Mom in the City

Normally, I post events at the ParentZone/BabyZone site that I guide, but I thought that you moms who have little Angelina Ballerina fans might be interested in the following event:

Angelina Ballerina will be doing a meet and greet at ABTKids Following a Matinee Performance with AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE at the Metropolitan Opera House on Saturday, May 31 at 11:30am and 2pm.  Tickets for the ABTKids performance are $25.  The Metropolitan Opera House is located at Broadway and 64th Street . To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.abt.org.

Posted by kdc521 at 09:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday, I attended a Mommy Mastermind event entitled " 10 New Tech Things to Try Today: Become More Skilled and Efficient on the Web". While the kids played in the NY Kids Club gym, we parents listened to a presentation by speaker Sree Sreenivasan, WNBC-TV's technology reporter and Columbia Journalism School professor and dean.

It was very informative.  It's amazing to see how much FREE open source resources are out there on the web.  You can find the handout of the tips here.  There were topics for everyone (health, money, real estate, music, blogging, etc.)

The other great thing about attending "networking" events like these are that you get to put faces to names of people that you communicate with online.  For instance, I met Jessica from Tot Stops who has sponsored a past Mom in the City giveaway (thanks for the website designer referral Jessica!).  I also met another blogger, Kelcey Kintner of the mamabird diaries and her two adorable kids.

(On another note, I liked the club -- so we'll probably be having an event there in the near future!)

Posted by kdc521 at 09:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(In case you have school-aged kids in addition to your preschoolers, it's good to plan ahead...)

This year, NYC kids will have their spring recess from April 21st to April 25th. Although it’s great for the kids, it can pose a challenge for us parents when the kids get bored. The following resources should help to keep your young ones busy.

-Indoor Recreation Facilities: Recreation Centers (owned and operated by the Parks Department); Community Centers (owned by the Parks Department with programming by community organizations) and Field Houses (seasonal/limited programs at Parks facilities) are available in all five boroughs. They offer a variety of services including indoor pools and athletic rooms, art studios, game rooms and a variety of classes. Most of their programs are free (or a modest cost). Membership for young people (under 18) is free. Two centers with good reputations are Sunset Park (7th Avenue at 43rd Street in Brooklyn) and Tony Dapolito (3 Clarkson Street in Manhattan). You can find a comprehensive list of facilities at http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/recreation_centers/.

-YMCAs: They offer a variety of athletic and social programs for the community at reasonable costs. Located in all five boroughs, they are especially known for teaching people to swim (their aquatics program). Locations of note include the following: McBurney YMCA (125 W. 14th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves. in Manhattan); Harlem YMCA (180 W. 135th St. at Adam Clayton Powell); Prospect Park YMCA (357 Ninth St. in Brooklyn) and West Side YMCA (5 West 63rd St. off Central Park West in Manhattan). For a comprehensive list of YMCAs, visit http://www.ymcanyc.org.

-Parks: As the weather gets warmer, there are more activities (both indoor and outdoor) at parks throughout the five boroughs. Parks properties range from swimming pools to wetlands and from woodlands to skating rinks. Prospect Park (in Brooklyn) will be celebrating Earth Week from April 21 – 27. Central Park (in Manhattan) will be hosting a Spring Discoveries camp from April 21 – 25 where kids will explore the park through rock climbing, sports, nature hikes and arts and crafts. The $250 camp for kids (ages 6 to 11) will take place daily from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm. To find the park of the month, announcements, park events and more, visit the Parks website at: http://www.nycgovparks.org/index.php.

-Museums: This is a great time to take kids to experience a variety of art forms. The New York Hall of Science (47-01 111th Street in Queens) is offering an interactive traveling exhibit “Invention at Play” through May 11. The American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West at 79th Street in Manhattan) has several great offerings that will appeal to kids including Water: H2O = Life, the Butterfly Conservatory and a new space show. In addition, they offer two spring day camps (Fossils and DNA and Water Camp) for children on April 21–25. For younger kids, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (212 West 83rd Street in Manhattan) and the Children’s Museum of the Arts (182 Lafayette Street in Manhattan) offer a variety of hands-on workshops.

