Kids Creative: Adventures in Peace Education

Jillian C. named Kids Creative's 2011 Urban Hero

2011-10-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Jillian C. for being named

Kids Creative's 2011 Urban Hero with the Catalog for Giving.

What being an urban hero means to me?

by Jillian C.

My definition of an Urban Hero is someone who, no matter what, always does the best they can. They never let anyone get in their way. He/She works hard in school and is always helpful with other students and teachers. He/She cares for their parents and brothers and sisters, always trying to make them proud.

I am happy to be chosen as an Urban Hero by Kids Creative, because to me they are good people. Kids Creative shows kids like me that anything is possible and that it doesn't matter if your parents are together, where you live, or how much money your family has. The teachers at Kids Creative show me that hard work will get me to that middle school or high school or even a college scholarship to any college I want.

I am proud to be chosen by Kids Creative because now people can see everything I've done so far and know that they can do it too!

Bio

Jillian was born in New York City in May of 2000. She is now 11 years old and very much older than her years. She is the third of five children born to Omilania Buckine & Jose Crespo. She lives with her mother and siblings in New York City Housing. Although her parents are not together she has a great relationship with both. She attended PS 191 elementary school.

Since Kindergarten she has attended the Kids Creative Afterschool Program, along with her four siblings. She had such a great experience while in the program. She got over her shyness and began to utilize the social skills she learned from the interaction with the students and staff members in her everyday life. She began to use her imagination in her writing and use different vocal expressions when reading aloud. At the end of her 3^rd Grade year she began to attend the summer program and realized that she has a nice singing voice and a passion for dramatic acting. Now that she has graduated from PS 191 she will be attending 6th grade at Mott Hall II, Middle School.

She loves to volunteer her time reading to small children, usually her younger sister and friends during play dates. At Kids Creative, she has chosen on many occasions to help with the younger campers during their creative time reading and singing. She has shown a desire to teach, to share what she has learned with other children whether it be homework help or reading to them in order to help the adults around her get other things done. She is very helpful in all areas of her daily life, constantly assessing the needs of those around her and how best to help.

Jillian would like to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and go to Columbia University's Teachers College. She wants to teach literacy to those who have trouble reading. She has seen how embarrassed children get when reading allowed in class or how hard a time they have when taking exams and she wants to be someone who helps to change how many kids live with this issue.

Final Performances June, 2011

2011-06-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

Spring 2011 Kids Creative After School

End of Semester Performances

9 Original Musicals and Videos!!!

5 Schools!!!

Over 150 kids!!!

Tons of awesome!!!

Each semester, Kids Creative's amazing kids create original pieces to perform for friends and family. Here are performance times and story synopses. Congratulations to the groups that have already performed and good luck to the kids who are going to perform this month.

"The Tale of the Beautiful Fairies and the Beautiful Sorcerer"

Rock N Roll Theater @ Ethical Culture, Thursday May 26
In our story, an evil sorcerer plans to steal money from magical fairies by taking it from their good friend Mrs. Murdow. Mrs. Murdow calls the fairies to help her, and eventually there is a confrontation between one of the fairies and the sorcerer. The two cast spells on each other at the exact same time, resulting in the fairy turning into a sorcerer and the sorcerer turning into a fairy!
Taja played a fairy named Stormy, as well as the Evil Sorcerer.
Juliet is played a fairy named Diamond, as well as Mrs. Murdow, the fairies' friend.
"THE UN-SAFETY VIDEO or ERR-TRAVEL"

Rock N Roll Theater @ The Heschel School, Friday June 3

When an international spy, an international rock star, an international hebrew-language rap sensation, an international know it all, and an international selection of special travelers board an international flight with a poorly adjusted intergalactic portal button, it's anybody's guess where they'll end up, and only their guess as to how they will ever return.

"THE POTION MACHINE"

Create-A-Tale @ The Heschel School, Wednesday June 15

Iridesca, who keeps watch from her tree nook, discovers that the Angels of Darkness want to steal power from the Unicorn so that they can fly faster and stronger. She flies through the forest to find and protect the unicorn. She doesn’t hear that the Angels are also searching for the potion machine to stop Iridesca from protecting the Unicorn.

Then there are the Wizards. The frog wizards have been cursed to live in a tiny hut. They don’t have enough room for equipment so they steal it from the germ wizards. The germ wizards have had it with the frog wizards taking their stuff, so they place bumping spells on the frog wizards so they can’t see well and keep bumping into things. Each team of wizards goes on a search for the potion machine to make a potion to stop the other team.

The super hero is stuck in the middle. He is everybody’s friend. Let’s hope that he can find a way to get everyone to stop their fighting before it’s too late, and they all place irreversible spells on each other for the rest of their lives.

"RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE"

LaRonda’s Rock Stars @ PS 102, Wednesday June 15

The Evil Queens want to control the whole jungle and send out their zombies to eat a thousand brains, because when there are no living things left they will rule the jungle! The jungle is protected by the ninja monkeys who stop the zombies by throwing exploding bananas. On the other side of the jungle lives the dark princesses who want revenge as the evil queens turned their parents into zombies. The dark princesses use a spell to bring some rockstars to the jungle. The singing will destroy the zombies. What will happen when the Rockstars, Ninja Monkeys and Zombies collide? Will the dark princesses be reunited with their parents? Will the Evil Queens be stopped? Come see on June 13^th to find out!

"The AMAAAAAZIIING AMUUUUUUSEMENT PAAAARK"
Little Monkey Rockets @ PS 102, Wednesday June 15

A group of kids is so excited to go to the "Amaaazing Amuuusement Paaaark!" but when they get there all the rides are broken. The Wizards who keep an eye on the park come to investigate what happened, they interview the kids and discover an alligator is on the loose! They come up with a plan to catch the alligator, they make it rain candy! But all of a sudden the rain turns the kids into animals and brings the rides to life. They all eat the candy till there is just one piece left and they have a dance battle to see who will get it. What will the Wizards do now? What will happen to the kids and the park? What happened to the alligator? Come find out on June 13^th!

"ORIGINAL VIDEOS"

Rock N Roll Theater @ PS 11, Monday, June 20^thand Tuesday, June 21^st – Parent Share Day

"JELLO IN THE SKY AND THE WORLD’S UPSIDE DOWN"

CAP’S ROCK N ROLL @ PS 87 Wednesday, June 22, 4:00pm

When the evil witch thinks her daughters were taken she covers the sky with Blue Jello to punish the offenders. It's up to the sewer mice to eat through the jello and show her the error of her ways, and save the day!!!

"THE AMAZING QUEST TO SAVE THE CATAPULT HAMSTER FROM CERTAIN CRAZINESS"

Create-A-Play @ PS 87, Thursday, June 23 @ 4:00pm

Catapult hamster gets lost in a video game of old Create - A - Play stories and her superhero friends need to rescue her from certain Craziness!

"THE GIANT’S SNEEZE"

Rainbow Stages @ PS 87, Friday, June 24 @ 4:15pm

Lola is lonely. She has no friends because she is so mean no one wants to befriend her. When she falls asleep and starts to dream she suddenly is filled with friends! That is until a giant comes and eats them up! Lola teams with the superheroes to get the giant to sneeze out her friends. When she wakes up, she realizes that she needs to change her ways to have friends.

Peace Education in Action: Hakim Mohandas Amani Williams

2011-06-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Kids Creative's Peace Education in Action highlight for June, 2011 is Board Member and Doctoral Candidate Hakim Mohandas Amani Williams, a true practitioner of peace education. We asked him to discuss the incredible work he is doing in the field of peace education in New York City as well as his birthplace of Trinidad and Tobago. Please read on:

I grew up in one of the poorest and most violent parts of Trinidad & Tobago (TT); I was fortunate to have had a family that believed steadfastly in the potency of education. I do not however view education as a neutral sphere, but one that is politically charged, and has the potential to either socially reproduce inequities or to empower learners. Driven by the oft-cited Gandhian mantra “that we must be the change that we wish to see in the world”, I view my research as advocacy for students who have been forgotten by society, for students who attend stigmatized and under-resourced schools, and for students who are incessantly pathologized by the media and society at large. My overall research aim is dual-purposed: to flay the increasingly thick cover of de-historicized structural violence that suffocates many schools within postcolonial educational systems, and to eventually reframe the narrative of pathologized, violent youth to one of resiliency.

From late November, 2009 to June 2010, I spent 7 months at a secondary school in Trinidad & Tobago collecting data on school violence. My research centers on differentiated conceptualizations of school violence, its causes and interventions. I interviewed students (focus groups), teachers, deans, safety officers, the principal, vice principal and guidance counselor and a few national officials. The case study was based at a school that has been categorized by the Ministry of Education as a ‘high risk’ school. Many of the students hail from single parent homes and poor, violence-stricken communities. As a native of TT, I believe in utilitarian research; since school violence is a major issue on the twin island republic, I perceive my research both as a way of ‘giving back’ to my country, and as peace activism.

As regards my current research project, I am still analyzing mounds of data, with the intent to defend my dissertation by May of 2012. Research and practice ought not to be divorced, thus my insistence on keeping my feet straddling both of these worlds, for I firmly believe that research and practice should reflect a mutually symbiotic relationship. Working with Kids Creative is sufficient inspiration for me that peace education work is not only requisite in this very violent world but that it can be very capably implemented under the right conditions and visionary leadership.

About Hakim Mohandas Amani Williams

Hakim Mohandas Amani Williams is a current member of the Board of Directors of Kids Creative. He is a doctoral candidate at Columbia University, studying International Educational Development, with a focus in peace education. He obtained his Bachelor’s with honors in Psychology from St. Francis College, and two master’s degrees in International Educational Development, focusing on peace education and in Comparative and International Education, focusing on philosophy of education.

