Hi everyone
Hope everyone has a lot of energy for all the weekend events happening here in NYC!
This weekend take the kids and enjoy The Star Wars Experience at the Central Brooklyn Public Library, Marine Park Christmas Tree Lighting, Rolie Polie Guacamole at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, BAMkids: Jennifer Gasoi, ‘Walk the Windows’ on Atlantic Ave, Skippyjon Jones Snow What at On Stage at Kingsborough, Olive Pressing Workshop at the Jewish Children’s Museum, The Colonial Nutcracker at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, 42nd Annual Merry Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center and the PS 133 Winter Concert with Suzi Shelton, DJ Dance Party & School of Rock.
Also check out the ongoing holiday events happening like The Charlie Brown Christmas Live at Redwood Studios, The Hard Nut at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, Ballerina Swan at Theater 3, Pedal Punk at The New Victory Theater, Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas at The Theater at St. Jean and the Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science.
There are even more weekend events on the calendar so check it out to see everything happening in Brooklyn & NYC! Also remember to like us on Facebook for last minute events and news!
Have a great weekend!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday December 11th
Family Movies @ the Library: Return of the Jedi at the Central Brooklyn Public Library
Friday December 11th 330-530p. Free. Location: Dweck Center. In the spectacular final chapter of the original Star Wars trilogy, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia must travel to Tatooine to free Han Solo by infiltrating the wretched stronghold of Jabba the Hutt, the galaxy’s most loathsome gangster. Reunited, the Rebels team up with tribes of Ewoks to combat the Imperial forces on the forest moon of Endor. Meanwhile the Emperor and Darth Vader conspire to turn Luke to the dark side, and young Skywalker is determined to rekindle the spirit of the Jedi within his father. The Galactic Civil War culminates in the ultimate showdown, as the Rebel forces gather to attack the seemingly defenseless and incomplete second Death Star in the battle that will determine the fate of the galaxy. (PG; May 25, 1983; 136 minutes)
Rolie Polie Guacamole at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (Park Slope)
Friday December 11th at 4-445p. Tickets: $10 for child/adult & $5 for additional child/adult. The critically acclaimed family band Rolie Polie Guacamole comes to the Brooklyn Conservatory for an afterschool sing-along for children and families. Kids will be given a nice selection of instruments to shake and bang along with the band! New York City based kid’s music rock band, Rolie Polie Guacamole uses a smart, parent-friendly musical style that dresses up original tunes and classic covers with vibrant harmonies and deft instrumental layers.
Marine Park Christmas Tree Lighting
Friday December 11th 630-730p. Free. Please join Senator Golden as the neighborhood celebrates the start of the Christmas Season. After the tree lighting, join Senator Golden for hot chocolate, caroling, and a special visit by Santa Claus who will bring gifts for all the kids. There will be a place for donations for Toys for Tots at this event.
The Charlie Brown Christmas Live at Redwood Studios (Gowanus)
Friday December 11th 8pm & December 18th at 7p, Saturdays & Sundays 1p, 4p, 7p until December 20th. Tickets: $12 (+fee if buying online). Join the Peanuts gang again this year and help us celebrate our 8th anniversary in our brand new venue-Redwood Studios in Brooklyn!! We’ll be performing the classic Charlie Brown Christmas Special word for word and gesture for gesture set to a jazz trio performing the amazing Vince Guaraldi score. Tickets are also available at the door but we do recommend buying in advance. Purchase tickets here.
For more Friday events please click here!
Saturday December 12th
BAMkids: Jennifer Gasoi (Fort Greene)
Saturday December 12th 1030a & 2p. Tickets: $20. For ages 4-11y. Ring in the holidays with a festive kids’ concert by Grammy Award winner Jennifer Gasoi, featuring special guests Oran Etkin of Timbalooloo and Jon Samson. Gasoi brings her lilting voice and trademark wit to BAM, featuring an upbeat repertoire that draws from swing, bluegrass, doo-wop, klezmer, and calypso styles.
Ballerina Swan at Theater 3
Saturdays & Sundays 11a & 1p until January 3rd. Also Mondays-Wednesdays 11a. Tickets $25-$45. Best for ages 3-8. Back by popular demand! Ballerina Swan blends dance, theater and puppetry to tell the story of Sophie, a Central Park swan who dreams of becoming a ballerina. Based on the children’s book by former NYC Ballet prima ballerina Allegra Kent, Ballerina Swan features a five-foot dancing swan puppet that wowed children and adults alike during the show’s 2013 run. Best for ages 3-8.
