Celebrate the Year of the Snake in Chinatown on Sunday
There’s a lot to celebrate this weekend — Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, the Chinese New Year — and even more ways to celebrate them. Learn about African Americans in aviation, make your own Valentines, ring in the Year of the Snake…all among the many activities and events that observe the occasions, plus even more special and ongoing pursuits that are just plain ol’ fun. Happy Weekend!
African American Pioneers in Aviation Family Day
Where: National Air & Space Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
The museum’s annual African American Pioneers Day focuses on the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen. Visitors can listen to Tuskegee Airmen and their descendents talk about the challenges and triumphs as members of the groundbreaking African American World War II fighter group. Enjoy excerpts from the hit off-Broadway play Black Angels over Tuskegee. Little ones will love the Tevin and Tuskegee Airmen Puppet Show as well as hands-on activities. And, weather permitting, guests can view the sky from a telescope in the public observatory.
Valentine’s Day Card Workshop
Where: National Postal Museum
When: February 9, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Nothing delivers love better than giving a handmade card to your valentine, and the Postal Museum will help you do that at this workshop on Saturday. They’ll have pretty papers and neat valentine-themed stamps, you bring your creativity to decorate your card. Visit the museum’s stamp store and send the cards to your loved ones with a special Postal Museum postmark.
NOAA Open House
Where: NOAA Silver Spring Campus
When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Explore your world and learn how NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, takes the pulse of the planet every day and protects and manages ocean and coastal resources. Head to the NOAA Silver Spring campus for a series of free activities, including engaging guest presentations, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities for ages 5 and up. Meet and talk with scientists, weather forecasters, hurricane hunter pilots, and others who work in the field. Early birds can also take a tour of the NOAA National Weather Service’s Operations Center and NOAA Exploration Command Center. The Silver Spring campus is located at 1315 East-West Highway.
Lowe’s Build and Grow
Where: Local Lowe’s Stores
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
The home improvement store hosts free bimonthly workshops for kids, and this session will bring some Valentine’s spirit as guests construct a Wheel of Love. Bring the kids into any Lowe’s store to make a free wooden project (with parent help). Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project. Go here to register.
Auto Focus
Where: Washington Convention Center
When: Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $12/adults, $5/ages 6-12, free for 5 and under:
The 2013 Washington Auto Show is in its second and final weekend. If there’s any “grown-up” event that is equally fun for all ages, this is it. The Auto Show is like a Truck Touch, but with automobiles — more than 700 of them! — on display for guests to check out. And especially for kids will be appearances by some of their favorite characters along with the auto-fun. See this post from last year from more about what to expect.
Dream Alive: a Celebration of African American History
Where: BlackRock Center for the Arts
When: Saturday, 1pm
Admission: $14
This Saturday afternoon performance is a celebration of African American history ideal for Black History Month. Kim and Reggie Harris are dynamic and superbly talented traditional folk performers who captivate audiences with their songs and storytelling. In Dream Alive, they bring to life an array of educators, artists, scientists, poets, inventors and other key contributors to African American history through an interactive and engaging presentation.
Show Time
Where: Local theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
There’s even more live entertainment on local stages this weekend.
– Anime Momotaro is thrilling audiences at the Imagination Stage.
– Winnie the Pooh is at Adventure Theatre.
– Toyland is at The Puppet Co. along with a couple of Tiny Tots shows.
– The Maestro, an eccentric mute conductor, will make musical mayhem at this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance.
– Teens will enjoy Zorro at the Source Theatre.
– Steve Weeks is playing the kids show at Jammin’ Java.
– Sleeping Beauty-The Broken Spell is at the Workhouse Arts Center.
Find more details in this post about winter entertainment.
In Every Language Love
Where: Freer & Sackler Gallery
When: February 9, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
The Smithsonian museums featuring Asian Art are hosting In Every Language Love, an open house for all ages. After a slideshow of images representing love in Asian art, guests can use printing blocks inscribed with the word “love” in more than a dozen Asian languages to make valentines.
