Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center
80 Catherine Lane, bet. Madison and South Streets, www.CityParksFoundation.org
Marionette Production
Puppeteers from the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater will perform “The Princess, the Emperor and the Duck.” Presented by the City Parks Foundation. Thurs., Aug. 18 at 1pm. Free.
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy
2 South End Avenue, 212-267-9700, www.bpcparks.org
BPCPC is featuring special youth programming thru October. Check here weekly for upcoming events.
weekly programs
Below is a list of regular weekly programs. Activities meet at indicated day and time. No programs will be held Sun., Sept. 4, Oct. 9 and Mon., Sept. 5 & Oct. 10. This year, some of the programs have a $5 fee per participant. Multiple-use cards for individual use or to share are available for $50 good for 11 pre-paid programs, in any combination. Cards can be purchased at most programs and events, online at www.bpcparks.org or at the BPCPC’s office Mon. – Fri. from 8am – 5 pm.
Preschool
Family Play – Join other families with toddlers for interactive play with imaginative toys. Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 10am – noon. Also Sundays from 2-4pm. Wagner Park, access Battery Place.
Art – Enjoy simple art projects with paper, clay, wood, paint and mixed media for young artists. Dress for a mess! Thursdays from 10:30am – Noon. Rockefeller Park, access Chambers St. $5 per child.
Kids
Basketball – Play with adjustable height hoops for kids of all sizes. Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm: 5-6 year olds & 4:30-5:30pm: 7 years old and up. Rockefeller Park, Chambers St.
Chess – Chess Master Alex Rasic teaches the popular strategy game to participants ages 5-16 years. Mondays from 3:45-6pm. Rockefeller Park, Chambers St. July/Aug $80. Sept/Oct $70.
Gardening – A new session of kids’ gardening for 2nd thru 5th graders. The group meets on Tuesdays from 3:45-5pm at The Children’s Garden, Rockefeller Park. $5 per session. Call extension 348 to register.
Soccer – Learn to pass, shoot and dribble. Tuesdays, 2:30-3:15pm: 4 year olds; 3:30-4:15pm: 5-8 year olds; 4:30-5:30pm: 9-12 year olds. Rockefeller Park, Chambers St.
Wednesdays in Wagner – Elementary school kids are invited to participate in fun group games and art projects using clay, plaster, wood and fabric. Ages 5+. Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30pm. Wagner Park, Battery Place.
Art & Games – School-aged kids, ages 5 and up, are invited to participate in a variety of art projects including clay, jewelry making, 3-D collage, instrument making and more. Group games will also take place. Thursdays from 3:30-5:30pm. Rockefeller Park, Chambers St.
Drumming Circle on the Hudson
Djembe and conga drums, bells, shakers and sticks await you at this sunset drumming circle led by master drummers Pamela Patrick, Maguette Camara and Mary Knysh. The evening begins with the teaching of traditional drumming patterns and later individuals contribute their own rhythmic patterns as part of call and response chanting and drumming. Fridays, July 15, 22 & 29 and Aug. 5, 12, 19 & 26. 6:30-8:30pm. Wagner Park. Free.
Art Portfolio Development
For middle and high school students wanting to attend specialized art high schools and colleges. Working with BPCPC artist/educators Miki Iwamura and Larry Dobens, students will develop a body of work to present with their application. They will develop and strengthen skills by drawing from observation (still lifes, landscapes, cityscapes, clothed figure drawing and portraiture) as well as exploring abstraction and drawing from memory and imagination. Outside work will be assigned including museum visits and maintaining a sketchbook. 2 programs available. Saturdays, Sept. 10, 17, 24 & Oct. 1, 15, 22 and 29. $210 plus $30 for materials. 10am – 1pm. BPCPC Office, 2 South End Ave., access W. Thames St.
Stories for all Ages
Hawaiian actress/storyteller Kati Kuroda will tell Japanese folk tales incorporating elements from traditional Japanese theater including stylized walking patterns, gestures, vocal changes and exaggerated movements. Sat., July 16 at 11am. Rector Park West. Free.
Music & Family Dancing
The Doc Marshalls, known for their wildly energetic shows, create their own unique Louisiana groove with original compositions. Sat., July 16 from 6:30 – 8pm. Esplanade Plaza. No experience or partner necessary. All ages. 212-267-9700.
weekly programs continued
Teens
Chess – Chess Master Alex Rasic teaches the popular strategy game to participants ages 5-16 years old. Mondays from 3:45-6pm. Rockefeller Park, Chambers St. Sept/Oct $70.
Tai Chi – Learn the ancient martial art with master, Alex Hing. No experience necessary. Thursdays from 4-5pm. Also Fridays from 8:30-9:30am. Rockefeller Park, Chambers St. $5 per class.
Drumming – Drop in for a drumming circle led by master drummer Maguette Camara from Senegal. Sessions begin with a lesson on West African drumming patterns and proceeds to call and response playing and chanting. Later drummers create their own sounds. Drums provided. Tuesdays from 4-5:30pm. 13-18 year olds. Rockefeller Park, Chambers St.
