Weekend Picks – Page 31

Weekend Picks: April 7-9

April 6, 2017

Easter egg hunts have commenced!!! Hop in on this free community Easter egg hunt, Eggstravaganza, where kids can collect as many candy-filled eggs as they can find. Enjoy getting to know neighbors, grab some free popcorn, take part in games and outdoor fun, and even meet the Easter Bunny! Register online.

Saturday-

10:00am-1:00pm: Eggstravaganza at South Run Recreation Center
(7550 Reservation Dr, Springfield, VA 22153)

11:00am-2:00pm: Eggstravaganza at Four Mile Run Park
(4109 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305)

11:00am-1:00pm: Eggstravaganza at Garrison Elementary
(1200 S St NW, Washington, DC 20009)

12:00pm-4:00pm: 2nd Annual PEEPS Day at National Harbor
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)
Celebrate everyone’s favorite treat with kids’ activities, a DJ, the PEEPS mascot, a movie, and the National Harbor World PEEPS Eating Championship, hosted by Major League Eating! There will also be a moon bounce maze, a climbing wall, cornhole, facepainting, and more! The Capital Wheel celebrates PEEPS Day with one free tickets for kids (12 and under) with one paid adult ticket. See ticket kiosk for details.

Saturday & Sunday- Febergé Egg Family Festival at Hillwood Estate & Garden
(4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008)
Admire the exquisite imperial eggs and other fanciful Fabergé creations collected by Marjorie Post. Experience festive folk music performed by Samovar Russian Folk Music Ensemble and spirited dancing by Kalinka Dance Ensemble. Enjoy stories of Russian Easter traditions in a fun family play, produced by Happenstance Theater. Take part in a traditional Russian egg-rolling game. Step into Fabergé’s Workshop to decorate your own Fabergé-inspired egg.

Saturday & Sunday (as well as other weekends in April): Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard
(22200 Davis Mill Road Germantown MD 20876)
Enjoy a hayride down the Bunny Trail, race the Rubber Duck Derby, hunt for colorful eggs (we provide the basket!), exchange eggs for a goodie basket to take home, visit with the farm’s very own Country Bunny, ride pedal tractors, play in Hayromp and Playground, hop in inflatables, ride the giant slides, see bunnies, lambs and chicks, get your face painted and ride a pony. $9 per child and $7 per adult. Open 10:00am-4:00pm.

Saturday-

9:00am-10:00am: Weekend Walk in the Woods at Woodend Nature Sanctuary
(8940 Jones Mill Road Chevy Chase, MD 20815)
FREE family programs are here! We invite you to take an hour out of your schedule to enjoy spending time with your family outdoors. Join our Master Naturalists on the first Saturday of each month from 9-10 am for a nature hike around Woodend Sanctuary. Each hike will have a unique and exciting natural history theme. Programs are appropriate for family members of all ages. Please come prepared to hike in sneakers and don’t forget your water bottle. We hope you will join us for our exciting new programs each month! Meet at the gazebo by the main house.

9:30am-5:00pm: STEM in Spring at Port Discovery
(35 Market Place Baltimore, MD 21202)
School may be out for spring break, but your kids can still learn while they have FUN at Port Discovery! Immerse yourself into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities that challenge your visual perception during Light City Baltimore! Lasting from Saturday-April 17.

10:00am-12:00pm: National Cherry Blossom Parade
(Constitution Avenue – From 7th to 17th streets, NW)
One of DC’s largest spectator events, the energy-filled National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC runs for 10 blocks along iconic Constitution Avenue. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the Festival. From the National Archives to the Washington Monument, spectators are wow-ed by the pageantry and excitement that is the nation’s premier springtime parade.

10:30am-6:00pm: 57th Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival
(M St and New Jersey Ave SE)
The Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival is the largest one-day celebration of Japanese culture in the United States and is proud to be the grand finale of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Performers and vendors travel from all over the country and the world to Washington, DC to share their love of Japanese culture and traditions with the Festival attendees.Sakura Matsuri tickets can be bought in advance online and at the gate on the day-of for $10 with children 12 and under always free. Ticket sales on the day of the festival are cash only.

1:00pm-3:00pm: Emancipation Day Parade and Truck Touch
(1000-1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW)
Events include the parade at 1:00pm, the concert at Freedom Plaza at 3:00pm and fireworks at 9:00pm.

2:00pm-3:00pm: Acton Children’s Business Fair Launch Party at the Kennedy-Warren
(3133 Connecticut Ave NW)
Learn about the business coming to Cleveland Park on May 13 and how your child (ages 6-14) can participate. Hear the experiences of young entrepreneurs from the 2016 Business Fair.

