The Weekend Round-Up: March 8-10

Happy Weekend!

Later, Skaters
Where: Ice rinks around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
This is the last weekend to hit the ice al fresco at most local outdoor ice skating rinks, as many are getting ready to shut down their Zambonis for the season. See this post listing them all for details on where you can glide ‘neathe the sky one last time this winter.

Cousteau Author Encounter
Where: Takoma Park Library | Takoma Park, MD
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Admission: Free
Politics & Prose is hosting Fabien Cousteau, grandson of famed sea explorer Jacques Cousteau, at the Takoma Park Public Library on Friday evening to celebrate his debut graphic novel, Great White Shark Adventure, in his Fabien Cousteau Expeditions series. He will be a speaking and signing books, too!

Family Pride Weekend
Where: Newseum
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $24.95, free/kids (2 w/adult ticket)
Newseum visitors are invited to enjoy a weekend sharing their pride with family and friends, and to kick off the newest exhibit: Through powerful artifacts, images, and historic print publications, “Rise Up” explores key moments of gay rights history and how activists have used their First Amendment freedoms to demand an end to discrimination against LGBTQ Americans. Even more, take advantage of a special offer that includes two free kids tickets (18 & under) with the purchase of one general admission adult ticket.

Women in Aviation and Space Family Day
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Join the Museum to celebrate Women’s History Month with a day of hands-on activities, Rosie the Riveter photo opportunities, and special guests who will inspire the next generation of women to break down barriers. This family day will look back at groundbreaking women of the past and forward to what can and will be achieved by women in the future.

HOOPS
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $10/adult, $7/child (free for members)
It’s opening day of the new exhibition HOOPS and the Building Museum welcomes all explore the beauty and impact of a simple basketball hoop in a neighborhood or community with some special activities. Tour the exhibition with photographer Bill Bamberger and curator Chrysanthe Broikos at 11 am and 1 pm. Bring little ones to a basketball-related Story Time with DC Public Library (11am, 1pm, and 2pm). Check out our HOOPS Spotify playlist and suggest basketball songs of your own to add. (I can think of at least one baller in my family who will dig this!)

Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by performance
* Into the Woods opens at Ford’s Theatre this weekend
* Journey Down Huckleberry Finn’s Big River at Adventure Theatre!
* The Alden Theatre presents Winnie the Pooh
* Dicken’s Davy Copperfield is on the Imagination Stage
* See Anatole: Mouse Magnifique at the Bethesda theatre, too
* Watch Rapunzel let down her hair at The Puppet Co.
* And World on a String is the featured Tiny Tots performance there on Saturday
* Take teens to see the stage adaptation of Once at Olney Theatre (look for discount tickets)

Big Apple Circus
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Through March 24
Tickets: $20-25 (look for a discount)
The Big Apple Circus is in town and celebrating its 41st season, featuring amazing stunts under the big top. Known for its one-ring, artistic, European-style, no seat is more than 50 feet from the performers. That’s perfect for viewing some first-ever feats for the Circus along with fan favorites. Hire wire acts, contortionists, bicycle acrobatics, hilarious clowns, and doggie dances are some of thrills and fun you can expect. Read a review of one of our past experiences at a Big Apple Circus show.

Story Time
Where: Book shops around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Several local bookstores around the area host free story times for children on weekends that often include more than just a reading. East City Bookshop has one for ages 4-8 on Saturday at 10:15am. Head to Hooray for Books in Old Town Alexandria on Friday or Saturday for story time from 10:30-11am. Solid State Books hosts readings on Saturday and Sunday at 10:30am. At Kramer Books, they’ll watch your kiddos while you grab a coffee on Sundays at 11am.

Wheaton Family Theatre Festival
Where: Highland Elementary School in Wheaton , MD
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: Free
March is Music in our Schools Month, and InterAct Theater can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with talented and fascinating guest artists coming to Wheaton Family Theatre Series! Christylez Bacon & Wytold will be bringing the entertainment with Classical Hip-Hop Remixing the Classics. Christylez Bacon is a Grammy nominated beat-boxer and multi-instrumentalist. Wytold is a wildly original electric cellist, composer, and classical musician. Together, they blend hip-hop, go-go, and classical music into amazing and creative remixes of well known songs. They draw from traditional elements of hip-hop–like beatboxing, rhyming and storytelling–with classical music by Bach, Vivaldi and Pachelbel to create something completely fresh and new! Join in this unique experience!  Best for ages 3+.

Recycled Cycles for Sale
Where: Big Bear Cafe | Bloomingdale, DC
When: Saturday, 10am while supplies lasts
Admission: Free
Spring is coming, and with it great cycling weather, so now is a good time to make sure you have a ride that meets your needs. Just in time, Phoenix Bikes, a non-profit youth program and community bike shop in Arlington, VA, will be selling a large inventory of quality, refurbished bikes and new bike gear along with Gearin’ Up Bicycles and Bikes for the World. Check out the sale for a great deal on a bike that also benefits local non-profits and be ready to ride this spring! Big Bear Cafe is located at 1700 1st St NW.

