Beltway Bambinos

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

Weekday Adventures: April 24-28, 2017

DC Library has so many wonderful family-friendly events from story times, lego build afternoons to movie nights.

Toddler Time at Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park is a great shared experience for child and parent. A time for your little ones to discover the joy of being active, bouncing under the supervision of their parents, and without interference from the big kids. Toddler times are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: (9:30AM – 11:00AM), Sunday: (8:30AM – 10:00AM) for $7.00.

Monday-

9:30am-11:00am- Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(234 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012)
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for early rising families of all kinds. Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under.

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

10:00am-11:30am: Toddler Art Time at New Community ArtSpace + Story time
(614 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Valentine making and story time! We will be closed next week.  $5/child + supply donations are welcome. Special story time at 11:00am. with Ms. Julie from DC Library.

10:30am AND 11:00am: Storytime at The National Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002)
The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum invites adults and young children (ages 2-3) to discover the world around them together at our monthly StoryTime. Children will build important developmental and social skills through books, activities, songs and self-guided gallery exploration. Explore themes, such as shapes, colors, and sizes, in a relaxed setting at your neighborhood museum. Feel free to bring snacks and enjoy the space after the program! Free- no reservation required.

10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008)
Come sing-along to your favorite songs. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.

Tuesday-

10:00am AND 11:30am: Shadow Puppets at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
This shadow puppet stage show will feature a variety of characters and menagerie of traditional and original songs. It explores themes that center around the seasons, the environment, as well as learning components of music.

12:30pm: 10:30am: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp at Adventure Theatre
(7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD. 20812)
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.

Wednesday-

10:00am-4:00pm: Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly and Caterpillar Exhibit at Brookside Gardens
(1800 Glenallan Avenue Wheaton, MD 20902)
The seasonal display features hundreds of live butterflies from all over the world OPENS TODAY. Families, students, nature lovers, and everyone in between can get an up close experience of these brilliant butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa and Asia as they soar among colorful flowers. Visitors can learn about their amazing metamorphosis, the important role butterflies play in having healthy ecosystems, and how to ensure these beautiful insects thrive in our own gardens. $8 ages 13+, $5 ages 3-12 and Free ages 0-2.

10:00am-11:00am: Little Treasures at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Artist in Bloom Resident Tamika Love Jones presents Little Treasures, an educational and interactive journey for babies and children (under age 3) that explores a special box of little treasures. Each treasure that is picked from the box will lead tots and parents to sing their favorite songs, read fun stories and explore their bodies through exciting movement. The theme of Little treasures is self-love and teaching the tots that they, too, are little treasures!

5:30pm-6:30pm: Samba Kids
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Join Zezeh Brazil (Sao Paolo), former carnaval queen, radio personality and dance instructor extraordinaire for child & family samba dance lessons. It’s never too early to learn the infectious dance of the world’s 5th largest country. Samba Kids is the perfect introduction to movement and rhythm, not to mention Portuguese. The classes starts with yoga followed by a dance class to the sound of Brazilian carnival music for kids.

7:00pm: Family Craft Night at Chevy Chase Library
(5625 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington,  D.C.  20015)
Arts and crafts for children of all ages.

Thursday-

10:30am: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp at Adventure Theatre
(7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD. 20812)
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.

10:30am: Guava Jelly at Eastern Market with Boogie Babes
(225 7th Street SE- North Hall)
The Boogie Babes program brings interactive musical performances for young children and their caregivers each week to area neighborhoods. The events, typically 45 minutes in length, provide a wonderful way to expose children to different musical instruments and styles while also raising funds for and awareness of DC Diaper Bank’s work and mission. $6 per child (siblings under 6 months free!)