Sunday-

11:00am-2:00pm: Design with Nature at the National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
Explore the intersection of design, building, and the natural environment. In celebration of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, attendees of all ages can discover ways in which environment inspires design. Learn how nature can be intentionally integrated into and around built spaces. Fold origami flowers and join other families to design a large-scale paper garden to help bring spring into the Great Hall. Construct and decorate your own nature-inspired miniature Japanese bӯobu screens. Picnic inside the Museum and listen to a springtime story.

1:00pm-5:00pm: Anacostia River Festival
(Anacostia Park: Anacostia Drive & Good Hope Road SE)
The National Park Service and the 11th Street Bridge Park present the third annual Anacostia River Festival, a premier event of the 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival. For a taste of local D.C., come celebrate the Anacostia River and take a canoe out to explore the River, ride in our bike parade, play lawn games with your family and experience Southeast D.C.’s local arts scene at this special FREE event. This year we are celebrating biking in the District with trail rides, safety classes, quick bike tune ups and special bike activities for all ages.

Weekend Picks March 31-April 2

March 31, 2017

A special Happy Birthday shout-out to my husband and #1 supporter of Beltway Bambinos! It just so happens that we are celebrating in Baltimore AND the start of Light City Baltimore will be taking place! Light City is a free festival that transforms Baltimore with large-scale light installations, performances, music and innovation. Central to Light City is the BGE Light Art Walk along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, featuring more than 50 attractions including illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors and a children’s area.

(Photo: Inhabitat)

A few Easter farms & festivals are open for fun this weekend.

Want theatre? Nutt and Bolt presented by Arts on the Horizon is wrapping up this weekend while Paper Dreams at Imagination Stage is just getting started.

Saturday-

8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes.

9:30am AND 10:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community.With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years. $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.

9:30am AND 11:00am: Peabody Opera-Papageno! at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004)
Papageno! is a shortened version of Mozart’s timeless opera The Magic Flute as told from the perspective of the endearing Papageno, the Bird Man himself. He leads us through encounters with a prince, a princess, the Queen of the Night and her Three Ladies, and the mysterious One Who’s Never Seen. And he searches for true love along the way!

10:00am-4:30pm: Blossom Kite Festival
(Grounds of the Washington Monument near 17th Street NW and Constitution Avenue)
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is kicking off kite season. The seventh annual Blossom Kite Festival showcases the creativity of kite makers and skill of fliers from across the US and other countries through a variety of competitions and demonstrations, Rokkaku Battles and the Hot Tricks Showdown. Bring your own kites or children can make a kite at an activity station (while supplies last) to fly on the Public Field. Kites will also be available for purchase onsite.

11:00am: The Saturday Family Jazz Sessions at Strathmore’s Mansion featuring Ma Rainey: Mother of Blues with Rochelle Rice
(10701 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20852)
Music, history, and fun come together when kids learn about blues superstar Gertrude “Ma” Pridgett Rainey, plus the foundations of singing, vocabulary, and form essential to the blues. Recommended for ages 3–8. All attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Accompanying adults must also have a ticket. $10 for each session in advance, $12 at the door.

11:00am: Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Laura Doherty & The Heartbeats, acoustically rock your kid’s world with original folk-pop tunes that will get even the shyest wallflower to wiggle across the dance floor.Tickets are $8.

Sunday-
1:00pm-8:00pm: Artomatic Children’s Day
(1800 S Bell St Arlington, VA)
Join Artomatic Artists for 2017 Children’s Day! Children’s Story Time and Puppet Show – 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
(4th Floor Stage). Join author Tom Noll as he reads from his books “The Bicycle Fence” and “Selling Eggs”.Children’s Art Mural – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Artist Room 3-203). Help artist Christopher Hoppe create a beautiful mural at Artomatic on Children’s Day! Children will be using paint and paint brushes to express their creativity while contributing to the group project. Magician! – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Roaming (Floors 3-9) Join Matt Neufeld as he performs magic for kids and adults throughout Artomatic! See more of the schedule online.

Weekend Picks March 24-26

March 24, 2017

With the gorgeous weather headed here on Saturday, I’m guessing the Mall will be packed with those trying to get a look at cherry blossoms. Here is the event page and the opening ceremony is on Saturday from 11:30am-3:00pm which is child-friendly with performances, face painting, and cherry-blossom themed crafts. For those who don’t wish to be in a large crowd head to Kenwood in Bethesda, Maryland and walk the streets at your leisure.

