Podcasts from the farce side of parenting, The Prattle of the Playground. Launching July 1st. Preview the website here.

PREVIEW FEATURES
The Prattle Podcasts: In Episode #1 ‘Cobra-Kai-Yay Mother…’ preschoolers learn how to defend themselves under the tutelage of instructor Cory Damage.

Mr. Isaac’s Neighborhood: A dad reads odd bedtime stories to his son over a fun soundscape. The first series features readings from the Rootabaga Stories by Carl Sandburg.

Cooking with Cavedad: Our resident cavedad proves that not all men are kitchenologically impaired with monthly recipes and tips.

MORE COMING
Seuss Raps: Who says hip-hop is all bad? Listen to a budding rapper rhyme through a few tongue-twisting kids favorites.

As-Yet-Unnamed: Illustrated podcast stories for kids.

Friday, Jun 15 Saturday, Jun 16 Sunday, June 17

POP’S PICK: You couldn’t ask for a better forecast. Tonight mom’s off to boogie with her teacher friends and Sonny and I will be partying with a friend celebrating her 31st. Then on Saturday we think we might brave the Summer Stage crowds for a little post-punk.

FRIDAY
DaddyDowntime
Affordable Art
AAF is the place for new and established collectors to discover and buy paintings, drawings, sculptures, video, photography and limited edition prints from distinguished galleries, all priced from $100 - $10,000. This year the Fair will host more than 60 galleries with approximately a quarter of the exhibitors from Europe, Canada and South America.
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, New York City
When: Friday, June 15; 12pm-8pm // Saturday, June 16; 12pm-8pm // Sunday, June 17; 12pm-5pm
Admission: General Admission $15/day // Students and Seniors $10/day // Group discount rates $8/day // Children under 12 FREE
Father’s get in free when they arrive with their children on Father’s Day, June 17th
http://www.aafnyc.com/

TONYKids
It’s a Jungle Out There
You didn’t move out of the city when you had kids because you wanted them exposed to different cultures, so hop to it this weekend and take the kids to see the Putumayo Kids Animal Playground Tour.

Fri 15 at 11.30am. The Tisch Building, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St between Amsterdam and Broadway (212.721.1223, cmom.org). Subway: 1 to 86th St. Free with museum admission.

ALSO Sat 16 at 11am. Bank Street Books, 610 West 112th St at Broadway (212.678.1654, bankstreet.edu). Subway: 1 to 110th St. $5–$8. // Sat 16 at 3pm. American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West at 79th St (212.769.5200, amnh.org). Subway: B, C to 81st St–Museum of Natural History. Free with museum admission // Sun 17 at 1pm. Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd between 182nd St and Garden St (718. 220.5100, wcs.org). Subway: 2, 5 to East Tremont Ave–West Farms Sq. Free with park admission.

SATURDAY
UrbanBaby
Oh Say Can You Sea
Head to the South Street Seaport tomorrow for a festive and patriotic day filled with fun. Children’s Day is a tradition that’s about more than world-class performances and first-rate fireworks.
When: Sat., 6/16, 12-5pm festival, 8pm Brooklyn Philharmonic, 9:30pm fireworks; All ages; Free.
Where: South Street Seaport, childrensdaynyc.com.

UncleRock
Clearwater Festival Family Stage
It is with great pleasure that I let you all know that I’ll be at the Clearwater Festival this weekend, at Croton-On-Hudson in Westchester County, just north of NYC. Children under 12 get in FREE. The brainchild of folk legend Pete Seeger, The Clearwater Festival is produced by the nonprofit, member-supported, environmental organization, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. to raise funds and consciousness on the plight of the river and the earth. All proceeds go directly to support Clearwater’s environmental research, education and advocacy to help preserve and protect the Hudson River and its tributaries, as well as communities in the river valley. The festival has been running for three decades, and it has been instrumental in cleaning up the Hudson, bringing it back from the brink of disaster.
Saturday June 16th, 3 PM
Sunday June 17th, 5 PM
http://www.clearwater.org/revival/index.html