He started working in after school programs at the YMCA, and has worked on several research projects. At present, he is the research coordinator at the Advanced Consortium on Cooperation Conflict and Complexity (AC4) at the Earth Institute, Columbia University. AC4 is in its second year and aims to be a hub at Columbia that fosters interdisciplinary research and practice around conflict resolution, violence prevention, sustainable development and peacebuilding. Hakim oversees AC4’s student and faculty research grant programs.

To find out more about Hakim's work in Trinidad and Tobago or with AC4 in New York City, feel free to contact him: hakimwill@gmail.com.

Happy Hour Benefit May 26

2011-05-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

Kids Creative at PS 102: The I AM Project

2011-03-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

Peace Education in Action

The I AM Project at PS 102

by Kellen Atkinson,

Kids Creative Site Director at PS 102

“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others,”

Author unknown

We all remember it--that time during our adolescence when the self-doubt began, when suddenly, almost out of thin air, the opinions of our peers began to shape how we saw ourselves. At PS 102 I have seen the very early stages of exclusionary behavior among groups of friends and how these behaviors deeply affect a student’s sense of value and self-worth. Kids Creative is dedicated to building safe spaces in which the difficult realities of adolescence can be softened by a collective culture of peace. At PS 102 we are working towards building that space and we envision an after school experience defined by acceptance, kindness and peace.

The I AM Project encourages students to know themselves, to appreciate their own unique qualities and contributions to our program. The first phase of the project involves a life size drawing, a design component and a poetry workshop that encourages self- exploration. Students are challenged to think about their hopes, dreams, fears and proudest moments and then put those thoughts down on paper in the written word. The second phase of the project will involve the sharing of the work produced and counselors will facilitate dialogue around similarities and shared ideas. The goal is to build a space in which the ideas and characteristics of each individual child are appreciated and valued, not only by the counselors and teachers, but by each student as well. It is through a better understanding of ourselves that we can begin to find commonalties in people and places where we never expected. Dialogue around commonalities can diffuse conflict among peer groups and build bridges to a more peaceful program environment!

These works will be on display at an upcoming Kids Creative fundraising event for the PS 102 program, wherein students can stand tall and proud next to their work and feel confident in their own unique “I am…”

-Kellen Atkinson

Dear Kids Creative: Ellen Sachs

2011-03-09T08:42:00.000-08:00

This letter was sent by Kids Creative alum Ellen Sachs when we asked her to reflect on her time working with us. Ellie participated in Create-A-Play as a child, became a counselor and an assistant teacher with Kids Creative Summer Camp and now attends the University of Michigan in their highly competitive Theatre Directing program. Here's what she has to say:

Dear Kids Creative,

As you know, I worked at Kids Creative during my last two summers of High School, first as an intern then as an assistant teacher. The gratitude and sense of accomplishment I feel when reflecting on my last two summers in nearly inexpressible, as I feel I’ve grown a lot. I came to Kids Creative as a 17 year old interested in theater, child development, and fostering a great environment for a city summer arts camp. But I came unsure of myself—Would I fit in well with a team of other counselors, assistant teachers, and a head teacher? Would I be able to lead and inspire a group of incredibly diverse and amazingly creative kids? What about conflict resolution with the kids? Upon the completion of my second summer with kids creative, I can honestly say I left a different person. Instead of being nervous when I saw a huge challenge (like organizing 15 kids for a subway ride, or helping a child with stage fright overcome their fear, or a spat between two friends) I would get excited and find a creative way to figure it out. I left Kids Creative feeling a huge sense of accomplishment in the fact that I had helped a group of kids realize their artistic vision and implement it. I felt confident in myself as a leader. I felt confident in myself as a person because I knew that by the end of my two summers at Kids Creative my peers and campers respected me.

While Kids Creative gave me a huge foundation for where I am now, and a sense of personal pride, Kids Creative also helped me tremendously with college. For one, over my two summers I spoke Spanish so much that when I arrived on University of Michigan’s campus for orientation and was told to take a language placement test, I placed out of the theatre school’s requirement and the over all university’s requirement. Thanks to Kids Creative, I have an extra 8 credits on my transcript just from speaking with students and parents in Spanish. I’m a directing for theatre major at University of Michigan, and at the beginning of the year in a forum I had to share with my class my last directing experience. Jaws dropped as a I told a story about 20 kids from all over Manhattan writing their own play that featured mermaids, police men, and super heroes that united on a quest for truth and goodness. I explained how the campers often seemed as diverse as their characters, and how beautiful it was to me that the campers were able to find the subtext in the play, and perhaps their own lives, in that there is always power in truth and good always trumps evil. Also, when applying to college one of my essays was about kids creative and when asked about it in interviews, colleges always seemed very impressed by the company and my accomplishments. Due to Kids Creative- I’m more organized, focused, a better director, more compassionate, and more invested in the arts. I’m not exactly sure what the future holds, but I know I will definitely continue to study theater. I’m also planning on double majoring in Sociology and I feel much of my interest in the subject came from my summers at Kids Creative and my interactions with diverse families, staff and campers. And glowing at the top of my resume, under Work Experience reads this:

“-Kids Creative,2009, 2010 Initially worked as an Intern and was ultimately promoted to Assistant Teacher at an NYC arts camp for children. Gained leadership skills through maintaining a peaceful culture in a diverse classroom while teaching, art, theatre, and creative writing classes. Matured artistically by directing student’s final performance in ’10. Improved interpersonal skills by navigating socio-economic and cultural differences with families and refined Spanish-speaking skills to a conversational level. Learned to problem solve creatively and quickly. (NYC)”

To really understand that little blurb on my resume, or some of the points I’ve mentioned in this letter, I’d have to talk for hours. I’d go on, and on, and on, about all of the amazing experiences I’ve had with Kids Creative, because they have truly shaped me into the person I am today – and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

All the best,

Ellie

Dear Kids Creative: Ebban Maeda

2011-03-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

We received this letter from Kids Creative alum Ebban Maeda when we asked him to reflect on his time in camp. He speaks about his time as a camper when he first met Stephen Jacobs, all the way through working with us for the past two summers. Ebban now attends LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts in Theater. Here's what Ebban has to say:

January 26, 2011

Dear Kids Creative,

I have been involved in Kids Creative since I was in Kindergarten. Being the shy student that I was, I was not open to new experiences nor after school clubs until I met Stephen Jacobs, who slowly became my first idol. I recall the first day of the after school program was close to Easter, and I had an Easter egg. It broke, and upset and crying, I asked Stephen if I could have another one, and dropping everything he made sure I got it. As Kids Creative evolved, I did too. When they started the Summer Camp, I remember being extremely excited to attend.

I would not have called myself an actor, but dressing up and pretending to be someone else is exactly what a child wants, at least what I wanted. A large element from the camp that continues to be an important part of my life is music. The music that is written either by Stephen and Adam, or even the children to some extent, is fun and enjoyable. Besides the fact that the camp is based around the idea of peace, love and art, it was still a very fun camp. We went to the park, the sprinklers (or urban swimming), a few museums and every now and then the Dirty Socks Funtime Band’s Show, which I recall being quite “awesome”. The acting aspect didn’t truly dawn on me until Mr. Clown and the Day the Sun got Wet. It was my first experience singing solo on a stage, and my first experience having a lead role. What is truly amazing is that everyone in the production was happy. Unlike actual acting groups, everyone got a role they were happy with. If one didn’t want to be a lead and have many lines, they didn’t have to be, while if one did, they would have all the lines they wanted. Now of course, we were just children, but the fact that there was either little to no argument at all made the camp a very safe place, at least for me. I also recall liking camp more than school at some points, and wished that Stephen and Adam were involved in my actual academic classes, that would have been awesome. So because of this I was always looking forward to come back and creating a new character. What is amazing to me is one of the great skills I have taken from the camp was projection. Everyone had to be loud to be heard, and everything was projected from my voice, even though that still wasn’t that loud. The games that were played in camp are some that I still play. Fun, little and educational games that have led to be known as improv games. Finally my camper life was coming to an end, but little did I know I’d be back!

In middle school, I learned that I was not a huge fan of little kids. Being the 12 year old I was, I guess I was hypocritical, and I never got along with little children, unlike the rest of my friends. In 7^th grade my school, Clinton School for Writers and Artists was putting on a production of Into the Woods. This was the first musical that I was in where I did not write the character myself. I wasn’t going to audition, but remembering how much fun Kids Creative was, I did and got the smallest role. In all of middle school, this was where Kids Creative truly helped me. No one had ever been really upset by a role in camp, so why should I be? Instead I went with it and had more fun than the leading role. The next year I auditioned for Little Shop of Horrors and got the role of Audrey II, putting the official stamp on my acting life. I was auditioning for high schools, and my first choice was LaGuardia High school for Music, Arts, and Performing Arts. It was a dream to get in for Drama, which I had decided would lead my high school search. After much practice I auditioned, and got into the LaGuardia for Drama. It was the best day of my middle school life, as well as a feeling I will never forget. One day I heard from my parents that Adam and Stephen were honoring me on my acceptance into LaGuardia, and the event was such an amazing night of laughter and fun. After my first year in drama I received word from my mother that Kids Creative was wondering if I would want to be a counselor in training. I felt as if I had to repay them for everything they had given me when I was younger, and seeing Adam and Stephen again seemed like a miracle, so I took up the opportunity and found myself in a room with a few other people listening to Adam and Stephen talk about the camp. I was suddenly back in Kindergarten, I knew almost no one around, but again in a matter of a mere five minutes I felt at home. All the other counselors were very nice and seemed like great people. It was amazing to see what was talked about that I never realized, as I was younger. However, I was still worried that my unfit relations with small children would lead me to be fired. On the first day of the job, I met all of my campers and worked with Tejon Witter, and Alexis Schuster, who I would soon become very close with. Surprisingly to me, I absolutely loved the children as they were all charming. As camp progressed, I found myself opening up the little kid inside of me, something I had not done in years. There was a freedom with the children, and I thought that I had finally seen what Adam and Stephen had seen so many years ago. It was beautiful and ended my strange dislike towards children. Other than that, being behind the scenes with Adam and Stephen was amazing, learning what they have throughout the years. Finally I had seen Adam and Stephen not as the superior camp leaders they are, but as the friend that I could talk to on the same level and understand completely. Last summer I came back to the camp and was paid as a C.I.T., this would mark my first real job. The experience was just as amazing as the year before, if not better. In 8^th grade I became interested in playing the guitar, and Stephen being the amazing guitarist he is taught me his songs and tricks and I truly grew as a guitarist and student.

