Tag Archives: Mother’s Day Weekend

May 12, 2023 · 7:39 am

The Weekend Round-Up: May 12-14

A lovely message in a local Little Free Art Gallery last Mother’s Day

 

Happy Weekend! And a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms.💜

Go-to posts for all kinds of ongoing local activities:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* The Great Indoors
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places

Celebrate Mom
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
If you’re still in need of plans to celebrate Mother’s Day, there are plenty of last-minute ways to make the occasion special. This round-up has ideas ranging from fairly mellow to very active, totally free to a total splurge – there’s sure to be something to make every mom’s day.

Family ‘Hoppy’ Hour with King Bullfrog!
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-7pm
Admission: $10/child, $5/adult
Bring the family out to enjoy a Friday evening filled with live music perfect for all ages! This concert will be outdoors (weather permitting), perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs! Beer and wine, plus cheese and pepperoni pizza will be available for purchase.

It’s All Greek to You
Where: Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
Saint Sophia’s annual festival brings the best of Greek food, drink and culture to DC. Festival goers can sample dishes from the Greek Cuzina made fresh and daily across the weekend. A variety of children’s games and activities will delight young guests. A marketplace will showcase wares like jewelry, pottery and home goods ,and more. And every evening under the stars (and 2pm on Sunday), enjoy live Greek music played by local musicians — all are welcome to join in and dance… Opa!  It’s a super fun fest — we’ve been several times! Saint Sophia is located at 2815 36th St & Mass. Ave. NW.

In Focus: Hawaiian Voyaging and Dance
Where: American Indian Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am–5:30pm
Admission: Free
Join a celebration of Hawaiian culture that demonstrates the importance of voyaging and dance for Native Hawaiian communities through hands-on activities and lively performances! Try basic knot-tying techniques used in the construction, operation, and care of a canoe, and learn how these skills preserve Native Hawaiian sailing traditions. Enjoy performances by hālau hula (school of traditional Hawaiian dance) Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima (the Royal ‘Ilima Blossom), who will present a selection of hula kahiko (traditional dance) and hula ‘auana (contemporary dance) under the direction of Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine and Kumu Hula Jeffrey Kānekaiwilani Takamine.  While you’re there, be sure to visit the imagiNATIONS activity center for even more interactive fun.

Off the Beaten Museum Path
Where: Around DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by museum
With some rain in the forecast, it’s a good time to explore some museums that are off the well trodden path of the National Mall. If you don’t veer from it now and then, you could miss out on some other amazing exhibits and experiences that aren’t as well known. Check out this round-up of some museums in DC that may not be on your museum radar — but should be.

EU Open House
Where: EU Embassies | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Avoid the hefty airfare and jet lag and explore the Continent from this side of the pond. Join European Union embassies and the EU Delegation for a day of international culture. Get a rare behind-the-scenes look at the embassies, some of which are among Washington’s historic and architectural treasures, and savor their cultures while you’re there through art, performances, cuisines, and more! Get an idea of what to expect in  this post about one of our experiences at an Around the World Embassy Tour.

Strawberry Fields…this Weekend
Where: Farms around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Strawberries are ripe and ready for harvest — a few area farms are now welcoming guests to pick their own. It’s always a good idea to check websites or call ahead to confirm availability the day you plan to go. Sunscreen and hat also recommended.

Nats vs. Mets
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary (look for discount)
The Nats host the Mets this weekend with games Friday (7:05pm), Saturday (4:05pm), and Sunday afternoon (1:35pm). Check for special promos here, and plan to stay after on Sunday for Kids Run the Bases. And before you go, get some KFDC tips  on doing Nats game without breaking the bank.

Soar Together: Curious Careers in Air and Space
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Do you like drawing, sewing, and doing arts and crafts? Did you know these skills and others that you may use now are also extremely useful and important in space exploration jobs? During this Soar Together family program, explore the variety of jobs that use craft skills, art, and design to prepare and protect astronauts and spacecraft from the harsh space environment. You’ll get the chance to practice those skills through a variety of special activities and learn directly from experts in the field. Registration requested.

Book Swap and Preschool Open House
Gan Shalom Preschool | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30-11:30am
Admission: Free
Tired of reading the same children’s stories every night?  Let’s Trade!  Gan Shalom Cooperative Preschool will be hosting a children’s books swap at 212 East Capitol Street (btw. 2nd and 3rd.) right after Tot Shabbat.  Bring your kids, their old books, and a desire to discover new stories. This is a great opportunity to give your kids’ books a second life and learn about an amazing preschool option for this Fall.  Gan Shalom is a Jewish Early Childhood Education program inspired by Reggio Emilia, and supported by Hill Havurah, for Children aged 24 months through four years old.  Gan Shalom offers both full-day and half-day options.  Enrollment is open to both Jewish and non-Jewish students. Visit the website for more information and to enroll for this fall.

