Children are being invited to come sing, move, make, and imagine at Harlem Stage’s first KIDS DAY, a free five-hour celebration to be hosted by WQXR’s Terrance McKnight.
The event, set for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Ave. at West 135th Street, will feature live music, astronaut training, face painting, games, bouncy houses, a children’s book giveaway, free food trucks, healthy snacks, and other family activities. Admission is first-come, first-serve –– advance registration is encouraged. For attendees who need accommodations, Harlem Stage will provide ADA-accessible entry and seating, ASL interpreters, and a golf cart for assistance.
Harlem Stage says children deserve these kinds of artistic experiences and that it will give their creativity room to grow.
At 10 a.m., the day begins with “Blast Off! Astronaut Training,” a free activity led by Mélissa Smith and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., families can also take part in face painting, games, bouncy houses, and a children’s book giveaway, with free food trucks and healthy snacks.
“At Harlem Stage, we believe New York City’s children deserve the same adventurous, imaginative artistic experiences as our adult audiences; experiences that open the next generation to possibility and reflect the beautiful diversity of the world around them,” said Indira Etwaroo, CEO & artistic director. “Divinity Roxx, our newly appointed associate artistic director, is an award-winning musician who believes deeply in the untapped power of children’s imagination. When that belief meets Harlem Stage as a global play space … BOOM! Magic happens.”
At 11 a.m., there will be a free live music celebration with a musical performance by “Gracie’s Corner,” the YouTube channel that presents upbeat, culturally centered, educational songs.
Roxx will perform with Divi Roxx Kids, her family music project built around confidence, movement, and self-expression. Roxx is a two-time Grammy nominee in the children’s category, recognized for “Ready Set Go!” and “World Wide Playdate.”
“Stepping into this new role at Harlem Stage, it is especially meaningful to me that one of the first events of the season centers children and families and invites them into a space filled with wonder and possibility, extending the potential for young people to explore and expand their imaginations,” Roxx said. “I celebrate music that inspires kids to dream bigger, express themselves, and harness the power of their own voices.
“Harlem Stage KIDS DAY! gives us an opportunity to create that kind of experience and to make some great music, move, play, discover something new and, most importantly, let families and kids know that this is a space for them, too.”