People always ask me if I remember being a camper, and how being a counselor is different. Well, Kids Creative has given me more knowledge, passion, love and encouragement than all of my years in school combined. It has changed my life, and I hope that many and many more years of this camp will bring happiness and joy to children. I always have thought, Adam and Stephen have spent over 10 years of their life making children happy and spreading joy and art and love throughout their camp. I can only hope to be as inspirational, good hearted and as wonderful as they are to children. I have spoken to many children at the camp about it, and even they will tell you the greatest slogan, catch phrase, moral and simply truth that Kids Creative uses, “All ideas are good.”

Sincerely,

Ebban Maeda

A Kids Creative Poem for 2010

2010-12-27T09:18:00.000-08:00

If you have trouble reading this post, click here to view the original post

December, 2010

Dear friends,

We wrote a poem for 2010. Read it once or over and over again. Click here to make an end-of-year donation, but be sure to keep reading for some rhyme relaxation.

But be forewarned:
This rhyme is so hot, it's spontaneously combustible

You'll just have to donate cause it's tax deductible

The Poem

2010, what a Kids Creative year

Our children wrote stories, made friends and they cheered

Confidence was key and the imagination reigned

Click here to watch a music video called "The Pain Drain"

Our strong results are sure to make you go "wow"

From improved academics to artistic know-how

Attendance was high but parents' need doth grow

Every child deserves the chance to steal the show

Our alumni are proof of our success

Two students on Broadway demonstrate that best

Our Urban Hero Manley Carter phrases it like a gem

"Kids Creative allows me to just be myself wherever I am"

So give peace education as your end of year gift

And you're sure to give a child a life-changing lift

That was the year from the Kids Creative Crew

Festive cheer and best wishes from us to you!!!

Support peace education through the arts with a year-end tax-deductible donation to Kids Creative (CLICK TO DONATE ONLINE).
$50 gives the gift of Creative Expression--Buy art supplies for an after school class for the entire year
$100 gives the gift of Confidence Building--Support a recording session for one of our summer camp groups so they can take home a CD of music that they wrote and performed
$250 gives the gift of Alternatives to Violence--Sponsor aworkshop for high school students in conflict resolutiontechniques
$500 gives the gift of Community--Sponsor a scholarship for a camper to attend camp for an entire week
$5,000 gives the gift of After School--Sponsor an after school class for 20 kids at an underserved elementary school for the whole year

Any financial gift, $25, $50, $5,000, will help Kids Creative offer youth from underserved communities throughout New York City the opportunity to have fun and learn in safe, supportive environments year round. Your contribution will allow Kids Creative to provide essential skills and experiences to youth in need.

Every gift will help send a deserving student to a Kids Creative after school program, summer camp or workshop. To read more about how your gift will help, click here.

How to Help:

Click Here to Donate Online.

or send a tax deductible donation to
Kids Creative
32 Broadway, Suite 1801
New York, NY 10004

Questions, Comments, Ideas?
Contact me at (646) 485-5123 or adam@kidscreative.org

SUMMER CAMP 2011
Make a peaceful community with us this summer at the Kids Creative Summer Camp!!!
July 5-August 12, 2011
Click here for more info...

Thanks to everyone who came to "Kids Creative in Reverse" on December 4th. Stay tuned for more Camp Open Houses.

And join us at the Kids Creative Mid-Winter Break Camp, February 21-25, 2011.

Thanks so much for supporting Kids Creative.

Here’s to a year of peace and creativity,
Adam Jacobs, Kids Creative Executive Director

Stephen Jacobs, Kids Creative, Co-Founder

Suzu McConnell-Wood, Kids Creative Program Director

Thank you!

2010-12-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

December 4th: Kids Creative Summer Camp Warm Up

2010-11-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

SUMMER CAMP WARM UP

Saturday, December 4th, 1-3 PM

PS 191, 61st Street and Amsterdam Ave

Watch Kids Creative staff perform a play from this summer

-Bring friends

-Register that day and get a discount

-Vote for your play today.

Voting ends Monday, November 22.

P.S. You're awesome

Congratulations to Manley Carter and to the Catalog for Giving

2010-11-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

Kids Creative was a proud participant and beneficiary at the Catalog for Giving Urban Heroes Awards Benefit on Wednesday, October 27, 2010. It was a wonderful evening where KC and 9 other amazing organizations were recognized for our work with youth in New York City. Here are some images from the night, as well as a link to the speech given by our Urban Hero, Manley Carter (the full transcript of the speech is below).

Enjoy.

Click here to see a video of part of Manley's speech.

Click above for Manley's speech

Wendy Williams presented some of the awards

Catalog for Giving Executive Director Mike Capobianco with Manley's mother Veronica, Manley and Kids Creative Executive Director Adam Jacobs

Manley and Veronica with KC Advisory Board Member Ally Sheedy, who presented Manley's award

The evening's host Bill Ritter, News Anchor from WABC-7 in New York

Celebrity Blogger Micah Jesse also presented an award

The full transcript of Manley's speech:

Hi, my name is Manley Carter.

Kids Creative has had a positive effect on me throughout the 6 years that I have been part of the program. They have allowed me to expand my mind and my creativity when helping out on projects and plays.

The program has also taught me how to listen to and respect other people’s opinions and ideas and to participate in more activities. They've also helped me to open up more and not be afraid or ashamed to express my thoughts or feelings. They have taken me on lots of fun trips where I got the chance to experience many different things but most of all Kids Creative always allows me to just be myself and have lots of fun.

I think it's important to be yourself because you should not have to change who you are to be accepted by anyone. Being yourself means you can express who you are and your feelings about different things and still be respected by people as long as you are not being disrespectful to hurt someone else. No one should be afraid to be who they are regardless of how they look, sound or even because of their race or age. I'm glad that Kids Creative allows me to be myself when I'm around them and lets me know that I can be myself where ever I am.

I am going to be a leader when I grow up, somebody who is going to lead by my actions.

The more creative I become, the more I will have better opportunities in life.

My community has given me the chance to learn, grow and play so when I grow up I want to give back to them and with the help of my parents and my older brother I know I will do a good job.

Thank you Kids Creative and good night!

Ally Sheedy, Wendy Williams and Bill RItter at the Catalog for Giving Dinner NEXT WEEK

2010-10-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

NEXT WEDNESDAY, join Kids Creative at The Catalog for Giving Benefit dinner with Ally Sheedy, Wendy Williams, Bill Ritter and more.

Congratulations to Manley Carter, this year's Urban Hero from Kids Creative.

THIS SATURDAY: Dirty Sock Funtime Band at PS 89

2010-10-21T06:53:00.001-07:00

Exciting news...tickets are still available!

THE DIRTY SOCK FUNTIME BAND will play two shows at P.S. 89 in lower Manhattan. This is a fundraising event- all proceeds will go to benefit the school.
The show times are 2PM and 4PM.
P.S. 89 is at the corner of Chambers Street and the West Side Highway.
Tickets are just $10 for kids and $15 for adults.

To purchase tickets online go to: www.kidsshowny.com/PS89_Show.html
Tickets can also be purchased for cash at the door but only if any seats are still available.
...join the event page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103481139700815

Really excited for Fashion for Passion

2010-09-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

Kids Creative is feeling good today!!! We have been selected by internationally renowned fashion photographer to be the beneficiary of his new endeavor, Fashion for Passion. See the info below about an event tomorrow!!!

Join Kids Creative's Summer Camp Performance

2010-08-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

Join the Kids Creative Summer Camp 2010

Original Performances written and performed by KC Summer Camp 2010

(Schedule and Story Synopses below)

SEE NEW TIME FOR CAP PRO's FRIDAY PERFORMANCE

8/10, Tuesday

"Truth Boy: The Quest" by CAP Group 1, 10:00-11:00 AM

"The Immortal Ice Unicorn" by CAP Group 2, 5:00-6:00 PM

8/11, Wednesday

"Mascot City" by Create-A-Dream, 10:00-11:00 AM

"Truth Boy: The Quest" by CAP Group 1, 5:00-6:00 PM

8/12 Thursday

"The Immortal Ice Unicorn" by CAP Group 2, 10:00-11:00 AM

"The Great Banana and Gluestick War of the Brethren Kings" by CAP Pro, 2:30-4:00 PM

"Mascot City" by Create-A-Dream, 5:00-6:00PM

8/13 Friday

"The Everything Planet" by Create-A-Tale 1, 10:00-11:00 AM

"The Fairies in the Cages of Dr. Smarts", Create-A-Tale 2, 11:00 AM

"The Great Banana and Gluestick War of the Brethren Kings" by CAP Pro, Final Performance 3-5PM

All performances at P.S. 191, 210 West 61st Street @ Amsterdam Avenue

"Mascot City and the Pre-Determination of Colors

aka Snot, The Musical"

Create a Dream aka The Popping Platypus Superstarz

In Mascot City, colors determine a lot of things, including your personality. The Platypus family is no exception. Perry Jones (a male platinum colored platypus) is strong and silent and Peggy Jones (a female purple platypus) is bossy and spoiled.

