Particularly for kids who live in racially diverse Brooklyn (or anywhere in New York, more or less), this month offers an opportunity to explore some of the fabric of our daily, urban lives. Of course, don't miss the special programs at the Brooklyn Children's Museum.
1. Saturday February 4: Family Programs The Lion's Whiskers (FREE, Central Library)
Through music and puppets, this adaptation of a traditional Ethiopian folktale promises to charm children as well as adults.Story from the library website:"When lonely Minya marries a widowed man with a son, she goes to a Wise Man for advice. He tells her that in order to win the heart of the little boy she must first pluck three whiskers from a Wild Lion! In doing so she not only finds the courage to tame the lion, but also the secret to gaining the love of her new family. The show features a multitude of masks and puppets ranging from three quarter life-sized to gigantic and is highlighted with shadow puppetry and original songs."
When: 1 P.M.
Admission: Free.
See a video.
2. Saturday February 4: Target First Saturday at Brooklyn Museum
Bring the kids for this free evening of cultural activities, including music, gallery tours, and hands on crafts. The theme is "Black Males Defying Stereotypes. Free, from 5 P.M. to 11 P.M., and family friendly.3. Monday February 6: Open Mic for Teens (FREE, Central Library)
From the library website: "Co-hosted by Urban Word, Brooklyn Open is a monthly open mic series for teen poets, spoken word artists, emcees, scholars and activists to share their powerful and important voices. These events are run by teens for teens, with youth DJs, youth hosts and a monthly featured poet."
When: 5 P.M.
Admission: Free.
4. Saturday February 11: Jazz 4 Kids (FREE, Central Library)
Description from the library website: "Renowned jazz musicians and vocalist/educator Lauren Hooker leads the audience through the origins of jazz, beginning the journey with a participatory African “Call and Response” song, Slave songs and Spirituals, and translating it into singing a “Swing” tune, and moving to a calypso song demonstrating that jazz continues to influence music around the world." Jazz legends Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Sonny Rollins are featured at this interactive event; the audience becomes the instruments in a “Jazz Trio” improvisational scat singing that involves the kids — and you.
When: 1 P.M.
Admission: Free.
5. Wednesday February 15: Black History Jeopardy (Clarendon Branch)
Black History Jeopardy (Clarendon Branch)
When: 3:30 - 4:30 P.M.
Admission: Free.
6. Thursday February 16: Black History Month Reading Circle (Canarsie Library)
Black History Month Reading Circle (Canarsie Library) Story from the library website: "Bring your favorite poem, play, essay or novel by a great African-American writer, or a favorite speech by a great African-American political leader, to read out loud and discuss with the group. You are also welcome to share your own writings."
When:4 - 5 P.M.
Admission: Free.
7. Friday February 17: African American History Day at Greenpoint YMCA (Free)
Children in the YMCA Y afterschool program at PS 84 ages 5 -11 will create portraits of famous African-American people; perform a step show; and perform a play about what the world would be like if we had no African-Americans. They will also create their OWN “I have a dream speech” based on the famous Martin Luther King speech.
When: 4:30-6 P.M. 4:30 – 5:30 kids performance in the auditorium. 5:30 – 6:00 potluck dinner in cafeteria.
Admission: Free.
8. Saturday February 18: Family Programs Tales with Nzinga (FREE, Central Library)
Story from the library website: "Interested in playing the role of Camel? Or taking a journey across the desert? Nzinga will take you there! Experience master storyteller Willie Teacher’s tales are woven interactive elements, call and response, as well as opportunities for participants to take in active roles in the stories. Base on folklore from Anansi the Spider..."
When: 1 P.M.
Admission: Free.
9. Saturday February 18: Brooklyn Children's Museum
- Living the Legacy: Black History Collage program runs at 2:30 P.M., for 6 and up. Transform words and images into art Bring Black History to life by making collages; kids can create a patchwork memorable photographs and expressions in "art masterpiece" to take home. Anansi the African Spider Man program runs at 2:30 P.M., for 5 and younger. Children can hear cherished African tales of the mischievous Anansi the Spider and discover the beauty of the African culture--and then create a little Anansi spider to take home.
Where: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Avenue, located next to Brower Park, just one mile from Grand Army Plaza.
When: 11:30 and 2:30.M. For kids age 5 and younger.
Admission: Admission is $7.50 per person;free for Museum members and children under 1.
Website: Brooklyn Children's Museum www.brooklynkids.org/
10. Monday February 20: Anansi the African Spider Man at Brooklyn Childrens Museum
Hear African tales of the mischievous Anansi the Spider and discover the beauty of the African culture. Kids can create their own Anansi spider to take home.
When: 11:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. For kids age 5 and younger.
Admission: Admission is $7.50 per person, and free for Museum members and children under 1 year of age.
Website: Brooklyn Children's Museum www.brooklynkids.org/
