Beltway Bambinos

Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

Family Fun Day at Intersections Festival

Atlas Performing Arts INTERSECTIONS Festival is a festival that showcases performances in music, theatre, dance, film, spoken word and performance art that offer new ways to see ourselves and to celebrate our community and our world. The festival runs February 19 – March 1. There are many family events including a 10am show on Saturday (too many to choose for our picks), so please check out the schedule.

Saturday

10:00am-1:00pm: Maker Morning: Leap Year! Pop-Up!
What are the odds? Explore the art of Marcel Duchamp through silhouettes, chess and wordplay in this extra special Maker Morning Pop-up!
-Hands-on MAKER stations
10 am–1 pm, Museum-wide
-Chess with Silver Knights Enrichment
10 am–1 pm, Lerner Room
-KIDS TOUR: Art and Chance
10:30 am, Meet in the Lobby

10:00am: Frozen 2 playing at the Avalon Theatre
Elsa the Snow Queen has an extraordinary gift – the power to create ice and snow. But no matter how happy she is to be surrounded by the people of Arendelle, Elsa finds herself strangely unsettled. After hearing a mysterious voice call out to her, Elsa travels to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond her kingdom – an adventure that soon turns into a journey of self-discovery.

10:30am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage: Good Night, Good Night Construction Site
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.

11:00am-3:00pm: Art and Me: Preserving Cultural Heritage at Freer|Sackler
Bring your little ones to learn about the conservation of artifacts from Iraq and Syria with conservator Ellen Chase. Take a guided tour of Age Old Cities and then experiment with using professional tools to examine objects. Back in the studio you can build your own conservator toolkit to take home! For ages three to five with adult companions. This program is part of a year-long program series with the Lunder Conservation Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

11:00am: Yao Yao at the Kennedy Center: Sensory friendly performance
Yao is a mischievous little girl who loves to play, but hates when her Daddy picks up his briefcase and goes off to work. One day, Yao grabs Daddy’s overcoat and accidentally pulls a thread that leads to the start of a magical world. South Korea’s Brush Theatre uses interactive screen art technology and live music to capture the whimsical adventure that follows. What Yao finds at the end of the thread playfully blurs reality and imagination. Most enjoyed by ages 3–7.

11:45am-4:00pm: Portrait Gallery for Families
–Strike a Prose Elementary School Edition Creative Writing Inspired by Contemporary Americans 10:00am-11:30am
In this creative writing workshop, we will write stories inspired by the portraits of American icons, such as Michelle Obama, LL Cool J and Toni Morrison, who are featured in the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition “Contemporary Americans.” We will learn how to develop characters, represent conflict and action and use our imaginations to write exciting stories. Open to elementary school students (grades 4–6). Each participant must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required.
–Story Time Explore! Space 11:45am
Story time in the Explore! space immerses you in tales of artists, presidents, inventors, athletes, and more! Before or after story time, enjoy the family space where you can play and learn about portraiture.
–Portrait Discovery Kits 1:00pm-4:00pm
Pick up an activity kit that guides you through the museum with games and puzzles and learn more about the people who have made American history.
–Portrait Story Days: Wilma Rudolph 1:00pm-4:00pm
Drop by on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to hear a story and create art inspired by someone in the Portrait Gallery’s collection.

Sunday

11:00am & 3:00pm: The Laurie Berkner Band at the Gordon Center
Don’t miss the whimsical pop lyrics and melodies of the artist People magazine deemed “the queen of children’s music.”

11:00am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage: Roaring Rockets
Your favorite stories come to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, 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. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books.

1:00pm & 5:00pm: Wow in the World Pop-Up Party at Strathmore
The Wow in the World Pop-Up Party brings the insanely popular kids podcast out in the world. Host Mindy Thomas weaves STEM-themed interactive games and foley-infused comedy skits with science-themed songs from three-time Grammy-nominated kindie duo, and creators of the “Wow in the World” theme song, The Pop Ups. Sketches and games are inspired by topics from Wow in the World and bring Wowzers from the audience on stage to be lab assistants and game show contestants. This exciting show engages curious kids and their grown-ups in science, wonder, imagination, and music and leaves them all saying “WOW”! Ideal for ages 5–12.

3:00pm: Chocolate Making for Kids at Harper Macaw
In this hands on class, children will get the opportunity to learn about where chocolate comes from, see, touch, smell and taste different parts of the chocolate making process as well as sample a variety of different flavored bars. Finally, they’ll take a look at the production area to see it all in action! Recommended for ages 5-12.

3:00pm-6:00pm: Open House at Dynamite Gymnastics
Head to the annual summer camp open house to learn about our various camp offerings, play on our equipment, and meet our awesome staff. There will be carnival games where kids earn tickets to redeem for prizes. Bring your entire family and have a blast!

3:30pm-4:30pm: JFamily Purim Celebration and Sing Along at Mt. Pleasant Library
Join JFamily for a pre-Purim celebration. Ms. Naomi will be playing songs on the guitar for the children to move and dance around to. Afterward kids will eat some snacks, listen to a Purim story and make crafts for kids. Costumes are not required but encouraged.

Weekend theatre–
The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats at Adventure Theatre through April 5
Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth at Imagination Stage through March 22
Thumbelina at Imagination Stage through April 5
Hear Me Say My Name at Discovery Theater
Beauty & The Beast at The Puppet Co through March 29
Magic Toyshop at The Puppet Co Tiny Tots
ARTECHOUSE: Future Sketches– FINAL WEEKEND