Face to face with an Animal Head at the Hirshhorn
I have to confess that while I was putting the finishing touches on the holiday guide this week, I neglected the Weekend Round-Up a bit. So, along with this list of weekend happenings, be sure to check out these ideas for outdoor pursuits and over 50 ideas for indoor activities. They’ll especially come in handy on Monday when the kids have off from school. Happy Weekend!
Salute Our Veterans
Where: Various locales
When: Sunday & Monday
Admission: Free
There will be Veteran’s Day observances on Sunday at the World War II and Vietnam Veterans Memorials, or you can pay tribute to those who have served our country on your own and take a self-guided tour of the memorials on the Mall. There will also be wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Navy Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, and at Mount Vernon.
Free Parking
Where: National Parks
When: All weekend long
Admission: Free
There’s no entrance fee to national parks that usually charge admission this weekend, so it’s a good time to hit the trail at Shenandoah or Great Falls, take a ride on Skyline Drive to see the mountains covered in autumn colors, or visit Harpers Ferry. See the full list of participating parks here.
Send Morale by Mail
Where: National Postal Museum
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: Free
Throughout American history, our nation’s armed forces have relied on mail to boost morale and bring memories of home, especially during wartime. The military and postal service has combined forces to deliver mail under challenging circumstances. In consort with the National Postal Museum’s permanent exhibit Mail Call, the museum will provide an opportunity for visitors to send their own letters of support to members of the armed forces currently serving. Stop by the museum any day between now and Veteran’s Day to sign a postcard (or design your own) for the troops. Messages will be gathered and sent to Operation Gratitude, where they will be enclosed with a care package sent in time to reach its recipient by the winter holidays.
Rad 80’s Ice Skating Party
Where: Pentagon Row
When: Saturday, 7-9pm
Admission:
867-5309. Perhaps the only phone number I remember from the old days when we actually memorized digits. Why is this significant? Because Tommy Tutone, the guy responsible for our generation knowing that number forever, is going to be playing an acoustic session at this ice skating party to kick off the rink opening for the season at Pentagon Row. The performance will be from 7:30-8pm, and skating will go on throughout the event.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
It’s the last weekend to catch Mouse on the Move at Imagination Stage. See Beauty and the Beast on strings at The Puppet Co. Gustafer Yellowgold is bringing his unique show back to Jammin’ Java. And the Kids Euro Festival is still offering all kinds of free performances around the area.
To the Moon and Beyond
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
The Dulles arm of the Air & Space Museum hosts a special program on the second Saturday of every month, and this weekend it’ll be all about traveling to the moon and beyond. Visitors can enjoy hands-on demos and activities related to space life. And the permanent exhibits – a hangar full of amazing air and spacecraft – are worth a trip out there themselves.
Light Painting
Where: National Museum of Natural History
When: Saturday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Learn about light in the ocean depths at the Museum’s monthly Second Saturday Arts & Sciences program. Using glow sticks, guests will create a deep-sea organisms as they discover the process of bioluminescence. This takes place in the Ocean Explorer Theater in The Sant Ocean Hall on the 1st Floor.
Art Trails
Where: American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Get ready to explore the galleries of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The themed scavenger hunt starts at the Kogod Courtyard, then takes visitors through time, space, and art as they answer questions, solve puzzles, and look closely at the details around them. Some curious characters might even be waiting along the way!
Fort Hunt Preschool event
Where: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
When: Saturday,
Admission: Free, but some activities cost extra
Fort Hunt Preschool is celebrating 50 years of learning through play with a day of family fun. The special Family Play EXPO and Family Fall Festival will feature lego engineering, yo-yo experts, an obstacle course, nature games, storytelling, and live music. An outdoor portion will have pony rides, a petting zoo, a moon bounce, games, crafts, music and refreshments. And indoors will include activities from a variety of vendors, an obstacle course, and an art activity for the entire family.
JCC Book Festival
Where: JCC of Greater Washington
When: Sunday, 9am – 3:30pm
Admission: Varies by event
The 43rd Annual Book Festival presents an exciting line-up of best-selling authors and up & coming writers new to the literary scene. The nine-day Festival is packed with engaging author events, children’s programs, book signings and a bookstore brimming with Jewish must-reads.
