FAMILY Activities CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN In honor of Valentine’s ...

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN

In honor of Valentine's day, red-headed little girls get in free all weekend long. Plus "Black & Jews in Conversation" for teens (Sun. at 3); 212 W. 83rd St. (betw. B'way & Amsterdam Ave.), 212-721-1234; call for info, free w/mus. adm.

 

CREATIVE MOVEMENT FOR KIDS

Dancer Tysan Lerner teaches kids ages 8-12 various styles; North Meadow Recreation Center, Central Park (midpark at 97th St.), 212-348-4867; Fri. 4-5:30, free [through 2/23].

 

DANCE THEATER OF HARLEM AUDITIONS

Kids ages 6-16 encouraged to try out for pre-professional dance programs?prospective students must arrive 30 min. prior to sched. time, as a preview of this harsh, harsh world, call for specifics; 466 W. 152nd St. (Convent Ave.), 212-690-2800; Sat. 12-3.

 

FAMILY ART PROJECT

Make your Valentine a special card during "Hearts & Flowers" workshop; Kerlin Learning Center at Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd St. (Indep. Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200; Sat. & Sun. 1-4, free w/grounds adm.

 

FAMILY ART WORKS

Art activity classes for children & parent, grandparent, friend or caregiver?this week, make secret treasure pouch at The Educational Alliance, 197 E. B'way (Jefferson St.), 212-780-2300, ext.316; Sun. 1-2:30, free [through April].

 

FAMILY PROGRAMS AT BMA

Weekend activities, drop-in programs, performances, dance lessons & movies incl. screening of Leadbelly, documenting the life of blues singer & convicted murderer Hudie Leadbetter (Sat. at 12 & 2) & jazz concert (Sun. at 4); Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Pkwy (Washington Ave.), Bklyn., 718-638-5000, ext.330; free w/mus. adm.

 

FREE FAMILY PROGRAM

The New-York Historical Society feat. weekly series for families. This week, learn about your family's history during "Elder Grace" workshop; 2 W. 77th St. (Central Pk. W.), 212-873-3400; Sat. at 11, free w/mus. adm.

 

HELLO KITTY

Everyone's favorite feline throws a party in Times Square in honor of new Sanrio Store. Saturday, she'll drop by for contests, prizes, music & photo ops; Sun., she can be seen in the Toy Parade of Stars (200 5th Ave. at 25th St., 3-5), as part of the International Toy Convention; Sanrio Store, 233 W. 42nd. St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-840-6011 for info; Sat. 10 a.m.-12 a.m., free.

 

LEARN TO PLAY CHESS

Chess-in-the-Schools-Program sponsors chess program for kids ages six to 12; Seward Park Branch Library, 192 E. B'way (Jefferson St.), 212-477-6770 reg. req.; Fri. 3-5, free [through 2/23].

 

ON THE WEB

Introduction class for parent & child (ages 7-12), in case your kid isn't motivated by free music & Britney pics; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-621-0636, res. req.; Sat. at 2, free.

 

OPEN CLIMBING

Those ages 8-17 are invited to climb Adventure Room's new climbing wall; Central Park North Meadow Recreation Center, 97th St. (mid park), 212-348-4867; Sun. at 11, free [through 2/25].

 

OPEN KITCHEN

Pres. "Spiderwoman Theater Workshop" for gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered teens to discuss their lives, concerns, etc.; The Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-255-5793, ext.13; Sat. 12-3, $5.

 

SONY WONDER

Open house at Technology Lab at Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave. (55th St.), 212-883-5414 or www.sonywondertechlab.com; Thurs. 4:30-6:30, free.

 

TAI CHI FOR KIDS

Kids 8-12 learn basics of this ancient martial art w/Master Derrick Trent; North Meadow Recreation Center, Central Park (midpark at 97th St.), 212-348-4867; Tues. at 4, free [through 2/27].

 

Things to See & Hear

AFRICAN DRUM

The Shadow Box Theater celebrates African-American History Month w/puppet musical at Symphony Space, 2537 B'way (95th St.), 212-864-5400; Sun. at 1, $8.

 

BETSY BLUE

Or "I Was a Nine-Year-Old Blues Diva," musical about youngster who gets the blues when she finds out her mom's having another baby; Looking Glass Theater, 422 W. 57th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-307-9467; Sat. & Sun. at 2 & 4, $10, $8 child [through 2/25].

