Weekday Events for December 8th-11th in Brooklyn & NYC!

Hi everyone,

Hope you and your family had a great weekend and are ready for another busy week!

This week you can see trees being lit in Bay Ridge at the 2014 Gazebo Tree Lighting, Madison Square Park at the Mad. Sq. Holiday 2014, at the DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting and at The Washington Square Park Tree Lighting.

Also happening this week is a Hanukah Storytime at the Court Street Barnes & Noble, Wiggle, Jump and Sing! at the Brooklyn Heights Public Library, Gingerbread House Workshops at Taste Buds Kitchen, City Stomp Free Trial Classes all week, Holiday Stories & Singalong at Greenlight Bookstore and an Intro to Public School: Prek and Kindergarten at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music

That is just some of the events so check the calendar to see all everything happening in Brooklyn & NYC this week.  Remember to like us on Facebook for last minute news and events!

Have a great week!

~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)

Monday December 8th

City Stomp Free Trial Class at STJME Lutheran Church (South Slope)
Mon Dec 8th 10a.  Free.
All trial classes are family classes for kids 6m to 4y old.
Please send an email to RSVP for trial classes. Due to crowding issues, we will not be able to accept people in trial classes without an RSVP.  Thank you for understanding.  To RSVP, please send an email to info@citystompmusic.com. Please make sure to give us your full name and your child’s name so we can add you to the list.  Additional free trial classes this week at other locations.  See website for details.

Masterpiece Mondays at The Jewish Museum (UES)
Mon Dec 8th & Dec 22nd 330-430p.  Free with Museum admission.  For ages 4-7y.
Explore the galleries with sketching, art activities and more in this fun afternoon series.  Dec 8th:  Animals All Around & Dec 22nd: Art of Light
2014 Gazebo Tree Lighting (Bay Ridge)
Mon Dec 8th 630p.  Free.  Rain date Dec 9th)  Location: Gazebo at Shore Road & 90th St
Shore Road Parks Presents:  2014 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING at the GAZEBO.  Come join us as we celebrate the joyous season in grand style complete with live entertainment by:  Xaverian High School Glee Club & Band, The Guild for Exceptional Children Chorus and Community Musician Mary Carmosino

For more fun Monday events click here!

Tuesday December 9th

Wiggle, Jump and Sing! at the Brooklyn Public Library (Brooklyn Heights)
Tue Dec 9th 1045a-1145a.  Free.
Join us as we sing along to the guitar and enjoy some storytelling! With Adam Blotner and Seth Wax.

Hanukah Storytime at Barnes & Noble (Court Street)
Tue Dec 9th 11a.  Free.
Join us for a Hanukah Storytime featuring Honeyky Hanukah by Woody Guthrie. It’s Honey Hanukah time! A fun-filled story celebrating Hanukah with accompanying CD.

Mad. Sq. Holiday 2014 at Madison Square Park (Flatiron)
Tuesday Dec 9th 330p-530p.  Free.
Festivities start at 3:30pm with the countdown to the illumination of the Tree of Light beginning at 5pm.  Free activities include a horticultural workshop as Gardener Steph leads a Red Twig Dogwood planting. We’re also hosting Reading Rangers story time, with readings of two books provided by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, including Rachel Bright’s Love Monster and the Perfect Present and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer®: The Classic Story.  There will also be plenty of free festive entertainment, such as the New School Jazz Quartet, performers from Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella on Broadway and Motown the Musical, The New York Life Singers, and family favorite, Audra Rox.

For more fun Tuesday events click here!

Wednesday December 10th

ArtsCetera: Arfie’s Art & Play at Aikido of South Brooklyn
Wed Dec 10th & 17th 1030-1130a.  For 20m-3y with parent/caregiver.
Free trial class for new families and $25 drop in rate returning families.
Please email info@artscetera.com if you would like to try a class.  ARFIE’S ART AND PLAY is a great option for kids who enjoy a big helping of musical play with their weekly art projects. The class incorporates movement, books and music activities as doors to the imagination, using our Arfie song collections. Both collaborative group projects and “take home” solo projects figure into each session.

