Weekend Events for NYC Kids Feb 26-28: Festivals and Purim, Arts Beyond crafts, Free Movies, Sports and More

2/25/10 - By charlotte

This slushy weekend promises to be two things: wet and fabulous. Celebrate Purim, two children's film festivals, the BAMkids Film Festival and the NYCIFF, plus 3 really cool arts & crafts events that put popsicle sticks to shame (though, you can still totally love them), free movies to keep you inside and warm, an African Dance, Nordic Halloween, accessible Shakespeare and way more!

Oh, and don't forget, it's your last chance to enter our giveaway for the Mary Poppins VIP Experience on Broadway.

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Due to the weather make sure to call ahead this weekend to check that events are still going on.

 

Saturday, Feb 27
Lunar New Year Tea Ceremony--Flushing, Queens
This annual favorite is a Traditional Tea Ceremony demonstration presented by Luh Yu Tea Emporium, Flushing.
FREE

Family Art Workshop--SoHo, Manhattan
The Drawing Center doesn't do children's events often, but the ones they do tend to be pretty great. Kids get to be a bit more interpretive at this art workshop, based on the current Drawing Center exhibition "Sea Marks." "Sea Marks" has works from three artists, all who examine the vast ocean with different strategies and results. FREE (RSVP Recommended: 212-219-2166 x205)

The Peanut Prince: A Visit with George Washington Carver--Midtown East, Manhattan
Celebrate Black History Month as Urban Stages bring GWC to life as they tell his famous peanut tale. Carver was a former slave who spent his life doing research on plants. He found over 300 ways to use peanuts, including laundry soap, and became world-famous and well-loved by presidents and folks like Thomas Edison. FREE

National Girls & Women in Sports Day--Chelsea, Manhattan
With ladies like Lindsey Vonn and the USA Women's Hockey Team kicking butt at the Olympics (they took the Silver last night!), this event couldn't come at a better time. It is a no-boys-allowed day filled with dance, yoga, sports clinics, workshops, arts & crafts, prizes and performances. FREE

Sweetbeatz--Park Slope, Brooklyn
Sweetbeatz is all about soulful and funky tunes, which kids get to witness for free at this event, part of the Brooklyn Public Library's celebration of Black History Month. Early Childhood teacher and vocalist Meredith Wright, combines music and some silliness to create original songs that are edgy, sweet and energetic. FREE

Festelavn Workshop--Midtown East, Manhattan
This weekend isn't only Jewish Halloween, it is Nordic Halloween, too. The holiday originated in Denmark, with kids dressing up in costume and gathering treats for the Festelavn feast. At this event, kids are invited to come and dress-up, while playing traditional games and learning songs. $6/child

Shakespeare to Go: A Midsummer Night's Dream--Washington Square Park, Manhattan
Introduce the kids to the most famous man in English Lit with this adaption of the famous romantic comedy, made especially for children. Join playful Puck in a moonlit forest with the Fairy King and Queen, a donkey, traveling troupe of actors, and some misplaced love potion. There's also a pre-show educational workshop at 10am. $10/person, but be sure to sign up by 5pm, Friday Feb 26!

Sunday, Feb 28
Storahtelling--Union Square, Manhattan
Come dressed in your favorite Purim or Superhero costume, and join Storahtelling Mavens Jessica Bay Blyweiss and Naomi Less, as you venture into a magical story of danger, dreams ad drama, meet Queen Esther and save the day. FREE (suggested $5 donation)

African Dance/Brooklyn Style--Flatbush, Brooklyn
This event, kicking off Brooklyn Arts Council's Black Brooklyn Renaissance, is a dance extravaganza that highlights the influence of African dance on traditional, modern and post-modern dancers. FREE

Uproar Art Open House--Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Uproar Art is a new socially conscious art program for kids and teens, so this and next weekend they are doing an open house for you to check out the space. There are going to be art-making activities, info on classes and class registration. Sounds like you could make some cool stuff (their classes include Crafts Across Cultures and Comics & Storytelling) but keep in mind it is an open house to promote itself. FREE

Cut, Tear, Fold, Repeat--Midtown West, Manhattan
This event is in conjunction with the Museum of Art & Design's new exhibit, Slash--Paper Under the Knife, which we absolutely loved. At the event, you'll learn traditional and non-traditional paper-working techniques, explore the exhibit to see how artists used repetition and rhythm in their works, and make your own paper creation. Free with museum admission.

Free Movies:
If this wintry-mix weather has caused your family to come down with a case of the "must-stay-insides," a good, free movie, may be exactly what you are craving. Cuddle up with the kids for:
--Monsters Vs. Aliens at Moxie Spot, Friday, Feb 26 around 6:30pm
--Ice Age: The Meltdown at Inwood Hill Park Nature Center, Saturday Feb 27 at 7pm (reservations needed!)
--Shrek at The New Amsterdam Branch of the NYPL, Saturday Feb 27 at 2pm


Looking for more to do this weekend? There are even more event ideas in our new event calendar!

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