Tag Archives: Alexander Calder

August 12, 2011 · 7:54 am

This Weekend: Fairs, Museums, and the Great Outdoors

Friday evenings at The Yards Park are fun for all ages

While I hate to sum up this weekend’s recommendations for family activities with just three general ideas, county fairs, museum programs, and outdoor fun really are the main special events happening over the next few days. If those sound good to you, read on for specifics on all of them. If not, then scroll down for links to some always-useful ideas. Happy Weekend!

All’s Fair – Carnival rides and games, farm animals, live entertainment, pony rides, the junk food gamut, pig races. Yes, it’s county fair season. Four of them are happening right now; two have already started, two more kick off today. This post from a couple of days ago has the scoop on all of the county fun.

Music Al Fresco – Get the weekend started with free music in the fresh air at one of many outdoor concerts. Jazz vibraphonist Chuck Redd will entertain at Jazz in the Garden at 5:30pm, the soul band Quiet Fire will take the boardwalk stage at The Yards Park at 6pm, and the United States Air Force Band will perform Disney and Pixar favorites at the Air Force Memorial at 8pm. (My personal pick would be for The Yards, where there’s plenty of room to spread out, you can buy or bring food for a picnic dinner, and the kids can enjoy fountain play on a beautiful summer evening.)

Take Me to the River – Celebrate the Shenandoah at Riverfest, a family event designed to connect the community with the river. The festival will feature canoe rides along the South Fork off the Shenandoah River; live bluegrass music; fly fishing demos, environmental displays, and more. A kids’ area will have wild animals displays, gem/arrowheads, and face painting. Admission and activities are free. There will also be a silent auction and food for sale. The event runs from 10am – 3pm on Saturday.

Art-Stronomy Family Day –Reach for the stars at the American Art Musuem! See how American inventiveness, as depicted in The Great American Hall of Wonders exhibition, led to the great leaps of science and technology behind space travel and flight. Guests can try their hand at experiments and art activities, join a scavenger hunt through the galleries, and meet an astronaut from NASA. The free event runs from 11:30am – 3pm.

Bonsai! – It’s been awhile since I’ve suggested a visit to the U.S. National Arboretum (one of my favorite places to hang with the kids), mainly because it’s been so hot. But this weekend is supposed to see a dip in temps, so it should be a nice time to tour the collections, play among the old Capitol columns, and see the “Becoming a Bonsai” exhibit, which is only on display for a couple more weeks.

Oceanic Art – Head to the National Museum of Natural History for its Second Saturday Arts & Sciences program. Ocean animals and their environments will be this months’ theme. Guests can learn about the underwater world, while decorating a reusable cloth lunch bag with stamps and drawings of sea creatures. Just in time for back-to-school. The free event runs from 1-3pm.

Super Science Saturda y: Energy – The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the Dulles annex of the Air & Space Museum, hosts its own special program on the second Saturday of every month. This weekend it’ll be all about energy. Visitos can enjoy hands-on demos and activities related to the subject. The permanent exhibits – the hangar full of air and space craft – are worth a trip out there themselves. The event runs from 10am – 3pm. Admission is free, but parking is $15.

Ahhh….SHARKS! – Today and tomorrow, the National Children’s Museum is celebrating all things sharks. Head to the Launch Zone at the National Harbor to join in all kinds of fun activities: Hunt for shark teeth at their “beach,” see and touch real shark jaws and other artifacts, and make a shark craft. The free event runs from 11am – 4pm on Friday, and 11am – 6pm on Saturday.

Facing History: Alexander Calder – This regular series at the National Portrait Gallery is designed for children with their families to explore portraiture in depth. Participants take a brief guided tour of the exhibition, this week focusing on Alexander Calder’s wire self-portrait; listen to a children’s story or short gallery talk; and create a piece of art using some of the same materials or concepts. The event is free, but space is limited , so registration is required. The class run from 2-4pm on Saturday.

Portrait Story Days: Wilma Rudolph – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Sunday from 2-5pm 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 American athlete Wilma Rudolph.

For even more ideas for fun with the kids, check out these popular KFDC posts:

Joys of Summer

The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids

Rainy Day Recreation (ie, Indoor Fun)

Stay Entertained Through Summer

Mid-Winter Weekend

The good news: We’re about half-way through winter. The bad news: We’re about half-way through winter. It’s been a crazy week for many, with hectic commutes, power outages, and school cancellations. You all deserve some fun and relaxation this weekend. Here’s where you can find some of the family-friendly variety. Happy Weekend!

