First, check out our Google Calendar. Fellow mom Ruth has been adding a ton of listings so that it has become a cheat sheet to the best daily events. It is on our home page. I am really excited about some of the events these coming weeks. This is THE weekend to go to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens- don’t miss it. The cherry blossoms are out and the Cherry Blossom Festival that celebrates Japanese culture with food, performances and demos are the two reasons that this is a “must do”. (Don’t make the mistake of bringing your own food for kids and eating at their cafe though like I did once and got severely chastised!) The other big event this weekend is the Tribeca Film Festival. Catch kids’ short films (made by and for kids), participate in the Family Festival and enjoy perusing the food tents. I wish that I could take Birch to the yoga workshop at Brooklyn Children’s Museum this weekend, but it is for kids aged 18 months to 2 years. Poo! Let’s talk craft markets: we have quite a few of them this weekend alone: the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene, the new Williamsburg Artists and Fleas

Market, the Brooklyn Lyceum Anti-Depression Market and next weekend: Etsy seller-market Calvacade. (All listed below). Lastly, how to choose for Mother’s Day: Parent and Kids’ Party at NY Kids Club with live performance, a Mother’s Day lunch with a photographer on hand, a trip to the Affordable Art Fair while your kids take an art class, a shadow puppet show or making crafts with your kids? All of the above are appealing to me so I will have a hard time deciding, but what I have decided on is that I am going to ask for sleep-in privileges and a hearty breakfast in bed!

PROSPECT HEIGHTS: EATING HEALTHY FOR PREGNANCY

Friday, May 1: 6:30 pm
Come here some advice and meet the author of “Feed The Belly: The Pregnant Mom’s Healthy Eating Guide .” Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, the author, has been the Senior Food & Nutrition Editor at Health magazine for over four years. Admission is free. All at maternity store Bump http://www.bumpbrooklyn.com/ at 464 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 718-638-196

TRIBECA: FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL

Saturday, May 2: 10 am- 6 pm
Catch premieres of family friendly films, free performances, activities along with surprise appearances by characters from movies, books, and television. The Festival Main Stage will feature professional acts of Broadway performers along with emerging talent from Tribeca. Local restaurants and merchants will offer food, refreshments, and merchandise. Local schools will sponsor a variety of fundraising activities, from hairspray painting to graffiti hats. Fly a kite, create life-size bubbles in the Bubble Garden, get creative in the Arts & Crafts tent. For more info click here.

TRIBECA: TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL ESPN SPORTS DAY

Saturday, May 2: 10 am- 6 pm
In addition to the Street Fair (see above) is the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day event on North Moore Street ( between Greenwich and West Streets) featuring a variety of interactive sports-related games, demonstrations and activities. There will be special appearances by your local professional teams, athletes, dance teams, mascots and sports personalities, along with a live broadcast by 1050 ESPN Radio. Visit tribecafilm.com/espn for updates.

MANHATTAN: CLASSIC CONCERT FOR KIDS

Saturday, May 2: 10:30am & 12:00pm, Sunday, May 3 – at 1:00pm & 2:30pm
The Lolli-Pops Concert this weekend combines classical music with a storyteller. Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble Bee and Saint-Saëns’ beloved Carnival of the Animals come to life as children’s book illustrator Peter Reynolds creates original artwork before your eyes. As Reynolds draws, Conductor Dino Anagnost, also known as “Mr. Maestro” to his young audience, narrates alongside his Lolli-Pops™ characters Buzz, Toot and Bow with additional music from Bricusse’s If I could talk to the Animals; Copland’s I Bought Me a Cat; and Fucik’s Circus March and the Evergreen Lollipops.(Ages 3-5 years) . The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. Put on by the Little Orchestra Society. For tickets and details visit their site.

PARK SLOPE: ANTI-DEPRESSION ARTISAN CRAFT MARKET

Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3, 11 am to 6 pm
Beat the Recession Blues With Handmade Goods- everything is under $30 (a nod to the 1930′s Depression). All hand-made goods from locally based artists and designers. You will find purses, onesies, silkscreen prints and more. Food will be provided by the Lyceum Café, DUB Pies, and others. For updates and more information please visit www.bkcraftcentral.com.