Greenbelt Green Man Festival
Where: Roosevelt Center | Historic Greenbelt, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 6pm, Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This annual weekend outdoor festival is celebrating its 18th year. Enjoy two days of live music, local artists, and activities for guests of all ages. Create your own faerie garden, take part in a community drum circle, Walk with Freya the Fire Dragon in a community parade, and learn skills related to gardening, composting, camping, and more. On Sunday morning, there is a local farmers’ market as well. Plenty of local parking, too.

Books in Bloom Festival
Where: Colorburst Park | Columbia, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy all day all about books at this annual festival. Free and open to the public, it’s full of author readings, children’s activities, a pop-up bookstore by Busboys & Poets, and more. This year, Books in Bloom will be headlined by two incredible authors — teacher and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, Chasten Buttigieg, and Nikki Giovanni, a world-renowned poet who uses her work to raise awareness on important social issues. Through their works, both headliners highlight this year’s theme of “Building Community – Through Empathy and Understanding Each Other”.

Wizard of Oz Free Screening
Where: Old Greenbelt Theater | Greenbelt, MD
When: Saturday, 1pm
Admission: Free
Join Old Greenbelt Theatre in partnership with Greenbelt Recreation for a free screening of the classic film! The movie theater in Greenbelt presents free flicks for all ages from time to time, and this weekend is one of those times. Check the calendar to see when others are coming up — or plan to catch a paid flick anytime.

DC United vs Nashville FC
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $29 (look for discount)
DC United is playing at home on Saturday evening, hosting Nashville. As always, I recommend taking public transportation or parking in the Navy Yard neighborhood and walking to Audi Field from there. Plan for a pre-match bite — El Bebe, All Purpose Pizza, The Salt Line, and Dacha are conveniently located and my top recs for family-friendly spots to eat there.

Jack & the Beanstalk
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Friday, 10:30am | Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm
Admission: $15
In the Puppet Co.’s version of Sleeping Beauty, a funny frog storyteller ribbits the tale of offended fairies, silly royalty, and magic spells. Relive this classic fairy tale in this lovely Legacy rod-puppet show. Directed by Elizabeth Dapo. Recommended ages 4+. Run time approximately 55 minutes.

Weekend Workshops
Where: National Portrait Gallery | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery to do some art making! All ages are welcome to get creative at Weekend Workshops. Learn about artists and changemakers, then create art inspired by their stories. Of course, explore the whole museum while you’re there. See more about the National Portrait Gallery here.

Charm City Fun, Hon!
Where: Around Baltimore, MD
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
Not only is it nice to get a change of metro area scenery sometimes, Baltimore, our sister city just a 45-minute drive away, is full of fantastic, family-friendly things to do. This post has info about all of them, including big attractions, suggestions for places to eat, and neighborhoods to explore.

empowerHER Luminaria
Where: Lincoln Memorial | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 6-9pm
Admission: Free
empowerHER is on a mission to support, connect + empower girls who’ve lost their mothers. This Mother’s Day, empowerHER LUMINARIA will illuminate the night with a whimsical display of personalized luminaries (purchased for $25 from donors across the globe) and uniquely displayed on the beachfront at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool  in honor of and in memory of loved ones. Proceeds  benefit empowerHER programs. Join empowerHER at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool on Mother’s Day – Sunday at sunset.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* On select dates this summer, kids can experience some of the Smithsonian museums after hours at Smithsonian Nighttime Adventures and Smithsonian Sleepovers.
* Looking for family getaway ideas for the summer?  Here are some good ones!
* If you’re into pickleball, you’ll be interested to know about this place.
*  New advice for mammograms at 40.
* A great sale going on…treat yourselves, mamas. 🙂
* For Succession fans, this podcast has a great recap of the latest episode (including that epic argument).
* Just ordered a few of these… great colors and reasonable price.
* The 20 best movies for kids on Netflix right now, according to Vulture.
* A Guide to Eurovision 2023.
* 11 Mother’s Day recipes to serve mom breakfast in bed. 💕

 

Leave a Comment

Filed under 2023, DC, Maryland, Spring, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 6, 2022 · 9:29 am

The Weekend Round-Up: May 6-8

Hugs for moms this weekend — no matter where you are

 

Happy Weekend!  And a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms! 💐

Quick links for loads of fun ideas for local activities:

* Spring Things
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Indoor Outings
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Bike Rides
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places
* Baltimore with Kids

Mom’s the Word
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
If you’re still in need of plans to celebrate Mother’s Day, there are lots of last-minute ways to make the occasion special. This round-up has ideas ranging from fairly mellow to very active, totally free to a total splurge – there’s sure to be something to make every mom’s day.