(Photo: The National cherry blossom festival parade that ends the festival’s celebrations)

Weekend Easter Egg Hunts & Activities begin this weekend at Ticonderoga! Admission Ages 2 & Up $14.95 per. Hunts will take place promptly at 11:00am and 2:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays, during Spring Festival dates. Meet and Greet with the Easter Bunny and find the Golden Goose Egg for an extra special prize! There are many other activities included with your admission to enjoy, including: giant slide hills, huge jumping pillows, hayrides, animal feeding areas, pedal kart track, swinging bridge, and much more! There will be 3 different age groups in separate areas for each Egg Hunt: Ages 0-3, 4-6, and 7+. Food vendors will be on-site for Full Plate items, tasty treats and snacks from 11 am-4 pm. Entrance gate will close at 4:00 PM daily.

Saturday-

9:00am-3:00pm: K-12 STEM Symposium at The Nysmith School
(13625 EDS Dr. Herndon, Virginia 20171)
The K-12 STEM Symposium is a free and exciting all-day forum that equally engages children, parents, and teachers, coupled with corporate, government, academia and non-profit executives alike from the STEM fields. Kids can get first-hand experience with drones, coding, 3D printing, space and more!!

9:30am AND 11:00am: Bilbo’s Journey at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20004)
Everyone loves the cherished tale of a home loving little Hobbit who finds himself on an adventure he could never have imagined! On his perilous trip he meets elves, trolls, a wizard, a dragon…and ssssomething ssstrange called a Gollum. Travel with this brave little Hobbit through dangerous and wondrous terrain, and then, happily, back home again. Tickets are free.

10:00am-3:00pm: Japanese Culture Day at Young Readers Center
(Thomas Jefferson Building, Room # LJ-G29 (Ground Floor) Library of Congress 10 First Street, SE, Washington, DC 20540)
The (FREE) Japanese Culture Day introduces children and adults to Japanese culture through hands-on origami artwork creation, trying on kimonos and other activities. Cherry Blossom princesses from the last few years will instruct children in the art of tiara-making. At 11:00am and 1:30pm, the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C., will present “Japan-In-A-Suitcase,” a program about Japanese life and culture. Following each of these presentations, Tsuyoshi Takemori of DC Yamato-juku Karate Club will demonstrate karate. Additional attractions for children are being planned. Children may also explore the Library’s Young Readers Center, which contains current and classic children’s literature.

10:00am: Cántale a Tu Bebé (Sing To Your Baby) Concert at The Mansion at Strathmore
(10701 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD. 20852)
A bilingual music party celebrating the release of Cántale a Tu Bebé, the Spanish-language version of the award-winning book/CD Sing To Your Baby by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer. Sonia De Los Santos (solo musician and Dan Zanes Band) and Jorge Anaya (DC-area Latino vocalist) join Cathy & Marcy for this intimate event! Learn how to use music for fun, skill development and as an ongoing expression of love in both Spanish and English. It’s never too early (or too late!) to sing with family.

10:00am-3:00pm: Kites of Asia at National Air and Space Museum
(Independence at 6th St)
Celebrate Spring at the National Air and Space Museum’s Kites of Asia Heritage Family Day which is FREE! Talk to kite experts, see pan-Asian kite displays, marvel at indoor kite flying, make your own kite— and maybe even take a dance lesson!

11:30am: The Eagle Huntress film at National Gallery of Art
(6th & Constitution)
Among the isolated Kazakh tribe in the mountains of northwest Mongolia, the long tradition of eagle hunting has only been practiced by men. This documentary follows Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl, as she trains to become the first female in 12 generations of her family to become an eagle hunter. Her decision causes controversy amongst older members of the community, but Aisholpan boldly embarks on a strict program of training. This inspiring film captures her courage. (Otto Bell, US, 2016, 87 minutes) English narration, and Kazakh with English subtitles. Recommended for ages 11 and up. Shown in collaboration with the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital.

3:00pm: The Lessons of Seneca at GALA Hispanic Theatre
(3333 14th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20010)
In this lively bilingual musical, Séneca, a bookish library mouse, sets out on some adventures with a trio of street-wise barrio mice, a cunning cat, and a good-natured dog. On their outing, these unlikely companions learn valuable lessons about friendship, respect, tolerance and the value of books. The duration of this family show is approximately 55 minutes and is appropriate for ages 4 through 10.

Sunday-

10:30am-12:00pm: Make Room for Matzah at Edlavitch DCJCC
(1529 16^th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036)
Join for a hands-on Passover workshop to get ready for Passover and learn more about this tradition for your interfaith or Jewish family. Your child will make a beautiful Miriam’s Cup to enhance your seder and do a mitzvah for seniors celebrating Passover. Then we will have a Seder Plate Taste Test, as we delve into why we have the things on the Seder plate that we do. Best for ages 3 and up. $15/family and can be paid at the door.

