Tag Archives: DC Kid Free

March 15, 2018 · 10:59 am

It’s a Cherry Blossom Dream this Spring at ARTECHOUSE

ARTECHOUSE, the Southwest DC gallery specializing in creative works that merge art and technology, has been celebrating the seasons through large-scale installations that reflect the time of year with stunning visuals and neat interactives. And it probably comes as no surprise that the newest one, the spring exhibit, features one of DC’s seasonal favorites: Cherry Blossoms.

Sakura Yume // Cherry Blossom Dream offers a new way to experience our city’s famous flowers. They might not be real in this digital environment, but they’re beautiful as they float along the lofty walls of the gallery’s main space along with colorful clouds of light created by your movements. Like past installations there, sensors are carefully placed to let you manipulate the art by waving your arms or walking along the wall where the images are projected.

More activations invite guests to interact with the art. You can virtually feed koi fish and make cherry blossoms bloom on an interactive table. There is a hall with paper lanterns hanging above that light up as you walk under them. Orange dots on a wall can be rearranged as you “move” them.

My favorite element — and the one I think will be a fave of most guests — is an interactive table that projects beautiful blossom and Japanese-inspired images and lets you play with light and color. Hands and fingers become paint brushes as you create big swaths of color or make butterflies appear out of gray backgrounds. It’s mesmerizing and therapeutic and just really delightful to see.

All ages, children and adults, will appreciate this Cherry Blossom Dream. Kids are welcome during daytime hours 10am – 5pm, but evenings 5:30-11pm are for adults only. The bar is open during these hours, serving tasty and gorgeous exhibit-inspired cocktails. And on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 5:30-7pm the Bloom Food Immersive Experience, a bento box style meal will also be available.

Sakura Yume // Cherry Blossom Dream
Where: ARTECHOUSE | 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, WDC
When: Daily through May 6, 2018
Hours: 10am – 5pm (all ages) | 5:30-11pm (21+)
Admission: $15/adult, $8/child | $85/Bloom Food Experience

Scenes from Parallel Universe at ARTECHOUSE

The newest exhibit at ARETCHOUSE, the gallery that specializes in creative work that merges art and technology, is as wild and immersive as its previous installations, probably even more so. Parallel Universe by Ouchhh is exactly as they put it: “…a psychedelic, eye-of-the-storm experience of whirling fractals and light beams.”

Guests of all ages are welcome, though it’s recommended for 12 and up, and I would agree with that. This installation is a little more intense than the last few, kind of like a rave minus the drugs and the dancing, with trippy visuals, bright flashing lights, and loud thumping music. It’s a cool experience — I dug it — but it may not be for everyone, especially children who are sensitive to a lot of stimuli.

For this reason, I’m keeping this post about it simple — you can get a preview in the images below. Take tweens or teens who would like this kind of adventure, or make it a KidFree outing and go in the evening when you can enjoy the funky cocktails, too!

Parallel Universe
Where: ARTECHOUSE | 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, WDC
When: Through March 4, 2018
Hours: 10am – 5pm (12+) | 5:30-10:30/11:30pm (21+)
Admission: $15/adult, $8/child

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KFDC Review: Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Romeo and Juliet

Photo courtesy of Shakespeare Theatre Company

If a production of the classic Shakespearean tragedy Romeo and Juliet could be deemed fun, the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s current version of the story of star-crossed lovers is it. This modern day take on the play is loaded with LOL moments and an edgy flare that gives it a playful yet still dramatic tone. And at a show where we all know what happens, it’s this unique presentation that makes it so appealing.

From the opening scene when servants of both the Capulets and Montagues have a confrontational encounter, a contemporary aesthetic and air is established. The characters are dressed in modern clothes with accents that sound more New York than Renaissance. And the set is a deep red with mod furnishings, giving it all a loungy club feel. This vibe is at its peak during the Capulet’s party, where Romeo and Juliet have their love-at-first-sight moment amidst a partying crowd dancing to DJ-spun techno, a fantastically choreographed scene that is mesmerizing to watch.

Photo courtesy of Shakespeare Theatre Company

As for the laughs, most are elicited from Juliet’s nurse, played by Inga Ballard, who injects sass and humor into the role. And Mercutio, played by Jeffrey Carolson, delivers his lines with such a dude-like cynicism, you can’t help but chuckle when he speaks.

And speaking of characters, I have to note the main ones, played by Andrew Veenstra and Ayana Workman, were perfectly cast. His Romeo was earnest and endearing (not to mention quite handsome!), and her Juliet unjaded and exuberant. They have great chemistry and convey the drama of lovestruck teens exceptionally well.

Most of the “lighter” parts of the production occur in the first act and are balanced by darker drama in the second as the familiar plot unfolds. But the turn of the mood in no way deflects from the performance on stage, which is thoroughly captivating.

So, we all know how it ends (though on the chance you don’t, beware the spoilers in the image below), but it’s the execution of the play leading up to the finale that makes this production special. It also makes it one I’d recommend for kids, mature tweens and up. (I discussed this with the friend who joined me, and she agreed.) Of course, it would make for a great KidFree outing, too.

A little fun in the lobby during intermission

Romeo and Juliet is running at Lansburgh Theatre through November 6. The show is about 2.5 hours long with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets are $44-102.