Museums

A little Ailey, an early Nutcracker, a pre-Thanksgiving feast, a pop-up celebration and an Elmo library card. Hey, his show did just turn 40.

Do
CMOM’s Ailey Day of Dance
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is hosting an Ailey Day of Dance. Members of Ailey II (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s second company) will lead workshops teaching kids basic movements and exercises. Ailey II dancers will also perform an excerpt from Isba (choreographed by the great Alvin Ailey) a ritualistic celebration of courtship and marriage with African tribal influences.
When: Sat., 11/14. Dance workshops at 2 & 3:15pm. Isba duet performances at 2:35 & 3:50pm. Free with the price of admission, which is $10. Sign up for workshops one hour before start time at the Visitor Info. Desk. Tickets for performances are distributed one hour before showtimes at the Visitor Info. Desk.
(Ages 5 and up)
Where: CMOM, 212 W. 83rd St. cmom.org.

See
Dances Patrelle’s The Yorkville Nutcracker
Get your Nutcracker fix a little early. Check out an excerpt from Dances Patrelle’s The Yorkville Nutcracker at the Barnes & Noble on 86th and Lex. The beloved holiday classic is set in 1895 NYC. Dancers will be in full costume and available to meet and greet store visitors.
When: Sun., 11/15, 4pm; free. (All ages)
Where: Barnes & Noble, 150 E. 86th St. at Lex.

Go
Pop-up Celebration
Books of Wonder is hosting its fourth annual Pop-up Celebration honoring pop-ups and other books created through the art of paper engineering. Front and center will be seven authors, illustrators and paper engineers. The book line-up includes The Sound of Music, the three buggy pop-ups (Snow Bugs, School bugs, The Big Bug Book), Christmas Tree in a Box and A Pop-up Book of Nursery Rhymes. Unfortunately, the king of pop-up, Robert Sabuda, had to bow out of this year’s event, but Books of Wonder is selling signed copies of his books.
When: Sat., 11/14, noon-2pm; free.
Where: Books of Wonder, 18 W. 18th St., (212) 989-3270, booksofwonder.com.

Eat
Susie’s Supper Club
The online meal delivery service for busy NY families (and those of us too lazy to cook!) is having a tasting party on the UES. Sample some of Susie’s fall favorites: butternut squash pizzas, sweet potato fritters, apple pie bars and veggie soup shots plus cocktails and more. Nutritional counseling available. Kids can decorate cupcakes and learn some healthy eating basics with fun props.
When: Sat., 11/4, 2-5pm; free. RSVP to rsvp@susiessupperclub.com. Free.
Where: 103 E. 75th St.

Visit
BPL’s Sesame Street Family Day
A three-month long exhibit honoring Sesame Street’s big 4-0 kicks off this Saturday with Family Fun Day at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library. Festivities include Sesame Street arts ‘n’ crafts, reading activities and a screening of The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. The library will be offering limited-edition, Elmo-themed library cards. America’s favorite red fuzzy guy will also put in appearances throughout the day. The special exhibit, Sesame Street: A Celebration of 40 Years of Life on the Street, features show scripts, sheet music, animal cels, behind-the-scenes photos and much more.
When: Sat., 11/4, 11am-4pm. Elmo will make appearances for 30 minutes, every hour on the hour. Free.
Where: Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn. brooklynpubliclibrary.org.

A haunted ship, a monster mash, a lot of pumpkin beautification and some arias for a famous story about chocolate. Happy Halloween!

Climb Aboard
Spooktacular at the Intrepid
The newly renovated Intrepid will feature a haunted house, pumpkin painting, magic shows, stilt walkers and scarecrows. Free admission for visitors in costume.
When: Sat., 10/31 and Sun., 11/1, 11am-4pm; magic shows at noon and 2pm; free with admission. (Ages 3-12)
Where: The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, 46th St. and 12th Ave., intrepidmuseum.org.

Go
American Museum of Natural History
Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Miffy are just a few of the characters that will be on hand to greet costumed kids as they arrive for the museum’s 14th annual Halloween celebration. Children can wander the halls and go trick-or-treating. The festivities will include live performances, stilt walkers and a master pumpkin carver.
When: Sat., 10/31 from 2pm-5pm; $10. Tickets can be purchased at amnh.org.
Where: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th St.

