This Weekend: The NY Philharmonic presents Fun at the Phil: Sleepover at the Museum

Already thinking ahead to the weekend? Me, too! If introducing your children to classical music sounds appealing, consider The New York Philharmonic's family benefit, Fun at the Phil: Sleepover at the Museum, this Saturday, March 7th at 11am. Combining classical music and an epic story time all in one, the orchestra, conducted by Ankush Kumar Bahl, will perform Saint-Saens's The Carnival of the Animals while narrator Jamie Bernstein reads aloud Karen LeFrak's Sleepover at the Museum. Simultaneously, David Bucs' illustrations will be projected on a giant screen above. Bernstein is a professional narrator, filmmaker, broadcaster and music lover (like her father, Leonard). The event honors LeFrak, who is a Vice Chair of the Philharmonic Board of Directors, as well as an author and composer.

The one hour concert at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center is intended for children ages 6-12 and ticket information can be found here. Individual tickets are available for just the performance (from $16-35). If buying a table, the price goes up quite a bit, but that includes lunch afterwards with costumed characters on the Grand Promenade. Those ticket prices can be found here. All proceeds will go towards the Philharmonic's education programs.

Not your average Saturday morning, which I love! See you there?

Cinderella Lives in Greenwich Village

Last weekend, the girls and I checked out the new musical "Cinderella," playing now through April 22nd at The Players Theatre in Greenwich Village. Written by Michael Sgouros and Brenda Bell, fairy tale fans will notice a few slight changes from the original story, but nothing that will have you flagging a pumpkin carriage and heading for the exit. In fact, this Cinderella is pure love and light, a girl in search of family and security more than anything else (Prince Charming's companionship is an added bonus). We loved the live music, original songs and in particular, the wicked step-mother "Madame," played fantastically in drag by Eric Fletcher.

As an added bonus, come early for pre-show arts-n-crafts and learn how the magic happens behind the scenes, and afterwards, pose for photos with the cast. Check out the New York Times review and take note, they are offering one weekday performance during NYC public school spring break.

Use code BMC20 for 20% off tickets and have a magical time, friends!

New Theater for Kids: This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing

The girls and I recently checked out a production of The Atlantic Theater Company's This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing at the Linda Gross Theater in Chelsea. We really enjoyed ourselves!

Written by Finegan Kruckemeyer, the fairy tale follows three sisters and the choices they make after their father leaves them in a deep, dark forest at the request of their wicked step-mother (why are the step-mothers in fairy tales always so awful?). What follows are three entertaining adventures as the sisters go in search of themselves and ultimately each other.

"This Girl Laughs..." played to a packed house, and I have to say we were really "in it" the whole time. We loved the musical element and the set was gorgeous (also impressive was what the cast was able to create with the help of limited items on stage & everyone's imagination). While the sisters each followed their own callings, I loved most of all that in the end, finding each other was their most important quest. I was crying as we clapped for everyone on stage! Showing through March 4th, "This Girl Laughs..." is a funny, thoughtful and girl-empowering adventure, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Photo credit: Ahron R. Foster

Kick Off the Holidays with Kris Kringle, the Musical!

There's just something special about NYC during the holidays, pure and simple. For me, the season officially begins the day AFTER Thanksgiving (though I know some advertisers who would disagree). But no matter where you fall on the holiday start date debate, one thing's for certain: Santa and his elves are already deep into Christmas 2017 planning (list-making, checking it twice, that sort of thing).

While the North Pole revs into action, how about kick off your own holiday season with tickets to Kris Kringle The Musical? Starring Cathy Rigby and Andrew Keenan-Bolger, among many other talented performers, this one day only show will take place this Friday, November 24th (the day AFTER Thanksgiving- yes!) with just two performances (3pm & 8pm) at Town Hall. Detailing the untold story of a young Kris Kringle, proceeds from the musical will benefit the Singing Angels, a Cleveland, Ohio-based non-profit dedicated to providing youth from every community a performing arts education that teaches teamwork, builds confidence and provides a foundation for life.