Flower Mart
Where: National Cathedral | Glover Park, DC
When: Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The annual festival, running for over 80 years at the National Cathedral, is a wonderful way to spend a spring day. While plant sales, floral and horticultural displays, and boutique booths will likely be of more interest to grown-ups, there is also music and entertainment, games and carnival rides, tasty foods, the All Hallows Guild antique carousel, and many more fun activities to delight kids. While you’re there, be sure to visit the awesome Beauvoir playground. Admission is free, though concessions and some activities will cost a fee. Read about one of our experiences at the event.

The Great Indoors
Where: Around the DC Area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
With lots of rain ion the forecast for the weekend, this list of over 100 activities and places to go around DC that are inside will come in handy.  Some offerings at places mentioned may have changed a bit, but there are updates to reflect the current statuses. And something to note about the list: We have been to nearly every single place on it (and if we haven’t been to an actual place, like one of the roller skating rinks or indoor tennis courts, we have at least done the activity at one of the others). This is all to say the recommendations come from tried and true experience!

Mystics Tip Off
Where: Entertainment and Sports Arena | Congress Heights, DC
When: Friday, 7pm
Admission: Tickets start at $16
The Washington Mystics, our local women’s pro basketball team, begins its season this weekend with a game against Indiana Fever on Friday evening. The team plays at the Entertainment and Sports Arena located on the St. Elizabeths East Campus, in southeast DC. And KFDC readers can get a special discount on tickets using the code KIDFRIENDLY here!

Around the World Embassy Tour
Where: Multiple Embassies | Embassy Row & Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Journey from Indonesia to Peru to Ethiopia to Egypt — all in one day! Cultural Tourism DC presents its annual Around the World Embassy Tour, an open house to embassies from Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. The free event showcases art, music, traditional dress, and culinary delights from nations across the globe. (It’s also your chance to check out the interiors of those mansions along Mass Ave & International Drive that you usually just admire from the street.) A heads-up that there could be lines to get in some embassies, so be prepared to exercise patience. Admission is free, but bring identification, as some embassies might conduct security checks. Read about one of our globetrotting-in-DC experiences and get a glimpse of what to expect.

Maker Morning: Performance Party
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Maker Mornings are back at the Hirshhorn! The free monthly Saturday morning program series invites kids of all ages to experience contemporary art through interactive hands-on making activities.  During this session, meet in the Sculpture Garden for a morning filled with performance and celebration. Create a bold accessory, dance in a performance art parade, and make your own crown to take home, and join friends from DC Public Library to celebrate books and reading.

Bonsai Festival
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: Free
Celebrate the tiny trees at one of the prettiest places in the city this weekend. There will be bonsai activities to entertain everyone, from the interested observer to the accomplished artist. Each day features demonstrations, exhibits, vendors, and the renowned collection of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. While you’re at the Arboretum, be sure to see the beautiful, blooming azaleas, too!

Patterns: Here, There, and Everywhere
Where: National Building Museum | Judiciary Square, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Admission: $7/member, $15/non member
The National Building Museum is offering a Youth Drop-In Program for kids in grades 1-3 on Saturdays throughout May. This session will focus on patterns… Patterns are everywhere! They help us remember what comes next and organize things in the spaces we use. Learn to understand patterns that make up the built environment and decode information about the world around you! There will also be a free Story Time. Plan to stay and explore the awesome museum — tickets include access to all of the Museum’s exhibitions on this date.

Running of the Chihuahuas
Where: The Wharf | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
It’s DC’s cutest and funniest Cinco de Mayo celebration as The Wharf hosts the 10th Annual Running of the Chihuahuas! The day will include live music, family fun, cold Pacifico beer, and of course, the highlight of the afternoon, chihuahuas racing for fame and fun!  The event benefits Rural Dog Rescue, a non-profit dedicated to saving the lives of dogs in shelters who are often overlooked for adoption or rescue. Go here for information and to sign your chihuahua up to race visit. And read more about The Wharf here.

Art Outside: Celebrate Eid
Where: National Museum of Asian Art | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Join the museum on the outdoor plaza of the Freer Gallery of Art for a festive afternoon of music, food, and art to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Watch master calligraphers at work, make your own calligraphy-inspired art, enjoy henna designs and music by the Syrian Music Preservation Initiative and the Zaynab Ensemble, and view art indoors in the galleries. Food from local favorite Fava Pot will be available for purchase. In case of rain, this event will take place inside the museum.

