Tag Archives: Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

The Weekend Round-Up: January 13-15

Enjoying the outdoors from a warm, comfy place at Watkins Nature Center.

 

Our museums will be full of special events this weekend — good timing, as a blast of chilly weather is on its way (to be followed by a heat wave, I’m sure).  For some off the Mall activities, there’s a health & fitness expo, several children’s theatre shows, a building workshop,  free fun at CHAW, and plenty of mainstay pursuits all around the DC-metro. Happy Weekend!

Art Class at the National GalleryOne of my favorite museum programs for kids begins this weekend and will offer weekly classes throughout the winter. This Sunday, you can drop in for Stories in Art, a workshop designed for kids ages 4-7, to learn about Henri Matisse through storytelling, discussion, and an art project. The hour-long classes are free, and no registration is required, but there is a limit to the number of children in each class. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am on Sundays, and will continue until all spaces are filled in each of the four time slots at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. There is also a Family Workshop for kids ages 8-11 that is already full (but you can get on the waitlist here.) See this post for more information about both, as well as Artful Conversations, a class for older children that will take place starting next week.

Build & Grow at Lowe’sKids can be the kings (& queens) of their castles at the home improvement store this weekend. Lowe’s hosts free bimonthly workshops for kids, and the first of 2012 is this Saturday at 10am. During this session, the store will provide castle building kits and guidance on putting it together, along with other to take home. Go here to find your local Lowe’s and register for the workshop.

In Theatres Near You – Local stages will be full of kids’ entertainment this weekend.  Catch Encore Stage & Studio’s Darius the Dragon & Rap-Punzel (read the KFDC review) before curtains close on Sunday. See a performance at Glen Echo — Peter & the Wolf is at The Puppet Co. and The Snowy Day at Adventure Theatre. Enjoy a Teddy Bear Concert at the Kennedy Center.  Get more details about these shows and more in this post about winter entertainment.

Native Storytelling FestivalThe weekend-long festival at the National Museum of the American Indian sounds like a special treat for Twihards, and a fun, fascinating activity for non-fans, too. Celebrating the exhibit Behind the Scenes: The Real Story of the Quileute Wolves, Chris Morganroth, a Quileute elder, will tell traditional stories geared towards kids and families. He’ll also give an introduction to Quileute culture and discuss how the tribe is presented in the popular Twilight books and movies.  Along with storytelling, there will be pow wow dances, drumming, and a totem pole unveiling.  While you’re at the museum, be sure to check out imagiNATIONS, the family activity center full of interactive fun for kids.

To the MountaintopsAll weekend long, the National Museum of American History will honor Martin Luther King, Jr. with a stirring and inspirational tribute. Actor Xavier Carnegie presents selections from some of Dr. King’s most powerful and compelling speeches and sermons in a combination of live performance, historic photographs, and audio recordings. Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the multitude of others who struggled and sacrificed so that this nation might become a more perfect union. The free presentation will take place Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm, and 4pm in the museum’s Flag Hall, 2nd floor.

NCM Honors MLK– In recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the National Children’s Museum Launch Zone is hosting a program honoring his life and accomplishments. Make your own I Have A Dream…Catcher and participate in their “Valentines for Veterans” service project in recognition of Dr. King’s commitment to service. Drop in from 11am – 4pm for this free event.

Health & Fitness Expo – NBC’s annual exposition will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Washington Convention Center.  There will be free health screenings, exercise and dance demos, opportunities to test out new sports, meet and greets with a couple of The Biggest Loser winners, giveaways, plus activities especially for kids.  Young guests can be a meteorologist, test their skills at a Bike Safety Pavilion, score a goal at a soccer area, reach for the top of a climbing wall, show off some dance moves, learn some yoga, and more.  Admission to the expo is free, and it’s open both Saturday and Sunday from 9am – 5pm. The Convention Center is located at 901 Mount Vernon Place, NW, and the expo takes place in halls B & C. Metered street parking and garages are nearby, and you can take the Metro’s yellow line to the Mount Vernon/th St-Convention Center station.

Stories and Art at the Portrait Gallery On Saturday from 2-4pm, children ages 5 and up, with an accompanying adult, can explore portraiture in depth at the National Portrait Gallery. Participants will take a brief guided tour of the exhibition Seeing Gertrude Stein: Five Stories, listen to a children’s story or short gallery talk, then create a piece of art using some of the same materials or concepts. The session is free, but registration is required. On Sunday, drop in for Portrait Story Days from 2-5pm for a story about Gertrude Stein and a related art project (no registration necessary).