FlavorPill
Television w/ Apples in Stereo and Dragons of Zynth
when: Sat 6.16 (3pm)
where: Central Park SummerStage (Rumsey Field, 5th Ave @ 69th St, 212.360.2777) map
price: FREE
Few probably thought that Television would outlast the club that gave the band its start, CBGB’s. And yet, 30 years after the release of punk-hall-of-fame-worthy Marquee Moon, Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd are still packin’ them in, while CB’s owner, Hilly, has packed up and shipped out to Vegas.
http://www.summerstage.org/index1.aspx?BD=19724

DailyCandy
Giraffe Path: Hike the Heights
What: Six hundred kids from the Harlem and Wash Heights area install 100 long-neck sculptures throughout parks in northern Manhattan.
Why: Take the walk and you won’t have to strain your own (neck).
When: Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Map online at caw4kids.org.

TONYKids
Who’s your daddy?
A storyteller reads Annabel Tellis’s self-explanatory fantasy tale, If My Dad Were a Dog. Afterward, any kid with a pop more Homo sapiens than canine can decorate a cardboard version of that classic Father’s Day gift, a tie. It’s a bit cliché, but it sure beats a choke collar. All ages.
Sat 16 at 3pm. Scholastic Store, 557 Broadway between Prince and Spring Sts (212-343-6166, scholastic.com). Subway: D, F to Broadway–Lafayette St; N, R to Prince St. FREE.

UrbanBaby
Rubik’s Revolution
“High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens and her father help launch the electronic version of the iconic Rubik’s Cube at Toys “R” Us Times Square. Kids and fathers can test their speed, smarts and dexterity during in-store contests and activities.
When: Sat., 6/16, 1-4pm.
Where: 1514 Broadway (at 44th St), Level Three.

FlavorPill
Renegade Craft Fair
Sat 6.16 & Sun 6.17 (11am-6pm) McCarren Park Pool (Lorimer St btwn Bayard St & Driggs Ave, Greenpoint)
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: explore the fiercest adornments, doodads, and zines the city has to offer. One-hundred-fifty vendors pack the Pool for two days to expand your chest of fashion weaponry.
http://www.renegadecraft.com/

DaddyDowntime
Kidstock
Children’s Liberation Daycare Center
Date: June 16, 2007
Hours: 12-5pm
Ages: All ages.
Price: $5 pp or $15 per family
Address:
150 First Avenue - 212-260-0470
between Ninth and Tenth Street
New York , NY
http://www.volunteernyc.org/org/4704107.html
Description: The Children’s Liberation Daycare Center in the East Village is once again hosting Kidstock, an annual music festival!

UrbanBaby
Summer Dance Party
In honor of Father’s Day, hear Opus Ditty and Jazzamatazz do pop, rock, country and storytelling at a beach-themed fest at the Bowery Poetry club. Enjoy games, dancing and singing.
When: Sun., 6/17, 12pm (doors open at 11:30am); $15.
Where: 308 Bowery, 212-614-0505, bowerypoetry.com.

SUNDAY
WillyBee’s
If you want to do something extra special I encourage you to stop by this Sunday and catch…
Michael Leyden’s Acoustic Corral
June 17th, from 11am-1pm
302 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11211, 718-599-3499
In addition to completing several solo CD’s with a Rock & Roll/Country flavor, Michael was inspired by his three boys to write the children’s CD’s, “Where Are Your Piggies?” and “Gabdern Chicken.”

DailyCandy
EarthBox Day
What: Dads who want to make a difference can bring the kids to the park for garden demos and techniques for growing sustainable food on a small scale.
Why: Time to take your junk out of the box.
When: Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Union Square Park, 14th St., b/t Broadway & University Pl.

UrbanBaby
Basketball Clinic
At this annual Father’s Day event at Morningside Park, dads and kids can shoot hoops together, learn some new skills and enjoy a children’s activity corner.
When: Sun., 6/17, 11am-6pm (children’s activity corner open 12-2pm); Ages 3+; Free.
Where: 118th St. and Morningside Ave., morningsidepark.org.

