).
Where: The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St., (bet. 3rd and Bleecker), tix available at ovationtix.com.

Do
Beat Street
Bring in da noise, bring in da funk at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s Target Free Family Jams series. Tap dancing phenom Michela Marino Lerman will lead tap dancers in a tap dance “explosion.” Start the evening with the films Strega Nona and Stone Soup (yes, more Stone Soup).
When: Fri. 8/7, movies at 5pm and tap dancing at 6:30pm; free (all ages).
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn (at St. Marks Ave.), 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

Hear
Putumayo Kids’ Picnic Playground Tour
Putumayo Kids’ artist Jay Mankita will share songs from the latest album, Picnic Playground, which celebrates food from around the globe.
When: Sat. 8/8 at 4pm and Sun. 8/9 at 1pm; free.
Where: 8/8 - Carroll Park, Brooklyn (bet. Smith and Court Sts. and Carroll and President Sts.). 8/9 - Central Park’s Peter Jay Sharp Children’s Glade inside the park at 106th St. Enter park at CPW and 106th St.

Shop
Nicole Richie & “A Pea in the Pod”
Style maven Nicole Richie brings her boho-chic fashion sense to a new line for “A Pea in the Pod.” Check out the collection as it is unveiled at Destination Maternity. Enter for a chance to win Nicole’s entire collection plus a $2,500 shopping spree.
When: Fri., 8/7, 10am-8pm.
Where: Destination Maternity, 28 E. 57th St. (at Mad.), 212-588-0220, destinationmaternity.com.

You take pride in knowing your own kitchen is green. It’s an oasis of eco-friendliness. But what about when you go out to eat? It used to be that all bets were off. Not so anymore.

To celebrate its new bottle made of 50% recycled plastic, Naya Water
is sponsoring a limited edition Zagat guide listing green restaurants in New York City. The book’s 35 restaurants have all been certified by the Green Restaurant Association, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to creating an environmentally sustainable restaurant industry. To earn certification, the venues had to meet criteria related to water efficiency, waste reduction and recycling, sustainable furnishings and building materials, sustainable food, energy, disposables, and chemical and pollution reduction. Zagat co-founder Tim Zagat (a man with one of the most mispronounced names in the world - it’s ZUH-gat) says that although the restaurant industry seems to be embracing this trend, it’s still an adjustment - just like the smoking bans and trans fat regulations. “Gradually people realize that many of these things are good for business,” he notes. “When you get a restaurant association that begins to start training people about sustainably raised food … and why it’s more profitable to use certain kinds of things rather than others, you begin to turn the whole world upside down.”

And what if this greening costs restaurant patrons more to dine out? That doesn’t seem to be an issue. Fifty-nine percent of Zagat surveyors would be willing to pay more for food that is sustainably raised, 55% for food that is organic. Head to the West Coast and the numbers are even higher.

BTW this limited edition green guide is so small it’ll fit in any clutch.

Guides available at waterforchange.org. They’re also being distributed today at 57th & 8th as well as 6th & 19th. 8/5-8/8 distribution sites are 53rd & 7th and Spring & Crosby.