The Suburban Jungle Realty Group, a specialty real estate firm dedicated to helping New York City residents relocate to the suburbs, announced today that it has brought 30 new town consultants on board. The City’s first suburban living-focused firm, which works exclusively with city-dwellers looking to purchase property in Westchester, Connecticut, Long Island and New Jersey, has introduced a niche service by addressing the needs of this specific market segment.

With more than 500 towns across the tri-state area, choosing the right town is often a daunting experience. Suburban Jungle’s Manhattan-based consultants ease the process by working closely with prospective buyers and managing the home search with unparalleled expertise. “It is a big decision to leave the city, both emotionally and financially, and our priority is to support clients in every way possible,” said Alison Bernstein, founder of The Suburban Jungle Realty Group. “Our 30 new town consultants will join a team that works hard to understand buyers’ needs, shedding light on the subtle differences between life in each town.”

Having joined forces with new town experts, Suburban Jungle is now amply equipped with a host of valuable perspectives and even greater insight about life within nearby local communities. “By working exclusively with buyers leaving New York City, our business model allows us to be laser focused,” added Bernstein.

To complement the firm’s service offerings, Bernstein plans to host citywide events throughout the year to educate New Yorkers on their many suburban options and discuss the different local markets.

For more information, visit www.suburbanjunglerealty.com

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When you have kids going out with your significant other requires strategic planning excellent babysitters and in some instances a small savings. All of the elements need to be perfectly aligned for a night out to work.

Before I was a parent I loved going to shows. Theater was an escape as well as cathartic experience. I loved going out to dinner, seeing a show and talking about it afterward with my husband.

Now, this is a challenge but we have been trying to have regular date nights as a way to reconnect and enjoy something together that isn’t kid-related.

We recently had the opportunity to do just that by attending a performance of Edward Albee’s The Lady from Dubuque. Held at the Signature Theater, this thought-provoking drama raised some interesting questions about existence as well as the nature of friendship, and the meaning of life amongst a group of friends and an unexpected guest and her mysterious companion.

While watching the play, my husband and I were enraptured in Albee’s world filled with death, drinking, and the recurrent theme of “Who are you?” We loved the sharp dialogue and the contrasting characters, in particular the stunning Jane Alexander who played the mysterious Lady from Dubuque. Dealing with the many dimensions of death, and life itself as well as those we choose to surround in our lives, the play was fascinating as the actors spoke to the audience that raised many questions as well as the core of death and our existence. After the play, we couldn’t stop talking about it and made a pledge to try to do this every 6 weeks. It was extremely refreshing to have an evening of adult conversation and entertainment that was not part of our life with two small children.

MamaDrama, a consulting firm, knows that getting to the theater as parents can be difficult. They recently started working with Playtime!, a not-for-profit program, to help get parents back to the theater by offering creative AND affordable childcare. Costing $15 per child for the entire show, Playtime!, in partnership with Sitters Studio, provides art, music, dance, and drama techniques for children 4-12. You can also have a peace of mind when your child is under their care since all of their sitters are experienced, CPR certified and have undergone professional background checks. The process and transition is also easy, Simply arrive 30 minutes before your show to at Playwrights Horizons (all of the shows are within walking distance to this location) and pick them up right after the show. The best of both worlds – through this initiative parents are able to enjoy theater while their children enjoy a creative childcare experience.

In addition to the Lady from Duqbuque, Playtime is working with Blook Knot, Signature Theatre, Hurt Village, Signature Theatre, Assistance, Playwrights Horizons, Rated P for Parenthood, Westside Theatre and Love Loss, and What I Wore, Westside Theatre.

There will also be new shows in the spring and fall in correlation with Playtime! like My Children! My Africa! by Athol Fugard, Title and Deed by by Will Eno and the Train Driver by Athol Fugard. No more excuses, Playtime! makes it easier for parents to enjoy the theater again and

Signature Theater
February 14 – March 25, 2012
Various Times
The Lady from Dubuque
480 W. 42nd Street
(between 9th and 10th Avenues)
NYC
$25 per person for tickets

Momtrends was not paid for this post. We were given tickets by Mama Drama to the show for review purposes.

This February Park Slope’s famed music venue, Southpaw, will open it’s doors to the next generation with their new music series The Hip Tot Music Festival. The last Sunday of each month live bands will be featured that cater to the young crowd along with an open market, craft activities with Private Picassos and giveaways of various kid related products from toys to coconut water.

