10 Great Events For April 2013

The Itty Biddies; photo by Caroline Voagen Nelson

April 5-13
Comic Fans Unite
[Ages 7 And Up]
For those who love comics and alien invasions, look no further than “The Intergalactic Nemesis” at The New Victory Theater for your next adventure. Here you’ll meet heroes like Molly Sloan, a gutsy reporter, and creeps like Mysterion the Magnificent, a villain obsessed with world domination. Voiced by three intrepid actors joining forces to create a world of on-stage action, the play takes families on a journey to save Earth from evil space monsters. From $14 (members $9); times vary between 12pm and 7pm. 646-223-3010, 209 West 42nd Street, newvictory.org

April 7
Where Reading And Fun Meet
[Ages 7-12]
Pseudonymous Bosch’s newest creation, Write This Book, is brought to life by The Story Pirates through interactive, one-of-a-kind stage readings at Symphony Space Theater. With help from the audience, The Story Pirates choose adventures that Bosch must face as he writes his own book. This event is sure to be full of family fun and may inspire young writers with active imaginations. $15 general admission, $12 members; 1pm. 212-864-5400, 2537 Broadway, symphonyspace.org

April 13
A Musical Journey
[Ages 3-6]
Gather the little ones for an exciting performance by the Itty Biddies at the Brooklyn Public Library. As part of the McGraw-Hill CarnegieKids series, the three-woman band will take listeners on a musical journey from the plains of the African desert to the subway tunnels of Manhattan with impressive vocals backed by cheerful ukulele and bass tunes. Free; 1pm. 718-230-2100, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, carnegiehall.org

Intergalactic Nemesis at New Victory Theater; photo by The Robot Planet
April 17-19

Just For Parents
[Adults]
Join child development experts at the 2013 Young Child Expo & Conference at the Hotel Pennsylvania for everything you need to know about youth development. This three-day panel unites leaders and professionals—from doctors to professors to the CEO of Sesame Workshop—in providing parents with advice on topics like education, behavior, play, and special needs. From $115; 7am-4:30pm. 212-736-5000, 401 Seventh Avenue, youngchildexpo.com

April 21
Earth Day Fun
[Ages 5 And Up]
Celebrate Earth Day early this year at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. Kids can learn about Earth’s history by exploring fossils with local science teacher Cynthia Toledo. They’ll create their own models of Earth and can even hide fossils inside while showing off their new knowledge of our planet’s beginnings. Free for under 12 months and members; children and adults $11, seniors $7; 2pm & 3:30pm. 212-721-1223, 212 West 83rd Street, cmom.org

April 21 to May 12
Monster, Schmonster
[Ages 4-8]
Making Books Sing, a non-profit that promotes child literacy through theater fun, presents their biggest production yet: “Wanda’s Monster The Musical.” Based on the children’s novel Wanda’s Monster, the heartwarming musical teaches children the value of friendship as Granny encourages Wanda to make friends with the Monster living in her closet. With original songs written by kindie rock goddess Laurie Berkner. (Preview show on April 19.) Children $15, adults $20; times vary between 10:30am and 5pm. 646-250-1178, 311 West 43rd Street, makingbookssing.org

Sakura Matsuri Festival at Brooklyn Botanical Garden; photo by Make Ratliff
April 26 & 27
A Reimagined Classic
[All Ages]
Relive the magic of Disney’s “Fantasia” at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Featuring animations from both the 1940 and 2000 films, “Fantasia” will be accompanied by Little Orchestra Society’s live ensemble, creating an enhanced musical experience for the audience. Three performances will be offered, so don’t miss out! From $15, times vary between 11am and 7:30pm. 212-971-9500, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, littleorchestra.org

April 26-28
Drums, Songs & More
[Ages 1-12]
Love music? Celebrate it at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 2013 KindieFest! While the panels are geared toward professionals and adults, the public concert on April 28 is just for families. Everyone will love rocking out and learning valuable life lessons with the likes of The Dirty Sock Funtime Band, The Terrible Twos, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, The Alphabet Rockers, and more. Don’t miss the chance to see all of your fave artists all in one place! Concert $12, conference $110; concert 12pm, conference 10am. 718-636-4100, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, bam.org

April 27
Ready, Set, Run
[All Ages]
Help raise money to protect endangered elephants in Wildlife Conservation Society’s 5k Family Fun Run at the Bronx Zoo. In addition to all-day access to the zoo, participating children will receive a free WCS t-shirt and a host of other prizes depending on how much is raised. Children 3-15 and seniors $35, adults $35; 8:45am. 718-367-1010, 2300 South Boulevard, Bronx, wcs.org

April 27 & 28
Getting Cultural
[All Ages]
Get cultural at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden’s Sakura Matsuri Festival, a two-day celebration of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. Join musicians, dancers, and teachers as they demonstrate dance, music, art, and more through interactive workshops and performances. Kids will love Japanese fashions, puzzles, and folk dancing, while adults can enjoy tea ceremonies, Samurai sword fighting, and Bonsai demonstrations. Free for ages 12 and under and members, students & seniors $15, adults $20; 10am-6pm. 718-623-7200, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, bbg.org

Relevant Directory Listings

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Collina Italiana, The Italian Language and Cultural Center

<p>Learn Italian the fun way. Children practice and absorb the language through arts & crafts, activities, games, songs and stories!</p>

Penguin Coding School

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Penguin Coding School believes that </span><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">anyone can code</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The most compelling motivation for learning to code is that it enables building something kids can call their own. What makes this approach "worth it" for the kids is that at the end of the road, they see that their code actually does things in the real world. Not in some playpen, but in the real Internet where anyone can access it. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Programs:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong> </strong>Penguin Coding School </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">provides comprehensive coding education to kids ages 5-18. In-person & Online classes are available in Scratch, Minecraft, Roblox, Python, Javascript, Java, Robotics, and Mobile Apps. Their small class size, award winning teachers and age-appropriate curriculum ensure every child will learn coding with a smile. Penguin Coding has in-person classes and summer camps in Cobble Hill and Park Slope, as well as three Massachusetts locations. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free Trial Classes: </span></strong></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115c8d0a-7fff-6ffb-9ee2-4fd4aa248c0a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sign up for our award-winning</span><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://penguincodingschool.com/freetrial?utm_campaign=FreeTrials&utm_source=NYF&utm_medium=Directory"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">free trial classes</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They offer a 60 minute free trial class in Scratch, Python, Roblox, Java, Robotics and much more! Appropriate for absolute beginners as well as those with some experience (trial classes are used to place students in the right level).</span></p>

Plugged in Band

<div>Plugged In is a nonprofit program that offers online programs to student musicians (Ages 10-18) in a non-competitive environment and provides band and individual performance opportunities in support of community and charitable causes.</div> <div> </div> <div>Our programs include:</div> <div> </div> <div>Rock Band Classes</div> <div>Private Music Lessons</div> <div>Summer Camp</div> <div>Digital/Audio Production</div> <div>Songwriting and Recording Workshops</div> <div> </div> <div>Oh and hey parents, we are now offering private music lessons and our rock band program for adults too. Reach out to us for more information. </div>