Zoo scares up some Halloween fun
Photos by Julie Larsen Maher © WCS
Boo at the Zoo: Dragons and Dinosaurs is returning to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and it may be the last time to check out the Dinosaur Safari: Mysteries Revealed experience before it becomes extinct. This year’s Boo at the Zoo activities are themed around the zoo’s lifelike animatronic dinosaur experience and real-life dinosaurs in the komodo dragon exhibit at Zoo Center.
Boo at the Zoo: Dragons and Dinosaurs is presented by Cannon and will run for five full weekends including Halloween. All attractions and activities will embrace the spirit of the season while highlighting wildlife and conservation. Annual favorites including the hay maze, pumpkin carving demos, costume parades, music, magic and more will return with some additional Halloween surprises.
An eerie walk-through experience – Jack O ‘Lantern Illumination – Creatures of the Night – will take over the exhibits in the former World of Darkness creating a one-of-a-kind illuminated Halloween display. At Broadway at Boo, cast members from plays including Pippin, Motown, Cinderella, On the Town, and the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe will make special appearances. Entertainment will include an original musical revue Carnival of Extraordinary Animals created by Noel MacNeal and encore performances from magician David Levitan and musical group Gigi and the Lend me a Hand Band.
All Boo at the Zoo activities are included with the price of admission with the exception of Dinosaur Safari and Jack O’Lantern Illumination which are included with the Total Experience Ticket.
Everyone is encouraged to visit www.bronxzoo.com for a complete schedule of dates, performances and activities.
Boo at the Zoo activities:
Jack O ‘Lantern Illumination – Creatures of the Night
Walk through a dark, eerie tunnel filled with more than 1,000 hand-carved and beautifully lit Jack ‘O lanterns meticulously sculpted into various animal shapes. Created by Rise of the Jack O ‘Lanterns, the exhibit lanterns will consist of dozens of intricate, detailed portraits of animals ranging from bats, to reptiles, marine creatures, mammals, nocturnal birds, bugs, and mythical creatures.
Location: By Somba Village
Time: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Dinosaur Safari: Mysteries Revealed
The narrated ride takes adventurers through a two-acre area of the zoo past more than 30 fully-animatronic dinosaurs as they move, snarl, and roar. The entire experience is designed to provide an understanding about how fossils and artifacts are meaningful clues to the mysteries of the past. Tour guides engage with zoo-goers and help them discover how fossils provide insight into what life may have looked like in prehistoric times.
Location: Boarding at Fordham Parking
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Powered by Chevrolet’s all-new and redesigned 2015 Suburban and 2015 Tahoe
3-D Carved Pumpkin Demonstrations
Professional pumpkin carvers from Sand Sculpture USA will be demonstrating their skill and displaying intricate pumpkin carvings of wildlife.
Location: Dancing Crane Plaza
Time: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sponsor: Food Network
Costume Parade
Visitors can join the enchantment of a Halloween Parade. Hand-made puppets and props built by master costumers will be part of the fun as participants march through the zoo alongside an array of characters from the Alice Farley Dance Company.
Location: Starts at Zoo Center
Time: 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Photos available at the end of each performance and from 3:30- 4 p.m. in Dancing Crane Plaza
Sponsors: Empire BlueCross BlueShield and IKEA
Musical Theater: Carnival of Extraordinary Animals
Inspired by the endearing children’s concert by Camille Saint-Saëns, Carnival of Extraordinary Animals re-introduces participants to the species that have left us, such as the Falkland Island Wolf, the Dodo, and of course, dinosaurs. Carnival of Extraordinary Animals was created by puppeteer Noel MacNeal of Sesame Street, Bear in the Big Blue House and several Nickelodeon TV series. Puppets by Puppet Kitchen of NYC. Music by Jim Camacho.
Location: Asia Plaza Theater
Timing: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Sponsors: IKEA and BlueCross BlueShield
Hay Maze
Let yourself get lost at the zoo with a Halloween maze filled with sudden starts, stops and lots of adventure.
Location: Butterfly Patio
Time: 11:00 a.m.– 5 p.m.
