Scavenger Hunts, Watson Adventures,
(877)9-GO HUNT (946-4868), ext. 22, WatsonAdventures.com/schedule.html.
Watson Adventures presents August scavenger hunts!
The Meatpacking District Dash Twilight Hunt, 8/2;
The MoMA Mania Hunt, 8/9; The Murder at the Museum
of Natural History Hunt, 8/10; The Secrets of Central
Park Twilight Hunt, 8/15.
Understanding Marriage, Aesthetic
Realism Foundation, 141 Greene St., (212)777-4490,
www.aestheticrealism.org. Women are welcome to attend
the Aesthetic Realism Foundation for this month’s
class, A Wife’s Demands; or, What Makes Insisting
Right or Wrong. Teachers Barbara Allen, Anne Fielding
and Pauline Meglino, lead the class. 8/2; 11am.
Comedy for Kids, Gotham Comedy Club,
208 W. 23rd St., (212)877-6115. CAMP REGISTRATION:
Is your child the next Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams
or Billy Crystal? Here’s a chance to give your
funny kid a stage. Learn skills to write and perform
stand-up comedy at this summer’s Camp Kids ‘N
Comedy. Registration now for session 3 (8/4-8/15).
ON-CAMERA AUDITION WORKSHOPS: Kids ages 10-17 learn
to read sides from a stand-up comedian/actress and
teacher. See yourself on tape as you develop your
scenes. Each student gets his or her own tape, and
a casting director from a major TV network talks to
you about the auditioning process. Classes monthly,
beginning the first Saturday of the month, 2:30pm.
Free Dance Events, Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater, www.alvinailey.org/free, www.alvinailey.org/50.
In celebration of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s
50th anniversary and its mission of making dance accessible
to everyone, Ailey presents a special summer series
of free performances and dance classes throughout
all five boroughs. The centerpiece is an all-day street
party in the heart of Manhattan, a special collaboration
between AAADT and New York City Center. Additional
free performances featuring Ailey II and dance classes
open to everyone reach all of NYC’s boroughs.
Visit www.alvinailey.org/free for further information
about these activities, including free ticket distribution
and class times. 8/5-8/12.
CancerCare, (800)813-HOPE (4673),
teled@cancercare.org, www.cancercare.org. CancerCare
is a free telephone education workshop for people
living with cancer, their families, friends and health
care professionals. No phone charges apply. This month’s
workshop is Living with Colorectal Cancer: Managing
Treatement Side Effects. 8/7; 1:30-2:30pm.
Free Swim Lessons, various locations,
311, www.nyc.gov/parks. Parks and Recreation and the
City Parks Foundation (CPF) with the support of the
American Red Cross are pleased to announce the kick-off
of this summer’s annual Learn to Swim program.
Learn to Swim is a free swim instruction that runs
at New York City’s public outdoor pools. The
program teaches tots (ages 18 months-5 years) and
children (ages 6-14) basic water safety and swimming
skills. Register 8/13; 9-11am. Classes run 8/14-8/29;
8-11am in 30-minute or 45-minute sessions, which vary
by age and ability.
It’s Showtime!, The Imagine
Project Inc., The Actors Alliance Studio, 330 W. 38th
St., (718)851-8091. The Imagine Project Inc. is proud
to announce that it is accepting limited registration
for its two-week intensive summer acting workshop
for kids ages 6-teen. The training integrates the
improvisational techniques of the Imagine Project
creativity programs, which have nurtured and inspired
New York/New Jersey youth for the past 20 years, with
the opportunity for instruction by and exposure to
the industry’s leading casting agents and talent
managers. 8/18-8/29, daily; 10am-4pm.
Free Tennis, New York Junior Tennis
League, various locations, www.nyjtl.org. The New
York Junior Tennis League is proud to host its annual
summer program offering free tennis to youngsters
ages 6-18 at various locations throughout Manhattan.