One day Perry, Peggy and the Jones family are walking in Mascot City and begin to argue, as they often do. They get so lost in their tiff that they don't realize they've entered a haunted house until they meet Phroedric the Butler. While investigating the house, they come across the Black Monsters, who kidnap Phroedric and steal the Platypus family's colors, turning them clear. The Black Monsters work for Booger Green Man (who is green with envy), and is lonely and thinks that trapping the residents of Mascot City and stealing their colors will make them his friends. The Black Monsters are other mascots who've had their colors stolen. The Black Monsters trap the Jones Family (who are now color-less Platypi) in a cage.

Enter Booger Green Man, who tells the Jones he will force them to be his friends. Quick thinking Perry calls Psycho Rooster Dude and The Crazy Chicken Mayor on his wristwatch walkie talkie to come save them. The Crazy Chicken Mayer is golden yellow (happy and powerful), unless he gets angry, when he gets big red chicken pox (get it, chicken pox...). He arrives at the haunted house, and starts getting pox because he's upset that his friends have been trapped. He untraps them by picking the lock with his claw and they get their colors back and the family decides to adopt Booger Green Man. Awesomeness ensues.

"Truth Boy: The Quest"

Create a Play 1 aka The Dancing Abba Boo Boo Banditos

Truth Boy always liked telling the Truth. On his planet, Create-A-Toon, he was very well liked by all the townspeople because he was everyone's source for truth. Truth Boy's best friend and side kick, Bookwrom, was always with him to help him tell the truth. But everything changed one morning when Truth Boy woke up, no longer able to tell the truth. Little did he know the night before the evil witch and her minions (who were sick of Truth Boy being the most sought after denizen of Create-A-Toon) cast a spell to make Truth Boy unable to tell the truth. Looking for answers, Truth Boy went to the wise man Aboo's office. Aboo told Truth Boy in order to reverse the spell he must go on a quest to find the great white dolphin who will take him to the Witch's cave. Once there he will find the invisible sparkling rock, then present the Witch with a key. Of course things got complicated as everybody (including some "bad guys" like Stretch Girl and Ditch) in Create-A-Toon wanted the key for themselves. But Truth Boy remained calm and continued on his quest for truth with some new friends in tow.

"The Immortal Ice Unicorn"

Create a Play 2 aka THE IMMORTAL ICE UNICORNS

Once upon a time, in a magical and marvelous land far, far away there once lived an Immortal Ice Unicorn who protected the land and cared for all things good. There also lived a Wizard who made the Unicorn invisible because if the Sun ever saw how ice ice cold the Unicorn was the Sun would freeze and lose all its power and that would spell disaster for the inhabitants of this land. However, the evil witches, minion and moon created a fiery dragon that causes chaos across the land and stops the Wizard's invisible spell. By stopping the wizard, the eyes of the Sun finally see the invisible Immortal Ice Unicorn and because the Unicorn is ice ice cold she accidentally freezes the Sun thus giving all power and control to the Moon, Witches and the Fiery Dragon!! Stay tuned to see how our marvelous and magical story ends as we'll have special appearances by the Wizards daughters,the sky Goddess, Genie, Goku, Genius Boy, Ninja Boy, the Alien, the Good Witches and all!

"The Everything Planet"

Create a Tale 1 aka THE ENGINEERING MOONHANGING ZEBRAS

Our story takes place on a magical planet. On this planet there are people of all different colors (blue, purple, green, and pink people) and the people only see things as being the color that they are. There are also tigers, dinosaurs, pirates and WOLVES! One day the townspeople decide to go to Chuck E. Cheese in the Jungle when all of a sudden the wolves sneak up and bite the baby who then turns into a wolf baby! Suddenly Elijah the Pirate with his dinosaur and tiger companions appear and chase the wolves away. The townspeople ask their rescuers for help but they are tired and need to nap first. The next day the townspeople go to the river where they see the wolves and the wolves surround them. But The townspeople have a secret, they know a secret song to stop the wolves. Will the wolves fall in the river? Will the spell be broken?

"The Fairies in the Cages of Dr. Smarts"

Create a Tale 2 aka THE MAGICAL ROYAL UNIHEARTS

Fairies, from the Planet Umumumum, from the town of Tinkerland (where Tinkerbell is from, the most famous of all Fairies), awake in the morning and discover a new house that was not in their town the day before. They go to investigate, but it turns out that this house is a trap set by James Nobody, from fairystore. com. The Fairies get captured and are brought back to earth. James takes his rocket to Umumumum to capture Fairies that he sells online. These particular fairies were ordered by Dr. Smarts, who has six brains in is head under his special brain hat. If he doesn't drink Fairy Juice, his head will split open, the brains will fall out and explode. So he has to have the juice. A secret team of Fairy Spies discover that their friends are missing and go to earth to save them. But the Squishies, who work for Dr. Smarts, are guarding the captured Fairies, and can transform into other creatures to ward off any rescuers. The Fairies will have to discover a new way for Dr. Smarts to survive that does not involve capturing their friends, in order to save their friends and return to their own planet.

"The Great Banana and Gluestick War of the Brethren Kings"

a retelling of a play from Create-A-Play Summer Camp 2005

CAP Pro

The entire land is enmeshed in battle--bananas and glue sticks flying everywhere, a war led by two opposing kings, Glorklepus and Suplekrog. It seems that the war is not going well for Glorkelpus's Kingdom, though. His advisor Florkerd gives charts and graphs that show how they are losing badly. However, his other advisor Genesis knows they can win and wants to keep the war going. She encourages Glorkelpus to fuel the fire of the war by sending a dangerous note to Suplekrog and his crew, the Troublemakers. Glorkelpus sends the note, which gets The Troublemakers even more angry.

Genesis then decides it is time to start a rumor, that Glorkelpus and Suplekrog are brothers. This distracts Glorkelpus from the war and allows Genesis to take over. However, just at that moment, the Troublemakers develop a Banana Bomb to destroy Glorkelpus's Kingdom (well, in truth, more like turn it into one giant Banana Cream Pie).

Glorkelpus is so distracted by the rumor that he and Suplekrog are brothers that he can think of nothing else and must investigate. He goes to Grandma's Everything in the World for $0.99 Shop, where he finds out that the rumor is true!!! He goes back in time to see himself as an 11-year-old and discovers how this terrible truth unfolded--that he was so mean to his brother and kicked him out to the Troublemakers.

How will this be resolved? Will the kingdom ever be the same?

See you Sunday

2010-06-04T12:44:00.001-07:00

Click here for more info

June 6th Deals, Steals and Appeals

2010-05-27T09:13:00.001-07:00

http://community.icontact.com/p/kidscreative/newsletters/june2008/posts/june-6th-deals-steals-and-appeals

Dear friends,
As you may know, this has been a difficult year for Kids Creative. With funding cuts from New York State, we are in danger of reducing our Summer Camp Scholarship Fund by over half. Through budget cuts and appeals to City and State officials, we are offering as many scholarships as possible, but the costs are still too high.

However, in true Kids Creative fashion, when faced with difficulties,
we see the glass half full and celebrate!!!

Party with us on Sunday, June 6th &
support our summer scholarship fund.

If you can't make the party,
please consider a donation to help us offer more scholarships.

-Check out ticket deals!!!

-Space is limited, get tickets today!!!

Click here to reserve your ticket

Tickets start at $20 ($25 at the door)

*Rock out with the group nominated for a Parents Connect Award*

*Watch the NY Premier of the
Dirty Sock Funtime Band TV Show*

*Eat a delicious lunch from
Grandaisy Bakery*

*Win raffle prizes*
and...

*Support Kids Creative*

Read about the event on CityMommy.com

Can't make it to the show?
Click here make a donation to support our summer camp scholarship fund.

Kids Creative Summer Camp

Kids Creative Needs Your Help

Please consider a Financial Donation

Buy from our Online Store

Volunteer

If you're interested in helping, either in the classrooms or somewhere else, we'd love to have you.

Click here to find out more.

Kids Creative
info@kidscreative.org
(646) 485-5123

NOTE NEW ADDRESS:

32 Broadway, Suite 1801

New York, NY 10004

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Upcoming June After School Performances

2010-05-25T05:59:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone. Our final performance season is coming up. Save the dates:

Columbia Grammar/PS 145 – Tuesday June 8^th at PS 145 at Time TBA

PS 11 - Performances on both Monday, June 21 and Tuesday, June 15 at Time TBA

Heschel – Rock n' Roll Theater, Sections I and II Performance on Friday, June 11, 2010

Create-a-Play Performance on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. at Times TBA

June 6th--Get your tickets today!!!

2010-05-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

http://community.icontact.com/p/kidscreative/newsletters/june2008/posts/rock-out-june-6th-to-support-kids-creative

You're invited to
The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
DVD Release Party

Sunday June 6th

*Rock out with the group voted
Best Kids Band by Time Out NY Kids*

*Watch the NY Premier of the
Dirty Sock Funtime Band TV Show*

*Eat a delicious lunch from
Grandaisy Bakery*

*Win raffle prizes*
and...

*Support Kids Creative*

Click here to reserve your ticket today

Can't make it to the show?
Click here make a donation to support our summer camp scholarship fund.

Kids Creative Summer Camp

Check out Cool Links Here
(including the chance to vote for the new Dirty Sock Funtime Band CD on Nick Jr's Parent Connect)

Kids Creative Needs Your Help

Please consider a Financial Donation

Buy from our Online Store

Volunteer

If you're interested in helping, either in the classrooms or somewhere else, we'd love to have you.

Click here to find out more.

Kids Creative
info@kidscreative.org
(646) 485-5123

NOTE NEW ADDRESS:

32 Broadway, Suite 1801

New York, NY 10004

3 Very Peaceful things to do this weekend in NYC

2010-05-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Amazing weekend for peace in NYC this weekend:
1. 61st Street Day of Action and Beautification
2. I Love My LIFE It’s Time 2 Bury Da Beef VIP Concert
3. Brooklyn Peace Fair

“61st Street Schools Partner for the

Second Community Day of Action and Beautification.”