No More Victims is a non-profit organization which brings war-injured Iraqi children to the United States for medical treatment. Your contribution will help bring Abdul Hakeem, a nine-year-old Iraqi boy who was disfigured by shrapnel, to Pittsburgh where he will receive continued medical treatment and reconstructive surgery from the doctors at Children’s Hospital.

Friday, Jun 8 Saturday, Jun 9 Sunday, Jun 10

POP’S PICK: We plan to go and check out the festivities at the taxi beach this evening. It’s cool, it’s cool and it’s close by.

FRIDAY
FlavorPill
Love’s Secret Domain: Contemporary Psychedelic Art & Music
when: Fri 6.8 (7-9pm)
where: 3rd Ward (195 Morgan Ave, Bushwick, 718-715-4961)
In museums and galleries around New York, 2007 is shaping up to be the Summer of Love Redux. Love’s Secret Domain (LSD, get it?) surveys contemporary artists whose exploration of potent hallucinogens and recreational pharmaceuticals exposes the deep-seated neuroses of our era. Manic and obsessive, Debra Hampton’s collage Candyland Cross Fire depicts the bust of a futuristic female with a plume of virtual shapes on her head and a burst of DayGlo feathers on her shoulder.
http://www.3rdwardbrooklyn.org/gallery/upcoming-show

SATURDAY
FlavorPill
Big Apple Barbecue Block Party
when: Sat 6.9 & Sun 6.10 (12-6pm)
where: Madison Square Park (btwn 23rd & 26th Sts & 5th & Madison Aves, 646.747.0584) map
price: FREE
Great barbecue, once a scarcity in New York, is having an overdue heyday, helped in no small part by this weekend’s Big Apple Barbecue Block Party. The fifth-annual carnivore’s circus rolls into Midtown with 15 tons of smoked, slow-roasted, sauce-slathered meat from a dozen of America’s finest pit-masters.
http://www.bigapplebbq.org/

UrbanBaby
Brady Rymer
After sharing the stage with Dave Matthews and Bob Dylan, this family-friendly rocker jams in a solo acoustic show.
When: Sat., 6/9, 10 & 11am; Free.
Where: Pottery Barn Kids, 69th St. & 2nd Ave., 212-879-4746.

TONYKids
Blast Off!
Rock out on the Hudson.
As you are reading this, you may be soaked in sticky sweat, your kid’s dripping hand stuck to yours as your once-dry clothes cling to your back and legs. You are not alone. If you long for a cool ocean breeze but can’t get out of the city, head to Hudson River Park, where the wind blowing off the water might just be enough to dry those droplets on the back of your neck. Head to June Blast! Summer on the Hudson for Kid Acts, where you’ll be greeted by the sounds of bands that rock for the whole family.
Sat 10 2–4pm. Pier I at 70th St (212-408-0219, nycgovparks.org). Subway: 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St. Free.

Mamalu’s
Uncle Rock!
THIS WEEKEND COME AND ENJOY WITH US OUR FAMILY CONCERT WITH
UNCLE ROCK. SATURDAY 11 AM. 10$ PER FAMILY OF FOUR.
*****
Mamalú
232 North 12 Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-486-6312
http://www.mamalu.us

UrbanBaby
Walk on White Street
The 2nd annual celebration of the arts features dance, theater, workshops and classes to help revitalize lower Manhattan.
When: Sat., 6/9, 11am-11pm; All ages; Free.
Where: White St. (bet. Lafayette & West Broadway), 646-309-2598, walkonwhite.com.

TONYKids
Join the Mile High Club
Climb into Himalayan culture this weekend at the Rubin Museum of Art’s Expedition RMA.
Let the MTA guide you to Mount Everest at Expedition RMA, a weekend-long celebration of Himalayan culture at the Rubin Museum of Art. Spend Saturday morning in the Studio working on Himalayan landscapes and sculpting scholars rocks, Wash your hands and grab your clues for a scavenger hunt through the galleries, followed by traditional Nepali music and Himalayan games like Tangrams, Yut and Mancala that–surprise!–you may have even played before.
Sat 9–Sun 10. Rubin Museum of Art, 150 West 17th St between 6th and 7th Aves (212-620-5000, rmanyc.org). Subway: 1 to 18th St. Free with museum admission; $15 for screening. Call for sleepover reservations and pricing.

