What To Do: With the Kids Winter 2014

January

Winter 2014 Musical, Bedford Community Theatre: All family members can participate in the Bedford Community Theatre’s winter musical.  Auditions are held in early January. If you have stage fright you can volunteer to make scenery, costumes and sets. To participate or audition email bctonline@optonline.net. Or see the Winter Brochure at www.bedfordny.info)

Horace Greeley at Byram Hills Varsity Boys Basketball: Watch cross-town rivals Byram Hills and Horace Greeley in a full court press for local bragging rights. Wed, 1/8: 6:15pm. (BHHS, 12 Tripp Ln., Armonk) For full varsity boys basketball schedules for Byram Hills, Fox Lane, Horace Greeley and John Jay click here.

Public Skating, Lasdon Park: Check out Lasdon Park’s brand new outdoor ice rink. Bring your own skates and equipment. There’s a shop serving hot beverages and snacks and bathrooms for your convenience. Wed-Sun 11am-3:30pm. No hockey. Helmets required. (2610 Amawalk Rd., Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Rivalry on Ice, Madison Square Garden: Harvard vs. Yale varsity hockey. Sat, 1/11: 8pm (www.thegarden.com)

Second Sunday Hikes, Greenwich Audubon Center: Beginning Sun, 1/12: 9:30am join Greenwich Audubon for a guided hike. RSVP to greenwichcenter@audubon.org. Or take moonlight walk on Fri, 1/17: 6:30pm. Ages 7 and up. All ages can learn about watching and feeding winter birds at GA’s Family Friendly Bird Count: Project FeederWatch on Sat, 1/18: 1pm.  All ages can become wildlife detectives, seeking out tracks and clues of animal activity, at Wildlife Tracks & Traces on Sat, 1/25: 1pm. (613 Riversville Rd., Greenwich, Ct; www.greenwich.audubon.org)

West Point Ragtime Band, Chappaqua Library: This concert performed by West Point’s 10 piece band features Scott Joplin rags, piano parlor music and Rudy Wiedoft’s Saxophobia, a popular tune during the late 19^th century. Sun, 1/12: 3pm. (195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Fox Lane at Byram Hills Varsity Boys Basketball: The ABC town’s version of a subway series. Can we call it the Rt. 684 series? Mon, 1/13: 6:15pm. (BHHS, 12 Tripp Ln., Armonk) For full varsity boys basketball schedules for Byram Hills, Fox Lane, Horace Greeley and John Jay click here.

John Jay at Horace Greeley Varsity Boys Basketball: The battle of the historic figures. It’s the founding father vs. the editor. The Federalists vs the Whigs.  United in their opposition to slavery they’ll be playing “not in my house” tonight! Mon, 1/13: 6pm. (HGHS, 70 Roaring Brook Rd., Chappaqua.) For full varsity boys basketball schedules for Byram Hills, Fox Lane, Horace Greeley and John Jay click here.

A Billion Bricks: LEGO® T-Rex, Turtles & Trains, Stamford Museum & Nature Center: Bill Probert and I LUG (LEGO® Users Group)returns for a fifth season with a LEGO® landscape of epic proportions. “BILLions” of bricks recreate the world of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and a prehistoric park with T-Rex and velociraptors. Subways, trains, roller coasters, and mine trams speed across a multi-level imaginary world of LEGO® bricks. Through Sun, 3/2. Plus, ILUG expert builders guide you in building your own LEGO creations. Sat, 1/18, 1/25 & 2/22. (39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, CT; www.stamfordmuseum.org)

The Teacher From the Black Lagoon, Emelin Theatre: See your favorite fairy tales come to life in this musical revue featuring a wide variety of contemporary and classic children’s book favorites. Ages 4+. Sat, 1/11: 11am & 1:30pm. (153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

Fancy Nancy The Musical, Tarrytown Music Hall: Fancy Nancy and her friend Bree audition for their very first show, “Deep Sea Dances.” Nancy is sure that they will be picked to be mermaids.  When another girl wins the coveted role, Nancy is stuck playing a tree. (The story of my life.) Can Nancy bring fancy flair to her role? Find out. Sat, 1/11:  (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St. Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

DINO Light, Stamford Center for the Arts: Electroluminescent crayon-like creatures light up the night in a heart-rending tale of a scientist and his creation. This show has been praised for its cutting edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance. Tues, 1/14: 10am. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.stamfordcenterforthearts.com)

Schooled: The Price of College Sports, Jacob Burns Film Center: A who’s who of former college athletes, coaches and journalists discuss the business and culture of big-time college football and basketball in this hard hitting film adapted from The Cartel by Pulitzer Prize –winning scholar Taylor Branch. Plus, a Q&A with former Mets manager Bobby Valentine and ESPN producer and investigative reporter Andrew Muscato and T.J. Quinn. Thurs, 1/16: 7:30pm. (364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

Horace Greeley at Fox Lane Varsity Boys Basketball: Close out your long positions early and head east on Roaring Brook Rd., then take 117 to 172 to see the Quakers take on the Foxes. Fri, 1/17: 4:30pm. (NY 172, Bedford.) For full varsity boys basketball schedules for Byram Hills, Fox Lane, Horace Greeley and John Jay click here.