Trained coaches provide a comprehensive schedule of
instruction, practice and play for all levels. The
summer program includes special trips, tournaments,
contests and educational guidance programs. Tennis
activities include group instruction, practice and
USTA Junior Team Tennis match play. Each site provides
loaner tennis racquets and balls. Parents must register
their children at the NYJTL Community Tennis Center
that they select. All children are welcome at all
locations and local community children’s groups
are also encouraged to attend. Through 8/22.
CurtainUp Camp, Stepping Out Studios,
37 W. 26 St., www.curtainupkids.com. CurtainUp Kids
has a great Musical Camp planned for this summer.
And yes, there’s still time to sign up, with
enough roles to go around to everyone. Camp takes
place from 10am-1pm at Stepping Out Studios. For the
three-week August Camp, the children perform The Wizard
of Oz on 8/22.
Beat the Heat, Sky Rink at Chelsea
Piers, Pier 61, (212)336-6100, ext. 0, www.chelseapiers.com.
Beat the heat (and the rising cost of operating your
air conditioner) by bringing friends and family to
Sky Rink on Sundays for a special summer offer. Every
Sunday through 8/24; 12-3:50pm.
Outdoor Art, Washington Square area,
(212)982-6255, www.washingtonsquareoutdoorartexhibit.org.
Free admission and plenty of fine art can be enjoyed
on the sidewalks of Greenwich Village at the Washington
Square Outdoor Art Exhibit. Outstanding artists from
14 states and Canada have been selected by a jury
of highly regarded figures of the art world to participate.
Admission is free. 8/30-9/1 and 9/6-9/7; 12-6pm.
Evening Yoga, Riverside Park South,
66th Street Plaza, 311, www.nyc.gov/parks, www.riversideparkfund.org.
End your day with relaxing Hatha yoga in a beautiful
sunset setting, as part of the Summer on the Hudson
series. Suitable for all fitness levels. Please wear
loose, comfortable clothing and bring your own mat.
This is a free event. Wednesdays through 9/24; 6:30-7:30pm.
Tour History, Mount Vernon Hotel
Museum and Garden, (212)838-6878, www.mvhm.org. The
Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden is pleased to
offer educational group tours of its celebrated facilities.
Visitors have their choice of three tours: From Carriage
House to Country Escape (And Everything In Between);
Behind the Ropes: A Decorative Arts Tour; and Upstairs,
Downstairs: A Social History Tour. Ongoing.
Park Programs, various locations
in Battery Park City, (212)267-9700, www.bpcparks.org.
CHESS LESSONS: Big thinkers and chess lovers ages
5-16 can learn from a chess master. All levels welcome.
Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Mondays; 3:45-6pm. TEEN
VOLLEYBALL: All teens are welcome to play volleyball
at Stuyvesant High School’s Community Center,
every Saturday. For information, call (646)210-4292
or visit www.ccshs.org. Ongoing; 4:30-6:30pm.
Intro to Tennis, Elf Tennis, www.elftennis.com.
The mission at Elf Tennis is to introduce young children
to tennis in a fun manner. Elf Tennis offers classes
for children that feature child-centered games and
exercises. Classes are small and taught by quality
instructors. Visit www.elftennis.com for details.
Ongoing.
CPR Safety, American Red Cross, 520
W. 49th St., (212)875-2424, (800)514-5103, www.nyredcross.org.
More than 300,000 people each year suffer from sudden
cardiac arrest. To increase the chances of survival,
at least one person in each household should be trained
in CPR and the use of an AED. Organizations and companies,
depending on size, should have many, if not all, employees
and volunteers trained. In less time than you think,
American Red Cross training provides the vital knowledge
and skills for everyone to respond to a life-threatening
situation with confidence. The American Red Cross
in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) offers CPR/AED classes
this month. Class dates and times are subject to change.
Ongoing through August.
Picture Perfect, Alexandra Gabanyi,
(212)588-9356, alexgabanyi@yahoo.com. Instead of giving
Mom a traditional framed photograph of the children
this year for Mothers Day, try something new with
a hand-painted, pastel portrait. Artist Alexandra
Gabanyi originally trained in Hungary, has worked
for years in New York as an illustrator and now exclusively
paints children’s portraits. The paintings are
life-size and something that parents will treasure
forever. Call or e-mail to learn more.
