Ernesto Neto's art at the Armory

This weekend has some of the most unusual events that are easy on the wallet. There are the regular flea markets in Fort Greene, Williamsburg and DUMBO, but some cool additions for the weekend are a flea market dedicated just to bikes and a “score” party which is a curated free boutique.  I love the Red Hook artist’s studio tour, and combined with getting my grocery shopping in at Fairway (which may be WAY too crowded), I think it will be a great afternoon out.  I love the idea of Mamapalooza: that is mom bands playing with a prequel yoga class.  Some well-known Brooklyn moms bands are in the lineup! Madison Square Park generally puts on some good events and this weekend is their kickoff for their kids events. They start it off with yoga, the Deedle Deedle Dees, magicians and more. If you are into salsa, check out Baby Loves Salsa at the Highline Ballroom.  Last, but not least, you can take your kids to a unique show at the armory: Ernesto Neto’s pieces are always stunning: amorphic, sensual and imaginative.  Your kids will flip over his work, I promise. (I do!) For all the events, read below.

RED HOOK: BROOKLYN ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR

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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.

GOWANUS: SCORE AND SWAP

Saturday, May 30th: 11am- 6 pm
Innovative event producers, MeanRed, will host “Score” along with: FreeNYC, Newmindspace and RefugeNYC (the same folks who brought you the Wall Street Pillow Fight) to transform the waterfront venue, BKLYN Yard, into an open-air free boutique. Hundreds of records, clothes, household items, and regretful “impulse buys” will find new homes. This one-day event celebrates the joys of finding treasure in some one else’s trash.  Don’t fear, chaos will not reign: areas will have curators for the various departments.   A roving stylist will be available to make wardrobe suggestions ( EEEK!) , the Treats Truck will be on hand to satisfy sugar cravings, and local DJs will provide the background music for a lazy Spring day at BKLYN Yard. The event is free and open to the public. Donations can be dropped off prior to the event, or left at the door. All left-over items will be collected by Rock and Wrap It Up – an anti-poverty “think tank” that distributes donations to worthy non-profits throughout the city.

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.

PARK SLOPE: SAFE BIKE RIDING and BIKE FLEA MARKET

Saturday, May 30: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
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.  JJ Byrne Park/Washington Park, 4th Ave and 3rd Street

PARK SLOPE: BIKE FLEA MARKET

Sunday, May 31: 10 am- 2 pm
JJ Byrne Park and the Old Stone House will host the 1st Brooklyn Bicycle Jumble, New York’s only outdoor bicycle flea market and celebration of New York City bike culture.  At this one-day-only-event, private, non-professional vendors will be on hand to sell bicycles, bicycle components, and clothing to the public.  If you’re looking for kid’s bikes, cruisers, BMX, mountain, racers, fixed gears, or any wheeled, pedal-powered machine, or any part for one, come to the Brooklyn Bicycle Jumble.  JJ Byrne Park/Washington Park, 4th Ave and 3rd Street

CHELSEA: BABY LOVES SALSA

Saturday, May 30, 11 am
(listing info courtesy of www.gocitykids.com- thank you!)
Little ones (2-6 years) learn all about salsa and all about Spanish, guided by the Jose Conde band. The tunes are bilingual and include Somos la Banda (We are the Band), Bailar Rapido (Dance Fast), and Mi Familia es la Musica (Music is My Family). A lunch/brunch menu is available. Order tickets in advance online or take a chance at the door.
212.414.5994 http://www.highlineballroom.com For Ages 2-6 years.  Doors open 11am, program is at 12 pm. Cost: $12 in advance; $15 at the door; Family 4-pack $40
Highline Ballroom 431 W 16th Street   New York, NY  10011

CHELSEA: SPRING KIDS FEST

Saturday, May 30, 10:30 am- 1:30 pm
(listing info courtesty of www.gocitykids.com- thank you!)

The Madison Square Park Conservancy kicks off its annual Madison Square Kids series with a free festival that features live music performances by The Deedle Deedle Dees, and apple seeds‘ songs for seeds band; mandala-making with the Rubin Museum of Art; face painting by the Vital Theatre Company; Karma Kids Yoga lessons; author Karen Ruelle, who reads from her Madison Square Park-inspired book, The Tree; a Mad Sq Kids Explore! scavenger hunt; magicians; and more. 212.538.6667 http://www.madisonsquarepark.org Madison Square Park 23rd to 26th Streets between 5th & Madison Avenues   New York, NY10010

UPPER WEST SIDE: MAMAPALOOZA!

Sunday May 31, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (11 am yoga)
Finally, moms get their own MAMAPALOOZA! Rock on!  This celebration of moms and the people who love them (ahh..isn’t that everyone?), will feature mom bands: Swingset Mamas, AudraRox and Moey’s Music Party. There will be a Gymboree Play Tent, arts & crafts, eco-environmental information, food, fun, and more!  Special PURE yoga-thon pre-event, 11:00 a.m. Bring your own  mat.  12- 12:40 Moey’s Music Party 12:40-12:55 Marina Fitness  12:55- 1:55 Swingset Mamas  1:55-2:05 Jean Zuzy (Mother Is The One Who Stretches)  2:05-3:05 Audra Rox  3:05-3:15 United with In Motion (kids dance)  3:15-4:00 Catholic Girls  4:00-4:10 United with In Motion (Kids dance)  4:10-5PM TBD Pier I (West 70th Street at the River)

SOHO: REVIVING DESIRE

Sunday, May 31, 8pm
This is one all new parents know is an issue: how to revive desire. Discussion with sex/family therapists and authors, Esther Perel and Ian Kerner will include: Why does great sex so often fade? Why does deep intimacy not guarantee good sex? Why is the forbidden so erotic? Why does the transition to parenthood so often spell erotic disaster? Ian Kerner is a sex therapist and New York Times best-selling author of books including “She Comes First” and “Love in the Time of Colic.” Esther Perel is a couple and family therapist in private practice in NYC. She is the author of the international best seller, “Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence. “Complimentary refreshments will be served. Babeland SoHo – 43 Mercer St. (between Broome & Grand) – 212.966.2120

UPPER EAST SIDE: COOL ART EXHIBIT

Ongoing Daily until June 14
(listing courtesy of www.gocitykids.com- thank you!)

