Melody Makers

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Randy Kaplan

As the weather warms up with summer just around the corner, family-friendly concerts are a fun way to celebrate the season.  Kids (and parents!) love silly lyrics and happy harmonies.  These performers keep everyone amused and entertained with the best beats, tunes that groove, and musical merriment.  If you’re looking for springtime fun, this is music to your ears.

 

New York Philharmonic presents “Pixar in Concert”

From Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, UP, and others—all ages will enjoy the New York Philharmonic as they present favorite musical selections from memorable movie moments.  $40-$125.  For adults and children ages 5 and up.  May 1 (7:30pm), May 2 (8:00pm), May 3 (8:00pm).  Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, Columbus Avenue at 65th Street.  nyphil.org

 

Randy Kaplan

Singer/songwriter Randy Kaplan entertains families with fun songs and lyrics like “Don’t Fill Up On Chips”.  Join Randy as he performs his new album Jam On Rye.  $11-$18.  May 4 (2pm).  The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street.  (212) 423-3200.  randykaplan.com

 

The Suzi Shelton Band

Join Suzi Shelton and her band to celebrate the release of their new album Smile in My Heart.  The Gumdrops backup singers and other special guests will perform too.  Before the show, get a sneak peak at their new music videos.  $5-$15.  Families with kids ages 1-10.  May 4 (11am).  The Bell House, 149 Seventh Street, Brooklyn.  (718) 643-6510.  suzishelton.com

 

Kid Rockers featuring “Tennis” and “Lolawolf”

Jammin’ fun show features two artists: Indie-pop husband and wife duo “Tennis”, and NYC trio “Lolawolf” (led by Zoe Kravitz, daughter of Lenny Kravitz!).  $28.  May 10 (11:30am).  NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place.  (212) 992-8484.  kidrockers.com

 

Frolic! Presents Rock, Rave ‘n Roll

Mother’s Day party for the whole family.  Dance the afternoon away on the light-up dance floor.  Show features “Little Rock-its” by Frolic and “DJ Unicornicopia” from the Baby DJ School!  And special guest Tim from “The Sunny Side Up Show” on Sprout TV.  $15-$20.  May 11 (4pm).  Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn.  (718) 963-3369.  brooklynbowl.com

 

Laurie Berkner

Laurie Berkner is best known for family favorites like “We Are The Dinosaurs” and many other catchy kids tunes.  Join Laurie and special guest Susie Lampert as they celebrate the release of Laurie Berkner Lullabies on the “rock ’til you drop” tour.  $39.  May 17 (1pm).  The Concert Hall, 2 West 64th Street.  laurieberkner.com

 

Shine & the Moonbeams

Lead singer Shawana Kemp delivers heartfelt, all-ages R&B songs.  The soulful songs have lyrics that kids can understand and relate to– like standing up to bullies, rushed school-day mornings, and being true to yourself.  Free.  May 17 (2pm).  Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Avenue, Brooklyn.  (718) 756-5250.  carnegiehall.org

 

Dirty Sock Funtime Band

Its their first show of the summer, so bring a blanket, a picnic, and rock out with the Dirty Socks under the evening sky.  Free.  All ages.  June 12 (6pm).  Washington Market Park at Greenwich and Duane Streets in Tribeca.  dirtysockfuntimeband.com

 

Rolie Polie Guacamole

Kids love to jam to the beat, get up on their feet, and sing along with this energetic rock ‘n roll duo.  Free.  June 20 (3:30pm).  Brooklyn Public Library (Ryder Branch), 5902 23rd Avenue, Brooklyn.  (718) 331-2962.  roliepolieguacamole.com

 

Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights

Come celebrate with Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights at their Good Egg CD release concert.  Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a summer morning of musical fun.  Free.  June 24 (10:30-11:30am).  Madison Square Park, Madison Avenue at 23rd Street.  joanieleeds.com

 

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Penguin Coding School

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What makes this approach "worth it" for the kids is that at the end of the road, they see that their code actually does things in the real world. Not in some playpen, but in the real Internet where anyone can access it. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Programs:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong> </strong>Penguin Coding School </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">provides comprehensive coding education to kids ages 5-18. In-person & Online classes are available in Scratch, Minecraft, Roblox, Python, Javascript, Java, Robotics, and Mobile Apps. Their small class size, award winning teachers and age-appropriate curriculum ensure every child will learn coding with a smile. Penguin Coding has in-person classes and summer camps in Cobble Hill and Park Slope, as well as three Massachusetts locations. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free Trial Classes: </span></strong></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115c8d0a-7fff-6ffb-9ee2-4fd4aa248c0a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sign up for our award-winning</span><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://penguincodingschool.com/freetrial?utm_campaign=FreeTrials&utm_source=NYF&utm_medium=Directory"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">free trial classes</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They offer a 60 minute free trial class in Scratch, Python, Roblox, Java, Robotics and much more! Appropriate for absolute beginners as well as those with some experience (trial classes are used to place students in the right level).</span></p>

Polaris Productions Theater Camp

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Treehouse Shakers

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