This weekend’s hot list includes the Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup, a free soccer clinic, The Chocolate Show, Puppets on Film and the opening of BLDG 92 in our own Brooklyn Navy Yard. There are some fabulous exhibits and theatre shows that you need to put on your calendar too: “White” at the New Victory, Canstruction, The Big Apple Circus and Math Midway. There’s a Greencycle Swap on Sunday for all your recycling needs, the opening of a new play space and even a dog contest with free hot dogs. Enjoy a dog on me! Have a fabulous weekend. Don’t forget to check our Music Listings and Calendar too!
ALL WEEKEND
All weekend: various times
Big Apple Circus: Dream Big
Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center is back again and we loved it! Grandma Clown (the emcee ) is hilarious as she guides you through the the Big Apple’s acts and set changes. The thread of the show’s theme, “Dream Big”, begins with a little girl who appears to have been plucked from the audience. She relays her desire to be a trapeze performer, which by the end of the show- she does become. Dreaming Big does work! Fabulous international circus artists perform under an intimate tent with varying acts from acrobatics to clowns. People seem to especially respond to the animals–horses, dogs, and a porcupine. The acrobats were particularly enthralling to watch when they were jumping around as a human pyramid. The kids were doing acrobatics in their seats during the intermission probably because they could totally relate it to their own experiences on the monkeybars. The show is perfect for ages 2.5 years and up. Both our children were totally engaged by it… and honestly, we were too. Runs Oct 20 – Jan 8. Details: Tickets start at $15, children under 3 years are free on the lap of a paid adult.
Friday-Sunday 10 am – 6 pm.
Canstruction
What happens when you take thousands of cans and stack them together? If you are a designer or artist at Canstruction– something spectacular. For the past 19 years Canstruction, a pop-up exhibit held at the World Financial Center, has been working with innovative designers who stack up and transform over 100,000 cans into art while also running a canned food drive for City Harvest. We have gone a couple of years and it’s a quiet, inspiring event. It’s exciting to see art made from everyday materials, and deeply moving to think the “bricks” of those sculptures will be recycled to feed hungry families. Kids of all ages will love this amazing exhibit: it’s not only a cool form of art, they can also learn something about giving back through the food drive. Families can bring a can to the exhibit and all of the cans will be donated to local community food programs. Details: Runs through November 10–21, 2011 from 10am–6pm daily (10am – 5pm on November 21) World Financial Center Complex 220 Vesey Street Arts World Financial Center (212) 945-0505
FREE – Suggested donation: One can of food per person For additional information, please visit: www.artsworldfinancialcenter.com
Friday-Sunday 12 pm – 6 pm.
Opening of BLDG 92
This new 8,000 square foot exhibition and visitors center in the Brooklyn Navy Yard opens this weekend to the public. The interactive exhibit about our history as it happened at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Details: Opening weekend hours: Friday-Sunday 12 pm – 6 pm. Normal Exhibit hours Wednesday- Sunday 12pm – 6pm. Flushing and Carlton Avenues, Brooklyn, NY. Brooklyn Navy Yard Shuttle will run every 15-20 minutes. Meet at the corner of Jay and Willoughby Streets. Stations are: Jay Street/Metrotech Stations A,C,F,N,R or Borough Hall Station (2,3,4,5).
