Jim Henson’s Fantastic World
Located in Astoria, Queens, The Museum of the Moving Image advances the public understanding and appreciation of all the aspects involved in the creation of film, television, and digital media. The main temporary exhibition on view here celebrates the legacy of Jim Henson: a creative figure known worldwide, who would have turned 75 years old this fall. “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World” features more than 120 artifacts, including drawings, storyboards, props and puppets. Visitors can examine materials from Henson’s best-known projects: “The Muppet Show,” “The Muppet Movie,” and “Fraggle Rock.” “Time Piece”, an Academy Award-nominated experimental short film made by Henson, is one of the highlights. This exhibition is on view through Monday, January 16, 2012.

Childsplay
On December 1 The Peter Norton Symphony Space presents a music performance that features some of the best fiddlers in the nation. Known as “Childsplay,” these musicians are famous for their innovative and exuberant music. All the violinists and fiddlers in the group perform on instruments made by violinmaker Bob Childs. Hence the double entendre of their name: “Childsplay.” This is singer Aoife O’Donovan’s last tour with “Childsplay,” after years of being a central member of the group.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The newly renovated New York City Center welcomes the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for five weeks of performances, starting on November 30th. The season will include over 20 works, a combination of classics and newer works that continue the legacy left by the company’s founder. “Home,” from hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris, was inspired by stories of people affected by HIV. It will have its world premiere on December 1st, which is both World AIDS Day and the day Alvin Ailey lost his life to the disease 22 years ago. “The Hunt” is just one of several works choreographed by Robert Battle, for whom this is the first season in which he acts as Artistic Director of the company. One of the new productions is “Journey”, a female solo by Joyce Trisler. “Minus 16” by American-Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin is an unusual work in the company’s repertory, because it challenges the dancers to improvise, break the fourth wall and invite the audience on stage.