Beltway Bambinos

(re) discover Washington DC through the eyes of your children

Is your child ready for Montessori? The Children’s House of Washington welcomes you to find out on Sept. 30

Where:
The Children’s House of Washington (C.H.O.W.)
3133 Dumbarton Street NW., Washington, DC 20007
Who:
The Children’s House of Washington opened in September of 1981 by Patti Harburger who retired from C.H.O.W. in 2012.

This school is a place where children love learning and a place where they challenge themselves day-to-day.

Through a traditional Montessori education they are a community committed to establishing the intellectual, emotional, and physical foundation that will develop the skills for your child to become a self-directed learner, flexible thinker, creative problem solver, and support their ever-increasing curiosity about the world in which they live.

The Children’s House is child-centered within a nurturing environment where exceptional and experienced teachers support and guide each student with warmth and respect. The school’s single minded focus is to teach children the necessary skills they will need to succeed in each school they attend as well as in the larger context of their adult lives.

What:
Parents and children are invited to an open house on September 30th, 2017 from 9:00am – 11:30am.
If you can’t make this open house the school welcomes you to contact the school director to set up an appointment that works for you!

Why:
They have rolling enrollment and accommodate children age 2-5.
The children enrolled at C.H.O.W. get incredible personalized attention and leave the school with a great start to their academic careers.
Need a little more affirmation that you should check out CHOW? See the reviews on Facebook— all 5 stars from parents!!

My Gym Bethesda & Potomac Open House, Fall Enrollment + Giveaway!

My Gym has developed an extraordinary program and facility devised to help children 6 weeks thru 10 years of age develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. They offer structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, sports and more. Children have loads of fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem. My Gym has earned the reputation as the best early learning program of its kind.

Fall Open House at both Bethesda and Potomac My Gym will be on Friday, September 15th from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Visit My Gym for FREE! Meet some teachers, play in the space and learn about new classes and programs!

Fall Schedule for My Gym Potomac HERE
11325 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Fall Schedule for My Gym Bethesda HERE
5110 Ridgefield Rd #201, Bethesda, MD 20816

Fall classes start September 5th – Reserve your class TODAY! Popular classes and times will book up fast. Try a NEW class like Ninja Training or Pre-Ballet. Don’t forget that all enrolled members get Open Gym (which they call Practice and Play) for free! This fall they are including MORE Open Gym times to accommodate members.

Not only does My Gym Bethesda and Potomac make having a child’s birthday party so easy but they offer very generous perks and policies. My daughter has taken classes at My Gym for a year now. This summer if you were enrolled in a class you received unlimited classes at either gym location! And you always get unlimited Practice and Play (Open Gym) in both locations when you are enrolled at either location.  PLUS you can always do make-up classes in ether gym if there is a class that better fits your schedule. It doesn’t get much better than My Gym and trust me, I’ve been to many kid gyms!

****My Gym is offering 1 lucky Bambino a month of free classes at either Bethesda or Potomac location. Comment below with what class you’d be interested in signing up for and earn extra entries by commenting on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter. Winner will be announced on September 14, 2017****

Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure at Imagination Stage

What: Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure at Imagination Stage

When: June 21-August 13, 2017

Where: 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814


Why: Alice follows the White Rabbit into Wonderland where all of the familiar characters have been transformed into live guitar-toting Rock ‘n’ Roll musicians! She takes advice from a Zen Caterpillar and a wise Cheshire Cat. She has tea with the unwelcoming Mad Hatter, and argues with the childish Tweedledee and Tweedledum. When the vicious diva Red Queen tries to destroy her, Alice fights back only to find herself in a battle of the bands with the Jabberwocky, a many-headed monster who embodies all her fears and insecurities. Alice ultimately outperforms him on keyboard and drums; she is crowned at last, and returns home, a stronger and happier girl. The writers have successfully translated Carroll’s irrational Wonderland to our own times and added lyrics and a beat that will make you want to twist and shout!

You won’t stop smiling and tapping your feet while you follow Alice through the rabbit hole that is quite literally a rock and roll stage. The characters are amazing and so talented when it comes to acting and being musicians. Each one plays multiple instruments while also having a speaking part in the play– at times it feels like we were at a concert. It’s truly an avant-garde twist on the classic everyone adores. The costumes of the characters are creative and captivating with a bit of edge. Our favorite part which left us laughing out loud was when the Red Queen makes her appearance. The instruments used in this rock and roll musical were endless. Best for Ages 5+. 90 minutes with no intermission.

Book and lyrics by Rachel Rockwell. Music and lyrics by Michael Mahler. Based on the classics by Lewis Carroll. Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer.

Tickets: $20-$35

Learn more about theatre productions, classes, and weekend workshops at Imagination Stage.

