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Art
ArchiKids George Costanza’s dream of becoming an architect was sadly unrealized. Fortunately, your budding Frank Gehry has a fighting chance of making his creative visions come true—especially if you sign him up for the well-regarded ArchiKids classes run by teaching artist Yves Roger. In the weekly program, children ages eight to 12 develop their 2- and 3-D visualization skills by building models of columns, domes, bridges and skyscrapers. Your tyke will never look at the NYC skyline the same way again.
44 E 32nd St between Madison and Park Aves. Send e-mail to info@archikids.org for registration and pricing details.
Dance
Streb Let’s put it this way: Your kid won’t be wearing a tutu at Elizabeth Streb’s high-impact classes. More acrobatics-meets-modern-dance, the “Kid Action” sessions at this Williamsburg spot offer young movers ages five to 15 a taste of Streb’s unique style. There, they learn both teamwork and physical skills. The more daring can take part in “Kids Fly,” a trapeze class in which children ages four and up are put in safety harnesses to work at their own pace over a big, soft mat. For even smaller tots, “Baby Action” (ages 18 months to 3 years) and “Little Kid Action” (ages 3 to 5 years) teach the basics of tumbling.
S.L.A.M. (Streb Laboratory for Action Mechanics), 51 North 1st St between Kent and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-384-6491, strebusa.org). Visit website for registration and pricing details.
Spoke the Hub The mission of this Brooklyn-based dance spot is to provide an affordable opportunity for kids to study dance. And how. Classes in almost every style seem to be on offer at this community center, which was created back in 1995 by the “cultural pioneers” who started the Brooklyn Arts Exchange. Kids and teens can take classes in ballet, creative dance, tap, folk, ballroom and other forms of dance. Plus, Spoke the Hub offers yoga, aerobics, meditation, drama, sketching, tai chi, Brazilian percussion and a Make Believe class for toddlers. Because it’s all offered in 18- or 42-week programs of 60-minute and 90-minute classes, or three-hour workshops, or even in some cases singular drop-in classes, there’s plenty of opportunity for your tykes to get their groove on—and Spoke charges relatively inexpensive rates.
Spoke the Hub Re-Creation Center, 748 Union St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-408-3234, spokethehub.org). Visit website for schedule.
Music
Harlem School of the Arts Uptown parents looking for afternoon music classes for their kids need not schlep way downtown to find first-rate options. Founded in 1964 by legendary African-American soprano Dorothy Maynor, this acclaimed institution offers both private and group instruction for instruments or voice at its Hamilton Heights campus. Young musicians ages four to 18 can sign up for classes in a broad spectrum of musical styles, presently including African-Latin percussion, Suzuki violin, and jazz or classical keyboards. Spanning either 14 or 28 weeks, the classes are available in 30-minute, 45-minute or one-hour sessions. All of HSA’s after-school programs culminate in recitals, and students get the chance to show off their skills at community functions and corporate events throughout the year. With enough practice, your budding star may just transform into a world-class talent.
645 St. Nicholas Ave at 145th St (212-926-4100, harlemschoolofthearts.org). Visit website for registration and pricing details.
Theater
A Class Act NY Get ready to stomach some show tunes. At this UWS studio, professional New York performers (many with credits from the Great White Way, such as Legally Blonde’s Leslie Kritzer) bite kids with the Broadway bug through two eight-week courses: “Sing Your Heart Out” (ages 7 to 8 years) and “Pretend & Play” (ages 5 to 6 years). In the former class, kids learn proper vocal technique, diction and ear training from the pros, and get the chance to solo on Broadway showstoppers. In the latter, youngsters master the basics of improvisation and theatrical movement in a playful way that teaches them how to perform without inhibitions.
Ripley-Grier Studios, 131 W 72nd St between Columbus and Amsterdam Aves (212-636-9172, aclassactny.com). Visit website for registration and pricing details.