Do
Monster Mash Fest at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
A Mad Scientist’s Lab, Creepy Crawly Creatures plus Wee Little Monsters (fun, scary stories for the five-and-under set). A costume parade closes down the party each night.
When: Fri., 10/30 and Sat., 10/31 from 5pm-8pm; $10 per person. Recommended - purchase tickets ahead of time at the museum’s admissions desk. (All ages)
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Mark’s Ave. 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

March
The Scholastic Store’s Halloween Costume Parade
Head down to Soho to accompany your little goblin in a parade “around Soho” (about a 1/2 a block). Kids can make goodie bags in preparation for evening trick-or-treating. Storytime features a reading of There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Bat.
When: Sat., 10/31, 3pm; free. (All ages)
Where: The Scholastic Store, 557 B’way (bet. Prince and Spring St.).

Taste
Chocolate Show
For when the trick-or-treating haul simply doesn’t suffice. The KidZone at the 12th Annual Chocolate Show will host the Chocolate Club @ UCF. Members of the University of Central Florida’s club will teach Chocolate 101. Kids can learn how chocolate is made and what the difference is between white, dark and milk chocolate. (Entry to the Chocolate Club requires a small donation to Share Our Strength, a national organization dedicated to ending child hunger.) Also in the zone, check out edible arts ‘n’ crafts and catch a sneak peak of The Golden Ticket, a new opera based on Roald Dahl’s beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Oompa Loompa.
When: Fri., 10/30, noon-8pm; Sat., 10/31, 10am-8pm; Sun., 11/1, 10am-5pm. Advance tix, $28 per adult, available online at ticketmaster.com. Adults, $30 at door, kids under 5 are free, kids 5-12 are free with adult (2 kids per adult with each additional child costing $8).
Where: The Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. chocolateshow.com.

When we commit to live here and raise a family, we pretty much know what we’re signing on for regarding the cost of living- that just about everything will be more expensive (sometimes way more expensive) than in most other parts of the country. And, yet, even we can get sticker shock.

Consider museum admission prices, which at many of the biggies will run you around $20 per adult and $9-$12 per kid, unless you have a membership. (The typical U.S. museum charges $7, and 41% of American museums are free.) Well, tomorrow the Guggenheim will be free. “Guggenheim Free Day” celebrates the golden anniversary of the museum; 50 years ago, the doors of the Frank Lloyd Wright building were opened to the public. So carpe diem and catch the Kandinsky retrospective. Vasily Kandinsky, the Russian-born, abstract art pioneer, is one of the artists most closely associated with the museum. His work has been collected by the Guggenheim since its inception and is said to have “inspired the creation of the building.” The Guggenheim will be hosting an entire day of special activities, including:

Story Circle - Readings of picture books, including I’d Like the Goo-Gen-Heim. (Runs on the hour from 11am-3pm.)

Guggenheim Cookies - At 3pm, the museum will put out 1,000 free “GuggenheimKids” cookies, a sugar rush to reinvigorate kids after they’ve trekked up the museum’s giant spiral.

Just Drop In - Interactive stations throughout the museum where kids can view art and give an artistic response.

Anniversary Eye Tours - Interactive tours conducted by museum educators and offered in five languages.

Harry Winston Jewels - For one day only, HW’s diamond jewelry inspired by the museum will be on display in the Guggenheim Store.

Wed., 10/21, 10am-5:45pm, “Guggenheim Free Day” at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave. at 89th St., 212-423-3500, guggenheim.org.

Kandinsky photo credit: Red Spot II (Krasnoe Pyatno II), 1921. Oil on canvas, 137 x 181 cm, Stadtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich. Copyright 2009 Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris

The butterflies are back in town as is Harold and a certain-colored crayon. The Shake Shack goes Bavarian while an African folktale goes hip-hop. Plus Boo at the Zoo for you.