We're excited to attend this show, followed by a little holiday store window viewing and hot chocolate sipping. With tickets starting as low as $35/person, it's the perfect way to kick off the holidays and give back at the same time! See their website for more information and to purchase tickets, and have a wonderful weekend!

Disclosure: I am being provided with tickets to this show in exchange for promotion. All opinions herein are my own.

Broadway for the whole family: School of Rock

So, here's where I admit that I never saw the movie, School of Rock, with Jack Black, or the current series on Nickelodeon under the same name, despite being very familiar with its entertaining story line. Not to worry. I'm pretty sure I got the best part of the deal last weekend when I was a member of the audience at Andrew Lloyd Weber's adaptation on Broadway. School of Rock - The Musical is SO much fun!

For the very few not familiar with this story, it follows Dewey Finn, a broke, down on his luck rocker who's in need of a few extra bucks so that he can enter his town's Battle of the Bands contest. He poses as a substitute teacher at an elite private school to make some extra money, and in the meantime, takes a class of no nonsense kids and turns them into rock stars. Naturally, hijinks (and cool tunes!) ensue.

With tickets as low as $59 (and orchestra seats at $89), School of Rock - The Musical is an engaging night for the whole family, especially if you have any mini musicians in your home. While everyone in the cast is excellent (and the songs range from full on rock-n-roll tunes to ballads), this show is all about the kids. At least 4 were playing live instruments on stage throughout the show, and ALL of them sang and danced their hearts out -- truly amazing! I'm pretty sure this is just the beginning for many of these incredibly talented little performers. The future of Broadway is alive and well at School of Rock - The Musical.

Keep in mind when booking tickets that the show is 2 1/2 hours long (with one intermission) and is recommended for ages 8+ (children under 4 are not permitted in the theater, which I imagine is because of the volume). Rock-n-roll, friends.

Worth checking out!



Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary tickets in exchange for an honest review of School of Rock - The Musical. All opinions are my own.

New Music Alert: Thunder & Sunshine

NYC is not lacking in entertaining children's & family-friendly music groups, but any music fan will tell you there's always room for one more. We recently checked out Thunder and Sunshine at Joe's Pub and had such a fun time! The band was created by Esther Crow (an old friend of ours & all-around rock star) who's been a part of the NYC music scene for over a decade. After having a baby in 2013, Esther decided to broaden her audience to include the kiddo set, & we're so happy she did!

Thunder and Sunshine's funky tunes are geared towards the WHOLE family & not just the littles (with nary an Old McDonald in sight- hurrah!). In writing the album, Esther was influenced by many performers, from Sesame Street & The Electric Company to The Sugarhill Gang and Sly and the Family Stone. You'll hear sounds from the 70's & 80's in each song and be moving to the beat before you know it... promise! We also loved the multi-media aspect: the band incorporated video of kids being interviewed by various puppet friends (created by the talented Jeff Lewonczyk) throughout the set.

Photo credit: Ebet Roberts

Stay tuned to my social channels and I will keep you posted on Thunder and Sunshine's next performance, but in the meantime, you can check out "The Letter Z" below. Additionally, Esther can be found performing story time at Bank Street Bookstore every other Thursday at 10:30am starting on February 23rd & their debut album is available for purchase ($8!) on Bandcamp.

Enjoy!


          

A Charlie Brown Christmas at Carnegie Hall

This Sunday afternoon, December 20th, I'm taking Millie to Carnegie Hall for "A Charlie Brown Christmas," featuring the New York Pops! We saw the Peanuts movie a few weeks ago and have already watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (celebrating its 50th anniversary this year!) on TV, so I think she'll really appreciate this performance... and I think we all know I'm super excited about the sing-along portion of the event. 

In addition to the New York Pops Orchestra, performers include the New York Theatre Ballet Company and children from TADA! Youth Theater, among others. Whether this ignites an inner musician or performer remains to be seen, but I'm just excited to start sharing these kinds of memories with Millie. At the ripe ol' age of six, I can't think of a more entertaining way to experience Carnegie Hall for the first time!