Ireland on the Wharf
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 1-6pm
Admission: Free
They’re bringing the luck of the Irish to the waterfront at the Ireland on The Wharf festival! Celebrate the beauty and tradition of the Emerald Isle with bagpipers, a beer garden, Irish dancers, live music, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Slainte!

Opera Workshop for Kids: La Susanna
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 2:30-4:30pm
Admission: Free
Spend an afternoon with your children or grandchildren, niece or nephew and immerse yourselves in the arts of opera! The opera at the center of the workshop will be Stradella’s La Susanna, which is based on the Bible’s iconic story of Susanna and the Elders from the Book of Daniel. Though the opera story is for mature audiences, the workshop will focus on the power of girls, baroque music – voice and instruments, and the production aspects of opera. Opera Lafayette will connect children to this multi-disciplinary art form using types of learning: Hear live music, see and feel costumes, tell stories, or play with props typical of the 1600s. Enjoy a free afternoon of artistic playtime and immerse yourselves in the art of all arts — opera! Recommended for families with children 8–12 years of age, but all are welcome.

Doing Good with PJ Library on Purim
Where:  Milton Gottesman South Campus | Dowtown DC
When: Sunday, 10-11:30am
Admission: Free
PJ Library, The Jewish Federation and the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School are teaming up to Do Good to help homeless teen mothers. Join them to celebrate Purim with an interactive learning project. Fulfill the Purim mitzvah (good deed) of Matanot La’evyonim (gifts to the poor) by preparing oatmeal kits.  They will be shared with the children at the Covenant House Youth Shelter Daycare, a program for single mothers that offers a free on-site day care so that they can complete their education and hold a job.  Pre-registration required.  Best for ages 3-7.

Science Competition Finalists
Where: National Geographic | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Join the 40 finalists of the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition, as they display and present their research at the National Geographic Society. Finalists will discuss their projects with visitors who share an enthusiasm for science research.Society for Science & the Public and Regeneron are proud to support these students and hope the exhibition and interaction with them will inspire students, teachers, parents, scientists, and others. Admission is free.

Alice in Wonderland Tea Party
Where: Hidden Oaks Nature Center |
When: Sunday, 2-3:30pm
Admission: $15
Join the crazy fun of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter and his friends at the strangest of tea parties! At this nature-inspired focused tea time, parents and children will sip tea, enjoy butterfly-shaped sandwiches, and meet a live creature from the story.

Grown-Up Theatre + Free Childcare
Where: Keegan Theatre | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Sunday, 3pm
Admission:
Keegan’s Regional Premiere production of Hands on a Hardbody opens this Saturday, and they’re excited to share it with parents, so they’re offering free onsite childcare for the Sunday, 3pm performance! Offering both humor and heart, the play showcases the stories of 10 hard-luck Texans who stand with a hand on a hardbody truck for days, all in hopes of being the last one standing and winning the truck that could change their lives. (Childcare will also be offered at the March 17, 3pm show.)

Family Dance
Where: Glen Echo Park Ballroom Annex | Glen Echo, MD
When: Sunday, 3pm
Admission: $5/ages 4 and up
Join the Family Dance session that takes place the second Sunday of each month. It’s a great opportunity to experience the joy of dance with your children and the community. No experience is necessary, just show up and dance — a family dance leader will show you everything you need to know right then and there, with a focus on having fun! Recommended for families with kids ages 4-12, but all ages welcome!

Moonstruck Pershing’s Own Concert
Where: Columbia Heights Education Auditorium, DC
When: Sunday, 5pm
Admission: Free
Over 100 years ago, Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg produced a wildly creative work for a small mixed instrumental ensemble and vocalist called “Pierrot lunaire” (translated: Moonstruck Pierrot). The piece became one of Schoenberg’s most frequently performed works and the instrumentation became a standard setting for future composers to explore texture, tonality, and musical drama. This weekend, the Pershing’s Own Chamber Players, of the U.S. Army Band, present a 21st-century take on this unique instrumentation with music by living American composers.

Opt Outside
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
After snow on Friday, temps will go up on Saturday and are forecast to be in the 60’s by Sunday. That’s reason enough to plan an outdoor adventure, even if it’s cloudy. If you need some ideas, consult the round-up of the Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* The Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon is going to cause a lot of road closures on Saturday.
* There are two KFDC giveaways going on right now: Enter to win a Day Out with Thomas at the B&O Railroad Museum & tickets to see A Bronx Tale at National Theatre
* The National Children’s Museum is returning to DC and scheduled to open at the Ronad Reagan Building in November!
* The predicted peak date of the cherry blossoms have been announced. Get ready for DC to turn pink April 3-6!
* Heurich House is hosting the next Kids in the Castle on March 16. The free event always fills up quickly, so go register.
* Watson Adventures’ Wizard School Scavenger Hunt is another one that often sells out, and there is a hunt coming up on April 6, so sign up soon. (And read more about it here.)
* To help Sasha keep her allowance, birthday money, and gift cards organized, I just bought this for her, and she loooves it.
* This article about local women entrepreneurs shouting out their favorite women-owned businesses is so great. Btw, Happy International Women’s Day!