Saturday, May 15th, 2010 10am to 4pm

Six Upper West Side schools celebrate their year-long partnership with a second

Community Day of Action and Beautification!

The partnership between the schools from 61st Street and the surrounding neighborhood

launched in October 2009 with a momentous community-building event. Ever since,

students, teachers and parents from P.S. 191/Hudson Honors, P.S. 199, and The Gateway

Schools have strengthened their collaboration through enriching leadership development

programs that encourage students to take action to improve their shared community. The

Speyer Legacy School, Beacon High School, and The Heschel School are also partners in

this community event.

During the second Community Day of Action and Beautification, the school communities

will come together to celebrate their partnership through a day of tree planting,

environmentally-minded art activities, student action presentations, and a community

carnival. Council Member Gale Brewer will present the schools with a commemorative

plaque to honor this collaboration.

The event is co-organized by Border Crossers, a non-profit organization that builds

partnerships between diverse New York City schools, and prepares students to take action

for change in their community.

W. 61st Street between Amsterdam Avenue and West End Avenue

May 15th, 2010 RAIN OR SHINE, 10:00am — 4:00pm

Hosted by:

P.S. 191/Hudson Honors, P.S. 199, The Gateway Schools, The Speyer Legacy School, The

Beacon School, The Heschel School, and Border Crossers.

Support from:

Partnerships for Parks, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Council

Member Gale Brewer, Lincoln Square BID, Livable Streets Education, Community Board 7,

Kids Creative, Peace First, Hani Shihada, Citarella, Fairway Market, Olympic Flame,

Strokos, Western Beef, Westside Market, and Edmund Hollander Landscape Architects &

Premier Supplies.

For more information, contact Miriam Fogelson

646-688-4470 or miriam@bordercrossers.org

AND

Former/Present GANG MEMBERS, Law Enforcement, Elected Officials, Concerned Citizens, Clergy, Street Crews, Hip Hop Artist, Ex-Offenders, Teens & Young Adults Unite to PromotePeace

Brooklyn/Queens, NEW York (May 12, 2010) – LIFE Camp Inc., Founder/President Erica Ford brings together EX-OFFENDERS, Hip Hop Artist AND GANG MEMBERS to hold I Love My LIFE VIP (Violence Intervention & Prevention) Concert Promoting Peace. This Concert is IN RESPONSE TO THE RISE IN VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

Year to Date in New York City Approximately; 149 people have been murdered, 5,151 felony assaults occurred.

With 133 days in Year so far that is More than 1 person Killed some days this year so far.

Let’s not allow Our Loved One to Be Killed today!!

What: I Love My LIFE It’s Time 2 Bury Da Beef VIP Concert

When: Saturday May 15th 2010 @ 4pm-8pm Where: Boys & Girls HS 1700 FULTON STREET BROOKLYN, NY11213 A Train to Utica Ave

When: Sunday May 16th 2010 @ 4pm-8pm Where: Springfield Gardens High School Complex 143-10 Springfield Blvd Springfield Gardens, NY 11413

DUE TO RECENT KILLINGS IN NYC AND MASSIVE CUTS TO SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS EXTREME MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN TO NOT ONLY BRING ATTENTION TO THIS DEADLY PROBLEM BUT BRING A STOP TO IT. LIFE Camp IS MOBILIZING TO RAISE RESOURCES TO CREATE A CAMPAIGN TO ASSURE A SAFE SUMMER FOR OUR YOUTH

When There is Something You Want to See Done You Must Commit to It!! “I Believe the People who want their Conditions Changed will Work Together to Make it a Reality” Erica Ford

Goal of event: To Raise Money for I Love My LIFE VIP model for reducing violence that will provide stakeholders with the necessary skills, and resources to effectively implement a positive change within their community.

Other Goals of event: is to

1) CREATE A SIMPLE BUT IMPACTFUL STREET LEVEL CAMPAIGN THAT WILL ADDRESS AND PUT A STOP TO THE RECENT VIOLENCE IN QUEENS, NEW YORK

2) Provide parents with tools & resources they need to play a pivotal role in turning their children’s LIFE around, keeping them out of negative activity, and being an active participant in keeping their community safe by insuring guns remain out of the hands of their child.

3) Provide young people, with the tools & resources to resolve conflict, avoid violence, and be productive citizens.

"I'm not saying I'm going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world." --- Tupac Shakur

AND

You're invited to the Brooklyn Peace Fair this Saturday, May 15, at Brooklyn College!
See below for the information, and please forward this message on to any friends, colleagues, neighbors, or family members who would be interested in attending! All ages are welcome!
Program and schedule on-line now! Click here

Saturday May 15, 12 noon to 5 pm
Brooklyn Peace Fair at Brooklyn College

Keynote Speaker: Father Roy Bourgeois, Founder of School of the Americas Watch, Nominee for 2010 Nobel Peace Prize
12:15 pm: Father Roy will greet young people and the Brooklyn College Community Partnership in the Brooklyn College Arts Lab in Roosevelt Hall (floor 3R) (2946 Bedford Ave, south of Campus Road)
2:00 pm: Keynote Adress, Brooklyn College Student Center, Campus Road/East 27th Street
Workshops and discussions, information on peace and justice, kids' activities.
Information and resource table by community organizations.
Performances by Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Spiritchild, Raging Grannies, Dave Lippman, Samba School for Social Justice, Ill-Literacy, Metro Sonics, Stephanie Rooker, Vernonica Nunn, and more.
Click here for the SCHEDULE and PROGRAM.
Sponsor: Brooklyn For Peace
Co-Sponsors: Brooklyn College Community Partnership & Brooklyn College Student Center
Transportation:
Train: 2/5 to Flatbush Ave/Brooklyn College; Q to Ave H
Bus: B6, B103, B44, Q35, B44, B11, BM2
See a map of Brooklyn College area.
See a Campus Map.
Walking directions:
From 2/5 train, Flatbush Avenue Station (at Nostrand Ave)
Locate Hillel Place, direction Brooklyn College; turn right at Campus Road
Student Center is on the right, at Campus Rd & E. 27th Street
To reach Roosevelt Hall, (Brooklyn College Arts Lab & other workshop rooms), continue with slight left turn along Campus Road, turn left at Bedford Ave; Roosevelt Hall is on the right. Enter Roosevelt Hall just off Bedford; use elevator behind the snack machines to get to Floor 3R. Signs will be posted inside the building.
Admission Free (but please bring photo ID)
Questions? Call 718-624-5921 or e-mail peacefair@brooklynpeace.org

A Path to Peace--Building up our neighborhood

2010-05-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

One path to peace is to focus on one's own community, to gather with neighbors and make our streets more beautiful, more livable and a place to have fun. This Saturday, Kids Creative joins Border Crossers, PS 191, The Gateway Schools, Council Member Gale Brewer and others at the 61st Street Day of Action. The day will include planting trees and flowers as well as art projects and a carnival to support PS 191.

Kids Creative has worked with the PS 191 community for 5 years, we are dedicated to maintaining its beauty and having a safe, exciting place for our kids to play and learn.

Please join us.

June 6, 2010--The Dirty Sock Funtime Band Show is here!!!!

2010-05-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

June 6, 2010--The Dirty Sock Funtime Band Show is here!!!! Join the Dirty Sock Funtime Band and Mr. Clown of the DSFB on Sunday, June 6th for our NY DVD release party. Proceeds support our nonprofit organization Kids Creative, which brings after school and summer programs to kids throughout New York City.

NEW COMMUNITY BUILDING GAME: 10-Point

2010-05-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

We discovered a brand new b-ball game at the Summer Camp Warm Up this weekend called 10-point. We'll be playing it this summer. It's a fun community building game. Rock on!

The Dirty Sock Funtime Band DVD Release Party to Benefit Kids Creative!

2010-04-29T12:05:00.001-07:00

Just Announced!!! Sunday, June 6th,

The Dirty Sock Funtime Band DVD Release Party

to Benefit Kids Creative!

Summer Camp Warmup This Sunday, May 2

2010-04-27T09:20:00.001-07:00

Join Kids Creative THIS Sunday, May 2 from 2-4 PM

at PS 191, 61st Street and Amsterdam Ave

Play Games, Learn the Robot Dance, Write Cheers, Play Ball... Waaaaahhhhoooooo!!!!

Summer camp spots going fast!!!

2010-04-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

Register today for the Kids Creative Summer Camp at PS 191. It's going to be such an awesome summer, but spots are going fast. Don't miss out.

THIS SATURDAY: Summer Camp Reunion and Open House

2010-04-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

Kids Creative Exec Director Named Repair Hero by Repair the World

2010-03-08T14:19:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone,

We're really happy to announce that Kids Creative Executive Director and Co-Founder was named a Repair Hero by the website Repair the World. Congrats, Adam.

Repair Hero: Adam Jacobs

Posted using ShareThis

Kids Creative at PS 102 Update

2010-03-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

KIDS CREATIVE

PS 102

HIGHLIGHTS & UPDATES

From Tejon Witter

Hey everyone!

I’ve put together a brief overview on the overall highlights, rundowns, fun, and all the activities going on in the classrooms of PS102!

Little Kids are comprised of children in grades K, 1^st and 2^nd

Big Kids are comprised of children in grades 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th.

Remember Communication is KEY!

Music=Monday

Art= Wednesday

Acting= Friday

February 22, 2010

Music

Little & Big Kids:

We were greeted by Adam’s Presence in the classrooms as we recorded the songs we preformed from our two successful shows!

February 24, 2010

Art

Little & Big Kids:

We created twirling puppets. The designs were super! And the kids and staff had a great time J

February 26, 2010

Acting

Snow Day :-(

********************************************
PS NOTES
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thoughts from Tejon:

Overall the things are coming along GREAT!

