One of the benefits of living in a cultural capitol of the world is that your kids get to enjoy the benefits of trickle-down culture. No, the world class culture in NYC isn't just for grown ups, New York has special ballet, orchestra and even opera companies dedicated to bringing these arts to kids.

Ballet for Preschoolers
Admittedly, neither of my two sons was asking for tickets to a ballet. In fact, as, on our way to see New York Theater Ballet's The Toy Castle, we shared a subway with numerous Yankee fans on opening weekend, I am positive that neither one of my boys was thinking anything, but that they couldn't be happier than to be going to Yankee Stadium.

But, one hour later, wide-eyed eyed and red faced, each walked out of the Francis Gould Theatre wondering why it was that the ballet had to end. True, there is a vast difference between the NYTB??™s ???The Toy Castle??? and ???Swan Lake??? at Lincoln Center, but if you are wondering if your child is ready to take advantage of the World Class Performing Arts our city has to offer, then this production is a great start for you.

This exciting camp is focused on Tae Kwon Do and related physical activities. It is appropriate for kids 5-12 years old; no prior Tae Kwon Do experience is necessary. We start each morning with an hour Tae Kwon Do class and have two more classes throughout the day. The morning class is always focused on Tae Kwon Do. The afternoon classes either refine the techniques learned in the morning class, or entail some other type of physical movement such as yoga or a team sport. When we??™re not moving we do art activities, learn about Asian cultures, go to the park or take field trips to kid friendly places.

Kids need to bring their own lunches and snacks. The 2009 Session runs from the end of June to mid-August. Please call 212.755.5982 for details or to register.

Just cause the last time you sat down to read a newspaper was when "pooped out" still meant tired to you doesn't mean you can't stay up to date with what's going on. We've rounded up the top stories you don't want to miss from the NYC media this week.

Monsters at the Cloisters, Prospect Park Opening Day, Open Houses at NY Kids Club, and Fringe Music for Kids...

When I saw that Hi-Art was giving anime classes for $675 I thought, "wow, those must be some pretty amazing classes." But I also thought to myself in New York City I bet there are some other really cool classes for kids to learn about the Japanese cartooning style, anime, that don't cost the maintenance money. I thought it would be fun to do a feature like in the magazine (same outfit Hi or Lo). So I did a little research and found a couple of different ways to expose your kids to anime in NYC right now. Here's Japanese Anime for Kids: Hi/Lo:

HI:
HiArt Manga Madness
For the $675 you'll pay for HiArt's Manga Madness anime classes, you'll get 8 classes (starting today). Yes, that's almost $100 per class, but kids 7-14 will learn anime-style drawing techniques from acclaimed artist Yali-Lin. In addition to learning the techniques for drawing different types of characters and faces, kids will write their own stories and learn how to create panels, incorporate text, and design their page. There will be beginner and advanced sessions so kids can really hone their skills.

What you'll get: Professional level art class with a renown artist in a beautiful, light-infused chelsea loft. Lots of individual attention and intensive study.

LO:
Brooklyn Museum Anime Event
The Brooklyn Museum is kicking off their Takashi Murakami exhibit at this Saturday's Target First Saturday event. Kids and adults are encouraged to dress up as their favorite anime characters. There will also be anime activities where kids can create their own anime alter egos. Try to catch a screening of Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service (if you haven't watched this with you kids it's a wonderful story. If you're not going to the event think about renting it). That's the tip of the iceberg. There will be Japanese Drumming, gallery talks and more. Saturday, April 5, 5-11pm at the Brooklyn Museum.

Check out the Brooklyn Museum site for the full schedule. All attendees will also get free admission into the museum to see Takashi Murakami exhibit and the other galleries. The exhibit will run through July 13th.

What you'll get: Free anime workshops, free movies, free museum admission, and...crowds. Some events may be filled if you don't arrive early.

Family Day at the Asia Society
Discover the origins of anime through Japanese prints (ukiyo-e) in the "Designed for Pleasure" exhibit at the Asia Society. During this family day event children can also learn more about Japanese culture with traditional and modern Asian storytelling through pictures, puppets and performances. Free with Gallery Admission (which is free for kids under 16) Saturday, April 5, 12-3pm. at the Asia Society.  Exhibit runs through May 4.

What You'll Get: A free day of family events geared to exposing children to Japanese culture and placing anime in it's cultural and historical background.

HA! They totally got me. I guess a case of wishful reading. The band performing will be the Red Hot Chili PIPERS! Thanks MB for catching that one. Anyone who goes will still have a great time with Scottish music and check out the other Tartan Week events this weekend. YIKES! Sorry.

As part of a concert of traditional and contemporary Scottish music for Tartan Week, the Red Hot Chili Peppers PIPERS will be performing for free in the British Memorial Garden in Hanover Square. Also performing are MacTalla Mor and Pentland Caledonia Pipes and Drums.

In honor of Earth Day, Spring, and that theoretical thing people call Global Warming, this month we're focusing on everything Green. We've got a whole roster of fun events and information to inspire you to make your life greener with your kids in New York City. Plus we've got some big green giveaways and craft ideas.

Of course we'll still have our regular free fun fridays, linkin' blogs and other great content sprinkled in, like our Mommy Poppins Do-It-Yourself Spring Break Camp and some really cool activity ideas.

Tonight since I went out drinkin' with the girls from SK*RT and my favorite NYC parent bloggers (if you don't know these sites, you should), I'm giving you some of the best green posts from our archive.

Best Environmental Websites for Kids

Zipcar: Drive to the greener side of the street

It's Time to Give Up the Water Bottle

Recycled Materials and Nature Crafts

Description:

DUSC/GGFC offers innovative training on the fields at Pier 40 in downtown Manhattan. Under the guidance of Gustavo Palomino and Paul Jeffries, our experienced and talented staff employs disciplined training methods to deliver 10 weeks of innovative and fun soccer education.

Each week presents campers with an intensive program designed to take individual games to a higher level of play. Players will learn new forms of warm up and flexibility; skills training will focus on different parts of the game each day: emphasis will be put on dribbling, body movement, passing, shooting, game tactics and much more. Games allow players to develop skills gained. Campers will watch soccer games on video, and discuss tactics. The full-day program includes swimming in a college-sized pool.

DUSC/GGFC soccer clubs focus is on the imagination, style and flair of the individual: soccer is a game where each player should be given the skills that support their imagination and allow them to make critical decisions on the field without the restrictions of over-coaching. We want to develop smart players, with a strong grounding in proper technique, who will go on to develop their own creative interpretation, and love, of the game.

Program Information:

June 8th-August 21st, Ages 5-12 and 7-14 and 3-4
Full Day/Half Day and Single Day options.  

The program is run at Pier 40, Houston Street and the West Side Highway, New York City.

Contact:

Website (on line registration): www.dusc.net

Gustavo Palomino: 646-247-6449 or gmsgpalomino@optonline.net or information@dusc.net

And for more great camp ideas, check out our Summer Camp Guide!