Borders
100 Broadway, 212-964-1988
Story Time
Join Miss Tonya for stories and lots of fun. Sat., July 16 at 2pm.
New Harry Potter Book Arrives
To celebrate the release of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the store will open at 11:30pm on Fri., July 15.
Chelsea piers
23rd Street and the Hudson River, www.chelseapiers.com
Free Summer Skating
Enjoy free roller skating and ice skating this summer at the Roller Rinks and Sky Rink. The Roller Rinks will be free on Saturdays from 1pm – 5pm. Sky Rink will be free on Sundays from 12pm – 3:50pm. Thru Aug. Skate rental extra at each location. 212-336-6200 (Roller Rinks). 212-336-6100 (Sky Rink).
Summer Sports Camp
A variety of sports activities will be available to keep children active during the summer months. Kids ages 3-16 can take part in bowling camp, skate camp, gymnastics camp, pre-school camp and more!
Fraunces Tavern Museum
54 Pearl Street, 212-425-1778, www.FrauncesTavernMuseum.org
Fans
Sweltering in the summer heat? Paint a fan in the 18th-century style. Sat., Aug. 6. Drop in between 11am and 4pm. Free with museum admission.
Manhattan youth
212-766-1104, www.manhattanyouth.org
Programs for Children
Manhattan Youth provides the children and families of Downtown with quality programs during non-school hours. Programs offer children opportunities to participate in theater and summer camp and families can participate in Family Renewal Workshops. Check below for details on other current events. All programs require pre-registration. Most activities are free, fees apply to comprehensive child care programs.
The Youth Council – Year-round meetings and community service placements for students. Call for more information.
Swimming Lessons – Offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school. Classes are taught by experienced, certified and friendly instructors under the supervision of the Swim Director at the Downtown Day Camp. Lessons are 40 minutes long. Children must be in kindergarten or above. Lessons offered year round.
Pier 40
212-989-3764, www.pier40.org
Summer Baseball Program
Summer Camp is for players ages 6-16. Activities focus on developing baseball skills and having fun. 9am – 3:30pm. Early drop off begins at 8:30am and late pick-up ends at 5:30pm. Both available for no additional fee. $275 per week, includes lunch. Various sessions available. Visit the website to register.
THE SCHOLASTIC STORE
557 Broadway, between Prince and Spring in SoHo, Stroller entrance: 130 Mercer St., Event hotline: 212-343-6166
Enjoy stories read by the Scholastic Story Teller every Sunday and Tuesday at 2pm. All ages. Free.
Countdown to Harry Potter
Every Saturday thru July 16, The Scholastic Store will be counting down to the release of “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.”
Release Party – Come for a magical midnight countdown release party including themed activities, special crafts and more. Fri., July 15 at 11pm. All ages.
Harry Potter Place
The Scholastic Store is celebrating the release of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” by closing Mercer Street between Prince and Spring Streets and transforming the area into a magical, interactive experience for kids and adults. Enjoy live owl demonstrations, wand making, face painting, souvenir photos, street performers and more. Fri., July 15 from 8-11pm. 212-389-3800. Enter at Prince and Mercer.
south street seaport museum
One Brick at a Time
From old shipping buildings to modern skyscrapers, the Seaport district has it all. Be inspired to build your own architectural masterpiece. Sat., July 16 from 1-4pm. Museum, 12 Fulton St. Free with museum admission. 212-748-8758.
Children’s Poetry Series
Walt Whitman forever changed people’s sense of what a poet could be and what a poem could look and sound like. Come to the tall ship Peking and learn about the poem “Mannahatta.” Also visit the Museum’s Living Harbor Wetlab and let the Lower Manhattan and East River scenery inspire you to make an artistic masterpiece of your own. Sun., July 18 from 1-4pm. Animal feeding time is 3pm. Museum, 12 Fulton St. Free with museum admission. 212-748-8758.
Music of the Sea
From California, Dick and Carol Holdstock perform a wide variety of maritime songs including many associated with the California Gold Rush. Tues., July 19 at 6:30pm. Melville Gallery, 213 Water St. $5 adults, $2 kids. 212-748-8735.
Stuyvesant High School
345 Chambers St., 646-358-6880, www.ccshs.org
Reasonably priced family and youth memberships are available to the Community Center at Stuyvesant High School. Special programming is offered thru Battery Park City Parks Conservancy.
Teen Fitness
Take advantage of weight training and agility drills. Every Tues. thru Aug. 23 from 4-5pm. Ages 14-17.
Yoga
Every Wed. thru Aug. 24 from 6:15 – 7:15pm.
Family Pool Party
Enjoy buried treasure hunts, water basketball and more. Every Fri., thru Aug. 26 from 5:30 – 7:30pm. Free for members.
Lifeguard Training
The American Red Cross will be offering lifeguarding lessons. 40-hour course. Minimum age is 15. Aug. 16-31 from 5-9pm. Meets Tues., Wed. and Thurs. $300.
Listings requests for the “Downtown Express” can be e-mailed to casey@downtownexpress.com. Please be sure to include the date, time, location, price and description of the event. Information must be received three weeks prior to the event.
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