Tag Archives: Millennium Stage

Trains, Flora, and Mom Rule this Weekend

My two favorite gifts

If you’re still making plans for this weekend’s honoree and looking for fun activities for the kids, this round-up has you covered. There are several events happening over the next few days that will have the whole family feeling like it’s their special day. But the best gift we moms can ask for are happy kids (and spa packages are always awesome, too). Happy Weekend!  And a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!

All Aboard for National Train DayIf you’ve got a young train enthusiast in your midst, then head to Union Station on Saturday for the 4th Annual National Train Day. From 11am – 4pm, guests of all ages can enjoy and experience a variety of train-related fun, including live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kids’ activities, model train displays and tours of Amtrak equipment, freight and commuter trains, and notable private railroad cars.  Read more about it in this post from earlier this week.

Go Postal for TrainsFor some extra locomotive fun, chug on over to the National Postal Museum, where even more National Train Day activities will take place, also from 11am – 4pm. Relating to its “Moving the Mail” exhibit, the celebration will include hands-on fun for the whole family. Guests can speed-sort mail, watch model trains, toot a train whistle, make a stamp collection, and more. The National Postal Museum is located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue NW, and the event will take place in the Museum Atrium.

Cheverly Truck TouchOver 20 vehicles will be on display this Saturday from 10am – 2pm for young motorists-in-the-making to explore. Children can sit in the driver’s seat of a cement truck, honk the horn of a dump truck, run around inside the trailer of an 18-wheeler, check out a race car, stand on the back of a garbage truck, blare a police car siren the siren, “drive” a fire truck, and much more. And the fun doesn’t end with the wheels—there will also be a small ride-on train, games geared just for little ones, face painting, concessions, balloons, and T-shirts for sale. Admission is just $5 for ages 1-12 (under 1 and over 12 are free!) and includes 4 game. The event will be held in the Cheverly United Methodist Church parking lot. Read this post for more information.

FlowermartThe annual spring festival at the National Cathedral will take place on Friday 10am – 6pm and 10am – 5pm. While plant sales, floral and horticultural displays, and boutique booths will be of more interest to grown-ups, there will also be tasty foods, music and entertainment, rides on the antique carousel, and other fun activities to delight kids as well. Admission is free.  Proceeds from other sales benefit the Cathedral’s gardens, grounds and woodlands.

Garden Fest – The Kaupt Garden at the Smithsonian Castle will be buzzing on Friday from 11am – 1pm and Saturday from 11am – 3pm  as Garden Fest connects people and plants through educational demonstrations and engaging hands-on fun. Kids will dig plant-inspired art activities, a stilt walker, tattoo station, and live music by Cuttin’ Grass. Adults can enjoy the same, plus floricultural demos, gardening book sales and signings, orchid displays, and many other plant and gardening exhibits. The event is from 10am – 4pm. Admission is free.

Shortcut to Europe Avoid the steep airfare and jet lag, and explore The Continent from this side of the pond.  Passport DC invites you to join European Union embassies and the EU Delegation for a day of international food, dancing, kids entertainment, exhibitions, vacation planning, and more. Get a rare behind-the-scenes look at the embassies, some of which are among Washington’s historic and architectural treasures. This all takes place this Saturday from 10am – 4pm. Free shuttle bus service will be available throughout the day, and many embassies are convenient to Metro for walking. Admission is free, but bring identification, as some embassies will conduct security checks.

Mother’s Day at Mount VernonJoin the “Mother of Our Country,” Martha Washington, and her granddaughter “Nelly” as they celebrate this special weekend with visitors. On Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 5pm, enjoy “Lady Washington’s” reminiscences of motherhood and her sage advice to her youngest granddaughter. The event is included with admission—$15/adults, $14/seniors, $7/ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under.

Potomac Bonsai Festival  – Celebrate the tiny trees at one of the prettiest places in the city Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9am – 5pm.  There will be bonsai activities to entertain everyone, from the interested observer to the accomplished artist. Each day features demonstrations, exhibits, children’s activities, Asian food vendors, and the renowned collections of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.

Ride & Putt at WatkinsThe antique carousel, train, and mini golf course at Watkins Regional Park open for the season starting Saturday.  Hours through Memorial Day will be 10am-3pm Thursday and Fridays, and 12-5pm on weekends.  After that, it will be open every day but Monday (with the exception of Memorial Day) with longer hours.  For more about Watkins, read this post from last year, which ironically is about the closing of the park’s rides for the season.