Go
The Butterfly Conservatory:
Butterflies Alive in Winter
Twelve years ago, The American Museum of Natural History held what was supposed to be a one-time event featuring fluttering members of the Order Lepidoptera. The exhibit proved to be so popular that AMNH has hosted an annual exhibition of live butterflies ever since, explains Hazel Davies, Manager of Living Exhibits at the museum. The Conservatory’s butterflies hail from farms in Florida, Costa Rica, Kenya, Malaysia, Ecuador and Thailand. Because the butterflies typically live only two-three weeks, the museum receives about 500 pupae (AKA replacement butterflies) per week, via DHL and FedEx no less, during the run of the exhibit. They’re released into the vivarium once they emerge. Note: dress (undress) appropriately. It’s 80 degrees inside the vivarium with 75% humidity.
When: Starts Sat. 10/10 and runs through 5/31/10. (Open daily 10am-5:45pm). Time-specific tix for exhibit include general admission: $24 adults, $18 seniors/students, $14 children (2-12). Available online at amnh.org.
Where: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St.

See
Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth
The Hip-Hop Theater Festival brings us a modern adaptation of classic African folklore. The plot: Zomo must perform three tasks before he can receive the ultimate power from The Sky God. Set in NYC, the story leads to the celebration of hip-hop culture.
When: Fri., 10/9 at 3pm; Sat., 10/10 at 3pm; Sun., 10/11 at 1pm. $20 per ticket, available at theatermania.com. (Ages 4 and up)
Where: Ohio Theater, 66 Wooster St., bet. Spring and Broome Sts.

Eat
Shacktoberfest
The Shake Shack is honoring Oktoberfest with specials inspired by the Bavarian festival. Think sausages done Shake Shack style, Apple-Strudel- and German-Chocolate-Cake-flavored Concretes (a super dense custard shake) plus seasonal beers. The Shack’s signature burgers and fries, plus all other items on the regular menu, are also available for your consumption.
When: Now through Sun., 10/11; 11am-11pm. shakeshack.com.
Where: Madison Square Park- SE corner of Mad. Sq. Pk, near Madison Ave & E. 23rd St.
UWS - 366 Columbus Ave. at 77th St.

Do
Boo at the Zoo
For the next four weekends, the Bronx Zoo is going all out for Halloween with the Haunted Safari, mask making from recycled materials, a hay maze, bats and cats, plus more. Kids ages 3-12 who come in a wildlife costume are admitted free with an adult who is paying a full-priced admission.
When: 10/10-10/12, 10/17-10/18, 10/24-10/25 and 10/31-11/1. Check bronxzoo.com for specific activity times.
Where: Bronx Zoo, Fordham Rd. and Bronx River Parkway.

Watch
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
As part of its 2009-2010 Target Family Fun series, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts presents The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon, based on the book series by Crockett Johnson. The Enchantment Theatre Company’s production features life-size puppets, music, masks and magic.
When: Sun., 10/11 at 2pm. Runs approx. 50 minutes. $6 per ticket. Available online at brooklyncenteronline.org or by calling (718) 951-4500. (Ages 5 and up.)
Where: Brooklyn Ctr for the Performing Arts, Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College, 2900 Campus Rd. & Hillel Place (1 block west of “The Junction.”)

Photo credit (Butterfly): AMNH\D.Finnin.

A big homecoming of sorts on the art scene. Yogis go big in the name of peace. Plus livestock in NYC. Just a typical weekend here.

See
Kandinsky
Few artists are more closely associated with the Guggenheim than the Russian-born Vasily Kandinsky; his art has been collected by the museum since its inception. So it’s fitting that the Guggenheim is mounting an exhibition of the works of this abstract art pioneer to coincide with its 50th anniversary. This exhibit represents the first full-scale retrospective of Kandinsky’s oeuvre in the U.S. since 1985.
When: Opens 9/18 and runs through 1/13/10; museum admission is $18/adults, $15/seniors and students with valid ID and free for kids under 12. The museum has pay-as-you-wish admission set-up on Saturday evenings from 5:45-7:45pm.
Where: Solomon R.Gugenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave. at 89th St., guggenheim.org.