Gingerbread House Workshop at Taste Buds Kitchen (Chelsea)
Wed Dec 10th 330-430p & 5-6p.  $75/For 2-10y with caregiver.  Register here.
Spread Holiday Cheer by decorating your very own Gingerbread House Masterpiece with your family!  Celebrate the Season with family bonding and gingerbread fun with our signature December Workshop. Each parent/child pair works together to design and decorate their very own gingerbread house. Take a break from last-minute gift shopping and get messy in the kitchen. You and your creative chef will love the endless decorating options. From frosted candy roofs to pretzel picket fences. Everyone will enjoy the cheerful holiday tunes as they experience quality parent/child time. Spread the Holiday spirit by bringing home your very own gingerbread creation!  See website for full list of workshop dates.

The Washington Square Park Tree Lighting (Greenwich Village)
Wed Dec 10th 6-7p.  Free.
The Rob Susman Brass Quartet and children and grown-ups alike will sing holiday songs.  The sparkling lights on the resplendent tree will be turned on to mark the beginning of festive winter evenings.  Santa Claus himself has promised to appear and lead the children in the illumination countdown.  The Washington Square Association provides complimentary songbooks.

For more fun Wednesday events click here!

Thursday December 11th

Holiday Stories & Singalong at Greenlight Bookstore (Fort Greene)
Thu Dec 11th 4-530p. For All Ages Plus Treats, Cider & Giveaways!  Free.
On December 11, it’s four days until Chanukah, and two weeks until Christmas! We’re inviting our neighbors to celebrate the holidays with our annual stories and singalong for kids and families. The Greenlight staff, including Jarrod on guitar, will lead some rousing renditions of holiday classics, as well as presenting our annual reading of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Tasty treats for all and some holiday party favors for kids will be provided as the afternoon ends. Join us to celebrate the season with your community at the bookstore.

DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting
Thu Dec 11th 6-7p in the Pearl Street Triangle.  Free and open to all.
Join us to ignite some holiday cheer! The DUMBO Improvement District is thrilled to sponsor the 9th Annual DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony!  This year’s festivities include: Tree Lighting. With a countdown led by NYC Council Member Steve Levin, Calypso music. From Brooklyn-based steel drum band Jah Pan, Hot cocoa. Donated by Jacques Torres, DUMBO’s own Mr. Chocolate, Santa Claus. All the way from New Jersey the North Pole and a toy drive.  Bring an unwrapped toy for a child ages 0 to 14 for the Big Brooklyn Holiday Toy Drive

Intro to Public School: Prek and Kindergarten at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (Park Slope)
Thu Dec 11th 730-930p.  Tickets $25 for individual and $40 for family.  Purchase tickets here.
Information to help parents begin their search for the appropriate public school for their children.
If you are confused about the difference between Charter, Magnet and Dual Language or Unzoned programs and what is up with district-wide vs. citywide Gifted and Talented, this may be the talk for you. I don’t discuss individual schools, but you will come away armed with lots of information to begin your school search and application process with confidence. Lots of Q&A.  Joyce Szuflita, NYC School Help, will discuss the big picture with the “big map”.  This talk is too late and long for young children to attend. Babies are welcome, but it is long and can become difficult to concentrate unless they are good sleepers. Thank you for your understanding.

For more fun Thursday events click here!

Ongoing

Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Now and until January 19th 2015.  Various times and prices.  See website for information.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended as tickets do sell out. Tickets are timed and sold in 15 minute increments.  New York City’s Favorite Train Show: A 23-Year Tradition!  A must-see New York tradition where enchanting model trains zip past popular landmarks under the twinkling glow of the magical Haupt Conservatory! Step into a city in miniature featuring more than 150 iconic buildings, all re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials. Marvel at G-scale trains humming along among familiar sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center—surprising at every turn—on a quarter-mile of track as they enliven this cherished holiday experience. The Artist’s Studio showcases how visionary artist Paul Busse and his team craft these amazing small wonders. Real trains, real landmarks, real fun—only at NYBG!

Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science (Flushing Meadows)
Now until January 11th at 1p.  See website for museum days/hours.  Free with NYSCI admission
Marvel at homemade gingerbread houses that are drafted, designed, baked, planned, built and decorated by chef Jon Lovitch over the course of an entire year. GingerBread Lane is made from only “real” edible ingredients: gingerbread, royal icing and candy. Last year’s GingerBread Lane at NYSCI was recognized as the largest gingerbread village in the world by the 2014 Guinness World Records.

13th Annual Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal (Midtown East)
Now until February 22nd.  M–F: 8a–8p, Saturday and Sunday: 10a–6p.  (extended hours November 22n-December 24th – see website for details.  Location:  Shuttle Passage adjacent to the Station Master’s Office.  Free.  Lionel trains once again will capture hearts and imaginations at the Transit Museum where Metro-North, New York Central and subway trains depart from a miniature GCT. The Museum’s store and booth at the Holiday Gift Fair offer great gifts for your holiday shopping!

Three Bears Holiday Bash at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (Central Park)
M-F 1030a & 12p, Wed 1030a, 12p & 1230p, Sat & Sun 1p until Dec 30th.  Reservations are required. Purchase tickets here.   Cost: $7/children under 12, $10/all others.  Appropriate for: All Ages.  The Three Bears Holiday Bash, is a variety show that celebrates the holiday season in song, dance, and puppetry. This production quickly becomes a comedy of errors when Baby Bear invites Santa to star in Mama and Papa Bear’s annual holiday show. The audience also gets to join in on the fun with a “12 days of Christmas” sing-a-long during the performance!  Drawing from the stories of Hanukkah, the Night Before Christmas, and Kwanzaa, The Three Bears Holiday Bash is a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

Tots Drop in Center at Congregation Beth Elohim (Park Slope)
Tuesdays-Fridays 915a-12p until April 10th, 2015.  Fees: Temple Member $9/child, $15 with additional sibling.  Non-member $10/child, $17 with additional sibling.  Visit Passes available for purchase.  See website for more information.  For ages birth through 24 months.  All children are accompanied by their adult.
Parents, caregivers, and children come toghether to discover, learn and have fun!  The Drop-In Center is held in our Social Hall, which becomes a large indoor play space with age-appropriate toys and activities.  The program is coordinated by two early childhood facilitators.

Ice Skating at Lakeside in Prospect Park
Starting Oct 25th Tue-Thu 11a-6p, Fri 11a-8p, Sat 10a-9p and Sun 10a-6p.  Prices are as follows: skating admission (Wednesday–Friday) $6, (Weekends and Holidays) $8, skate rentals $6.  Ice Skating has returned to Lakeside in Prospect Park. With two spectacular 16,000 sq. ft. rinks (one covered and one open-air) seamlessly connected by an ice bridge, beautiful views of Prospect Park Lake, and indoor/outdoor dining at Bluestone Cafe; Lakeside is the perfect way to spend a day or night. Enter Prospect Park at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Road.

WEE Arts Drop-in Session at the Children’s Museum of the Arts (South Village)
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 1045a-12p, $25 per family ($20 for members).  Want to stay longer? General admission is just $6 per person after drop-in.  Music time! Story time! Art time! Join CMA’s WEE teaching artists for an art-filled drop-in session before we open our doors to the public. Parent and/or caregivers are required to join and we encourage family collaboration throughout the class. No sign up required.

More Than Meets the “I” at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Now until Jan 19th Tu-Sun and holiday Mondays.  For all ages.  Free with museum admission
Exploring the new frontiers of biology, health, robotics & technology!  Brooklyn Children’s Museum is excited to introduce young scientists to a number of interactive exhibits that inspire learning through a variety of topics including photomicrography, molecular biology, nanotechnology, robotics, and 3D printing. Join us and discover the amazing micro-world that exists beyond what we can see with our naked eyes. Find out how our new knowledge of science helps make the world a better place. See the website for more information.

To see all the events click here for the calendar!