Picks Of The Week: August 27-September 1

Take the tots out into the city this week! Let off some mid-week steam at an ¡Arriba! dance party on the High Line, then gear up for some big Labor Day weekend festivals like the New York Caribbean Carnival, a cultural celebration with specific family events, or the NYC Unicycle Festival, a tricks-filled and fun-riddled celebration of all things with one wheel! Finally, close out the week with a tugboat parade on the Hudson and a great family concert from the popular band Hot Peas n’ Butter.

Wednesday, August 27

¡Arriba! Dance Parties
The High Line
7pm-9pm
All ages
¡Arriba! nights transform the High Line into a lively dance party at sunset! Join New York City’s best Latin bands in dancing the night away, enjoying seasonal treats from vendors, and seeing the High Line under the stars. This month’s celebration is inspired by the guajiro musical rhythms of Cuba. Free

Thursday, August 28-Monday, September 1

New York Caribbean Carnival
The Brooklyn Museum
Various times
All ages
In order to promote West Indian culture, tradition, history, and art, the New York Caribbean Carnival is hosting special events all weekend long. Wonderful family friendly offerings include the Stay In School – Youth Fest/College Fair on Friday, August 29th, which showcases talented performances and encourages little ones to stay in school. Don’t miss the Kiddies Carnival Parade, an all-day celebration that marches through Crown Heights, on Saturday, August 30th! Free

Friday, August 29-Sunday, August 31

NYC Unifest
Various locations
Various times
All ages
Join hundreds of unicyclists for three days of one-wheeled madness! Enjoy fun activities like a 13-mile unicycle ride across Brooklyn, a One Wheel stage show, racing, competitions, unicycle sports like basketball and hockey, and opportunities for your family to try your hand at unicycle riding! Free

Sunday, August 31

22nd Annual Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition
Pier 84
10am-2pm
All ages
Come on out to Pier 84 in celebration of NYC’s tugboats! There will be a boat parade and race, nose-to-nose pushing contests and a line competition. For those curious about the history of these sturdy ships, check out the tugboat exhibits. Be sure not to miss the spinach eating contest! Free

Kid/Around with Hot Peas n’ Butter
South Street Seaport
2pm-4pm
All Ages
Bring the little ones to a stellar concert by the popular Hot Peas n’ Butter! This unique band creates and performs special multicultural music just for kids, and have had music videos featured on Nick Jr.! Free

Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp;</p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>

Advantage QuickStart Tennis

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">A proven teaching method, customized by age and ability for ages 3 and up. Special kid-sized racquets and playing area, plus slower-bouncing balls, make it fun from day one!</span></p>

A-Game Sports

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">A-Game Sports is a premier provider of sports camps, programming and instruction for kids of all ages ranging from toddlers to teens. As an instructional and recreational youth sports facility, our goal is to make athletics a rewarding experience for all kids. A-Game Sports is located in New Rochelle, NY, and offers camps, lessons, customized programs for more than 10 sports and rental space for private events. A-Game Sports was founded in 2013 by two guys who decided that it was time to do what they truly love in life. Since then, we've made the ideology of fusing hard work and fun into a reality. Our dedicated staff of professional coaches share their enthusiasm with kids of all ages and skill levels that take part in our programs.</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">With turfed fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and flag football, batting cages and tunnels for baseball and softball, and various basketball programs, A-Game Sports is one of the premiere sports facilities for kids and adults of any age. Aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts will benefit from our many strength and conditioning programs, while children new to sports will learn skills and techniques within their chosen sport, all while having a great time and keeping the game fun.</p> </div>