Brooklyn's Streb performers put on a free show this weekend!

Though the New Year has begun, some special events left over from 2009 are still going on…and worth going to!

New events to highlight for this weekend and next week:

• Thomas and Friends at the Botanical Gardens
• Camels and Kings Workshop at St. John the Divine
• Gustafer Yellowgold at Irving Plaza
• “To Work or Not to Work…That is the Question” parenting talk by our blog expert, Alice Kaltman
• World Brooklyn- Tips To Raising A Bilingual Child

Of course, there is much more below. Our personal plan is to try an ice skating lesson at Aviator Ice Academy and then attend Streb’s high adventure (see photo above) as they perform for free for the community. Oh, and I can’t forget the opening of Brooklyn’s Flea at their winter location at the gorgeous must-see building of One Hanson Place in Fort Greene.  Have a fantastic weekend!

Tuesday, Jan. 5th- Sunday, Jan. 10th: Thomas and Friends at the Botanical Gardens
Do you have a Thomas the Tank Engine in your house? We do so we are heading to this event. Personally, I am more excited to see Sir Topham Hatt- that difficult, uppity Director of the Yards.  Your whole family can meet both Thomas, Sir Topham Hatt, Driver Daniel and do some arts and crafts and get tattoos of Thomas and his friends and become certified engineers.  Don’t forget to bring your camera to get a photo with Thomas! See event below for their holiday train show for your train enthusiast!
Details: All at the New York Botanical Gardens. This is recommended for kids aged 2-8 years.   Outside the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. http://www.nybg.org/ for the event itself go here.

Thursday, Jan. 7, 1:45-3:00 pm: Raising A Bilingual Child
Are you interested in raising a bilingual child in Brooklyn? Come with your baby (under 1) to hear a panel of local experts discuss what you need to know. Reps from Lango Brooklyn, Musica Para Mi, The Language and Laughter Studio, Hands on the World, and a local linguist. There will also be raffles for fun prizes.   
Details: http://brooklyn.babybites.net/brooklyn-events/special-events/

Saturday, January 9th: 10am- 12 pm: Camels and Kings Workshop at St. John the Divine
This morning workshop will take place in the beautiful cathedral on the Upper West Side.  The morning begins with a reading of how the three wise men came to visit baby Jesus, followed by crafts inspired by the story: they will make costumes, crowns and gifts.
Details: Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is at 1047 Amsterdam Ave (at 112th Street). Subway is the 1 to 110th Street and Cathedral Parkway. Tickets are $8 per child.

Saturday, January 9th and Sunday, January 10th : 10 am- 5 pm: Brooklyn Flea moves indoors to Ft. Greene
We miss going to the Brooklyn Flea in the winter time- so do a lot of people in Fort Greene and elsewhere.  So, it was good news to me that The Brooklyn Flea is moving to a winter location in the spectacular former Williamsburg Savings Bank at One Hanson Place in Fort Greene. The Real Forte Greene says though he isn’t a fan of its summer location, he supports this new move. If you haven’t been to this location, you are in for a treat. It is stunning with mosaic tiles lining the floor, mosaic murals with gold leafing and a vaulted ceiling. There will be 100 vendors, including the beloved Red Hook food vendors.  The Brooklyn Flea hopes to locate all the food vendors in the bank’s former vault.  The Flea will move to its winter location on January 9th 2010 and will inhabit it until March 28th.  I thought the bank was scheduled to be occupied by Borders or was it Barnes and Noble? I wonder what happened? For a photo of the incredible location and our original post about the story, go here.
Details: 1 Hanson Pl. (at Flatbush Ave.)  B/D/M/N/Q/R/2/3/4/5 to Atlantic Ave./Pacific St.  LIRR to Flatbush Ave.  B41/B45/B63/B67 to Atlantic + Flatbush

Through Sunday, January 10th: Holiday Train Show with Gingerbread Adventures
This holiday favorite at the New York Botanical Gardens is superb- if you don’t have a long line wait. The train display is the conservatory and it is wonderful to see the train dip in and out of plant beds, whizz overhead on wood tracks and speed by the Statue of Liberty. The entire display is made out of natural materials. What you should know: the gardens make you check your stroller outside the building. You walk in and wait in a long line that eventually winds it way into the conservatory. As you make your way through the building, you get progressively warmer and there is no place to put your coats- let alone your childrens’ coats, bottles, snacks etc. Last year I was weighed down by 3 coats, 2 bottles, an Ergo and an antsy kid. Be prepared. Layer, layer, layer and see if you can bring another adult with you. Tickets are available in 15-minute increments. When you purchase tickets online, you can choose your date and start time in advance. Once you enter the Conservatory you can take as much time as you want to view the show. The Gingerbread Adventures is another display at the Gardens. It is at the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden on Tuesdays – Fridays; 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; November 26 – 27; December 21 & 24; December 28 – January 1; January 4; 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Salivate at the handcrafted gingerbread houses created by some of the city’s most imaginative bakers, and take an up-close tour of the spices used to make the houses. Save room for some samples—decorating gingersnaps is part of the fun. For directions and subway stops check this page out. See event above (Thomas the Train) for your train enthusiast.