UrbanBaby
kidsfilmfest
Watch kid-friendly G-rated shorts at the Brooklyn International Film Festival’s screening for little movie buffs.
When: Sat., 6/9, 1 & 3pm; All ages; $5.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., 718-735-4400, kidsfilmfest.org.

SUNDAY
UrbanBaby
Animal Rhythms
Enjoy two African folktales, The Day It Rained and Jackal and Hare, told through modern dance, rhythmic sounds and storytelling.
When: Sun., 6/10, 11am; $15.
Where: HERE Arts Center, Main State Theater, 145 Spring St. (bet. Spring & Broome), 212-715-1914, treehouseshakers.com.

Walking home from preschool yesterday, my 2 1/2 year old decided to once again school me in Skin Color 101:

Him: Poppa, you know I got white?
Me: You got wet today at school?
Him: No poppa. I got white.
Me: What are you talking about?
Him [lifting his shirt to show his untanned skin]: In my belly. I got white in my belly like mommy.
Me: Oh, I see.
Him: Yes, only me and mommy. Not you. Only two guys got white.
Me: Okay.
Him: Poppa show me your belly.
Me [lifting my shirt to show skin that need not be tanned]: Here.
Him: See poppa, you don’t got white, just me and mommy.

I laughed a good laugh and then he furthered his observations.

Him: Do that again poppa.
Me: What?
Him: The laughing.

I laughed again.

Him [reaching a moment of eureka]: Oh poppa, we got same teeth!

He faked a grin to show his pearly whites.

Me: What else do we have that’s the same?
Him: Eyes. We got da same eyes.

Teeth and eyes weren’t the only things we found that we had in common. During the final leg of our walk home we both rediscovered our common passion for sour cherry-flavored Italian ices which made our tongues the same shade of Red #40.

POP’S PICK: “Poppa we gonna see these guys? But they don’t look like animals…” Animal Collective, South Street Seaport tonight.

FRIDAY
FlavorPill
Animal Collective
MUSIC: Post-Folk
Seaport Music Festival presents Animal Collective w/ Danielson
Fri 6.1 (7pm) South Street Seaport FREE!
While known for their jangly folk melodies and giddily chanted lyrics, Animal Collective vary widely in concert — we hear they’ve left the guitars at home for this go ’round. Whatever their fancy, the feral, freaky popsters always strike a chord between catchy and cacophonous.

SATURDAY
UrbanBaby
Governor’s Island Family Festival
Kick off summer with arts and crafts, face painting, storytelling, clowns, jugglers, yo-yo demonstrations, music and theatrical performances – like Literally Alive Children’s Theater’s “Amazing Aesop,” which brings fables to life.
When: Sat., 6/2, 12-4pm; Free.
Where: Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building (adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry), Slip 7, 212-440-2202, govisland.com.

FlavorPill
Rabbit in a Turtle Shell Festival
when: Sat 6.2 (5pm)
where: 3rd Ward (195 Morgan Ave, Bklyn 718.715.4961)
price: $10
Formerly the Billyburg Short Film Fest, Rabbit in a Turtle Shell has expanded in its second year to include drawings, photography, paintings, and interactive installations. The artwork is on view all week, but screenings take place only tonight.

AudraRox
DUMBO Block Party
JUNE 2nd - AudraRox & TOXIC MUFFIN
DUMBO Block Party 12 pm to 7 pm
1 Main
AudraRox @ 2 pm
TOXIC MUFFIN @ 3 pm

JUNE 2nd - GET A SITTER
Audra will sing with
George Kilby Jr. @ Jalopy
http://www.japloy.biz
http://www.georgekilbyjr.com
8 pm - This will be down-home blues! -
cut loose- we ain’t fancy FUN!!