Saturday, November 12 through January 22nd
Math Midway at Liberty Science Center
This fabulous exhibit make math fun for all ages from babies to adults. Try a square-wheeled bicycle, hang out with magnetic monkeys or check out mind-bending mirrors. This show debuted at the World Science Festival Fair in Washington Square in 2009 and even in its smaller capacity there, it dazzled visitors. This interactive exhibit is fabulous fun and worth a trip to New Jersey for- stay for an imax show or one of the other permanent exhibits. The exhibit runs through January 22, 2012. It’s highly recommended. Details: Liberty State Park222 Jersey City Boulevard Jersey City, NJ 07305
Saturday, November 12 through Sunday, November 27: 4 pm
Classic Brunch Matinee Series: ‘The Little Rascals’ Movie at Canal Park Playhouse
Check out three classic shorts from Our Gang, better known as THE LITTLE RASCALS: Waldo’s Last Stand, School’s Out (with Jackie Cooper) and Our Gang Follies of 1938. Enjoy the exuberant shenanigans of Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, Froggie and the rest of the gang screened in the intimate Playhouse theater. The Rascals are proceeded by classic cartoons just like Grandma and Grandpa used to see. Details: Canal Park Playhouse, 508 Canal Street, between Greenwich and West Street. $9 per ticket, Brunch package is $15.95
Saturday, November 12 – November 13: various times
White at New Victory Theatre
Andy Manley’s productions are a delight for babies, toddlers and preschoolers- and adults (really truly I promise you!). They are simply lovely, creative and light in nature. Don’t miss this Scottish innovator in his newest production. Plays through Nov. 13th. Details: New Victory Theatre,209 West 42nd Street. 646-223-3020
Saturday, November 12 – November 20: various times
Puppets On Film
See puppets like you’ve never seen them before! Long before computer graphics, fantastic creatures came to life as puppets made of foam, fabric, metal, and wood. This festival features seven brand new documentaries about puppetry as well as a roster of fantasy films, Muppet movies, shorts from the US and around the world, New York premieres, gremlins, teenage mutant ninja turtles, and the story of an angry tire. Puppets on Film includes programs for both kids and adults alike. Curated by Cheryl Henson, Lindsey Z. Briggs, and BAMcinématek. Details: BAM in Fort Greene.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Saturday, November 12: 5 pm
Astronomy in Fort Greene Park
Fall and winter are the best times to observe meteor showers, the phases of the moon, and many planets of the Milky Way. Urban Park Rangers will be your guides to the solar system, discussing the science, history and folklore of the universe. Details: Fort Greene Park. Contact 718-772-3218.
Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13: 10-7 on Saturday and 10-6 pm on Saturday
The Chocolate Show
Considered the chocolate hub of North America, this show brings together more than 65 fine chocolate companies to present a diverse array of fine chocolates and chocolate-inspired products that tantalize the senses. This year’s Chocolate Show will also feature book signings by award-winning authors; cooking demonstrations in two culinary theatres featuring renowned chocolatiers and pastry chefs who will share secrets of the trade; a Kids Zone dedicated to fun-filled activities for young chocolate lovers and more!
Details: Metropolitan Pavilion at 125 West 18th Street. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased here.
Saturday, November 12: 10 am- 10 pm
Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup
On November 12-13, Randall’s Island will host over 2,000 caped, broom-riding athletes from 100 international college and high school teams. The weekend-long event will feature live music, circus sideshows, live owl demonstrations, wizardly gear for sale and more. The Cup is kid friendly and dog friendly. From Fox News about the event: “World Cup has always been about more than the bracket. The announcers are improv comedians. Spectators can listen to live music of all stripes (performances in 2010 ranged from Harry and the Potters to a jazz quartet to a beat boxer), eat a variety of ethnic and American foods, shop for Harry Potter- and other whimsical-themed merchandise, see live owls, fire jugglers, and get their faces painted. World Cup is a celebration of having fun and growing up on our own terms. Come for the spectacle, for the atmosphere, for the world-class athleticism. (We’re not kidding!) Whether you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan or you’ve never heard of this Quidditch thing, you’ll have an unforgettable weekend. We promise.”The legend of Harry Potter lives on! Details: Randall’s Island (View Venue) 20 Randall’s Island New York, NY 10035
Saturday, November 12: 1-2 pm
Performance and Instrument Building Workshop
Come join composer and instrument builder Paul Rudolph and his performance art group Glank, as they offer a fun and interactive concert utilizing multi-media elements and unique percussion inventions made from recycled materials such as tuned saw blades, LP tanks, motorcycle gears, artillery shells, brake drums, air vents, and more! In this 1-hour event, kids and families will also get the chance to build their own “green” instruments out of recycled plastic and join in for a fun-filled jam session! Details: Roulette 509 Atlantic Ave Brooklyn, NY 11217
Saturday, November 12: 10:30-11:30 am (and every Saturday)
Storytime with Carol and Friends
We love entertaining and teaching kids, and we’re hosting a new Saturday morning story hour from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m, especially for ages 4-6 years old. “Story Time with Carol and Friends” features Cobble Hill Playschool director Carol Troha and her multitalented author friends. This week there will be an activity making books, with Carol bringing along blank books for the children to work on.