CHAW Gratis  – The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is continuing it 40th anniversary celebration with freebies galore.  In the family-friendly vein this weekend, there is a mural painting recommended for ages 5-12 from 10am-12pm on Saturday – sign up online. There are also two concerts the whole brood can enjoy, the All Points West Chamber Music Ensemble at 11am and Bokamoso Youth in Performance at 6pm.  More details for all three activities are available on the CHAW website.

The Wright Stuff – It’s Super Science Saturday, the monthly program at the Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Dulles.  There will be demonstrations and hands-on activities that immerse children in science and technology topics related to aviation and space exploration. January’s theme is From the Wright Brothers to the Right Stuff.

Fee-Free at National ParksIn honor of MLK Day, all National Parks that usually charge entrance fees will waive admission from Saturday through Monday.  It might be on the chilly side for a hike, but perhaps perfect for a scenic drive through Shenandoah or the George Washington National Forest.

Get Back to Nature – For some outdoor-inspired fun in the comfort of a warm place, head to nature center. See furry, feathery, and scaly critters and learn about their natural habitats in the environments surrounding them. In DC head to Rock Creek Nature Center. In Maryland, check out Watkins Nature Center, Meadowside Nature Center, or Brookside Nature Center. In Virginia, try Huntley MeadowsLong Branch Nature Center, or Riverbend Nature Center.

The Great Indoors – For a lengthy list of ideas for fun out of the cold, this post is full of recommendations for indoor fun.

Bundle Up and Get Out – It may be chilly, but the sun will be shining. Don some extra layers, a warm hat, and gloves, and check out this post with numerous recs for outdoor activities with kids.

 

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Filed under All ages, Art, Class, DC, Educational, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Seasonal, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend, Winter

The Weekend Round-Up: January 6-8

The birthday girl enjoying some nature at Roosevelt Island last weekend.

 

Free museum and art activities, family entertainment, and a strong recommendation to enjoy the nice weather while it lasts comprise this weekend round-up. As for our family, we’re adding a little celebration to the mix…

Three years ago today, life got a lot sweeter. And pinker. And sparklier. And crazier in the best way possible. All thanks to one very special and insanely adored baby girl (because at 3 or 43 or 103, she’ll always be my baby).

Happy Weekend! And a very, very happy birthday to my sweet Sashi.

Collection ConnectionsThe National Postal Museum is hosting a drop-in workshop on Saturday from 12-3pm. Associated with the exhibit Collecting History: 125 Years of the National Philatelic Collection, guests of all ages can make a topical stamp collection to take home with them. The session will take place in the atrium, which is a sight in itself, showcasing several cool relics of postal transportation history – a mail truck, a train car, an airplane, even the cab of a tractor-trailer. The museum is conveniently located next to Union Station, a convenient Metro stop as well as a great place to grab a pre- or post-workshop bite to eat.

Movie Time at the MuseumKids can explore art through film at the National Gallery of Art’s monthly film program. This weekend they’ll present Magic Silver on Saturday at 10:30am and Sunday at 11:30am.  Here is the description from the website: “Princess Bluerose is a gnome living deep in the Norwegian mountains with her small community. They are responsible for making the transition between day and night. This moment, the “magic hour,” depends on the magic silver that only these gnomes possess. When the silver is stolen, the world is plunged into eternal night. Find out what happens when Princess Bluerose sets out on a remarkable journey to retrieve the silver and save the world from unending darkness.” The 84-minute movie is in Norwegian with English subtitles and is recommended for ages 7 and up. All film programs are shown in the East Building Auditorium unless otherwise noted. No registration is required. Programs are free and subject to change without notice. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!Drop in to the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday from 1-4pm or Sunday from 2-5pm for Portrait Story Days.  This weekend, listen to a story written by Ted Geisel (a.k.a Dr. Seuss) as you view his portrait, a sketch by Everett Raymond Kinstler, currently on display.  Stay after to create a related piece of art and explore the rest of the museum.

Free Fun at CHAWHelp celebrate 40 years of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop at one of their 40 FREE events in 40 days.  A couple of the family-friendly variety will take place this weekend. On Saturday from 10-11:30am, kids ages 6 and up can join an animal mask-making workshop to design creature disguises then create a short play. Space is limited in the class, and registration is required.  Later that day, all ages are welcome to view the CHAW’s 6th Annual Contemporary Photography Exhibition from 5-7pm. More info, registration, and the complete calendar of free events can be viewed on the website.