UPPER WEST SIDE: IRISH DANCE FESTIVAL

Sunday, May 3rd: 12:30 pm -8:00 pm
The 8th Annual New York City Irish Dance Festival is a free, day long event on Riverside Park South Pier I, celebrating Irish dance and culture with performances from the best Irish dance troupes and schools in the tri-state area, workshops for all ages, live music, face painting and crafts for children, and more. This year, the young stars of “Billy Elliot” will open the festival with a meet-and-greet question and answer period from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm. Pier I is located on the Hudson River at 70th Street. Take the 1 train to 72nd street and walk west to Riverside Park South. Enter the park at 72nd Street on the Hudson River. For more info go to www.irishartscenter.org

FORT GREENE: FLEA MARKET

Saturdays, 10am to 5pm—rain or shine
From April to December, Brooklyn Flea takes place every Saturday from 10am to 5pm—rain or shine—at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, on Lafayette Ave. between Clermont and Vanderbilt Ave. We go to this every weekend and love it. This year, Blue Marble Ice Cream will be there every weekend along with all the other delicious food vendors. The Flea Market has great vendors- from local artists to vintage jewelry and clothing. We love bringing the children, checking out some used books, new art for walls and the fabrics. This is a must for everyone. For full information, visit the Brooklyn Flea website.

UPPER WEST SIDE: BUTTERFLY EXHIBIT

ongoing
AMNH’s wonderful Butterfly exhibit features up to 500 live, free-flying tropical beauties from Central, South, and North America in a 1,200-square-foot vivarium, a freestanding structure aflutter with activity. Wear layers – it gets hot in there! In the Hall of Oceanic Birds. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. 212.769.5200 http://www.amnh.org. Ongoing Daily 10/11/08 – 5/25/09; check with location for exceptions. Adults $22; Seniors & Students $16:50; Children $13

(listing is courtesy of www.gocitykids.com- thank you!)

QUEENS: AIR FUN

ongoing through May 10
The New York Hall of Science has a cool interactive exhibition called AirPlay comes to New York. You can play with “Air Cannon”, watch air through the world’s longest vacuum cleaner hose, float model boats across a table and more. The exhibition closes May 10.

PROSPECT HEIGHTS: SAKURA MATSURI

Saturday, May 2 and Sunday May 3: 10am-6 pm (rain or shine)* if rain, the events will be moved inside.

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Sakura Matsuri, New York City’s “rite of spring,” marks its 28th year with over 50 events and performances celebrating Japanese culture and the blossoming of BBG’s 220 cherry trees. Visitors to the weekend-long Cherry Blossom Festival can enjoy a range of performances from traditional Japanese music and dance to concerts by some of Japan’s hottest J-pop stars, plus taiko drumming, an anime voice actor panel, bonsai pruning workshops, J-pop DJs, a traditional kimono show, and demonstrations and workshops for all ages. Bring your camera and join anime comedian Uncle Yo and the World Cosplay Summit Team USA in a giant Sakura Matsuri cosplay photo shoot! For more info and specific times for events, check out this page.

COBBLE HILL: PLAYGROUP SPRING FAIR

Saturday, May 2 10am – 4pm (raindate Sunday, May 3)
Come to the Louis Valentino, Jr. Ballfield in Carroll Park to bump around in a bouncy castle, ride a pony, and check out: face painting, Mothers Day present crafts, games, races, book sale, flea market, bake sale, plus more games and food. The Ballfield is in Carroll Park at Court Street between President St & Carroll St. Free admission with $1/ticket for activities. Telephone number and Website: (718) 243-0440; www.cobblehillplaygroup.com

PROSPECT-LEFFERTS: BROOKLYN BOTANICAL GARDENS

April 4 to May 10
The cherry blossoms are blooming. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden’s 220 plus trees bloom in stages- so you are sure to catch a gorgeous display through May 10th. Save the dates of May 2 and 3 for the weekend-long Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival, which celebrates Japanese culture and arts with over 60 performances.