Saturday, January 9th: 10 am: Gustafer Yellowgold at Irving Plaza
I am sure you have heard about Gustafer by now: a sweet, squishy yellow coneheaded cartoon character who loves to jump on cake. (Wow, that was a mouthful!) The performance is really unique. As the New York Times said, “the show is a cross between ‘Yellow Submarine’ and Dr. Seuss.’”.
Details: Tickets are $20 each, children under 2 years are free.  Irving Plaza is at 17 Irving Place (at 15th Street).  212-777-6800. Tickets are available here.

Saturday, January 9th and Sun, January 10: 10 am- 2 pm: Mulch Fest
The New York Parks Department is holding its annual Mulch Fest at various locations throughout the city. Bring your holiday tree to one of 80+ designated parks to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city or your own garden. Remember to remove all lights and decorations before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site. You will have the opportunity to take home your mulch at designated chipping sites.
Details: For a list of sites in Brooklyn, visit here

Saturday, January 9th: 10:30 am: Mandarin Book reading
Michele Wong McSween will read from her book, “Gordon and Li Li” at the Greenlight Bookstore in Fort Greene. The book teaches Mandarin to early learners and so be prepared for your kid to walk out with a new word or two!
Details: Greenlight Bookstore is at 686 Fulton St (at S. Portland St). http://www.greenlightbookstore.com

Saturday, January 9th: 2-5 pm : Old First Nursery School open house
The school was founded in 1959 as a nondenominational cooperative preschool and has rented space from the Old First Church at Carroll and Seventh for over 40 years.  The Open House gives you a chance to see classrooms and play yard, meet teachers, current pupils and parents, and learn about their educational philosophy and program. Old First is a parent-run cooperative for 3 and 4 year olds. In addition, Old First operates under the Board of Education’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten program, which supplements tuition for the 4-year-olds in our program. For more information, visit  www.oldfirstnurseryschool.org.

Saturday, January 9th: 10 am- 11:30 am: “To Work or Not to Work…That is the Question”
Alice Kaltman, this blog’s Parent Coach, is having her popular talk this Saturday. This is one not to miss and it fills up quickly so reserve as soon as you can.  Here is what Alice says about the workshop: “When issues of motherhood and work collide, the dilemmas are complex, confusing, and deeply personal. In this Parenting Talk we focus on the identity issues, familial histories, financial concerns, and social pressures inherent in the work/motherhood dilemma, offering possible frameworks for resolution and joy in whatever your situation offers.”
Details: The talk is at Alice’s office in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. $10 per person, advanced reservation required.  Spots must be reserved ASAP, as spaces are limited, by e-mailing Alice Kaltman at [email protected] or calling 917.509.9531.  http://www.familymattersny.com

Saturday, January 9th: Beatles Skate at Wollman Rink in Prospect Park
Last year, I finally made it to this rink on closing day. Talk about procrastination! It is a fine rink for teaching small children, but don’t expect to do any jumping or fast skating here. It is small and crowded but pretty gentle for the little ones. We even made a few friends while we were there. The lockers are free but bring your own padlock. The skate rentals were easy and the personnel were pleasant. Check hours on the site.
Details: Every Friday: ½ Price Admission! (does not include skate rental charge, holidays excluded). Adults: $5 (ages 15 and up) and Children (ages 14 and under) and Seniors: $3. Skate Rental: $6.50 (tax included). For more info like hours go to their site.
***To find out where to buy used and new skates locally- check our post here.

Saturday, January 9th: Brooklyn Flea moves indoors to Ft. Greene
We miss going to the Brooklyn Flea in the winter time- so do a lot of people in Fort Greene and elsewhere.  So, it was good news to me that The Brooklyn Flea is moving to a winter location in the spectacular former Williamsburg Savings Bank at One Hanson Place in Fort Greene. The Real Forte Greene says though he isn’t a fan of its summer location, he supports this new move. If you haven’t been to this location, you are in for a treat. It is stunning with mosaic tiles lining the floor, mosaic murals with gold leafing and a vaulted ceiling. There will be 100 vendors, including the beloved Red Hook food vendors.  The Brooklyn Flea hopes to locate all the food vendors in the bank’s former vault.  The Flea will move to its winter location on January 9th 2010 and will inhabit it until March 28th.  I thought the bank was scheduled to be occupied by Borders or was it Barnes and Noble? I wonder what happened? For a photo of the incredible location and our original post about the story, go here.

