Weekend Picks – Page 44

Weekend Picks: Flowers, festivals and funk FTW

May 2, 2014

It’s May AND Friday!!! Not sure which I’m more excited about the prospect of warmer (and drier) weather upon us or having Daddy home all weekend to help and play with the toddler. Note the first 2 picks start today (Friday). With the arrival of May comes Azalea Festivals and Flower Marts you’re sure to bring something home to brighten up the yard or a nauseous child that’s been on one too many rides. Either way this weekend is one we love because it offers so many choices. Get out and enjoy a few of them.

May 2-3 (10:00am-5:00pm): National Cathedral Flower Mart
(Washington National Cathedral, Wisconsin & Massachusetts Aves., NW., Washington, DC)
Attend the 75th year for the Flower Mart which benefits the Cathedral’s gardens and grounds. You can admire many flowers and there will also be garden tours, musical performances and delicious food. And for your kids, well there is enough to keep them busy too; rock wall, moon bounce, ferris wheel and a carousel.

May 2-4 from 10:00am-5:00pm: Landon School Azalea Garden Festival
(6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817)
Enjoy this wonderful azalea festival while strolling the gorgeous land Landon sits on. Bearly Used is an enormous tag sale during the Azalea Garden Festival that offers deals on gently used treasures. There is a huge FunLand that will entertain your child for hours, live music including a Jazz Festival and food vendors. All proceeds from the festival support student financial assistance and faculty enrichment. General admission and parking are free. Schedule of events found here.

May 2-4 (various times): A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Adventure Theatre
(7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, was written around 1594 or 95. It portrays the adventures of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with woodland fairies and a duke and duchess. Taking place in a mythical Athens and an enchanted forest, there is a handsome fairy king, a misguided parent, star-crossed lovers, a weaver who’s transformed into a half-donkey, wood sprites and elves. This work is widely performed around the world, and no wonder – it’s about the world’s most popular pastime, falling in love. But as Puck knows, falling in love can make fools of us all. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Find tickets here. [Read more…]

Weekend Picks: The disco is back, rock out at the Kingman Island Festival and puppeteers in action

April 24, 2014

We’ve highlighted some exciting events going on in our area this weekend. A weekend sure to please everyone and keep you busy. In case you want to get indoors and see a show check out our ongoing events page for showtimes. Also, it’s the last weekend The Natural History Museum will have the dinosaurs on display. Go see them before they are gone for a few years for renovations and updates.

Saturday-

8:30am-6:00pm: A Day out with Thomas at B & O Railroad
(901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223)
Little Engineers won’t believe their eyes–or their ears! For the first time ever at Day Out With Thomas™, Thomas the Tank Engine™ will be able to talk to his fans when he returns to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore! Take a 25 minute train ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a full day of live entertainment, activities, and family fun! Tickets are $20 each for ages 2 and up available. Get tickets here.

[Read more…]

Weekend Picks: Drive-in at Union Market, Nationals game and Easter fun

April 18, 2014

We have published a guide to Easter fun this weekend. Find an egg hunt or festival at a farm here.

Friday-

8:00pm: Drive-in at Union Market
(1309 5th St NE Washington, DC 20002)
The movie shown is National Lampoon’s Vacation. The Union Market Drive-In is free to attend! Parking is $10 per car, but seating in the picnic area will be first come first serve, free of charge. The parking lot will open at 6pm and the movies will begin at 8.

Saturday-

10:00am: Wagon Ride-Birds, Butterflies & Blossoms at Riverbend Park
(8700 Potomac Hills St Great Falls, Va.22066)
Take a wagon ride scavenger hunt through the meadow. Search for birds and butterflies and meet a friendly animal up close. $5.00/county resident, $8.00/non-resident.

10:30am: Children’s Music Network at DC Family Fiesta at El Tamarindo
(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)
The Children’s Music Network is a national organization of performers, songwriters, storytellers and kids’ music lovers. CMN members from DC and the mid-Atlantic region will be gathering at DCFF to do a sing-along for our families. Don’t miss this showcase of DC and regional talent! Guests will include Uncle Devin, and Philly-based Mr. David. Stay after the show for El Tamarindo’s delicious food and kid-friendly options. Children of all ages will enjoy the music. $4 person/3 people for $10.