Art + Tech + House = Artechouse

At the crossroads of art, science and technology ARTECHOUSE brings a true 21st century art experience to the nation’s capital as Washington, D.C.’s first interactive digital art gallery. Opened in June 2017 in Washington, D.C., ARTECHOUSE is a first-of-its kind innovative art space dedicated to showcasing experiential and immersive large scale installations by artists who are forerunners of the new age in arts and technology. The exhibit currently displayed is,  XYZT: Abstract Landscapes  and is on view until September 3, 2017.

Step into imaginary territory of lines, dots, and letters, and immerse yourself into this virtual playground of four dimensions: X(horizontal), Y (vertical), Z (depth), and T (time). XYZT: Abstract Landscapes is a world-travelled installation by internationally acclaimed French contemporary digital artists and multimedia choreographers Adrien M & Claire B. The interactive show offers an exploratory physical experience through ten digital landscapes. You are able to touch, clap, jump, twirl, snap, observe with all of the installations. They give you a quick introduction before you go into the space and let you know how each piece works. There is also a security guard who was helpful in reminding us how a piece worked when we forgot.

The installation is a variety of sensory experiences and unprecedented interactions that are created by exploiting ancient techniques of illusion and endless possibilities of modern technology. Visiting this exhibit is like taking a stroll through another form of nature a digital one, being able to touch algorithms and sense matter of light. Each installation stems patterns of physical behavior and borrows its evoking power from reality, like walking on a grass or touching the sand and transposes it into an abstract world composed of lines, points and letters.

The general policy on the age admission for XYZT exhibit is 6 and up. However, they do make exceptions on a case by case basis and request a much higher supervision from parents/adults coming in with children under the age of 6. Though the exhibit is very interactive, not all installations are meant to be touched, rather moved with and interacted at a distance. They can be more fragile than they seem. No running, no poking and no touching of the fabric screens and hardware. The space was a bit chilly, be sure to bring a jacket. Also, it took our smallest a little while to be comfortable in the space as she wasn’t sure why it was so dark whereas our 6-year old was very intrigued and had a blast interacting with the exhibit. Tickets are timed on a 45 minute basis, which is enough time to observe and connect with the art.

Purchase tickets here.

Daytime Admission Daily: 10:00am-4:00pm

Evening Admission Daily (Ages 21+): 5:30pm-9:30pm

Location: 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC 20024
There is garage next door, however we went on a Sunday and found street parking to be plentiful. It is also very close to Smithsonian so you can visit both in one day.

(Most of the above information is directly from Artechouse’s website and they have even more if you want to read more.)

Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook playing at Adventure Theatre

(Photo: Michael Horan)

What: Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook

When: June 16, 2017 – August 14, 2017

Where: Adventure Theatre
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. 20812

Why: When Junie B. Jones, with her two bestest friends in the world, loses her new furry mittens to some “stealers,” she has to investigate. But Junie B. might have something she forgot to return, too.

I thought I LOVED Knuffle Bunny & Jumanji— Junie B. Jones is AMAZING fun for everyone! From the moment we walked in, I was sold. The set was as colorful as you can imagine a 1st graders imagination to be. A few cast members were swinging on playground equipment, singing songs and interacting with the audience until the show began.  My son isn’t at the age of reading the Junie B. Jones series written by Barbara Park yet but after seeing the play and being entertained by Junie’s outgoing, talkative, hilarious personality, he’s ready to jump right in. We all know the phrase “Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers.” well, Junie is faced with understanding the meaning of this as she loses something important to her– an important lesson for all children. Megan Graves plays Junie and she truly hits it out of the park with her performance. I was laughing out loud on multiple occasions, the humor isn’t just for kids and she nailed it.  

(Photo:Bruce Douglas)

Details:
Running time is 80 minutes with no intermission. Recommended for all ages.

By Allison Gregory
Based on the book series by Barbara Park
Directed by Rick Hammerly

Tickets can be purchased here. Tickets are $19.50 each with group and field trip rates available. Children under the age of 1 are free.

Sandy Spring Museum

In a city filled with Smithsonian-caliber museums it can be easy to overlook local history. The Washington Metro area has a rich history that goes beyond just being where Congress lives and our founding fathers memorials are. There are and have been families and everyday people here who share a unique and beautiful history. In 1981 a group of residents of Sandy Spring, Maryland saw that history slipping away and were determined enough to preserve at the Sandy Spring Museum. The museum hosts community artists, houses an archive and library, a gallery, and is also a space for events big and small.

The community of Sandy Spring has an important story to share – from agricultural innovation, women’s suffrage, and progressive education to the establishment of one of the largest land-owning African American communities in Maryland. The permanent exhibit at Sandy Spring Museum illustrates this rich local history through photographs, documents, and objects that were collected from the families of the community’s earliest residents. Temporary exhibits rotate quarterly

The 36th  annual Strawberry Festival helps to promote many of these goals. Each year it grows in scale physically, and in community participation. Last year over 6,000 people attended many to see family members perform, or to volunteer, or eat a piece of the “Best Strawberry Shortcake in the State of Maryland”.

