Talk Bronx New York

 

‘COLLAGE THE COLORS OF WINTER’

The title of this program might seem like an oxymoron: winter doesn’t appear to have many colors, much less those worthy of collage.

But that isn’t true for Noah Baen, who leads the drop-in family art projects at Wave Hill, the 28-acre Bronx garden. On Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Mr. Baen will help children discover a surprising variety of hues. In “Collage the Colors of Winter” young visitors will hear a seasonal story in the Kerlin Learning Center and then go outside to gather natural materials (above).

“The witch hazel blooms in winter,” Mr. Baen said. But while it may be too early to observe those yellow and orange blossoms, “we’re likely to see red and purple berries hanging from bushes.” Children can collect sweet-gum seed balls, which are often red-brown, as well as evergreen sprigs.

But Mr. Baen also encourages appreciation of the hazy shades of winter, which are like bit players who take turns onstage when the glamorous stars have exited. “The harmonies are subtler, so there’s more of a place for the neutral shades to sing out, and textures as well,” he said.

Children will learn some science on the walk, like the ways buds develop. “Magnolias have fuzzy buds for the same reason that we like to wear fuzzy things in the winter — it keeps them warm,” Mr. Baen said. When the small explorers return, they will turn their harvests into art.

For families with children over 8, the weekend also offers other ways to commune with nature. On Saturday at Wave Hill House, Irving Yee will teach tai chi classes at 10 a.m. (beginners) and 11 a.m. (intermediate), and on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Perkins Visitor Center the naturalist Gabriel Willow will discuss the advantages of spending time outdoors. Afterward, all will be led on a stroll to sample those benefits for themselves. (At Independence Avenue and West 249th Street, Riverdale, 718-549-3200, wavehill.org. Art workshops free with admission: $6; $3 for students and 65+; $2 for ages 6 to 18; free for under 6 and members; free on Saturday until noon. Tai chi: $14; $7 for members. Talk: $18; $10 for members; registration required at Ext. 305.)

FOR CHILDREN

‘ADVENTURES WITH DORA AND DIEGO’ (Friday through Sunday, and Tuesday through Thursday) The young Latino stars of the Nickelodeon animated television series “Dora the Explorer” and “Go, Diego, Go!” have taken their expeditions into new territory at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, whose exhibition has separate Dora and Diego environments, including Diego’s Animal Rescue Center and Dora’s Fiesta. Intended for ages 2 to 6, the interactive, bilingual displays are designed to teach language, science and music skills, as well as facts about Latin America. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Tisch Building, 212 West 83rd Street, (212) 721-1223, cmom.org. Free with museum admission: $10; $7 for 65+; free for under 1 and members.20090108

‘ARCHAEOLOGY ZONE: DISCOVERING TREASURES FROM PLAYGROUNDS TO PALACES’ (Sunday through Thursday) Children will step into the shoes of an explorer like Indiana Jones in this exhibition at the Jewish Museum, but the adventures will be purely scholarly. Still, there is plenty of excitement in analyzing artifacts like a jar handle, a clay jug and a bangle and figuring out the purpose behind ancient pieces like a Greek helmet and a bull-shaped vessel. This interactive show also includes a recreated room from the Ottoman period (about 1900), where young archaeologists can dress in costume. (Through June 15, 2009.) From 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. (until 8 p.m. on Thursdays), the Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue, at 92nd Street, (212) 423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org. Free with admission: $12; $10 for 65+; $7.50 for students; free for under 12 and members.20090108

‘BLIZZARD THE WIZARD’ (Sunday) What would a blizzard be like without snow? Well, lonely for starters. That’s how Blizzard the Wizard feels when he awakens one day to find that his crystalline companion has vanished. In this one-man show from Urban Stages, Dan Kitrosser, who wrote the script with Andrew Davies, takes children 3 to 10 on a humorous journey to solve the mystery (and learn a little about global warming). (Through Jan. 18.) At 2 p.m., 259 West 30th Street, Manhattan, (212) 695-5131; $10.20090108

‘THE BLUE BIRD’ (Sunday) The title refers to that all too rare species, the Blue Bird of Happiness, which is the object of a quest in this 1918 silent-film fantasy by Maurice Tourneur. Presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center as part of the Dance on Camera series, the movie features two children and a fairy who are involved in an Oz-like adventure. To be screened with live piano accompaniment by Ben Model, the film still has its original color tints. At 2 p.m., the Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th Street, Lincoln Center, (212) 875-5601, filmlinc.com; $11; $8 for 62+; $7 for ages 6 through 12 and members.20090108

