Who wouldn’t want to raise a good sleeper?! Imagine this: a full night’s good sleep for you and your partner…. and upon waking, you find you have a cheery baby who has also had a good night’s sleep! Not that she is making any promises, but Dr. Janet Kennedy (aka the NYC Sleep Doctor), will give you the steps on making that a real possibility during her new workshops at Tribeca Parenting.

If you start early with helping your baby grow into a good sleeper, you may avoid the struggle of sleep training later on. When our youngest, Willow, was 5 months, I got mono and needed major sleep. Willow was doing that “baby thing” of waking up from her naps after 45 minutes and though she was exhausted, she couldn’t get back to sleep. I would rock her in the glider before trying to transfer her to the co-sleeper and then wahhh! she woke up the moment I tried to put her down. I ended up just sleeping with her in the glider for days on end. I called the NYC Sleep Doctor to help dig us out of the sleeping abyss we had fallen into.

Dr. Kennedy taught me methods to help Willow soothe herself back to sleep. We learned everything from recognizing her favorite sleep positions and sleepy signs to establishing a good schedule to get some control over our sleep patterns. It helped tremendously and when Willow eventually learned ways to get herself back to sleep, I made my own way back to recovery.

Here is the scoop on the 2 hours clinics that will be taught at Tribeca Parenting locations in Park Slope, Williamsburg, Fort Greene, Tribeca and the Upper East Side. The one in Fort Greene starts this Tuesday (January 24th).

How to Raise a Good Sleeper:
For expectant parents and parents of babies 0-12 months

You will learn:

• The basics of infant sleep patterns
• How to make sure your child is well rested
• Soothing techniques for fussy babies
• How to help your child learn to put herself to sleep
• How to avoid excessive crying
• How to address sleep problems as they arise
• … and how to keep the whole family well rested!

No single method fits every family’s needs, just as there is no one way for infants to sleep. Let’s get away from sleep advice that doesn’t work for you, and we’ll find real, productive solutions for your family. Taught by Dr. Janet Kennedy, the NYC Sleep Doctor, these workshops will teach you to get more and better sleep for both you and your baby.

Details: $75 per couple. Please feel free to bring your baby! See Schedule and Register. If you do a phone registration they are offering our readers a $10 discount if you mention “A Child Grows”. (646) 863-4500

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Post tags: classes at tribeca parenting, crying it out, dr janet kennedy, fort greene, help your baby go back to sleep after waking from nap, how to get your baby to sleep, janet kennedy, not doing crying it out, NYC sleep doctor, parent coach in Brooklyn, park slope, reviews of tribeca parenting, sleep consultant in brooklyn, sleep doctor, sleep dr, sleep help in brooklyn, sleep seminar in brooklyn, tribeca, tribeca parenting, upper east side, williamsburg

MAGIC TRICK: The Amazing Max and his audience assistant perform a magic trick. ©Jacqueline Patton.

“The Amazing Max and the Box of Interesting Things” is a magic show that we found entertaining: full of silly physical humor, stunning magic tricks and hilarious antics, we thought it was not only a great kids’ show but one for parents too. This isn’t a show that you ask, “How did he do that?!”  It’s not that Max doesn’t do great tricks, he does. It’s that the show is so focused on the hijinks of Hamlet the mind-reading pig and other silliness, that the audience doesn’t have time to focus on the head-scratching tricks that Max performs. The magic is just the sideshow to a very engaging performance. (Our full review of the show is here.)

We are giving away a family 4 pack of tickets to “The Amazing Max and the Box of Interesting Things”!

In addition, all of our readers will be able to get discounted tickets by using discount code AMPROMO5 at www.broadwayoffers.com.
(Discount Tickets are $26.50 for OrchestraSeating Only.  Valid on all weekend performances now thru 3/10/12)

The Amazing Max and his audience assistant, receive help from Hamlet - the mind reading pig. ©Jacqueline Patton.

