Feeling the February fizzle? (Short days, wintry mix, etc. can take their toll.) We’ve scouted out some of the happenings around town to turn any family’s frown upside down. Shows, classes, exhibits — you’re sure to find something to chase the winter blues away, together!
Turkish artist Jihan Zencirli. who goes by the name "Geronimo" (check out this fun video to become familiar with her) is the featured artist partner of this year's New York City Ballet Art Series, during which the company performs among pieces commissioned by a single creative. Lucky for all of us, her preferred medium is balloons, and in addition to the sculptures created for a handful of performances, she's filled the NYCB theater atrium with enormous, colorful sculptures cmade from baloons ranging from 10-inches to 10-feet wide!
A new sculpture, created for public viewing, will be on view for free, from February 17 -25. We're so excited we could burst!
Jihan Zencirli NYCB Art Series Feb. 17- 25, Mon. - Fri., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - Noon Tickets: Free Lincoln Center Upper West Side Online: nycballet.com
This free (yes, free!) kids' film series courtesy Rooftop Films and Industry City has returned! Saturday Cinema Club screens a new kid-friendly flick every Saturday (this week it's The Lego Batman Movie, but the whole slate is solid. Doors open at 10 a.m., and Prject Kid leads an arts and crafts activity. Movie is at 11 a.m.
Tickets: Free Saturdays, 10 a.m. Industry City 274 36th St. 718-417-7362 Online: rooftopfilms.com
Drive-in Movie Date Night Drop-off
City Owlets
So much to love about this new event at Long Island City's City Owlets. A. It's a "drive-in" movie for kids ages two-and-a-half to five-and-a-half, and they get their own little "car" (pictured) to sit in. B. It's drop-off C. The evening also includes pizza dinner and open play. (There's one on Valentine's Day—register here—but the play space plans to host the events a few times a month going forward.)
City Owlets Play Cafe Tickets: $35 10-42 Jackson Ave. Long Island City 718-786-OWLS Online: www.cityowlets.com
This action-packed show featuring Marvel characters of various origins tells the story of the battle to defend the universe from evil with cutting-edge special effects, aerial stunts, and immersive video projection. This all new show unites Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange in a race against time to recover the Wand of Watoomb before villain Loki gains control. This one has several matinees—some as early as 11 a.m.!
Feb. 22-25, various times Tickets: $19-$115 Barclays Center 620 Atlantic Ave. Fort Greene 917-618-6100 Online: barclayscenter.com
Manifestipi at the National Museum of the American Indian
The creation of the ITWÉ Collective, a trans-disciplinary art collective dedicated to research, creation, production and education in the field of Aboriginal digital culture, Manifestipi gives the iconic symbol of the Native American shelter a space-age makeover. Manifestipi features five frosted Plexiglas tipis, each eight feet in height and colorfully-illuminated with neon hues of pink, blue, green and yellow that rapidly change throughout the day. Arranged within a darkened space, the tipis are set against a background of quick-paced video projections of Native imagery and a ghostly soundscape. Part of the Smithsonian Museum collection, admission to this museum is always free. While you're there, check out Native Art in Light and Sound.
National Museum of The American Indian Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House One Bowling Green 212-514-3700 Hours: Fri.-Weds., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thurs, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Online: nmai.si.edu
The 92Y is now offering a new class: Yes, Uke, Can!: Ukulele For Kids. Children ages six to eight can learn to play this fun and just-the-right-size instrument, familiarizing themselves with tuning, chords, strumming, and playing and singing together. Classes start March 9 and run for 15 weeks. Cost is $315 for nine sessions. Note: It's BYOU.
92Y 1395 Lexington Ave. Upper East Side 212-415-5500 Online: 92y.org
The New York International Children's Film Festival
Now in its 21st year, the New York International Children's Film Festival showcases the best and the brightest animated, live action, and documentary films for young audiences from around the globe. This year, work from 12 countries will be featured, as well as one world premiere, three North American premieres, and one U.S. premiere. The fest is spread out over four weekends and several venues around town, so check out the offerings and decide what's your family's speed, but highlights include: Hilda, Luke Pearson's adaptation of his popular graphic novel series; Clovis Cornillac’s Belle and Sebastian, Friends for Life, the third installment of a Festival-favorite franchise set in the French Alps circa WWII, and March of the Penguins 2, in which a new generation of emperor penguins face Arctic conditions. Plus: this year includes the inaugural edition of a family-friendly Virtual Reality fest for kids, VR JR.
Tip: Get $2 off each ticket with the code: *18NYICFF
21st New York International Children's Film Festival Feb. 23 - March 18 Tickets: $14 and up; VR experience: $20 Various Dates, Times, Locations (See ticketing for details) 212-349-0330 Online: nyicff.org
A one-man show exploring themes of diversity, tolerance, and learning from the past with a strong sci-fi bent, Constellarium is best for older kids. (Not for any racy reason, it's just a bit sophisticated.) The play finds a group of travelers (Earthlings, played by the seated audience) who have arrived at Constellarium, a sanctuary planet for those whose home planets have been destroyed. The host, President Falco, explains the history of this world, where new homes are constructed for interplanetary refugees, under the rule of myraid leaders with wide-ranging approaches. Through simple stagecraft, the play is quite visually beautiful, and includes several lovely musical interludes as well. Optional workshops for kids exploring the play's themes are offered after weekend matinees. You can read more about the show here. Run time: one hour. (Note: theater is up four flights)
The Brooklyn Robot Foundry (which, despite its name, also has locations on the Upper East Side, and in downtown Manhattan) recently moved into a new space not too far from its previous Tribeca home. The maker space offers fun and engaging DIY classes in robotics, engineering, design, circuitry, programming, and more. Its latest home is located four blocks away at 200 Church (between Duane and Thomas, and it's bigger, brighter, and even has a basement for storing all those robot parts. The new location is up and running with vacation camps, family clubs, after-school programming and even offerings for the tiniest of builders (as young as 18 months!) and caregivers.
We warned you back in January: Frozen on Broadway is finally here. With book and music from the same talented teams that brought you the show's cinematic inspiration, we're guessing the stage version will also pack a punch. Note: the show is recommended for kids ages eight and up (reminder: parents die), so tiny Frozen fans should maybe wait. If you see it and have intel, let us know!
Opening Feb. 22 Tickets: $99 and up St. James Theater Times Square Online: frozenthemusical.com
What’s got your February feeling fabulous? Tell us in the comments!
—Mimi O’Connor
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