Tag Archives: Spring 2018

April 29, 2018 · 9:24 am

T(w)een Scene: An Immersive Immigration Experience at Carne Y Arena

Before I get into the details of Carne Y Arena, I want to stress that even though it’s featured here in the T(w)een Scene section, it definitely isn’t for every tween or teen*. It’s an extremely powerful experience — emotional, scary, and very intense. That said, I do think anyone who can handle that kind of situation should experience it if they have the opportunity. (And by opportunity, I mean being one of the lucky people to score the current hot ticket in town when a limited number are released online every two weeks.)

[Warning: Spoiler alert, but I think it’s necessary to give details, so parents can determine if this is appropriate for their kids.]

Carne Y Arena is a virtual reality installation that places viewers in the Sonoran desert as an invisible witness to a group of migrants’ attempt to cross the border from Mexico to the United States. It begins in the vast, pre-dawn landscape just as the group comes into the scene. Merely seconds later, helicopters start roaring overhead and trucks come blazing through the sand. The wind picks up, headlights glare, and within moments U.S. Border Patrol officers and their dogs are out of their vehicles, descending on the group, guns drawn. People are scrambling. Someone has fallen. Babies are crying. Everyone, including me, is scared.

I had a chance to experience Carne Y Arena shortly after it opened, thanks to a friend of mine who works for an organization associated with the installation. Owen actually went through it a couple of weeks before I did (his friend’s mom got us in) and even though he relayed details of his encounter and I knew almost exactly what would happen, it still had my heart pounding and mind racing as I helplessly watched the drama unfold.

Here is Owen’s quick take on it: “It was really cool how they put you in different rooms and let you experience all the different things that happen to people trying to immigrate here. It’s very intense, but gives you a true perspective of what really happens in that situation — it kind of puts you in their shoes. I’m glad I had the chance to experience it.”

Saying this experience puts you in someone else’s shoes is apt but also ironic, since you aren’t actually wearing any. Before entering the room where the virtual reality part takes place, you spend time in a holding area intended to replicate one where migrants are detained. It’s a small room lined with benches and littered with worn shoes. Signs on the wall inform that the shoes were collected from the desert in Mexico, artifacts left and lost by migrants. You are instructed to remove your shoes and socks, leave your belongings in a locker in the wall, and wait for an alarm to sound before going through the door to the next room.

Once there, a couple of staff members help you gear up with a backpack and the virtual reality headset. Sand covers the floor to simulate a desert; other than that, the room is empty. They explain that you can move around as much as you want, and they will gently redirect you if you’re coming close to a wall.

Then the experience begins, and you’re immediately transported. When you look around, there is desert in every direction, and you can walk around and examine the details. The people there with you are the actual immigrants who shared their stories and recreated their experience with filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s for Carne Y Arena. (The Revenant and Birdman are among the films Iñárritu produced.) You can stand close and get a good look at them. I’ve heard you can even look into them and see a beating heart.

The experience moves between two scenes. The Border Patrol tumult ends abruptly and a “dream sequence” of the migrants sitting at long table enjoying a meal begins. I learned that this represents their dream of coming to America. Just as suddenly as it began, the dream ends, and you’re back in the desert watching the confrontation with the Border Patrol, seemingly unseen. Until they turn the guns on you.

After you leave the main room and gather your belongings in another small room, you exit through a hallway lined with video screens, each of them sharing an immigration story, all of them incredibly moving. There are tissues nearby, and they come in handy.

Carne Y Arena is running through August at 1611 Benning Road NE. The location is an old church that was renovated just for this exhibition. Tickets are free, but required for entry. Every person needs a ticket, and entry is one person at a time every 15 minutes. Tickets are being released every two weeks and going very quickly. The next release date is May 1 at 8am. You can try to reserve yours here.

*The age recommendation for this is 14+, but as mentioned, Owen (12) experienced it. (I’m not sure how stringent they are about ages; as I noted, he went with a friend who had access.) I think mature middle school-aged kids could handle it. But parents are the best judges of what is appropriate for their individual child. For visitors up to age 17, parents must sign a waiver and release of liability.

Here are a couple more reviews about the experience to learn more:
Washington Post
Brightest Young Things

Celebrate 100 Years of Airmail at the National Postal Museum

Did you know that 100 years ago, the combined efforts of the Post Office Department and the United States Army laid the groundwork for the commercial aviation industry as we know it today? On May 15, 1918, a biplane took off from the National Mall for the very first flight of the inaugural airmail route linking Washington, DC, New York, and Philadelphia. The need to deliver mail quickly and consistently was the catalyst for these pioneering flights which have had lasting effects on the entire world.

