Family Saturdays
Schedule
Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Saturday, March 29, 2025
Join us this winter for a whole new season of French-inspired family fun! Family Saturdays seeks to amplify the educational opportunities available to young language learners along with their parents. Activities will be available for a range of ages and interests. Offering a child-friendly perspective of L’Alliance New York’s visual and performing arts programs, Saturday events are carefully selected to complement L’Alliance’s cultural and educational missions.
Featured Artists and Programs:
Collage, Comics, Book-Making and More! (ages 5+) For the last weekend in March, Family Saturdays extends through Sunday, for a weekend-long celebration of the Comic Arts on March 29 and 30! Families with children of all ages are welcome to join us for a series of free comics-inspired activities. Make your own books with Studio in a School, design your own mixed-media self-portrait, learn the basics of creating a comic, and create a comic character as a paper doll puppet! Learn more below and RSVP today.
Broken Box Mime Theater (ages 3-12) – BKBX (Broken Box Mime Theater) is a contemporary physical theater company that tells original stories beyond language barrier. L’Alliance New York has welcomed the troupe for performances and workshops in past seasons of TILT Kids festival and the Young Audience Program. Tickets required.
Weekly Storytime (ages 4-9) – Drop in on Saturdays for free family-style French story time at the Haskell Library! Held in the main reading room and featuring books carefully curated from the library’s collection, each week will focus on a different fun and inspiring theme. No advance registration required.
Coloring in the Library (ages 3+) – After Storytime, coloring activities will be available to students and families throughout the Library’s usual Saturday hours. L’Alliance New York’s arts and cultural programming department will provide a family guide that includes coloring pages and kid-friendly information about L’Alliance’s visual and performing arts programs. No advance registration required.
*Please note there will be no Family Saturday programming held on Saturday, February 15.
Venue
Event Pricing
Workshops:
Members: $10
Non-members: $15
20% discount for multiple tickets with code FAM20
Coloring and Storytime:
Free
Weekly Program
Week 1 | Saturday, January 18, 2025
10:00am-11:30am: Studio in a School Family Workshop: Inspired by Covering The New Yorker (ages 4+)
11:30am-12:00pm: Storytime (ages 4-9)
12:00pm-2:00pm: Coloring/Drawing in library (ages 3+)My New York: Family Watercolor Workshop with Studio in a School NYC
L’Alliance New York Skyroom
Join us for a family art-making workshop for kids 4+ and their families. We will make art together celebrating the fabulous buildings and city life of New York. Inspired by classic New Yorker covers, we will use watercolor to capture the colors, sounds, feeling, and energy of our city. The workshop will begin with introduction to the materials and sources of inspiration, followed by a demonstration offering us approaches for bringing our cities to life. No experience required to attend; all materials will be provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Artist Instructor Bio:
Elaine Greenstein is a professional artist and educator. She has been teaching visual art in public and private schools for over 20 years; her students range in age from 3 years to 70+. Her studio work includes printmaking, sculpture, and drawing. Ms. Greenstein is also the author illustrator of 13 published books for children. She loves to bake and travel.About Studio in a School – Studio in a School is a visual arts organization partnering with public schools and community organizations in NYC. Their team connects teaching artists with schools to organize classes in drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpting, media tech, and more. Studio in a School also partners with cultural organizations to connect schools and arts educators with current exhibitions, curators, museums, among others.