We had a FANTASTIC time performing our plays on February 12, 2010.

Pictures were taken, and some videos were recorded so we hope to be sharing them all with you soon!

The Little Kids had a hysterical story about a Funny Dinosaur and Monster

While…

The Big Kids had a fabulous story about a girl who eats soooo much that she turns into a pizza!

PEACE,

The KC staff at PS 102!!!

Summer camp registration is here!!!

2010-02-25T09:40:00.000-08:00

Check out summer camp info here.

So you think you can bike!!!!

2010-02-21T17:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends with Bikes or Friends who have Friends with Bikes,

I know what you've been thinking lately:

1. I love to bike

2. Sunday, May 2, 2010 is an awesome date because it is divisible by 10

3. I really can't wait to get back on my bike after this cold, snowy winter

4. I don't have a bike, but my third cousin once removed told me I could borrow their amazing bike that is just sitting in their garage waiting to be used

5. I want to help Kids Creative raise some money but just don't know how

Well, fear not, amigos/as, your time is here. You, yes you, can sign up to be one of a select few to bike for Kids Creative in Bike New York's TD Bank Five Boro 42-mile Bike Tour. One of our amazing supporters, The Catalog for Giving, has a team of riders and we have been selected to supply riders directly to them, all proceeds coming back to KC!!! We only have a few spots, so it is first come, first bike. They will even have a professional trainer lead your training efforts.

Please let me know if you are interested. Please contact us for the registration info.

In summary:

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Bike New York

Team Catalog for Giving (in support of Kids Creative)

For info on the bike tour, here is the website: http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/fbbt/index.html

For info on the Catalog for Giving, www.cfgny.org

For info on Kids Creative: www.kidscreative.org

For info on bicycles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle

Peace,

Adam

Plays of awesomeness at PS 102

2010-01-21T09:25:00.000-08:00

February 8, 2010
Come join the premier of two amazing performances at PS 102 in East Harlem, created entirely by the kids themselves:

From Group 1 (The K-2nd Graders)
The Hungry Dinosaur and the Lonely Monster

A long time ago in a land far far away lived a town of dinosaurs, talking blueberries, talking trees and . . . monsters. And, they all lived peacefully, well almost peacefully. For some reason no one would talk to the monster . .

From Group 2 (3-5th Graders)
A girl who really likes pizza eats just a bit too much. Find out the lesson that she learns...

PizzaFairies:
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
Eat in moderation or you will find
Something unpleasant growing from your behind

Fruits and veggies are good and nutritious
That doesn’t mean pizza isn’t also delicious.
But, balance it right and you’ll soon find out.
Having a healthy mind, body and soul is what it’s all about.

See you there...

What's happening at Heschel, you ask????

2010-01-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

The following is the story outline for the Rock N Roll Theater show at Heschel, which makes its world premier on Friday, January 22 at 2 PM. Quiet a story!

"Dream Magica OR The Legend of the Nighty Knights OR How the Half Rock Angels Saved the Day"

PROLOGUE:

Ben (narrating): In the beginning, exactly 38 millenia, 58 centuries, 10 decades, and 38 years ago, there was me. And I created dreams. You could say I wrote the book on dreams. And here it is. An elite group know the ancient art of dream giving and we were called “the Nighty Knights” and just in case we ever got into trouble during a dream I created the Half Rock Angels to protect us!

SCENE 1: AT THE MERRY McLIBRARY!

-everyone returns their old books and checks out new books
-the Last Remaining Nighty Knight comes to check out The Book
-the Last Remaining Nighty Knight’s evil brother kidnaps the Lifaerian, disguises himself and takes her place

SCENE 2: AT THE NIGHTY KNIGHT COMPETITION

-Nighty Knight salute/entrance
-presentation of the book: The Book Song
-presentation of Michael Jackson
-recitation of the Legend of the Nighty Knights
-gymnastic competition to select new Nighty Knights

SCENE 3: SHULA’S DREAM

-even though Shula can’t be a Nighty Knight, she volunteers to have a dream
-Shula has a dream about performing on stage and falling off the stage
-the Nighty Knights enter the dream and when things go wrong, they save the dream

SCENE 4: BACK AT THE MERRY McLIBRARY!

-the Last Remaining Nighty Knight returns the book to the library
-the Last Remaining Nighty Knights evil brother now has The Book: I’m Evil Song

SCENE 5: AT THE VOLCANO

-the Half Rock Angels are born out of the volcano to save The Book: In A Volcano Song
-they fall asleep while waiting for someone to have a nightmare

SCENE 6: SHULA’S NIGHTMARE

-the Last Remaining Nighty Knight’s evil brother turns Shula’s dream into a nightmare
-the Last Remaining Nighty Knight and the Nighty Knights in training enter the nightmare to set things right but can’t overcome his evil power
-they call for help from the Half Rock Angels: Dream Magica Chant
-the Half Rock Angels enter the nightmare with Michael Jackson/the Father/the Narrator: Half Rock Angel Chant
-the Half Rock Angels save the day ---- THE END!

February Break Camp

2010-01-21T06:26:00.000-08:00

That's right! Kids Creative is teaming up with PS 191 and other schools in the area to run a camp from February 15-19, 2010. Click here to find out more....

A KC Poem about 2009

2009-12-16T05:45:00.001-08:00

December, 2009

Dear friends,

We wrote a poem about 2009. We hope you enjoy from the first to the last line. Please consider a donation if you are able or see other ways to help in the left table.

The Poem

2009 was a Kids Creative year to remember

From "Donut City" in January to Hip Hop Dance in December

Our kids are creating a style that's all their own.

With hundreds of kids at eight schools, we're never alone

This year, we started a TASC apprenticeship for high school youth

They learned from our teachers and this summer was proof

The peace and culture of camp was truly amazing

And our drive for diversity is super trailblazing

The community we build with friends of all kinds

Is inspiring for creative young minds

From plays about "A Cycloptic Robot" and "Spicy Icy"

A generous gift will make this year really "nicey"

Whether 5, 50 or 5,000 dollars

Every little bit helps our kids pop their collars

Your help is key, whether now or then

Help NYC Kids

Rock Out in 2010!!!

Support peace education through the arts with a year-end tax-deductible donation to Kids Creative (CLICK TO DONATE ONLINE).

Any financial gift, $25, $50, $5,000, will help Kids Creative offer youth from underserved communities throughout New York City the opportunity to have fun and learn in safe, supportive environments year round. Your contribution will allow Kids Creative to provide essential skills and experiences to youth in need:

Alternatives to violence
Creative expression
Positive role models
Confidence building measures
Conflict Resolution
A strong sense of community

Every gift will help send a deserving student to a Kids Creative after school program, summer camp or workshop. To read more about how your gift will help, click here.

How to Help:

Click Here to Donate Online.

or send a tax deductible donation to

Kids Creative

32 Broadway, Suite 1801

New York, NY 10004

Questions, Comments, Ideas?
Contact me at (646) 485-5123 or adam@kidscreative.org

Upcoming Winter Events!!!!

2009-12-15T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hey there everyone,
Check out Kids Creative and our upcoming winter/holiday/exciting showcases.
For more information, or to come to a show, give a call (646) 485-5123 or e-mail afterschool@kidscreative.org

PS 145 with Oasis
December 22, Holiday Showcase with art and hip hop dance
January 29, The Full Show!!!

PS 191/Hudson Honors Middle School with Oasis
December 15-21, Class Showcases, from Create-A-Play to capoeira to Rock N Roll Theater
January 26 and 28, Create-A-World Art Exhibits

Manhattan School for Children
January 19, The world premier of "The Giant Pickle and the Quest for Nacho Cheese”

PS 102
January 25, The BIG Show

The Heschel School
January 27, Create-A-Play Final Performance
January 29, Rock N Roll Theater Final Performance

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO ABOUT JANUARY PERFORMANCES

Confidence + Encouragement = Group Cohesion

2009-12-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

It is a pretty simple equation. If a kid is encouraged to express themselves and be more confident in their ideas and contribution, the class or group will be stronger.

The best way to push group cohesiveness and group identity is to give the space for the individual to stand out. In Kids Creative, it is key that our participants are given the encouragement to express themselves and their ideas and that these ideas are embraced by the group. If there is denial of ideas (ie, "no, that's not a good idea" OR "that will never happen"), this is almost like the denial of rights. If this happens enough, our kids will begin to question themselves and have less drive to participate in our programs. On the other hand, if kids are given the tools to express themselves and celebrate the ideas of others, they can feel proud of their contribution to the group as a whole. This is one huge piece in strengthening group cohesion.

Stay tuned for more random ramblings on peace education...

Happy Thanksgiving 2009!!!

2009-11-25T13:08:00.000-08:00

We have much to be thankful for. Thanks to all of the amazing kids, teachers, parents, families, supporters, friends, communities, organizations, artists, musicians, actors, theater professionals, pets, dinosaurs, princesses, princes, planets, and other characters we have the priviledge of working with throughout the year.

Internships and Twitter-esque ramblings

2009-11-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Kids Creative is looking for interns. Spread the news far and wide.

Click here to see the posting on Idealist.

Did you know that you can follow Kids Creative on Twitter?

You can also follow Mr. Clown of the Dirty Sock Funtime Band AND the Dirty Sock Funtime Band on their own!!!!

Kids Creative at PS 102

2009-11-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

The following account is an overview of the new Kids Creative program at PS 102.

KIDS CREATIVE PS 102 HIGHLIGHTS & UPDATES
(As reported by Assistant Teacher Tejon Witter aka TJ)
Little Kids are comprised of children in grades K, 1^st and 2^nd
Big Kids are comprised of children in grades 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th.
Remember Communication is KEY!

October 14, 2009
Acting
First Day: Learned children’s name and introduction.

October 16, 2009
Art
Made and colored sheep, bulls, and bird masks.