Erena’s Piano Studio, Upper
East Side, (212)755-8196. Passionate, experienced,
world-renowned piano teacher Erena Topchieva is looking
for dedicated, responsible students who have a love
of music. Upper East Side studio. No experience necessary.
Scholarship opportunity available for aspiring piansts.
Ages 6 and up may apply. Contact Erena at (212)755-8196
or (646)283-5471.
Kiddie Karaoke, Iggy’s New
York, 1452 2nd Ave., (646)724-5632, www.iggysnewyork.com.
Kiddie Karaoke is the hottest new trend to hit the
Upper East Side of Manhattan. Iggy’s offers
multiple packages for kiddie karaoke parties to accommodate
every budget. Call or visit the Web for details.
Moira North in 1984,
Ice Theatre of New York performs annually at Sky Rink,
presenting some of the fines
Children’s
Galleries for Jewish Culture, The Children’s
Galleries for Jewish Culture is home to two wonderful
exhibitions with more than 80 fun-filled interactive
stations for children ages 5-12. Pack small trunks,
decode a new language while shopping at a supermarket,
design a neighborhood and much more in From Home to
Home: Jewish Immigration to America. In From Tent to
Temple: Life in the Ancient Near East, dress a manikin
in ancient clothes, grind wheat, hunt for food with
a bow and arrow and try 40 other activities! Play in
both exhibitions, and at any time step in the art room
for exciting arts and craft activities. Programs run
8/3, 8/5, 8/6, 8/10, 8/12, 8/13, 8/17, 8/19, 8/20, 8/24,
8/26, 8/27 and 8/31; 2-5pm.
American Museum of Natural History,
81st Street b/w Columbus Avenue and Central Park West,
(212)769-5200, www.amnh.org. MUSEUM SLEEPOVER: The American
Museum of Natural History invites families to break
out their sleeping bags and experience a sleepover held
at the museum! These sleepovers include a screening
of the IMAX film Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure
and a spooky dinosaur fossil exploration by flashlight.
Kids ages 8-12 and their caregivers sleep in the Milstein
Hall of Ocean Life under the big blue whale, beneath
famous dioramas in the Hall of North American Mammals
or among the geological formations in the Hall of Planet
Earth. All participants must register in advance, and
one adult is required for every 1-3 children. Sleepovers
take place 8/8 and 8/15; 5:45pm-9am. HORSE EXHIBIT:
“The Horse” will examine the powerful and
continuing relationship between horses and humans and
explore the origins of the horse family, extending back
more than 50 million years. This trailblazing exhibition
will also explore early interactions between horses
and humans that eventually led to horse domestication,
and will show how horses have, over time, changed warfare,
trade, transportation, agriculture, sports, and many
other facets of human life. Ongoing. HAYDEN PLANETARIUM:
Every Wednesday, visitors blast off on a field trip
to the moon at the American Museum of Natural History.
Designed for children ages 9–13, but accessible
to all ages, the new educational program, funded by
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
uses the state-of-the-art computing power of one of
the most advanced virtual reality theaters in the world
to create a realistic 22-minute space voyage that “launches”
visitors from Cape Canaveral, puts them into Earth orbit
and finally lands them on the lunar surface. Ongoing
Wednesdays; 10:30am.
New-York Historical Society,
170 Central Park W., (212)873-3400, www.nyhistory.org.
France’s Marquis de Lafayette came to the Americas
to join in the fight for independence in 1777 and went
on to play a major role in George Washington’s
defeat of the British army. The New-York Historical
Society presents the exhibition “French Founding
Father: Lafayette’s Return to Washington’s
America.” Through 8/10.
The Children’s Museum
of Manhattan, www.cmom.org. NEW EXHIBIT: CMOM
presents the new “Golden Legacy: Original Art
from 65 Years of Golden Books” exhibit. View 60
masterpieces of original illustration art by legendary
artists from American publishing’s best-loved
and most consequential picture-book line— Little
Golden Books®! Share happy childhood memories with
picture book classics like The Poky Little Puppy, Home
for a Bunny and Dr. Dan. For all ages. Through 8/28.
