Mr. Skip plays for the Boogie Babes crowd at the Atlas
This weekend is jam-packed with cool activities for the family — an arts festival at the Atlas, museum programs for a variety of interests, special Dr. Seuss storytimes, an animal showcase at the Zoo, loads of live entertainment, and more. So many great choices, so little time. But that’s a conundrum I’ll gladly take. Happy Weekend!
Intersections: A New America Arts Festival
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center
When: Throughout the weekend
Tickets: Vary by Performance
As part of its celebration of art as a form of connection and communication, the Atlas Performing Art Center presents several family-friendly performances this weekend, including an interactive play featuring performers from Sidwell Friends; Bud, Not Buddy, a production from Adventure Theatre and the Jazz Academy of Music; Mutts Gone Nuts, a canine comedy show; a sign language performance by Quest Visual Theatre, and special weekend Boogie Babes shows (see below). Visit the Intersections website for show times, descriptions, and ticket info.
Boogie Babes
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center
When: Saturday, 12-12:45pm
Tickets: Free
Families who can’t make it to the weekday shows are in for a treat (and so are families who can). The Boogies Babes are partnering with the Atlas Performing Arts Center to bring you the Intersections Festival, and will be presenting a free Mr. Skip show this weekend. The performance will take place in the Atlas’ Kogod Lobby.
Featured Creature Day
Where: National Zoo
When: Saturday, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Get in the swim of things and head to the Zoo for special keeper talks and animal demos in the Amazonia exhibit! Learn all about the amazing diversity of fish in the Amazon River Basin — from the giant arapaima to freshwater stingrays and even the piranha, each species plays a vital role in maintaining the health of this giant ecosystem. Along with the talks and demos, there will be a scavenger hunt, fake tattoos, and fish feedings. See the schedule for activity times. And, of course, you can visit the rest of the Zoo’s residents, too!
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Where: Clarendon Barnes & Noble
When: Saturday, 10:30am-12:30pm
Admission: Free
For their annual Fraternity Day of Service, the Nation’s Capital Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club is hosting special storytimes in honor of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss’ birthday (March 2). Join them at the Clarendon Market Commons location of the bookstore.
Read with the Trees, Please!
Where: Target Stores
When: Saturday, 9-11am
Admission: Free
There will be even more Dr. Seuss storytime tributes at Target stores all over the country. The NEA’s Read Across America program is hosting free readings of The Lorax. The celebration also includes free goody bags, fun activities, and more!
Saturday Morning at the National
Where: National Theatre
When: Saturday, 9:30am & 11am
Admission: Free
Short Stories Brewed from African Pots is this week’s performance from the National’s free program for kids. Long before children heard Mother Goose rhymes, stories were told in Africa about wise lions, wily snakes and how the world began. Storyteller Anna Mwalagho will enchant and delight kids with interactive tales full of spice and merriment that teach important lessons on life and empowerment. Tickets are free, but required, and distributed day-of on first-come, first-served basis.
Charlotte’s Web
Where: Alden Theatre
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: $10/McLean residents, $15/non-residents
See Theatreworks USA’s play based on E. B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
African American Pioneers in Aviation
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free (but parking is $15)
This program at the Dulles arm of the Air & Space Museum honoring Black History focuses on the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen. Visitors can listen to Tuskegee Airmen and their descendents talk about the challenges and triumphs as members of the groundbreaking African American World War II fighter group. The day also includes hands-on activities, book signings, and appearances by current scientists, pilots, and engineers in Aerospace.
Flights of Fancy
Where: National & Air Space Museum
When: Saturday, 11am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
Back at the National Mall, little ones can enjoy storytime at the Air & Space Museum. Staff will host readings of the book Nobody Owns the Sky at two different times. Each session includes the story and a hands-on activity.
Mardi Gras Family Day
Where: Anacostia Community Museum
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a day of fun for the family with arts and crafts workshops, Zydeco music, an adornment workshop, storytelling, and more. Attendees of all ages should dress in their best festive attire for a costume constest – winners will receive a prize and receive recognition in the museum’s March newsletter.
Art a la Cart
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday & Sunday 1-4pm
Admission: Free
During this free family program that takes place regularly at the museum, guests are invited to travel through the galleries and handle brushes, palettes, bison hide, and bottle caps at various interactive carts. Recommended for ages 7-12.
Irish Hooley
Where: St. Aloysius Church
When: Sunday, 4pm
Admission: Donations accepted at the door
Start your St. Patrick’s celebrations a few weeks early (and in family-friendly style) at this fundraiser for the McKenna Center. Shannon Dunne Dancers, children ages 4 to 12, will be performing with Pete Moss and the Bog Band, the Culkin School of Irish Dance, and the Eye Street Boys. The show will take place in the lower level of the church.
Portrait Story Days: Rosa Parks
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Saturday, 1-4pm & Sunday, 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, learn about African American civil rights activist, Rosa Parks.
Hot Tickets
Where: Various local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
There’s even more live entertainment hitting stages this weekend than what’s already been noted in this round-up. P.Nokio is a hip-hop hit at Imagination Stage. The Magic Flute is opening at The Puppet Co. And 1st Stage presents an a capella version of Three Bears. Find details and ticket info for all of these shows is in this post.
Stories in Art: Georgia O’Keefe
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Sunday, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
Admission: Free
This is the final week that the NGA’s drop-in program for kids ages 4-7 will explore the work of artist Georgia O’Keefe. Guests are encouraged to see the natural world as the artist did as they hear a reading of the book Through Georgia’s Eyes, then create watercolor drawings inspired by plants. Sessions are at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in takes place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am, and continues until all spaces are filled. Admission is free. Read a KFDC review of the Stories in Art program here.
In & Out – As always, you can find even more ideas for weekend recreation in a couple more go-to posts: Go here for outdoor activities and here for indoor suggestions.
Boogie Babes is so excited for this weekend! We have a slight correction, though. There is NO show on Sunday, but there are shows this Saturday (2/25) and the next two Saturdays (3/3 and 3/10). Hope to see you there!
There’s also Reptile and Amphibian Day at the National Aquarium
Reptile and Amphibian Day – below from their website:
Saturday, February 25, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hop on over to Reptile and Amphibian Day at the National Aquarium, Washington, DC! Get up close and personal with our reptile and amphibian species, including our limited-time exhibit, a rare albino alligator, and our adorable baby sea turtles. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about reptiles and amphibians from our experts.
Special activities include curator talks, animal encounters, and arts and crafts.
Make Your Own Art Ex-Ribbit – Create colorful reptile and amphibian art that you can take home!
Belly up to the Bug Buffet – Ever wondered what we feed our reptiles and amphibians? Find out at our bug buffet. May seem gross to you, but to a frog or lizard, it’s fine dining.
Animal Experiences – Get as close as you dare to a cane toad and a python!
Swamp Ghosts – Join us at our Secrets of the Swamp exhibit to learn more about our visiting friend Oleander. This rare albino alligator is one of fewer than 100 known to exist! Find out more about this beautiful and mysterious “ghost of the swamp.”
Tiny Turtles – Join us at our Gray’s Reef Exhibit to meet the newest additions to our Aquarium family. Learn more about the “head start” program that brings these baby loggerhead sea turtles to the Aquarium to grow .
Spotlight Stealers – Join us at our Channel Islands Exhibit at 2 p.m. for our regularly scheduled Saturday shark feeding. We told our sharks that today wasn’t about them, but it’s hard to argue with a hungry shark!
Thanks for the heads-up, Smita!
Thanks for the inclusion on your post. The Irish Hooley at St Aloysius was a great success and one of your readers came. We really appreciate helping us get the word out.