Friday-

10:00am-11:30am: Nature Explorers Together at Locust Grove Nature Center
(7777 Democracy Boulevard Bethesda, Maryland 20817)
Parents and caregivers will have the chance to play, create, and learn right alongside their little nature explorers. Classes will include hands-on, nature based activities that encourage imaginative play, curiosity, and cooperation. The majority of the class will be outdoors, barring extreme weather, so be sure to dress for the weather. $10

4:00pm-6:00pm: BINGO at Guy Mason Recreation Center
(3600 Calvert Street, NW)
If you like meeting people, playing games, having fun and winning prizes! Mix and mingle with neighbors and friends while playing BINGO! Win nice prizes, and have fun without having to travel far… So come on out and join us in BINGO at Guy Mason! For more information, please contact Ms. Bell at (202) 727-7703

Early Childhood Theatre: Paper Dreams at Imagination Stage (ends this weekend)

The My First Imagination Stage theatre series offers intimate, interactive performances designed for the very young in our Reeve Theatre. Learn more below about theatre productions, classes, and weekend workshops at Imagination Stage.

What: Paper Dreams
In a brand-new collaboration with Mons Dansa Dance Company Barcelona, Spain, we bring to life our first DANCE performance based show, perfect for ages 1-5 that explores the many facets of creativity. A fun, interactive production that tells the story of two delightful creatures who live inside a wastepaper basket. Can our greatest mistake actually turn out to be the next greatest innovative idea? Try the Activity Guide! En Español!

When: March 11-April 9, 2017

Where: Imagination Stage: 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Who: Written and directed by Claudia Moreso, Mons Dansa Dance Company Barcelona, Spain
with the US remount directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer

Tickets: $14.00

Weekend Picks March 31-April 2

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

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 16th 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

 

Date Night at The National Theatre+Giveaway

Fun Home at The National Theatre is a great date night alternative to your typical routine and you can win a pair of tickets to the grand opening show (see details below).

When: April 18, 2017 – May 13, 2017

Where: The National Theatre: 1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004

Details:  Every once in a while a Broadway musical comes along that surprises, moves and excites audiences in ways only a truly landmark musical can. The groundbreaking, life-affirming and exquisite new musical Fun Home was the event of the Broadway season, receiving raves from critics and audiences alike, winning five 2015 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL and making history along the way.

Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, Fun Home introduces us to Alison at three different ages as she explores and unravels the many mysteries of her childhood. A refreshingly honest musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes, Fun Home is extraordinary, a rare beauty that pumps fresh air into Broadway. (New York Times)

Run time: 1 hour, 45 minutes, no intermission

Tickets: $43.00-$98.00
We’re thrilled to offer you an exclusive discount to the first ten performances of Fun Home at The National Theatre! Use code KEYS to save more than 30% on select seats!

 

What the critics are saying:

“A RARE BEAUTY THAT PUMPS FRESH AIR INTO BROADWAY.” – Ben Brantley, The New York Times

“EXQUISITE. AN EMOTIONAL POWERHOUSE.” –Chicago Tribune

“A LANDMARK PRODUCTION THAT WILL FOREVER CHANGE WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN MUSICAL THEATRE.” –The Huffington Post

GIVEAWAY:  For a chance to win tickets to see FUN HOME at the National Theatre on grand opening night, Wednesday, April 19 at 7:30pm, leave a comment below. You can get an extra entry by entering on BeltwayBambinos Facebook page too! This giveaway will run through April 6, 2017, then a winner will be drawn at random and announced.

Weekend Picks March 10-12

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

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

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: 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)

Molly Shakespeare cropped

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.

Ella Enchanted at Adventure Theatre

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What: Ella Enchanted

When: February 3, 2017 – March 19, 2017

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

Why: Based on the Newberry Honor book by Gail Carson Levine. Baby Ella of Frell is given the “gift” of obedience by Lucinda, a misguided fairy, and thus cannot disobey any direct order. Then when tragedy strikes, Ella is reduced to an obedient servant in her new home with Dame Olga. Can Ella find a way to rid herself of the troublesome curse?

This version has it’s own spin on the original but stays pretty true to the beloved book. We particularly took notice of Ella’s ability to overcome the hardships she was dealt through creativity and staying true to herself– an important lesson for our young theatre go-ers. As you can see in the photo above, the creativity of the birds are truly magical.

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.

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