Weekend Picks: July 7-9, 2017

Highlight: Art Investigators at National Gallery of Art
How do you investigate a work of art? This program helps children make careful observations, analyze artists’ choices, ask questions, and use their imagination while exploring works of art. Led by museum educators, each program includes reading a children’s book, exploring one work of art in the galleries, and completing a simple hands-on activity. Children will receive a notebook to accompany the program. Each program is approximately 60 minutes. See dates and topics below. These free drop-in programs are designed for individual families on a  first-come, first-served basis. There is no advance registration and space is limited, so please plan accordingly. This weekend: Investigate: Helen Frankenthaler Friday, July 7 at 10:30 and 12:00, Saturday, July 8 at 10:30 and 12:00, Sunday, July 9 at 11:30 and 1:00 & Monday, July 10 at 10:30 and 12:00

Wrapping up:  The 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival is on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between Seventh and  Twelfth streets and in the Arts and Industries Building. The free festival wraps up on Sunday. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with evening dance parties at 5:30 and circus performances most nights at 7 p.m.

Saturday-

                                                                                             (Photo:Sound Scene X at Hirshorn Museum by Carpe Diem!)

10:00am-5:00pm: Sound Scene X at Hirshorn Museum
(700 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20560)
The sounds of our politically-driven town are often dissonant. Underneath the political noise, the audio culture of DC is rich and varied. Sound Scene X: “Dissonance” will showcase the sounds of our creative city through – interactive audio installations – headphone listening – live music and more. Audio features will be accessible to deaf as well as hearing audiences through full-body listening installations and new works to feature multi-sensory tools to enhance the listening experience for all guests. ASL interpreters will be on-site.

10:00am: Story time with Washington Nationals Player
Join DC Public Library for a special story time with Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton at Tenleytown Library and pitcher, Matt Albers at Woodridge Library. Click here to learn more about Summer Reading or stop by your neighborhood library to sign up today.

10:00am-4:00pm: The “Write” Stuff Family Research & Literacy Day at National Archives
(Boeing Learning Center & William G. McGowan Theater Washington, DC)
Do you love reading, learning new things and writing? Do you want to learn more about what it is like to do research and write stories? This is the program for you! Bring the whole family and enjoy hands-on activities and engage with authors and illustrators Marty Rhodes Figley, Syl Sobel, John Hendrix, Janet Macreery, Diane Kidd & Dr. Margaret A. Weitekamp, Tim Grove, and Tonya Bolden. You will also get to watch a  live recording of the “Book Club for Kids” podcast with host Kitty Felde; celebrity guest reader, NPR special correspondent Susan Stamberg; and students from the Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore. Discover literacy and research organizations and their available resources, view DC National History Day project finalists, and more!

10:30am: Silk Road Dance Company: Shahnameh: Adventures from the Persian Book of Kings at Wolf Trap Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
(1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA. 22182)
A magical bird, an evil dragon, a clever princess, and a valiant hero bring to life the Shahnameh, an ancient masterpiece written over a thousand years ago. With vivid choreography and ornate costumes, Silk Road Dance Company presents a fantastical tale from ancient Persia.

11:00am-10:00pm: Nextival
(Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds: 1450 Generals Hwy Crownsville, MD 21032)
The Nextival is a family Friendly Food Truck Music Festival with FAMILY, FOOD & FUN at the heart of our experience. We have 50 food trucks and vendors, 25 bands and performers, 10 Moon Bounces, 2 stages, 2 Helicopters for helicopter rides to downtown Annapolis and Back and 400 pounds of legos and duplos plus arts and crafts for the kids and fun outdoor games like Cornhole. Kids 12 and under are free, adults $15.

12:00pm: Silk Road Dance Company Workshop: Fly with the Simurgh! Dance with a Dragon! at Wolf Trap Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
(1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA. 22182)
Two of the most memorable characters from the Shahnameh are the dragon and the Simurgh bird. Children will learn fun and “flighty” dances with scarves and veils, that are sure to conjure up the magical Simurgh! (Show tickets sold separately)

Sunday-

6:00pm: Annie (2014): Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of our delicious dining establishments, and meet us at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once, so end times may vary with each movie.

Theatre:

                                                               (Photo: Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook at Adventure Theatre by Bruce Douglas)

Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure at Imagination Stage
Shows on Saturday & Sunday. Use code: GUITAR5 to receive $5 off tickets to this weekends show. Code expires at 11:59pm on July 7.

Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook at Adventure Theatre
Shows on Saturday & Sunday