Beltway Bambinos

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

Weekend Picks for June 3-5

Hate to say it (or accept it) but check websites for events on Sunday as bad weather is headed our way. 

Friday-

Unknown3:30pm-7:30pm: Westbrook Elementary 72nd Annual Carnival
(5110 Allan Terrace Bethesda, MD 20816)
Join us and surf on the mechanical surf board, climb the rock wall, play Superchance, jump on a moonbounce, try out Bottlemania, ride the Reckless and walk the Cake Walk! We have great prizes this year for our games ranging from iPad minis to Fitbits. Featuring local middle and high school bands such as Sonic Boom and the F-35s. Food trucks such as Jose Andres’ Pepe, DC Far East Taco, CapMac, Go Fish, Armands and Captain Cookie and the Milkman will be there.

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The Emperor’s Nightingale at Adventure Theatre

night(Photo credit: Michael Horan)

What: The Emperor’s Nightingale

When: April 22, 2016 – May 30, 2016

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

Why: The sweet song of a Nightingale saves an Empire. This brand new adaptation set in eighteenth century China, brings to light the younger days of Emperor Qianlong, who would become one of the greatest rulers of the Middle Kingdom. It takes a magical bird to help the headstrong and aimless Prince to become a King.

Based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen this captivating play is part of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month celebration. A great introduction into Chinese history and culture while also allowing the audience to see a world premiere play made up of an all Asian cast! Children will be lured into the play from the get-go as characters are adorned in colorful costumes and begin the play with most of the cast singing a catchy song. There are funny pandas, a graceful Nightingale and a two-person tiger (similar to Chinese dragons seen in parades) in addition to the “human” cast. I loved the moving shutters and the familiar background projections. I found the audience participation to be a humorous way to involve the children and get them focused.

tiger(Photo credit: Bruce Douglas)

Details:
Running time is 55 minutes with no intermission.

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.

The Emperor’s Nightingale is recommended for all ages. However, there are a few parts where the tiger may be a bit scary to some.

Looking for Roberto Clemente at Imagination Stage

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What: Looking for Roberto Clemente

When: April 13, 2016- May 22, 2016

Where: Imagination Stage
4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Why: Sam and Charlie are best friends and baseball fanatics in Pittsburgh, PA, in the year 1972. Puerto Rican superstar Roberto Clemente is the hero of the Pittsburgh Pirates, having led the team to victory after years of losing. When a mysterious fly ball transforms Sam into a Little League Superstar pitcher, he is invited onto the most prestigious Little League team in town, while Charlie is rejected for being a girl. Charlie forms her own team with the less athletic kids and her new friend Tommy, a boy with a disability. Sam and Charlie ultimately discover what it truly means to be a “hero” when their final game coincides with Clemente’s fateful decision to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

My baseball fanatic son liked watching the characters play “ball” and he enjoyed the backdrop which sometimes used old baseball clips. The show sparked a conversation between my five year old and myself on the topic of including others. The director casts a man who in real life has a disability dreaming of wanting to play ball. It brought an authentic feel to the play and allowed my son to learn about the importance of inclusion. The play did get a bit somber and left the younger audience sad as we learned about the disappearance of Mr. Clemente. However, the end of the play brought the characters all together.

clemente

Details:
Running time is 75 minutes with one intermission.

Tickets can be purchased here. Tickets range from $12-$35 each with group and field trip rates available.

Looking for Roberto Clemente is recommended for ages 5+.

(Photo credit: Margot Schulman)

Weekend Picks

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Saturday-

10:00am-2:00pm: Earth Day Celebration at National Zoo
(3001 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008 )
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is committed to saving species and our planet. Did you know that the Zoo recycles approximately 100 tons of materials and composts 600 tons of waste each year? This Earth Day, make the Zoo your go-to place to participate in green-themed activities. You’ll have the chance to get gardening tips from our expert horticulturists, take a tour of the Zoo’s green facilities, attend special demonstrations, and more. Don’t forget to ride your bike!

10:00am-3:00pm: Virginia Touch-A-Truck
(Dominion High School, 21326 Augusta Dr., Sterling)
Put your imagination in gear and go! Join us for Virginia’s original TOUCH-A-TRUCK where kids get a chance to get behind the wheel and rub elbows with their hometown heroes. Come and climb on and explore your favorite vehicles including big rigs, fire engines, cement mixer, school bus, utility vehicles and so many more… It will surely be a day that will be remembered for years to come. $5

10:00am-2:00pm: Junior Ranger Day at Pierce Mill
(2539 Tilden St NW, Washington, D.C.)
Earn a centennial junior ranger badge,  make a corn husk craft, learn to make a map, find out how to tie different knots, and much more.

37-atxl10:30am: Miss Nina’s Sing-Along at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Whether you see her performing in concert, in class or listen to her original music you can witness her high-energy joy that fuels her dancing spirit. And Nina hopes its contagious! Providing children and their families the space and opportunity to enjoy music and movement together is her passion.

2:00pm: Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s “Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny”
(1234 Ingleside Ave. McLean, VA 22101)
“Goodnight Moon” is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while “The Runaway Bunny”’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both tales feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young readers with a reassuring sense of security. Mermaid’s staged adaptation will bring a new sense of appreciation to stories that have delighted several generations.