Here is how to enter:
Leave a comment at the bottom of this post or on our Facebook page as to who will be most excited if you win the tickets! Entries will be taken through Sunday, January 22nd, 2012. You can enter as many times as you like. Good luck! I will announce the winner on Monday, January 23rd on both Facebook and on a comment here.

About the show:
The Amazing Max and The Box of Interesting Things is performed at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center (MMAC) at 248 W. 60th Street, NYC (between Amsterdam and West End Avenues) in the Lincoln Center area. Running Time:  60 minutes
Website: www.theamazingmax.com
Twitter: @theamazingmax
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amazingmax

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Post tags: amazing max, discount code to the amazing max, giveaway, kids magic show, magic show in nyc, magic show in nyc for kids, mmac, nyc, review of the amazing max, the amazing max and the box of interesting things, ticket giveaway, tickets to the amazing max

Carnegie Hall loves its youngest audience members- it’s a rare opportunity for the Hall to let loose. Giggles, whispers, reading and talking to a performer are encouraged and embraced whenever a family concert gets underway. The concerts, recommended for children ages 5–10, are a wonderful way for parents to introduce their children to live performances of music from around the world. With tickets starting at just $9, it’s a great deal. Tickets are available for the 2012 season that runs from January through May.

Upcoming Events

Carnegie Hall Presents

Sunday, Jan 22, 2012 | 1 PM

Carnegie Hall Family Concert: Ensemble ACJW

Zankel Hall

Learn More

Buy Now

Carnegie Hall Presents

Saturday, Mar 3, 2012 | 1 PM

Carnegie Hall Family Sing: Songs of Solomon

Zankel Hall

Learn More

Buy Now

Carnegie Hall Presents

Saturday, Apr 14, 2012 | 12:30 PM

Carnegie Hall Family Concert: The New York Pops

Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

Learn More

Buy Now

Carnegie Hall Presents

Saturday, Apr 14, 2012 | 3:30 PM

Carnegie Hall Family Concert: The New York Pops

Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

Learn More

Buy Now

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With all of the craziness that comes with Black Friday, Cyber Monday and deals flooding our inboxs, we are so happy that Brooklyn offers a bit of calm from the sea of commercialism. Thanks to local holiday fairs and markets, you can buy handmade gifts like pottery, jewelry, clothing and toys without the hassle and even enjoy delicious food and fantastic company as you can even meet with the designers and artisans themselves. These markets are also fantastic for kids as they can see Santa and taste delicious food. Check out some of our top picks for a season of buying local this holiday season.

Now- Every weekend through December 17 & 18
Saturdays from 1 to 7 pm and Sundays from noon to 6 pm
ArtsCetera’s Indie Artisan Market
You will find local artisans selling custom and handcrafted stationery, cards, party products, body care products, lotions, natural scrubs and much more. Details: Smith Street between Baltic & Butler; Cobble Hill. For additional information, please click here.

Saturday, December 3^rd from 9:30 am–4:00 pm
Christmas Fair
This fun fair will include handmade ornaments, decorations raffles and pix with Santa.
Details: St. Mary’s Couri Hall, 8005 Ridge Blvd. at 81st Street. (718) 238-8008

December 3^rd and December 10^th from 1:00pm-5:00pm
Clayfest Studio Tour and Craft Fair
This holiday fair is a part of the NYC Clayfest Studio Tour. There will be over 20 Brooklyn ceramic artists participating displaying their handmade ceramic gifts, functional pottery, sculpture, mobiles, jewelry and home décor. There will be also be hot cider, wine, cheese and sweets on-hand. Details: Clayworks on Columbia, a not-for-profit ceramic studio, gallery and education center, 195 Columbia Street (Sackett and Degraw), Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.

Friday, December 2^nd (3pm – 7pm) and Saturday, December 3^rd (1pm – 5pm)
International School of Brooklyn Book Fair
The International School of Brooklyn will be hosting their 7^th Annual Book Fair this weekend where children’s books will be sold in Spanish and French. In addition, there will also be a poetry slam where students from ISB and other Brooklyn schools will recite poems in French, Spanish, and English. Talk about a trifecta! Their past book fairs have been awesome and this one promises to be just as great!
Details: International School of Brooklyn. 477 Court Street (at Nelson).