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session, you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. Activities in Sunday Fun-Day are most appropriate to 3-5 year-olds but 1-2 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome! Featured story: Cock a Doodle Doo, Barnyard Hullabaloo

1:00pm-2:15pm: Missing Glove Monster Crafternoon at Little Loft
(7007 Carroll Ave Takoma Park, MD 20912)
Bring in those random mittens or gloves (knit ones work best) and turn them into cuddly pocket-sized stuffed animals! (We’ll have some extras on hand if you’ve lost BOTH by now 😉 $28, ages 6-1

Weekend Picks March 10-12

March 10, 2017

Saturday-

9:30am AND 11:00am: Christylez Bacon – Human Beatbox at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW)
Human Beatbox – Christylez Bacon, GRAMMY nominated Progressive Hip-Hop artist combines rhyming, storytelling and interactive call and response choruses with diverse instrumentation to deliver a message of cultural acceptance & unification blending traditional elements of musical styles from jazz to hip-hop. Tickets are free.

10:00am-2:00pm: Concord-St.Andrew’s Cooperative Nursery School Spring Fair
(5910 Goldsboro Rd. Bethesda, MD 20817)
Join the Concord-St. Andrew’s Cooperative Nursery School Community (CSA) for the first annual CSA Spring Fair! This family-focused event will feature fun activities for all ages. Rolling Brick pizza will be baking personalized pies on site and sweet treats can be purchased from the CSA Bakery. In addition, vendors from our favorite local sports, camps, and arts program will be on to showcase their offerings. Cost: $5/person and free for children under 2 -Performances by The Great Zucchini (11am) and Groovy Nate (1pm), Two bounce houses, Construction Zone” and “Bang and Clang” play areas, Face painting, Games and more.

10:00am: You & Me Song Circle with Imagination Stage at Avalon Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Ave NW)
You and your child are invited to shake, whistle, giggle, and wiggle in this fun, interactive musical experience with Imagination Stage! In this workshop, an Early Childhood Teaching Artist accompanied by a live percussionist explores a popular children’s book with your family through song, movement, and instrument play. Best for ages 1-5, but all are welcome! Tickets: $8 / $6.50 members.

11:00am-2:00pm: Kids in the Castle at the Heurich House Museum
(1307 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington, DC 20036)
This family-friendly event allows visitors to explore the gilded details of the Heurich family home at their own pace. The first floor, second floor, and basement will be open for guests. The museum garden will also be open to play and relax in, after going through the house. Children and their parents are invited to wander through the house and complete a scavenger hunt to win prizes. No reservations are required for this event. Since opening its doors, the Heurich House Museum has had restricted access for children. This event, the first in a series of Kids in the Castle events throughout the year, allows children to experience the Heurich House Museum in a way they have not been able to before. Let their imaginations wander as they experience this unique piece of local history.

11:00am-12:00pm: Tom Teasley: A Journey Around the World Through Music at Glenallan Elementary School
(12520 Heurich Road, Wheaton, MD 20902)
Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month with Tom Teasley, award-winning percussionist, world musician and composer. Tom returns to Wheaton after dazzling Season One audiences with an inspiring cross-cultural musical journey around the world, weaving ancient musical traditions with modern technology. A unique performance not to be missed! Great for all ages and free.

3:00pm-5:00pm: Dr. Seuss on the Loose Dance Party at Kensington Town Hall
(3710 Mitchell St., Kensington MD 20895)
Dance, wiggle and giggle with Aaron Anderson of A-Squad Entertainment. Create crafty masterpieces and enjoy the Dr. Seuss Read-a-Thon Room. Don’t miss the Seuss-themed raffle. $5 per person, $20 max per family. All ages welcome (recommended for ages 18 months – 6 years). Please bring a book for our book drive for Crossway Community in Kensington. RSVP here.

Sunday-

9:30am-11:00am AND 2:30pm-4:00pm: Model Airplane Workshop at National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
Workshop details: Are you an aspiring aviator or a pilot with potential? Want to learn what keeps a plane in the air? Construct your own rubber-band-propelled model airplane and learn about aeronautics with the D.C. Maxecuters, then try a test flight in the National Building Museum’s Great Hall. Cost per plane/child: $15 Member | $20 Non-member. Ages 8 and up, adult assistance required. Adults do not need to purchase a separate ticket, unless they would like to make their own plane.

11:00am-4:00pm: Flying in the Great Hall at National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
Witness death-defying feats of aeronautics – well, model aeronautics, anyway – when the D.C. Maxecuters return to fly their model airplanes in the Museum’s Great Hall. The D.C. Maxecuters have been sharing their love of model aviation with the District of Columbia for over sixty years. Once again, the Maxecuters take-off in the Museum’s Great Hall, sending both rubber band- and electric-powered model planes soaring overhead. FREE, drop-in program. All ages.