Nature Trek – The Next Generation, Wolf Conservation Center: WCC friend and supporter Tommy Whiteley discusses his close encounters in the Alaskan wilderness, his experience tracking whales off the coast of Greenland and the importance of being a good steward of our planet. Followed by a visit with the WCC wolves. Sat, 1/18: 11am. Pre-registration required. (Wolf Conservation Center, S. Salem; www.nywolf.org)

Byram Hills at Fox Lane Varsity Boys Basketball: It’s one stop up 684 and turn right on 172 E. Thurs, 1/23: 4:30pm. (Fox lane HS, NY 172, Bedford.) For full varsity boys basketball schedules for Byram Hills, Fox Lane, Horace Greeley and John Jay click here.

Disney on Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic, Barclays Center: More than 60 Disney characters come to life as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic. Including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio, and many Disney Princesses. With exciting moments from The Lion King, Mulan, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Toy Story in a skating spectacular you’ll remember forever! Wed-Sun, 1/22-26: check times. (620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn: www.barclayscenter.com)

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Connecticut Ballet: Story ballet for ages 4-14 performed by Connecticut’s professional ballet company. Sat, 1/25: 11am & 2pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield; www.ridgfieldplayhouse.org)

Winter Family Festival, Byram Hills Preschool Association: Live entertainment, arts & crafts, bouncy castle, bake sale, local food vendors, a silent auction and a performance from Armonk Dance. Sun, 1/26: 11am-4pm. (Comaan Hill elementary School, 558 Bedford Rd., Armonk; www.bhpa.info.)

Harlem Wizards vs. Chappaqua Challengers, Horace Greeley High School: They can teach but do they have game? The Chappaqua HS faculty takes on the Harlem Wizards in this annual fundraiser for the Chappaqua School Foundation. Sun, 1/26: 1:30pm. (HGHS Gym, 70 Roaring Brook Rd., Chappaqua; www.chappaquaschoolfoundation.org)

Byram Hills HS at Horace Greeley, Varsity Boys Basketball: Rev up the GL 450s for the Bobcats and the Quakers – and don’t compare board scores until after the game. Fri, 1/31: 6:45pm. (HGHS, 70 Roaring Brook Rd., Chappaqua.) For full varsity boys basketball schedules for Byram Hills, Fox Lane, Horace Greeley and John Jay click here.

February

Super Saturday Double Header, Madison Square Garden: St. John’s vs. Marquette, Georgetown vs. Michigan State. Sat, 2/1: 12:30pm. (www.thegarden.com)

Family Breakfast & Wildlife Show, Greenwich Audubon: Families with younger children enjoy a special breakfast followed by a fun animal-themed program in Audubon’s Education Center. RSVP to Jeff at 203.869.5272 ext. 239. Sun, 2/2: 9:30am.Check online for more family friendly nature events in February.(613 Riversville Rd., Greenwich, Ct; www.greenwich.audubon.org)

Valentines Day Celebration, Hergenhan Hall: The Byram Hills’ Pre-School Association invites you to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Make a Valentine craft, have munchy-munchy, and much more Cupid inspired fun. Sat, 2/8: 10-11:30am. (Hergenhan Rec Center, 2^nd Floor, 40 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.bhpa.info)

Circo Comedia, Emelin Theatre: Cirque du Soleil alums, Jean Saucier and Patrick Côtè, provide “unpredictable thrills, sidesplitting comedy and daredevil stunts.” With juggling, acrobatics, comedy, magic and the duo’s “wacky showmanship.” Sat, 2/8: 11am & 1:30pm. (153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

Family Valentine Contest, Bedford Recreation: Make a special card for someone you love and submit it by Feb 10. Pick up your card and prize on Feb 12. Please attach your name and contact information. See Winter recreation department brochure; www.bedfordny.info)

The Harlem Globetrotters, Westchester County Center: Without question the greatest franchise in sports history, the Harlem Globetrotters have played tens of thousands of games since coming together under the direction of Abe Saperstein in 1929 suffering only rare defeats. In fact, according to Harlem Globetrotter lore they won 8,829 games in a row over a period of 24 years from 1971 when they lost to the New Jersey Reds 100-99 in overtime to 1995 when they lost to Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s All Star Team in Vienna, Austria. See them at the County Center Tues, 2/11: 7pm. (198 Central Ave., White Plains: www.countycenter.biz)

