Picks of the Week: August 12-18

Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island; photo by erin m on flickr

If you think that summer is over, think again! There is still an abundance of family events happening this weekend and beyond. Check out these over-the-top outdoor activities while there’s still time to bask in the season’s lovely weather.

Saturday, August 17

FlyNYC 2013
Pier 1 in Riverside Park
11am-4pm
Fly over to Riverside Park this Saturday for FlyNYC 2013! All ages can make beautiful kites and then learn to fly them in the park. The afternoon wouldn’t be complete without live music from Batala NYC, an all-women’s AfroBrazilian Samba Reggae drumming band as well as from Renaissance EMS. Event is free and will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain.

Saturday, August 17-Sunday, August 18

Summer Streets
Park Avenue from Central Park to Brooklyn Bridge
7am-1pm
For the last Saturday this summer, the streets along Park Avenue from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park will be closed to car traffic for Summer Streets, an annual health initiative where runners, bikers, rollerbladers and walkers can enjoy almost seven miles of NYC streets along with free activities for all. This year’s festivities include a Banana Boat-sponsored Fun in the Sun Zone with sand art crafts and a water sprinkler, free bike and rollerblade rentals, food samples courtesy of Whole Foods Market, health and fitness classes, a rock climbing wall, and much more.

Jazz Age Lawn Party
Governors Island
11am-5pm
Governors Island will be transformed into a Jazz Age Lawn Party this weekend. Guests will be treated to dance lessons and a dance contest, a 1920s motorcar exhibition, a tug ‘o war competition, and more. In Kidland, kids can play carnival games and win vintage prizes. Must-see performances include Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, pianist Peter Mintun, The Minsky Sisters, and the vaudeville-esque duo Gelber & Manning. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 (cash only) at the door. Children under 12 are free. Rain dates are September 14 & 15.

NYC Children’s Festival
West 135th Street between Malcolm X and A.C. Powell, Jr. Blvds. in Harlem
12-5pm Saturday, 12-6pm Sunday
Harlem will be hoppin’ during Harlem Week’s Summer in the City weekend. Families will particularly enjoy the NYC Children’s Festival, a two-day event featuring games, arts and crafts, live music, free health testing, sports clinics and a back-to-school fashion show. Also, stick around for exhibition games and the championship of the Tri-State Jr. Tennis Classic.

Global Gardens Summer Harvest Celebration
New York Botanical Garden
1:30-5:30 pm
Green-thumbed kiddies and their families will want to head over to the New York Botanical Garden for a Global Gardens Summer Harvest Celebration. Little gardeners can earn “passport stamps” by exploring the five Global Gardens, play garden-themed games, make crafts, snack on crunchy pickles, and more. Free with an “All-Garden” pass.

The Ailey School – First Steps and Bounding Boys

<blockquote style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <div dir="ltr"> <div class="m_-3740164643787738207m_4977048992707393770WordSection1"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0070c0;">At The Ailey School, FIRST STEPS offers a structured creative movement curriculum that allows girls (ages 3-6) and boys (age 3), to develop body awareness and control and learn the basics of dance technique. BOUNDING BOYS (ages 4-6) provides a more athletic experience, and an energetic approach to teaching dance skills.</span></p> </div> </div> </blockquote>

USC Gymnastics & Baseball Training Facility

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">We offer sports activities, after school programs, birthday parties &amp; private lessons for kids ages 3&ndash;13 years! Our gymnastics classes are a great way to keep your child active and healthy. We strive to empower and challenge children through the sport of gymnastics.</span></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&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>