Battery Park City Parks Conservancy
Community Center, Stuyvesant High School, 345 Chambers Street, 646-358-6880
Annual arts exhibition
Kids, teens and adults show their work created in BPCPC’s painting & drawing programs. Opening reception is Sun., Feb. 5 from 1 to 3pm. Continues weekdays from 2 to 4 pm thru March 31. Free.
Borders
100 Broadway, 212-964-1988
Story time
Join Miss Tonya for stories and fun on the second Saturday of the month.
Chelsea Piers
The Field House, Pier 62, 23rd St. & the Hudson River, Contact Jack Hyman, 212-336-6500 x6582
Flip ‘n Flick
Parents, put on your dancing shoes and hit the town, but don’t forget to drop the kids off at the Field House at Chelsea Piers first. Children can come for an evening of gymnastics, trampoline, rock climbing, dinner and a movie with popcorn while parents enjoy a great night out. Now your children can have as much fun as you do when you go out. Sat., Feb. 11 from 7-11pm. Ages 5 and up. $45 for the first child; $25 per sibling.
fraunces tavern museum
54 Pearl St., 212-425-1778, www.FrauncesTavernMuseum.com
shell work valentines
Shell work was a popular hobby in the 18th and 19th centuries. People would affix shells to pieces of wood making abstract designs and other pictures. Come and work with shells to create your very own one of a kind valentine. Sat. Feb. 4 at 11am. Free with museum admission.
Manhattan Children’s Theatre
52 White St., bet Broadway & Church Sts., 212-352-3101, www.theatermania.com
Last of the Dragons
Princes are supposed to save princesses from dragons, but what if neither the Princess nor the Dragon wants to cooperate? Based on the short story by E. Nesbit, “The Last of the Dragons,” and tells the story of a Princess and Dragon, both determined to break from tradition but for very different reasons. All ages. Thru Feb. 12. Sat. & Sun. at 12 and 2pm. $15.
Brave Irene
By the author of Shrek, this tale follows Irene through challenging adventures as she tries to help her sick mother make ends meet. Facing the harsh winter elements such as Wind, Cold and Darkness, Irene finds the courage and strength within herself to complete her mission while learning that true love can actually save the day. All ages. Feb. 18 – April 2. Sat. & Sun. at 12 and 2pm. $15.
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. Check below for details on current events. All programs require pre-registration.
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.
Swimming Parties – Pool parties are available this winter & spring at the private pool in Battery Park City. With warm water in the cold winter, the parties are great for children of all ages. Log onto website or send an email to swim@manhattanyouth.org for details or to book a party.
Apart From That – The Manhattan Youth Players present a loose recreation of the evening when President Lincoln was shot in the theater. Jan. 20 at 7pm. P.S./I.S. 89, Auditorium, 201 Warren St.
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.
hands make art
Learn how to create your favorite alien, dragon, frog and other wonderful things all with your hands. It’s so easy! Trace your hands, add googly eyes, glue cushy pompoms and color with crayons. Sat., Jan. 21 at 3pm. Ages 3+.
celebrate the chinese new year!
Warm up this winter and feel the heat of a dragon. Have fun creating a mask, dancing with colorful ribbons and line up to do a hot dragon dance. Sat., Jan. 28 at 3pm. Ages 3+.
Make a Friend
Learn fun and safe ways to meet new friends. Listen to a story and have fun creating a gift out of pipe cleaners and beads to give to a friend. Sat., Feb. 4 at 3pm. Ages 3+.
Clifford celebrates valentine’s day Come and make a special valentine with your favorite big red dog. Sat. Feb. 11 at 3pm. All ages.
Valentine’s Day screening
Watch Clifford’s Valentine’s day episode in the scholastic auditorium. Sat. Feb. 11 at 11 am and 1pm. All ages. Call to make reservations at 212-389-3800.
south street seaport museum
Free Fridays
Come for a free evening of arts and cultural programs on the third Friday of every month. Visit museum galleries during special extended hours from close until 9 pm. Fri., Jan. 20 from 5-9pm: Explore the lives of sailors and learn how they spent the hours at sea with music and fine craftsmanship. From 5 – 9pm, visit the exhibitions, including Soundings: Treasures from the Collection of South Street Seaport Museum. From 6 – 9pm: Family Fun – One Scratch at a Time – Come learn about the ancient seafarer’s art of carving intricate line drawings into whale ivory. Create your own kid-friendly scrimshaw art piece to take home. At 7pm, The New York Packet performs chanteys and other traditional music of the sea and ports. At 8pm, museum educators lead a guided tour of Soundings, explaining the history behind the sailor valentines and scrimshaw tokens that sailors brought home to the women they loved. Schermerhorn Row.
One Scratch at a Time
Come and learn about the ancient seafarer’s art of carving intricate line drawings into whale ivory. Create your own kid-friendly scrimshaw art piece. Sat., Jan. 21 and Sun., Jan. 22 from 1-4pm.
Free with museum admission. 12 Fulton St. 212-748-8758.
Gung Hay Fat Choy
Welcome in the lunar new year of the Dog. Come for an afternoon of dance, play, Chinese tales and crafts. Sat., Jan. 28 and Sun., Jan. 29 from 1-4pm. Free with museum admission. 12 Fulton St. 212-748-8758.
Tribeca Performing Arts Center
BMCC, 199 Chambers St at the West Side Highway, www.tribecapac.org, 212-220-1460
Everybody’s Hero
A spirited biographical musical about Jackie Robinson who helped break down color barriers in professional baseball when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers becoming the first black man to play in the Major League. He delighted fans of all backgrounds and his story inspired millions, making him a national hero. Sat., Feb. 11 at 1:30pm. $15 adults, $10 kids.
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 two weeks before the event is to be published.
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