Live Music
Gigi and the Lend me a Hand Band will lead zoo audiences on a musical adventure with the Gigi’s Dino-mite Prehistoric Party. Audiences will be invited to participate in animal-themed musical performances, songs and dances, and games.
Location: Tent by bear exhibit
Time: 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
Sponsor: IKEA and BlueCross BlueShield
Animal Themed Magic Shows
Enjoy a Boo at the Zoo family tradition with remarkable slight-of-hand and optical illusions from magic man David Levitan.
Location: Tent by bear exhibit
Time: 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Sponsor: IKEA and BlueCross BlueShield
Broadway at Boo
Treat Stations
Special locations around the park will help sweeten your visit.
Time: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Crafts Workshop
Paint a wildlife-themed pumpkin of your own.
Location: Dancing Crane Plaza
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Sponsor: Fresh Direct; Family Circle
Extinct Animal Graveyard
Learn about endangered and extinct animals at this spooky display.
Location: Mouse House lawn.
Creature Chats
Bronx Zoo animal experts celebrate wildlife iconic to Halloween season.
Location: visit www.bronxzoo.com for full schedule
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Bronx Parent Summit
Join the Bronx Borough President’s Bronx Fathers Taking Action at the UFT Bronx Parent Summit – November 1
Please join the Bronx Fathers Taking Action as they present a workshop focused on mentoring in this year’s Bronx Parent Summit! Bronx parents, grandparents and community activists are welcome to join in for a great day of workshops, networking and food. Spanish translation is available. Pre-registration is required. Register online.
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Halloween bash
The Bronx UFT Halloween Bash will be held on October 31 at the Bay Eden Senior Center at 1220 East 229th Street. The event will run from 4 - 7:30 p.m.
Frightful games, candy and more for children ages 4-10!
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Fall into Autumn activities at Wave Hill
What better way to pay homage to the harvest season than with a delectable Sunday brunch in historic Wave Hill House’s glorious Armor Hall, and a mid-week stroll through the vibrant fall gardens with Charles Day, the dapper Englishman who is also our Ruth Rea Howell Horticultural Interpreter.
Saturday, November 1- Tai Chi Chuan
Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits.
Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8 a.m. on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3 p.m. the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
Saturday, November 1- Art and Nature Portfolio Review
Artists have the opportunity to meet with a curator, gallerist or critic for a 20-minute session providing feedback on their work or presentation materials. Guest reviewers to be announced. Review fee: $25 per artist to meet with one reviewer. Registration required, online at www.wavehill.org. Call 718.549.3200 x398 with questions.
Saturday, November 1- Family Art Project: Plant Jewelry
Collect intriguing items from the grounds of Wave Hill. Then visiting artist Jessica Lagunas shows us how to turn our found natural wonders into exciting plant jewelry. Save some to glue to a found box, along with fabric or embossed foil, and make a treasure chest to house your prized possession of the season. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
Sunday, November 2- Hatha Yoga
Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice.
Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome.
Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8 a.m. on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3 p.m. the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
Sunday, November 2- Meditation
This fall, take a moment to release stress and reconnect with your inner self while practicing meditation.
Each session includes instruction in simple techniques followed by 20 to 30 minutes of meditation. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other certified instructors. All levels welcome. Sessions are held indoors. Session fee: $20/$10 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8 a.m. on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3 p.m. the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Member’s ID card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.
Sunday, November 2- Harvest Brunch
Presented by Wave Hill's long-time partner and exclusive caterer Great Performances, New York City’s premier catering and events company, this very special brunch in historic Wave Hill House’s Armor Hall will feature a beautiful spread of unique twists on classic brunch presentations and is perfect for honoring the harvest season. Seatings will be offered at 11:30, Noon and 12:30PM. Wave Hill’s Harvest Brunch is $45 per person excluding tax and gratuity, $40 for Wave Hill Members, $25 for children ages three to 11. Unlimited mimosas will be provided. Reservations may be made by emailing wavehillreservations@greatperformances.com by October 30. Guests will be provided with a secured credit card payment link when reservations are requested.
Wednesday, November5- Fall Foliage Walk
Enjoy colorful foliage at its seasonal peak. Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day shares some of his favorite trees and shrubs in their vibrant fall finery. Free with admission to the grounds.
