Picks of the Week: September 23-29

New York Transit Museum's Bus Festival; photo by Ian Westcott via flickr

One of the greatest things about living in the city is the lovely fall weather. The warm days and cooler evenings make September and October excellent months to go adventuring on the weekend. We’ve got the cure for families in need of a pick-me-up. Below, read up on a few noteworthy family events happening in the city.

Opening Thursday, September 26

“Tweet” Exhibit
Children’s Museum of the Arts
12pm
“Tweet,” the newest exhibit at the Children’s Museum of the Arts, invites families to take a break from our technology-driven world of Tweets and text messaging to enjoy bird-themed works of art. This avian art encourages visitors to slow down and focus on the beauty of nature, including works from artists such as John James Audubon, Emilie Clark, Amy Jean Porter, Eric Rhein, and others. The museum will also be partnering with the NYC Audubon Society for bird calling workshops on selected dates. The first workshop will be held on Saturday, September 28 between 12 and 3 pm. Exhibit runs through Sunday, January 26, 2014. Free with museum admission.

Saturday, September 28

Smithsonian Museum Day 2013
Various museums in NYC
Times vary
Yearning to visit some of the city’s best museums but not sure you want to commit to buying tickets with no guarantee of how your children will behave? On Smithsonian Museum Day, gain free admission to many of the city’s great museums, including the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, the Museum of Chinese in America, the New York City Fire Museum, the Rubin Museum of Art, and The Jewish Museum. All you need to do is register online for an admissions “card,” which will admit two, and present it at select museum doors for free entry. One ticket per household for two people. Ticket excludes parking and special exhibits.

NYC Dumpling Festival
Sara D. Roosevelt Park
12pm-5pm
All countries have their own type of dumpling, and what better way to sample them all than during the NYC Dumpling Festival? Festival attendees can sample delicious dumplings from countries like China, Poland, Korea, and Italy. While you’re there, also cheer on the competitors of the 10th Annual Chef One Dumpling Eating Contest and see performances by the Lion Dance Crew, Lei Pasifika, and Hsu-nami. Admission is free, however tasting tickets are required to sample dumplings at all stands. Tasting tickets are $20 at the door. Cash only.

Saturday, September 28-Sunday, September 29

Honey Weekend
Wave Hill
9am-4pm
Buzz on over to Wave Hill on Saturday and Sunday for Honey Weekend. Visitors can sample and take home honey of all varieties, learn how honey is extracted from beehives, try on beekeeping gear, and make beeswax candles. Kids can dress up like bees, march in a bee parade, and explore a giant cardboard hive. Honey Weekend is free with admission to the grounds. Grounds admission is free until noon on Saturdays.

Sunday, September 29

New York Transit Museum’s 20th Annual Bus Festival
Atlantic Antic
11am-5pm
Explore tons of vintage buses during New York Transit Museum’s Bus Festival! Now in its twentieth year, the Bus Festival in Brooklyn is the best place to see buses from days past and learn about the history of mass public transportation. This year’s festivities include family-friendly arts and crafts as well as the opportunity to purchase bus gifts and memorabilia. Admission to the NY Transit Museum (located one block away) will be reduced to $1 until 4:30pm in honor of the festival. Festival will be held rain or shine. Admission is free.

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Treehouse Shakers

<div>Treehouse Shakers’ Branching OUT After-School program is for ages 12-14. This awarded program is for young people who identify as LGBTQIA+, or are seeking to become better allies. Branching OUT centers on discovering and exploring one’s story and identity through an intentionally artist-led format. During our community-based program, young people will explore and reflect on their own story to create a larger, more meaningful experience, while gaining self-empowerment and gathering with like-minded peers. Through the guidance of our awarded teaching artists, young people will create narratives that will be turned into podcasts, dances, songs or poetry. </div> <div> </div> <div>Young people have the opportunity to learn new art forms, work with professional artists, while building a meaningful community.</div>

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers year-round, community-based dance and music programming in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School’s diverse and professional faculty provides progressive and non-competitive instruction with all of our classes accompanied by live music. Though we are a non-recital school, there are opportunities for students to perform and for parents to see their dancers in action.</span></p>

Steps on Broadway Youth Programs

<p class="m_6201101365486487057m_1751229968981391907gmail-m-6447730382188674378msonospacing" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For 40 years, the Youth Programs at the internationally celebrated Steps on Broadway have nurtured young dancers, ages 18 months to 18 years.  Whether seeking a fun dance experience or comprehensive pre-professional training, there is a program suited for everyone.  Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, theater dance, hip hop, contemporary, modern, pointe and more.  Taught by a faculty of internationally-recognized concert, ballet, Broadway and celebrated guest artists, every student is encouraged to discover their artistic uniqueness, deepen their passion for the art form, while growing as dancers and individuals. </span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Classes are offered throughout the academic year and summer.</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">First Steps (ages 18 mos – 5 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Kids & Teens (ages 6-18 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Pre-Professional Program (ages 7-18 yrs, by audition only)</span></p>