The National Postal Museum is commemorating the centennial anniversary of this historic moment with the exhibition Postmen of the Skies, which opens on May 1, 2018. Through authentic apparel, maps, log books, photographs, video footage and pop culture memorabilia, the exhibition tells the exciting stories of the pilots who risked their lives delivering the mail.

In partnership with the United States Postal Service and the American Philatelic Society, the museum will celebrate opening day of the exhibit with several activities and programs this coming Tuesday, May 1! Participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt of airmail objects throughout the museum, including an original de Havilland DH-4 airplane flown by one of the pilots featured in the exhibition. Or try your luck at vintage games illustrating the impact of airmail on American culture in the early 20th century. There will also be a ceremony for new stamps issued as well as a book launch and signing. Here are more details about the day along with more special activities coming up in May.

May 1: U.S. Postal Service First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony – At 11am, USPS will conduct a First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony for the airmail centennial commemorative stamp. Designed in the style of the 1918 stamps released for the first flights, the new stamp features a Curtiss JN-4H biplane (colloquially known as a “Jenny”) in a rich shade of blue. Kids can witness the momentous occasion and be among the first to obtain these unique stamps.

May 1: Book Launch & Signing – At 12pm, the museum welcomes Kellen Diamanti and Deborah Fisher for the release and signing of “Stamp of the Century.” Though the book is geared toward adult readers, children can enjoy the legendary tale of the “Inverted Jenny.” During the production of the 1918 stamp series, 100 stamps were erroneously printed with the plane flipped upside down. These days, an “Inverted Jenny” can fetch a million dollars at auction; four are currently on exhibit at the museum.

May 15: NPM Glider Give-Away – In honor of the 100th Anniversary of Air Mail Service, every visitor to the National Postal Museum will be given a wooden glider they can assemble themselves and fly at home.

May 26: Paper Airplane Regatta – Be the engineer! Design your very own paper airplane and test it through the College Park Aviation Museum’s paper airplane launcher at the National Postal Museum in celebration of the 100th anniversary of air mail in America. How far will your plane go and what modifications will you need to make your design soar? Visitors of all ages will design and fold their own paper airplanes and test their designs.

This post is sponsored by the National Postal Museum, however, I only promote programs, events, and places that I genuinely believe in and think would appeal to KFDC readers.

The Weekend Round-Up: April 27-29

Hike among the bluebells at Riverbend Park

The awesome selection of events and activities around DC is sure to put an extra spring in your step. Happy Weekend!

Bon Jour, Georgetown!
Where: Book Hill Neighborhood | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday/Saturday, 10am – 5pm & Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The Georgetown French Market returns to the Book Hill neighborhood bringing the signature European open air market back for its 15th year, featuring nearly 40 Georgetown boutiques, antique shops, restaurants and galleries, art, and antique home furnishings. But it’s not all about the shopping; kids will enjoy the strolling mimes, children’s activities, live music, and French cuisine from Georgetown cafes and restaurants. Visit the website to see the schedule of events and list of participating shops.

Carousel Day
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free (rides are $1.25)
The park’s annual Family Day may have a new name, but the celebration of the beautiful historic Dentzel Carousel, now open for its 98th season, is the same fantastic event. Along with rides on the merry-go-round, guests of all ages can enjoy a loads of fun activities: Music and dance performances, arts & crafts, face painting, storytelling, and balloon animals are just some of the usual favorites. See the full schedule of events here.

Go, Terps!
Where: University of Maryland
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The annual Maryland Day celebration in College Park gets a giant thumbs-up from me, and not just because it’s my alma mater. This is a fantastic event for families, and I know from experience. Every year, the University hosts a huge open house for, well, everybody. There will be over 400 activities for varying ages, including learning games; an adventure area; autograph sessions with the basketball teams; musical performances; arts & crafts; farm animal visits; puppet shows and sing-a-longs; face painting; fossil digs; insect and instrument petting zoos; and TONS more. It’s spread out all over campus — and it’s a huge campus, so prepared for lots of walking (worth every step!) and be sure to bring a stroller for little ones.

Mmmm…Chocolate
Where: Marriott Wardman Park | Woodley Park, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Admission: $10-40
The DC Chocolate Festival is a celebration of artisan and fine chocolate from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond! The event brings together over 30 chocolate vendors and thousands of chocolate lovers for a day of tasting, talking, and learning. The Morning Block (10am – 2pm) is perfect for families & kids of all ages. Classes will cover a variety of topics, including specific workshops geared towards kids.