Saturday, November 12: 11 am
Dog and Hot Dog Contest
Competitive Eater and Brooklyn native, Joey Chestnut will crown Brooklyn’s “Hottest Dog” in honor of Banfield Pet Hospital’s grand opening inside the new Brooklyn PetSmart location on Atlantic Avenue. Bring your pup down for the contest to win a year’s worth of free veterinary care from Banfield Pet Hospital. Chestnut will greet each of the canine contestants, looking for qualities such as:
· Pooch Personality
· Cute Canine
· Owner’s Interpretation of “Hot”
· Display of Affection
While pouches prance for Chestnut, pet parents can chow down (not competitively) on free dogs from Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. Details: Banfield Pet Hospital at 238 Atlantic Ave, Suite 2 Brooklyn, NY 11201-5762
Saturday, November 12: 12 – 4 pm
Family Day at Citi Pond
Families are invited for a day of fun-filled activities and excitement complete with face painting, live entertainment, book readings, and tasty treats at Bryant’s Park Citi Pond. Meet and greet with creators of the Carlos Gets Around series. Catch a live reading of Christmas Feet from author Maureen Sullivan and illustrator Alison Josephs. Special performance by legendary jazz singer and songwriter Bob Dorough, Schoolhouse Rock and Conjunction Junction. Winter-themed pet fashion show and doggie snack bar presented by Natural Balance. Plus free skate rentals to first 100 children (12 and under) starting at 12pm. Details: For updated information about events, performances, and activities at the Pond, please visit CitiPondatBryantPark.com
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Sunday, November 13: 12-5:30 pm
New Sensory Play Room Open House
Celebrate the first week of operations with Extreme Kids, who have worked incredibly hard to open a sensory place for kids. From 12-4 is Family Free Play. Bring your kids and jump into the ball pit, kick back in the lava lounge, swing on the swings. 4-5:30 pm: Adult After Party. If you can’t make the open house you can check it out free of charge the following week. Details: The Coop School at 40 Brevoort Place.
Sunday, November 13: 1-4 pm
Greencycle Swap
Reduce, reuse, and recycle gently used & working clothes, shoes, toys, books, & cell phones! You can also recycle your computers (working and non-working), electronics (working only please), and even working bicycles. Details: Greenpoint Shul (108 Noble Street between Manhattan Avenue and Franklin Avenue).
Sunday, November 13, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Nov. 14, 15, 16, 17 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Bookapalooza
Get some early holiday shopping done at the ECC’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Buy books for birth through adult and enjoy a snack at the Bookapalooza Café. Stand up and sing along with the exciting musical storytelling of April Armstrong at 11:30 a.m on Sunday. Tickets: $5 in advance, $8 at the door. Click here to learn more. Details:Beth Elohim 274 Garfield Place, Brooklyn, NY, United States, 11215
Sunday, November 13: 9 am
Free Soccer Clinic
The Tillary Park Foundation, in conjunction with Young Rock Soccer Academy (www.youngrocksoccer.org) and Ft. Greene Sports (www.ftgreenesports.org), is holding a free soccer clinic for aspiring soccer players ages 4 – 12. Coaches will be on hand to provide instruction for players of all levels. Small games will be played continuously, along with simple drills. Information will be available about the wide range of soccer options in Brooklyn. Details: Tillary Park is located at Tillary Street + Flatbush Ave Extension, Downtown Brooklyn. For more information contact Daryl Barlow (Tillary Park Foundation) 917-440-3247, Bob Byer (Ft. Greene Sports) 917-975-9001, or Magnus Murkoro (Young Rock Soccer Academy) 917-913-2912