Weekend Planner: July 26-28

cirque-du-solei-quidam-brooklyn-ny-barclays-center — "Cirque du Soleil: Quidam" at Barclays Center

We’re halfway through summer! Have you gotten the chance to stop by NYC’s best ice cream stores for cool treats, the top nearby water parks for splashy fun, or any of the five boroughs’ great carousels for a wholesome spin? If not, there’s still some time to hop to it…

If those are crossed off your to-do list, check out our Summer Fun Guide for enjoying the great outdoors. Otherwise, there’s lots going on this weekend specifically, from the Intrepid Museum’s SpaceFest and the American Indian Mid-Summer Pow Wow in Queens to Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors Family Day and an all-new Cirque du Soleil show at Barclays Center. What are you waiting for?

STARTING FRIDAY

Who framed Roger Rabbit? Find out in Hudson River Park, where a screening of the ’80s cartoon makes for a free night of mysterious fun. Ready to sleuth? (Friday)

Travel through space at the Intrepid Museum via NASA tours, astronaut visits, a “Star Trek” screening, Astronomy Night, and more during SpaceFest 2013. What a blast off! (Friday-Sunday)

The Thunderbird American Indian Pow Wow is back at Queens County Farm Museum with three days of dance competitions, crafts, and snacks. Get cultured! (Friday-Sunday)

Marvel at acrobats, singers, musicians, and enchanting characters at “Cirque De Soleil: Quidam,” coming to the Barclays Center for the first time ever. Out of this world. (Friday-Sunday)

Watch athletes compete with high jumps and crazy tricks at Pogopalooza 10 in Union Square, then try some pogo-ing of your own in the kid-friendly Free Jump zone. Hop to it! (Friday-Sunday)

Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” gets a Harlem twist with African spirits and dance at Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park. Ready to laugh? (Friday-Sunday)

STARTING SATURDAY

Make your own instrument, play-along in an interactive concert, and enjoy free performances by the likes of Dan Zanes at the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Family Day. Get musical! (Saturday)

At Writopia Children’s Poetry Festival, act out famous poems, meet the poets, and create some stories of your own with fun prompts against great Governors Island settings. Write on! (Saturday & Sunday)

SUNDAY ONLY

Hip Tot Family Day means a Mil’s Trills show, deliciously healthy snacks, and a reading by children’s author Hope Greenberg in Brooklyn. What’s not to love? (Sunday)

Break out the shovels for the sandcastle contest at Rockaway Beach–then don’t forget surfing fun and boardwalk snacks after. All right!(Sunday)

The Children’s Day Extravaganza–full of crafts, live music, rides, and carousel time–is a perfect excuse to hop aboard the Staten Island Ferry to Willowbrook Park. Why not? (Sunday)

“Newsies” the movie is all about the NYC newsboy strike. Enjoy a free screening with popcorn at the New-York Historical Society, then visited the related exhibit at the Children’s Museum to learn more. Jump in! (Sunday)

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

With more than 35 years of experience, Broadway Dance Center Children &amp; Teens provides young movers ages 3-18 with exceptional training. BDC delivers the finest all-around dance experience for students by offering a wide variety of styles and levels, performance opportunities, and the highest caliber dance instruction that only New York City and BDC Children &amp; Teens can provide. This studio is so much more than a training course for young dancers; it is a diverse, family-friendly community for budding creatives. It has an exemplary faculty who follow the vision to not only develop a dancer&rsquo;s love and ability in dance, but to do so in a nurturing and supportive way.

Chickenshed NYC

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed&rsquo;s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change. Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen. Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.