Squeals on Wheels – The first Saturday Morning at the National show is bringing a miniature petting zoo to the stage for an “Education Safari”. An experienced handler will teach the kids about caring for animals while providing an opportunity for “hands-on” visits. Shows take place at 9:30am and 11am, and tickets are required for admission. Free tickets are distributed half an hour prior to the start of shows on a first-come first-served basis. Only one ticket per person, and all attendees must be standing in line to receive a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult, who remains present for the entire performance. Seating is limited, so get there early!

Stage TimeKids entertainment abounds this weekend with several new shows opening and a few in their for their final days.  Catch Dr. Dolittle and Knuffle Bunny before curtains close, or see Mouse on the Move or a one-evening performance by the Airborne Comedians.  Details, descriptions, and ticket info for all of these productions are available in this post about winter entertainment.

Geology Rocks!– It may be a new year, but the National Children Museum is welcoming guests to study some really old stuff.  Join them on Saturday from 11am – 4pm as they go on a geological expedition right in the Launch Zone to learn about everything from rocks to minerals to crystals. Kids can discover how to identify rocks and minerals, how crystals form, and what kinds of minerals exist in their own homes. The day promises to be “bi-o-tite”!

Soar at the NBMThere are some super fly activities happening at the Building Museum on Sunday. Kids ages 8 and up can take part in a Model Airplane Workshop from 9-11am ($8/members, $14/non-members – registration required). And all ages can drop in from 11am – 4pm to see the DC Maxecuters demo all kinds of model planes through the Great Hall. Visit the website for more info and to register.

You are My SunshineWarm weather (for this time of year, anyway) is here, and it’s supposed to be remain at least through tomorrow! Get out and enjoy it while you can —  this list of places to spend a great day outdoors has loads of ideas for fun al fresco. And if/when it cools down again on Sunday, this post with lots indoor suggestions is always good reference.

 

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Filed under All ages, Art, Class, DC, Educational, Free, Live Entertainment, Movies, Museums, Outdoor, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend, Winter

Kids Euro Festival: Four Weeks of Free European Art & Culture in DC!

You don’t have to cross an ocean to introduce your kids to European art and culture.  Thanks to the French-American Cultural Foundation, 27 EU embassies, and more than a dozen major cultural institutions, Europe is coming to us via the Kids Euro Festival, a virtual passport to four weeks of continental artistic adventures.

From October 14 through November 10, the festival will present more than 200 FREE children’s performances all around the metro area. Mimes, storytellers, dancers, and puppeteers are just a few of the exciting acts on the schedule.  Public libraries, DC embassies, National Geographic Live, the Kennedy Center, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, the National Childrens Museum, Shakespeare Theatre, Strathmore, and AFI are among the many performance venues.

The festival, designed for children ages 2-12, is the largest of its kind in the country. More than 27 countries in the European Union are represented in the shows that highlight national cultural traditions and art.

Visit the Kids Euro Festival website for the complete schedule of performances and age recommendations. You can also “like” the Facebook page for updates on events.

 

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Free Artdays at CHAW

Starting this weekend, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop will present ARTdays, a series of six free concerts and visual arts classes for the whole family.

The program kicks off with The Singing Lizard this Saturday, October 9. From 10am – 11am, families can jam at a show full of exciting songs that both kids and adults enjoy. Sasha and I saw her play a few weeks ago, and we both enjoyed her pop versions of many children’s classics. If you can’t make it to this Saturday’s show, you can catch The Singing Lizard on November 20 and December 11. Concerts take place in CHAW’s Black Box Theater.

Visual arts classes for caregivers and children (no drop-offs) will take place on several other Saturdays. Two sittings, at 10am and 11am, will be available each day in CHAW’s gallery. Space is limited, so call the office at (202.547.6839 to reserve your spot. The visual arts schedule is as follows:

Saturday, October 16: 2D/3D Collage Scenes
Saturday, November 13: Clay Handbuilding
Saturday, December 18: Painting with Yarn

All ARTdays events will take place at CHAW located at 545 7th Street SE. Both concerts and classes are free and open to the public.

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Get 10% off Classes at CHAW

The next session of early childhood classes at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) begins on November 1.  Registration is open, and if you sign up your child by this Friday, October 8, you can get 10% off.

Class offerings include Yoga Play & Stories for Children, Music Together, Pre-Ballet, Arts Alive, and Read all About It.  Check the CHAW schedule for class times and fees.

To register, call 202.547.6839.

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