Space Day – Have some out-of-this-world fun at the Air & Space Museum on the Mall on Saturday.  Guests will have the chance to meet astronauts and space experts, communicate with the International Space Station, learn how to build a flyable model rocket, build a mock space station out of recycled materials, create an astronaut paper doll, design a mission patch, and enjoy more cool astro-related activities. The free event runs from 10am – 3pm.

Joanie Leeds on the Millennium StageJoin the artist of the 2010 Parents’ Choice® Gold Award-winning album, I’m a Rock Star, as she celebrate the releae of her new album, What a Zoo!, with a performance on the Kennedy Center’s Milliennum Stageon Saturday at 6pm. Joanie Leeds and her band, The Nightlights, will make their Washington, DC, debut with a FREE rocking family show. If you haven’t heard Joanie’s music, go take a listen on her website—it’s easy to see why her poppy sound and fun lyrics strike a chord with kids. The concert is part of The Kennedy Center’s daily Free Performance series.

Let Them Entertain You – A variety of performances will be on local stages this weekend, from puppet shows at Glen Echo to plays at Ford’s and Adventure Theatres to concerts at Jammin’ Java and the Kennedy Center. For details on what and who is playing where, see this post from a couple months ago and this one from a few days ago.

Savor the SunshineIt looks like we’re in for some perfect spring weather for at least part of the weekend. Go indulge in it with the help of this list of the best places in the DC area to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors with the kids.


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Filed under All ages, Annual, DC, Educational, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Spring, Theatre, Trains, Union Station, Weekend

Spring into Summer with a New Selection of Family Entertainment

There’s a whole new crop of live entertainment for kids coming to area performing arts venues this spring and summer. Catch some of these performances as soon as this week or save your seats for shows opening at later dates. Here are details on all of them, with most descriptions straight from the websites.

Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
When: May 7 at 6pm
Tickets: FREE!
Join the artist of the 2010 Parents’ Choice® Gold Award-winning album, I’m a Rock Star, as she celebrate the releae of her new album, What a Zoo!, with a performance on the Kennedy Center’s Milliennum Stage. Joanie Leeds and her band, The Nightlights, will make their Washington, DC, debut with a FREE rocking family show. If you haven’t heard Joanie’s music, go take a listen on her website—it’s easy to see why her poppy sound and fun lyrics strike a chord with kids. The concert is part of The Kennedy Center’s daily Free Performance series.

Various Performances for Children
Where: Discovery Theater
When: Ongoing
Tickets: $3 – $6
From plays based on ancient fables to unique dance performances to magic shows to animal encounters, Discovery Theater entertains audiences with a variety of productions for all ages. Most performances take place at the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center. See the complete schedule of shows on the theater’s website.

NSO Teddy Bear Concert: Bears, Bears Everywhere
Where: Kennedy Center
When: May 7-8
Tickets: $18
It’s a big bear world out there, and every sort of bear has its own look and growl. This Teddy Bear Concert takes a peek at these adorable creatures and the sounds of their homelands–music that is as unique as they are. NSO musicians on violin, bassoon, and, percussion assemble a wild combination of instruments in order to create music from around the world. Children will also be introduced to an out-of-this-world instrument, the Theremin, which is used to create the crazy sounds in a lot of classic films. Recommended for ages 3-5. Ge there early for “musical playtime”—starting a half-hour before each Teddy Bear Concert, there are music and movement activities designed especially for small children.

George and Martha – Tons of Fun
Where: Imagination Stage
When: Through May 29
Tickets: $11 – $22
The two endearing hippos from the James Marshall picture books stomp onto stage in this warm and funny musical adaptation. George and Martha are best friends. They play music together and share meals, presents, picnics, and exciting adventures like flying a balloon. Sometimes they have differences as all friends do. But it cannot last. Like all good friends George and Martha just can’t stay angry for long! This simple story says much about our relationships at any age. Geared for our youngest theatre-goers but enjoyable for all, this new musical by Joan Cushing sparkles with clever lyrics and laughter. Enjoyed by ages 3 and up.

