Weekend Family Events in NYC, June 26-28: Book Trivia, Ziggy Marley, Laurie Berkner, Shadow Puppets, Sales, Festivals & More

The kids may be too young to know Alice Cooper's famous "School's Out" anthem, but they sure know that feeling of freedom that takes over at the start of summer vacation. Public schools are finally out, plus all of NYC's Free Public Swimming Pools open this weekend. Celebrate the beginning of summer with activities in all five boroughs: shadow puppets, a little Swan Lake, fairs and fectivals, clothing sales and some Laurie Berkner.

Don't forget, starting this week, we will have weekly listings for Long Island events and New Jersey events on their respective pages (whether you live there or are looking for a day trip). And of course, our event calendar is jammed with even more things to do, as is our Summer Activity Guide.

Manhattan:

Swan Lake Ballet Workshop
Sat, June 27, 11AM-1PM
The Great Hill (Central Park at W. 106th)
FREE

Teaching artists from the American Ballet theater give a great introduction to the world of classical dance--complete with with crown-making crafts, some dance instruction, and a chance to win tickets to a show on July 4th. No advance registration necessary; just bring some comfy shoes and a bottle of water.

Super Saturday Smackdown
Sat, June 27, 2PM
Borders at Columbus Circle, 32nd and 2nd, 461 Park Ave, Glendale
FREE

A game-show style trivia challenge for kids 8-12. Let them go all Jeopardy, as they answer questions about books from Harry Potter to Dr. Suess. Kicks off the Borders Summer Reading program where kids can earn books 50% off.

Solar One Family Day
Sat, June 27, 2PM-4PM
2420 FDR Drive, Service Road East
FREE

Turtle Bay Music School teamed up with Solar One to bring you a day filled of music for everyone. The workshops incorporate songs, dance, games and rhymes with percussion, glockenspiels, xylophones, hand drums and some more instruments. At 3pm there's an interactive Brazilian Drumming workshop designed for the entire family.

MoCA Family Day
Museum of Chinese in America (70 Mulberry St)
Sun, June 28, 10AM-5PM
FREE

Sounds like lots of unique things going on at MoCA's brand new location: lion dance, kung fu demonstrations, papercutting and make-your-own puppets, and a Chinese Dance workshop and performance. Check out the new museum and have fun along the way.

Ziggy Marley
The Apple Store in SoHo (103 Prince St)
Friday, June 26, 7PM
FREE

Ziggy Marley performs a collection of family-oriented songs that feature themes of love, responsibility, unity, freedom, and of course, fun. If you don't feel like taking your chances on getting in to this one, Marley is also performing a paid concert on Saturday night at The Gramercy Theater.

Not free but sure-to-be awesome:

The Laurie Berkner Band
Sun, Jun 28, 1PM
Town Hall
$25+ on Ticketmaster

Children's music superstars the Laurie Berkner Band perform a "Pajama Party" this weekend, where kids are encouraged to come in their PJ's and bring their favorite stuffed animals. Parents, you can bring a pair of new/gently used PJs/books to donate to children entering foster care.

Brooklyn:

Smith Street Sunday Funday Fair 2009
Sun, June 28, 11AM-6PM
Smith Street from Bergen to Union Sts
FREE

This has become a NYC favorite since, unlike other street fairs, it is completely locally organized and it really shows. There's plenty of music and entertainment, with live latin music, dancers, and tons of local bands showcasing their talent. Their "Stinkfest" will be back this year--local music and gourmet street food. Yum! From 11am-1pm is music especially for kids and 2pm is the annual cheese-eating contest.

Still Hip Bag Sale
Sun, June 28, Noon-3PM
Still Hip Brooklyn (283 Grand Ave)
$15-$25

Purchase a bag ($15), and then you can stuff it with as much as you want from the sale bins of various sized clothing, toys and gear. The largest bag costs $25.

The Bronx:

Bronx River Festival
Sat, June 27, 11AM-3PM
180th and Boston Road
FREE

This festival features Sonia Manzano Maria from Sesame Street, along with other castmembers. There's also canoe rides, food vendors, live entertainment, and of course, the Bronx River.

Shadow Puppet Workshop
Sun, June 28, 1PM-4PM
Wave Hill (249th St and Independence Ave)
Free with admission

See Jorge Crespo's shadow-puppet retelling of the Ant and the Grasshopper, set among a Caribbean rainforest. After, kids make puppets and scenery for their own forest shadow play.

Queens:

Branch Ranch with Free Style Arts Association
Sat, June 27, Noon-3PM
Socrates Sculpture Park
FREE

Build sculptures, giant and small, by tying, weaving, and gluing branches together. Using sticks and twigs, participants will make smaller sculptures they can take home; while giant branches will be available to create sculptures so big you can walk underneath them.

Sleeping Beauty
Sun, June 28, 4PM
Travers Park ( 34th Ave b/w 77th & 78th Sts)
FREE

The Swedish Cottage Marionettes perform the kid's classic Sleeping Beauty as part of the Summer Sundays in the Park series.

School's Out for Summer
Sat, June 27, Noon-4PM
Michaelis Bayswater Park (Beach 32nd St & Beach Channel Drive)
FREE

Celebrate the day after schools close with games, refreshments, and Ranger-led programs, like canoeing in Norton Basin. Kids 8+ can participate with a parent. Canoes, lifejackets and instructions will be provided, but pre-registration is required (718-318-4000, ext. 307).

Staten Island:

Guided Forest Walk and Talk / Nature Story Theater
Sat, June 27, 1PM-3:30PM
Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve (83 Nielsen Avenue)
FREE

Join naturalists in an all-ages walk through the Preserve trails. Learn the natural and cultural history of the area and observe weekly changes in the animals, wildflowers and weather of the park (1-2:30). After the walk, laugh and listen to the Clay Pit Puppets as they entertain & educate with cute animal tales. Pre-registration required for walk and talk event.

Game On
Fri, June 26, 3PM
NYPL Dongan Hills and Port Richmond Branches
FREE

If you and the kids are gamers, show off your skills with the Wii remote or the Sixaxis contoller and challenge friends to a game in the library and in the tournaments.

Photo Credit: Superkb