10 Great Events For May

Hip-Hop Harmony

May 8- 17 [Ages 7+] The Philadelphia hip-hop troupe Rennie Harris Awe-Inspiring Works takes the stage at the New Vic this month in the full-length dance musical: “Luv: American Style.” The group will perform amazing hip-hop moves—choreographed by Alvin Ailey Award recipient Dr. Rennie Harris and set to a soundtrack of chart-topping rock—that tell the story of a young man coming to terms with love, justice, and his own identity. Tickets start at $15 for non-members, show times vary. The New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3010, newvictory.org

Garden Party

May 9-10 [All Ages] Celebrate mom with a garden party in her honor in one of the city’s most beautiful natural spaces! The New York Botanical Garden’s Mother’s Day Garden Party Weekend will feature live music, games, picnicking on Daffodil Hill, and more. Children can craft Mother’s Day cards and get creative with chalk drawing, and all are invited to dine on a special brunch, and see a dance performance on the Conservatory Lawn. Plus: Savor tasty offerings from food trucks, and beer and wine will be available for adults who want to raise a glass to mom! $30 adults, $15 children 2-12; 10am-6pm. New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, the Bronx, 718-817-8700, nybg.org

Far Out Art

Opens May 14 [All Ages] The Children’s Museum of the Arts’ latest exhibit, “Far, Far Away…” explores the possibility of other worlds, dreamscapes, and imagined places. Adventures begin and fantasies run wild in the displayed works, which focus on the artists’ processes of manipulation, and demonstrate visual art’s storytelling power. Some of the pieces on display by the five featured artists—Meghan Boody, Joe Fig, Julie Heffernan, Gail LeBoff, and Ethan Murrow—represent dream-like fantasies, while others address changing identities, such as the transition from childhood to adulthood. Viewers are encouraged to identify with both the familiar and alien as they journey into the unknown. Free with museum admission; Monday and Wednesday 12-5pm, Thursday-Friday 12-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm. Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton Street, 212-274-0986, cmany.org Pictured above: "Flying Cranes" By Meghan Boody

Dance Dance Revolution

May 16 [All Ages] Get ready to boogie down Broadway at the 9th Annual Dance Parade and Festival! More than 10,000 dancers will hula, salsa, tango, swing, Irish step, and more from Broadway and 21st Street to Tompkins Square Park, where the dancers and spectators will groove together at DanceFest—an afternoon of free performances, dance lessons, and, of course, a dance party. Free for general admission; $35 for seating at 8th Street and University Place Grandstand. Parade 1-3pm, festival 3-7pm. Parade begins at 21st Street and Broadway, and ends at Tompkins Square Park. 267-350-9213, danceparade.org

Deep Bleu Sea

May 16-17 [Ages 5-8] Italian theater company Compagnia T.P.O invites young audiences along on an underwater adventure in “Bleu.” As they follow the actors into the depths of the Mediterranean, children will learn about the ocean’s might and biodiversity as they ride waves in a storm, and navigate using the night sky, and encounter a variety of animals, shells, and stones along the way. The combination of environmental performance with immersive technology will enchant young audiences. $12, 10:30am and 2pm on Saturday; 10:30am and 12:30pm on Sunday. BAMFisher Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Place, Brooklyn, 718-636-4100, bam.org

Catch That Train

May 16-17 [All Ages] Fans of TV train Chuggington won’t want to miss “CHUGGINGTON LIVE! The Great Rescue Adventure.” This live musical, which incorporates songs from the show as well as many new tunes, features beautiful Chuggington train carriages—with working mouths and eyes!—who will tell the story of what happens when Koko the train gets into trouble at Rocky Ridge Mine. Will the other “trainees” Wilson and Brewster be able to help her? $40-70; 11am, 2pm, and 5pm on Saturday, 11am and 2pm on Sunday. The Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, 212-465-6500, beacontheatre.com

The New York Baby Show

May 16-17 To new and expectant families! To your bumps, babies, and toddlers! With much enthusiasm and appreciation, we invite you to the 2015 New York Baby Show, coming up on the weekend of May 16 and 17, at Pier 92 in NYC. In a very nice and family-friendly way, the event is the loving lollapalooza of Baby Shows, where families from New York City and the Tri-State area get to chat with a great variety of over 150 maternity, baby, and toddler brands; test-drive many of the best stroller brands in the world; and listen to expert speakers (including from the TODAY SHOW) tackle everything from maternal wellness, to nursery shopping, to adjusting to life with children. Kiddie entertainment, parent-and-me classes, and awesome raffles (like a $5,000 Dream “Green” Nursery) round out the fun. From the moment "TODAY’s" Erica Hill and Sheinelle Jones help us cut the ribbon and begin the event, the New York Baby Show will be (as always) a wonderful, informative, and helpful experience for anyone who is pregnant or in the early years of parenthood. The New York Baby Show is also an awesome value. Tickets are $30 per family, and $20 per person. Use the promotional code NYFBABY for a 10% discount. Click the link or photo above to buy your tickets now!

Fleet Week

May 20-26 [All Ages] Celebrate Fleet Week at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum! Enjoy hands-on activities led by NASA, the Office of Naval Research, and other military partners; hear from astronaut and naval pilot Scott Altman, who served as Tom Cruise’s flight double in “Top Gun,” and other former astronauts and military aviators at a special Meet the Pilots event. Pricing and times vary. Pier 86, at 12th Avenue and 42nd Street, 212-245-0072, intrepidmuseum.org

A Scientific Celebration

May 27-31 [All Ages] Celebrate the sciences at the five-day World Science Festival, which features a line-up of original programming that includes free events for families and young scientists in addition to exhibits and talks with some of the world’s leading scientists. This year, participants can check out more than 50 different events, from those commemorating the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity to special youth and family offerings, such as the Flame Challenge, when scientists attempt to answer big questions in front of an audience of 11-year-olds. On Sunday, May 31, the festival will culminate with the Ultimate Science Street Fair in Washington Square Park. Various prices, times, and locations. 212-348-1400, worldsciencefestival.com

Movie Magic

May 30 [All Ages] Calling all little film buffs! A program of the Brooklyn Film Festival, the 11th Annual Kids Film Fest seeks to discover and promote children’s filmmakers with a line-up of films for children of all ages (all are rated “G”), including short animation, live-action, and documentary films. The films will be followed by a Q&A and workshop with the filmmakers. $12, free for children 12 and under; 1pm. Made in NY Media Center, 30 John Street, Brooklyn, kidsfilmfest.org

Whistle With the Wolves

May 31 [Recommended for ages 3-6] At this Carnegie Kids concert, musician Emily Eagen and members of her roots band, the Whistling Wolves, will perform a raucous program of fun, family music. Eagen, who is a two-time international whistling champion, a ukulele player, and singer who performs everything from early music to traditional Americana, will perform original songs which explore the wanderings of children’s imaginations. Audiences will be clapping and stomping along to the wild combination of sounds from instruments such as a harmonica, jaw harp, bones, and spoons. Free, 2pm. Reservations are accepted starting one month prior to the concert. The Resnick Education Wing at Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Avenue and 57th Street, 212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org