Where-To-Go-Wednesday - Museum of the City of New York and Mister G Concert

We were given free tickets to the Museum of the City of New York for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: The Museum of the City of New York

Where: 1220 Fifth Ave.

             (at 103 St.)

             New York, NY

Who: 6 and up

Mom's view: If you watch, Mysteries at the Museum on the Travel Channel, you are probably familiar with the Museum of the City of New York as many episodes of the show discuss artifacts that can be found here. The Museum displays exhibits related to the past, present and future of New York City.  On-going exhibits include Gilded New York a display of objects related to elite culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Objects on display here include jewelry, clothing and portraits. Another on-going exhibit is Activist New York with displays on everything from the fight for women's right to vote and the fight to form unions to present day struggles including the fight for gay rights and the fight to save the environment.  This exhibit contains many pictures posters and other artifacts. Exhibits on display for a limited time only include an exhibit on Yiddish theater which includes costumes and posters among other things. Even if you are not familiar with Yiddish theater, you may be familiar with some of the shows and events represented in this collection since it includes such things as one of Barbra Streisand's Funny Girl costumes and a poster from the movie The Jazz Singer staring Al Jolson.  This exhibit will be running through July 31, 2016. Another current exhibit Picturing Prestige: New York is  a gallery of portraits of well to do New Yorkers from 1700 to 1860. The portaits  include those of well-known historical figures, such as, Alexander Hamilton as well as others of people who may not be as well-known. This exhibit will be on display through October 11, 2016.

While merely walking through the museum and viewing the exhibits on display might not be very interesting to most young children, the museum does present many special programs for families and schools. These programs include an educational aspect as well as an interactive aspect. Upcoming programs includes ones where children learn about costumes in Yiddish Theater and then design one of their own, one where children learn about the flowers that bloom in the Central Park Conservancy Garden and then make a Spring mobile, and one where children get to explore books, learn about book binding, and make their own book to take home. All children's programs are geared to children ages 6-12. They are all free with admission to the Museum, and they all  include a snack. For more about children's programs offered by the museum go to http://www.mcny.org/calendar-and-events/family-programs for more about the museum in general go to http://www.mcny.org/.
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We were given free tickets to a recent Mister G concert at Symphony Space in New York City for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own based on our experience.

What: Mister G Concert

When and Where: See below for tour schedule

Who: All ages

Our view: Mister G is a family friendly rocker who will especially appeal to children between the ages of 3 and 7. He sings songs about topics children love including animals, chocolate and bugs. He is a multicultural singer who sings songs which include both English and Spanish. He has, in fact, won a Latin Grammy for Best Children's Album. Mister G's concerts are fun interactive experiences for children. Children are encouraged not only to sing along but to get up and move as well. Mister G recently performed a concert at Symphony Space in New York City with special guests the kids rock band from the Broadway musical, School of Rock.  For a clip of the concert, go here. Once you've viewed it, you will be more familiar with Mister G and the School of Rock kids band, and  we are sure you will want to see and hear more of both. For more about Mister G go to http://www.mistergsongs.com/. For his upcoming tour schedule which will include stops in Massachussetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia,  Louisiana, and California go to http://www.mistergsongs.com/shows/ For more about School of Rock read our previous posts: Where-To-Go Wednesday: School of Rock and School of Rock and/or go to http://schoolofrockthemusical.com/.

And that's Mom's view. Tune in to tomorrow's Talking Topics post for more about the Museum of the City of New York and Mister G and the School of Rock kids band.