Beltway Bambinos

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 is taking place June 29-July 4 & July 6-9. 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.

Friday-

5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Garden
(Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive entrances  at 9th Street, NW Washington, DC)
Jazz In The Garden at Pavilion Café in the National Gallery of Art features an eclectic mix of jazz is performed by top Washington-area artists. During jazz concerts, the Pavilion Café offers a special menu of creative American cuisine and refreshments, including a beer and wine menu.

6:30pm-8:30pm: Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert at Yards Park
(355 Water St SE)
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 7th Season, this year back on the Yards Park boardwalk! Every Friday night this summer, come to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a few minutes walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike.

Saturday- 

8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes.

9:30am AND 10:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
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.With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years.  $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.

10:00am: First Studio at The Kreeger Museum
(2401 Foxhall Road, NW Washington D.C. 20007)
Children are invited to use their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each program includes a gallery tour, a story and a hands-on art-making experience. Adult companion required and art-making attire recommended. $10 register online. To get a glimpse into the program see my review here.

10:30am: Dinorock at Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods
(1551 Trap Rd. Vienna, Va. 22182)
This Grammy-nominated audience favorite returns and invites you to travel back in time to meet some of their favorite dinosaurs. In this interactive production using giant colorful puppets and original music, children learn the fascinating world of science, nature, and history.

11:00am-2:00pm: Summer Hands-On Science – Health & the Human Body at Koshland Science Museum
(525 E. Street NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Explore how the human body works through hands-on science this July at Koshland. Each session investigates a different aspect of the body – everything from DNA to why our skin burns after too much sun exposure. Visitors can compare DNA and amino acids, experiment with biomedical engineering, discover the different lobes of the human brain, and much more! This program is free; registration is recommended but not required. Appropriate for ages 10+.

Saturday, July 1 OR Sunday, July 2 from 9:00am-10:30a.m. “Who’s New at the National Zoo” a preschool class for 2-3 year olds! Kids will learn about some of the new animals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! Friends of the National Zoo preschool classes use hands-on activities, crafts, stories, songs, and the Zoo’s animal collection to help your child learn about environmental conservation and life science while building important cognitive and social skills. $28/child for FONZ members. $35/child for non-members.Pre-registration is required. Registration fee covers one child with adult.

Catch a show this weekend–

Wonderland: Alice’s Rock n Roll Adventure at Imagination Stage

Junie B. Jones is not a crook at Adventure Theatre

¡Ratón en Movimiento! at Imagination Stage

The Kennedy Center presents The Sound of Music

The Puppet Co. presents The Wizard of Oz and Mother Goose Caboose is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre in Glen Echo

*** Plan ahead for Fourth of July!