Tickets are reasonably priced ($10-25) and are still available! See HERE for more details. Hope you can make it!




Disclosure: I was provided with two tickets in exchange for this post. All opinions herein are my own.

Ice Cream, You Scream... & Fun Music for Kids, too! #Giveaway

Earlier this summer, the girls & I were introduced to The Pop Ups, a Grammy-nominated children's musical duo based in Brooklyn. Now, every time I'm at my computer (and I'm only slightly exaggerating here), they ask to watch their videos. Led by Jason Rabinowitz & Jacob Stein, The Pops Ups are all about catchy tunes & clever, fun videos. And needless to say, their creative collaborations are a welcome break from Old MacDonald.

I may or may not dance along to The Robot Dance on a regular basis... but let's keep that between us, shall we? Here'a a cute video of Millie dancing along to The Pop Ups at a recent concert along the Hudson River in Tribeca.

Now, moving on to another of our favorite things: ICE CREAM! The Pop Ups have teamed up with Ample Hills Creamery to spread the love about their sweet treats & new cook book! The creamery, which originated in Brooklyn, now has locations in Queens & Manhattan, too. See addresses & more info here, and by all means, get yourself to one of their shops for something cold & delicious STAT.

Flipping through the pages of this cookbook, I am so excited to bust out our ice cream maker! And you can be, too. Here's why: I'm helping spread the word about this collaboration with The Pop Ups & Ample Hills Creamery through a giveaway!

2 lucky winners -- that's right, TWO -- are going to win a copy of this cookbook in addition to a Pop Ups t-shirt & tote bag. Woohoo! Check out the Rafflecopter giveaway below, and while you're at it, find a few tunes for your kid (& you!) to listen to on The Pop Ups' YouTube page (and hey, might as well subscribe while you're there!). I'll pick a winner on Friday, August 28th. Still plenty of time to celebrate the dog days of summer...

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

play me, i'm yours

Sufficed to say, I was no Mozart back in my pigtail-wearing, piano-playing days. I could handle "Chopsticks" pretty well, but "Fur Elise?" I never made it past the first few measures. It's a shame, really, as I would love to be more musically-inclined. When I think of all the times my mother said, "You'll wish you practiced more one day!" Well, she was right. Regret is a terrible thing, isn't it? Not to mention acknowledging once more that your mother was, indeed, correct about so many things.

Being musically "challenged" does not mean, however, that I don't appreciate music, in most of its forms (I'll leave the heavy metal to those still sporting acid wash jeans and frizzy hair). Living in NYC, we have access to some of the most notable music venues in the world... for a price, of course. Not to be outdone, however, there is free entertainment to be had - summer concerts in NYC area parks draw thousands every year. Personally, I enjoy hearing the many street performers playing on sidewalks and subway platforms all over town. Granted, a merry band of Mariachi players in your ear + splitting headache = a few choice words I can't repeat here.

This morning, I read about Play Me, I'm Yours. Beginning this weekend through July 5th, 60 upright pianos will be distributed throughout the 5 boroughs. Anyone can walk up and play. Made possible by the non-profit organization, Sing for Hope (with help from the mayor's office), the pianos have been painted ahead of time by artists and community groups, and will be donated to local schools and hospitals after the impromptu concerts are over. The brainchild of artist Luke Jerram, the project was designed to bring people together - to provoke conversation and encourage "ownership of their urban landscape." Play Me, I'm Yours has taken place all over the world, from London to Sydney.

Click on the link above for a map of piano locations. I notice 2 of the pianos will be situated in my neighborhood, so I hope to check it out soon. Perhaps I'll give Baby S her first piano lesson. Or maybe we'll just listen...

*word on the street is that Alicia Keys is helping promote the project and may be offering up a song at some point. Tune in to her Twitter and Facebook pages during the event time frame for more info.