PROSPECT-LEFFERTS: YOGA, MOTHER’S DAY AND SCIENCE

various dates
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum has a ton of events over the next couple of weeks. For more specifics go to www.brooklynkids.org for more info. Admission:$7.50 per person. Museum members and children under 1 free. All programs free with Museum admission.
Blooming Babies Series: Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya
Friday, May 1, 11:30am-12:30pm, Saturday, May 2, 11:30am-12:30pm, Sunday, May 3, 11:30am-12:30pm
Celebrate National Dance Month with yoga and movement. Toddlers shimmy-shake to the beat and discover new ways of moving and controlling their little bodies in this introduction to yoga for youngsters. Ages 18 months – 2
World Passport Workshop Series: Sakura Matsuri
Saturday, May 2, 11:30am-12:30pm & 3-4pm, Sunday, May 3, 11:30am-12:30pm & 3-4pm
Join us in creating a calming environment to celebrate Sakura Matsuri, the Japanese cherry-blossom festival! Design your own Zen-inspired wind chimes and have a taste of cherry-blossom green tea.
Made possible by Sovereign Bank. Ages 6+
Science Investigators’ Club Series: Swamp Things
Saturday, May 2, 2-3:30pm, Sunday, May 3, 2-3:30pm
Come discover what lives in the swamp in this new science program series for big kids ages 8 and up! Kick off American Wetlands Month with us and discover the unique ecosystems that exist where land meets water. Ages 8+
Can Do Wonders Series: Mother’s Day Cards & Flowers
Sunday, May 3, 11:00am-12:30pm
Families with special needs can get ready for Mother’s Day by reading a story about a special mama and making flowers or a card from recycled materials to give to their moms. Pre-registration required; call (718) 735-4400 x123. All ages
I Love My Mommy
Saturday, May 9, 2:30-3:30pm, Sunday, May 10, 2:30-3:30pm
Preschoolers—come spend a lovely afternoon reading stories and singing songs with a special woman in your life. Create a beautiful flower and decorate a card to express how much you love her. Ages 5 and under

PARK SLOPE: VAUDEVILLE SHOW

Saturday, May 2 and Saturday, May 9: 4:30 PM
The Brooklyn Lyceum is hosting a modern vaudeville with The Fun and Funny Juggling Show, Will Shaw’s award-winning blend of physical comedy and verbal wit and juggling. It takes place at the Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Ave (at Union St.), Park Slope, Brooklyn. Phone 718-857-4816 . Tickets are $10 but children under 2 are free. Tickets can be purchased online at brooklynlyceum.com/kids or at the door the day of the show.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS: SAFE BIKE RIDING

Saturday, May 2 and Saturday, May 9
This is a great program to teach kids the basics of riding in a safe setting. Classes listed below are offered in association with City of New York Parks & Recreation. This is recommended for ages 5 and up. Bikes and helmets required. Pre-register at www.BikeNewYork.org/education.
Saturday, May 2
Carroll Park, Court St. and Smith St. (basketball courts), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday, May 9
McCarren Park, Driggs Ave. and Lorimer St. (handball courts), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

WILLIAMSBURG: ARTISTS’ MARKET

Saturdays from 10am-6pm
Artists & Fleas, the 6-year old Williamsburg, Brooklyn-based artist and designer market will be setting up shop and showing their wares on opening weekend at the Market in McCarren. The Artists & Fleas Market in McCarren will be operated in partnership with the Open Space Alliance of North Brooklyn (OSA), a non-profit NYC Parks Dept affiliate. Artists & Fleas Market in McCarren will be open on Saturdays from 10am-6pm beginning May 2nd and will be located at the northern end of McCarren Park, adjacent to the McCarren Field House.Visitors to McCarren Park will also be able to enjoy a new weekend café set up outside the McCarren Field House complete with a menu of organic, locally sourced food and drinks as well as a variety of entertainment and weekend activities. Opening day will present The Hungry March Band, The Dead River Company and a live performance piece as part of Movement Research’s Spring Festival. The performance will start at 1pm and will run approximately 90 minutes. All events are free and open to the public.