Racing Art
Where: Around the Inner Harbour | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 9am – 7pm
Admission: Free
You might see giant pink poodles and other outrageous works of art “race” down Baltimore streets at the American Visionary Art Museum’s annual Kinetic Sculpture Race. Kinetinauts (the pilots of the moving sculptures) will compete for the Grand East Coast National Mediocre Champion, awarded to the competitor who finishes exactly in the middle (that is the BEST). Vehicles are wacky and whimsical, straight from a lunatic genius imagination and constructed out of all kinds of materials. They may be a small one-person machine or a 50-foot feat of engineering navigated by many. This is one of those spectacles you just have to see for yourself.  Read more about the race presenter, the American Visionary Art Museum here.

Wonderful World of Watkins
Where: Watkins Regional Park | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free (but rides are a fee)
The Antique Carousel and Train at Watkins Regional Park open for the season his weekend! Plus, there are Old Maryland Farm, the Nature Center, Wizard of Oz Playground. and hiking trails. And it all makes for a fantastic place to spend a day with the fam.  The train and carousel each cost $2/PG County resident, $2.50/non-resident.

More Places to Go for a Spin
Where: Several locations in the DC area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Other area carousels and trains have reopened for the season. Montgomery Park’s Cabin John Train and Wheaton Train and Carousel offer rides on weekends. The Dentzel Carousel at Glen Echo Park is whirling once again. Kids can also go for a spin on the Americana-themed carousel at National Harbor (the Capital Wheel is an option, too!).  Read more about Cabin John here , Wheaton here, and National Harbor here.

NSO Pops: Disney Princesses — The Concert
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm | Saturday, 2pm & 7:30pm
Admission: $29-99
For generations, Disney’s Princesses have enchanted us with their courage and kindness. Their music has been the soundtrack to our lives. Now, for the first time in forever, that beloved music will be celebrated in Disney Princess — The Concert. Be our guest as the actresses who portrayed Broadway’s Belle, Jasmine, Nala, and Anastasia celebrate all the Disney Princesses in an unforgettable evening of songs, animation, and stories!

United vs. Dynamo
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets prices vary
Kick it at a DC United match on Saturday evening as they host Houston Dynamo FC. I recommend taking public transportation as parking can be difficult. Or park in the Navy Yard neighborhood and plan to walk from there (and maybe grab dinner before the match — El Bebe, All Purpose Pizza, The Salt Line, and Dacha are very convenient and my top recs for family-friendly spots to eat there).

Into the Woods
Where: Creative Cauldron | Falls Church, VA
When: Friday & Saturday 7:30pm | Sunday, 2pm & 7pm
Tickets: $40/adult, $25/child
Catch a performance of this just -opened show: With an imaginative book by James Lapine that skillfully intertwines the stories and characters from Grimm fairy tales, and a luscious score by Stephen Sondheim, this Tony Award-winning musical has become a timeless masterpiece. A baker and his wife wish for a child, Cinderella wishes to go to the King’s Festival and Jack wishes to sell his cow, so into the woods they must go in search of their prize. Happily ever after eludes them, however, as they soon learn the tangled consequences of getting exactly what you wished for.

The Fantastic Tale of Rumpelstiltskin
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: Friday, 10:30am | Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm
Tickets: $15
In this production, the Puppet Co. gives you the full story of what happens after the gold has been spun and the day has been saved. This hilarious and smart comedy will be a great romp for adults and kids alike. Can you guess Rumpelstiltskin’s new name?! Recommended ages 4+. Run time approximately 50 minutes.

empowerHER Luminaria
Where: Lincoln Memorial | National Mall, DC
When: Sunday, 6-9pm
Admission: Free
empowerHER is on a mission to support, connect + empower girls who’ve lost their mothers. This Mother’s Day, empowerHER LUMINARIA will illuminate the night with a whimsical display of personalized luminaries (purchased for $25 from donors across the globe) and uniquely displayed on the beachfront at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool  in honor of and in memory of loved ones. Proceeds  benefit empowerHER programs. Join empowerHER at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool on Mother’s Day – Sunday at sunset.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Have you heard about the Mother’s Day Strike?
* “I Was Seeing the Same Look in Everybody’s Eyes” (Images of women at protests this week…  and some of mine snapped at the Supreme Court)
* The Mormon Temple is open and welcoming the public for the first time in 50 years (through June 11). Tickets here.
*  Looking forward to seeing this movie over the weekend…have been hearing great things!
* I’m finally going to organize that kitchen drawer (we all have one, right?) and just made this purchase to help.
* This article prompted me to find this playlist, which made for an awesome, nostalgic listen.
* Talking Heads lyrics or… 🙂
* A perfect Mother’s Day share… made me laugh and tear up.
* Haha.