October 19, 2009
Music
Little Kids:
Played name games with adjectives and went over the class rules.
Some included were: all ideas are good, playing safe, showing support and encouragement for one another, yes and.

Big Kids:
Name game with overview of rules and expectations
Zip Zap Zop
Vocal warm-ups
Brainstorms and thoughts for next class, and songs and themes for Halloween

October 21, 2009
Acting
Little Kids:
Voice Warm-ups
Brainstorm ideas for play
A monster who’s funny instead of scary, such as in Monsters Inc

Big Kids:
Body and voice warm-ups
Brainstorm Titles of the play:
boy who could do the longest thing, slumber party, cheerleading, missing tooth, ice cream, sugar and spice, high school musical, Hannah Montana, cat who jumped out the window, the last year of earth, high school drama, vampire diaries, kids creative, super girl, Halloween day, haunted Halloween.

October 23, 2009
Art
Little Kids:
Finished painting and designing mask

Big Kids:
Drew inanimate objects in the classroom

October 26, 2009
Music
Little Kids:
Played Freeze Dance Song
Wrote Ricky Baloney Song:
“Ricky Baloney
(Kids Repeat) Ricky Baloney
Rhymes with Baloney
(Kids Repeat)
La, La, La, La, La
Eats all the baloney
Num, num, na, num, num, num
Bones for a walking stick
He is so great
He makes soft grapes
Different kinds of baloney
Ricky Baloney
Ricky Baloney”

Big Kids:
Played I love you game
Wrote Opening Verse for Halloween Song:
“Halloween is here
Let’s make some Jack-O-Lanterns with fear
A saw with skeletons, haunted house too
Zombies and spiders, ghost that say boo!
Babies are crying, Vampires are biting
Spiders and scary movies are igniting
A fire that burns into the night
Vampires and skeletons are fighting a fight.”

October 28, 2009
Acting:
Little Kids
Monster tag, where you could only run, tag, walk, and play like your character
After brainstorm we began an activity of brainstorming sentences with one another
“Once upon a time, there was a dinosaur traveling for food. He wanted food but was unable to find the supermarket. Once found, unfortunately it was closed. He then began to wander around into a forest and found a gigantic monster. The monster had food and the dinosaur tried to scare him for it but the monster jumped unbelievably high, which caused the dinosaur to forget all about his hunger and bust into hysterical laugher and applause. The dinosaur then realized how funny he was and began doing a traveling show where he would be able to laugh at his amazing skill of high jumping.”

Big Kids
Vocal warm-ups:
Placing emphasis on T sounds:
Oh what to do to die today at a minute or two 'til two
A thing distinctly hard to say yet harder still to do
For they'll beat a tattoo at twenty to two
With a rattatta tattatta tattatta too
And the dragon will come when he hears the drum
At a minute or two 'til two today
At a minute or two 'til two.

Brainstorming sentences on the titles of previous weeks:
Sleep Over/Slumber party
Missing Tooth
Cat who jumped out the window
“Once upon a time, a little girl named Kalie had pet cats named ShishCaBob, Mr Pickles, and a dog named Dora. Kalie went to the slumber party and unexpectedly ShishCaBob jumped out the window. Kaile was unaware and when ShishCaBob knocked back on the window Kaile yelled and kicked her right back out! After jumping from the window she fell on the floor and said Mewww! Her tooth then popped out. Her leg was broken and cut. She was hurt and Kalie, carefully and lovingly took her to the hospital. However, someone steals the cat from the hospital which causes Kalie to place missing posters up. The tooth fairy came later that night, but had no one to exchange candy with for the tooth. While still sad and disheartened, Kalie heard a meow at the door…IT WAS ShishCaBob!!!!!
Surprise, surprise, the tooth fairy also left a note…

October 30, 2009
Art:
Little Kids and Big kids were together for the day. We began with gym and later enjoyed a pizza party together in the art room, watching Michael Jackson classic videos.

Amazing 61st Street Day

2009-10-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of the schools and program partners on W. 61st Street and Amsterdam Ave. for a very successful "My 61st Street Day". Sachi Ferris and Miriam Fogelson of Border Crossers did a great job of bringing everyone on the block together.

If you weren't able to make it, the day was a ton of fun and the block looks great! Kids Creative began working at PS 191 on 61st Street 5 years ago and there has never been so much amazing cooperation on the block. The trees and other additions to the block look fantastic, and tons of students, parents and teachers alike made their "61st Street Super Heroes" with Kids Creative and made pledges to help the cooperation and beautification on their block continue.

NYC City Council Member Gale Brewer (center), along with Kids Creative Executive Director Adam Jacobs (right), look at the planting table run by the Gateway science teacher.

PS 191 Principal Maria Verdesoto writes her "61st Street Pledge": to continue making friends on the block.

Sasha Medina of Peace Games, Damaris Carrion, PS 191 Parent Coordinator and Roger Redhead of Kids Creative/Oasis at PS 191 pause in a hard day's work to pose for a picture.

Dayshawn!!!!!, showing off his brand new super hero mask.

The Parade of participants explores the block of W. 61st Street between Amsterdam and West End Aves.

Roger helps a student make a super hero mask.

Jossie Oneill of The Gateway School reacts to the super hero masks.

Alexis Schuster of Kids Creative works with Samantha of PS 191 on her super hero.

Samantha thinks what she can add on to her character.

Alexis helps more kids create their vision of a 61st Street Super Hero.

Ally Sheedy for Kids Creative

2009-10-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

Actress Ally Sheedy gives her support for the Peace Education mission of Kids Creative (If the video is choppy, click here to see the full version).

New Programs, New People, New Fun

2009-10-19T09:06:00.000-07:00

Hey there people in Kids Creative Land,

Big week for Kids Creative:

All of our after school programs with 8 schools are under way and going swimmingly. We are so excited to have our old teachers back and new teachers starting and to have Suzu McConnell-Wood guiding them in the Kids Creative process as our brand new Curriculum Supervisor. Stay tuned for a brand new video from Ally Sheedy about Kids Creative.

Also this week:

Wednesday, October 21st--6-10 PM--The Urban Heroes Benefit with the Catalog for Giving

Thursday, October 22nd--Lights on After School

Saturday, October 24th, 10 AM-1 PM--The 61st Street Day of Action:

Come plant trees and beautify West 61st Street in Manhattan with Kids Creative, Border Crossers, PS 191/Hudson Honors Middle School, The Gateway Schools, The Speyer School, the Beacon School and the whole community

Sunday, October 25th, 1-3 PM--The Dirty Sock Funtime Band (featuring KC founder Stephen Jacobs on the guitar and KC Executive Director as Mr. Clown) plays at The Best Halloween Party Ever with New York Family, Manhattan House 200 East 66th street (between 2nd and 3rd), New York, New York

Cost: FREE-- UNFORTUNATELY THIS EVENT IS BEYOND CAPACITY, but you can sign up for the wait list.

Last, check out this important piece about after school programming that aired on NY1 last week. Thanks NY1 for covering this important topic.

SHOWS TOMORROW!!!!

2009-08-10T12:21:00.000-07:00

DON'T FORGET
Summer Camp Final Performances START TOMORROW!!!(see below for details)

Thanks to everyone who came out to see the awesome performances and to support Kids Creative
at Barnes and Noble on the Upper East Side

STARTING TOMORROW:

Come see FOUR brand new musicals created and performed by the Kids Creative campers, Grades K-8

"The Cyclops and the Cheesy Robotic Quest for Friendship: A One-Eyed Mystery"
by Create-A-Play 1 aka I Forgot Odd Squad SISMA
Tuesday, August 11,10:00-11:00 AM
Wednesday, August 12, 4:30 -5:30 PM

"The Legend of Spicy Icy"
by Create-A-Play 2 aka The Cyclone Potatoes
Tuesday, August 11, 4:30-5:30 PM
Thursday, August 13,10:00-11:00 AM

"Sky Flies and the Attack of Jack's Banana Toe Dino"
by Create-A-Dream aka The Peace WarriorsWednesday, August 12,10:00-11:00 AM
Thursday, August 13,4:30-5:30 PM

"The Food Fight in the Kitchen Beyond Wrestling"
by Create-A-Tale aka The Crazy Lightning Cat Superstars
Friday, August 14, 10:00 AM followed by the end of camp potluck

All performances will take place in Auditorium at Joan of Arc, 154 West 93rd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenue
Suggested donation of $5

The New York State Department of Education 21st Century Learning Center
The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
The After School Corporation
Materials for the Arts of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of New York
City Council Member Gale Brewer

THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 9th

2009-08-07T04:04:00.001-07:00

THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 9th
2 PM
KIDS CREATIVE PERFORMS at Barnes and Noble
on the Upper East Side
Watch preview performances and USE THIS VOUCHER when making purchases to help raise money for Kids Creative

PLUS
Summer Camp Final Performances NEXT WEEK:
Join us for the BIGGEST Kids Creative Performances of the Year

Come see FOUR brand new musicals created and performed by the Kids Creative campers, Grades K-8

"The Cyclops and the Cheesy Robotic Quest for Friendship: A One-Eyed Mystery"
by Create-A-Play 1 aka I Forgot Odd Squad SISMA
Tuesday, August 11,10:00-11:00 AM
Wednesday, August 12, 4:30 -5:30 PM

"The Legend of Spicy Icy"
by Create-A-Play 2 aka The Cyclone Potatoes
Tuesday, August 11, 4:30-5:30 PM
Thursday, August 13,10:00-11:00 AM

"Sky Flies and the Attack of Jack's Banana Toe Dino"
by Create-A-Dream aka The Peace Warriors
Thursday, August 13,10:00-11:00 AM
Friday, August 14, 10:00-11:00 AM

"The Food Fight in the Kitchen Beyond Wrestling"
by Create-A-Tale aka The Crazy Lightning Cat Superstars
Friday, August 14, 10:00 AM followed by the end of camp potluck

All performances will take place in Auditorium at Joan of Arc, 154 West 93rd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenue
Suggested donation of $5

CAP Express 2 was awesome

2009-08-07T03:29:00.000-07:00

The Rockin’ Bellum Link Blink Streaks Players
presents
The Journey Through Gameworld

Create-A-Play Express 2 created and performed their original, 30-minute musical on Thursday of the second week. It was a great show. Here is their story summary and some pictures to go along...