December 4^th from 4pm-8pm and December 5 from 10:30 to 5:00pm
Brooklyn Friends School Winter Craft Fair
This local event will include 40 local vendors as well as a book fair, carnival rides, games, cupcake decorating and craft making. There will also be delicious food and desserts. Details: 375 Pearl Street, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.

Sunday, December 4^th from 10am – 2pm
Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Preschool Book Fair
Here’s your chance to warm up with yummy baked treats, connect with old and new friends, enjoy activities, and a diverse selection of books! There will also be Author book readings and signings, games, and… raffles! Yippie!
Details: All are welcome. Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Preschool. 131 Remsen Street (between Clinton and Henry Streets).

Sunday, December 4^th from 11am – 4pm
Eat, Pie, and Shop at P.S. 29
Join Half Pint Citizens at PS 29 for their annual Pie Social. There will be delicious home-baked and professional pies, pie contests featuring Top Chef celebrity judge panel, fun children’s activities, and wonderful Holiday shopping from local artists and vendors. What’s even more delicious? The money earned will be donated back to PS 29! Now that’s what I can sweet!
Details: PS 29. (425 Henry Street)

December 4^th from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Holiday Gift Fair and Pie Social
This fun holiday fair will include local bakers – both amateurs and professionals – supplying a huge variety of pies. Kids and adults can also try some tasty treats from Shake Shack and grilled cheese sandwiches from Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain. There will also be a pie competition with judges from Food and Wine magazine and Top Chef. The gift fair will include more than 20 local artisans, craftspeople and merchants selling handmade jewelry, clothing from Dumbo’s Half Pint Citizens and handmade toys from Fork + Pencil. Details: PS29, 425 Henry Street. For additional information, please click here.

Plymouth Holiday Bazaar
Dec 5th and 6th from 8:30 to 3:30
This market features some of my favorite local Brooklyn vendors from clothes to bags to skin care. Send someone to the moon this holiday with a box of One Girl Cookies moon pies, snatch up a book by Lotta Jansdotter (her books sell at Purl Soho), get a facial or peruse unique clothes and more.  Details: Plymouth School at Hicks Street at Orange.

December 11^th – December 16^th from 11:00am -7:00pm (weekdays) and 12:00pm – 5:00pm (weekends)
NY Creates Craft Fair
The NY Creates Holiday Craft Festival is free and features one-of-a-kind crafts like ceramics, jewelry, apparel, plush toys, organic cosmetics, glass works, photo art and home goods. Details: Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont Street at Clinton Street, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.

December 12^th from 12:00pm to 6:00pm
3rd Ward’s Handmade Holiday Craft Fair
The 5th Annual 3rd Ward Handmade Holiday Craft Fair will feature unique and handmade items for everyone on your wish list. Vendors will be selling jewelry, bags, housewares, paper goods, toys, clothing, winter essentials, culinary treats, and much more! There will also be a DJ, seasonal cocktails, live music and food. RSVP at 3rdward.com/rsvp. Details: 195 Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.

December 16th – 21st from 11:00am – 7:00pm
Dumbo Art Centre and its Holiday Pop-Up Sale
This fun fair will include AlMar Cafe, Talas,Charles Homet and Terrance LeRay. Additionally, 50% of sales benefit DAC and the creation of new art and 50% of sales benefit the participating artists! Details: Dumbo Arts Center, 111 Front St. #212, Brooklyn, NY 11201. For more information:
http://www.dumboartscenter.org/benefit_events.html

December 17^th and 18^th from 11:00am-7:00pm
The 4th Annual  Lyceum Holiday Marketplace
A day of theater and shopping, The Brooklyn Lyceum welcomes back its Holiday Marketplace featuring artisans and creative wares. Some items on sale include soaps, books, silk-screened goods, hats, kid’s clothing, bags, jewelry, fine art and delicious food. Details: Brooklyn Lyceum. 227 4th Avenue, Corner of President Street, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.