The first event in the Hip Tot Music Festival series will be on Sunday, February 26th, featuring local hummus lovers Rolie Polie Guacamole and classic children’s performer Lou Gallo. This will be the official release of Rolie Polie Guacamole’s third CD “Houses of the Moly”. For March we have “The Queen of the NY Kid Rock scene”, Audra Rox, according to Time Out Kids. Also look out for upcoming show with the Itty Biddies and the Deedle Deedle Dees.

The Hip Tot Music Festival is the brain child of local parents Gabrielle Napolitano and Adam Milat-Meyer. Gabrielle owned a second hand children’s store called Still Hip for over 4 years. She organized numerous community events featuring live music. When the store finally closed many of the performers she worked with contacted her about helping them book gigs. Not knowing much about the music industry she turned to Adam V. Meyer, a long time musician and part time booking agent for advice. After a brief brain storm they came up with the idea of the music festival.

The Monthly Hip Tot Music Festival
Sunday, February 26th
(After this on the last Sunday of each month)
noon
Southpaw in Park Slope
125 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn
Admission is just $8 for kids and $12 for adults ($35 for a family of 4).
Children under 2 are free.
Tickets are just $8 for kids (under 2 is free) and $12 for adults
(family of 4 $35).
For additional information, please visit: http://hiptotmusic.blogspot.com/

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A new must-see film called Conception will show the ups and downs of life from a couple fighting the odds of fertility to young teenagers losing their virginity.

The film follows nine very different couples on the night they conceive, showing that sex can sometimes be more neurotic than erotic. The hilarious ensemble cast includes Emmy-winner Julie Bowen (“Modern Family”) and Sarah Hyland (“Modern Family”), Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”), David Arquette (NEVER BEEN KISSED), Jason Mantzoukas (“The League”), and Alan Tudyk (DODGEBALL).

The film will be released on February, 24th. Check your local listings.

To view the trailer, please visit: http://www.hulu.com/watch/322891/conception

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“Bring Your Own Kid” to 92YTribeca every Sunday for great music that both parents and kids will enjoy. Family friendly music has progressed way beyond sing-alongs and clapping—the new generation of performers is out to rock your wee ones silly and keep you entertained in the process. And we’ve got the cream of the crop! So whether you’re a mom, dad, aunt, uncle or cousin, pack up the posse and come on in for a bagel, a coffee or juicebox and some tiny tushy-kicking tunes. It’s not your granny’s kids’ music (unless she’s one of those hip NYC grannies).

JUST ADDED:
Mar 4: BARI KAROL FAMILY ROCK BAND
Mar 18: THE JIMMIES – PRACTICALLY RIDICULOUS WORLD RECORD RELEASE PARTY RE-DO
Mar 25: PRINCESS KATIE & RACER STEVE – THE MONSTER CONCERT
Apr 1: GUSTAFER YELLOWGOLD’S Year In The Day Release Party
Apr 15: LITTLE MISS ANN WITH SPECIAL GUEST SUZI SHELTON
Apr 22: THE NIELDS
Apr 29: RECESS MONKEY
May 6: ASTROGRASS FOR KIDS

B.Y.O.K. (“Bring Your Own Kid”) CONCERTS
92YTribeca
200 Hudson Street
NYC | 10013
All shows start at 11 am. Tickets: $15, babies under 2-years-old get in free!
www.92YTribeca.org/BYOK

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David Zagury Photography is inviting all families with siblings to participate in his 6th Siblings project at Pomme. Through this project he will be capturing the special bond between siblings (Babies must be able to sit unassisted).

In order to secure your session, a non-refundable $35 deposit is required. The deposit includes a 10-15 minute studio session and access to an online gallery of edited images.

You will have the option to order prints from the online gallery for additional cost. Prints are available starting at $30.

Siblings 6 Photography Project
March 3rd & 4th, 2012
10am to 5pm
Pomme
81 Washington St, at York.
DUMBO, Brooklyn 11201
RSVP: http://davinaz.brownbookit.com/schedules/siblings6

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El Museo del Barrio will be celebrating CARNAVAL this year in glorious fashion, with music, dance demonstrations, and fun art making for all ages. This free event will include exhibitions, music, costumes, dance demonstrations, and fun art making for all ages.

EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW
11:00am – 6:00pm, Las Galerías
VOCES Y VISIONES: Gran Caribe
TESTIMONIOS: 100 Years of Popular Expression

ARTEXPLORERS & ARTMAKING
11:00am – 4:00pm, Las Galerías & El Taller
In celebration of Carnaval, explore our collection of masks from LatinAmerica, and make your own!

