There are plenty of tutorials on the web that will show you how to use Fireworks to make animations. Here is one:

http://www.peachpit.com/guides/content.aspx?g=flash&seqNum=370

While you might not be able to produce high end kinetic typography with these – you can make stuff move (including text) so it’s an easier alternative to learning After Effects. Have fun and have a great long weekend!