Upcoming

EVENT/MUSIC: It's Children's Day at South Street Seaport this Saturday. With Gordon from Sesame Street, The School House Rock Stage Show and They Might Be Giants! Wait...AND fireworks! [via FreeNYC]
Details: Saturday, June 11th // Noon - 10pm (kids stay up that late?) // South Street Seaport Pier 17 // Free

After hearing Ana Ng head over to one of these shows this weekend.

You could also pre-purchase your ticket for Movable Hype 3.0. All the info you need is at that link, except for the previously unannounced band, who is Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! Buy a ticket.

THEATER: At St. Ann's Warehouse for the next week, toys rule -- toy actors, that is, in the 7th Annual Toy Theater Festival. Seven different programs of creations for adults, a cabaret evening, and two programs for kids will be presented by companies from around the world, from Holland to Palestine to Mexico and even Sag Harbor. There will also be toy theater workshops, a symposium, and even a temporary museum to show the history of toy, or paper, theater. Details: St. Ann's, 38 Water Street, Brooklyn. Opening reception tonight 5-7; Adult Programs at 7:30 and 10pm. See the festival's website for the full schedule.

Another unconventional bit of programming is on at La MaMa, where Jane Catherine Shaw's Universe Expanding opened last night. Drawing on Hinduism, Christianity, science, and science fiction, the show moves fluidly through space and time. The idea is to get audiences to think -- or perhaps better to say meditate -- on their place in the whole scheme, and with Shaw's innovative use of puppetry and multimedia installations, it sounds like an excellent way to keep your brain from atrophying over the weekend.
Details: La MaMa // 74A E. 4th St. // Thurs-Sun 7:30, Sun. also 2:30pm.

ART: The Design of Dissent is running through July 2nd. It features over 100 political posters from around the world, along with other politically driven graphic art. The exhibit coincides with the release of the book, which shares the same title. Spanning over 4 decades the works take on the often controversial issues of animal rights, gun control, religion, the Iraq war, equality, peace, women’s rights, gay rights and the corporate world.
The above piece from the exhibit is by Tomato Kosir.
Details: Mon-Thur: 9am-8pm // Fri & Sat: 9am-5pm) // SVA Gallery (209 E 23rd St // Free

ENLIGHTENMENT: Once Gothamist flew to Oregon, alone, to see the Dalai Lama. This weekend, travel a lot less to learn the ways of Buddhism.
Buddhism in the City takes place June 10th and 11th and features a series of talks by Lama Ole Nydahl of Diamond Way Buddhism. For full schedule of lectures and workshops go here.
Details: June 10th and 11th // Pace University (Schimmel Theater) // 7:30pm // $15

Here's hoping that Arlene doesn't screw up our weekends!