December 17^th and December 18^th from 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Brooklyn Craft Central’s 4th Annual Holiday Market
This craft fair features 65 juried artists and crafters, food trucks such as Brooklyn Brine, Chocolate Swirl, Jam Stand, Sour Puss Pickles, Macaron Parlour, Granola Lab, Bum Bars, Jenni’s Cookies, The Chibi Chef and Rescue Chocolates and drinks including weekend-long market specials. Details: Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street (between 3rd and 4th Avenues) in Park Slope, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.

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Post tags: 3rd Ward’s Handmade Holiday Craft Fair, ArtsCetera’s Indie Artisan Market, Brooklyn Friends School Winter Craft Fair, Brooklyn holiday markets, Clayfest Studio Tour and Craft Fair, Holiday Gift Fair and Pie Social, holiday markets, shop local, The 4th Annual Lyceum Holiday Marketplace

We know that using technology in the classroom helps teachers and students be more resourceful and stay current in today’s environment. The problem is that most schools don’t have the access to the technology they need. Intel AppUp℠ center is trying to change that with its Wired to Learn contest. Intel is donating a $25,000 tech package to a school that garners the most online votes. And, if you aren’t the big kahuna winner? They are also giving away a $10,000 tech package to the second place school and a $5,000 award to the third place school as well as a raffled netbook giveaway weekly for those who register and vote.

I was amazed to see that the current winning school has just 700 votes. That means your entry has a excellent chance at winning! Just think: there are 602 students at PS 11 in Clinton Hill and if every one of the families voted and asked their friends to vote- that school would win! So, don’t hesitate to enter. Plus, as others who have entered their schools have said- it’s super easy to submit an application. Submit 500 words or less to explain why your school needs the tech package. The contest is open to both public and private K-12 schools.

What the winning school receives:
A $25,000 technology package, featuring industry-leading technology from Intel, exciting learning and teaching apps, and more.

Guidelines:
Submit soon, because all the votes have to be in by December 4th. Before you enter, download the Intel AppUp center to register. Then start writing your story about a school that deserves a tech package.

How to Enter:

• Go to the Contest Page.

• Before you enter, download the Intel AppUp center.

• Get specific. In 500 words or less explain why your school needs the tech package. What unique needs does the school have?

• Extra credit: take a picture or video of the school. No one under 18 in the photo, please.
• Ask everyone to vote! Share the site with your friends. They have all the social media buttons on your school vote page, so they make it super easy.

The schools in the running for most votes! Go schools go!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I was paid to write about the program but all editorial is mine.

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Post tags: 000 grant for schools, enter your school in intel contest, how to enter your school in intel contest, intel $25, intel appup contest, intel appup contest for schools, intel Appup technology contest, intel offfers school grant, intel technology grant, intel wired to learn contest, school granting, technology grant, wired to learn contest

If you are looking for reasonably-priced tickets to dance, theatre and music, some of the best deals around can be had at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College. Thanks to big corporation sponsorship (Target for the family series), seats are available for less than a movie ticket price. $7 for a Nutcracker performance? You got it- and it’s not just inexpensive, it’s actually a good production. Tickets sell fast- and not only for the Nutcracker- so you need to buy far in advance. We have laid out the whole family season for you here, but don’t forget to check out the adult productions too. It’s fairly easy to get to Brooklyn College:  they are located one short block from the junction of Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues, a major public transportation hub.

The Colonial Nutcracker
Date: December 11, 2011
Time: 2:00  PM
Single Ticket: $7
An annual holiday favorite at Brooklyn Center, Dance Theatre in Westchester performs a narrated version of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet set in wintry colonial Yorktown. This Target FamilyFun Series performance is recommended for ages four and up. Running time 2 hours 15 minutes including intermission.