Posted by kdc521 at 09:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From March 24th to 27th, Microsoft Small Business Summit is being broadcast live for FREE on the web.  I listened to a few of the segments from yesterday and today.  If you have a small business (or are interested in starting one), this is a great way to get advice from established experts like Tina Wells, Donny Deutsch, and Lisa Druxman.  (Did I mention that it's FREE?)  Of course, there are advertiser "plugs" between the sessions, but I haven't found them to be too annoying. 

If you can't listen live, it's not a problem.  Each session will be recorded and available for viewing online. As soon as they are available, on-demand broadcasts will be accessible by visiting www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness.

Posted by kdc521 at 02:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are several events that my family will be attending this month.  The ones that I'm especially excited about are the following:

-Divalysscious Moms "babes in toyland" event at FAO Schwarz on Sunday December 2nd (8am - 10am).  We can only stay an hour because we have a 9:30 commitment, but my husband and son (who have never been to FAO Schwarz) are so excited to be going. 

-CMOM holiday performances: This year, I really want to introduce my oldest son to a variety of holiday celebrations besides Christmas, so I'm looking forward to the Bananukah event on 12/8 for Hanukkah and the Magbana Drum and Dance event on 12/26 for Kwanzaa.

Posted by kdc521 at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

-Laurie Berkner at Carnegie Hall: Kid favorite Laurie Berkner (a NOGGIN staple) will be making her Carnegie Hall debut with this concert along with Susie Lampert (vocals and keyboard) and Adam Bernstein (vocals and bass).  My son Michael loves Laurie Berkner and is so excited that we're going to this concert (which, of course, makes me happy).  The concerts are on 11/4/2007 at 1pm and 4:30pm.  Ticket prices range from $25 to $35.  

-Target Free First Friday Nights at CMOM:  They offer FREE ADMISSION from 5-8pm on the first Friday of every month.

-Buckle My Shoe Nursery School in Tribecca is hosting a FREE parenting seminar on November 14th at PS 234 from 6 to 7:30 pm entitled Playing Your Way To Harvard, a how to course for making the most of playtime with your children.  The seminar will be led by Dr. George Forman, an expert in the field of Reggio which draws on the teachings of Piaget.  All attendees must RSVP by November 12th.  For FREE tickets, please email Lensko@bucklemyshoe.org.

Posted by kdc521 at 05:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rosie's Broadway Kids (http://www.rosiesbroadwaykids.org) is the beneficiary of the opening night performance of Mother Load, the new Off Broadway comedy hit show about the world of competitive parenting.   Rosie's Broadway Kids provides artistic exposure to children in low income areas, who would not normally be able to experience music and the arts with professional performers.  The $75 ticket includes a reception and a fabulous gift bag with goods from Stokke, Halo, and Sue Barr Photography among others.

Posted by kdc521 at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

REGISTRATION IN ADVANCE IS REQUIRED CALL 212 941 0120

JUST ME AND MY DAD
PROJECT: I Love Dad Mug
Saturday, May 19, 10.00-11.00 am

Posted by kdc521 at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since I’ll (hopefully!) be having my son this month, I won’t be hosting an event.  However, there is a reasonable event that I recommend:

There is a spa event on Feb. 22nd at Proof Bar & Lounge (http://www.proofnyc.com/).  There will be a $20 cover which will include one service from the following: manicure, massage, or blow out/style.  There will also be a complimentary makeup consultations from a top Nars makeup artist from Bloomingdales, as well as a Tarot Card reader on site.  There will be light appetizers and a special themed drink menu.  The spa will be NV (http://nvsalonandspa.com/).  They are doing two seatings: one at 6pm and the other at 8pm. Make reservations at info@proofnyc.com.

Enjoy! 

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Posted by kdc521 at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Baby Loves Disco benefit supporting Friends of the  Birth Center and the creation of the new Birth and Women's Health Center in Manhattan.

Saturday, January 20th
2-5pm at Southpaw, 125 5th Avenue_Park Slope, Brooklyn
$250 VIP Family Ticket (includes admission for four, an open bar, and a gigantic gift bag for the whole family!)
$150 Family Ticket (includes admission for four)
$50 Individual Ticket
***babies under 1 are free***

E-mail Rebecca Benghiat, Executive Director at  becca@friendsofthebirthcenter.org for ticket
reservations. 

