Beltway Bambinos

Weekend picks in and around Washington, DC

This weekend kicks off Atlas Performing Arts INTERSECTIONS Festival. The Festival 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 begins February 19-March 1. There are many family events (too many to choose for our picks), so please check out the schedule.

National Symphony Orchestra Music for Young Audiences presents a Mozart Mash-Up. Share the magic and music of Mozart in a special family concert when members of the National Symphony Orchestra play favorites from the prolific composer. Best for ages 7+.

It is the inaugural Washington Justice weekend at the Anthem! They play on both Saturday & Sunday. You can expect a packed arena full of dedicated fans, performances by local favorites including DJ Kool and more.

Friday

5:30pm-8:00pm: Nerf Night at Badlands
Kids ages 7+ are invited to join for Nerf Night by Badlands! Come enjoy a fun new theme each Nerf Night.

Saturday

9:00am-4:00pm: George Washington’s 288th Birthday at Mount Vernon
Celebrate with General Washington in honor of his 288th birthday! Admission is free and no advanced tickets are required.

9:15am: Building Better People Productions: Friendlier Fables
This show is part of the INTERSECTIONS Festival. Here are some of your favorite kid stories, told with kinder twists. Cheer on friends like our not-so-ugly duckling and a boy who cries wolf for reasons you might not expect, as they learn to respect themselves and others in a funny, touching, engaging show for all ages! Best for ages 0-8.

9:30am AND 10:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
Ten years and more than 1,600 shows later, Harambe at BloomBars has become a Washington DC institution and a cultural/moral compass for thousands of parents and youth. In Swahili, Harambe means “All pull together.” At BloomBars, Harambe is the practice of hope, possibility and compassion – basically, all the things that happen when we all come together. 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: Saturday Morning Tunes “Frozen” live in concert at Miracle Theater
All your favorite “Frozen” songs, performed live by classically trained opera singers, with a few inside jokes for us parents too. Kids can meet and greet the princesses afterwards. Doors open at 9:30am.

10:00am: Imagination Stage: Down by the Station
Take an imaginary train adventure in this interactive musical experience with Imagination Stage at Avalon Theatre! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist accompanied by a live percussionist guides you through a musical exploration of the classic children’s tale.

1:00pm-2:30pm: Mr. Jon & Friends Concert
Mr. Jon performs energetic music for the entire family that is all about fun, dancing, and laughter! He has won a Parents’ Choice Award for his music and attracted loyal audiences across the D.C. area. The concert is free with a $10 suggested donation for adults and $5 for kids. No tickets or reservations are required.

4:00pm-7:00pm: Mardi Gras at the Wharf
New Orleans is coming to DC! Celebrate Mardi Gras with a free community-wide extravaganza featuring a lively parade down Wharf Street, a dance party with live music on District Pier, and a special fireworks finale.

6:00pm-9:00pm: Dynamite 2 Gym Parents Night Out
Drop off the kids for an evening of free play, fun, friends, and a movie, too! One hour of open gym followed by popcorn and a movie in the gym.

Sunday

10:00am-12:00pm and 12:00pm-2:30pm: Family Gras at Capitol Cider House
Join the 2nd annual Family Gras, a family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration!!!! Kids will enjoy complimentary face painting, balloon animals, festive crafts and beads (gently) thrown from a cider house float.

11:00am-12:00pm: CUENTA-CUENTOS: STORYTIME at Hirshhorn
Your voice is powerful! Join for a close look at artworks on view in Manifesto: Art x Agency and a reading of Mi Voz by Jose Fragoso. Stay to create an artwork that amplifies your own voice! CUENTA-CUENTOS: STORYTIME in Spanish explores contemporary art through stories and movement. Each week STORYTIME features a fresh and fun theme. Bring your littlest art lover for an introduction to an artist on view, interactive read aloud, and a hands-on activity.

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
You and your child will bring your favorite stories 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.

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
Baby Bear’s Birthday at The Puppet Co Tiny Tots

ARTECHOUSE: Future Sketches
Imagine different possible futures – for the intersection of computation and design, for the interaction between humans and computers, and for an expressive augmented reality. Future Sketches is a collaboration with one of the most dynamic pioneers in the field of coding and interactive media. Zach Lieberman creates digital poetry through code, technology and theory. He writes his own software to create his artwork, and is a co-creator of openFrameworks, an open source C++ toolkit for creative coding.