Events: Top Kid-Friendly Activities For The Week

The Pins and Needles production of "Mr. Popper's Penguins" will begin its run at the New Victory Theater this Friday. Photo by Pins and Needles Productions via Facebook.
The Pins and Needles production of “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” will begin its run at the New Victory Theater this Friday. Photo by Pins and Needles Productions via Facebook.

Check out the panoply of cool events we have on display for your family this week. There are two poppin’ happenings; one with the some famous penguins, one with the world’s most famous nanny, as well as a kids’ fest, a Day of the Dead celebration, and Open House New York. Enjoy!

Beginning Friday, October 14

“Mr. Popper’s Penguins”
New Victory Theater
Various times
Starting this Friday, a waddle of penguins will take over the New Victory Theater during the Pins and Needles production of “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.” Based on the book by Richard and Florence Atwater, this new musical theater adaptation tells the tale of the Poppers, an ordinary couple who receive a penguin in the post and have their lives turned upside down. Recommended for ages 4 to 7. Runs weekends through Sunday, October 30. Tickets start at $25.

Saturday, October 15

Kids Fest: Stages in the Square 2016
Madison Square Park
11am-3pm
Join other NYC families in Madison Square Park this Saturday for the second annual Stages in the Square Fest! Throughout the day, three stages will feature musical and theatrical performances, workshops, and storytelling for kids ages 0 through 12 and their families. Performers scheduled to appear include Tim and the Space Cadets, The Amazing Max, Story Laurie, the Shinbone Alley Stilt Band, The Joshua Show, and others. There will also be face painting, puppet-making with the New Victory Theater, and much more. Plus, fill up on mouth-watering grub from local favorites like Gorilla Cheese NYC, Melt Bakery, Carpe Donut, and La Sonrisa Empanadas. This event is free.

Día De Los Muertos
El Museo Del Barrio
11am-5pm
Celebrate the Day of the Dead this year at El Museo Del Barrio! This annual Super Sábado event, which honors family members and friends who have passed away, includes art-making workshops, face painting for ages 12 and under, a musical procession beginning in Central Park, storytelling, and a dance performance by Mazarte Dance Company. This event is free.

Saturday, October 15-Sunday, October 16

Open House New York Weekend
Various locations throughout NYC
10am
Open House New York Weekend is back! This annual two-day event allows visitors access to hundreds of cultural sites throughout the five boroughs—including historical, contemporary, residential, and industrial sites—for tours, talks, performances, and additional special events. Family-friendly sites this year include the Museum of the City of New York, the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, the Center for Architecture, the Museum at Eldridge Street, and the New York Hall of Science. Activities for kids include scavenger hunts, special tours, arts and crafts, and more. This event is free; some activities require advance registration.

Sunday, October 16

Lin-Manuel Miranda Screens “Mary Poppins”
4pm
The United Palace
Meet actor Lin-Manuel Miranda this Sunday during a special screening of the 1964 Disney classic “Mary Poppins” at The United Palace theater. In recognition of Miranda’s generous contribution of a new DCP projection system to the Palace, and to say goodbye as he departs for London to begin shooting “Mary Poppins Returns” with Emily Blunt, audiences can enjoy a live intro to the Academy Award-winning film with the “Hamilton” creator. Tickets start at $10.

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Brooklyn Music School

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For over a century, we at The Brooklyn Music School have strived to make the joy of music, dance and performance accessible to everyone no matter their age, background, or financial status.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to offering affordable in-person and online private and group music lessons, dance classes, after-school programs, and community outreach, we also provide space for </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brooklyn and NYC artists to perform in our 250-seat Spanish-style theatre. Come by for a night of live music, or join us for a class!</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Visit BrooklynMusicSchool.org to learn more, register for classes, or view our calendar for upcoming events. </span></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4b378613-7fff-f89d-3c88-fe6beaabeb55"></span></p>

Polaris Productions Theater Camp

<p>Kids will learn, rehearse, and perform the wonderful Maurice Sendak and Carole King musical, Really Rosie. For 10 weekdays, campers will take part in physical and vocal warm-ups and learn choreography, staging, and vocal parts. They’ll develop skills in acting, singing, character development, and more. This camp will ignite your child’s imagination and passion for performing, build their self-esteem, and help them form lasting friendships. They’ll have fun! At camp’s end, the kids will perform Really Rosie for family members and friends. Kids of all levels of experience, ages 8 through 13, are welcome to join.</p>

The Music Institute of Long Island

<p dir="ltr">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’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. </p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>About the Directors: Carol & Geri Kushner:</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The sisters are violinists, violists, chamber coaches & performers. They believe in instilling the love of music,  fostering proficiency, success, confidence & believe all MILI students achieve success.</p> <p dir="ltr">Degrees BM, MM (+), K-12 certifications, attended Manhattan School of Music, Queens College & Stonybrook University.They have been adjunct professors at Syracuse University, Aaron Copland School of Music Pre-College & Five Towns Colleges, Stonybrook University & have taught in L.I. public schools.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e9f5dcc8-7fff-2ad2-edea-98d61c367d72"></span></p>