Leave a Comment

Filed under 2022, DC, Maryland, Spring, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 9, 2019 · 4:19 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: May 10-12

May Mother’s Day be filled with moments like this ❤️



Happy Weekend! And a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!

Mom’s the Word
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by activity
If you’re still in need of plans for Mom’s big day, there are so many great ways to celebrate. The are activities and offerings especially for the occasion, special events that coincide with the date, and everyday outings that can be made special with a few extra touches and great company. See this post with a bunch of ideas to help make the day extra fantastic.

Pajama Party Movie Night
Where: Hillwood Museum | Northwest DC
When: Friday, 5:30-8pm
Admission:
 $5-8
Embark on a magical adventure as you enjoy a selection of award-winning, family-friendly short films featuring all sorts of fun and fanciful stories.

Train Day Celebration
Where: National Postal Museum | Union Station Area, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Chug on over to the National Postal Museum as they commemorate the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. The museum recognizes this every May, and this year is extra special as they’re celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad along with the U.S. Postal Service’s new “Golden Spike” stamp! The event will feature all kinds of fun and educational activities for museum-goers and little locomotive buffs with opportunities to learn, engage, and play! Read more about the Postal Museum here.

Acton Children’s Business Fair
Where: 3400 Connecticut Ave | Cleveland Park, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Check out the Acton Children’s Business Fair of Washington, DC! Over 100 young entrepreneurs (ages 6-14) will be selling everything from origami pandas and fairy lights to milk carton piggy banks and original board games at this outdoor market. Fun for the whole family and free to attend. More details here.

Rosslyn Blooms! Flower Festival
Where: Central Place Plaza | Rosslyn, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Mother’s Day a little early and drop by the Rosslyn Blooms! Flower Festival. Petworth florist Holley Simmons of She Loves Me will bring her unique cut-flower creations and live indoor plants to Central Place Plaza for a day filled with shopping, fun, and activities for all ages. There will be two kids’ workshops for ages 8-12 — free but registration is required — plus coloring and sticker stations for younger children throughout the day. All other workshops are open to public, recommended for ages 16+, and require a registration fee. Space is limited, so sign up soon!

EU Open House
Where: EU Embassies throughout DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Avoid the hefty 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. Admission is free, but bring identification, as some embassies will conduct security checks. Get an idea of what to expect in this post about one of our experiences at an Around the World Embassy Tour.

Legends in Flight Air Show
Where: Join Base Andrews |
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
There’s excitement in the air! The Navy Blue Angels, Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights, and many more thrilling aerial performers will take to the skies this weekend at the Joint Base Andrews 2019 Air and Space Expo. The public is invited to the Base to view airplanes/pilots executing incredible air stunts and enjoy cool on-ground attractions on Saturday and Sunday. And to top it all off, admission to the show is free!

Show Time
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by performance
* Join Winnie the Pooh and friends at Adventure Theatre.
* Keegan Theatre presents The Reluctant Dragon
* Join Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: King for a Day at The Modell Lyric in Baltimore on Saturday
* Create your own adventure as you Escape from Peligro Island at Imagination Stage
* It’s opening weekend for Cinderella at The Puppet Co.
* Mother Goose Caboose is the featured Tiny Tots performance at The Puppet Co. on Sunday.
* See a performance of Rumpelstiltskin by the Maryland Youth Ballet.
* Venture Into the Woods at Ford’s Theatre.

Day of the Dog
Where: Congressional Cemetery | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
The 7th annual Day of the Dog festival celebrates everything to love about dogs. Activities for both people and their pups include contests, games, demonstrations, and much more. Local pet vendors and services will also be present, as well as pet adoption agencies and shelters with dogs and cats ready for adoption. Read more about Congressional Cemetery in this KFDC post.

Wheaton Family Theatre Festival
Where: Highland Elementary School | Wheaton, MD
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: Free
It’s the final installment of InterAct Story Theatre’s Season Four of the Wheaton Family Theatre Festival. Enjoy a free morning of plays and stories written by some of InterAct’s favorite authors — kids! It all starts with arts and crafts at 10:30am, followed by the performance at 11am.

Community Design Day
Where: Oxon Hill Park | Oxon Hill, MD
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Bring the entire family to Oxon Run Park to join the National Building Museum for a Community Design Day! Pick up a paintbrush, and celebrate the communities of Congress Heights and Washington Highlands at this neighborhood gathering spot. Join youth and volunteers from the Design Apprenticeship Program for an unveiling and of their work since February exploring how to combine design with the voices of the local community to create a welcoming outdoor play space. Talk with teen program participants about their design process and how they worked with community partners to design murals and seating for the basketball courts at Oxon Run. Celebrate community design by contributing to a new mural, shooting some hoops, and more. This program complements the exhibition HOOPS.

