Beltway Bambinos

Looking to escape the warmer temperatures this week? There are some new theatre performances in town, including Pinkalicious and the BFG. Our theatre roundup have the details you need. 

The Smithsonian’s Discovery Theatre has a new show this week: Christylez Bacon: Human Beatbox. Showtimes are Tuesday-Friday at 10:15am and 11:30am.

 DC Parks and Rec have turned on all spray parks and pools!  Check them out to cool off. 

Monday-

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.

9:30am-11:00am: Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under. Today’s featured artist is master educator, musician, and storyteller,   Bashea “Iya ” Imana .  “Iya & the Kuumba Kids” is  an interactive, hands-on, fun-filled time. Iya masterfully blends music & movement with storytelling, eco-friendly arts & crafts, and puppetry. This educational program for children fosters a love for learning and promotes literacy, critical thinking, respect for the environment, character development, and creativity.

10:30am-11:15am: Mr. Knick Knack at Reston Town Center (Pavillon)
(11900 Market St, Reston, Va. 20190)
Unique, heart-centered music for kids! Free.

Tuesday-  

10:00am: Rocking Tot Tuesdays with The Singing Lizard at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
Grab an instrument, get on stage or practice your moves on the dance floor. This is a perfect spot for your little one to move and groove. Suggested donation $7.

10:00am: Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Pavilion (2nd floor)
(10th St. and Constitution Ave., NW)
Every Tuesday at 10:00am you can get into the magnificent butterfly pavilion for free! Make sure and get a free ticket by the entrance. We visited this last month and were amazed by how many butterflies were flying around, some even landing on a shoulder. Look closely and you could spot a frog under some trees.

10:30am: Wolf Trap Childrens Theatre-in-the-Woods features Mr. Molecule
(1551 Trap Road | Vienna, Virginia 22182)
Blast off on an interactive adventure with the Bing, Bang, Boom! Science Show! Explosively funny host Mr. Molecule leads wild and wacky experiments that illuminate scientific principles and inspire curiosity.

7:00pm-10:30pm: NoMa Family Film Night
 features Frozen
(Sursum Corda Plaza, L and First Streets, NW)
Now in its fourth year, the NoMa BID is proud to present Family Film Night at Sursum Corda, where families and children gather for free family-centric movies (also fitting the ‘Unlikely Friendships’ theme) and free food. Family Film Night will take place on four Tuesdays this summer.

Wednesday- 

10:00am: Mr. Gabe and the Circle Time All Stars at Frying Pan Visitor Center (as parts of Arts in the Park)
(2739 West Ox Road, Herndon, VA 20171)
Mr. Gabe and his band, the Circle Time All-Stars, perform a mix of traditional children’s songs, family-friendly pop songs, and originals from Mr. Gabe’s award-winning CD, Play Date. If you can’t catch their show today click here for a list of other shows.

10:00am-2:00pm: “Play-in” for Climate Change by Moms Clean Air Force
(Upper Senate Park, US Capitol, Washington, DC)
Families will take to the US Capitol grounds for a historic Play-In for Climate Action. This family-friendly protest against the air pollution that causes dangerous climate change will showcase exactly what’s at stake as temperatures and sea levels rise: our kids. Moms know that kids can’t sit still, so we are ditching a traditional sit-in–and having a Play-In. Join us for fun activities for kids, a press conference, and a march to the Senate, where we will deliver a message from families across the country: it is time to get serious about climate change. The Play-In for Climate Action will support EPA’s historic announcement to cut carbon emissions from power plants. Unfortunately, some lawmakers are now doing everything in their power to undermine the EPA regulation. At the Play-In for Climate Action, we will urge lawmakers to support EPA in addressing dangerous carbon pollution emissions, and show united support for the Clean Power Rule.

10:00am: Story time at Barnes and Noble
(2800 Clarendon Blvd. Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22201)
I’m not Cute is the story this week. “I’m not cute,” says Baby Owl. “And I don’t have big baby eyes!”

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Kidsinger Jim at Union Market
(1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC. 20002)
Access the free market parking lot from 6th Street NE or travel via metro to NoMA-Gallaudet. Come early for coffee and stay for lunch!

10:30am: Wolf Trap Childrens Theatre-in-the-Woods features Mr. Molecule
(1551 Trap Road | Vienna, Virginia 22182)
Blast off on an interactive adventure with the Bing, Bang, Boom! Science Show! Explosively funny host Mr. Molecule leads wild and wacky experiments that illuminate scientific principles and inspire curiosity.