DANCE CLASSES
12:00pm – 3:00pm (12pm, 1pm, 2pm), Black Box Theater
Dance to traditional Carnaval music from Trinidad and Tobago with instructors from Something Positive, Inc; Presented by the Museum of African Art.

PHOTO BOOTH
1:00pm – 4:00pm, El Café
Strike a Carnaval pose with a jaguar mask by artist Balam Soto…view and share your photos online at Flickr.com.

CONCERT…Lila Downs
4:00pm – 5:00pm, El Teatro
In collaboration with Carnegie Hall’s Neighborhood Concert Series, we welcome Latin Grammy award winner Lila Downs performing from her newly released album: Pecados y Milagros.

SPOKEN WORD WORKSHOP
4:00pm – 6:00pm, Black Box Theater
Write your thoughts and drop some lines with Caridad de la Luz “La Bruja,” as we celebrate life during this month’s installment of El Museo’s spoken word workshop for teens.
Escribe tus ideas con Caridad de la Luz “La Bruja,” en una celebración de la vida durante este taller de poesía para adolescentes.

AN HOMAGE TO PIRI THOMAS
7:00pm – 9:00pm, El Teatro
Join us for a special presentation of SPEAK UP! in memory of Piri Thomas. The evening will be hosted by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega and Felipe Luciano, and curated by Rich Villar. Poets include Martín Espada, Jesús Papoleto Meléndez, Junot Díaz, Willie Perdomo, Mayda del Valle, Emanuel Xavier, and others.

SUPER SABADO: Carnaval
Saturday, February 18, 2012
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Admission: Free
El Museo del Barrio
1230 Fifth Avenue
104th Street, New York, NY 10029
For more information, please visit: http://www.elmuseo.org/

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The American Museum of Natural History celebrates African-American History Month with Global Weekends. The festivities, which include family-friendly activities and live musical performances, are presented in association with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group. The program will conclude with a special concert by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, co-founder of the multi-platinum hip-hop group Run-DMC.

Gospel, jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, soul music, and hip-hop are the result of an ever-evolving African-American musical journey that has produced unique musical forms and traditions. Musical performances throughout the day include the innovative Harlem Quartet, dynamic First Corinthian Baptist Church Choir, Oscar-nominated IMPACT Repertory Theatre Choir, singer-songwriter Charles Mack, and celebrated jazz vocalist Sandra Reaves-Phillips. Fashion model Gail O’Neill will host the evening program.

The African-American Musical Mosaic
Saturday, February 18
noon to 6 pm
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West New York, NY 10024
(212) 769-5100
Visit amnh.org for more information

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The Bari Koral Family Rock Band, a New York-based band who have emerged as one of today’s top children’s musical performers are gearing up for the release of their sophomore release, Anna and the Cupcakes (due out February 14) and a fun tour. Making stops in the NYC-area, parents and kids of all ages will love their infectious songs, entertaining themes and driving upbeats.

In addition to the new album, the band will also be playing old favorites from Rock and Roll Garden like “Backpack” and “Hey Ducky.” The tour will commence on February 4 in Philadelphia at World Café Live Peanut Butter and Jams.

Bari Koral Family Band Tour
February, 21-22
Long Island Children’s Museum
Garden City, NY

March 4th
92Y Tribeca
New York
For more information, please visit: http://www.barikoral.com/

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We are always looking for cute and fun clothing for our kids and now we have found the perfect store with the opening of Pink Chicken, a vintage-inspired, bohemian-chic line for girls (and women). Created by designer Stacey Fraser, Pink Chicken will open their first NYC store on Madison Ave that is set to open in March 2012.

The new UES boutique will feature Pink Chicken’s coveted collection of easy and beautiful dresses, shirts, skirts, knits and leggings for infants, toddlers and tweens, as well as a similar line for women, inspired by their mini-counterparts. In addition to its signature collection, the boutique will feature a carefully curated selection of the best gift items and accessories for kids, such as books, arts & crafts, jewelry and more. Completely redesigned, the new space features a neutral palate with splashes of yellow and silver that complement the bright and bold prints of Pink Chicken. In addition to their store and website, Pink Chicken is now being sold in top stores across the country like Barneys New York, Ron Robinson and many others and is a favorite of celebrities and their kids, including Jennifer Garner, Nicole Richie, and Brooke Shields.

Pink Chicken
(opening march of 2012)
1223 Madison Avenue
between 88th and 89th Street
212-722-9090
For more information, please visit: www.pinkchicken.com.

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