10 Great Events For April

Thalia Kids' Book Club: A Celebration of Beverly Cleary
April 3 [Recommended for ages 8-12] Honor the life and work of beloved Ramona author on the occasion of her 100th birthday at the Thalia Kids’ Book Club’s Celebration of Beverly Cleary at Symphony Space! Actors and authors, including Jarrett Krosoczka (of the Lunch Lady series), will pay tribute to her work, including the Ramona Quimby series and The Mouse and the Motorcycle. $15, $12 for members, 4pm. 155 West 95th Street, 212-864-1414 ext. 289, symphonyspace.org
New York Family Camp Fairs on the UES & UWS
April 9-10 [All ages] Are you looking for a summer camp for your child? After introducing thousands of local families to day camps and sleepaway camps, we will soon be hosting the final two Camp Fairs of the season, coming up on Saturday, April 9 (Upper East Side) and Sunday, April 10 (Upper West Side).The Camp Fairs (the largest in NYC) offer families the unprecedented opportunity to speak with a big host of camp directors and get essential questions answered: What kinds of camps are right for my child? Should my child go to day camp in the city or out of the city? Is my child ready for sleepaway camp? Should we look at general camps or specialty camps? Click the link above for more info and to pre-register.
Queens County Farm Museum Children's Carnival
April 9-10 & 16-17 [All ages] The Queens County Farm Museum invites you to its spring Children’s Carnival in the apple orchard! There will be carnival rides, hayrides, games, prizes, and other entertaining activities. Head to the farm museum for a day of outdoor fun! Free for Farm Members, $12 per person (includes carnival rides); 11am-6pm. 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens, 718-347-3276, queensfarm.org
"Peppa Pig Live! Peppa's Big Splash" at the Beacon Theatre
April 9-10 [Preschool-age] Peppa Pig, George, and all their friends are headed to the Beacon Theatre for “Peppa Pig Live! Peppa’s Big Splash.” Join them for a song and dance adventure, games, and more in a fully immersive musical production. Based on the popular “Peppa Pig” television series, the show is filled with familiar and original songs. You and your preschooler are sure to have a blast as you sing along and help Peppa and friends fix their nursery roof! $40-60; 5pm on 4/9, 2pm & 5pm on 4/10. The Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, 212-465-6500, beacontheatre.com
Good Deeds Day in Herald Square
April 10 [All Ages] Join millions of people around the world (in 42 US states and 70 countries) as they celebrate Good Deeds Day with acts of kindness. Stop by Herald Square and “do a good deed on-the-go!” With over 40 participating organizations and numerous activities, the NYC event will warm your heart. Plant a tulip bulb in a local park, write letters to senior citizens in care centers, write thoughtful sentiments on the Good Deeds Board, bring canned goods for a food drive, enjoy entertainment, and participate in other kind-hearted activities in addition to fun entertainment and family activities. Free, 10am-5pm. Herald Square, gdd.goodnet.org.
"Bello Mania" at the New Victory Theater
April 15-May 1 [Ages 5+] Stuntman and goofball Bello Nock is back for “Bello Mania” at the New Victory Theater! America’s favorite comic daredevil will be atop his famous sway pole, entertaining theatergoers with magic and circus fun. “Bello Mania” returns to the New Vic after two sold-out runs, so you won’t want to miss your chance to get in on the excitement! Tickets start $15, showtimes vary. New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street, 646-223-2010, newvictory.org
New York Theatre Ballet's "Cinderella" at Florence Gould Hall
April 17 [All ages] Watch the classic rags-to-riches tale of “Cinderella” unfold on the stage of the New York Theatre Ballet at Florence Gould Hall! Kids and adults alike will marvel at this enchanting one-hour performance, choreographed by Donald Mahler, with costumes by Sylvia Taalson Nolan, and set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith. Children 12 & under, $24; Adults, $34; 11am, 1pm & 3:30pm. Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, 212-355-6160, nytb.org Photo by Christopher Duggan
Earth Day New York 2016 in Union Square
April 17 [All Ages] Since 1970, Earth Day has unified communities and inspired environmental change. Come celebrate at one of the busiest Earth Day events in the country at Earth Day New York in Union Square. Enjoy exhibits, performances, interactive displays, and children’s activities, and learn more about the people and organizations doing green work in the city. Free, 12-7pm. Union Square (North Plaza--East 17th Street and Park Avenue), 212-922-0048, earthdayinitiative.org.
The Tribeca Film Festival's On Location Street Fair
April 23 [All ages] Closing out the annual Tribeca Film Festival, the On Location Street Fair invites families to an exciting, free outdoor celebration of storytelling and creativity. Explore the worlds of filmmaking, gaming, sports, and performing arts, and more with a variety of screenings, workshops, and events. Free, 10am-6pm. Greenwich Street from North Moore Street to Chambers Street, tribecafilm.com
9th Annual Street Games in Thomas Jefferson Park
April 30 [All Ages] Head to Harlem on Saturday, April 30, when NYC Parks and the Walt Disney Company will host the 9th Annual Street Games in Thomas Jefferson Park! The Street Games event re-introduces old-school city games to kids. Participants can join rousing games of stickball, street hockey, ultimate frisbee, wheelchair basketball, and more! Hula hoop, yo-yo, and jump rope! Local radio stations will spin jams throughout the day, and kids will enjoy live performances by a hip-hop breakdancer, a yo-yo master, and the Dance Theater of Harlem. Free, 11am-3pm. Thomas Jefferson Park, 114th Street & First Avenue, 212-360-1319, nycgovparks.com.
Sakura Matsuri Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
April 30-May 1 [All ages] Celebrate the end of Hanami, the Japanese commemoration of the cherry blossom season, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s annual Sakura Matsuri Festival. The weekend will be comprised of over 60 events and performances, including music, dance, workshops, exhibitions, and vendors of Japanese fashion, food, art, and more! Enjoy a day of exploration against the backdrop of beautiful cherry blossoms. $25 for adults, $20 for students/seniors; 10am-6pm. 990 Washington Avenue, 718-623-7200, bbg.org Photo by Liz Ligon courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden

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.

The Music Institute of Long Island

Established in 1990, the Music Institute of Long Island (MILI) is a classical music school staffed by exceptional instructors from many of the most prestigious conservatories and graduate music schools in the United States and Europe. Long Island&rsquo;s foremost musical academies, its instrumental programs include violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone and voice classes. MILI has been voted # 1 BEST MUSIC SCHOOL Consistently.&nbsp; They teach the Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods. Students participate in All-National, All-Eastern, All-State, youth orchestras, and score highly in NYSSMA and Royal Academy Music Festivals. First prize winners of competitions earn solos at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras. MILI offers Fall/Spring semesters plus Summer Sessions. Semesters include 15-17 weeks of private lessons, solo recitals with a final GALA Concert featuring chamber music. About the Directors: Carol &amp; Geri Kushner: The sisters are violinists, violists, chamber coaches &amp; performers. They believe in instilling the love of music, &nbsp;fostering proficiency, success, confidence &amp; believe all MILI students achieve success. Degrees BM, MM (+), K-12 certifications, attended Manhattan School of Music, Queens College &amp; Stonybrook University.They have been adjunct professors at Syracuse University, Aaron Copland School of Music Pre-College &amp; Five Towns Colleges, Stonybrook University &amp; have taught in L.I. public schools.

Asphalt Green

Asphalt Green&rsquo;s high-quality sports programs start at 4 months old. Two beautiful facilities in vibrant Manhattan neighborhoods provide the optimal space for children to learn the fundamentals, play for leisure, or compete at the highest level. As the leading sports and fitness facility in Manhattan, Asphalt Green&rsquo;s never-before- seen training methods focus on improving your mental and physical game. Whether participating in swim, soccer, flag football, martial arts, basketball, baseball, tennis, or volleyball, coaches instill values that set athletes up for success in life and bring out their full potential in sports.