PJ Library’s Sensory-Friendly Purim Celebrations

This event is being held in three locations on March 12–pick the one that is most convenient for you:
DC: Washington Hebrew Congregation (10:30 am)
MD: Congregation B’nai Tzedek Potomac (1:30 pm)
VA: Congregation Olam Tikvah (1:30 pm)

Does your child cover their ears in a crowd? Do they avoid loud noises? Do you dread the chaos of a large Purim story reading? Then this may be the perfect, authentic Purim experience for your family. Join PJ Library on for crafts, an interactive reading of the Purim story (megillah), with quiet areas to take a break, a mitzvah (good deed) project and treats to take home. Costumes encouraged but not required. Best for grades K-4. Fun for the whole family! $5 per family, plus bring a canned good to donate.

A few shows to catch this weekend include Nutt & Bolt and A Night at the Wax Museum and many more!

Keep in mind these upcoming events you may need to reserve a spot to attend.

Weekend Picks March 3-5

March 3, 2017

The Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival 2017 brings the best of DC arts and artists to the stage and H Street with performances, experiences and happenings in theatre, dance, music, vocal, choral, opera, visual arts, video, film, writing, sculpture, photography, circus, spoken word, public art, community art, and art space activation and ends this weekend. Discover how art, culture and connection happen on H Street.

Friday

6:00pm-8:00pm: First Friday DuPont
March is coming in with a roar, and galleries, retailers, embassies, and historic houses will be for the First Friday art walk around Dupont Circle – a fun and social way to explore the arts.

Saturday

9:30am AND 11:00am: Mister G at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004)
Mister G’s interactive and high-energy concert will be sure to get you and your kids on your feet! He’ll be singing songs from all of his six award-winning albums for children, including three bilingual albums. Free tickets.

10:00am: Marsha and the Positrons at Avalon Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Ave NW)
Marsha and the Positrons is led by singer/songwriter Marsha Goodman-Wood with skilled, smooth bassist Wardell Howell and guest drummer Devin Walker. Their concerts are fun, playful, and educational — and entertaining for adults as well as kids! Tickets: $8.00 / $6.50 for Avalon members (Children under 2 are free)

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10:00am and 12:00pm (depending on age): Courtly Greetings & Country Meetings at Folger Shakespeare Theatre
(201 East Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC 20003)
Imagine yourself in the two worlds of As You Like It, the court of Duke Frederick and the Forest of Arden.Folger offers programs for all ages and encourages families to experience Shakespeare’s language together. 10:00am-11:00am: Recommended Ages 5-7 and 11:00am-12:00pm: Recommended Ages 8-14. Register to attend.

10:00am (Doors open at 9:15am): Dan Zanes “Song Gusto Hour” with Claudia Eliaza at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Grammy Award Winner Dan Zanes and special guest Claudia Eliaza will be playing Dan’s hits from Sesame Street, Playhouse Disney, and Nickelodeon! Songs you know and love: Catch that Train! Wonder Wheel! Jump Up! All Around The Kitchen! This is a show for family singing and dancing. All are welcome and encouraged to bring instruments! ***This Sensory Friendly show is designed to create an accepting and comfortable environment for all children and their families. Much care and thoughtful consideration go into planning in order to support those with special needs as they connect to the music. There is a manageable degree of stimuli in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. All who attend are encouraged to express themselves freely and openly.*** Tickets $15

10:00am: First Studio at The Kreeger Museum
(2401 Foxhall Road, NW Washington D.C. 20007)
Children are invited to use their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each program includes a gallery tour, a story and a hands-on art-making experience. Adult companion required and art-making attire recommended. $10 register online. To get a glimpse into the program see my review here.

10:30am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist explores a popular children’s book with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home. Featured story: Barnyard Dance. Activities in Saturday Song Circle are best for 1-3 year-olds but 4-5 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome to join in the fun. Register online

Sunday

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11:00am-5:00pm: Nowruz: A Persian New Year Celebration at Sackler & Ripley Center
(1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024)
Ring in the Persian New Year at our ninth annual Nowruz celebration! With free attractions for all ages, this year’s festival is held in the Sackler and adjacent Ripley Center as the Freer undergoes renovation. Activities include: Haft sin table display, Storytelling by Xanthe Gresham (with ASL interpretation at 2 pm), Calligraphy, Hands-on art activities, Live music, Film screenings, Food and Featured exhibition Turquoise Mountain: Artists…

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session, you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. Featured Story: Not a Box. Activities in Sunday Fun-Day are most appropriate to 3-5 year-olds but 1-2 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome! Register online.