4:00pm-5:30pm: Free Art Wednesdays at Create ART
(Silver Spring Civic Building – 1 Veterans Plaza)
Join Create ART in this wonderful new FREE after school art workshops – improv, sewing, comics, & more! Kindergarten-5th grade students welcome. Register online.

5:30pm: !Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! at BloomBars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
!Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! is a sure bet every time. Children of various ages enjoy this interactive show that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture.

6:00pm: Beowulf T. Wonderbunny  at  Rio Washingtonian Little Tots Summer
(209 Boardwalk Pl. Gaithersburg, Md. 20878- on the Lakefront Plaza)
Join us for family entertainment that brings out the kid in everyone!

Thursday-

9:30am and 11:30am:  Mister G – ABC Fiesta at Strathmore’s Backyard Theatre for Children
(Parking for Backyard Theater is in the Mansion lot on a space-available basis. Enter the lot at 10701 Rockville Pike.)
A summertime favorite, Backyard Theater for Children returns with enough music and magic to thrill kids and parents alike – all outdoors under a big tent! Each artsy experience comes at a wallet-pleasing price of only $8 each ($7.20 Stars Price) and free for ages 2 and under. Bring blankets and a bag lunch. A Parents Gold Choice Award winner, this “kid-friendly, bilingual rockstar…will surely make you feel like bailando!” (The Washington Post). Don’t miss Mister G’s “irresistible” (People) style when he makes his Strathmore debut this summer! Get tickets.

10:00am: 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.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents This is Lea at Eastern Market
(225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Our most popular show of the week! Join us at Historic Eastern Market’s North Hall (closest to South Carolina) for a lively concert, grab lunch and shop for dinner. Access to the North Hall via the market for Boogie Babes. Eastern Market Metro is two short blocks away.

10:30am: Rocknoceros at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
As every family with youngsters in the DC area already knows, Rocknoceros (pronounced like rhinoceros) is three guys: Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie, who make wildly popular, award-winning music for the whole family. Tickets are $5.

10:30am: Wolf Trap Childrens Theatre-in-the-Woods features Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
(1551 Trap Road | Vienna, Virginia 22182)
Named “THE face of kindie music” (The Washington Post), this whimsical musical group lights up the stage with smart, catchy lyrics and irresistible pop beats. Lucky Diaz and Lishy Lou perform songs from ¡Fantastico!, their Latin Grammy-winning, Spanish-language album.

1:00pm-2:00pm: Splish Splash, Drip, Plop at Meadowside Nature Center
(5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20853)
Wade in the water to see what’s swimming, diving, and living in the stream. For your safety, wear shoes that can get wet (no flip-flops or backless sandals). Registration required. 3-12 years, $5. 

6:00pm: John Henry, the Guitar Playing Man at Broad Branch Market 
(5608 Broad Branch Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015)
John Henry has a busy day! He’s back at our favorite summer concert series. Catch him every Thursday at BBM. Grab dinner inside the market and eat it while singing along to his catchy tunes or treat your bambino to an ice cream. A fun way to end the evening and if you’re little one isn’t ready to go home afterwards walk across the street to Lafayette Park and choose between the many playgrounds or fields to play on.

8:00pm: Campfire- Paul Bunyon at Meadowside Nature Center
(5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD 20853)
Spend your Thursday evenings at our campfire ring, roasting marshmallows and enjoying a naturalist-led program or movie. Register all participants; fee is for children only. A movie and marshmallows! 3 and up/$5.

Friday- 

10:30am: Wolf Trap Childrens Theatre-in-the-Woods features Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
(1551 Trap Road | Vienna, Virginia 22182)
Named “THE face of kindie music” (The Washington Post), this whimsical musical group lights up the stage with smart, catchy lyrics and irresistible pop beats. Lucky Diaz and Lishy Lou perform songs from ¡Fantastico!, their Latin Grammy-winning, Spanish-language album.

10:30am: The Great Zucchini at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Get tickets here for The Great Zucchini, Washington’s funniest and most magical preschool and kindergarten entertainer, performs a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh. Experience the excitement of the children when they get to learn a magic trick at the end of show.

6:00pm: RIO Summertime Concert Series presents Diamond Alley
(209 Boardwalk Pl. Gaithersburg, Md. 20878)
Live music every Friday and Saturday night from 6-9pm on RIO Patio near the paddle boats!