Manhattan Family Events

ARTOPIA Kids Performing Arts Festival
Saturday, March 14, 11am-2pm
PS 9, 100 W 84th St. (Columbus)
FREE, suggested donation will go to support Wingspan Arts Summer Conservatory
Ages 6 and Up

Wingspan Arts is a great not-for-profit organization that brings high quality arts programs to kids in New York. They are hosting their first ever arts festival for kids with tons of great workshops. Learn Capoeira, the unique Brazilian dance/martial art, drumming, dance, hip hop, stage make-up, face painting and other interactive arts. Interested young filmmakers will even be able to help make an entire movie during the three hour festival which will be screened at the end of the event. Sounds very cool. For more information and a full schedule of events: wingspanarts.org

Brooklyn Family Events

Brooklyn Lyceum Craft Market and Sunshine Again Show
Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, 11am- 5pm
227 4th Avenue (Union), Park Slope
Ages 0-10

A Lyceum Craft Market: ‘Specially for Kids" will feature: - 20 local artisans featuring their handcrafted kids products: clothing, accessories and more - noted children's portrait photographer Davina Zagury - Arts and Crafts activities by Private Picassos and others - Artisans' demos - Toy Swap! - Facepainting and more being added daily... - Food, Drink, Music - Sunshine Again childrens' theatre, a Jim Henson-inspired performance ($10) in the upstairs space - Several vendors give profits to charity.

Science Rocks at the Brooklyn Public Library
Central Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza
Saturday, March 14, 1pm
Ages 5 and up
FREE

An interactive musical science show featuring Flumpa the tree frog and Wendy the Singing Scientist.

Bronx Family Events

Bronx Museum "Family Affair"
On Saturday, March 14th, Bronx Museum is hosting ‘Family Affair,’ which is special day catered to introducing families to the different artwork offered at the museum. There will be a group tour of the museum, followed by hands-on photography, drawing and painting workshops led by teaching artists. This is the perfect opportunity to check out Bronx Museum’s new exhibit, “INTERSECTIONS: THE GRAND CONCOURSE AT 100,” which is a year-long tribute to the 100th birthday of the Grand Concourse. This exciting exhibit only opened one week ago, so you’d be among the first in the City to experience it. Best of all, admission for the ‘Family Affair’ day is free! When: Saturday, March 14th, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm Where: Bronx Museum of the Arts at 1040 Grand Concourse (at 165th Street) More information: (718) 681-6000 or www.bronxmuseum.org

Beauty and the Beast
On Sunday, March 15th, The Children’s Theater Company at Lehman will present a kid-friendly, “sketch-comedy” production of Beauty and the Beast (complete with musical accompaniment by the Bronx Arts Ensemble) at the Riverdale YM-YWHA. Tickets for the show are quite reasonable at $8 for general admission. When: Sunday, March 15th at 2pm. Where: Riverdale Y’s Neuwirth Theatre at 5625 Arlington Avenue at 256th Street More information: (718) 548-8200 or www.riverdaley.org

Queens Family Events

Phagwah Parade and Festival: Read our previous post

Staten Island

Staten Island Greenbelt Leprechaun Hike
Sunday, March 15, 2pm
ages 7 and up
FREE

Here's a great reason to check out Staten Island's wonderful Greenbelt: Join the Greenbelt educators at the Greenbelt Nature Center and search for elusive leprechauns and their pots of gold in this pre-St. Patrick’s Day hike. Dress appropriately for hiking. This hike is approximately one mile and is suitable for children.

Image Credit: DANIEL HAUBEN, Bronx Vortex, detail, 2009 from Bronx Museum: Intersections