Clifford the Big Red Dog™ — Live!
Date: January 8, 2012
Time: 2:00  PM
Embark on a whole new adventure with loveable Clifford, the big red dog with the heart of gold.  Based on the classic children’s books by Norman Bridwell, this brand new musical is full of memorable songs and fun choreography celebrating the timeless values of sharing, respect, and cooperation.  This Target FamilyFun Series performance is recommended for ages four and up.
Single Ticket: $10

Hot Peas ‘N Butter
Date: January 29, 2012
Time: 2:00  PM
Single Ticket: $7
Even if your kids don’t like vegetables, they won’t be able to resist Hot Peas ‘N Butter!  This children’s musical group combines an interactive, invigorating approach to performance with multicultural music, blending jazz, R&B, folk, rock and Afro-Caribbean tunes that will have your kids dancing in the aisles. This Target FamilyFun presentation is recommended for ages four and up.

The Beauty of Ballet
Date: March 11, 2012
Time: 2:00  PM
Single Ticket: $FREE
Join students and faculty of the world-famous School of American Ballet (the official academy of New York City Ballet) in this program illustrating the process by which talented youngsters develop into accomplished classical ballet dancers.  Your children will watch a “class” where training exercises and steps are demonstrated, and also enjoy excerpts from famous ballets.  Presented in collaboration with the School of American Ballet, this free event is recommended for ages four and up.  No tickets will be issued — seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
Date: April 22, 2012
Time: 2:00  PM
Single Ticket: $7
When a great African king desires a wife, Mufaro’s two daughters are invited to meet him.  Both are beautiful, but does either have the inner beauty of a potential queen? Told through African dance, drumming, narration and song,  this musical celebrates goodness, generosity, and kindness of heart.  A Target FamilyFun Series event recommended for ages six and up. This dramatization is being performed by permission of the John Steptoe Literary Trust.

Cinderella
Date: May 20, 2012
Time: 2:00  PM
Single Ticket: $7
American Family Theater’s award-winning production bursts with excitement, fantasy and song as it tells the classic tale of a lowly servant girl whose one wish is to attend the royal ball.  With the help of her friend Mortimer Mouse and a magical fairy godmother, her dreams come true and, as in all good fairy tales, everyone lives happily ever after!

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Post tags: american family theater cinderella, brooklyn center for performing arts, brooklyn college theatre, cinderella at brooklyn college, clifford play, hot peas n butter, live of clifford, mufaro's beautiful daughters, the beauty of ballet, the colonial nutcracker, the nutcracker, the nutcracker at brooklyn college, theater at brooklyn college, walt whitman theatre

Last year I wrote about my triumph in finding the perfect multivitamin for my children. Yes, some go on a quest to find themselves, but my 3 year quest was to find the ideal kid’s vitamin! SmartyPants gummy is an all-in-one vitamin that has BOTH the Omega-3s and 100% of recommended daily vitamins. Forget that sticky fish oil with that pungent after-taste. Ditch that Disneyfied vitamin dripping in high fructose corn syrup. SmartyPants gummies are delicious gumdrops that are good tasting and good for your kids (and I promise you, they will ask for more!)

After I wrote about SmartyPants, so many of you tried the vitamins (and kept buying!), that SmartyPants knows you are some of their most loyal customers. So, great news for us: they contacted me yesterday to give us all a 50% off discount on the Children’s Multivitamins. Woo hoo! Order your 3 month supply now- or, if you are new to the brand, this is a perfect opportunity to try them out.

The code is ACGB50 for 50% off. There is a limit in the amount for the discount (as with all good things): limit 3 single bottles or 1 three pack per customer.

For more info on SmartyPants Vitamins or to buy some, you can go here.

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Weekly singalong with Lloyd Miller (AKA Ulysses S. Dee)

We started the week with a bang thanks to Halloween. Although things have mellowed out a bit, there are still engaging and fun activities out there for kids of all ages. For parents, we are really excited for the live auction that will benefit Film Biz Recycling and a free adult knitting workshop at the New Utrecht Library. This week kids will love shaking and bopping to the latest sing-a-longs with Brittany and Jessica at Mini Max Toys and Cuts and Lloyd at the Moxie Spot. Enjoy the rest of your week and check out our calendar listings for even more activities.