Monster Jam – Twelve-foot-tall, ten-thousand-pound monster trucks will race on, tear up, soar over, and smash through a specially designed track loaded with obstacles. There are three shows: Tonight at 7:30, tomorrow at 2pm, then in the evening at 7:30pm. Tickets are $60/VIP seats, $25/Gold Circle seats, and Mid-Level are $20/adults, $10/kids 2-12. Kids under 2 are free. For more info, see this post from a few weeks ago.

Washington Auto Show – Sure, it’s a “grown-up” event, but any kid with a penchant for cars will love seeing the hundreds of wheels on display. Besides new models from more than 40 manufacturers, guests can check out Star Cars, replicas of some of the most famous cars from the big and small screens and one real Transformer. There will also be children’s activities, appearances by some of kids’ favorite characters as well as local and national celebs (come on, you know you want to meet Snooki!) Taking place at the Washington Convention Center, the show runs from Saturday through Sunday, February 6. Tickets are $12/adults, $5/kids 6-12, free for children 5 and under. Hours vary by day, so check the website for specifics.

Free Family Film Screening at DC Shorts REWIND – Local favorite film festival, DC Shorts, is getting ready to present REWIND, a re-screening and retrospective look at the biggest hits of the last seven years. Included is a Free Family Film screening on Saturday morning. Recommended for ages 8 and up, the review will feature 90 minutes of kid-friendly films from around the world. See this post from a a couple of weeks ago for more info.

“Be Mine” – Parent-Child Valentine – Tomorrow from 11am – 12pm, Paper Source in Georgetown is hosting a “Be Mine” – Parent-Child Valentine workshop, where participants can create accordion books with Valentine themes using all kinds of neat art supplies provided by Paper Source. Cost is $25 (add just $10 for a second child), and the class is recommended for ages 5-10. More details about this and other Valentine-themed events are here.

Pentagon Row Ice Skating Gala – Lace up your skates for the 2nd Annual Pentagon Row Ice Skating Gala. On Saturday from 5 -7pm, guests can enjoy live music by Fools & Horses, a fun photo booth, free hot and merchant specials, plus strolling family entertainment, including a stilt walker, magician, ice princess, and juggler. A portion of the ice skating proceeds benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Capitol Chapter. Tickets are $8/adults, $7/children 12 and under, $3/skate rentals.

Michael Taggart: Magician Extraordinaire – This weekend’s Saturday Monrning at the National performer will amaze and amuse all ages. This adroit and personable magician does marvels with scarves and balls and wizard’s wands. Audience volunteers help him make the magic! At the conclusion of his performance, he floats up in the air into a mini-snowstorm: a lovely, magical moment not to be missed. Show times are 9:30am and 11am at the National Theatre. Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ikat-Inspired Flower Garden Art – Search the galleries of the Textile Museum for colors and floral designs on a scavenger hunt. Afterward, use markers, colored pencils and paint to create a flower garden inspired by the designs in the Colors of the Oasis exhibition. The free workshop is recommended for ages 4-12. No reservations required, so just show up and have fun.

Puppet Shows for Little Ones – Two Tiny Tots shows will be performed at The Puppet Co. this weekend. Panda-Monium on Saturday and Old MacDonald’s Farm on Sunday. Both start at 10am. Tickets are $5 and available online. Tiny Tots shows are recommended for ages 0-4.

Portrait Story Days: Georgia O’Keefe – 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. On Sunday, learn about artist Georgia O’Keeffe from 1pm – 4pm. This is a free program.

Theater Time – Several children’s stage productions are in local theaters, and tickets are still available for some of this weekend’s performances. Check out this post to see what’s playing and how to reserve your seats.

Stories in Art – Alexander Calder will again be the subject for this week’s Stories in Art at the National Gallery. The workshop will start with a reading of “Sophie’s Masterpiece,” a book about a spider and her wondrous creations. From there, the group will explore Calder’s “Spider” and learn to weave their own wire mobiles. Hour-long sessions begin at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am that day and will continue until all spaces are filled. No admission fee required.

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Filed under All ages, Art, Charity, Class, DC, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Museums, Weekend, Winter

Tagged as “Be Mine” – Parent-Child Valentine, Alexander Calder, DC Shorts, Michael Taggart, Monster Jam, National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery, Old MAcDonald's Farm, Panda-Monium, Paper Source, Pentagon Row Ice Skating Gala, Portrait Story Days: Georgia O’Keefe, REWIND, Saturday Morning at the National, Stories in Art, The Puppet Co., Tiny Tots, Washington Auto Show

January 21, 2011 · 7:48 am

It’s the Weekend…Party Time!