The events at the festival vary from quaint to fantastic, from traditional kids games like throwing bean bags and rings to a huge climbing wall, moon bounce, pony rides and an entire petting zoo. Most of the games and rides are a few dollars but you can buy a bracelet for unlimited games all day for $15. What a steal!

You’ll also find food trucks with all sorts of cuisines, crafters, a beer and wine garden, two stages with live performances of professional and local talent, an enormous plant sale, raffles, artists doing en plein air paintings throughout the day.

Other events at the museum include a Beer and Wine Garden: Live music, locally-brewed beer and locally-produced wine, and food trucks…the ingredients for a perfect summer evening!  Join friends and neighbors at this family-friendly outdoor  picnic held on the last Fridays of June, July and August. Each month features a new band, new drink vendors and new food trucks. See the calendar of events for the list of participants. Cover charge is $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Save $5 and get your tickets now!

Folklife Festival:  The Folklife Festival is part of Montgomery County’s Heritage Days.  Each year, on the last weekend of June, Heritage Montgomery hosts its signature event, the annual Heritage Days celebration – this year marking its 20th anniversary! This two-day (Saturday, June 24 & Sunday, June 25, 2017 – noon to 4pm) countywide event with free admission offers visitors an opportunity to sample numerous sites representing the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County. This family-friendly festival is now in its fourth year.  RSVP here.

Nanty Narking Nearly Nine K Run which is a beautiful trail run and 2 Mile Fun Stroll that highlighted historic sites in the Sandy Spring community.
Address: 17901 Bentley Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10:00am-5:00pm
****Open year-round with the exception of December 25, January 1, and July 4

Admission: Members: Free, Adults: $5, Seniors: $4, Children (3-17): $3
****Admission is free for the general public on Wednesdays, excluding groups

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp at Adventure Theatre

What: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

When: April 7, 2017 – May 21, 2017

Where: Adventure Theatre
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. 20812

Why: This is Aladdin as you’ve never seen it before. Aladdin and his love, the princess Adora, must outsmart an evil Magician who wants to use the genie in Aladdin’s lamp for his nefarious schemes! Will he get away with it? Get ready for love, magic, and mystery in this production for all ages.

We especially loved the beautiful costumes, Middle Eastern props and scene changes. There were tapestries that hung that really made the audience feel as if we were in another country. Actors danced, twirled and swayed throughout scene changes that allowed us to continue to be engaged in the show instead of waiting for the next scene. My son really enjoyed seeing an Aladdin show depicting magic and innocence that he could compare to the Disney performance he knows so well.

Based on Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp by James Norris and Directed by Roberta Gasbarre.

Details: Running time is 60 minutes with no intermission. Recommended for all ages.

Tickets can be purchased here. Tickets are $19.50 each with group and field trip rates available. Children under the age of 1 are free.

GIVEAWAY: Whole Foods Market can help you build a better Easter basket

Easter is my favorite holiday. I’ve carried on the tradition of creating personalized baskets for my family. This year after being asked by Whole Foods Market to do a promo on “Building a Better Easter Basket,” I hopped (get it?) at the opportunity. My mission was to create a basket with items from Whole Foods Market and I was successful using treats free of artificial flavors, artificial colors, artificial preservatives and artificial sweeteners. I was also able to include some unique alternatives to candy for a change.

Pictured above are the items I bought at Whole Foods Market– Tulips, Sunny Patch Buggy Pail, Sunny Patch Bubbles, Froth Bath Bomb, Lake Champlain Chocolate Bunnies (white, milk and dark chocolate flavors), Marich Caramel Robin Eggs,  Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans (which have become an instant FAVORITE), clementines and bulk food items to fill the eggs with. In addition to the above mentioned, Sunny Patch has a great variety of spring items like gardening tools, outdoor balls, sprinkler toys and more if you’d rather forgo the sweet treats. Also found in the Easter section at Whole Foods Market are animal themed baskets, greeting cards and stuffed animals.

To prepare for the egg hunts you may be planning, check out the bulk section for the goodies to fill your eggs. With an elaborate selection of dried fruit, nuts, covered pretzels and other sweets, the bulk section allows you to take as much as you’d like or as little as you need while saving money on only what you want. An added bonus for those of you dyeing eggs, Whole Foods Market has a recipe for you to dye the eggs naturally this season!

Find your local Whole Foods Market to help you build a better Easter Basket!

 

Giveaway: “Like and Comment” on Beltway Bambino’s Facebook page to enter to win a $50 gift card! An extra entry for commenting below on this blog post and/or on Instagram, however you MUST comment on Facebook to be entered. One random winner will be announced on April 14, 2017.

 

Disclosure: I have a partnership with Whole Foods Market and was compensated for my work, but all words and opinions are my own.

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