WATER EXHIBIT: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan
(CMOM) has reopened its popular outdoor water exhibition,
“City Splash,” in the CMOM Sussman Environmental
Center. The annual exhibition, free with paid admission,
features an outdoor playground full of interactive activities
that enable kids to play with water while learning about
its many properties. Open through mid-October.
American Folk Art Museum,
45 W. 53rd St., (212)265-1040, ext. 148, www.folkartmuseum.org.
Family Programs at the American Folk Art Museum introduce
children ages 4-12, and their accompanying adults, to
folk art through interactive discussion-based tours
in the galleries followed by a hands-on art-making activity
inspired by objects in the museum. Programs meet at
the admission desk and begin promptly at 1pm. The first
Saturday of every month; 1-2:30pm.
Anniversary and Exhibits,
Children’s Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette St.,
(212)274-0986, www.cmany.org. This year marks a milestone
in the Children’s Museum of the Arts’ (CMA)
history— the museum’s 20th anniversary!
Founded in 1988 as an alternative to the mainstream
children’s museum, CMA is New York City’s
only children’s museum dedicated entirely to the
arts. CMA hosts a special exhibit to celebrate the occasion.
“5 by 4 = 20: Celebrating CMA’s 20th Anniversary”
is an exhibition designed to celebrate the diverse artistic
experiences and energy that children and adult artists
bring to the museum when they come to create. This exhibit
will invite four groups to create five pieces of art,
for a total of 20 pieces. The artists will be asked
to interpret, play with, and abstract on the number
20. Visit www.cmany.org for details. Ongoing.
Tolerance Days, Simon
Wiesenthal Center’s NY Tolerance Center, 50 E.
42nd St., (212)697-1180. The Center has launched its
Public Days program with guided tours for the public
every Monday. The program allows visitors to explore
the Center’s offerings weekly on a reservation
basis. Modeled after the Museum of Tolerance in Los
Angeles, this is Manhattan’s first state-of-the-art
interactive training and educational facility that focuses
on the dynamics of racism and prejudice in America,
international human rights and the history of the Holocaust.
Mondays; 9am-5pm.
Museum Adventures,
141 E. 88th St., (212)996-4169. Museum Adventures holds
weekly classes that introduce children to the excitement
of visiting Big Apple museums. Children explore a different
art gallery every week, discovering all forms of art
from far-off places and periods. Call for more details.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum,
Ellis Island, New York Harbor, (212)363-3200. Learn
about America’s immigration experience with three
floors of self-guided exhibits and displays, including
the Oral History Studio and the Immigrants’ Living
Theatre. Audio tours narrated by Tom Brokaw are available
in several languages. Open daily, year round (except
Christmas), from 9:30am-5pm.
Saturdays in the Galleries,
ARTime, (718)797-1573. ARTime introduces elementary-age
kids and their families to the world of art by offering
an interactive 90-minute gallery tour led by two historians.
Participants investigate the ideas, materials and techniques
employed by today’s artists through engaging hands-on
activities and discussions. Pre-registration required.
Call for location. Saturdays; 11am.
Everything About a Day (Almost),
TADA! Theater, 15 W. 28th St., (212)252-1619, www.tadatheater.com.
The carefree days adults so often want to revisit
get a new light shed on them with this fun, light-hearted
musical that will bring back memories and give parents
a whole new appreciation for their little ones. The
audience will follow a day full of quizzes, math problems,
report card stress and yes, even crushes. Everything
About a Day (Almost) is meant for all ages. 8/1; 12
and 2pm. 8/2; 2 and 4pm.
The Gazillion Bubble Show, New World
Stages Theatre, 340 W. 50th St., www.newworldstages.com.
Step into the “unbubblelievable” magical
kingdom of Fan Yang’s Gazillion Bubble Show!
The first and only interactive stage production of
its kind, complete with fantastic light effects, lasers
and jaw-dropping masterpieces of bubbly artistry,
this unforgettable experience is not to be missed.
