Youth Activities, May 31, 2012

BY KAITLYN MEADE & SCOTT STIFFLER

EXPECT THE IMPOSSIBLE For one weekend only, Mark Nizer comes to Canal Park Playhouse armed with robots, flying lasers and outrageous juggling tricks. Audience members will be issued 3D glasses for this crazy combination of live performance and cutting-edge technology. nizer.com

June 15-17. Fri. at 7pm; Sat. at 1pm, 4pm & 7pm; and Sun. at 1pm & 4pm. At Canal Park Playhouse (508 Canal St., btw. Greenwich and West Sts.). For tickets ($20), call 866-811-4111 or visit canalparkplayhouse.com.

CREATURES OF LIGHT Descend into the depths of the ocean and explore the caves of New Zealand — without ever leaving Manhattan. Just visit the American Museum of Natural History’s new exhibit on bioluminescence (organisms that produce light through chemical reactions). Interactive and family-friendly, kids will eagerly soak up this twilight world where huge models of everything from fireflies to alien-like fish illuminate the dark. Through Jan. 6, 2013, at the American Museum of Natural History (79th St. and Central Park West). Open daily, 10am–5:45pm. Admission is $25, $14.50 for children, $19 for students/seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or at amnh.org. For more information, call 212-769-5100.

AMERICAN TAP DANCE FOUNDATION The Tap City Youth Ensemble and American Tap Dance Foundation present “Tap Attacks” — showcasing the best youth tap talent the city has to offer as part of their Outdoor Presentation series. 10:30-11:30am on Sat., June 9 at Bleecker Playground and Sun., June 10 at Vesuvio Playground. Or, if you’d rather make some noise yourself, the American Tap Dance Center (154 Christopher St., #2B, btw. Greenwich & Washington Sts.) is offering children and teens a free introductory tap class. Sat., June 9, 4:30-5:30pm. RSVP at 646-230-9564. For more info, visit atdf.org.

BOOKS OF WONDER New York City’s oldest and largest independent children’s bookstore has it all, from rare classics to the recently published. Join them for Storytime — where books are picked off the shelf based on the ages and interests of the attending children. Sunday at Noon and Friday, 4pm. On Tues., June 5 (from 6-8pm), former Books of Wonder employees who have gone on to create their own books will read, answer your questions and sign their works. On Wed., June 6, “Rebel Writers for Teens” welcomes authors including Holly Black and Scott Tracey. Books of Wonder is located at 18 W. 18th St. (btw. 5th & 6th Aves.). Call 212-989-3270 or visit booksofwonder.com.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS Every summer, CMA partners with Governors Island for their Free Art Island Outpost where kids ages 1-12 can do a variety of projects, from craft stations to sound design (every Sat. & Sun., from 11am-3pm, at buildings 11 & 14 in Nolan Park). Back in Manhattan, at the Children’s Museum, explore painting, collage and sculpture through self-guided arts projects. Open art stations give children the opportunity to experiment with materials such as paint, clay, fabric, paper and found objects. Regular museum hours: Mon. and Wed., 12-5pm; Thurs.-Fri., 12-6pm; Sat.-Sun., 10am-6pm. Admission: $10; free for seniors and infants (0-12 months). Pay as you wish on Thurs., 4-6pm. At 103 Charlton St. (btw. Hudson and Greenwich Sts.). Call 212-274-0986 or visit cmany.org. For group tours, call 212-274-0986, ext. 31.

HOUSE OF GHOSTLY HAUNTS Cardone The Magician’s spook show will continue to electrify audiences as Canal Park Playhouse once again extends its run, now through July 31. The vaudeville-style act features razor swallowing and spirit conjuring — and ends in 10 minutes of complete darkness. Appropriate for ages 7 and up. Tuesdays, 7pm, at Canal Park Playhouse (508 Canal St., btw. Greenwich & West Sts.). For tickets ($20), call 866-811-4111 or visit canalparkplayhouse.com.

THE SKYSCRAPER MUSEUM The Skyscraper Museum’s “Saturday Family Program” series features workshops designed to introduce children and their families to the principles of architecture and engineering — through hands-on activities. On June 9, the “Sidewalk Art” workshop will show kids how to sketch a blueprint of a building and then draw it on the sidewalk in chalk to create a unique skyline. On June 23, children six and up will model and design green buildings in the “Sustainable Skyscrapers” workshop. All workshops take place from 10:30-11:45am, at The Skyscraper Museum (39 Battery Place). Registration required. Call 212-945-6324 or e-mail education@skyscraper.org. Admission: $5 per child, free for members. Museum hours: Wed.-Sun., 12-6pm. Museum admission: $5, $2.50 for students/seniors. For info, call 212-945-6324, visit skyscraper.org or email education@skyscraper.org.

 

SKIPPYJON JONES BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center and TheatreworksUSA present this imaginative romp (for children ages 4-8) about a kitten named Skippyjon who dreams of being a Chihuahua. When the neighborhood bully starts picking on the smaller dogs, it’s up to Skippyjon to stop being a

scaredy-cat and stand up for them. This musical adventure is playing for one day only, on June 3, 3pm at the BMCC Tribeca PAC (199 Chambers St., btw. West and Greenwich Sts.). For tickets ($25), call 212-220-1460 or visit the box office. For more info, visit tribecapac.org.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR EVENT LISTED IN THE VILLAGER? lease provide the date, time, location, price and a description of the event. Send to scott@chelseanow.com or mail to 515 Canal St., Unit 1C, New York City, NY 10013. Requests must be received at least three weeks before the event. For more info, call 646-452-2497.