Tuesday November, 1from 11:00 am12:00 pm
Weekly Storytime
This storytime, designed for kids 5 and up, is with Michelle. Kids will love to bop and dance along to some of their favorite songs. Dean Street is also an excellent restaurant where you can enjoy lunch after the show. Details: Dean Street 755 Dean Street, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.

Tuesday November, 1
Sing-a-long with Lloyd at the Moxie Spot
The Moxie Spot hosts a weekly sing-along with Lloyd Miller of the Deedle Deedle Dees. Details: The Moxie Spot, 81 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn. For additional information, click here.

Tuesday November, 1^st from 4:30pm-5:30pm
After School Stories at the Sunset Park Public Library
This excellent program will allow kids with disabilities to make arts and crafts and listen to stories. Details: Sunset Park Library, 5108 4th Avenue, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.

Wednesday, November 2^nd at 10:00am
Music Jam Session
Rock out with Brittany and Jessica with their ukulele and fun songs! Details: Mini Max Toys and Cuts, 152 Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street, Brooklyn. For more information, click here.

Thursday, November 3^rd at 10:00am
French Storytime
This fun storytime will allow your kids enjoy French stories and songs. Details: Mini Max Toys and Cuts, 152 Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street, Brooklyn. For more information, click here.

Thursday, November 3^rd from 10:00 – 10:45 am
Free singalong with Yoshie and Ora Fruchter
There is a new free singalong to check out this week with Yoshie and Ora Fruchter, a brother-sister guitarist-puppeteer team. This fun session is geared towards kids ages 0-4 years old. Details: Two Boots Brooklyn, 514 2nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue.

Thursday, November 3^rd at 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:15pm and 1:00pm
Puppetsburg
An interactive and fun show, Puppetsburg, is a weekly puppet show for babies featuring cool puppetry and music. Children are $16 and adults are free with a child’s ticket Details: The Brick, 575 Metropolitan Avenue (between Union Avenue and Lorimer Street) in Williamsburg. For additional information, please click here.

Thursday, November 3^rd from 1:00pm-2:30pm
Crocheting and Knitting
This fun class will allow you to learn how to knit or crochet for fun. Details: New Utrecht Library, 1743 86th Street, Brooklyn. For additional information, please click here.

Thursday, November 3^rd from 7:00pm-9:00pm
A real-deal live auction benefiting Film Biz Recycling
Do you ever wonder what happens to all of the furniture and clothes after a television show or movie has stopped filming? A lot of it is passed on to crew members, but a significant portion of these items end up as waste in our landfills. Film Biz Recycling is one of the coolest not-for-profit organizations that we know (and have written about before).  Film Biz Recycling redistributes about 60% of waste from movie and TV sets to local charities and organizations as well as sells some products through their Film Biz Prop Shop. To raise money for Film Biz Recycling and the amazing local organizations and charities they assist, they are holding a real-deal live auction called Lights, Camera, Auction in Brooklyn. You can scoop up esoteric and wonderful rescued props and materials. Bet you would love to replace your food-gummied rug for a paltry sum!

The event has been constructed by Krrb, (a cool online site to sell and trade secondhand, handmade and locally-made), will begin bidding at $10 bucks! There will also be curated collections from Swiss Miss; Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan of Apartment Therapy; Brooklyn artist and children’s books illustrator, Oliver Jeffers; and Andrew Wagner of Krrb, formerly of Ready Made and Dwell. There will also be dollar tacos from Oaxaca, beer provided by Brooklyn Brewery, live music and a real fast talking auctioneer. The event is $10 per person but all proceeds go to Film Biz Recycling. The event is $10 per person. Details: Located at the Film Biz Prop Shop at 540 President St, Brooklyn NY 11215. For additional information, please click here.