Week 2 | Saturday, January 25, 2025
10:15am-11:15am: Screening: Yuku and the Himalayan Flower (3+)
All Day: Discover Animation First. Stop by our Stop-motion Animation Station to create your own film (open to all ages)!Yuku and the Himalayan Flower
NY Premiere
L’Alliance New York Skyroom
Join us at Animation First for the family-friendly New York Premiere of Yuku and the Himalayan Flower. In this animated musical adventure, Yuku sets off on a daring quest to find the magical Himalayan flower that’s said to hold the power to heal her grandmother. Armed with nothing but her ukulele and a heart full of songs, she ventures deep into the mountains, where wild creatures and unexpected challenges await. Along the way, Yuku hopes to make new friends and discover the true power of love as she faces this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Week 3 | Saturday, February 1, 2025
11:30am-12:00pm: Storytime (ages 4-9)
11:45am-12:30pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 7-12)
12:00pm-2:00pm: Coloring/Drawing in library (ages 3+)
1:30pm-2:15pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 3-7)Silent Storytelling with Broken Box Mime Theater
L’Alliance Skyroom
Join BKBX teaching artists in a weekly class, exploring ideas that complement L’Alliance New York’s language class curricula. Each semester, the classes will focus on a theme related to our wider cultural programs. Theater artists from Broken Box Mime will explore how we tell stories without words! In this weekly series, we will learn the basics of mime, play with body language, and learn how to tell stories as an ensemble. All levels of experience and access needs are welcome. Come play!
Week 4 | Saturday, February 8, 2025
11:30am-12:00pm: Storytime (ages 4-9)
11:45am-12:30pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 7-12)
12:00pm-2:00pm: Coloring/drawing in library (ages 3+)
1:30pm-2:15pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 3-7)Silent Storytelling with Broken Box Mime Theater
L’Alliance Skyroom
Join BKBX teaching artists in a weekly class, exploring ideas that complement L’Alliance New York’s language class curricula. Each semester, the classes will focus on a theme related to our wider cultural programs. Theater artists from Broken Box Mime will explore how we tell stories without words! In this weekly series, we will learn the basics of mime, play with body language, and learn how to tell stories as an ensemble. All levels of experience and access needs are welcome. Come play!
Week 5 | Saturday, February 22, 2025
11:30am-12:00pm: Storytime (ages 4-9)
11:45am-12:30pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 7-12)
12:00pm-2:00pm: Coloring/Drawing in library (ages 3+)
1:30pm-2:15pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 3-7)Silent Storytelling with Broken Box Mime Theater
L’Alliance Skyroom
Join BKBX teaching artists in a weekly class, exploring ideas that complement L’Alliance New York’s language class curricula. Each semester, the classes will focus on a theme related to our wider cultural programs. Theater artists from Broken Box Mime will explore how we tell stories without words! In this weekly series, we will learn the basics of mime, play with body language, and learn how to tell stories as an ensemble. All levels of experience and access needs are welcome. Come play!
Week 6 | Saturday, March 1, 2025
11:30am-12:00pm: Storytime (ages 4-9)
11:45am-12:30pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 7-12)
12:00pm-2:00pm: Coloring/Drawing in library (ages 3+)
1:30pm-2:15pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 3-7)Silent Storytelling with Broken Box Mime Theater
Tinker Auditorium
Join BKBX teaching artists in a weekly class, exploring ideas that complement L’Alliance New York’s language class curricula. Each semester, the classes will focus on a theme related to our wider cultural programs. Theater artists from Broken Box Mime will explore how we tell stories without words! In this weekly series, we will learn the basics of mime, play with body language, and learn how to tell stories as an ensemble. All levels of experience and access needs are welcome. Come play!
Week 7 | Saturday, March 8, 2025
11:30am-12:00pm: Storytime (ages 4-9)
11:45am-12:30pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 7-12)
12:00pm-2:00pm: Coloring/Drawing in library (ages 3+)
1:30pm-2:15pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 3-7)Silent Storytelling with Broken Box Mime Theater
L’Alliance Skyroom
Join BKBX teaching artists in a weekly class, exploring ideas that complement L’Alliance New York’s language class curricula. Each semester, the classes will focus on a theme related to our wider cultural programs. Theater artists from Broken Box Mime will explore how we tell stories without words! In this weekly series, we will learn the basics of mime, play with body language, and learn how to tell stories as an ensemble. All levels of experience and access needs are welcome. Come play!