1:00pm-4:00pm: Open Studio at New Community ArtSpace
(614 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Open Studio 1st Sundays is open to all ages. We will have all kinds of supplies available for your art making. $5 fee + supply donation welcomed.

4:00pm-5:00pm: Family Yoga for all ages at Lighthouse Yoga Center
(4203 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20011)
Join us in the studio once a month for Family Style yoga. Designed with our tots/preschooler yogis in mind, this class welcomes younger and older sibling and one or more caregiver for an afternoon of family yoga fun. Together we will learn songs, games, and poses the encourage body awareness, increase attention span, nurture creativity, and generally support development across a range of ages and abilities … but mostly we’re in it for the fun. Caregivers are expected to fully participate in class, but no prior yoga experience is required for adults or children. Come play yoga with us! $20 for one adult and one child. $5 each additional adult (payable when you arrive). (Additional participants are free for members). Register online to reserve your spot. Registration for additional family members can be paid at the studio.

Weekend Picks February 10-12

February 10, 2017

In case you missed yesterdays post, “Like and Comment” on Beltway Bambino’s Facebook page to enter to win a $50 gift card for your Valentine’s Day shopping from Whole Foods Market! Read all about how I made a low-maintenance, delicious Valentine’s Day dinner from Whole Foods Market. And while you’re there make sure you like our Facebook page for articles, event postings and more.

Make sure you get to attend some of these amazing theatrical productions in our area:

Blue at Imagination Stage– Last show Feb. 12
Ella Enchanted at Adventure Theatre– Feb. 3-March 19
Kitchen Adventures at Encore Stage & Studio- Feb. 9-Feb. 25
The Freshest Snow Whyte at Imagination Stage– Feb. 11-March 18

Refer to the list of upcoming events that you may need to purchase advance tickets or reserve a spot to attend.

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(Photo: The Great Zucchini with Barry the Magician at Avalon Theatre)

Saturday-

9:00am-4:00pm: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Open House
(1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910)
Explore your world and learn how NOAA—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—takes the pulse of the planet every day and protects and manages ocean and coastal resources. Join us on NOAA’s Silver Spring, Maryland, campus for a series of free activities, including engaging talks by NOAA experts, interactive exhibits, special tours, and hands-on activities for ages 5 and up. Meet and talk with scientists, weather forecasters, hurricane hunters, and others who work to understand our environment, protect life and property, and conserve and protect natural resources. Free and open to the public, adults need to show government issued ID.

9:30am AND 11:00am: Skher Brown and The Dancing Warriors at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004)
Explore how the dance-fight art form of Capoeira Angola journeyed from its origins in Central Africa to the shores of South America. Families will experience history through a visual folktale show of spins, kicks, flips, and live music.

10:00am: The Great Zucchini with Barry the Magician at Avalon Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Ave NW)
The Great Zucchini is back with Barry the Magician! Washington’s funniest and most magical entertainers are taking over the Avalon for another colorful show where every kid is the star. The wonder of magic, silliness of comedy, and interactive nature of The Great Zucchini’s performance keeps children on the edge of their seats and guarantees laughter. Tickets: $9.00 / $7.00 for Avalon members (Children under 2 are free)

10:30am AND 1:00pm: Steve Songs at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Steve blends participatory songs, clever stories and great melodies to create what the Boston Globe called “not just a musical journey but an entertaining, interactive and educational one.” $12 advanced tickets, $15 at door

11:00am-12:00pm: hiSTORY time at National Museum of American History
(1st Floor, West Wing: 12th St. and Constitution Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001)
Join us for hiSTORYtime, a new program for children ages 0 to 6. Early learners and their caregivers may drop by to listen to a story and participate in hands-on activities and crafts inspired by objects and themes from the museum collection. Saturdays in February are all about transportation. Come hear stories about things that go, create a car craft, and play with toy cars.

11:00am-4:00pm: Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at National Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20002)
Love is in the details at the annual Valentine’s Day Card Workshop at the National Postal Museum! Come out and create heart-felt handmade cards and visit the museum’s stamp store to send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark. Free, no need to RSVP.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Carnival Family Day at Anacostia Community Museum
(1901 Fort Place SE Washington, DC 20020)
In celebration of the exhibition Gateways, enjoy live entertainment, face painting, mask making, storytelling, and other activities for the kids at this popular annual museum event. See schedule of events online.