Okay, so maybe partying isn’t on the agenda for everyone this weekend, but it’s about all we’re thinking about in our household. Both of my kids celebrated their birthdays within the past two weeks, and the big shebang is happening tomorrow. Soon, I’ll post a review of the party locale along with other party ideas and venue recommendations (similar to this post from many months ago). In the meantime, here are some ideas for family fun over the next few days. Happy Weekend!

See Stars… and Help Save the Planetarium – The Arlington Planetarium presents four shows of In My Backyard this weekend – Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sunday at 1pm and 3pm. The program aimed toward younger takes the audience on a tour of the narrator Fred’s backyard, first by day exploring nature as the seasons change, then at discovering the night sky after the sun goes down. Unlike most planetarium shows where guests are expected to remain quit, the audience is encouraged to sing, clap, and even recite a poem along with Fred as they learn about the stars, planets, and moon. Tickets are $3/ages 13 and up, $2/12 and under. Read more about the planetarium along with Friends of the Arlington Planetarium’s efforts to keep the venue open.

Lego Aircraft Building Day – This Saturday, the College Park Aviation Museum is hosting a Lego building day. Guests can design their own aircraft out of provided Legos and take home a picture of their creation. Top designs will be displayed throughout the museum. The event runs from 12pm – 4pm. Museum admission is $4/adults, $2/ages 2-18, free for 2 and under.

Collection Connection at the Postal Museum – Discover the fun of stamp collecting! The museum invites guests to drop by to learn how to make a topical collection, select stamps to take home, and explore the exhibition Collecting History: 125 Years of the National Philatelic Collection. The free program will take place in the museum’s atrium from 1 – 5pm. While you’re there be sure to check out the rest of the exhibits – the Postal Museum is a fantastic, but often overlooked, attraction for families.

Snow Show at The Puppet Co. – Take the littlest ones to the Tiny Tots show on Saturday morning for a marionette performance all about snow. Presented especially for children ages 0-4, the shows are short and accommodating to newbie audience members. Read more about it here.

Science You Can Sing To – Entertainment and experiments will be on the line-up at Jammin’ Java on Saturday morning. Ryan Buckle & Friends will perform “Science You Can Sing To,” a show that combines great tunes with amazing science experiments to inspire curious kids. For more about the show and ticket info, see this post from a few days ago.

Storytelling at Mount Vernon – Children enter a world of fantasy and fables when costumed interpreters weave three tales together during Mount Vernon’s storytelling session, “Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon,” held every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and 3pm. “Working Together” is the theme for January’s storytelling sessions. During the 20-minute session, children learn Aesop’s fables and listen to stories about George Washington’s life. Recommended for children 3-8, parental supervision is required. Sessions will take place in the Hands-On History Room in the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center. Sessions are included in regular Estate admission: $15/adults, $7/ages 6-11, $7.00, free for ages 5 and under.

Family Game Day at Labyrinth – If you’re bored with your board games or looking for a unique out-of-the-house family activity, then head to Labyrinth Games & Puzzles on Sunday for Family Game Day. The event will give guests a chance to try out some fantastic European-style games that are perfect for revitalizing family game night. See this post for more details.

Stories in Art – Alexander Calder will again be the subject for this week’s Stories in Art at the National Gallery. The workshop will start with a reading of “Sophie’s Masterpiece,” a book about a spider and her wondrous creations. From there, the group will explore Calder’s “Spider” and learn to weave their own wire mobiles. Hour-long sessions begin at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am that day and will continue until all spaces are filled. No admission fee required. Check out this post for more about the series.

Portrait Story Days: George Washington Carver – Young visitors with their parents are invited to 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. On Sunday, African American scientist and educator George Washington Carver will be the honored subject. The program is free and runs from 1-4pm.

Post Recs for Ice Skating – This isn’t the first time I’ve suggested ice skating as a winter family activity, but this Best Bets piece from the Washington Post provides some useful insight on several area rinks.