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Post tags: After School Stories, Brooklyn events, Film Biz Recycling, free classes, free music, French Storytime, Knitting, library, Mini Max and CUts, moxie spot, Puppetsburg, sunset park library, Two Boots, Yoshie and Ora Fruchter

Every once in awhile, we like to write about date night on the blog. Sometimes it’s about a play we are invited to preview, or a quirky adventure at Brooklyn Boulders, or even a local spa night for two. We hope that you find something that might inspire you to try something new for date night. I know I get tired of just going around the corner for a glass of wine!

My parents took me to Niagara Falls as a kid and there are 2 things I remember most: the cool mist of the water on my face and the fascinating stories of daredevils who went over the Falls in a barrel. What I don’t remember is that one woman actually survived that.  The Queen of the Mist, a new musical by Off-Broadway’s Transport Group,  is the true, sad story of Anna Edson Taylor, the lone survivor of a barrel voyage, whose life, rather than filled with fame and fortune from her stunt, died in poverty.

Anna Edson Taylor with her barrel

Annie’s journey isn’t just about plunging over the Falls, but her immersion into a world of characters- of which she hopes to become one of the more famous ones. She risks her life to be “of consequence”.  It is a wild ride:  funny, poignant, lyrical and tragic. All of it takes place in the intimate Judson Gym just off of Washington Square Park. The gym space has been turned into a charming early 20th century lace-filled Chautauqua meeting. The setting is unique with the actors working within the space of the audience’s bleacher seating.

Seeking fame after her wild ride

The top-notch ensemble of 2 women and 4 men ably support the tour de force performance by Mary Testa (two-time Tony nominee) in the title role. I am sorry that I have not seen everything that she has ever done on stage.

The evocative music and beautiful lyrics, written by Michael John LaChisua (5-time Tony nominee), is woven with turn of the century themes. The story got a little abstract in the second act, mirroring Anna’s declining psychological state. Though the emotion was real and superbly acted, the story got a little muddled at the end.

I love biographies that are contextualized in a historical time and was impressed with the close reading of Anna Edson Taylor’s story. But what truly captivated me was the ensemble of talented actors and musicians that took me on a journey over the falls and into another time.

Tickets:
Tickets are $58 or $65 Discount Code: $10 off with code TGMAMA
Tickets can be purchased here.
Play runs through Nov. 20
The Gym at Judson
234 Thompson St. @ Washington Square South  NYC 10012

For more blogs posts on Broadway reviews and deals visit MamaDrama.

Joyce Szuflita

*****************

Reviewed by Joyce Szuflita. Joyce is the owner of  NYC School Help, and assists families in navigating public and private school choice in Brooklyn. Before she became obsessed with Brooklyn schools she was a Scenic Artist and Broadway professional for 25 years. (And why she can write good reviews!)

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Post tags: anna edson taylor musical, deals for tickets for broadway, mary testa, michael john lachisua, michael john lachiusa, off broadway in nyc, queen of the mist, queen of the mist reviews, transport group

Do you have a superhero nut? Try out this new class that lets boys and girls shake out their super hero moves. Kids will jump (small buildings), leap, web-sling, run and dance while imagining they are their favorite superheroes. Super Girls, Batmans, Spidermans and Wonder Women are all encouraged to come to the free demo that will let them all explore their superhero identities, powers and attitudes.

If superhero stuff isn’t your calling- how about just creative dance? There is a free trial for 18 month olds and up for this shake-your-own thing class!

Free Demos by City Kids Dance

Wednesday, October 26
Super Hero
3:34-4:30
class is appropriate for 18+ mo

Friday, October 28
Creative Dance
9:30-10:15
class is appropriate for 18+ months

Free demos are held at:
DUMBO Chabad
205 Plymouth street near Bridge Street.

If you plan to attend please rsvp with Anne
To register for the full 10 week session or to find out more about the program, please log onto http://www.letsdancebklyn.com/

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Post tags: ballet class, city kids dance, creative dance, creative dance class, dance class in brooklyn, free dance class, kids dance class, superhero class in brooklyn, trial class