
Celebrate Women’s History Month, go green early for St. Patricks Day parades, take the fam to the circus, catch some more live entertainment, get in one last glide on the ice, buy a bike, see a whole new side of Old Town… These are just some of the ways to enrich your time with the kids over the next few days. And for ideas beyond this round-up, check out the Everyday Play page for all kinds of ongoing DC fun. Happy Weekend!
Harlem Wizards Basketball Game
Where: Freedom High School | Chantilly, VA
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: $15-30
The Harlem Wizards brand of “Trick Hoops & Alley Oops” entertainment basketball has been packing gyms across the globe for 50 years! See them play a local team on Friday evening. This is a family friendly event for all ages and proceeds will support Freedom High School Athletics.
Women’s History Month Family Day
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station area, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Women’s History Month with the Postal Museum! All ages are welcome to the event that highlights extraordinary women from the past to present through special programs and fun activities. Go on a scavenger hunt, watch a stamp-making demo and create your own, enjoy story time, meet “Amelia Earhart,” and more. (FYI: The museum always hosts fantastic events — KFDC thinks so, anyway.)
Portrait Stories & Discoveries
Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the Portrait Gallery to listen to a story about a notable woman in honor of Women’s History Month and complete a hands-on activity — this weekend faetures Harriet Tubman. When you’re done there, pick up a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum (and the American Art Museum housed in the same building). Be sure to visit the recently installed portraits of President Obama and Michelle Obama while you’re there, too! For more about the program, see this post about a past experience and this one with scenes from a very recent visit.
Big Apple Circus
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Through April 1
Admission: $25-59
The Big Apple Circus is in town and celebrating its 40th Anniversary Season, featuring stunts never before seen 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’s 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.
Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day is back at Adventure Theatre after many cancelled shows due to an electrical fire — show them some love and see the show!
* Reserve free tickets for Shakespeare For The Young: The Tiniest Tempest, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* The Wiz opens at Ford’s Theatre this weekend
* The Prince and the Pauper – A Bollywood Tale is on the Imagination Stage
* And little ones will love Balloonacy at the Bethesda Theatre
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Beauty and the Beast
* And Mother Goose Caboose is the Tiny Tots performance for littles there on Sunday
* The Alden Theatre presents The Snow White Variety Show at The Old Firehouse on Saturday
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
It’s a day full of hands-on activities, inspiring women, and fun challenges to celebrate women’s contributions to space, aviation, and STEM fields. This special event is designed to introduce every member of your unique family to groundbreaking women of the past and the women driving us into the future. Visit the website to see the schedule of activities.
Later, Skaters
Where: Ice rinks around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by rink
This weekend is probably your last chance to hit the ice al fresco. Most local outdoor ice skating rinks are shutting down their Zambonis after Sunday. See this post listing them all for details on where you can glide ‘neathe the sky one last time this winter.
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.
INTERSECTIONS
Where: Atlas Performing Arts Center | H Street NE, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Varies – see the website
It’s the last weekend of the Atlas’ annual INTERSECTIONS festival that presents tons of fantastic performances in music, theatre, dance, film, and spoken word. Theater for the Very Young: Inside Out is the only one geared especially toward little ones this weekend, but there are many more that older kids and adults will enjoy — see the website for more details.
Gaithersburg St. Patty’s Parade
Where: Washingtonian Center | Gaithersburg, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
The city’s 18th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will include both traditional Irish performances and classic parade pageantry. Celtic dancers, bagpipes, marching bands, clowns, firetrucks, and more will make their way through town.
Exhibit Opening Celebration
Where: Port Discovery | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday,
Admission: Free with $15.95 museum entry fee
Join Port Discovery for the grand opening of their temporary Native Voices: New England Tribal Families exhibit, where children and families will learn about native communities around New England today by exploring a native school, museum, Pow Wow, artist’s workshop, and grandma’s kitchen. The opening celebration will include including special demonstrations from representatives of the Baltimore American Indian Center, plus interactive theatrical, art, and science activities designed to teach visitors about Native American culture and traditions.
Farm Fun
Where: Ticonderoga Farm | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $14.95/ages 2+, $12.95/adults
Start celebrating Easter early at Ticonderoga Farm’s annual spring festival! With giant slides, awesome jumping pillows, playgrounds, animals, mazes, and more, the farm in Chantilly is a blast everyday (it’s open daily), but they take the fun up a notch on weekends in early spring. Along with the permanent amusement, there are egg hunts and visits from the Easter Bunny. Be sure to check the website for timing of specific activities. For an idea of what’s there, see this post about their Winter Festival, which is much of the same, but with Easter instead of Christmas festivities.
Bizarre Alexandria
Where: Old Town | Alexandria, VA
When: Saturday, 2-3:30pm
Admission: $28
Join Atlas Obscura Society D.C. as they take an unusual tour led by the walking, talking encyclopedia Ed Moser. A former White House scribe, writer for the “Tonight Show,” historian, author, and professional tour guide. Explore a colonial mansion turned Union hospital that’s home to a ghostly cat. Learn how an ailing Washington was treated by doctors who were influenced by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. See the place where the author of Treasure Island found “real-life pirates.” Alexandria is also where the Bill of Rights was formulated, the “South’s Tea Party” took place, and Confederate spies faced off against Northern adversaries. It’s an exploration of Old Town as you’ve never seen it before!
Ireland on the Wharf
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 2-6pm
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.
Little Red Riding Hood
Where: Highland Elementary School | Silver Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Seymour Barab’s funny and sprightly one-act opera delights youngsters as they follow Little Red Riding Hood’s merry jaunt through the woods to Grandmother’s house. Join InterAct Story Theatre and Victorian Lyric Opera Company for their fresh take on this classic children’s opera…and watch out for that sneaky Big Bad Wolf! Best for ages 4 and up.
Nowruz: A Persian New Year Celebration
Where: Freer|Sackler Gallery | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Ring in the Persian New Year at the annual Nowruz celebration! Free attractions and activities for all ages include storytelling, hands-on art projects, live music, film screenings, calligraphy, food, and the featured exhibitions Engaging the Senses, Feast Your Eyes, and The Prince and the Shah: Royal Portraits from Qajar Iran.
DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Where: Constitution Ave. 7th to 17th ST NW | Downtown DC
When: Sunday, 12pm
Admission: Free
Find a spot on the curb along Constitution Avenue to watch the 48th annual St. Patrick’s parade roll through the city. “Showcasing DC Irish Culture” is this year’s theme, celebrating local Irish-American leaders who showcase Washington’s unique Irish heritage beyond the city. Floats, marching bands, Irish dancers, bag pipers, members of the police and fire departments, and other entertainment will be part of the celebratory procession.
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 rare opportunity to experience the joy of dance with your children and the community. No experience is necessary, just 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!
***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* Do you have worn kids’ shoes to donate? Avaaz, a global, independent campaigning organization, is planning a political art installation — a monument to victims of gun violence — in front of the US capitol early next week. They will place thousands of shoes to represent the lives lost to gun violence in the last decade, and they need more shoes! Go here to find out where to send or drop off shoes around the DC area.
* The long overdue obituaries of remarkable women are now being featured in The New York Times’ new Overlooked series.
* I recently attended my first Moms Demand Action meeting. Find out how you can get involved, too.
* Sasha and I have been reading this book together, and we both love it.
* For the T(ween) Scene: Coming up at the National Building Museum is a Teen Workshop: When Architecture Tells a Story on March 25.
* Little Pearl (from the Rose’s Luxury team) is a great new Capitol Hill spot — café by day, wine bar at night.