The Journey Through Gameworld Summary

We join our story at the Cat and Dog Baseball Game, which ends with the most awesome homerun ever seen. After watching the game, Manzilla decides that he wants to keep the homerun ball and goes to talk to the players. They go on a search for the ball and find it in front of a mysterious “Italian Door” in a wall they have never seen before. And someone lives inside the wall! After noticing Andrikiqu, the person inside the wall, they are sucked through it and land in Narnking the Lost Gameworld. Here, Manzilla finds out from his new friends, Rosa, Rose, Rosie, Kitty and Link, that there are games besides baseball and he has to play them in order to travel through Gameworld and win prizes, such as a golden key, that holds the secrets to playing all of the games.

Drake Vampula, the Vampire of Gameworld, is upset by Manzilla’s holding this key. He sends his minion out to steal the key and stop the gamers from travelling to his castle. The minion takes the key and Manzilla. Manzilla’s new friends travel to the castle with the help of Link the Tourguide to win their friend back.

Just before the epic battle, Drake Vampula’s assistant asks for their help. He asks if they can help him replace Drake Vampula’s bad heart with a good one, so he can be good as well. The gamers accept and they change Drake Vampula, get Manzilla, and all play games together!

Congrats to the Rockin Creative Express

2009-07-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

The Rockin Creative Express show was awesome! Congrats on an amazing story and a great job creating and original musical in only 2 weeks! Here is the story summary and some pictures to go along.

A World of Surprises Play Summary

One billion years ago in The World of Surprises, a Superhero put a Giant to work saving the world by standing outside of a witch’s house, catching the many flaming space boulders and meatballs coming from an ongoing game of Space Boulder Meatball Baseball between Space and Mouskinland. However, the giant is also blocking the sun from entering the witch’s house. Annoyed, the witch and her long lost witch friend prepare a potion to shrink the giant. It works, and the giant is shrunk. This story is not over, though. Simultaneously, the Mad Scientist is trying to get back at the witches by creating Half-Halfs. The Half-halfs wake up and are immediately on a quest for superhero powers! They journey to visit their arch-nemeses, the witches. In the Witches Potion Shop, the witches give them a fake potion, but the half-halfs know this trick and steal the real potion. While this is a seemingly dastardly deed, the Half-halfs actually mean good. They join the Space Boulder-Meatball Victory Party, where the witches are leading the soiree. Almost a conflict, the Half-Halfs surprise everyone including the Witches by giving them all new superpowers with the real potion, much like Super Delivery Guys. And they become friends by realizing they are all super and they eat brownies to celebrate.

Counselor John helped them project their voices through the entire auditorium.

SUMMER IS ROCKIN!!!!!

2009-07-16T14:33:00.001-07:00

Hey all,
Camp is going really well. Thank you to everyone who has helped--kids, parents, TASC, 21st Century, the Dept of Education in NYC, the AMAZING staff.

AND...Don't miss the WORLD PREMIER OF

"The World of Surprises," by the Rockin' Creative Express

TOMORROW, FRIDAY, July 17, 2009 @ 10 AM

Kids Creative Summer Camp

93rd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam

NYC

PS, KC Founder and Summer Music Director Stephen Jacobs was featured on the blog of Summer Video/Recording Specialist and all around super star, Brandon Morel aka Feel-X

The Spring Performance Season is HERE!!!!

2009-06-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

The youth of Kids Creative have been working incredibly hard and starting June 8, 2009 they will be showing their amazing performances as part of our Spring Performance Season. All of the shows are original works of drama, music, dance, video created and performed by the kids and all tons of fun.

Upcoming shows (See below for show summaries):

Monday, June 8, 4:00 PM

PS 11, "Video Game Madness"

West 21st Street between 8th and 9th Ave

Tuesday, June 9 10:00 AM

PS 102, "How the Rabonkbibug came to be." and "Teen Idol"

East 113th Street at 2nd Ave.

Thursday, June 11, 5:30 PM

PS 191, "The Big End of Year Show"

West 61st Street at Amsterdam Ave.

Friday, June 12, 2:00 PM

The Heschel School, "The Best Show Ever. EVER!" and "Dude, Where's the Ring?"

West 89th Street between Broadway and West End

Friday, June 12, 4:30 PM

PS 145, "Create-A-Play, So We Can Sing and Dance" and Create-A-Science Fair

West 105th between Amsterdam and Columbus Ave

Tuesday, June 16, 4:30 PM

Manhattan School for Children/ PS 333, TBA

West 93rd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Ave

Tuesday, June 16, 4:00 PM

PS 11, TBA

West 21st Street between 8th and 9th Ave

Wednesday, June 17, 4:00 PM

The Heschel School, "The Hole to Monster World"

West 89th Street between Broadway and West End

Wednesday, June 24, 4:00 PM

PS 87, TBA

West 78th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus

Thursday, June 25, 4:00 PM

PS 87, TBA

West 78th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus

Create-A-Play/RR Theater Story Summaries (By school)

PS 102 Group 1:
"How the Rabonkbibug came to be."
A hungry young monkey is trying to reach a bananna when some helpful birds take it down for him. When the monkey offers to share his bannana with them the birds use their magic to give the monkey wings so he can reach all the bananas he wants. The monkey is still hungry and looking for bugs to eat when he bumps into some bored rabbits. When the monkey cheers them up the rabbits use thier magic to give him big ears so he can find the bugs to eat. When the monkey finds the bugs he overhears them telling jokes, he shares his favorite joke but realizes he is lost. The bugs give him antennas so he can find his way home. But will his family recognize him now he has wings, long ears and antennae?

PS 102 Group 2:
"Teen Idol"

Linda's Sweet 16th party is going to be amazing - she has the winners of Teen Idol performing! Unfortunately she has planned it for the same day as Sabrina's Sweet 16th. Sabrina plots her revenge and hides Marazhane in the closet. Will that ruin the party? Will Marazhane escape?? Will the girls reconcile??? Will Teen Idol perform????

PS 145 Group A:
"The President vs the Haunted House"
When the President tries to show he is not a scaredy cat by going into a haunted house and doesn't return the USA must hold a President Idol competition to find a new President. But what will happen to the old President and the others trapped in the haunted house?

PS 145 Group C
"The Holiday Recession"
Due to the financial crisis there can only be one holiday a year. Which holiday will it be? Christmas, Halloween and Easter battle it out and end up in court. What will the jury's verdict be?

PS 145 Group E:
"DJ Kabear Lots of Animals goes to New York City."
When DJ's family home is ruined by pollution he sets off on an adventure to NY. He sees the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and finally the Central Park Zoo which he decides will make a great new home for his family. But the animals in the zoo think he is too different and don't let him in. Just when DJ is about to give up he finds a little girl who has lost her family, he uses his own special talents to cheer her up and in doing so helps find her family. The zoo animals apologize for their judging behaviour and decide to help DJ clean up his family home.

PS 145 Create-A-Science Fair

Create-A-Science Fair will take place in the lobby, displaying students work throughout the semester: actual experiments, tables/charts, explanations, pictures of activities/experiments, etc. Each student will take home small terra-cotta pots for their plants from the year that have a clear plastic shell that allow for a picture to be displayed.

PS 191 Justice League:
"Aliens vs Monsters - the battle for planet Earth!"
When the aliens destroy their own planet, Octavia, with garbage they disguise themselves as humans and move to Earth. But their strange behavior leads the humans to figure out who they are. The humans show the aliens how to recycle and decide to go with the aliens to clean up Octavia.

PS 191 Sunshiny Faces:
"The Animal with no Name and the Butterfly"
An animal with no name is lost in the rainforest when he sees a beautiful butterfly. He tries to catch her so he won't be lonely anymore. He tries to scare her with his roar, catch her with his tail and with his claws but the butterfly escapes. Finally the animals with no name begins to cry. The butterfly asks him what is wrong and when he explains he just wanted her company she tells him she would have kept him company if he had treated her like a friend. The animal with no name apologized and they went on thier first adventure together to find the animal with no name's name.

The Heschel School, 4-5th Graders

The Best Show Ever, EVER!

The Overweighted Squirrels deliver their swansong performance in this epic tale of love, loss and empowering choices set in the fast paced backstage life of a television variety show. Tishonka and Witko are the most successful producing team in the history of anything you can name. Name something. OK, yes, even that thing you just named. Get the picture? Anyway, one day on the set of their most ambitious creation, the hit variety show "TISHONKA & WITKO PRESENTS," Witko shows up missing, or rather, doesn't show up at all. Like a vampire in a mirror. The rest of the crew panic, cut to a commercial, and scramble to find their missing leader, who as it turns out, has gotten married to a girl he may never love, only to escape the lonely existence of being the guy who pays for everything but is never recognized for all the good work he's done. After a thrilling chase to exotic Africa and a journey into the heart of reality television, Witko must choose between his brand new wife and his former life.

The Heschel School, K-1st Graders

Two kids fall through a construction hole and end up in Monster World where the monsters make them evil and they do mean things to the mermaids and the fairies. The fairies and mermaids have to help convince the monsters to be nice.

A rock n roll story

2009-04-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Check out this fantastic story about overcoming stage fright written by Richard Wolff, a PS 191 student and Kids Creative camper. Rockin guitars, great performances, confidence building and the Dirty Sock Funtime Band. Click on the images to read the story.