Events: Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

Join Dan Zanes for the Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert in Prospect Park this Saturday! Photo courtesy of Dan Zanes via bricartsmedia.org.
Join Dan Zanes for the Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert in Prospect Park this Saturday! Photo courtesy of Dan Zanes via bricartsmedia.org.

We’ve got several heavy-hitting annual fests coming up this weekend! Clear some time on your calendar for a swingin’ exhibit at Brookfield Place, a 1920s-style lawn party on Governors Island, a delicious BBQ fest in Madison Square Park, and an American Indian festival in Inwood Hill Park. Plus, don’t forget to check out the Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert with Dan Zanes in Prospect Park. Enjoy!

Opening Friday, June 10

“The Swings” Exhibit
Brookfield Place
12-8pm
Presented by Daily tous les jours, a Montreal-based design studio, “The Swings: An Exercise in Musical Cooperation”  is a fun, interactive exhibit that will thrill kids and adults alike. Each swing represents one of four instruments–piano, guitar, harp, and vibraphone–and visitors create music by swinging on them. As all four are swung, a beautiful symphony emerges. The kids will love participating in this collective music experience. Runs through Thursday, July 7. This event is free.

Saturday, June 11

Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert
Prospect Park
3pm
Dan Zanes is known for exploring American and global roots traditions in his incredibly fun and engaging family music. Join Zanes at the Prospect Park Bandshell for a concert that will provide a special sneak-peek of his newest “Smithsonian Folkways” album, which celebrates the blues icon Lead Belly. The show also honors the centennial of the birth of Brooklynite author Ezra Jack Keats, who introduced characters of color to mainstream children’s literature. Get to the show on time for a TADA! Youth Theater performance of one of Keats’ most beloved stories. Gates open at 3pm; show begins at 4pm. This event is free.

Saturday, June 11-Sunday, June 12

Jazz Age Lawn Party
Governors Island
11am-5pm
The roaring ’20s Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island has become an annual destination for New Yorkers young and old to dress up and have some good ol’ fashioned fun. Wear your best flapper-style outfits, bring some snacks for a lawn picnic, and take the ferry to be transported to another time. Once again this year, Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra will delight guests with big band dance numbers, joining an array of other performers throughout the weekend. This all-ages, family-friendly event will have plenty of entertainment options for everyone, including Kidland, which features carnival games and prizes for junior “flappers and flapperettes,” dance lessons, a paper moon photo booth, an antique car exhibit, vintage clothing and gift vendors, ’20s-era inspired food and drinks, and more. Tickets start at $15. Children under the age of 12 do not need a ticket, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. This event will also take place on Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14.

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party
Madison Square Park
11am-6pm
Rustle up the kids and head over to Madison Square Park for some mouthwatering BBQ! The Big Apple Barbecue Block Party is a two-day food fest where visitors can sample barbecue ribs, chicken, sausage and more from the best pitmasters in the US. The block party will also include cooking seminars with nationally renowned chefs, plus live music by Bernie Williams & His All-Star Band, David Ryan Harris, and the Demolition String Band. Admission is free. Food is $10 per plate; a FastPass is $125; Big Wig VIP Pass is $275.

Sunday, June 12

14th Annual Drums Along the Hudson Festival
Inwood Hill Park
11am-6pm
This year, the city’s only open air pow-wow will honor the American Indian College Fund’s president and CEO Cheryl Crazy Bull and the co-founder of Miss Jessie’s, Miko Branch. Featuring the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, this Native American festival will include festivities such as storytelling, arts and crafts, food, an Environmental Tent, live dance and drumming performances, and, for the second consecutive year, a World Market Tent. Hosted by Sandra Bookman. This event will be held rain or shine.

Relevant Directory Listings

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Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.  Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress. </p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City… Who doesn’t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history & in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor’s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>

Young Actors at Strasberg

<p>Young Actors at Strasberg offers a comprehensive array of acting programs for students in grades 2 – 12. Classes provide kids and teens with a foundation in Lee Strasberg's Method Acting and the tools to succeed in the professional industry – all while maintaining a fun and playful environment. Programs are tailored to encompass students at all levels, from those just beginning their acting journey to Broadway veterans and professional child actors. Young Actors at Strasberg alumni include Lady Gaga, Sophia Lillis, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Rosario Dawson!</p> <p>Young Actors Programs are available online and in-person at our New York Campus, located in Union Square. Saturday, After-School and Online classes are offered during the traditional school year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) and Monday through Friday day camps and intensives are held in July and August.</p> <p><strong>About The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute:</strong></p> <p>Founded in 1969 by Lee and Anna Strasberg, The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute is the only school that teaches Lee Strasberg's work in its complete and authentic form. The Institute's goal is to provide students with a craft that will help them create a reality and respond truthfully in imaginary circumstances, regardless of the style or form of material being used. LSTFI is proud to have award-winning alumni from around the world working as writers, directors, and actors in all mediums.</p>

Play On! Studios

<p>Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games!</p> <p>Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun!</p> <p>Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show!</p> <p>During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we’ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us.</p> <p> </p>