Beginner Comic Book Workshop (3-Week Series!)
Where: Makeshift DC | H Street NE, DC
When: Saturday, 10-11am
Admission: $85/two family members
In this Beginner Comic Book Workshop 3-week series, you’ll learn about character development, the movement of heroic figures, and how to stage them in dramatic ways. You’ll employ a variety of materials including pencil, watercolor, pen, and ink to create images in a comic book form. No strong drawing skills are needed, just your love of comics! For parents and kids ages 6-11. The price per ticket is for 1 child + 1 caregiver.

Mission: Grand Opening
Where: International Spy Museum | L’Enfant Plaza, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 7pm
Admission: $24.95/adult, $14.95/age 7-12, free/6 & under
The International Spy Museum is officially opening its doors to the public at its new L’Enfant Plaza location! With interactive exhibitions and installations, the foremost collection of spy artifacts in the world, and first-person accounts from top intelligence officers and experts, the new Museum places visitors in the shoes of the spies. In celebration of Mother’s day, all moms will receive free admission on Sunday. To access a free ticket in advance, call the Call Center at 202.393.7798. Moms can also obtain tickets onsite that day only. Note that same-day tickets are subject to availability.

Children’s Festival
Where: Imagination Stage | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 3:30pm
Admission: Single tickets start at $150
Enjoy a family friendly, fun-filled afternoon, including a performance of Escape from Peligro Island, the theatre’s first production where you create your own adventure. The quest then continues after the show with rooms full of fun activities, a dance party in the theatre, a unique raffle, and a celebratory buffet reception. There will also be a special performance option for our youngest guests and their caregivers!

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* Matriarc, a website dedicated to postpartum health and well being, has launched a DC Community page with all kinds of local resources for parents.
* The Mom Edit has a great guide for recycling textiles.
* Takoma Education Campus, a Title I DCPS school, is hosting their second annual online fundraising auction through May 12 at 10pm and all are welcome to big on the many great items!
* Latest, greatest TV binge: Dead to Me on Netflix.
* Dear Evan Hansen, the award-winning Broadway musical, is coming back to DC this summer, this time to the Kennedy Center. Read a KFDC review of the show (spoiler: one of my all-time favorites) from when it debuted at Arena Stage a few years ago.
* Some beautiful definitions of motherhood.


Leave a Comment

Filed under 2019, All ages, DC, Maryland, Seasonal, Spring, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 4, 2019 · 11:29 am

Mark Your Calendar for the Rosslyn Blooms! Flower Festival on May 11

On Mother’s Day Weekend, drop by the region’s premier spring flower market, the Rosslyn Blooms! Flower Festival. The festival will take place Saturday, May 11, on Central Place Plaza in Rosslyn from 10am to 5pm. Get ready for a day of live music, DIY workshops, and a pop-up coffee shop with Compass Coffee. Check out the website for more details. Registration is required for all workshops, including the FREE sessions for kids.


This post is sponsored by the Rosslyn BID, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.


Leave a Comment

Filed under 2019, All ages, Festival, Free, Outdoor, Seasonal, Special Event, Spring, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

June 1, 2017 · 10:50 pm

The Weekend Round-Up: June 2-4

Saturday is National Trails Day...take a hike!

Saturday is National Trails Day…take a hike!



nasm_stem_magic

Special events and activities over the next few days span the recreation and entertainment spectrum. Discover the night sky, get folksy or jazz it up, browse an arts & crafts show, enjoy a community festival, immerse in digital art, catch an Ultimate game, shop for locally made pottery, drink wine… and there are many more possibilities for good times. Details on all of the above are below. Happy Weekend!

Astronomy Night on the Mall
Where: 15th & Constitution NW | National Mall, DC
When: Friday, 6-11pm
Admission: Free
Get an eyeful of the night sky and a chance to mingle with astronomers at the 8th Annual Astronomy Festival on the Mall. This free public stargazing event features solar, optical, and radio telescope observations of the Sun, Moon, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn. You can also enjoy hands-on activities, demonstrations, hand-outs, posters, banners, and videos. There will also be planetarium show with a portable blow-up dome and speakers from scientific and educational organizations.

Seize the Season
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: All weekend long
Admission: Varies by activity
Enjoy summer fun with a host of activities that only occur this time of year. Catch an open-air concert at one of several series in the area. Stay cool at an outdoor pool, sprayground, or water park. See a movie under the stars. Check out a seasonal exhibit. Go berry picking. Ride mini-trains and carousels at local parks. And much, much more. Check the Summer 2017 Guide for details on all of these great pursuits.