Recreation on Ice
Where: Local ice rinks
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
Looks like it could be decent conditions for outdoor ice skating over the next couple of says, so lace up the skates and get gliding. Enjoy art as you skate at the Sculpture Garden; join Canal Parks’s Cartoon Skate on Saturday from 10am – 12pm; circle the new rink at Washington Harbour; or shop then skate at Pentagon Row, Veteran’s Plaza, or Reston Town Center. This post has details on both alfresco and indoor ice skating options in the area.
Super Science Saturday
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
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. on Saturday, it’ll center around January’s theme, “Scientists and Inventors.”
Victorian Valentines
Where: DAR Museum
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
Create your own Victorian inspired valentine from stickers, paper, tissue and lace provided by the DAR Museum. Guests will have the opportunity to view authentic 19th-century valentines from the museum collection. Supplies are limited, so advance registration is requested, though drop-ins are welcome. Contact (202) 879–3240 or museum@dar.org to sign up.
Artful conversations
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1:30pm
Admission: Free
See-Wonder-Haiku is the theme this month of the NGA’s Winter Drop-In Program for kids ages 8-11. Guests will observe a work of art, participate in a discussion about it, then write a related haiku. Sign-in takes place in the East Building Atrium beginning at 11am on both Saturday and Sunday and will continue until all spaces are filled.
Valentine’s Day Storytime
Where: Barnes & Noble locations
When: February 9, 11am
Admission: Free
Head to your local Barnes & Noble bookstore for a free storytime session with a Valentine theme. There will be a reading of “The Perfect Hug” by Joanna Walsh, plus fun activities and treats to follow. Find a location near you.
Be My Valentine Workshop
Where: Tudor Place
When: February 9, 1:30-3pm
Admission: $10/non-members, $5/members
It’s a hunt and a tour in one, as children scour the historic mansion in search of Valentine’s Day cards from the past. Then they will design their own Valentine’s cards to take home, drawing inspiration from historic and vintage cards from the Tudor Place archive. Space is limited, so register in advance.
Portraits in Art
Where: National Portrait Gallery
When: Saturday 1-4pm, Sunday 2-5pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday to pick up a Portrait Discovery Kit and go on a self-guided tour/scavenger hunt of the museum. On Sunday, go for Portrait Story Days, where you can hear a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art — this week will feature George Washington Carver. Read more about both programs in this post about our recent experience at the NGA.
Winterfest Children’s Carnival
Where: Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Varies by activity
Celebrate the season and help support a local preschool. The Learning Center for Young Children in Kensington will host its 23rd annual Winterfest Children’s Carnival on Saturday. There will be loads of fun for the whole family to enjoy — live entertainment, children’s activities, a silent auction, a bake sale, and more. Feature acclaimed local entertainer Frank Cassel, “The Banjo Man,” music will include children’s songs, bluegrass, and folk — tickets for Cassel’s three performances featuring are $3 and will be sold at the carnival.
Chinese New Year Parade
Where: Chinatown
When: Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Usher in the Year of the Snake, lunar year 4711, on Sunday at the Chinese New Year Parade. Festivities kick off at 6th & I Streets NW at 2pm and will wind through the streets of Chinatown celebrating Chinese culture in a brilliant procession that includes traditional dance, music, and, of course, the iconic dragons. The parade is expected to last about two and a half hours, and spectating is free. View the route here to stake out your curbside spot.
Coiling Dragons
Where: Freer-Sackler Galleries
When: Sunday, 2pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the Smithsonian museums featuring Asian Art to celebrate the Chinese New Year with some art. Use a miniature activity guide to explore the Silk Road Luxuries from China installation. Discover Tang China luxury objects, such as mirrors, wine cups, and cosmetic boxes, and learn about their foreign inspirations. Then return to the classroom to make your own repoussé Tang mirror.
President Adams’ Alligator Book Signing
Where: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Store in Logan Circle
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
The Washington Humane Society (WHS) and Little Patriot Press are hosting an even for Peter and Cheryl Barnes’ new book President Adams’ Alligator. The authors will sign books, and WHS will have adoptable animals at their mobile adoption center, Adopt Force One. Refreshments will be served. All proceeds will benefit the Washington Humane Society. The Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Store is located at 1526 14th Street NW.