Through 11/23/08.
Secrets of a Soccer Mom, Snapple
Theater Center, 210 W. 50th St., (212)398-2765, ext.
140, www.secretsofasoccermom.com. In Secrets of a
Soccer Mom, three women leave their traditional spots
on the sidelines to play in the annual mother-son
soccer game. This ordinary day becomes extraordinary
as the competition ignites their fierce desire to
recapture their spirit, humor and passion. Use code
MOM37 online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (212)307-4100
for a special discount. Ongoing.
The Cat Who Went to Heaven, Culture
Project, (212)352-3101, www.cultureproject.org. This
puppet show tells a jazz-inflected tale, featuring
a struggling Japanese artist, his housekeeper, a Buddhist
priest from the local temple and an inspirational
cat. When the cat unexpectedly appears in the starving
artist’s studio, his fortune begins to change.
Ongoing; Tuesdays at 7pm, Saturdays at 10am and Sundays
at 7pm.
Dear Maudie, 78th Street Theatre
Lab, 236 W. 78th St., (212)868-4444. This show tells
the tale of two girls who met in the 4th grade and
made a pact to correspond with one another until they
reach age 13 “or one of the girls gets a pimple!”
In the tradition of Judy Blume’s Are You There
God? It’s Me, Margaret, the show takes the gals
through the emotions of growing up and the heartbreak
of losing old friends. Sundays; 1pm.
Shakespeare Retold for Kids, Manhattan
Ensemble Theater, 55 Mercer St., (212)391-1072. FOOLS
IN LOVE: Shakespeare’s classic tale gets an
imaginative makeover in this fun-loving play. It all
begins in Duke’s diner, complete with a jukebox,
soda pops and bobby socks. Tunes from the ’50s
and ’60s also enliven the production, along
with colorful fairies, mismatched lovers and an acting
troupe. Call for ongoing weekly show times. TEMPEST
TOSSED FOOLS: This rock n roll re-imagining of The
Tempest stars Ana Chlumsky of My Girl fame. The show
is a totally enchanting fantasy that serves as a creative
gateway to teach kids about classic literature and
productions. Call for ongoing weekly performances.
Cinderella Samba, Swedish Cottage
Marionette Theatre, Central Park at 79th St. and West
Drive, (212)988-9093, www.cityparksfoundation.org.
The Foundation presents Cinderella Samba. Set in the
lush landscape of Brazil, this timeless fairy tale
finds Cinderella and her Prince in a Samba contest
at the Carnival Ball. Kids will experience a live
marionette puppet show. Reservations required. Tuesday-Friday;
10:30am-noon. Saturday and Sunday; 1pm.
Teens
Helping Science, New York State Psychiatric
Institute’s, 168th Street & Ft. Washington
Avenue, (212)543-5669. To gain a greater understanding
of attention and memory development, staff at the Institute’s
Cognitive Electrophysiology Lab seek kids between the
ages of 9-10 and 13-14 for research purposes. Kids must
be in good health, fluent in English, with no medical,
psychiatric or learning disabilities. Studies involve
no invasive procedures. Call to learn more.
Host an Exchange Family,
ASSE International, (800)677-2773, www.asse.com. ASSE
International, a non-profit organization, is looking
for local volunteer families to host high school exchange
students from around the world. Hosts who welcome a
student into their homes are asked to provide room,
board and guidance for the student during his or her
stay. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience
a foreign culture right in your own home! Call or go
online for more details.
Origami Workshops, Theragami Studio,
W. 111th Street and Broadway, (212)222-3362. New York
City’s only educational-therapeutic origami workshop
venue for kids is conducting hands-on workshops for
families with children ages 6-12. Participants will
make beautiful, three-dimensional origami models using
colorful Japanese papers. No experience needed. Call
for class times.
On-Camera Audition Workshops,
Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St., (212)877-6115.
