Australian performer Leon Fallon has been entertaining kids in New York for the past few years as Outback Aussie, a one-man band with a cult following that includes Brooke Shields and Christy Turlington. While Fallon is a regular performer on the birthday party circuit at Citibabes, he’s still something of a secret among moms planning parties in the city. That’s all about to change . . .

When it comes to birthday parties for babies and toddlers, it’s all about the balloons.
 
Downtown moms rave about the Balloon Saloon, whose owner Sharon Hershkowitz doesn’t mind chatting about her high profile customers, like Mariah Carey, who ordered hundreds of hot pink balloons and butterfly shapes, and Sarah Jessica Parker, whose child got the Harry Potter theme party.

Puppet shows can be really lame—which is exactly why we’re so excited about the witty, intelligent and thoughtfully styled shows by filmmaker Chad Williams and his wife, Lindsey Z. Briggs, a professional puppeteer for PBS kids’ shows.