Beltway Bambinos

The weather is warming up this weekend so besides watching the snow melt, spend some time outdoors, perhaps ice skating. Also for the car enthusiasts or a large open space to chase your kids check out The Washington Auto Show.

Saturday-

9:30am and 10:30am: Mr. Gabe and the Circle Time All-Stars at Little Loft
(7007 Carroll Ave Takoma Park, MD 20912)
Tickets must be purchased in advance through Eventbrite, $7.14 per person. Snacks included! See schedule online as they’ve teamed up and will bring you monthly music shows for ages 0-6 during the winter months. Purchase tickets here!

9:30am and 11:00am: NOW THIS! KIDS! at The National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004)
NOW THIS! KIDS! the highly-skilled and imaginative improvisation troupe, will take your creative suggestions and devise rib-tickling musical fairy tales. Audience members can be part of the show, too! Tickets are free!

11:00am-1:00pm: Family Block Party at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
A family dance party that brings parents and big persons (uncles, brothers, Godmothers, aunties and more!) with their children and little people in the community together. Brought to Jammin’ Java by Hex9 Productions (and the former host of the DMV’s Baby Loves Disco) the experience still includes DJ Louie Flaco spinning “real” music, dancers, lights, and a disco ball! We’re adding South Block with food offerings (coming this fall!). Enjoy balloons, play area, crafts, and other activities commonly included to enhance this celebration of movement, children and our village. Interact with the DJ and try the equipment!

11:30am-3:00pm: Chinese New Year Celebration at American Art Museum
(8th & F StNW- Kogod Courtyard)
Enjoy a variety of activities and demonstrations throughout the day including: traditional paper cutting, painting, and sculpting by Henan Folk Artists; calligraphy demonstrations with the Confucius Institute at George Washington University; mask coloring and Chinese knot making with the Confucius Institute at George Washington University; calligraphy by John Wang; plus red paper lantern making, coloring sheets, and monkey hand puppet crafting. Events Schedule online.

1:00pm: Pile of Smile Art Workshop at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Pile of Smile project encourages boys and girls to create and donate their art as a deep act of compassion in support of ill kids. By creating opportunities for children to contribute and alleviate the suffering of another child, we alter their view of the world, deepen their well of compassion, and make a lasting impact on their lives. Through Pile of Smile, kids are being exposed to tremendously loving and touching stories and learn the true meaning of gratitude. All proceeds go to fulfill the wishes of children suffering from cancer.

4:00pm: PB and Jam Session at Takoma Park Community Center
(7500 Maple Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912)
Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions are designed for children ages 1 1/2 to 7 and their accompanying grown-ups. These informal concerts encourage young children to become active and enthusiastic listeners through music, movement, and games. In this session, we will explore FEELINGS. For the young child, navigating and understanding feelings can be quite a complicated task! Our feelings range from great excitement and joy to sadness and anger and all that’s in between.

4:00pm: Tots & Tykes Yoga at Tranquil Space
(1632 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009)
The class involves movement, songs, and playful yoga poses designed to help little one(s) learn movement concepts and body awareness. No experience or mat is required!

Sunday-

10:00am-10:45am: 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 completed craft, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Activities in Sunday Fun-Day are most appropriate to 3-5 year-olds but 1-2 year-old siblings and friends are also welcome! Dragons Love Tacos is the story this weekend. $8 per person.

2:00pm: U.S. Marine Corps Band “Childhood Dream” @ NOVA Alexandria Schlesinger Concert Hall
(Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center)
Do we ever let go of our childhood dreams? The mind of a child overflows with imagination, wonder, fantasy, fear, ambition, and limitless possibilities. With music evoking a flight to Neverland, a jump into outer space, the  complicated dreamscape of the resting young mind, the thrill of a first experience, and the discovery of an spiration, this program dusts off the invincible magic of childhood that resides deep within us all.