Museums

This weekend in NYC - how Curious George really saved the day, Sid the Science Kid and jazz, baby! Just remember to set your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday for Daylight Savings Time.

Hear
Putumayo Kids Jazz Playground Concert
A great antidote to cringe-inducing children’s music. The Putumayo Kids’ Jazz Playground Concert Tour hits NYC this weekend. The Jazz Playground album is the first jazz album for the family from Putumayo Kids, a children’s music label dedicated to introducing kids to music from around the world. This Saturday’s show at the Scholastic store features Oran Etkin performing a selection of international jazz songs. (The Israeli-born Etkin has earned high praise from The New York Times’ jazz critic Ben Ratliff.) True family entertainment.
When: Sat. 3/13 at 11am and 1pm. Free but reservations are required. Call 212-389-3800 to reserve spots. (All ages)
Where: The Scholastic Store’s auditorium, 557 B’way (bet. Prince and Spring Sts.). Stroller entrance at 130 Mercer St.)

See
“Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey”
The Jewish Museum
Illustrator H.A. Rey and his wife, Margret, an author and artist, brought Curious George to America 70 years ago. This exhibit chronicles the Reys’ incredible back story: their dramatic escape from the Nazis, their subsequent survival and the creation of the world’s most famous monkey. The Jewish Museum’s exhibition opening Sunday features nearly 80 original drawings and watercolors; many of the works are on display for the first time. The exhibition also includes an interactive, touch-screen timeline, preparatory dummy books, a reading room and H.A.’s journals detailing the Reys’ journey to freedom.
When: Opens Sun. 3/14; free with the price of admission.
Where: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.

Go
Sid the Science Kid Family Day
New York Hall of Science
Come meet Sid, the star of the PBS KIDS show. “Super fab lab investigations,” a meet-and-greet with Sid and special screenings of the show are all part of the day’s events.
When: Sat. 3/13 (and Sun. 3/21). Super fab lab investigations run from 10am-5pm. The meet-and-greet with Sid is from 10am-4pm, and the Sid screenings are at 11:30am, 2 and 3pm. Free with the price of admission. Tickets available at the museum and 48 hours in advance at nysci.org.
Where: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Queens, 718-699-0005.

Do
New York Theatre Ballet’s Cinderella
Known for its family dance programs in an intimate setting, NYTB presents the beloved story of Cinders and her socially-challenged step-sisters.
When: Sat. 3/13 and Sun. 3/14, 11am, 1 and 3:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. (Ages 3 and up)
Where: French Institute/Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St. (bet. Park and Mad. Aves.)

Check out
New York Family’s Camp Fairs
It’s not too late to learn about summer camp options. New York Family magazine is hosting more camp fairs this weekend. Directors from more than 40 camps - day camps and sleepaway camps - will be on hand. (Camps are for kids ages 3-13.)
When: Sat. 3/13, noon to 3pm, on the UES and Sun. 3/14, 2-5pm) on the UWS. Free.
Where: UES - Lycee Francais de New York, 505 E. 75th St. and York Ave.
UWS - Rodeph Sholom Middle School, 168 W. 79th St. (bet. Columbus and Amsterdam Aves.)

Remember: the clocks!

Let’s take stock of what we know about Curious George: He’s a monkey of few (no) words. His inquisitiveness gets him into trouble. He’s friends with the man in the yellow hat who has no name. And millions of moms are incredibly thankful for the easy-on-the-eye Jack Johnson who sings the theme song in the movie. What you might not realize is that Curious George’s creators have their own incredible back story, and that’s the focus of a new exhibit opening this Sunday at The Jewish Museum.

“Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey” chronicles the Reys’ dramatic escape from the Nazis, their subsequent survival and the creation of the world’s most famous monkey. Illustrator H.A. and his wife, Margret, an author and illustrator, were both born to Jewish families in Germany. They lived together in Paris from 1936-1940 and fled on their bicycles with their drawings just hours before the Nazis entered the city. Turns out, those illustrations, including some of a curious monkey then named Fifi, were key to their survival. Perhaps that’s why a common theme of the Curious George stories is how George saves the day after a narrow escape. And George is often seen with his bicycle. The Reys arrived in New York after a four-month journey through Europe and Brazil.

The Jewish Museum’s upcoming exhibition features nearly 80 original drawings and watercolors; many of the works are on display for the first time. The exhibition also includes an interactive, touch-screen timeline, preparatory dummy books, a reading room and H.A.’s journals detailing their journey to freedom.

It would seem that the non-speaking Curious George has a lot to say.

“Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H.A. Rey” begins Sun. 3/14 at The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd St., 212-423-3200. Check thejewishmsueum.org for museum hours.

Artwork credit:

H.A. Rey, final illustration for “This is George. He lived in Africa,” published in The Original Curious George (1998), France 1939-40. H.A. & Margaret Rey Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Mississippi. Curious George, and characters, created by Margret and H.A. Rey, are copyrighted and trademarked by Houghton Mifflin Harcrout Publishing Company. Copyright 2009 by HMH.

H.A. Rey, unpublished drawing, United States, C. 19502-1960s. H.A. & Margaret Rey Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Mississippi.