 

GLOBAL KIDS!

Learn about community & global issues w/other high school students; Adelphi Univ., 75 Varick St., 2nd fl. (Canal St.), 212-226-0130; Fri. at 4, free.

 

JUST KIDDING

Terrance Simien performs Zydeco music at Symphony Space, 2537 B'way (95th St.), 212-864-5400; Sat. at 11, $8, $4 kids.

 

THE LITTLE MERMAID: A MUSICAL

Will she choose a new love on land, or her old life in the sea? Pretend you don't know while your kids have fun; show's preceded by workshop at 1; YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-866-5170; Sat. & Sun. at 2, $15, $5 workshop fee [through 3/4].

 

MAYA THE BEE

Jazz puppet play for tykes 3-9 based on German book about bee who runs away from hive?remember the Nickelodeon show? Salon Theater, 45 Bleecker St. (Lafayette St.), 212-539-6644; Sat. at 2, $7-$15.

 

MCNY KIDS

Every Saturday MCNY Kids visit exhibition that focuses on history of NYC?gallery talks & some hands-on activities included, recommended for ages 7-10; The Museum of the City of New York, 212-534-1672, ext.257 for reg. & location; Sat. 11-12:30.

 

MISS MAJESTY'S LOLLIPOP PLAYHOUSE

Sleeping Beauty (1:30); Hansel, Gretel & The Jolly Gingerbread Man (3:30); Grove St. Playhouse, 39 Grove St. (betw. Hudson & Bleecker Sts.), RSVP 212-741-6436; Sat. & Sun., $8.50 [through 2/25].

 

MUSICAL BUGS

"Flight of the Bumblebee" w/pianist Jeffrey Siegel plus cookies & hot chocolate; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-996-1100; Sun. at 3, $10.

 

OYA

The Yoruba Dance Drama produces show in honor of Black History Month; National Black Theatre, 2033 5th Ave. (betw. 125th & 126th Sts.), 212-722-3800; Fri. at 7:30, Sat. at 2 & 7:30, Sun. at 3, $15 [through 2/25].

 

PLACE FOR JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS

Metropolitan Museum of Art hosts interactive classes incl. art writing workshop "Kaleidoscope" w/Felicia Blum; 1000 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 212-570-5121 to reg.; Thurs. at 3:30, free w/mus. adm.

 

PUPPET PLAYHOUSE

Preston Foerder pres. "Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimy" (advanced Press readers: wonder if that has anything to do with Sisters Grimm?); Mazur Theater, Asphalt Green, 555 E. 90th St. (betw. York Ave. & East End Ave.), 212-369-8890; Sat. & Sun. at 10:30 & 12, $7 [through 3/11].

 

RAP WRITERS & PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP

Free seminar for teens on the history & business of rap music, in case they didn't learn it from the albums; Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave. (betw. 120th & 122nd Sts.), 212-870-6739; Fri. 7-9 p.m. [through 5/11].

 

REEL TO REAL FOR KIDS

Family series pres. All About Chemistry movie, which focuses on the rapport between well-known comedy duos like Laurel & Hardy and Abbott & Costello; Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 212-875-5370; Sat. at 11:30 & 2, $15, $7.50/under 14.

 

THEATERWORKS/USA 20001

Weekly performance for young audiences incl. "Reading Rainbow"; Auditorium at Equitable Tower, 787 7th Ave. (betw. 51st & 52nd Sts.), 212-627-7373; Sat. at 12:30, $19.

 

VITAL CHILDREN'S THEATER CO.

"The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," adapted from Mark Twain's short story (Sat. at 11 & 1); "Ricki Ticki Tavi," the adventures of a family who adopt a mongoose to rid their garden of cobras (Sun. at 12); Vital Theater Company, 432 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-592-4508; $10 [through 3/28].

 

WARM, WILD & WONDERFUL AT GEO ZOOM

Special holiday programming feat. Kwanza celebrations (apparently Kwanzaa lingers for a while), movies & more plus continuing interactive exhibition on geography; Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (St. Marks Ave.), Bklyn., 718-735-4400; Sun. 10-5 [through 3/2001].