‘Walk the Windows’ on Atlantic Ave
December 12th 11a-7p. Holidays on Atlantic Avenue. Special events, live music, free holiday treats & meet Santa! Lots of special events like Bookmaking Project/Storytime at Read 1230-2p, Storytime with The Snow Queen & Santa Photo Op (bring camera) at GUMBO 1230-130p & 330-430p, Holiday Caroling Along Atlantic Avenue with Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. See the website for a full list of all the special events!
Events for Youth & Families: The Star Wars Experience at the Central Brooklyn Public Library
Saturday December 12th 1-3p. Free. Location: Dweck Center. Meet denizens of the Star Wars Universe! This interactive program will encourage reading, physical activity, creativity, and, of course, a love for all things Star Wars! Activities will include: Mandalorian Mercs Boot Camp: Fully armored Mandalorian Warriors will teach children who the Mandalorian Mercs Costuming Club are and present age appropriate books to spark their interest in the Star Wars universe while encouraging literacy skills. They will also present a physical training challenge to help fans become a better bounty hunter. Empire Saber Guild Lightsaber Training: Jedi Masters will show children first-hand what a choreographed lightsaber battle looks like. Kids will also participate in a session of safe lightsaber battle training. Photo Ops: A stage, complete with a Mandalorian Holding Cell, will be available for participants to take their own photos using personal devices. Come early and check out the Creative Arts Workshops: Star Wars Jedi Day at the Central Brooklyn Public Library!
Skippyjon Jones Snow What at On Stage at Kingsborough
Saturday December 12th 2p. Tickets $12. Skippyjon Jones Snow What (& the 7 Chihuahuas)! Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the bravest Chihuahua of them all? Skippyjon Jones the Siamese cat who thinks he’s a Mexican Chihuahua of course! While his sisters listen to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Skippy heads off for the REAL adventure awaiting him in his closet. There, as his alter ego Skippito Friskito, and with the help of his friends the Seven Chimichangos, Skippyjon must rescue the beautiful frozen princess Nieve Qué (Snow What) from the magical snowy forest of make-believe, battle the evil dragon, and defeat the Bruja. A brand new musical based on the book by Judy Schachner, Skippyjon Jones Snow What is a twist on the classic fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
For more Saturday events please click here!
Sunday December 13th
Poppy Seed Players: Judy & the Maccabees at Merkin Concert Hall (UWS)
Sunday December 13th 11a. Tickets: $20. In this delightful re-imagining of the ancient Hanukkah story, Judy is a feisty young girl who leaves her father to help the Maccabees in their fight for religious freedom. At first, Judas Maccabeus, the leader of the Maccabees, dismisses Judy and assigns her menial tasks, but she ends up coming up with the plan that helps them win the war and return to Jerusalem. In the final scene, they experience the miracle of the Temple Menorah.
Olive Pressing Workshop at the Jewish Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Sunday-Monday December 13th-14th sessions: 1230p, 2p. Free with Museum admission. Pick…press…pour…and explore the story of Chanukah! Learn about the ancient art of oil-pressing that has been around since temple times as well as other holiday traditions at this hands-on workshop. Participants will choose the best olives, extract the oil and finally light a Chanukah menorah using their hand-made wicks and freshly produced oil. Also check out the ongoing Chanukah Art Festival.
PS 133 Winter Concert w/ Suzi Shelton, DJ Dance Party & School of Rock (Park Slope/Gowanus)
Sunday December 13th 11a-4p. Tickets $10-$50. See website for all the details. All proceeds from this event will benefit Performing Arts Programs for PS 133 students. Please be advised of the following schedule for the performances: Suzi Shelton: 11a-12p – Sing along with award winning singer-song writer who has been making catchy, meaningful music for families for more than a decade. Family DJ Dance Party: 12p-2p – Join Resident PS 133 DJs Eero & Alto, as they spin tunes the whole family can pull their best dance moves out for. School of Rock Brooklyn House Band: 2p-4p – Rock the afternoon away as kids from all over Brooklyn showcase their talents. Food & Refreshments will be on hand for purchase. In between all the music fun, be sure to visit our holiday fair featuring local crafters and artisans with an emphasis on hand-made and sustainable goods – great opportunity to get some of your holiday shopping done!
