This round-up comes with a little shout-out that’s filled an enormous amount of love — my baby girl is celebrating another trip around the sun. A friend recently described her as “twinkly,” and I couldn’t agree more. Her spirit sparkles, her humor comes with a wink, and I imagine if we walked through her dreams, we’d be pelted with colorful glitter bombs. She makes our adventures — our lives — more fun and is so insanely adored. And with that, here are your recommendations for fun over the next few days. Happy Weekend! And a very Happy Birthday to my sweet Sashi.
NSO in Your Neighborhood
Where: Various locations in SE & SW DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
The annual program that brings free chamber music, orchestral concerts, and educational events throughout a different neighborhood each year is back, this time in Southeast and Southwest. And you can enjoy several family friendly events over the weekend. See performances at Southwest Library this morning and East City Book Shop later in the afternoon. CHAW will host NSO musicians tomorrow, and you can enjoy more music at Congressional Cemetery and the Anacostia Community Museum, The Corner Store, and East City again on Sunday. Some require an RSVP, so be sure to visit the website for details.
Health & Fitness Expo
Where: Washington Convention Center
When: Saturday, 9am – 5pm & Sunday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
NBC’s annual exposition celebrates healthy living at the Washington Convention Center all weekend. There will be free health screenings, exercise and dance demos, opportunities to try new sports, giveaways, and activities especially for kids. The Convention Center is located at 901 Mount Vernon Place, NW. Metered street parking and garages are nearby, and you can take the Metro’s yellow line to the Mount Vernon stop.
Summer Camp Sampler
Where: Imagination Stage
When: Saturday, 9:45am – 12:45pm
Admission: Free
Warm up on this cold weekend with thoughts of summer! Get an up-close and personal taste of what summer camp is like at Imagination Stage – they promise you’ll have a blast. Sample camps are 20 minutes long, with the exception of longer drop-off Musical Production. Parents are encouraged to join the samplers for children in grades 2 or younger. Parents of campers in grades 3 or older are welcome to observe the sampler, but not required. Register for a sample class here. This is geared toward children aged 4 – Grade 12.
Into the Woods
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Tickets start at $49
This weekend is your last chance to catch a performance of Fiasco Theater’s production of the fairy tale mash-up. We finally saw the show this past week and it is fantastic! The “witty and wildly theatrical” description is perfect, and I’ll also throw in imaginative and FUN! Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Red Bull Flying Bach
Where: Warner Theatre
When: Friday, 8pm
Admission: Tickets start at $32
The award-winning and globally recognized dance crew, Flying Steps, will perform to a genre-bending mix of classical, hip hop and electronic music as they bring their internationally successful tour stateside for an extended run of dates across the country. This unique combination of music, dance, theater, and art has resulted in a genius blend of cultures that has wowed fans and critics alike.
More Live Entertainment
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by show
* Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is still on the Imagination Stage
* Encore Stage & Studio presents The Little Princess — by kids for kids
* Join Jazzy Ash & the Leaping Lizards for a Kids Pajama Party at AMP by Strathmore
* Curtains close on The Secret Garden after this weekend
* It’s also the last chance to catch Mary Poppins at Olney Theatre
* Titanic is still afloat at Signature Theatre, and it’s getting great reviews
* Little ones will be delighted by Blue at Imagination Stage
* Gustaver Yellowgold bring his one-of-a-kind show back to Jammin Java on Sunday
* See Amahl & the Night Visitors, a famiy-friendly one-act opera, at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Bloomingdale.
(W)hoop It Up!
Where: Local Colleges
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Ticket prices vary
See some exciting basketball action at a local college game. The George Mason women host Fordham on Saturday (tickets here). The American University women’s team is also playing at home against Lehigh (tickets here). The Hoya men are home versus Butler (tickets here). And the Lady Terps take on Northwestern at the Xnfinity Center on Saturday (tickets here).
hiSTORYtime: Clothes
Where: National Museum of American History
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Early learners ages 0-6 and their caregivers will have the chance to hear a story and participate in hands-on activities and crafts inspired by objects from the museum’s collection at this weekly program. Saturdays in January are all about clothes! Hear a reading that makes us think about the clothes we wear and how they can change over time. Then check out some clothes that are housed at the museum collection and enjoy fun, clothing-related crafts.
Last Call for Ragnar
Where: Hirshhorn Museum
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
If you love modern art and haven’t yet seen the Ragnar Kjartansson exhibit, then get there this weekend, because it shuts down after. Among my Top 16 of 2016, the mix of performance art, video installations, paintings, dioramas, and more inspired works is intriguing and moving and unlike anything I’ve seen before. Many kids (including mine) will be just as captivated as adults (though if that’s not the case for you, there’s always the carousel right outside on the Mall).
Nature’s Calling
Where: Local nature centers
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Get a dose of the outside world in the comfort of the warm indoors at a nature center. There are several great ones around the area that offer lots of cool exhibits along with fun programs. I just posted about Buddie Ford Nature Center in Alexandria. And Rock Creek, Watkins, Potomac Overlook, Long Branch, and Brookside are all great, too.
Ice It
Where: Local Ice Skating Rinks
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
Get out and glide to stay active and warm up outdoors on a cold winter day! Enjoy art as you skate at the Sculpture Garden; circle the rink at Washington Harbour; meander the paths at Canal Park; or do some holiday shopping then skate at Pentagon Row, Veteran’s Plaza, Rockville Town Square, or Reston Town Center. This post has details on alfresco (and indoor) ice skating options in the area. And note that both at Canal Park and Washington Harbor are hosting Cartoon Skate on Saturday morning!
The Ins & Outs of DC
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Looking for ways to stay active and entertained without a chill in the air? Then The Great Indoors post, a list of over 80 ideas for places to go inside, should have you covered. And if you prefer the outdoors no matter the weather, The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids, has a bunch of recommendations, too.