This weekend in NYC, Super Sabado, musical produce, a carnaval and a carnival …

Go
La Vida es un Carnaval!
El Museo del Barrio’s Super Sabado
Check out the recently revamped El Museo del Barrio sans admission as part of its Target Free Third Saturdays program. The exhibit “Nexus New York: Latin/American Artists in the Modern Metropolis,” closing at the end of the month, showcases innovative Caribbean and Latin American artists who lived in NYC before World War II and influenced the American avant-garde. Super Sabado family activities include mask and jester hat making, a book reading, gallery tours, a photo station and the “Sounds of Carnaval” performance at 4pm. The concert features the Candombe Jazz Project, playing Candombe, which is a drum-based musical style from Uruguay, and the Capoeira Arts Dance group performing high-energy Afro-Brazilian dance.
When: Sat. 2/20, 11am-8:30pm; free. Visit elmuseo.org for specific events and times. (All ages)
When: El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave. @ 104th St., 212-831-7272.

See
Tribeca Cinemas Kids Club
As part of “feisty females” day, the Kids Club is airing Abby in Wonderland featuring Sesame Street’s Abby Cadabby, the pink, furry fairy-in-training.
When: Sat. 2/20 @ 10:30am; tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for kids. Tickets available at tribecafilm.com. (Ages 3 and up)
Where: Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick St., 212-941-0041.

Hear
The Fuzzy Lemons
This citrus family rock band does it all: reggae, funk, folk, pop, ska, surf rock and more. The group will be performing at Knitting Factory Brooklyn. (As many of you know, the original Knitting Factory was a defining force on the downtown music scene … and maybe in your pre-baby, pre-married world.)
When: Sat. 2/20 @ 11am; $10 per child and adults accompanying children are free. Tickets available at knittingfactory.com.
Where: Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn.

Do
Purim Family Carnival
Head to the JCC on the UWS for a few hours of carnival games and treats. Holiday costumes encouraged.
When: Sun., 2/21, 10am-1pm; $13 for members, $15 for non-members. Kids under one are free. (All ages)
Where: The JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave. @ 76th St. jccmanhattan.org.

Photo Credit: Joaquin Torres-Garcia, Fourteenth Street (Calle Catorce), 1920, Collection of CDS Gallery, NY, copyright 2009 ARS, New York, VEGAP, Madrid. On view at El Museo del Barrio through 2/28.

Living in the present is fine once June rolls around and you’ve got shortened, summer Friday workdays, weekends at the beach and plenty of park time. But at the height of cabin fever season, in NY’s overheated buildings, you could use a mental pick-me-up. So focus on the positive. Look what’s coming to a neighborhood near you later this year:

Scribble Press
For when Junior is over Build-A-Bear and ready for a loftier pursuit. She can become a published author by creating a book at Scribble Press. Kids can make board books, softcover books, notepads and day planners. A fitting activity for the nation’s publishing capital. scribblepress.com.

Shake Shack
Shack attack. Madison Square Park’s institution is getting some siblings, in addition to the one on the UWS. ShackBurgers, cheddar fries and the Shack’s frozen custard shakes will soon be available on the UES on 86th Street, on Prince Street in Nolita, the Theater District … and Kuwait City, Kuwait. Okay, that last one isn’t exactly accessible by subway, but we thought it was worth mentioning. shakeshack.com.

Silly Souls
Speaking our minds is what we’re all about in NY. Our kids are no different. And now the company known for emblazoning irreverent, humorous phrases - “Bald and the Beautiful,” “Organic Pest In-side,” “No Hair Day” - on onesies and other garb for the gaga set is opening its first stand-alone store. Silly Souls will sell bibs, booties, bodysuits (aka onesies) big sister and big brother presents, socks and much more at its new store coming this March to Limelight Marketplace in the Flatiron District. Got sass? sillysouls.com.

Launch dates TBD. Stay tuned. Our promise: They’ll open well before the Second Avenue subway does.

A Mars day trip, shadow dancing (unrelated to Andy Gibbs), tap dancing, MLK Day activities and Jerry Stiller. Serenity now!

Go
“Mission to Mars” on the Intrepid
Saturday an exhibit spotlighting the red planet opens at the Intrepid. Front and center: a full-scale model of a Mars Rover. On weekends, museum educators will hold interactive, multimedia demos where you get to touch Rover artifacts, a piece of solar panel and parachute material. FYI … the USS Intrepid acted as a space capsule recovery ship for Mercury 7 and Gemini 3 NASA missions.
When: Runs 1/16-6/30. Hours: M-F, 10am-5pm, Sat. & Sun. 10am-6pm. Free with admission.
Where: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, (46th St and 12th Ave.) intrepidmuseum.org.

Do
ShadowPLAY
New York Hall of Science
Experiment with colorful lights, crystal-themed shadow puppets, colored gels and tubes in this new interactive exhibition. Dancing encouraged.
When: Sat. 1/16 and Sun. 1/17, 10am-5:45pm. Free with admission. Check nysci.org for additional dates.
Where: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 718-699-0005.