The Colonial Nutcracker at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 2pm. Tickets: $18. Recommended for ages five and up. Running Time: 2 hours, including one 15-minute intermission. An annual holiday favorite, Dance Theatre in Westchester performs its family-friendly, full-length version of Tchaikovsky’s ballet set in wintry colonial Yorktown, complete with a red-coated mouse army, an enchanted nutcracker prince, and simultaneous narration to help young audience members enjoy this timeless classic.
2015: 42nd Annual Merry Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center (Midtown)
Sunday December 13th 330p. Free. Hundreds of tenor and bass tuba players will congregate on The Rink at Rockefeller Center, 49th and 50th streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 3:30pm to play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites. Tubists of all ages will line up under the famous Christmas tree and fill the plaza with the organ-line sound of low brass. Spectators are encouraged to sing along with the Christmas carols and holiday favorites.
For more Sunday events please click here!
All Weekend
The Lighting of The World’s Largest Menorah (Grand Army Plaza)
Friday December 11th 330p, Saturday December 12th 7p & Sunday December 13th 6p. Free. The World’s Largest Menorah stands at a whopping 32 feet tall (the maximum allowed by Jewish law), and has been towering over Grand Army Plaza since 1985. The annual Menorah lighting ceremony is a must for Jews and non-Jews alike. Every night The celebration is accompanied with live music and hot latkes for all. Special gifts are distributed to every child. Making this a family celebration and a must on everyone’s calendar. With assistance from a Con Edison cherry-picker, Rabbi Shimon Hecht accompanies community leaders, philanthropists and special guests in lighting this humongous Menorah.
Pedal Punk at The New Victory Theater
Friday December 11th 7p & Saturday December 12th 2p & 7p & Sunday December 13th 12n & 5p. Ongoing until January 3rd. See website for additional showtimes. For ages 5+. Tickets start at $19. Performance is 2 hours including one intermission. This holiday season, the spectacular Cirque Mechanics (Boom Town, New Vic 2011) rolls into town with moxie The New York Times calls “exceptional, evocative, eye-catching, ear-catching and, to keep the list short, engrossingly entertaining!” In the steampunk-styled PEDAL PUNK, featuring a 20-foot-high, pedal-powered mechanical masterpiece, the powerful performers amaze with a heart-pounding pole drop, awesome aerial acts and high-flying tricks (on a trampoline!). With every spin of a sprocket and rattle of a wrench, the quirky cast of characters transform a bevy of bikes into an astounding assortment of acrobatic apparatus in this adrenaline-fueled circus for the whole family.
The Charlie Brown Christmas Live at Redwood Studios (Gowanus)
Friday December 11th 8pm & December 18th at 7p, Saturdays & Sundays 1p, 4p, 7p until December 20th. Tickets: $12 (+fee if buying online). Join the Peanuts gang again this year and help us celebrate our 8th anniversary in our brand new venue-Redwood Studios in Brooklyn!! We’ll be performing the classic Charlie Brown Christmas Special word for word and gesture for gesture set to a jazz trio performing the amazing Vince Guaraldi score. Tickets are also available at the door but we do recommend buying in advance. Purchase tickets here.
The Hard Nut at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (Fort Greene)
Saturday December 12th 730p, Sunday December 13th 1p & 6p. See website for additional performances December 16th-20th. For ages 4+. Tickets start at $25. Run time aprrox 2 hours with intermission. Mark Morris Dance Group’s beloved retro-modern reimagining of The Nutcracker—based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s original story and the comic book art of Charles Burns—comes home to BAM for the holidays. A cascade of wit and wintry beauty featuring Morris’ lyrical modern dance choreography, this lavish, gender-bent love letter to a classic transplants the story from the straight-laced 1890s to the swinging 70s, with raucous parties, dancing G.I. Joes, whimsical costumes, and a Waltz of the Snowflakes like no other. Tchaikovsky’s complete original score, performed live by the 53-piece MMDG Music Ensemble drives this colorful retelling, which playfully preserves the warm spirit of an essential holiday tradition.
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas at The Theater at St. Jean (UES)
Saturdays-Sundays at 1p until December 27th. For ages 2-7y. Tickets: $49.50-$59.50. What could be fancier than Christmas? Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles – and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, Nancy has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. She can’t wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous?
Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Ongoing until Monday January 18th. Various times and prices. See website for information. Advance reservations are strongly recommended as tickets do sell out. Purchase tickets here. NYC’s Favorite Train Show Is Bigger Than Ever! Enchanting model trains zip through a display of 150 landmarks, each re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials—all under the twinkling glow of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Marvel at G-scale locomotives humming along among familiar sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center—surprising at every turn—on nearly a half-mile of track. This year’s exhibition features 3,000 square feet of additional exhibition space, making room for dozens of new trains, bridges, and tracks; a captivating short film of the show’s behind-the-scenes magic; and a stunning multisensory finale of light and sound. Explore a winter wonderland across our 250 acres with special tours, musical performances, and activities for kids, plus take care of your gift list at NYBG Shop and stop for a bite at one of our exciting new dining venues. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind holiday outing!
Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science (Flushing Meadows)
Ongoing until Sunday January 9, 2016. Tuesday–Friday 930a–5p & Saturday & Sunday 10a–6p. Free with Museum admission. Museum closed on Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day. Marvel at homemade gingerbread houses made entirely of edible gingerbread, royal icing and candy. The houses are drafted, designed, baked, planned, built and decorated by chef Jon Lovitch over the course of an entire year. GingerBread Lane has won the Guinness World Record for the largest gingerbread village for 2013 and 2014 and will compete for its third consecutive Guinness World Record this year. Lovitch’s creation will again contend for this year’s Guinness World Record. The all-new 2015 version of GingerBread Lane will cover 500 square feet and will have more than 1,050 houses and structures including a double-decker carousel reminiscent of one on the Coney Island boardwalk in days past and the S.C. Kringle & Co. Department Store which hearkens back to Gimbels department store in the early 1900s. GingerBread Lane 2015 will also have new twists like The Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee Shoppe, The EveryDay’s Thanksgiving Café, a second train (for the first time), and a 10-square-foot candy factory you can see inside of as you climb the stairs to view GingerBread Lane. While the exhibition’s layout and composition change yearly, GingerBread Lane always includes Eggnog Bay, Gum Drop Row, Peppermint Central Park, Candy Cane Place and Toffee Boulevard. As a grand finale, Lovitch will give away all houses on January 10.
14th Annual Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal (Midtown East)
Ongoing until February 21st. M–F: 8a–8p, Saturday and Sunday: 10a–6p. Free. Location: NY Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store Shuttle Passage. Presented annually by the New York Transit Museum, this popular model railroad exhibition features Metro-North, New York Central, and subway trains departing from a miniature Grand Central Terminal on a 34’-long, two-level “O” gauge layout. The Museum’s store and booth at the Holiday Fair also offer great gifts for your holiday shopping. Transit gifts are available online at www.nytransitmuseumstore.com.
The 3 Bears Holiday Bash at Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (Central Park)
Ongoing until Wednesday December 30th. Showtimes are Monday – Friday 1030a & 12n with additional shows Wednesdays at 230p and Saturday and Sunday at 1p. Tickets are $7/children and $10/adults. 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! Purchase tickets here.
Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center
Ongoing until January 10th at various times. Tickets start at $25. For more information please see the website. Big Apple Circus returns to the Big Top at Lincoln Center for the company’s 38th season with the World Premiere of its all-new show, The Grand Tour! The Grand Tour transports audiences to the Roaring 1920s, the advent of the modern travel era, when the most adventuresome began to tour the world in ships, planes, trains, and automobiles. With every seat less than 50 feet from the stage, audiences will be awed by the world-class entertainers as they perform breathtaking acts from the four corners of the globe. Clowns, jugglers, acrobats, and aerialists from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America appear with ponies, puppies and more; the troupe sets off on their own whirlwind adventure, accompanied by the live, seven-piece Big Apple Circus Band at each of more than 100 performances.
Beauty & the Beast at PuppetWorks (Park Slope)
Saturday & Sundays ongoing until December 20th 1230p & 230p. For ages 4+. Admission for a Child is $9, an Adult $10. No credit cards accepted. Reservations are suggested: 718-965-3391 (current day or advance reservations) or e-mail us: puppetworks@twcmetrobiz.com (NO same day e-mail reservations). Madame Gabrielle de Villeneuve’s French Fantasy with a “live” Beast. Adapted for Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola.
For a full calendar of events please click here!