Liberty Smith
Where: Ford’s Theatre
When: Through May 21
Tickets: $39 – $55
Ford’s Theatre presents the world premiere of Liberty Smith, a madcap musical romp through Revolutionary America. A childhood friend of George Washington, apprentice to Benjamin Franklin and linked to Paul Revere’s remarkable ride, the elusive Liberty Smith weaves his way through familiar tales of a young nation. Rife with melody and blazing with adventure, Liberty Smith recalls the lush heyday of the American musical. Experience the birth of America through the eyes of our forgotten founding father: Liberty Smith.

The Day John Henry Came to School
Where: Imagination Stage
When: Through May 29
Tickets: $11 – $22
Johnny is way into video games and not especially motivated at school. Imagine his surprise one night when there’s a loud knock at the door and his ancestor John Henry bursts into his bedroom, wielding a 12 lb hammer and insisting that he will visit Johnny’s class the next day for “Show & Tell.” At first unimpressed by John Henry’s tragic tale about his race with the steam engine, the kids in Johnny’s class come to appreciate the importance of his ultimate sacrifice. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

A Year with Frog and Toad
Where: Adventure Theatre
When: May 10 – June 5
Tickets: $15
Arnold Lobel’s well-loved characters hop from the page to the stage in Robert and Willie Reale’s musical. It follows two great friends, the cheerful and popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in the spring, they proceed to plant gardens, swim, rake leaves and go sledding, learning life lessons along the way, including a most important one about friendship and rejoicing in the attributes that make each of us different and special. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Imagination Movers
Where: Lisner Auditorium
When: May 12
Tickets: $32 or $112 for the Mini-movers package (Groupon has a deal thru 5/1 – see below)
Disney’s Emmy Award-winning Imagination Movers come to Lisner as part of their “In a Big Warehouse” concert tour. The wildly popular New Orleans-based rock band for kids of all ages will play their most popular songs and bring the magic of the Imagination Movers television series’ Idea Warehouse to life. Concertgoers can expect special appearances from Nina, Warehouse Mouse and other characters from the TV series. Get 50% off tickets through Groupon, but buy them soon, as the deal only lasts through May 1.

Peter and the Wolf
Where: Alden Theatre
When: May 14
Tickets: $12, $8/McLean residents

This is an adaptation of the traditional Russian folktale set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. While providing a charming introduction to the world of music and musical instruments, this enchanting tale is all about the adventure of growing up. Danger becomes reality and creative innovation becomes essential as young Peter meets the challenge of survival in the outside world.  Recommended for ages 5 and up.

NSO Family Concert: Beethoven Lives Upstairs
Where: Kennedy Center
When: May 15
Tickets: $15-18
What to do about the loud neighbor upstairs? When Ludwig van Beethoven moves into his family’s Vienna boarding house, young Christoph begins writing letters to his uncle about the “madman” living above him. Through a touching correspondence dramatically underscored with more than twenty-five excerpts from the composer’s most beautiful works, Christoph comes to understand the genius of Beethoven, the beauty of his music, and the torment of his deafness. Part history, part drama, all fun, this is an excellent introduction to the master’s music, including the Moonlight Sonata, Für Elise, and the great Fifth and Ninth Symphonies. Recommended for age 5 and up. Get to the show an hour early for the Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo,” where young concertgoers can get up close and hands-on with the instruments they’ll see played on the stage—from violins, trumpets, and oboes to trombones and percussion—in the Kennedy Center Atrium.

Drumming with Dishes
Where: Art on the Horizon at Landmark Mall
When: May 18 – June 5
Tickets: $8 or $25 for a Family 4-Pack
Join an adventurous toddler as she introduces her imaginary friend to a very special kitchen, where instead of food, they’ll cook up beautiful music. This gentle, whimsical adventure celebrates turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, as you never know just what will become a musical instrument next. Pasta box shakers and dishes drumming away with spoons are just some of the friendly surprises that encourage a child’s sense of play. And as our heroine empowers her timid friend to create music, we discover just what wonders can be accomplished when we all work together. This world-premiere production is a 30-minute interactive, non-verbal show, which features two adult actors and a musician. Geared towards children ages 2-5.

NSO Kinderkonzert: Got Rhythm?
Where: Kennedy Center
When: May 15
Tickets: $18
Rhythm is everywhere: it flavors our lives and lives within music. Join Glenn Donnellan, Richard Barber, Edward Cabarga, Adel Sanchez, and Joe Connell for vivid selections by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Rossini, and more. Recommended for ages 4 and up. Free musical instrument “Petting Zoo” one hour prior to each performance. Get to the show an hour early for the Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo,” where young concertgoers can get up close and hands-on with the instruments they’ll see played on the stage in the Kennedy Center Atrium.