10:30am: Groovy Nate at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Groovy Nate is a children’s performer who blends music, puppetry, movement, and comedy into one groovy experience! The shows expose participants to various genres of music and encourage them to move, sing, and play creatively with one another. Tickets 4/$25.

1:05pm: Washington Nationals host St. Louis Cardinals
(1500 South Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Weekends are Harris Teeter Family Fun Pack Days. Check out the deal here. Our family will be attending Saturdays game as I’m from St. Louis and am training my son to love them as well. My husband will be solo in his Nats gear 😉

Sunday-

Celebrating Easter? We have published a guide to Easter fun this weekend. Find an egg hunt or festival at a farm here.

1:35pm: Washington Nationals host St. Louis Cardinals
(1500 South Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Sundays kids ages 4-12 can run the bases after the game like their favorite player. Weekends are Harris Teeter Family Fun Pack Days. Check out the deal here. Our family will be attending Saturdays game as I’m from St. Louis and am training my son to love them as well. My husband will be solo in his Nats gear 😉

Weekend Picks: Cherry Blossoms, Bookworms and Architects

April 10, 2014

Cherry blossoms are in full force according to our Facebook News Feed and we can’t wait to get home from vacation to see them first-hand. Have you made your way to Kenwood or The Tidal Basin to see them?

Saturday-

9:30am-12:00pm- Children’s Architectural Tour of Cleveland Park hosted by the Cleveland Park Historical Society
(Meet at NCRC: 3209 Highland Pl. Washington, DC. 20008)
Designed for students in the 6-12 year old range. We will spend the first part of the morning learning some vocabulary, then walk around the neighborhood looking at seven different properties including the Uptown Theater, NCRC, and the Macklin Apartments. After we return from the walk, children will build a structure based upon the tour and other ideas. Once all of the buildings are constructed the children will assemble their neighborhood. The cost is $10 per child for CPHS members, and $20 per child for non-members. The cost covers craft supplies. We will need volunteers/parents to walk with us and perhaps assist the children with their models when building.

10:00am-12:00pm- National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
(Constitution Avenue – From 7th to 17th Streets, NW)
Vibrant costumes and blossom-inspired décor create the look of nation’s premier springtime parade. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, and performers burst down Constitution Avenue in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the Festival.

10:00am-4:00pm- Easter Eggs-travaganza at Reston Zoo
(1228 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna, Va)
Join your friends for two weekends packed with Easter fun!. Feed baby lambs, goats and bunnies. Enjoy excellent photo opportunities with the Easter bunny and have your face painted with your favorite animal before venturing out to take part in an Easter egg hunt. All Easter egg hunts will include eggs filled with candy, stickers, toys, and more! Children must attend the Easter egg hunts by age group. Adults: $12.95, Children (2-12): $11.95 under 2 $2.00.

10:00am- Bethesda Literary Festival
(Downtown Bethesda, MD)
Festival kicks off Friday night and goes all weekend long. Children, teenagers and adults who enjoy ready will love this festival. Check the schedule for story times, meet and greets and read alouds.

10:30am- Mr. Skip at DC Family Fiesta at El Tamarindo
(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)
Mr. Skip’s been delighting and enlightening young children for nearly 40 years. Stay after the show for El Tamarindo’s delicious food and kid-friendly options. Children of all ages will enjoy the music. $4 person/3 people for $10.

10:00am (doors open), 10:30am (show begins)- Gustafer Yellowgold at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Gustafer Yellowgold shows are a unique musical and visual experience. The minimally animated illustrations are accompanied by illustrator/songwriter Morgan Taylor’s catchy and original story-songs for a truly different multimedia experience that is entrancing children, teens and adults alike. Enjoy his unique blend of live music and moving image. Parents you may be entertained as well as Gustafer Yellowgold has performed as the support act for WILCO and The Polyphonic Spree.