GOWANUS: SUZI SHELTON BAND

Sunday, May 3: 2pm
I have never heard Suzi Shelton live, but I have friends who love her. She is performing at The Bell House at 149 7th Street (bet. 2nd/3rd Aves) Brooklyn, NY 11215 at (718) 643-6510 . Tickets are $10 per person (under 1 year free). Doors open at 1:30pm. Special appearance by Sebastian and The Gumdrops (with the debut of a new gumdrop)! You can buy tickets here.

PROSPECT HEIGHTS: PANEL ON WELL WOMAN CARE

Tuesday, May 5: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
There will be a panel discussion on Well-Woman Care During Pregnancy, Labor & Delivery and Postpartum. The discussion will include: homeopathy, acupuncture, natural herbs and nutrition as non-invasive and effective ways to relieve situations that range from physical ailments such as heartburn, nausea, and constipation—all the way to emotional anxiety, easing the birth process, and postpartum trauma and depression.There will be short presentations and Q&A session by panelists:
Erika Simonian, DSH – Homeopath New York Homeopathy, Laurel Axen Carroll L.Ac Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, Tioma Allison RN – Certified Midwife specializing in Home Birth, and Herbswoman , Angela Davis, HHC – Health Counselor Weston A. Price Foundation’s Brooklyn Chapter Head. Teh panel will take place at Central Library at Grand Army Plaza, 2nd Floor Mtg Room. 718-230-2100

PARK SLOPE: HEALTHY EATING FOR PREGNANCY

Wednesday, May 6: 7 – 8:30p
Come here some advice and meet the author of “Feed The Belly: The Pregnant Mom’s Healthy Eating Guide .” Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, the author, has been the Senior Food & Nutrition Editor at Health magazine for over four years. You can also win various prizes too. Admission is free. Birth Day Presence www.birthdaypresence.net 917-751-6579 at the Pilates Garage at 291 8th Street, ground floor, between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue in Brooklyn, NY (Park Slope)

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: MOTHERS DAY AND KIDS PARTY

Thursday, May 7th, 5:00-6:30 PM
Party at New York Kids Club in honor of moms. Really? You and your little ones (babies, toddlers, preschoolers) are invited, along with YOUR moms (or mother-in-law, or sister, or husband, etc…) to enjoy a performance from Rock-A-Baby, , open play in gym space, crafts/drawing table, pizza for the kids/snacks for the adults, complimentary photo-taking by professional photographer Nina Drapacz. Nina will photograph each child and mother and will post the photographs on a secure online gallery for parents to view and share with friends and family. All photos will be available for purchase after the event. NY Kids Club, 182 Henry Street, Brooklyn Heights. $20 per child (& family) in advance/$30 at the door ($5 per additional child over 6m). rsvp to [email protected] For full details go to http://www.babybitesnyc.com

PARK SLOPE: MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH

Friday, May 8: 12- 2:00 pm
Mothers and grandmothers, fathers, partners (anyone) can lunch with other new moms and their babies, and get photographed with your child by photographer, Karen Mordechai. Karen’s work has been published by Daily Candy, Real Simple, NY Weddings, The Knot, Conde Nast’s Brides, Town & Country and more. You will have the opportunity to purchase photographs after the luncheon. Space is limited. Lobo, 218 Court Street, Cobble Hill. $35 in advance, $40 day of luncheon. RSVP to [email protected] For full details go to http://www.babybitesnyc.com

DUMBO: BROOKLYN BLOGFEST

Thursday, May 7: 7 pm
Okay, so this may not be a “real” family event, but it will be a fun night to meet your Brooklyn bloggers, talk about your own blog or be inspired to blog! Believe it or not, Brooklyn is the bloggiest place in America. The Fourth Annual Brooklyn Blogfest will be at powerHouse Arena in DUMBO. In addition to a WHY WE BLOG panel, this year Brooklyn Blogfest introduces BLOGS-OF-A-FEATHER, special small-group sessions, where you can meet with bloggers who share your interests. (I will be there on a parent bloggers panel with Melissa of HipSlopeMama. The event is at powerHouse Arena 37 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Admission: $10
Brooklyn Blogfest after-party will be at Galapagos Art Space 16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (right across the street from powerHouse Arena) Cash Bar