MEG CABOT AND ‘FOREVER PRINCESS’ (Friday) Meg Cabot is a native Midwesterner, but to legions of girls she will always be royalty. The author of the popular “Princess Diaries” series of novels, Ms. Cabot will appear at the New York Public Library to discuss “Forever Princess,” the 10th and final book in the line. But she will keep writing, and the library will keep producing events for teenagers. To raise funds for just that purpose, more than 25 authors, illustrators and other famous people have designed tiaras (the “Princess” symbol), which are being auctioned online through Jan. 31 at tiaras.cmarket.com. At 7 p.m., Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, nypl.org; free.20090108

‘CRANKED’ (Friday through Sunday) Crank is street slang for methamphetamine, which has taken over the life of Stan, the 17-year-old at the heart of this one-man play by Michael Northey. A rap star also known as Definition, Stan, played by Kyle Cameron, uses hip-hop rhythms to tell the story of his addiction and attempted comeback. Part of the New Vic at the Duke series, the New Victory Theater’s program for tween and teenage audiences, “Cranked” includes postperformance discussions with Mr. Cameron and the production company, Green Thumb Theater. (Through Jan. 25.) Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m., the Duke on 42nd Street Theater, 229 West 42nd Street, (646) 223-3010, newvictory.org; $25; $17.50 for members.20090108

‘DEAR EDWINA’ (Friday through Monday) What if Ann Landers had been a child — and she could sing? Then she might have been Edwina Spoonapple, the young heroine of this new musical by Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler (“Junie B. Jones”). Edwina is an advice columnist who delivers her counsel tunefully, with the help of her friends, and this show details her quest to be in a festival. Monday night will also feature “Dear Edwina Encores,” in which Ms. Goldrich and Ms. Heisler will deliver a post-show performance of additional material, including numbers that never made it into the production; they will also answer questions from the audience. (Through Jan. 25.) Friday at 5 and 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 and 4 p.m., with an additional Saturday performance at 7 p.m.; Monday at 7 p.m.; DR2 Theater, 103 East 15th Street, Manhattan, (212) 239-6200, dearedwina.com; $39.20090108

‘GOLLY GEE WHIZ’ (Friday through Sunday) It’s no accident that the main characters in the opening production of Tada! Youth Theater’s season are named Judy and Mickey. This musical, a revival from 1999, captures the high spirits of 1930s pop culture, when stars like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney were all the rage. The action takes place in 1939 in Happyville, where the teenage residents decide to boost the economy by putting on a show. (Maybe it will give audience members a few ideas.) (Through Feb. 15.) Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m.; 15 West 28th Street, Manhattan, second floor, (212) 252-1619, Ext. 128, tadatheater.com; $20; $8 for ages 15 and under; premium tickets (with preferred seating), $25 and $15.20090108

‘HARRY THE DIRTY DOG’ (Saturday and Sunday) Manhattan Children’s Theater has revived this 45-minute show, which is a delight for ages 3 to 8 and a source of solace to parents. After all, what if all their bath-hating toddlers were dogs? The play, adapted by Karen Abbott from Gene Zion’s book of the same title, follows the adventures of the title character, a usually amiable mutt who has a strong antipathy for soap and water. Harry’s story includes encounters with a construction crew, railroad workers, surfer dudes and stray dogs. (Through Feb. 22.) At noon and 2 p.m., 52 White Street, near Church Street, TriBeCa, (212) 352-3101, theatermania.com; $20.20090108

‘HOUSE ABOUT IT’ (Friday through Sunday, and Tuesday through Thursday) This exhibition gives new meaning to playing house. Created by the Staten Island Children’s Museum, the show, whose centerpiece is a child-size house under construction, introduces young visitors to all aspects of the building trades. Activity stations include an architect’s office, a space to examine foundation materials and a workbench to practice sawing and drilling. The house offers opportunities for tiling and shingling, and a dollhouse lets young decorators ponder fabrics and furnishings. Hours: Friday, and Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1000 Richmond Terrace, Livingston, (718) 273-2060, statenislandkids.org. Free with admission: $5; free for members.20090108