Sunday-

10:00am-4:00pm- Community Day and Open House at Valley Mill Camp
(15101 Seneca Road, Darnestown MD 20874)
The Great Outdoors awaits! Valley Mill Community Day is about getting back to nature. Feel free to stop by, bring a friend and enjoy a lovely walk in the woods. Crepe eating, bird watching, nature observing, live music, woodland waking and fun with family and friends. This event is free and may give you an opportunity to learn more about their camp offerings as well.

2:00pm-5:00pm- Portrait Story Days: Duke Ellington at National Portrait Gallery
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Today, learn about American jazz musician Duke Ellington (1899-1974). Best for kids ages 5 and up.

*Remember to click on our Ongoing Events page at the top for local theatre productions.

Weekend Picks: A symphony in Baltimore, a bunny at the farm and a pillow fight on The Mall

April 3, 2014

We can’t admit to following DC area weather while being away in sunny and hot Florida so we aren’t sure if this weekend will allow for outdoor adventures or not. But, as Spring is here some farms are opening up their gates to entertain! We’ve highlighted one in this Weekend’s Picks which is open both Saturday and Sunday. Remember to click on our Ongoing Events page at the top for local theatre productions. Also, Like us on Facebook (if you haven’t already) so you are guaranteed to get updates and reminders about fun events. Happy Weekend!!

Saturday-

10:00am-3:00pm- B&O Railroad Open House
(8100 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, Md. 20910)
The Silver Spring Historical Society and Montgomery Preservation Inc. sponsor this monthly open house at the historic 1945 B&O Railroad Station, the first Saturday of each month. Free Popcorn and punch, kids’ craft activity.

10:00am-2:00pm- Touch-A-Truck at Lake Braddock Secondary School
(9200 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA 22015)
Bring your kids to get behind the wheel of real vehicles! There will be fire trucks, tow trucks, race cars, motorcycles, a helicopter, and so much more. Admission is just $5/person. Food trucks will be on site.

10:30am- The Uncle Devin Show at DC Family Fiesta at El Tamarindo
(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)
The Uncle Devin Show cultivates the minds of children through percussion instruments and is a dynamic cross between Fat Albert and Schoolhouse Rock. Stay after the show for El Tamarindo’s delicious food and kid-friendly options. Children of all ages will enjoy the music. $4 person/3 people for $10.

10:30am- Mr. Gabe and the Circle Time All Stars at Ebenezers Coffeehouse
(201 F St NE, Washington, DC 20002)
Mr. Gabe and his band — Holly Montgomery on bass; Chelle Fulk on violin — are back on Capitol Hill to present their interactive brand of family music, combining original arrangements of traditional children’s songs, family-friendly pop classics and songs from Mr. Gabe’s award-winning debut CD. Tickets $8 (everyone 1 year and older)/$6 in advance. Doors open at 10:00am.

11:30am- The Music Box Series at The Music Center at Strathmore
(5301 Tuckerman Ln., Bethesda, Md.20852)
The music of Debussy and Mendelssohn will soar like the bees, butterflies and ladybugs when performed by a piano trio. The Music Box Series is a unique music program for young children ages 6 months to three years old and their families. Each performance features pre-concert activities hosted 30 minutes prior to the show by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and partner organization Ready-at-Five, a non-profit that works to ensure that all Maryland children are ready to learn by age five. The wide range of pre-concert activities will encourage literacy, creative play and musical skills. Buy tickets here.

11:30am-3:00pm- American Cool Family Day at National Portrait Gallery
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Are you “American Cool”? Come to the Portrait Gallery and check out some “cool” music, art projects, and docent-led tours of the American Cool exhibition.

1:00pm-3:00pm- Children’s Cherry Blossom Celebration at Green Spring Gardens
(4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA)
Kids can celebrate spring and learn about history of the gift of trees that bring so many visitors to Washington, DC every year. This open house format includes origami, crafts, and cherry tree “hunt.” $10

2:00pm- Pillow Fight on The National Mall
(Washington Monument- Constitution Ave. at 15th St., SW, Washington, D.C.)
There is a ‘holiday’ for everything apparently. And this Saturday is National Pillow Fight Day. Bring your pillow to The Washington Monument where friendly-fighters of all ages will be going at it. Families with smaller children can play outside the main pillow crowd with other little ones.