Create
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Diversity Craft
Head to Central Park to partake in a community art project led by the staff of Belvedere Castle.
When: Sat. 1/16 (rain or shine), noon-3pm; free.
Where: Belvedere Castle, Central Park, mid-Park at 79th St. 212-772-0210, centralparknyc.org.

Make-a-Wish Balloons for MLK Day
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Kids can decorate make-a-wish birthday balloons to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. The projects will then be displayed in the museum’s lobby window.
When: Sat. 1/16 and Sun. 1/17 at 1:30pm; free with museum admission. (All ages)
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Brooklyn, 718-735-4400, brooklynkids.org.

Dance
American Tap Dance Foundation’s Open House
Tap dancing. Gregory Hines, Gene Kelly and Savion Glover made/make it look so easy. Saturday kids can sample a class to see if they’re able to master the fancy footwork that provides such an aural and visual feast for audiences.
When: Sat. 1/16, noon-1pm; free. (Ages 3.5-18)
Where: American Tap Dance Ctr., 154 Christopher St. (bet. Greenwich and Washington Sts.)#2B, atdf.org.

Heads-up
Jerry Stiller Book Reading
Next Wednesday, funnyman Jerry Stiller reads from two selections from The PJ Library Collection to launch the PJ Library program in NYC. PJ sends out Jewish-themed books and CDs to children free of charge if the kids live in a PJ region. A fee-based subscription is available for families living outside PJ regions.
When: Wed. 1/20, 3pm; free. (All ages)
Where: JCC in Manhattan, 344 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th St., 646-505-5708.

New York City may have 8 million plus people, but it can still feel pretty lonely here come late December. As friends flee the city for fabulous (and envy-worthy), vacation hot spots, many of us are stuck in our perennially overheated apartments sans any real direction for the holiday season. A prescription for cabin fever if ever there was one.

But you’ve got plenty of options around town for breaking up your family’s holi-daze over the holidays. (And we’re not suggesting you go anywhere near the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.) In addition to the Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA (for kids who can handle the quirky eeriness of the guy who brought us The Nightmare Before Christmas), Kandinsky retrospective at the Guggenheim and the Sesame Street exhibition at Brooklyn Public Library, all ongoing exhibits, you’ve got:

The Jewish Museum’s Holiday Season Family Activities
Starting on Thur. 12/24 and running on 12/27-12/29 as well as 12/31, the museum will host an afternoon drop-in art workshop. Kids ages 3 and up can create a mixed media collage related to the theme of light. December 25th is “A Family Celebration” with a full day of activities, including an art workshop inspired by the museum’s current Man Ray exhibit, a Metropolitan Klezmer concert plus a “Strike a Surreal Pose” photo booth, again inspired by the Man Ray exhibit. Mon. 12/28 and Tue. 12/29 are Family Film Days. The museum will show classic family films and TV episodes from its National Jewish Archive of Broadcasting. Look for Maurice Sendak’s Really Rosie plus The Muppet Show.
Check thejewishmuseum.org for times. All activities are free with museum admission.
The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. @ 92nd St., 212-423-3200.

Kwanzaa Celebration
American Museum of Natural History
African dance, live musical performances and traditional crafts are all part of AMNH’s celebration of the seven principles of Kwanzaa on Sun. 12/27, noon-5pm. A Kwanzaa Marketplace, with vendors, visual artists and craftspeople, will be set up on the Mezzanine Level of the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. The Museum Food Court will be serving special Kwanzaa foods. Plus check out AMNH’s origami holiday tree, which has been a tradition for the past 30 years. Volunteers began folding the 500 creations displayed on the tree back in July! Activities are free with the price of admission.
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th St. (Milstein Hall of Ocean Life), amnh.org.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s World of Celebrations
The annual winter recess festival runs Thu. 12/24-Sun. 1/3, not including Christmas and New Year’s Day. Think Mayan hot chocolate and gingerbread cookie decorating. The museum hosts educational/ arts ‘n’ crafts sessions focusing on Kwanzaa, New Year’s Day and the annual Camel Festival in Bikaner, India. Free with the price of admission. Visit brooklynkids.org for details.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., 718-735-4400.

Giggle Sale
Why not throw in a little shopping! Markdowns of 15-75% have already begun on clothing, gear, decor and bedding. Sale standouts: strollers by Phil & Teds and Stokke plus Fleurville diaper bags. The sale is both online and at Giggle’s brick-and-mortar stores.
Soho - 120 Wooster (bet. Prince and Spring Sts.)
UES - 1033 Lex. Ave. @ 74th St.

Thomas the Tank Engine
at The New York Botanical Garden
Starting Sat. 1/2, kids can meet Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt, become certified as honorary engineers and take home temporary tattoos, stickers and coloring sheets. Tickets are free with the price of admission but are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. While you’re there, check out Gingerbread Town. And if you’re even thinking about going to the Holiday Train Show, get tickets now.
Outside the Arthur and Janet Ross Gallery, New York Botanical Garden, 200th St. and Kazimiroff Blvd. nybg.org. (Runs through Sun. 1/10)

Happy Holidays!

Photo credit: AMNH

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.