The A-List

By Scott Stiffler

Park Activities
They started in May, and they won’t stop until October. That’s the annual cycle during which Battery Park City Parks Conservancy sponsors music, dancing and storytelling, fishing days, bird watching, garden tours and art events for every conceivable age and skill level. It’s all designed to get you connected to our parks and keep you engaged for the rest of your life. Making it easier? All supplies for all activities are provided (although some programs require a fee to participate). On Oct. 1 from 6pm to 7pm, “Twilight Tour: Flora & Fauna in the Park” has naturalist Karlo Mirth and a BPCPC horticulturalist teaming up for an evening exploration of the Hudson River shore. There are many, many more events — and no better way to find out about them than by visiting www.bpcparks.org or calling 212-267-9700.

Dance New Amsterdam
With their recent lease problems temporarily behind them, Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) gets down to the nitty gritty of doing what they do best — which means a fall season packed to the rafters with performances, educational dance classes, courses, certification courses and specialty workshops. Here are some highlights of the too-much-to-list-here schedule:

From Sept. 13 through 30, “Broadway Goes Downtown to DNA” does what it says — as a trio of Broadway luminaries (Charlotte d’Amboise, Mary Ann Lamb and Mary MacLeod) lead classes focusing on technique and choreography from Broadway masters for whom they have danced. Expect some uncommon insight regarding the styles of Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, and Michael Bennett. On Sept. 27, from 6-8pm, DNA’s Open House invites you to spend an evening getting to know all about their facility. Check out the studios, watch classes and meet the faculty. Oct. 9, zero is a very good price to pay as you take advantage of “Free Class Day” (10am to 7:30pm, with an 8pm performance). At Dance New Amsterdam (280 Broadway, 2nd Floor. Entrance on Chambers). For info on classes and performances, call 212.625.8369 or visit www.dnadance.org.

Hidden harbor tour
Treat yourself to a boat ride while getting an easy-to-digest history lesson. This “September Sunset” tour reveals how Brooklyn’s shoreline went from dense with shipbuilding operations, repair facilities and docks to a waterfront area that’s more about industrial, residential and recreational uses (although it still retains some of its old maritime identity). As you sip cocktails, Captain John Doswell, executive director of the Working Harbor Committee, will tell stories and answer questions — while he keeps an able eye on the three-deck luxury excursion boat Zephyr. As for the scenery, expect to see container ships, oil tankers, car carriers, tugs, barges, cruise ships, ferries and water taxis. The two-hour tour will depart South Street Seaport’s Pier 16 on Sept. 14 at 6pm. For tickets ($29 adults, $21 seniors, $17 children), call 212-757-1600. Visit www.workingharbor.org for information on fall weekend tours

The Scholastic Store
Take some of the sting off your kid’s back to school woes with a trip to a gigantic bookstore that has much more to offer than Harry Potter memorabilia (although it’s got plenty of that!).
Every Saturday in September at 3pm, Scholastic’s in-store activities are designed to get kids reading, thinking, talking, creating and moving. On Sept. 4, kids ages 3 and up can add their own jokes to the store’s LOL wall (after story time with the book “How Do Dinosaurs Laugh Out Loud?”). On Sept. 11, “It’s Time for Tea!” is an event for ages 4 and up. Soho’s coolest kids-only tea party features story time with the new book “Angel Cat Sugar Tea Party.” Sept. 18, the 5+ set celebrates the 9th annual collection of the most unbelievable facts, acts and oddities — with readings from “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” and a mystery visitation from one of the Ripley’s Times Square Odditorium oddities. Sept. 25, dog lovers ages 4 and up can have their photo taken with Clifford the Big Red Dog and enjoy a reading of the new rhyming book “Smooch Your Pooch.” A few weeks later, on Oct. 30, The Annual Halloween Costume Parade is a free all-ages event starting inside the store then making its way from Mercer Street to Broadway.

The Scholastic Store is located at 557 Broadway (btw. Prince & Spring Streets). Regular store hours are Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm, and Sun, 11am-6pm. For info about store events, call 212-343-6166. Visit www.scholastic.com.