Imagination Bethesda
Where: Woodmont & Elm Street | Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
The 23rd annual Imagination Bethesda is back on Saturday. Musical performances and professional children’s entertainers will light up the stage, while hands-on art & craft activities will line the streets along Elm St. and Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda. Face painters bring butterflies and pirates to life and live entertainment will have the whole gang dancing, and more.

Washington Folk Festival
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
Get folksy at Glen Echo Park this weekend, as the 37th annual Washington Folk Festival showcases the diversity of traditional music in Washington. All of the artists hail from the DC area, but cultures from around the nation, as well as the world, will be represented through music, dance, crafts, and stories.

Occoquan Arts & Crafts Show
Where: Downtown Historic Occoquan, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Get ready for a weekend full of art, crafts, entertainment, and family fun. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend the Town of Occoquan’s 48th Annual Arts and Crafts Show. Along with the creative items for sale by more than 300 contemporary and country crafters, there will be live entertainment, a DJ, food, and a Kidz Corner.

Jazz ‘n’ Families Fun Days
Where: The Phillips Collection | Dupont Circle, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm & Sunday, 12-7pm
Admission: Free
Leading up to the DC Jazz Festival starting next week and part of The Phillips Collection’s Museum Walk events, there will be special performances and activities for guests, especially young ones. Enjoy both the art and live jazz throughout the museum, including musicians improvising to paintings in the galleries. Kids enjoy storytime, meet some of the artists, visit an instrument petting zoo, create their own masterpieces to take home, and view the permanent collection, too. Read more about the event and museum in this post about one of our experiences there.

Immerse in Art & Technology
Where: ARTECHOUSE | Southwest, DC
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $15/adult, $10/child ($25/evening adults only)
The debut exhibit from ARTECHOUSE, a brand new digital art space, is a must-experience for all ages. Consisting of 10 interactive and immersive installations, XYZT: Abstract Landscapes is a virtual playground of technology and light. And you’ll have a blast experiencing it. Read more about the exhibit in this new KFDC review.

Walk the Museum Walk
Where: Dupont-Kalorama Neighborhoods, DC
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Get off the Mall and explore the many museums in the Dupont-Kalorama neighborhood during its 33rd annual Museum Walk Weekend. (You can also check out the Obama’s future neighborhood!) See the exhibits and enjoy special programs for free at seven diverse museums, including The Phillips Collection, Dumbarton House, Anderson House, and Woodrow Wilson House. If you don’t want to use the shoe leather express, there will be a free shuttle running between sites.

Vintage Virginia Wine & Food Festival
Where: Bull Run Park | Centreville, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $30/adults, $10/kids
A wine fest might sound like a grown-ups-only event, but this one offers plenty of fun for kids, too. Chef demos, food truck fare, live music, and a whole family area with activities especially for children are among the festivities. Of course, there will be plenty of opportunity for wine tasting, too!

Strawberry Festival
Where: Sandy Spring Museum | Sandy Spring, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission:
The Sandy Spring Museum is hosting its 36th Annual Strawberry Festival. Taking place throughout the Museum’s 7 acres along Route 108, the event will feature live music and entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden, and activities for children of all ages, including games, crafts, pony rides, strawberry shortcake, and much more!

Red Rover: Mission to Mars
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Join the Air & Space Museum in Chantilly for Making STEM Magic, a weekly program that introduces young visitors to engineering in a fun and creative way. On Saturdays this month Red Rover: Mission to Mars is the theme, and guests will learn more about NASA’s mobile labs and construct their own rolling rovers in the June design challenge.

Happy Trails
Where: Throughout the DMV
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Saturday is National Trails Day, and you can celebrate by taking part in one of many special events around the area. Take a hike, do some volunteer trail maintenance, go bird watching, and more. Find an event for your family on the National Trails Day website. Or if you just want to hit the trail for a hike, check out this post about great walks in the woods with kids.

Trails Celebration
Where: Anacostia Park | Anacostia, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: Free
In celebration of National Trails Day, skate, bike, run, or hike your way into Anacostia Park along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Start your excursion at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion or at Bladensburg Waterfront Park in Bladensburg, MD, and enjoy “pit stops” along the way! With about 20 miles of scenic trail between both starting points, visitors that can make it to both ends and collect stamps or stickers from each pit stop win a prize! Pit stops will also offer interactive activities such as a scenic boat ride on the Anacostia River leaving from the Anacostia Aquatic Center at 10am, 11am, 12pm, and 1pm; experience close encounters with various aquatic wildlife that live in the Anacostia River; learn to fish with guided lessons; get bike tune-ups; feel the pelts of animals you may see on the trail; receive health screenings; participate in outdoor stretching and exercising lessons; and much more! Read more about Anacostia Park in this KFDC post.