Kids ages 10-17 learn to read sides from a stand-up
comedian/actress and teacher. See yourself on tape as
you develop your scenes. Each student gets their own
tape, and a casting director from a major TV network
talks to you about the auditioning process. Classes
monthly, beginning the first Saturday of the month,
2:30pm.
Support for Tween & Teen
Siblings of Kids with Disabilities, The Sibling
Center, 525 E. 89th St., (212)831-5586. Siblings of
children with special needs often feel terribly alone
and have needs of their own that may not be met. At
this support group, they share thoughts and feelings
in words and art, meet new friends and have fun. Call
for the most up-to-date schedule and more details. Free
consult.
Interfaith Family Resources,
Interfaith Community, 475 Riverside Dr., Suite 1945,
(212)870-2544. Respecting the distinctiveness of both
Judaism and Christianity, the Interfaith Community provides
programs for children, parents and families. Children’s
classes, team-taught by a Jewish and a Christian educator,
are held at several Manhattan locations. Programs for
adults include workshops and panels on parenting in
an interfaith family, as well as seminars on different
religions. Also available are events for celebrating
holidays from each tradition.
Auditions, Dicapo
Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus, 184 E. 76th St.,
(212)288-9438. The Children’s Chorus is looking
for boys between ages 8-18 to round out the roster.
This coed ensemble performs a fully staged musical in
mid-May. Rehearsals are held Friday evenings at the
Dicapo Opera. For more information and to arrange an
audition, call (212)799-0675.
RoboFun, 38 E. 23rd
St., Fl. 3, (212)245-0444. Vision Education and Media
offers vacation, weekend and afterschool robotics programs
for children ages 6-13. Students learn to build and
program his or her creations using a LEGO mini-computer,
LEGO bricks, motors and sensors. Classes run throughout
the school year. Call for details.
Mah Jongg Club, Brunelli’s
Restaurant, 1409 York Ave., corner of E. 75th Street,
(212)327-4620. Four dot, three bam— Mah Jongg
is back! Join the contemporary renaissance, led by a
woman who has taught over 700 others ages 20-70 how
to play over the last four years. Lunch and dessert
included. Call Linda at the listed number to reserve
a seat in advance as space is limited. All levels welcome.
Mondays, 12:30-4pm.
Homework Help, New
York Public Library, various branches, www.homeworkNYC.org.
The New York Public Library now offers academic assistance
for students in grades kindergarten through 12. The
an online tutoring service helps students with any subject
in the school curriculum, such as English, science,
math, history, government, geography, mythology, music,
art and health. Stop by the 13 NYPL branches in throughout
New York City to receive homework help from a live tutor
via the Internet during 30-minute appointments, while
homeworkNYC allows students to design their own homepage
and connect with numerous databases.
The Joy of Belly Dance,
(212)213-9409. Here’s a unique show for you or
your little genie or sultan’s next big bash, the
Joy of Belly Dance includes a lesson, group dancing
and participation with props. Authentic music and other
favorites are also part of the spectacle. For additional
information about events in the tri-state area, call
the number listed.
Manicures & Pedicures,
(212)410-6897. Pamper yourself by calling on Joan, a
licensed nail care specialist available for manicures
and pedicures whether in the home, office or at children’s
parties for ages 2 years and up. Flexible appointments
and reasonable rates. Call for details.
Terrific Tours, 30
Rockefeller Plaza, (212)664-7174. ROCKEFELLER CENTER
TOUR: Celebrating the rich history and exciting present
of the city’s architectural jewel, this tour explores
the ambitious vision of young John D. Rockefeller and
hosts over 100 breathtaking works of art. The Plaza
is home to NBC, Radio City, Christies Auction House
and the famous ice skating rink visited by over half
a million people every year. NBC STUDIO TOUR: Since
1933, NBC has offered this historic tour that takes
visitors behind the scenes of NBC’s New York operations.
An NBC Page serves as your ambassador, guiding you through
the awe-inspiring studios of Saturday Night Live, NBC
Sports, Late Night with Conan O’Brian, NBC Nightly
News and Dateline NBC. Since tours are conducted during
show taping hours, you may catch a glimpse of a famous
NBC star!
