From waltz to watusi, charleston to cha cha and lindy hop to hip hop members of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) and teaching artist Brian Gillie explore the relationships between music and dance in From Haydn to Hip Hop, Saturday, February 11, 2:00pm at the Omni New Haven Hotel and Sunday, February 12, 2:00pm at Shelton Intermediate School, part of the NHSO’s Family Concert Series.

Be sure to bring your dancing shoes as a trio of musicians performs this kid-friendly 50-minute program featuring Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto, Glenn Miller’s In the Mood, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and everything in between. Brian Gillie shares authentic dance moves and teaches children to improvise steps and perform choreographed routines. He’ll also explore the many facets of culture and music that have influenced the way people have “cut a rug” over the past three hundred years.

Prior to the concert, visit our Instrument Discovery Zone at 1:30pm. Musicians help kids touch, toot, and tap a tune on orchestral instruments.

Tickets ($15/adult, $12/senior citizen, $5/child) can be purchased at 203.865.0831, x10 or www.NewHavenSymphony.org.

Bank of America supports the NHSO’s Family Concert Series. From Haydn to Hip Hop is also generously supported by the George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation, Tweed New Haven Regional Airport, and the Omni New Haven Hotel.

For the 23rd year, the National Geographic Society sponsored the National Geographic Bee for students in the fourth through eighth grades in thousands of schools across the United States and in the five U.S. territories, as well as in Department of Defense Dependents Schools around the world.  Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) is host for the National Geography Bee for all Connecticut homeschoolers.

On Monday, 23 January 2012 nine students took their places on the stage of the auditorium of the James Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford, Connecticut.  These students have all been working to prepare for the day’s event – The National Geographic Geography Bee!  After the preliminary round containing seven questions to determine which four would be moving on, there was a tie for the third finalist and third-place winner.  The tie-breaking round commenced, followed by a final championship round, which ultimately determined our 2012 Bee champion!  Willow Coleman of Guilford is this year’s winner.  Willow will now take a written exam that could qualify her for the state competition, which will be held at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain 30 March 2012. The National competition follows thereafter in May in Washington, D.C.  Students were all very pleased and proud to have been a part of this Geography Bee, now a CELC tradition, and are already preparing for the 2013 Bee!

Winner will be chosen on Tuesday, January 31st!

Nature’s Child School Initiative is dedicated to providing holistic nature-based education grounded in Waldorf philosophy in the upcoming years. Our initiative is committed to teaching in ways that allow the potential for learning, loving and creating to unfold naturally in an eco-minded setting that nurtures the whole child.
We are interested in forming a community to explore the potential of a Greater New Haven Waldorf School.
January 17, 2012, 6:30-8:00 p.m. New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm Street New Haven.
If you are looking for a school for your child that NURTURES imagination, creativity, critical thinking, self awareness, lifelong love of learning, and seeks to develop your child’s intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual (secular) capacities, please join us to learn about a new Waldorf Education Initiative starting up in the Greater New Haven area.

RSVP: vicki@natureschildschool.com, 203-392-4846, www.natureschildschool.com

Who we are: Off Book is the new name for the same program we have offered for years! It is an 8-week drama class that is provided free of charge to all families in and around New Haven for kids in grades 3-5.  The program is designed to introduce kids to the basics of acting and, most importantly, to feel confident and comfortable performing and expressing themselves.  We also play games and provide delicious snacks!  In the final few sessions, the kids work together to write, practice, and perform their own short play for their parents.  This class is a joy to teach and the kids are sure to have a blast!  It would be amazing if you would join us in the fun!

Dates & Location: Sessions are held Saturdays starting January 28^th thru April 7^th from 12:30-2:30 pm in Dwight Hall on Yale’s central campus.

Too young or old for Off Book? Try our other programs! For Pre-K- 2^nd grade try “Hands On!” and for middle school students try “Curtain Call”.  There is more information about these programs on the website below. Email kyle.vanleer@yale.edu if you have further questions.

Cost: Free to all New Haven residents.  If families can afford it, we welcome a donation (suggested $50) to help us continue our program.

To register please visit http://www.yalechildrenstheater.org/off-book.html and fill out the information on the Google Document.  Registration for this spring term will close January 17^th.

On Saturday, January 21, 2012, Dragon Calling!, a Lunar New Year Family Day, will run from 10 AM to 2:30 PM at the New Haven Museum. Children will be able to make paper lanterns, dragon decorations, and more. The Yale Children’s Theater will also be performing stories about Lunar New Year and more. Traditional Lunar New Year snacks and refreshments will be served. All activities are designed for children (ages 4 up) and their families to spend the day at the New Haven Museum. The program admission is $5 per child, free for adults and museum members. Pre-registration is suggested, but not necessary.

The New Haven Museum is located in downtown New Haven at 114 Whitney Avenue. For more information, contact Michelle Cheng, Director of Education at (203) 562-4183 ext. 11 or education@newhavenmuseum.org.