Week 8 | Saturday, March 15, 2025
11:30am-12:00pm: Storytime (ages 4-9)
11:45am-12:30pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 7-12)
12:00pm-2:00pm: Coloring/Drawing in library (ages 3+)
1:30pm-2:15pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 3-7)Silent Storytelling with Broken Box Mime Theater
L’Alliance Skyroom
Join BKBX teaching artists in a weekly class, exploring ideas that complement L’Alliance New York’s language class curricula. Each semester, the classes will focus on a theme related to our wider cultural programs. Theater artists from Broken Box Mime will explore how we tell stories without words! In this weekly series, we will learn the basics of mime, play with body language, and learn how to tell stories as an ensemble. All levels of experience and access needs are welcome. Come play!
Week 9 | Saturday, March 22, 2025
11:30am-12:00pm: Storytime (ages 4-9)
11:45am-12:30pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 7-12)
12:00pm-2:00pm: Coloring/Drawing in library (ages 3+)
1:30pm-2:15pm: Broken Box Mime Theater workshop (ages 3-7)Silent Storytelling with Broken Box Mime Theater
L’Alliance Skyroom
Join BKBX teaching artists in a weekly class, exploring ideas that complement L’Alliance New York’s language class curricula. Each semester, the classes will focus on a theme related to our wider cultural programs. Theater artists from Broken Box Mime will explore how we tell stories without words! In this weekly series, we will learn the basics of mime, play with body language, and learn how to tell stories as an ensemble. All levels of experience and access needs are welcome. Come play!
Week 10 | Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Sunday, March 30, 2025
Feeling inspired by our Comic Arts Fest? Join us in the library for cartoon and illustration workshops! Each drawing exercise will be tailored for all ages and skill levels and will be led by a teaching artist. Families welcome! Materials will be provided. All workshops take place in the Haskell Library (Main Reading Room).
RSVP here for Creators Corner.
Saturday, March 29, 2025:
Our Story to Tell: A Book-making Workshop with Studio in a School (ages 3+)
11:15am-12:15pm | Saturday, March 29th, 2025
Taught by Em MunozPlease join us in making your own illustrated book with Studio Artist Instructor Em Munoz. Work with family to develop your story, perhaps capturing an everyday moment from life or something fantastical. Prompts will be provided as inspiration. Use simple line, shape, and color to bring your story to life with colored pencils and markers. Students must be 3+ to participate in this workshop and be accompanied at all times by their parents/guardians.
Presented in partnership with Studio in a School.
Studio in a School is a not-for-profit organization bringing professional visual artists and art experiences to young people in New York City’s public schools and community-based organizations.
Collage and Comics Workshop (ages 5+)
1:30pm-2:30pm | Saturday, March 29th, 2025
Taught by Oge Lydia AcarThis interactive workshop blends paper collage and traditional illustration to create a vibrant, personalized artwork—a self-portrait surrounded by a collection of favorite things. Using a mix of media such as watercolor, crayons, markers, and colored pencils, participants will explore different textures and materials in a fun, hands-on process. The workshop is designed to be playful and welcoming for all experience levels. Whether you love to draw or are simply looking to experiment with art in new ways, this session encourages creativity, self-expression, and exploration. All materials will be provided. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times.
Sunday, March 30, 2025:
Exploring Comics: Stories Without Words Workshop (ages 5+)
12:00pm-1:00pm | Sunday, March 30th, 2025
Taught by Anna PalmtagThis workshop will introduce basic comic techniques such as narrative storytelling, composition, and drawing techniques. Throughout the course of the workshop, participants will be guided through the process of making a simple comic in order to better understand and appreciate the art of visual storytelling through hands-on experience. All materials will be provided. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times.
Build a Comic Character Workshop (ages 5+)
1:30pm-2:30pm | Sunday, March 30th, 2025
Taught by Oge Lydia AcarParticipants create paper doll puppets with movable joints. Use this interactive and fun design technique to make your favorite comic book character or create your own original bande dessinée character! All materials will be provided. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times.
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