Sunday-

10:30am: Royal Family Yoga
(CityDance located at 4435 Wisconsin Ave NW)
Calling all princesses, princes, knights, and dragons! Dress in your finest fairytale inspired clothing for a royal gathering. We’ll dance, stretch, play, and imagine. Ages 3-8. Registration ends Friday.

12:00pm-4:00pm: Earth Day at Brookside Gardens
(1800 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902 )
What better place than Brookside Gardens, M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks, to celebrate Earth Day? Through volunteering, walks and tours, earth friendly activities and browsing our green craft fair, you can learn while having fun. Interactive family-friendly activities and a “green” vendor and craft fair will be offered from 12noon- 4pm. Enjoy wildflower and plant walks starting at 12:30pm. Discover how small changes in your everyday habits can make a big impact on improving our environment.

Weekend Picks

renwick
(Renwick Gallery)

Saturday-

10:00am-2:00pm: Museum Day Live! Family Celebration at Renwick Gallery
(2nd floor- 8th and F Streets, N.W.)
Who runs the world? Girls! Celebrate women and girls of color and their many contributions to our communities with a day of live music, performances, and crafts at the Renwick. Part of Museum Day Live!, an initiative hosted by Smithsonian Digital to promote our nation’s dynamic heritage and cultural life with a day of free admission at participating museums across the country. A must-see exhibit, Wonder is displayed at the Renwick now. Perfect event to make it to see and celebrate.
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Weekend Picks

Kicking off the Atlas Performing Arts Center 10th Anniversary, the Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival 2016 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. Discover how art, culture and connection happen on H Street. The festival begins February 26-March 6. There are many family events (too many to choose for our picks), so please check out the schedule for family friendly shows.

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Also, keep in mind James and the Giant Peach is at Adventure Theatre, JACK and Phil, Slayers of Giants-Inc is at Imagination Stage and Treasure Island premieres this weekend at Encore Stage and Studio.

A Light Themed Art Installation at The Yards is a Two-Week-Long Installation Melding Light, Sculpture and Music to Create Wonder. On Saturday, they are kicking off their US tour, families are invited from 3pm to 6pm to delight in the sight of the enormous glowing bunnies, while enjoying children’s activities, including a giant Lite-Brite.

Saturday-

10:00am: Avalon Theatre presents Blue Sky Puppet Theatre
(5612 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20015)
Blue Sky Puppet Theatre is back at the Avalon this winter! Their new production “SuperPig!” will have kids and families laughing and learning, with audience participation and humor aimed at all ages. “SuperPig!” shares the story of  Chester, who dreams of having superhero powers, but learns what heroes really are when a friend helps him out of a bullying situation. Tickets: $8.00 / $6.50 for Avalon members (Children under 2 are free)
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James and the Giant Peach at Adventure Theatre

Suzanne Lane, Emily Zickler, Jimmy Mavrikes, Eli Schulman, Tobias Young, Joshua Simon

What: James and the Giant Peach

When: February 14, 2016 – April 5, 2016

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

Why: When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion which results in a tremendous peach – and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Featuring a wickedly tuneful score by the TONY Award-nominated team of Pasek and Paul and a curiously quirky book by Timothy Allen McDonald.

Based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl whom also wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We put on our imagination glasses and went on a journey with James. Each song will have you wanting to stand up and dance along. The cast truly shine in each song that is sung. This show will have you laughing out loud and being entertained the entire show.

Details:
Running time is 75 minutes with no intermission.

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.

James and the Giant Peach is recommended for all ages.

(Photo credits: Bruce Douglas)

JACK and Phil, Slayers of Giants-INC. at Imagination Stage

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What: JACK and Phil, Slayers of Giants-INC.

When: February 3, 2016-March 13, 2016

Where: Imagination Stage
4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD. 20814

Why:
In this contemporary, tongue-in-cheek adaptation of the classic fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack is a sporty, popular kid whose mother is facing foreclosure on their house. Jack enlists Phil, his smart yet nerdy neighbor, to accompany him to a pawnbroker to trade in his Grandfather’s gold watch for quick cash. Instead, the boys are paid in magic beans, and soon enough, a beanstalk grows tall with golden eggs, a harp, and a Giant’s home waiting at the top! After discovering the treasures, Jack becomes an overnight TV sensation, but his failure to acknowledge Phil’s help threatens the boys’ friendship, and very nearly leads to disaster when the Giant decides to come down from the beanstalk.

Not only will your Bambinos be entertained by the talented performers but they will also learn the value of friendships. The adventure the boys go on is fun and thrilling. The Giant stays behind a big door the entire time so have no fear. Each time the Giant makes an appearance you’re sure to hear laughter from the crowd as he has some tricks up his sleeve. Go home and re-read the classic fairy tale together and compare it with the play.

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Details:
Running time is 75 minutes with one intermission.

Tickets can be purchased here. Price are $10-$30.

ASL-interpreted: February 21 at 4:00 p.m.

Sensory-Friendly: February 28 at 11:00 a.m.

Special Saturday Night Performance: March 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Join us before the show to craft your own mini magic beanstalk!

(Photo credits: Margot Schulman)

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