Ernesto Neto’s anthropodino, the artist’s largest work to date, virtually fills the Armory’s expansive Wade Thompson Drill Hall with a giant canopy made of hundreds of yards of diaphanous material, from which large, colorful, and aromatic “stalactites” descend to within arm’s reach. Spices, including turmeric, clove, ginger, black pepper, and cumin, infuse the environment with scent. On the ground, a series of monumental arches covered in translucent fabric fit together like a puzzle to create a vast labyrinth of walkways and rooms that invite visitors to step inside the sculpture and participate in various activities. 212.616.3930 http://www.armoryonpark.org. Ages 5- 19 years is suggested (but I have seen his work and would suggest any age) Time: Tue-Fri 12n-8pm; Sat-Mon 12n-6pm; Mon 5/25 until 6pm Cost: Adults $10; Seniors & Students $8; Members & Children (18 and under) free Park Avenue Armory 643 Park Avenue  New York, NY10065

UPPER WEST SIDE: EXTREME MAMMALS

Ongoing Daily until January 3, 2010
With their new exhibit, Extreme Mammals, the American Museum of Natural History explores the world of extinct and living mammals.  Featuring spectacular fossils and other specimens , reconstructions, and live animals, the exhibition examines the ancestry and evolution of numerous species, ranging from huge to tiny, from speedy to sloth-like, and displays animals with oversized claws, fangs, snouts, and horns.  Through the use of dynamic media displays, animated computer interactives, hands-on activities, touchable fossils, casts, taxidermy specimens, and a colony of live sugar gliders—extreme marsupials from Australia—the exhibition will highlight distinctive mammalian qualities and illuminate the shared ancestry that unites these diverse creatures.  To register for programs call 212-769-5200 or visit www.amnh.org. Online visitors can explore Extreme Mammals at www.amnh.org/extrememammals.  The Museum is open daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:45 p.m.

VILLAGE: MIDWIFE AND OTHERS TO TALK

Wednesday, June 3rd: 6:30-9:00pm
Midwife Cara Mulhanhn featured in “The Business of Being Born” will answer your questions, along with acupuncturist, doula and others. You can also win a Maclaren stroller! For a full list of all the service providers, visit www.thepregnantnewyorker.com. The event will be at Victoria Keen, 357 Lafayette Street  (btwn Bond and Bleeker).  Cost of event is $10 per person.  Register at www.thepregnantnewyorker.com

PARK SLOPE: ROLIE POLIE DINNER AND DANCE

Wednesday, June 3rd: 6 pm
Rolie Polie Guacamole,  the brooklyn based kids band, has a show at Perch Cafe- called “Dinner and Drinks with Frank and Andrew” at 6 pm.
www.roliepolieguacamole.com Perch Cafe at  365 5th Avenue  Brooklyn, NY. www.theperchcafe.com/

UPPER WEST SIDE: LINDY HOPPERS AND JAZZ FOR KIDS

Saturday June 6, 2009, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m
Jazz for Young People®, will host: Who is Benny Goodman? with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and a team of young Lindy Hoppers from the American Ballroom Theater Company at Lincoln Center.  Families will explore the life and music of one of the most popular band leaders in the history of jazz and discover how he became the “King of Swing.” Recommended for ages 6 and older. As official media partner, Time Out New York Kids will host the second annual Family Fest in the Atrium before each performance.  The free event will feature live music, tasty treats and kid-friendly interactive activities. Atrium, 12-1p.m. & 2-3p.m.  Tickets for the Jazz for Young People concert are $12, $20 & $28 and can be purchased through www.jalc.org or CenterCharge at 212-721-6500.

ATLANTIC AVENUE: ARTWALK

Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 1 -  6 pm
Brooklyn’s 6th Annual Atlantic Avenue Artwalk, is a free event where artists offer up the rare opportunity to view their personal workspaces, offering sneak peeks into their usual private studios.  This year, while they are taking a recession friendly approach bringing in more live music and attracting many of the local shops and local restaurants to participate, they are still showcasing over 200 artists in an interactive and participatory celebration of art and live music along Brooklyn’s historic Atlantic Avenue,  The Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk09 has become a creative ‘stimulus’ more than ever – providing high quality programming and free events for audiences while encouraging them to shop, dine, and support the arts at the same time.  For a map and list of participating studios, check their site.

PROSPECT HEIGHTS: PREGNANCY WORKSHOP

Thursday June 18, 6:30pm
Come join the 3 respected midwives/childbirth educators of BklynBirth for a free discussion about pregnancy, including: nutrition, remedies for common discomforts of pregnancy, finding a provider and choosing a birth setting (home, birth center, hospital).  www.BklynBirth.com Bump at 464 Bergen Street

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