DailCandy
RIATS Fest
What: Gallery showings, bands, and competitive short films in a huge warehouse party atmosphere.
Why: Bushwick: land of opportunity.
When: Sat. Check schedule for times.
Where: 3rd Ward, 195 Morgan Ave., at Stagg St., Bushwick.

UrbanBaby
If you haven’t made it out to the Red Hook section of Brooklyn yet, head over to the Waterfront Arts Festival tomorrow. This year it’s bigger, better and packed with fun stuff for kids and families.
When: Sat., 6/2 (rain date 6/3), 10am-7pm; All ages; Free.
Where: Louis J. Valentino Jr. Park and Pier (at Coffey & Ferris St.), Brooklyn, 718-643-6790, dancetheatreetcetera.org.

TONYKids
Arty pants
The Lower East Side turns it out for tots.
Kids looking for their art fix this weekend need not brave the crowds of Memorial Day parades. Head downtown instead, where Theater for the New City hosts its annual, three-day LES Festival of the Arts.
Sat at 2pm. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave between 9th and 10th Sts (212-254-1109, theaterforthenewcity.net). Subway: L to First Avenue. Free.

UrbanBaby
Colin Bootman
This author and illustrator reads from his children’s book “Fish for the Grand Lady,” at the Studio Museum in Harlem. Kids can get hands-on in an illustration workshop and book signing.
When: Sat., 6/2, 10am-12pm; Ages 5+; Free with museum admission.
Where: 144 West 125th St., 212-864-4500, studiomuseum.org.

SUNDAY
TONYKids
Afrique, c’est chic
Brooklyn’s annual cultural explosion celebrates a big anniversary this weekend.
From the Caribbean enclaves of Crown Heights to the traditionally African-American neighborhoods of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn has tons of culture from the African diaspora to show off.
Wed 23 – Sun 27. BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave between Ashland Pl and St. Felix St, Fort Greene, Brooklyn (718-636-4100, bam.org). Subway: B, Q, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Atlantic Ave; D, M, N, R to Pacific St. Ticket prices vary, visit bam.org for details.

AudraRox
MUSIC
JUNE 3rd - TOXIC MUFFIN
& Tiny Masters of Today & Care Bears on Fire & SMOOSH
@ SouthPaw 125 5th Ave doors @ 1 pm/MUFFINS @ 1:30 pm
BENEFIT for 826NYC (you may know it as the Super-Hero Store!)
http://www.ticketweb.com

WillyBee’s
Mr. Richard
Sunday, June 3rd, 11am-1pm
Willy Bee’s Music-and- Brunch series
Mr. Richard is a blast and will serenade you with songs about tummy talk, underwear and skunks on Old McDonald’s Farm. Mr. Richard is eclectically whimsical and will delight every member of the audience. With the help of Jimbo Mathus of Squirrel Nut Zippers/Buddy Guy fame, Mr. Richard recorded his first children’s album, Might as Well Sing. For more info visit him at www.mrrichard.net
302 Metropolitan Ave.

This weekend my wife and I decided it would be a great idea to take two toddlers into the wilderness of upstate New York. We weren’t crazy, we brought toddler number two’s wranglers along with us.

Two and a half hours into the three-hour drive, we decided to stock up on camping necessities – diapers, soymilk and beer included. As my wife plunked the heavy case of Heineken onto the check-out conveyer belt, she gave the quirky male clerk the once-over. The city dweller in her thought, “I have nothing in common with you.” And as she counted off the ways he interrupted her thought.

“Lynyrd Skynyrd?” he asked.
“What?” responded my wife surprised that the clerk had directed a question other than, “How’s the weather?” at her.
“Your t-shirt… It’s Lynyrd Skynyrd.”
“Um, No it’s…” said my wife, her conviction in the fact that this man could not possibly identify with her fashion sense slowly losing its certainty as the words left her mouth. After a few awkward moments she realized that she was wearing a tank top designed by our friend for the brand Wearable Music – tees that carry graphic representations of song lyrics.

“Oh,” she continued, perking up, “actually it is!”
“Man I can never find cool rock tees,” said the clerk in a coutry drawl.

And thus the urban mom and the rural boor bonded.