1:00pm-3:00pm: Sweet Tea Party at Chevy Chase Community Center
(5601 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20015)
Boys are more than welcome to attend! Young ladies are asked to wear hats and boys bow ties or ties. Lite lunch served along with Valentine’s day card making, cupcake decorating and other activities. Free for youth aged 4-10. Registration is require, email Fran Scott

Sunday-

10:00am-12:00pm: Arts on the Horizon present Nutt & Bolt Exploration Day at UpCylcle Creative Reuse Center
(1605 Cameron St. Alexandria, VA 22314)
Come discover and play with textures at our sensory activity station, visit our sound playground, add to the community wind chime, and make your very own upcycled instrument at our craft station. We’ll also be offering three mini creative movement and storytime workshops at 10:30 am, 11:00 am, and 11:30 am. Purchase tickets online

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Fun-Day at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session, you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. Activities in Sunday Fun-Day are most appropriate to 3-5 year-olds but 1-2 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome! Featured story: My Heart is Like a Zoo

1:00pm-4:00pm: 7th Annual Mid-Winter Play Day at Takoma Park Community Center
(7500 Maple Ave Takoma Park, MD. 20912)
Let’s Play America is a nonprofit organization that strives to encourage people of all ages to play and helps them create playful events in their own communities. Zumba classes for children and adults as well as other play activities include Balloon Game, Cookie Decorating, Board Games/Puzzles, Crafts, Just Boxes/Face Painting/Play Dough, Pool,ping pong, air hockey, Alternative Games, Comic Jam, Dress-up, Giant Chess/Giant, Corn Hole, And More!

Weekend Picks February 3-5

February 3, 2017

The Chocolate Lovers Festival, an annual two-day festival held on the first full weekend of February, features activities for all to enjoy. In 2017, the festival will be held Saturday, February 4 from 10am to 5pm (Chocolate Chip Pancake Breakfast begins at 8am) and Sunday, February 5 from 12noon to 4pm. Join us for the Taste of Chocolate, the Chocolate Challenge, the ever-popular Kiwanis Chocolate Chip Pancake Breakfast, open houses at historic buildings and much more. Some events require a fee, and other events are free to all visitors. Click on Chocolate Lovers Event Schedule for a printable schedule of events.

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Saturday-

9:30am AND 11:00am: Brian Curry at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004)
Water vanishes in midair moments before drenching a hapless volunteer, bottles appear out of nowhere, and the world’s most difficult card trick happens in a flash! Magician Brian Curry keeps even the most skeptical of audiences laughing with befuddlement in a morning filled with mystery.

10:00am-11:00am: First Studio at the Kreeger Museum
(2401 Foxhall Road, NW Washington D.C. 20007)
Children are invited to use their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each program includes a gallery tour, a story and a hands-on art-making experience. Adult companion required and art-making attire recommended. $10 register online. To get a glimpse into the program see my review here.

10:00am: Blue Sky Puppets at Avalon Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Ave NW)
Blue Sky Puppet Theatre is back at the Avalon this winter! In Rufus, a lost and lonely dog finds friendship and learns about individuality. Maybe Rufus looks a little different, but our differences make us special. Blue Sky Puppet Theatre has been one of the finest touring children’s theatres on the East Coast since 1974. Each of their shows a year is dedicated to excellence in theatre, art, education and fun. Tickets: $8.00 / $6.50 for Avalon members (Children under 2 are free)

10:00am-5:00pm: La Chandeleur at Hillwood Estate
(4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008)
La Chandeleur, also known as Crêpe Day, marks the halfway point between winter and spring. In France, families celebrate by eating crêpes, which are round and golden like the springtime sun. We invite families to celebrate this holiday in festive French fashion amidst Hillwood’s spectacular gardens, magnificent mansion, and exquisite French treasures. Snack on a tasty treat of sweet crêpes. Hear classic French tales inspired by scenes from La Fontaine fables that are pictured on tapestries covering chairs from France displayed in the mansion. Explore Hillwood’s French treasures through interactive, docent-led, family-friendly gallery talks and a printed activity guide. Decorate a plate with fanciful designs and flourishes inspired by Hillwood’s French Sèvres porcelain. Tickets include 3 crêpes per person. $18, $15 Senior, $12 Member, $10 Student, $5 Child (ages 3-18), free for children under 3

10:30am-4:00pm: Chinese New Year Family Day at the Kennedy Center
(2700 F St NW)
Bring your entire family to a fun-filled day of activities and entertainment for all ages. Learn the arts of paper cutting, Beijing-style applique, calligraphy, sugar and bottle painting, “bristle dolls,” and Chinese makeup. Play dress up and snap pictures at our Chinese costume trunk. Enjoy performances by Beijing acrobats and Chinese musicians. And much more!Free, no tickets needed.

10:30am: Mr. Jon & Friends at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Mr. Jon & Friends makes music for kids and their families that inspire fun, laughter, and dancing. Sometimes with a band, sometimes as a duo, and sometimes solo, the music of Mr. Jon & Friends is sure to bring a smile to your face!