Jack & the Bean-Stalk
Where:  1st Stage Theater
When:    May 15-June 19
Tickets: $15
Enjoy a hilarious, laugh-out-loud, brand-new adaptation of the classic fairy tale, “Jack and the Bean-Stalk.” This play is a fun-for-the-whole-family, comic rollercoaster ride of quirky characters, including an irreverent Cow, a crafty, bean-peddling Stranger, and a saucy Hen What Lays the Golden Eggs. Aimed at younger audiences, but with lots of laughs built in for adults, it’s a perfect fit for families who want to share the joy of live-performance theater. Special “Family Night Out” performances on Saturdays, June 4 and 18 at 6pm.

Click, Clack, Moo
Where:  Alden Theatre
When:    June 5
Tickets: $12, $8/McLean residents
“Cows that type? Hens on strike! Whoever heard of such a thing?!” Farmer Brown cries. When his grandaughter Jenny comes to visit, Farmer Brown declares a “tech-free zone”. This hilariously “mooooo-ving” new musical is about negotiation and compromise. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

The Great Dinosaur Mystery
Where: The Puppet Co. Playhouse
When: June 9 – July 17
Tickets: $10
DinoRock Productions returns to the Puppet Co. Playhouse with this story is set in the basement of the Natural History Museum. Dr. Vander Plastercaster is about to give the audience a behind-the-scenes tour of a new dinosaur exhibit when she finds a mysterious box. Enter Detective Joe Kafootsie, Special Forces: Strange Phenomena Detail. He’s found a giant shoe and thinks it might belong to a dinosaur! Suddenly dinosaurs begin appearing with messages from a mysterious character named Tootsie. Who is Tootsie? What do the messages mean? What’s going on? It’s all part of the great, great, great, great Great Dinosaur Mystery! Recommended for ages 4 and up.

The Wind in the Willows
Where: Imagination Stage
When: June 22 – August 15
Tickets: $10 – $22
Go on a wild ride with Mr. Toad! It’s early in the twentieth century, and Mr. Toad embraces the motor car with reckless abandon. When it is clear that he is on a road to disaster, Toad’s friends Mole, Ratty and Mr. Badger decide to intervene. Can they save Toad from himself? In an adventure with police chases, prison breaks and bandits, Mr. Toad learns the true meaning of friendship. This musical event is faithful to the classic, enchanting novel. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Children’s Theater in the Woods
Where: Wolf Trap
When: June 28 – August 13
Tickets: $8 for a day pass – two shows in one
With 70 performances from late June through early August, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods presents family-friendly shows at 10am and 11:15am on Tuesdays through Saturdays. Amidst 117 rolling wooded acres and nestled in a shady grove, the stage is set for lively adventures in music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and theater. All performances are recommended for children between Kindergarten and 6th grade. The full schedule of shows in available of the Wolf Trap website.

PLAY! A Video Game Symphony
Where: Wolf Trap
When: July 8, 8:30pm
Tickets: $20 – $52
Award-winning music from Super Mario Brothers, World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy, the Legend of Zelda, Halo, Battlefield 1942, and many more. Outstanding visuals on huge screens in-house and on the lawn highlight memorable moments from these blockbuster video games.

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Filed under All ages, DC, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Music, Theatre

They Might Be Giants–All Ages, All Free!

One of the most anticipated free concerts on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage is happening this weekend. They Might Be Giants is playing an all-ages show on Saturday, October 2. And if you’re thinking it’s odd that one of our generation’s bands is performing for kids, too, then you need to brush up on your children’s music. TMBG are award-winning artists–in the kids’ music genre; in 2009 they won a Grammy for Best Children’s Album for a project called “Here Come the 123s.” They play family shows all over the country.

The band has said the set list will cover their entire repertoire. And given that TMBG’s fun, alternative sound spans the generations, I think it’s safe to say that all kids, young and old, will have a blast.

So, here’s the 411 on the show: TMBG takes the stage at 6pm sharp. Tickets are free, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Capacity is 4,000, and I predict they will max it out, so you probably want to get there early. It’s been recommended that folks with very young kids hang back from the dancing crowd.

Read more about They Might Be Giants and the show on the Kennedy Center website.

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Filed under All ages, DC, Free, Live Entertainment, Music, Weekend