Posted by kdc521 at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

FREE SUMMER THEATRE 2006

July 16 - August 18 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York City

• Each day, a limited number of free tickets will be made available to individuals at the theatre on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Distribution will begin one hour prior to each performance, with a limit of four tickets per person.
• Because we accept reservations from many summer camps, public distribution tickets are extremely limited for the weekday daytime performances. Availability is usually better for evening and weekend performances.
• Once all public tickets are distributed, any remaining patrons will be admitted at curtain time on a space-available basis.
• ABSOLUTELY NO BABIES IN ARMS OR CHILDREN IN STROLLERS WILL BE ADMITTED.

TheatreworksUSA presents a sparkling musical revue based on popular children's books, including:

• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (by Laura Joffe Numeroff) When a boy shares his snack with a hungry, demanding mouse, he learns a hilarious lesson about cause-and-effect.
• Amazing Grace (by Mary Hoffman) Follow young Grace as she attempts to break stereotypes in an effort to play the title character in her school's production of Peter Pan.
• Borreguita and the Coyote (by Verna Aardema) The classic Mexican tale of a little lamb, or borreguita, who uses her wits to escape a hungry coyote.
• Imogene's Antlers (by David Small) Young Imogene is delighted to wake up with "cool" antlers, but soon discovers that her parents and school principals do not share her enthusiasm.
• Martha Speaks (by Susan Meddaugh) The adventurous tale of a family dog who literally becomes outspoken after dining on alphabet soup.
• Master Man (by Aaron Shepard)  A man whose muscles are as big as his ego earns his comeuppance when he claims to be the strongest man in the world in this Nigerian tale.
• Math Curse (by Jon Scieszka) This story playfully addresses the phobia some kids have when tackling seemingly impossible math problems.
• Owen (by Kevin Henkes) Owen just can't bear to part with his beloved blanket, Fuzzy - a problem, since he is about to start kindergarten. Owen's understanding mother provides a clever solution.

Posted by kdc521 at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Several moms and I went to see Astrograss perform at Madison Square Park today.  It was a lot of fun.  There were tons of moms/caregivers and little kids dancing to the music and/or sitting around.  Everyone was really friendly and it wasn't too hot, because the Oval Lawn (where the concerts are held) is well shaded.  I highly recommend this free concert series!
http://www.madisonsquarepark.org/art03.asp

Posted by kdc521 at 01:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A member mom recommendation: 

"PLG Arts is doing this play in Imagination Playground in Prospect Park. It's ...a lot fun, if I do say so myself."

http://www.prospectpark.org

Sat, Sun 7/1/06-7/16/06

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WHAT:    BABYWEARING BONANZA event for parents to test-drive the next new thing in baby gear. 

WHO:       Parents and children

WHEN:     Saturday, July 22, 2006, from 1 - 4 PM

WHERE:  Epiphany Library Auditorium*
228 E 23rd St (nr 2nd Ave)
Manhattan.

COST:      Free

WEBSITE:  www.BabywearingBonanza.com
Event Sponsors: NYC Attachment Parenting International
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYC-API) and
SlingsInTheCity  (www.slingsinthecity.com)

Posted by kdc521 at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Broadway Under the Stars

Broadway Under the Stars will kick-off the outdoor concert season at 8pm on Monday, June 26th on Central Park's Great Lawn with a free evening of all-star entertainment featuring songs from the productions of legendary director and producer Harold Prince whose work includes Cabaret, Damn Yankees, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, The Pajama Game, Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story. Performances by Michael Cerveris, John Cullum, Christine Ebersole, Sutton Foster, Shuler Hensley, Brian d'Arcy James, Jane Krakowski, Rebecca Luker, Bebe Neuwirth, the cast of this year's Tony Award-winning "Jersey Boys" and more. Broadway Under the Stars will be directed by Tony nominated Jeff Calhoun, choreographed by Chase Brock and the live orchestra will be led by Music Director Phil Reno. A fireworks finale will follow the performance. Produced by NYC & Company and The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. and presented by Target.

(Note: Public can enter the park from West 81st Street at Central Park West or East 79th Street at Fifth Avenue. Persons with disabilities seating area entrance: East 84th Street at Fifth Avenue.)

In the event of rain or wet lawn conditions, the performance may be forced to cancel. Please check www.nycvisit.com day-of for more information. All bags and packages are subject to random security check.

courtesy of NYC.gov News

Posted by kdc521 at 01:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)