KIDROCKERS (Sunday) It’s hard to imagine mature, self-respecting childless adults wanting — much less needing — to sneak into a kids’ show. But Beth Lorge has met such desperate grown-ups. Now consider that the groups playing at the concerts Ms. Lorge produces (for ages 3 to 13) are hot or up-and-coming rock bands, and you can understand why hip young adults are suddenly eager to volunteer as baby sitters. On Sunday she is presenting a double bill of Vivian Girls, an underground trio, and the Bones Royal, rockers from the Lower East Side. The comedians Seth Herzog and Craig Baldo will be hosts. (Adults must be accompanied by a child.) At 1 p.m., the Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, near Stanton Street, Lower East Side, kidrockersusa.com; $12 in advance; $15 at the door. (Tickets include a one-year subscription to Time Out New York Kids.)20090108

‘KIDS ’N COMEDY’ (Sunday) The class clown gets applause, not detention, at this series, in which comics ages 13 to 18 perform stand-up. The shows are recommended for children 9 and older, but there’s no need to worry about appropriateness (profanity is banned) or knock-knock jokes. (These dudes are sophisticated.) At 1 p.m. Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd Street, Chelsea, (212) 877-6115, kidsncomedy.com; $15, with a one-soda minimum. Reservations required.20090108

ELIZABETH MITCHELL AND YOU ARE MY FLOWER (Sunday) This concert is a family affair. Elizabeth Mitchell, who specializes in creating children’s versions of classic folk tunes, will perform with her husband, Daniel Littleton, and their daughter, Storey. Mom and Dad sing and play the guitar; Storey sings and plays the harmonica. It’s all for the delight of folk-rock fans ages 2 to 7. At 2 p.m., the Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue, at 92nd Street, (212) 423-3337, thejewishmuseum.org; $15; $10 for children; $12 and $8 for family-level members.20090108

‘PETER PAN AND ADVENTURES IN NEVERLAND’ (Friday through Sunday, and Tuesday through Thursday) New York might seem like a Neverland to many, and it is indeed the setting of Zakiyyah Alexander’s new, Americanized adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s classic. Presented by the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater as a puppet musical (Daryl Kojak composed the score), it also features a Tiger Lily who’s a native of India. Fridays and Tuesdays through Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and noon (with an additional 2:30 p.m. show on Wednesdays); Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m.; 79th Street and the West Drive, Central Park, (212) 988-9093, cityparksfoundation.org; $8; $5 for 18 and under. Reservations required.20090108

‘PINKALICIOUS, THE MUSICAL’ (Saturday and Sunday) It’s time to think pink again. This show for ages 4 to 12, from Vital Children’s Theater, is in yet another revival, so if you missed it earlier, you can catch it now at the Bleecker Street Theater. Elizabeth and Victoria Kann have adapted their children’s book, in which the pink-obsessed title character finds out that sometimes being in the pink can be too much of a good thing. (John Gregor wrote the score and some of the lyrics.) (Through April 26.) At 1 p.m., 45 Bleecker Street, at Lafayette Street, East Village, (212) 239-6200, vitaltheatre.org; $29.50.20090108

PRESERVATION DETECTIVES’ FAMILY TOURS (Sunday) The Lower East Side has transformed over the last century, but the past still comes vibrantly alive in many of its corners. One is the Eldridge Street Synagogue, the landmark 1887 building where many Jewish immigrants worshiped. Now the Museum at Eldridge Street, the organization that recently restored the synagogue, is leading a family tour every Sunday. Children 5 to 10 can view artifacts, learn neighborhood and cultural lore and role-play a little history, including making a copy of a stained-glass window and putting together a Yiddish newspaper. At 1 p.m., 12 Eldridge Street, between Canal and Division Streets, (212) 219-0302, eldridgestreet.org; $10; $8 for students and 62+; $6 for ages 5 through 18.20090108

PUPPET-MAKING WORKSHOP (Saturday) Lucrecia Novoa is used to working with witches and monsters, but she will welcome some cheerier types at this program from the Bronx Council on the Arts. A master puppeteer, Ms. Novoa will lead children in making royal puppets to celebrate Three Kings Day and Little Christmas. She will also introduce some of her own fantasy creations. From noon to 3 p.m., Huntington Free Library, 9 Westchester Square, the Bronx, (718) 829-7770. Free, but space is limited; reservations are required via phone or e-mail to lisa@bronxarts.org.

SOURCE

Tags: 2009, bronx, Bronx Council on the Arts, Bronx News, Bronx People, Central Park, Christ, christmas, Environment, green, Latin America, Latino, Manhattan, neighborhood, new york, new york public library, Riverdale, The Bronx, Three Kings, Wave Hill, Westchester, Westchester Square

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