10 Great Events For November 2014

The Magic Flute

November 1-9 [Ages 8+] The Isango Ensemble will perform a reimagined version of Mozart’s opera masterpiece “The Magic Flute” at The New Victory Theater. The performance will be sung in English accompanied by South African storytelling. Additionally, it will feature township percussion, an orchestra of marimbas, and a cast of over 30 vibrant voices. This mix of western and South African arts will create a brilliant fusion within a fairy tale. $15-25; Various times. 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3010, newvictory.org

Canstruction

November 6-20 [All Ages] The world’s most inventive and imaginative food charity event will return to Brookfield Place in November. Canstruction is an international charity competition where people from all around the world gather to compete in designing and building giant structures made entirely from unopened cans of food. At the close of the competition all of the canned food will be donated to City Harvest. The contest will highlight the creativity and compassion of architects, engineers and students. The philosophy of the competition is to raise public awareness about world hunger and those in need. Suggested donation: one canned food item; Various times. Brookfield Place, 250 Vesey Street, canstruction.org

Muslim Arts Festivals

November 8-9 [Some Events All Ages; Some Events 5+] The Children’s Museum of Manhattan will celebrate Muslim culture through different styles of storytelling and a range of performances and activities available at the museum this month. On November 8, a Bangladeshi American Muslim storyteller, Arif Choudhury, will share stories from his life growing up with Muslim traditions. Additionally, on November 8-9, there will be arts and craft sessions where kids can create a 3D architectural structure inspired by mosques around the world, and also a create-your-own heroes and heroines stories session. Or, join the Muslim-American author, Fawzia Gilani, for a storytelling session about Cinderella told in the Muslim world. On November 9 only, Saung Budava, an Indonesian dance group, will tell traditional stories through Muslim dance and music. Free with admission; Various times. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, cmom.org

Gingerbread Lane

Beginning November 13 [All Ages] What better way to celebrate the upcoming holiday season than to go to the largest gingerbread village in the world at the New York Hall of Science! This village weighs 1.5 tons, measures 450 square feet, and is made entirely of gingerbread, icing, and candy. The village is estimated to include 3,000 lbs of icing, 600 lbs of candy from 14 different countries, and 600 lbs of gingerbread dough. The village includes 1,000 gingerbread houses, a skating rink, six gingerbread cable cars, and more! On display through Sunday, January 11. $11 for adults, $8 per child; 4-7pm. Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 47-01 111th street, Queens, 718-699-0005, nysci.org. Photo by Insider Images/Andrew Kelly

Brooklyn Children's Book Fair

November 15 [All Ages] Come meet your favorite local authors and illustrators at the eighth annual Brooklyn Children’s Book Fair at the Brooklyn Museum. This book fair will feature a variety of storybooks, picture books, graphic novels, and for the first time, books for young adults. There will also be over 30 Brooklyn authors and illustrators to meet. In addition to meet-and-greet sessions, there will also be hands-on arts and crafts and fun photo opportunities available for the kids. Free; 12-4pm. 200 Eastern Parkway, 718-638-5000, brooklynmuseum.org

Nature's Fury

Beginning November 15 [All Ages] It’s difficult to understand why there are earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, and hurricanes on our planet. In Nature’s Fury: The Science of Natural Disasters at AMNH, kids will learn about what causes natural disasters and explore what the consequences are. These natural phenomena will be taught through interactive displays and animations where kids can generate a virtual volcano, monitor earthquakes worldwide, and manipulate a model earthquake fault. Free for members; 10 am to 5:45 pm. Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-769-5100, amnh.org

At The Kids' Table

November 22 [Ages 8+] Journey back in time to discover what Thanksgiving food and festivities were like in the colonial era. After learning about Thanksgiving’s history and studying related artifacts, kids will get a chance to make their own mini apple pies with a mixture of past and present-day flavors. They will also use kitchen tools from the past to get a sense of what cooking in the past felt like. This exciting two-hour cooking and history class will be taught by Sarah Lohman, a historical gastronomist. $15 per child and $10 per member child; 2pm. 170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way, 212-873-3400, nyhistory.org

Who Is Tito Puente?

November 22 [Ages 12 and Under] Ernesto Antonio “Tito” Puente was an American salsa musician and Latin jazz composer. He was known as the “King of Latin Jazz,” and was able to fuse styles and put a spin on traditional Latin music through his big band. Join JLCO bassist Carlos Henriquez and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis to explore Puente’s legacy. Puente is remembered by many jazz musicians as an inspiring figure who has won five GRAMMY awards and has covered an extensive range of music over the course of his career. $10; 1 pm & 3pm. Broadway at 60th Street, 212-258-9800, lc.lincolncenter.org. Photo by Peter Maiden

A Spinning Planet

November 22 [Ages 6-12] The Little Orchestra Society, in association with New York City Center, will bring you a spectacular performance of classical music, modern dance and ballet in “The Four Seasons: A Spinning Planet.” This collaborative piece, with music played by the orchestra and dance choreographed by “punk ballerina” Karole Armitage, will teach kids about our planet. The fables about the Earth will be expressed through this unique combination of music, ballet, and modern dance. $18-90; 11am & 1pm. 130 West 56th Street (Between 6th and 7th Avenues); 212-971-9500, littleorchestra.org

Winter's Eve

December 1 [All Ages] New York’s largest outdoor holiday festival, Winter’s Eve, is back for its 15th year! Come and get into the holiday spirit with an array of free musical performances, delicious outdoor food tastings, marching bands, ice sculpting and fun activities for everyone. The event is expected to attract more than 20,000 people to Lincoln Square. You and your family will be prepared for the holiday season in no time. Free; 5:30-9pm. Broadway from Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle to 68th Street, 212-581-3774, winterseve.nyc