The Royal Hanneford Circus, Westchester County Center: A Westchester tradition, this three-ring circus is in town just in time for President’s Day weekend. With special guest star Grandma the Clown, (the best) international circus stars, motorcycle dare- devils, and performing tigers, bears, housecats and camels. Sat-Mon, 2/15-17: 10am, 2pm & 6pm. (198 Central Ave., White Plains: www.countycenter.biz)

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Barclays Center: For children of all ages! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents LEGENDS, an all new show, with circus stars from around the globe performing awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder to summon the mythical and mysterious creatures of the past: a unicorn, a Pegasus and a Woolly Mammoth! Thurs-Sun, 2/20-3/2: check times. (620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn: www.barclayscenter.com)

Pinocchio, Ridgefield Playhouse: Theatre IV presents the story of Gepetto and Pinocchio, the wooden puppet, who comes to life and after a series of adventures learns valuable lessons that help him become a real boy and a real son to Gepetto. Produced by Theatre IV, a division of Virginia Rep – the second largest theatrical touring company for young audiences in the US. Sat, 2/22: 11am & 2pm. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Winter Wonderland Children’s Ball, Stepping Stones Museum: Stepping Stones transforms into a snow-kissed wonderland to welcome little princes and princesses for a magical evening. Dress up in your finest, learn ballroom moves from the experts, pose for the paparazzi, and make a winter craft. Pre-registration required. Sat, 2/22: 6-8:30pm. (303 West Ave., Norwalk, CT; www.steppingstonesmuseum.org)

Maple Sugaring Series, Muscoot Farm: See the process of making maple sugar from tapping the farm’s maple trees to witnessing the boiling process and sampling the final product. Sun, 2/23, 3/2, 9 & 16: tba. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Into the Woods, Ridgefield Playhouse: The Connecticut Broadway Stage Company’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods is performed by 10^th-12^th graders trained at Sabrinas Encore Productions and backed by a professional seven piece orchestra. Sondheim’s musical blends fairy tale characters with a baker and his wife who try to reverse a witch’s curse that has left them barren. Fri-Sat, 2/28-3/1: 7:30pm. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

March

March Madness 3 on 3 Tournament, Byram Hills High School: Form your own team, register it with the North Castle Recreation Department and create your own March Madness. Boys & girls, grades 5-12. Registration due Fri, 2/21. Sun, 3/2:12pm. (BHHS, 12 Tripp Ln., Armonk; www.northcastleny.com)

Arctic Fest: Wings & Wolves, Wolf Conservation Center: Learn about the harsh winter habitats that some very special animals call home and watch live demonstrations from master falconer, Brian Bradley of Skyhunters in Flight. Then visit resident arctic gray wolves Atka, Zephyr and Alawa and critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves. Pre-registration required. Sun, 3/2:12pm. (Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem; www.nywolf.org)

Charlotte’s Web, Emelin Theatre: “Some pig!” Those two words from Charlotte saved Wilbur the pig from turning into bacon. Theatreworks USA brings E.B. White’s children’s classic to life on stage in this one-hour production for kids, grades K-5.  Sat, 3/8: 11am & 1:30pm. (153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

SugarFest 2014, Westmoreland Sanctuary: Tap a maple tree, learn how to make maple syrup and enjoy a pancake breakfast. Sat-Sun, 3/8-9: tba. (260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)

The Barenstain Bears Live, Ridgefield Playhouse: This live musical production is appropriate for mamas, papas, and young cubs of all ages. The Berenstain Bears learn important life lessons about the importance of family. Bring your camera and take a photo with Scooby Doo, compliments of South Salem Animal Hospital. Sat, 3/8: 11am & 2pm. (80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Emelin Theatre: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-up Chameleon, by award-winning children’s book illustrator and writer Eric Carle, are brilliantly retold on stage in black light in this visually stunning performance by The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Sat, 3/15:11am & 1:30pm. (153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Tarrytown Music Hall: If you missed this at the Emelin Theatre on 3/15 you can catch it in Tarrytown on Sat, 3/22:2pm. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St. Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Performing Arts Center, Purchase College: If you prefer your caterpillar closer to home you can see this special annual event for children in the pristine recital hall of Purchase College. Sun 4/6: 3pm. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Atlantic 10 Basketball Championship, Barclays Center: A-10 teams, led by AP Top 25 U Mass, compete for the league championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament. Fri-Sun, 3/14-16. (620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn: www.barclayscenter.com)

Coming This Spring …

Sesame Street Live Elmo Makes Music, Stamford Center for the Arts:  When the new music teacher’s instruments go missing, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, and more come to the rescue and discover instruments they never knew existed. Children learn that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together! Tues-Thurs, 4/15-17: check times. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.stamfordcenterforthearts.com)