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Filed under All ages, Art, DC, Free, Live Entertainment, Museums, Music, Theatre, Weekend, Winter

Tagged as Alexander Calder, Arlington Planetarium, Collecting History: 125 Years of the National Philatelic Collection, Collection Connection, College Park Aviation Museum, Family Game Day, George Washington's Mount Vernon Garden & Estate, In My Backyard, Jammin' Java, Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, Lego Aircraft Bulding Day, National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon, Portrait Story Days: George Washington Carver, Ryan Buckle & Friends, Save the Planetarium, Science You Can Sing To, Snow Show, Stories in Art, The Puppet Co., Tiny Tots, Washington Post

January 14, 2011 · 8:05 am

MLK Celebrations and More this Weekend

Whether you’re looking for ways to pay tribute to MLK, interesting activities at the museums, or fun entertainment for the kids, this weekend has it covered. Here’s what’s going on around town Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday. Happy Weekend!

Martin Luther Kind Jr. Holiday Family Festival – The National Museum of Natural History has commemorated the birthday of MLK for over 30 years and will continue the tradition this weekend. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday guests are invited to participate in an interactive play recreating a sit-in, hear the words of Dr. King brought to life in a dramatic presentation, and participate in a discussion on civil rights. The free event runs from 10am – 5pm each day and is open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Stories in Art at the National Gallery – The museum’s winter program for kids ages 4 – 7 begins on Sunday with a study of Alexander Calder. The workshop will start with a reading of “Sophie’s Masterpiece,” a book about a spider and her wondrous creations. From there, the group will explore Calder’s “Spider” and learn to weave their own wire mobiles. The hour-long session begins at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in for Stories in Art will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am that day, and will continue until all spaces are filled. No admission fee required. For more about the series, see this post from last week.

Sharing the Dream: A Multicultural Celebration of Love & Justice – This two-day festival at the National Museum of the American Indian celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and brings together artists from African, Latino, and Native American communities. Listen, watch, and learn as they share their expressions of love and justice through their music, spoken word, and storytelling performances. The weekend also includes hands-on activities for all ages as well as films, tours, and other regularly scheduled programs at the museum. The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 12 – 5pm. A complete schedule of activities is available on the NMAI website.

“I Have a Dream…” Pillowcases – Kids are invited to share their dreams with the National Children’s Museum Launch Zone on Saturday from 11am – 4pm in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by making their own “I Have A Dream…” pillowcases. Other activities will be presented to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. King. The Launch Zone is located at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill.

Poetry Extravaganza – All ages are invited to this tribute honoring the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the MLK, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday at 1pm. The poetry readings and recitals by Collective Voices will take place in the library’s Great Hall.

Last Call for the Nutcracker – If the kids missing the magic of the holidays or maybe you didn’t get to see the season’s most classic show, you have one last chance to recapture the holiday spirit on stage before we say farewell for a while. The Synetic Family Theater’s production of The Nutcracker has two final performances this weekend — and KFDC readers can get a discount on tickets. For details, see this post from a few days ago.

Girl Up “Unite for Girls” – Teen girls in the Washington, DC, area have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of girls around the world. This Saturday, January 15, the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up “Unite for Girls” city tour is stopping in the nation’s capitol to hold a pep rally in support of girls across the globe, and local teens are invited to take part in the educational and empowering event. For details about the event, see this post from earlier this week.

Theater Time – Several children’s stage productions begin this week, and tickets are still available for some of the performances. Check out this post from a few days ago to see what’s playing and how to reserve your seats,

Rock Out Sunday Morning – What better way to start the day than rocking out with local kids’ fave Rocknoceros. The band is laying at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue at 10:30am. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 day of the show. Purchase online through the Sixth & I website.

Give Together Family Volunteer Day – Looking for something to do with the kids on the day off from work and school on Monday? Volunteer Fairfax is hosting an event that will give families an opportunity to give back. The second annual Give Together Family Volunteer Day will bring together several non-profits from the region with local families to work on various service projects. For complete details about the event, see this post.

Let Freedom Ring on Millennium Stage – The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University host a musical celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. The concert featuring Grammy Award–winning, platinum-selling vocalist Patti LaBelle also includes the Let Freedom Ring Choir with Music Director, Rev. Nolan Williams Jr. Georgetown University will award the ninth annual John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award to Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery—a leader in the American Civil Rights movement. Free tickets will be given away two per person in line in the Hall of Nations at 4pm on Monday on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free Admission to National Parks – In celebration of the holiday weekend, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees at more than 100 national parks that usually charge admission. Layer up for a hike in the woods or cruise through Shenandoah and take in the views. This is the first of five fee-free weekends at national parks this year.