Sunday-

10:00am-5:00pm- Ticonderoga Farms – Spring Easter Festival

(26469 Ticonderoga Rd, Chantilly, VA)
Ticonderoga Farm’s Bunny will be joining everyone at the farm. Hopping around and posing for picture opportunities during our weekend hours and playing with our favorite friend Chickadee. Together hiding eggs for all the children to enjoy finding, especially the golden eggs that provide extra fun prizes for those who find them. Egg hunts will be held at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Cost is $11.95. Giant slides, mazes, animals, face painting and much more will be there!

2:00pm-5:00pm- Portrait Story Days: Elvis Presley at National Portrait Gallery
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Today, learn about American musician Elvis Presley (1935-1977). Best for kids ages 5 and up.

Weekend Picks: Fly a kite, take in some art and jam out

March 28, 2014

Pardon the brevity of this week’s post — as we’re actually posting it remotely from Florida, where we’ve gone to escape the never-ending Winter of DC. While we won’t be able to check out all the fun this weekend, we still gathered our best bets — so let us know how it goes and what we might have missed because of our absence. Have a great weekend everyone!

Saturday-

9:30am and 11:00- Tim Marrone: Clowning Around with Shakespeare at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004)
Laughter reigns supreme when a lowly court jester prepares for his first audience with England’s newly crowned monarch, King James I. Kids help calm our clown’s frazzled nerves by assuming characters in his performance and providing backup with songs and sound effects in an entertaining show filled with comic spontaneity.

10:00am-4:30pm– Blossom Kite Festival
(Washington Monument grounds – Constitution Avenue & 17th Street, NW)
Spring is in the air – literally! The fourth annual Blossom Kite Festival presented by the National Cherry Blossom Festival showcases the creativity of kite makers and skill of kite fliers from across the US and other countries through a variety of competitions and demonstrations including the popular Hot Tricks Showdown and the Rokkaku Battle. Bring your own kites or children can make a kite at an activity station (while supplies last) to fly on the Public Field. The Blossom Kite Festival includes 5 areas to enjoy: the Competition & Demonstration Field, Family Field, Kite Club Display Area, Activity Tents, and Public Field. Check out a map of the Festival here.

[Read more…]

Weekend Picks: Cherry Blossoms, Winnie the Pooh and a bite of gelato

March 21, 2014

It’s officially Cherry Blossom season (aka Spring), so perhaps that snow that is in the forecast on Tuesday will magically disappear? Will you make your way down to The Tidal Basin? Here is the link to the official website to find out all the information you need. Check the forecast, reserve a paddle boat for your family, and row through the basin admiring the blooms. Make sure and read everything, especially one of our final Weekend Picks (hint: it involves fresh churned gelato!)

Saturday-

9:30am and 11:00am- Bright Star Theatre: Jack’s Adventure at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004)
Join Jack as he crams for his upcoming history test. When his history book magically bursts, Jack meets some of the most exciting people in our nation’s history! George Washington, Betsy Ross, Henry Ford and Neil Armstrong are just some of the 22 characters that come to life in this high energy adventure. Audience volunteers help write the Constitution, work on Ford’s assembly line and even demand the right to vote. Best for grades 2-5– Free.

[Read more…]

Weekend Picks: St. Patrick’s Day parades, truck touch and interactive music shows!

March 14, 2014

It’s mid-March already?! Put on the green this weekend and catch a local parade to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. If parades aren’t your thing there’s plenty to do, especially on Saturday.

9:30am and 11:00am- Rick Potter: Bert the Nerd at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004)
Bert performs amazing feats of skill, daring stunts and incredible magic at this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance.

10:00am-4:00pm- Touch-A-Truck Fundraiser at Walt Whitman Middle School
(2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306)
Children are invited to spend a day in the driver’s seat and explore trucks big and small at Fort Hunt Preschool’s annual hands-on, touch-a-truck event. Children will have an opportunity to climb on up into trucks of all shapes and sizes—to press buttons, to honk horns, and to learn about gadgets. Enjoy entertainment and refreshments —including delicious food by Red Hot & Blue— while enjoying a fantastic selection of vehicles. $5 for attendees older than 2 years old.

[Read more…]