Saturday, January 9th: 5 pm: Streb’s Trapeze Demo
The STREB team performs a high-flying no-cost show as part of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference. All ages. Streb is “a mixture of slam dancing, exquisite and amazing human flight and a wild action sport which captures kids, older people and the general public’s hearts and minds and bodies.”
Details: Streb Lab for Action Mechanics (SLAM) 51 North 1st St (between Kent and Wythe Aves)  Williamsburg, Brooklyn  | Map 718-384-6491  Subway: L to Bedford Ave (thanks to TONYkids for this info)
If you can’t make this event: You can watch classes and rehearsals at STREB. They rehearse Tuesday through Friday from 11:30-3:30pm.   Bring lunch and use their WiFi! To check their rehearsal schedule go to their site.

Sunday, January 10th: 2.30-5.00 PM: World Brooklyn- Tips To Raising A Bilingual Child
Enjoy an afternoon of class demos and a Mandarin, Spanish and French children’s book fair. From 3-4 pm a bilingual education panel will speak on raising a bilingual child in Brooklyn. Panelists include: Hands on World, El Pequena , Lango Foreign Languages for Kids, Language and Laughter Studio, Musica Para Mi and The Laurel Project.from 4-5 pm there will be free mandarin, spanish and french demos.  Free babysitting and cultural art activities provided by Lango from 2.30-4.00 pm during panel and expo.
Details: 87 Irving Place (Clinton Hill), the cost is $15 per family.  Advance registration encouraged as space is limited.  http://worldbrooklynkids.eventbrite.com/

Sunday, January 1oth: 4 pm: PS Children’s Storytime
PS Bookshop has moved into its new storefront at 70 Washington Street in DUMBO and I have yet to visit. That reminded me to write about their standing Children’s Storytime that they host on every Sunday at 4 pm. This is my go-to event on Sundays if we are looking for something to do. The owner does a great job of assessing what age group he has in front of him and catering to that group. He also sings a bit too with the kids. Call to reserve with ages as he does like to prepare – but drop-ins are welcome too! Storytime is from 4 pm to 5 pm.
Details: 70 Washington Street, Brooklyn, NY. www.psbookshop.com,

Sunday, January 10th: 9:30 am- 12:30 am: Celebrations Fair
If you are trying to figure out where to have the next birthday party, Bar/Bat Mitvah or celebration then NY Family Magazine has made this easy for you. They have invited photographers, venues, entertainers and more to showcase their businesses.  Kids can get their face painted, watch balloon shapers and magicians too.
Details: The Sports Club/LA 330 East 61st Street.  Pre-register at: http://www.facebook.com/l/d2c2a;NEWYORKFAMILY.COM: Those who pre-register and attend will qualify to win a season pass for four to New York Theatre Ballet’s “Once Upon A Ballet.”

Through January 18th: Grand Central Holiday Train Show
This free train show is especially fun as it takes place in a real train station: Grand Central. You can see the train go from New York to the North Pole. It all takes place in the New York City Transit Museum Annex. (November 25th – January 18th). This is free, easy and, in general, no lines. It is totally worth it. The New York Transit Museum’s Gallery Annex is open Monday – Friday 8 AM to 8 PM and Saturday & Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. For additional information call (718) 694-1600 or log onto www.mta.info/museum.

Lionel Train Store’s Sales and Train Display: Ongoing
Okay, so this is a store’s train display, but it should be good. This is Lionel Trains first store ever. Ever. You can imagine the afficiandos that will be anxious to get in there. The store has operating trains whizzing through the store along with a Christmas tree to get you in the spirit. Don’t forget to get a Magnolia Bakery cupcake while you are nearby. They are the best! The Black Friday sale: All sets, engines and rolling stock made by Lionel will be 20% off !
Details: The Lionel Store is at 30 Rockefeller Plaza- 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue

Dear Edwina (Friday, December 11 – February 15)
I was given tickets to Dear Edwina last weekend so Birch (3.5 years) and I went.  The show is back this year after being nominated by the Drama Desk for Best Family Musical. This is the same team who created the musical “Junie B. Jones”.  So, it’s no surprise that when the 60-minute show ended, I had the songs buzzing in my brain and Birch turned to me to ask, “Can we see it again?”  Edwina, the eager protagonist, offers advice, with the support of the neighborhood kids, in intelligent, cleverly worded songs and dance numbers.  The stronger sketches not only teach the kids a lesson (how to be friendly, set the table, politely decline yucky food), but have the troupe taking on characters that are outrageously fun for the kids.  Birch learned how to set the table all based on a catchy song with oversized props and a silly trilling chef.  The character of “Frankenmonster the annoying guest” is dealt with complete sensitivity about differences but elicited huge giggles from the kids- and the adults.  The small stage and intimate theater make the experience engaging for the children. It was sad to see the theater only a quarter full when it deserves to be chock full. We downloaded the Dear Edwina album on itunes and it is in regular play at our place now.  I would recommend it for children ages 3.5 years and up, though a 4 year old might be more comfortable with the 60 minute length. Fridays: 7 PM Saturdays: 11 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM Sundays: 11 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM $39. Telecharge: 212.239.6200. DearEdwina.com the DR2 Kids Theatre (103 E. 15th St., NYC) (between Union Square E. & Irving Pl.), NYC

Butterflies and Journey to the Stars at the American Museum of Natural History
Enter the lovely (and warm) exhibit of the live butterflies in the Butterfly Conservatory for an escape from winter. See the all-new Space Show “Journey to the Stars”, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and travel 13 billion years into the past, when the first stars were born.  The Silk Road is a new exhibit I haven’t seen yet- but might be worth a look.
Details: Adults: $16 Children (2-12): $9 Central Park West at 79^th Street. http://www.amnh.org/ To see the lighting of the tree and my dear friend Jo performing there click here.

The  Pond and Carousel at Bryant Park (Nov. 6^th- January 24^th, 2010)
The Pond, a 170’ 100’ rink is in a beautiful locale with FREE ice skating, skating shows, snacks or a dinner. There are free lockers but bring your own padlock. If you need your skates resharpened or a pair to rent, you can do that easily in the Skating Pavillion.
Details: http://bryantpark.org/amenities/thepond.php. Take the F, V, B, or D train to 42nd Street/Bryant Park
***To find out where to buy used and new skates locally- check our post here.

Monday, January 11th: 7-8:30 pm: Handling Your Child’s Anger, Frustration or Fears
Monday, January 12th: 7-8:30 pm: A Workshop for Parents Whose Children Only Act Out at Home
These workshops are being held at Parents Helping Parents.
Details: 669 President Street Brooklyn, NY 11215  718.638.9444  email: [email protected] http://www.phponline.org/workshop

Saturday, January 16th and on: Mission to Mars – Full-Scale Mars Rover Exhibition
The USS Intrepid at it’s midtown pier has a new exhibit on view, “Mission to Mars” . The Exhibit presents a timeline of the American space program from President John F. Kennedy’s race to the moon speech to the current Rovers on Mars, and even introduces the next Mars probe, Curiosity,which will launch in March 2011.  Special emphasis will be placed on the role that the USS Intrepid played while acting as a space capsule recovery ship for the Mercury 7 and Gemini 3 NASA missions.
Details: Tickets are available for purchase on the Intrepid’s website, www.intrepidmuseum.org. Located at Pier 86 (46^th Street and 12^th Avenue), Manhattan.  Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 5 PM  and Saturday – Sunday, 10 AM – 6 PM.  Cost of Admission: Adult: $22.00 Seniors and College Students: $18.00 Youth 3-17 and Veterans: $17.00.  Active Military, Retired Military and Children Under 3: Free.  All tickets are subject to a $2.00 facility fee.

Saturday, January 16th: 12-6pm: Funky Chicken Dance Party
Boogie down with a funky chicken DJ who will be spinning records for a Fundraiser for St. Luke’s Academy.  The tunes will all be G-rated including:  The Gap Band to R.E.M. to Schoolhouse Rock.
Details: St. Luke’s Academy (behind St. Luke’s Church) at 259 Washington Avenue between Dekalb and  Willoughby , near the G Train Clinton/Washington stop. Price: $15 per family of four.

Saturday, January 16th: 1 and 2 pm performances: Thaddeus Rex
Thaddeus Rex, in two featured performances will “roar” with all ages as Thaddeus Rex travels the country with his best friend, a 7 foot dinosaur named ‘Rock’.
Details: Brooklyn Children’s Museum at 145 Brooklyn Avenue  Brooklyn, NY 11213 718-735-4400 www.brooklynkids.org

Wednesday, January 20th: 9-11am: Open House – Spanish/English Dual Language Program
My friends send their child to PS 46: which is a spanish/english dual program in Fort Greene. They sent me an email to let me know the school is having an open house.  The school currently has pre-k and kindergarten, and is growing a grade a year. For more information visit Insideschools.org’s page about the school.
Details: 100 Clermont (btwn. Willoughby and Myrtle). The contact person for the program is James Johnson, 718-834-7694 or [email protected].

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