MANHATTAN: AFFORDABLE ART FAIR & CHILDREN’S ART STUDIO

May 7 – 10th: check site for specific times
AAF NYC is where you can see (and buy) paintings, drawings, sculptures, video, photography and limited edition prints from good galleries, all priced from $100 – $10,000. They have lots of demos for artists and also a cool Children’s Art Studio, Sat and Sun, 12pm-4pm, put on by Claire’s Creative Adventures . It is for interactive art studio children 3 to 12 years old to attend while their parents enjoy the Fair. Classes will be held Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Programs include: Line and Shape Design inspired by Ellsworth Kelly, Patrick Heron and Mondrian; Vertical Art: Collaborative Group Murals; Famous Artist Coloring Station and a Jim Dine Hammering Station. For more details check out their site. In addition, special Mother’s Day programs include: Sculptural Roses for Mom and Me, Myself and I Pop Art Prints where children create a homage to their mother. It will be held this year in its new home at 7 West 34th Street this May. 7 W New York at 7 West 34th Street (b/w 5th & 6th Avenues) New York, NY 10001 http://www.7wnewyork.com/. $20 – General Admission, $15 – Student/Senior Children 12 and under – Free during Public Fair Hours, May 10th is Mother’s day – Children 12 and under get their Mothers in FREE!

MID-TOWN: SHADOW PUPPETS

May 1 – May 17
The Queen of Colors, which is presented by The New Victory Theater and will run at The Duke on 42nd Street from May 1 through May 17, is a story about choosing not to “color within the lines.” Based on the children’s book by German author Jutta Bauer, The Queen of Colors uses ingenious puppetry to weave a simple story about kindness and originality. The Court Painter, who is accompanied by a Court Musician, creates vivid backdrops for the feisty little puppet queen. We soon learn that while fun comes in all the shades of the rainbow, too much of a good thing can turn into a mucky, yucky mess. Winners of the Children’s Jury Award at the International Puppet Theater Festival (Synergura, 2002), The Queen of Colors is 45 minutes with no intermission. The show is best for ages 4 to 7. At The Duke on 42nd Street. 229 West 42nd Street. For tickets visit http://newvictory.org

GOWANUS: ETSY SELLERS BAND TOGETHER

Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10: 10 am to 4 pm
Etsy sellers are getting together to bring the Spring Handmade Cavalcade at the Bell House in Brooklyn. For more information visit www.HandmadeCavalcade.com for full directions and vendors list for both days. The Bell House, located in the Gowanus area of Park Slope at 149 7th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues

PARK SLOPE: HEALTHY PREGNANCY PANEL

Wed. May 13th: 6:30-9:00pm
Learn what a doula is, what homeopathy is, how to eat healthy, work out properly, how acupuncture, chiropractic, physical therapy and massage can help you through your pregnancy. Plus come see some great products on everything baby and mommy. Soulshine Wellness at 917 8th Avenue (btwn 9th and 10th ). These are theguest speakers I have heard or know and would recommend: : Physiotherapist Isa Herrera , Homeopathist Rebekah Azzarelli , Personal Trainer, Zoe Bowick Levine ACE C-PT , Acupuncturist Laurel Axen Carrol , L.Ac, Nutritionist Aisling Wharton . Cost of event is $10 per person. Register @ www.thepregnantnewyorker.com.

PARK SLOPE: CLOTHING SWAP

May 17th: 12- 3 pm
Oooohhh! A clothing swap ! I love love love these. Come exchange, look or buy baby/kids clothes, gear, maternity wear. It is going to be held at the Prospect Park YMCA. The event is also open to parents who do not have clothing to swap. All the proceeds go to the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign. All details, including how you can get involved, are on the website http://brooklynswap.weebly.com/

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