Do
Global Mala - Yoga for Peace
Om Shanti! Karma Kids Yoga is organizing a special children’s area for this event in Battery Park. Participants complete 108 Sun Salutations, or “mala” in Sanskrit. Yogis around the world - think Croatia, Italy and Argentina - will also be doing their 108 SSs. The purpose of the event is to demonstrate how a group can bring peace in unison through yoga.
When: Sun. 9/20, noon-3pm; suggested donation of $20 in advance, $25 the day of. Register at yoga-for-peace.org. (All ages)
When: Battery Park, Center Lawn.

Visit
27th Annual Queens County Farm
Farm in the city. Check out this traditional county fair at the Queens County Farm Museum, which boasts the “largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland” (47 acres) in NYC and is the “only working historical farm in the city.” Carnival rides, hayrides, a petting zoo, Big Apple Circus Variety acts and the Amazing Maize Maze are all part of the festivities. Other activities include competitions in livestock, produce and home crafts.
When: Sat. 9/19 and Sun. 9/20, 10am - 6pm; $7/adults and $4/kids under 12. Additional charges apply for some activities.
Where: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, 718-347-3276, queensfarm.org.
Accessible by subway and bus.

Watch
Peter Pan & Adventures in Never Land
A fresh re-telling of J.M. Barrie’s classic about the boy in green tights and his BFFs at the Swedish Marionette Theatre in Central Park. This version is set in NYC.
When: Through 9/27, Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm (plus performances from 10/6 - 11/8); $8/adults, $5/children, reservations required. Call 212-988-9093.
cityparksfoundation.org.
Where: The Swedish Cottage, Central Park at 79th St. and West Drive just South of the Delacorte Theater.

Photo credit: Vasily Kandinsky, Improvisation 28 (second version) (Improvisation 28 [zweite Fassung]), 1912
Oil on Canvas, 43 7/8 x 63 7/8 inches (111.4 x 162.1 cm)
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
Solomon R. Guggenheim Founding Collection, By gift. 37.239

It may be Labor Day weekend, but there are still a few things to do around the city.

Go
Howl! Kids
Part of the Howl! Festival, the Lower East Side’s annual cultural arts fest, Howl! Kids offers free wall painting and sculpture classes plus various performances, including Taikoza Japanese drumming, Riverdancing and the City Parks Department’s Mobile Puppet Theater Production of Sleeping Beauty. The Downtown Orchestra Chamber will be on hand to introduce kids to instruments used in classical music.
When: Sat. 9/5 and Sun. 9/6; free (all ages). Check howlfestival.com for event times.
Where: Tompkins Square Park, bet. 7th and 10th Streets and Avenues A & B.Eat (and maybe Shop)
American Girl Grandparents’ Day
DD can take her Nana or Grandpa (and AG doll) to American Girl Place and enjoy a special meal. Then browse. So many little shoes, so little time. Commemorative pic included.
When: Sun. 9/6 at 5:30pm; $54 per person (ages 6 and up). RSVP to 1-877-247-5223.
Where: American Girl Place, 609 Fifth Ave. at 49th St., americangirl.com.

Hear
Summer HD Festival: La Boheme and more
The Metropolitan Opera wraps its Summer HD Festival, a 10-night run of productions from its Emmy- and Peabody-Award winning series, Live in HD. Watch opera under the stars. Productions are presented on a gigantic screen outside the opera house. Tonight’s featured production is Peter Grimes. La Boheme will show on Friday, Orfeo ed Euridice on Saturday, Il Trittico on Sunday and Madama Butterfly on Labor Day.
When: Thu. 9/3 - Mon. 9/7, starting nightly bet. 7:45 and 8PM; free. Check metfamilyopera.org for specific times.
Where: Lincoln Center Plaza in front of The Metropolitan Opera House. 2800 seats available.

Do
Raising Citizens: My Dream Job
As part of its Raising Citizens program, The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is hosting its My Dream Job series over Labor Day weekend. Kids and their families have the opportunity to meet NYC professionals and learn about what inspired these featured workers to pursue their chosen careers. A professional clown who has performed with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and firefighters from Station 74 are just a few of the featured guests. Check cmom.org for schedule of other professionals.
When: Fri. 9/4-Mon. 9/7; no cost on Target Free First Friday night. All other days, patrons must pay museum admission. (Ages 5 and up)
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St. (bet. B’way and Amst.), 212-721-1234.

