Picks of the Week: October 28-November 3

Canstruction; photo by Stephen Rees via flickr

Let the Halloween countdown begin! We’ve selected a couple of terrifyingly terrific Halloween events that are sure to knock your socks (or your masks ) off. Plus, be sure to check out our full roundup of Halloween parties and parades here. Have a safe and happy All Hallows’ Eve!

Thursday, October 31

Canstruction
Brookfield Place Winter Garden
10am-6pm
Canstruction is unlike any building competition around. Architects, designers, engineers, and students compete in teams to build incredible, large-scale structures made completely out of unopened cans of food. Visitors to the Brookfield Place Winter Garden will have the opportunity to view the “canstructions” until November 13, when they will be dismantled. The cans will be donated to City Harvest for those in need of meals. Admission is free, but visitors are asked to bring an unopened can of high quality food as a donation.

10th Annual Divalysscious Moms Halloween Spooktacular
Dylan’s Candy Bar
11am-1pm
Join us for Divalysscious Moms annual Halloween Spooktacular at Dylan’s Candy Bar! This event will be hosted by Divamom Lyss Stern, New York Family, and New York Family‘s October cover family, Sean MacPherson and Rachelle Hruska-MacPherson. Spooktacular promises to be a scary good time for little ones ages 6 months to 4 years with entertainment by Little Maestros, photography by Heidi Green, pumpkin carving, food, trick-or-treat tote bag decorating, goody bags provided by Dylan’s Candy Bar, and much more. Admission is $75, but save $25 when RSVP-ing for a family of 3 when you mention New York Family. Space is limited, Reservations are required.

23rd Annual Children’s Halloween Parade
Washington Square Arch
3-6pm
Ages 3 through 12 are invited to NYU and Community Board 2s Annual Children’s Halloween Parade. Kids can march with circus performers and brass bands to LaGuardia Place in Washington Square South where there will be games, rides, and, of course, yummy trick-or-treat bags. Admission is free.

Saturday, November 2

Dark Universe Space Show
American Museum of Natural History
Various times
The new Dark Universe Space Show in the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium launches viewers through the galaxy like never before. Audiences will marvel at the Milky Way from the perspective of the Mt. Wilson Observatory in California and see Jupiter via NASA’s Galileo spacecraft. The show also explores phenomena such as dark energy and dark matter. Tickets are $16 for children and $27 for adults.

Family Day: Festival of Lights
Rubin Museum of Art
12-4pm
Visit the Rubin Museum this Saturday for a Diwali celebration. All are welcome to learn about the Hindu New Year with storytelling, music and dance performances, marigold garland making, and clay lamp sculpting. Also, contribute flower petals to a giant Rangoli design collaboration. Admission is $10 for children and $10 for adults.

Brooklyn Robot Foundry - Virtual Classes

Brooklyn Robot Foundry offers super fun online robot-building classes for children 2-13 years old!&nbsp;&nbsp;Each week, students are introduced to new engineering concepts and components while building that day&rsquo;s robot in their own &ldquo;workshop&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp;All classes maintain a very low student-to-teacher ratio, allowing for plenty of individualized instruction and socializing. The supplies are shipped in advance and classes are led by amazing instructors, taking all the pressure off parents.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Foundry&rsquo;s main focus however, is that kids have fun, get creative, and enjoy being part of this STEAM-loving community!&nbsp;

Young Actors at Strasberg

Young Actors at Strasberg&nbsp;offers a comprehensive array of acting programs for students in grades 2 &ndash;&nbsp;12. Classes provide kids and teens with a foundation in Lee Strasberg's Method Acting and the tools to succeed in the professional industry &ndash;&nbsp;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! Young Actors&nbsp;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&nbsp;July and August. About The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute: Founded in 1969 by Lee and Anna Strasberg, The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; 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.