BY KAITLYN MEADE & SCOTT STIFFLER | HOUSE OF GHOSTLY HAUNTS Canal Park Playhouse is extending their run of Cardone The Magician’s spook show. The vaudeville-style act features razor swallowing and spirit conjuring — and ends in 10 minutes of complete darkness. Appropriate for ages 7 and up. Through May 22, Tuesdays, 7pm, at Canal Park Playhouse (508 Canal St., btw. Greenwich & West Sts.). For tickets ($20), visit ovationtix.com or call 866-811-4111. For more info, visit canalparkplayhouse.com.
UP TO YOU TADA! Youth Theater presents this not so ordinary high school musical by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart, directed by Janine Nina Trevens. Appropriate for ages 5 and up, it takes place in 1977 during Student Council elections at Hamilton High. The narrator, Eric, is bullied because of rumors about his sexuality and soon learns who his real friends are. Performances run every Sat. & Sun., from April 27-May 20 (except May 13) at 2pm & 4pm; additional performances, Fri., April 27 & May 18 at 7pm. For tickets ($15, $8 for children; premium tickets $25, $15 for children) and more info, visit tadatheater.com. Group rates and birthday party packages are also available.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS Explore painting, collage and sculpture through self-guided arts projects at this museum dedicated to inspiring the artist within. Open art stations are ongoing throughout the afternoon — giving children the opportunity to experiment with materials such as paint, clay, fabric, paper and found objects. The CMA’s spring benefit (“Imagined Worlds”) is inspired by Japanese artist Misaki Kawai’s current exhibition, “Love from Mt. Pom Pom” (an interactive art exhibit running through June 10). The benefit will feature hands-on art projects, face painting and music by the Raya Brass Band and Americana Family Jamboree. Catering is provided, and guests are invited to Saatchi & Saatchi (375 Hudson St.) after the event. A silent auction featuring everything from sports tickets to fashion packages will be running through May 9, at biddingforgood.com/cma. The Spring Benefit is Sun., May 6, 12-6pm. Tickets are $125 per adult, $45 per child. Ticket packages are available. Regular museum hours: Mon. and Wed., 12-5pm; Thurs.-Fri., 12-6pm; Sat.-Sun., 10am-6pm. Admission: $10; free for seniors and infants (0-12 months). Pay as you wish on Thurs., 4-6pm. At 103 Charlton St. (btw. Hudson and Greenwich Sts.). Call 212-274-0986 or visit cmany.org. For group tours, call 212-274-0986, ext. 31.
POETS HOUSE The Poets House Children’s Room gives children and their parents a gateway to enter the world of rhyme — through readings, group activities and interactive performances. For children ages 1-3, the Children’s Room offers “Tiny Poets Time” readings on Thursdays at 10am; for those ages 4-10, “Weekly Poetry Readings” on Saturdays at 11am. Filled with poetry books, old-fashioned typewriters and a card catalogue packed with poetic objects to trigger inspiration, the Children’s Room is open Thurs.-Sat., 11am-5pm. Free admission. At 10 River Terrace. Call 212-431-7920 or visit poetshouse.org.
THE SKYSCRAPER MUSEUM The Skyscraper Museum’s “Saturday Family Program” series features workshops designed to introduce children and their families to the principles of architecture and engineering — through hands-on activities. On May 12, children of all ages are invited to the “Mother’s Day Card Workshop” to craft their own architecturally themed cards for mom. On May 26, the new exhibit “News PAPER Spires” lets kids ages 8-13 create paper towers like those that housed the newspaper industry at the turn of the 20th century (as seen in Broadway’s “Newsies”). All workshops take place from 10:30-11:45am, at The Skyscraper Museum (39 Battery Place). Registration required. Call 212-945-6324 or e-mail education@skyscraper.org. Admission: $5 per child, free for members. Museum Hours: Wed.-Sun., 12-6pm. Museum admission: $5, $2.50 for students/seniors. For info, call 212-945-6324, visit skyscraper.org or email education@skyscraper.org.
Would You Like to See Your Event listed in the Downtown Express? Please provide the date, time, location, price and a description of the event. Send to scott@chelseanow.com or mail to 515 Canal St., Unit 1C, New York City, NY 10013. Requests must be received at least three weeks before the event. For more info, call 646-452-2497.