For many of us, The Jetsons will forever be our benchmark for a high-tech utopia. Forget about MP3 players and e-mail. George, Jane, Judy and Elroy had aerocars and machines that dispensed fully-cooked meals at the press of a button.

The Sony Wonder Technology Lab may be our best bet for experiencing life a la the Jetsons. The state-of-the-art technology and entertainment museum has revamped two floors with 14 new interactive exhibits. And the Lab takes that “interactive” component seriously. Kids can learn about the science behind all the modern gadgets that allow us to create and communicate electronically. They can record their voices, digitize images and then send them to screens around the room. They can also see their own dance moves performed electronically by an animated character, participate in an HDTV broadcast and program a robot. The sandbox set will want to take a spin on the interactive floor. (Saturday Night Fever lives on.) For perspective, check out Sony’s display of technology past which includes a gargantuan cell phone, a 10-inch floppy disk and a record player. How old do we feel now!

Take heart. A new, live-action Jetsons movie is supposedly on the way.

When: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10am-5pm; Sundays, noon-5pm; free.
Where: The Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 550 Madison Ave. (at 56^th), 212-833-8100, wondertechlab.com.

You’re expecting out-of-town visitors (with kids), but handing them a Metrocard and a map won’t fulfill their desire to see the city.

The New Fodor’s Family guidebook, New York City with Kids, includes the best child-friendly activities for visitors (and locals in need of a few fresh ideas). Written by travel expert and mom Meryl Pearlstein, the book breaks down NYC into mini-travel guides for interests like dinosaurs (AMNH and Dinosaur Hill) or princesses (Alice’s Tea Cup and American Girl). Check out the top five lists broken down by neighborhood, freebie ideas and side trips to the other boroughs.

Here’s hoping they packed their walking shoes.

Available at randomhouse.com.

This weekend: Happy Father’s Day!

Go
SummerFest in Fort Greene
Enjoy an exhibition of student artwork, student performances, music, face painting, and games as the Urban Assembly Academy of Arts & Letters hosts its second annual festival. Don’t miss the Taste of Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Food Fest with food from favorite area restaurants and businesses.
When: Sat. 6/20, 12-3pm; All ages.
Where: 225 Adelphi St., Brooklyn, uaaal.org.

Hear
Songs in the Key of New York
Join a sing-a-long featuring tunes with local meaning, like Bridges and Tunnels, Five Boroughs, Subways All Ways and Taxi.
When: Sat. 6/20, 1pm & 2pm; All ages; Free with admission.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (at St. Marks Ave.), Brooklyn, 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

See
Cyberchase
Heading to the Hamptons this weekend? Check out a special Father’s Day episode (featuring Matthew Broderick) of the award-winning animated math series on PBS Kids.
When: Sat. 6/20, 10:30am; $7 (dads and grandfathers free).
Where: The Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 631-537-8250, cmee.org.

Shop
Destination Maternity
At this summer style event, see summer must-haves, learn how to achieve flawless skin and get hair styling tips.
When: Thurs. 6/18, 5-7pm.
Where: Destination Maternity, 57th St. & Madison Ave., 212-588-0220 (RSVP), destinationmaternity.com.

Need a little art in your evening? Tonight, head to Fifth Avenue for a traffic-free stretch of museum hopping. The 31st annual Museum Mile Festival shuts down a stretch of the street so pedestrians can enjoy free culture at nine grand institutions including the Guggenheim, Museum of the City of New York, Neue Galerie and the Met.

Special exhibitions and works from permanent collections are on view inside the museums’ galleries, while live music from jazz to Broadway tunes to string quartets is featured in front of each museum. Kids will get a kick out of street entertainers scattered throughout the fest. For little budding artists, children ages 8 to 12 can join a live model drawing class outside the National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, and El Museo del Barrio will offer family art workshops.

It’s worth a stroll.

When: Tues. 6/9, 6-9pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Fifth Ave. at 82nd St. to 105th St., 212-606-2296, museummilefestival.org.