Weekend Walk-in
Where: American Visionary Art Museum | Baltimore, MD
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: $5
Join the AVAM, one of the most wonderful, wacky museums around for a hands-on, drop-in art-making workshop! The education staff will help you explore new creative territory and make a project inspired by one of their beloved visionary artists. Supplies and boundless inspiration are provided!

Shows on Strings
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
Admission: $12/Cinderella, $6/Tiny Tots
Cinderella is the Main Stage production at the Glen Echo puppet theatre with performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Clowning Around is the featured Tiny Tots show on Saturday at 10am

A Jumpin’ June Festival
Where: The Explore! Mission Mobile Pad | Northeast, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Explore!, the Children’s Museum program currently hosted at the National Portrait Gallery, welcomes you to a free backyard festival, where they are celebrating movement. Go get the wiggles out and enjoy family-friendly activities, meet new neighbors, and learn what Explore! has in store for the summer. There will be space-relate activities, hip-hop dance demos, arts & crafts, hola hoops and jump ropes, and more. Families and children of all ages welcome; dress for outdoor weather. Light snacks and drinks will be provided

SCOUT Bags Pop-Up
Where: Scout Headquarters | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday & Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join SCOUT for their first pop-up shop at the national headquarters in Georgetown. Shop the entire collection of locally designed bags and accessories perfect for the pool, beach, BBQ, and beyond! Each day will feature special promotions, plus attendees will be entered in a raffle to win prizes from SCOUT and other local businesses. The SCOUT headquarters are located at 1027 33rd Street NW in Georgetown.

Noyes Storybook Parade
Where: Kensington Town Hall | Kensington, MD
When: Saturday, 9:30-10:30am
Admission: Free
The Noyes Children’s Library Foundation invites families to be part of the Storybook Parade in support of the Noyes Children’s Library in Kensington. Children and adults are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook character and bring musical instruments (including drums, triangles and cymbals) to march in the parade. Classic characters, such as The Cat in the Hat, Winnie the Pooh, and Dorothy and Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz, will also be participating. Lemonade and cookies will follow the parade. Rain date June 4.

National Gun Violence Awareness Day
Where: Btwn 14th and 15th Street NW | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am
Admission: Free
Join Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America for a morning on the Mall to gather together, hear speakers, and build and paint orange kites to help raise awareness about gun violence both on the June 3 and throughout the summer. Wear orange and meet on the grassy knoll between 14th and 15th Streets.

Local Pottery Pop-Up
Where: Hollow Work Ceramics Studio | Near Northeast, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Over 20 ceramicists from DC, Maryland, and Virginia will be displaying and selling their work at this unique one day event. This Pop Up will have a spectacular selection of handmade pottery available in a broad spectrum of styles, surfaces and colors, both functional and decorative. This will be an enormous gathering of local artists. If you are a pottery fan, this is not to be missed. And if you’re not, you will be! Hollow Work Ceramics Studio is located at at 803 7th street (rear alley) NE, just off of H Street.

Catch the Ultimate Breeze
Where: Gallaudet University | Northeast, DC
When: Sunday, 5:30pm
Admission: $14, free for 12 and under
Bring the kids out for fun, fresh air, and Pro Ultimate Frisbee! Not only will you get to see exciting Frisbee action as local team DC Breeze take on the New York Empire, kids can join a free youth clinic (for ages 6-17) before the game at 5pm (FYI: they offer this at every home game.) And while your kids are learning Ultimate out on the field, you can enjoy food and drink specials and listen to a live band to get ready for the game.

***More Good Stuff to Know***
* You have through Friday, June 2, to enter for a chance to win a week of half-day soccer camp with DC Way. Enter here!
* You can also try to win tickets to see Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook on stage at Adventure Theatre June 23 – August 14.
* Suburban Snapshots is accepting submissions of photos that capture the struggle to coexist with other living beings. (Check out her examples…so funny and relatable.)
* City Golf Adventures will be hosting a mini golf course pop up at Canal Park this coming week, June 7-10.
* If you haven’t had a riverside meal or margarita(s) at Cantina Marina on the Southwest Waterfront, make a plan to go — sans kids.

Leave a Comment

Filed under 2017, All ages, Animals, Annual, Art, DC, Eats, Educational, Exhibit, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Music, Nature, Outdoor, Park, Seasonal, Spring, Summer, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,