Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College will once again partner with Target® to bring quality, affordable, and family friendly performing arts programming to the diverse cultural communities of Brooklyn. For the past 26 years, Brooklyn Center has presented weekend matinees specifically chosen for families with children ages four to twelve. Renamed the Target FamilyFun Series in 2008, the series is designed to provide parents the opportunity to introduce their children to live music, theater and dance at affordable prices. All seats for Brooklyn Center's 2011-2012 Target FamilyFun Series will be $7.00-$10.00.

"Last season, Brooklyn Center's partnership with Target allowed us to provide almost 10,000 children and their parents with top-notch entertainment," said Lana Rogachevskaya, Managing Director of Brooklyn Center. "In spite of the grave economic challenges that Brooklyn families have faced in the past twelve months, the 2010-11 Target Family Fun series was one of the highest attended family series in Brooklyn Center's history. The demand for affordable, quality performing arts is evident, and it is an honor to work with Target in filling this demand."

"At Target, we believe the arts are an educational tool that can open our minds to other traditions, cultures and points of view," says Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. "We are proud to continue our partnership with Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts to make the arts affordable and accessible to all, while nurturing a child's love of learning."

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2011-2012 Target FamilyFun Series includes:

• Soul Street Dance: Breakin' Backwards
• Brooklyn Center's annual holiday classic, The Colonial Nutcracker
• Clifford the Big Red Dog™ — Live!
• The children's musical group Hot Peas 'N Butter
• Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: an African Tale
• American Family Theater's Cinderella

Soul Street Dance: Breakin' Backwards
Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 2pm
With an incredible combination of energy, speed, innovation, and just plain fun, Soul Street Dance combines youthful athleticism with different types of contemporary and street dance, including Brazilian capoeira, New York-style break dance, and hip hop. Recommended for ages six and up.
Tickets: $7

The Colonial Nutcracker
Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 2pm
An annual holiday favorite at Brooklyn Center, Dance Theatre in Westchester performs an abridged, narrated version of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet set in wintry colonial Yorktown, complete with a red-coated mouse army and an enchanted nutcracker prince. Recommended for ages four and up.
Tickets: $7

Clifford the Big Red Dog™ — Live!
Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 2pm
Embark on a whole new adventure with loveable Clifford, the big red dog with a heart of gold. Based on the classic children's books by Norman Bridwell, this brand new musical is full of memorable songs and fun choreography celebrating the timeless values of sharing, respect, and cooperation. Recommended for ages four and up.
Tickets: $10

Hot Peas 'N Butter
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 2pm
Even if your kids don't like vegetables, they won't be able to resist Hot Peas 'N Butter! This children's musical group combines an interactive, invigorating approach to performance with multicultural music, blending jazz, R&B, folk, rock, and Afro-Caribbean tunes that will have kids dancing in the aisles. Recommended for ages four and up.
Tickets: $7

John Steptoe's
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
Based on the book by John Steptoe, adapted for the stage by Karen Abbott
Music & Lyrics by S-Ankh Rasa
Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 2pm
When a great African king desires a wife, only the most worthy maidens are invited to meet him, including Mufaro's two daughters. Both are beautiful, but does either have the inner beauty of a potential queen? Told through African dance, drumming, narration and song, this story celebrates goodness, generosity, and kindness of heart. Recommended for ages six and up.
Tickets: $7

Cinderella
Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 2pm
American Family Theater's award-winning production bursts with excitement, fantasy, and song as it tells the classic tale of a lowly servant girl whose one wish is to attend the royal ball. With the help of her friend Mortimer Mouse and a magical fairy godmother, her dreams come true and everyone lives happily ever after. Recommended for ages four and up.
Tickets: $7

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2011-2012 Target FamilyFun series is sponsored by Target.

Other family friendly performances in Brooklyn Center's 2011-2012 season include:

Direct from Beijing
National Acrobats of the People's Republic of China
Mr. Tian Zichun and Mr. Jianguo Yao, General and Artistic Directors
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 1pm
Founded in 1950 as the first National Performing Arts Troupe established by the government of the People's Republic of China, this ensemble of more than 40 gymnasts, contortionists, jugglers, and dancers combine centuries-old tradition with modern-day showmanship in their very first North American tour.
Tickets: $20 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under

The Beauty of Ballet
Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 2pm
Join students and faculty of the world-famous School of American Ballet (the official academy of New York City Ballet) in this program illustrating the process by which talented youngsters develop into accomplished classical ballet dancers. Children will watch a "class" where training exercises and steps are demonstrated, and also enjoy excerpts from famous ballets. A free event recommended for ages six and up. Tickets: General admission, no tickets issued

Fifth Annual National Grid Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 3pm
National Grid Earth Day Celebration educates families on how they can play a role in caring for the Earth and creating a more sustainable future. Children and adults alike will enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and street performers at this free community festival, while interactive family activities and educational displays highlight the need for conserving energy, recycling, and having a heightened awareness of the global issues that we face today. This is a free event for all ages.
Tickets: General admission, no tickets issued

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College
2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn
(2 train to Brooklyn College/Flatbush Avenue)

Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org
Box Office: (718) 951-4500, Tuesday – Saturday, 1pm – 6pm
Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-4600, ext. 22

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn's diverse communities, at affordable prices. Brooklyn Center's presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 70,000 people to the 2,400 seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season, and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving 46,000 schoolchildren from over 300 schools annually with its SchoolTime series. In recognition of its commitment to quality family programming, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts has been voted Brooklyn's Best Theater or Theater Group for Kids as part of Nickelodeon's 2009 Parents Connect Parents' Picks Awards. This award follows Brooklyn Center's selection as Brooklyn's Best Place for Family Bonding in 2008.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,750 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.com/hereforgood.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' programs are made possible in part with public funding from the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support for the 2011-2012 season is provided by: Brooklyn College; Target; Con Edison; Macy's Foundation; Mertz Gilmore Foundation; National Grid; TD Bank; and The Harkness Foundation for Dance. Additional support provided by CNG Publications and The Brooklyn Eagle. Backstage catering is graciously provided by Applebee's.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges generous support from the Members of the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York City Council and Speaker Christine C. Quinn; and Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Kate Levin.