10:30am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Ave Bethesda, MD 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist explores a popular children’s book with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home. Featured story: Toot Toot Beep Beep

11:00am-2:00pm: Newspaper Challenge at The National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The Museum is hosting a newspaper for challenge in the Great Hall! Bring your family and collaboratively construct an awe-inspiring fort made entirely of newspapers and tape. Learn about the triangle, the strongest shape out there, and create tetrahedral caverns small enough for one, or big enough for your clan. Free, drop in. All ages.

3:00pm: Uno, Dos, Tres Con Andres at Chevy Chase Library
(5625 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20015)
Bi-lingual, interactive, fun concert for all!

Sunday-

Blue is playing this weekend at Imagination Stage and is an interactive, sweet play for ages 0-5

Ella Enchanted debuts at Adventure Theatre this weekend, recommended for all ages

Weekend Picks January 27-29

January 27, 2017

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(Photo: The Maestro at The National Theatre)

Friday-

6:00pm-9:00pm: Spy Fest: A Kidspy Family Festival! at The Spy Museum
(800 F St NW)
Families are invited to find out how they measure up at the Museum’s Annual Spy Fest. Mini-missions, tradecraft demonstrations by the experts, and the chance to try spy skill challenges will give KidSpy agents and their handlers an insider’s peek into the shadow world of spying—and who knows, there just may be a spy or two in your midst… Ages: 5 and up* (one adult required for every five KidSpy agents) Tickets are $14/pp. Ticket includes exclusive after-hours admission, SPY snacks, scavenger hunt, prize competitions, and more!
***This event may be sold out, we posted it on the RSVP post so you can plan ahead for other events that sell out quickly.

Saturday-

Blue is playing this weekend at Imagination Stage and is super cute for ages 0-5.

9:30am-4:30pm: The Library of Congress Young Readers
(Jefferson Building Room G29)
Join us to celebrate new ways of engaging with the Young Readers Center. Come for the ribbon cutting with Dr. Carla Hayden and our Teen Board representatives, story time with award-winning authors Meg Medina and Erica S. Perl, stay for crafts, book accessibility demonstrations, and a very special guest parade. Wear your best book character costume and come have fun! Doors open 9 a.m., special programs 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Space is limited, please arrive early!

9:30am AND 11:00am: The Maestro at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004)
In the tradition of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, an eccentric mute conductor (Mark Jaster) makes musical mayhem with the kids serving as his unwitting orchestra. Young and old will laugh with delight with high art and slapstick comedy intertwined in a musical morning filled with chaos and confusion.

11:00am-2:00pm: Paint, Build, Create! at Fairlington Community Center & Park
(3308 S Stafford St. Arlington, VA. 22206)
A free day of art and creativity: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and the Arts) programming, including go-bots, Indoor snowball fight, Letter/postcard making, Pendulum art, Art exhibits, Cooking project, Special teen lounge with activities for ages 12 & up. See schedule online for times of certain workshops and classes. Local food truck The Farm Effect will be serving up farm-fresh sandwiches and salads.

11:00am-3:00pm: Cocoa and Coloring
(135 West Washington St. Hagerstown, MD 21740)
Join us at the Miller House Museum for a cozy afternoon of family-friendly fun! We’ll provide everything you need to get started: crayons, colored pencils, historical coloring pages for both kids and adults—and a bottomless hot chocolate bar! Top off your cup with treats like whipped cream, graham cracker crumbs, marshmallows and sprinkles and keep coming back for more! Full-size coloring books, locally made mugs and other presents will be available for purchase, and the museum will be open for tours. All ages welcome, but parents must accompany children under the age of 12. This is a free event, but space can be limited at certain times of the day. You’re welcome to pre-register by calling (301)-797-8782.

11:30am-3:00pm: Chinese New Year Festival at American Art Museum Renwick Gallery
(800 G St)
Join SAAM as we open our doors to the Chinatown and DC community for the 2017 Lunar New Year and celebrate the Year of the Rooster! Help us “awaken the lion” and ring in the New Year. Enjoy a variety of activities and demonstrations throughout the day including: traditional paper cutting; bristle dolls; dough sculpting; a display of painting the inside of snuff bottles by Beijing Folk Artists; calligraphy demonstrations with the Confucius Institute at George Washington University; mask coloring and New Year card making with the Confucius Institute at George Mason University; an art scavenger hunt; plus red paper lantern making, coloring sheets, and rooster crafts.

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Sunday-

2:00pm: DC Chinese New Year’s Parade
(6th & I St)
Come help usher in 4716, the Year of the Rooster. Take METRO to Gallery Place Chinatown. Come early and grab lunch at one of the many dining spots. This year’s spectacle will be the biggest and best yet. With over 50 parade entries don’t miss this one. It’s all free…so bring the whole crew!