Walks in the Woods
Where: Around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
It should be great weather to hit the trail this weekend! See spring flowers bloom, tramp in places with scenic views, hike and explore history at interesting locales, and savor the time outdoors. This post has a a bunch of recommendations for places to walk in the woods with the kids. (KFDC tip: We did the Riverbend to Great Falls hike last weekend, and it was lovely, with the bluebells in full bloom!)

Big Band JAM
Where: National Museum of American History | National Mall
When: Friday – Sunday
Admission: Free
April is Jazz Appreciation Month and the National Museum of American History is celebrating with all kinds of programs and jazz displays. This Saturday, the 14th Annual Big Band JAM, both a competition and show for the public to enjoy. Local college and high school jazz bands will perform throughout the day — see the schedule for details.

Spring Festival
Where: South Mountain Creamery | Middletown, MD
When: Saturday, 9am – 7:30pm
Admission: $14/adult, $9/child, $40/family
Join South Mountain Creamery for breakfast and plan to stay all day to enjoy wide open country, fresh air, green grass, and wholesome fun for the entire family. Free tours of the farm, petting zoo for the kids, hay rides for everyone, live music, and fun farm exhibits, like ice cream churning and bee keeping, will be going on. Visit our farmers market and meet farm and producer partners. Admission fee includes parking, family activities, and one (adult/child) meal platter good for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Additional food and snacks will be available for purchase.

Day Out with Thomas
Where: B&O Railroad Museum
When: Friday – Sunday
Admission: $22-26
All aboard, little engineers! Thomas the Tank Engine™ will be able to talk to his fans when he returns to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore! Take a 25-minute train ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a full day of live entertainment, activities, and family fun!

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* See Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt at Adventure Theatre
* Enjoy an NSO Family Concert with a special appearance by Ben Folds on Sunday
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs
* And there will be a Tiny Tots Sing-a-Long for littles there on Saturday
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Snow Child, for middle school ages and up, is the newest production at Arena Stage
* Disney’s The Little Mermaid will be performed by Pied Piper Theatre at Hylton Performing Arts Center

Sensory Friendly Golf Day
Where: Topgolf | Alexandria, & Loudon, VA
When: Saturday
Admission: $50/bay (up to 6 guests)
April is World Autism Month, and Topgolf Alexandria and Topgolf Loudoun are celebrating by creating a sensory-friendly environment on Saturday for guests with special needs to enjoy. Families will be able to purchase their tickets online ahead of time and will be welcomed to the venue with sensory-friendly modifications that include dimmed lights, low music and minimal staff, ensuring that guests can enjoy the game to the fullest!

National Park Rx Day
Where: Fort Circle Park | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: Free
Join the National Park Service for healthy outdoor fun through a variety of activities. Plant and take home bean sprouts as you learn about urban gardening for healthy fruits and vegetables. Play pick-up soccer, frisbee, football and more with park rangers and volunteers. Learn about small animals that live in your neighborhood — check out small animal pelts and artifacts. Talk with a healthcare provider and get a free health screening.
Scale a climbing wall and play in the mobile fun unit. This and more will take place at South Dakota Ave. NE & Galloway St. NE.

Kids Opening Day
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Sunday, 1:35pm
Admission: Tickets prices start at $12
On Sunday, the Nationals invite their youngest fans to help kick off the 2018 season! Lots of kids’ activities will be available before the game, including face painters, caricature artists, and balloon twisters in the Family Picnic Area. And after the game, ages 4-12 can run the bases. It’s also Screech’s Birthday, so expect appearances by mascots from across the DC area to celebrate. If you can’t make it Sunday, there are games on Friday & Saturday, too. No matter when you go, check out these KFDC tips on how to save money on Nats games!

Spring Portraits & Fun
Where: KinderCare | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join KinderCare for a fun day of activities and free family portraits! To celebrate two new KinderCare Centers coming to DC — Penn Quarter KinderCare and Watergate East — KinderCare is taking over the Union Stage for a day of learning through play activities and photo sessions for guests to use as the perfect Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or just because gift. Guests can also learn more about KinderCare’s whole-child confidence approach to learning, and more! Registration and RSVP is required for the free event.

Pondlife
Where: Studio XX | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 6:30pm & Sunday, 3:30pm
Admission: Free
A senior theatre major at GWU invites you to this play he is acting in and producing for his Honors Thesis! Pondlife follows the story of how two boys explore the challenges of fitting in, making friends, and growing up with humor and poise. It is a real life, humorous tale of two unlikely friends who band together to fend off a terrifying bully. They revel in childhood’s spontaneity and creativity. When a school outing takes an unexpected turn, and their friendship is tested, they are faced with how difficult it is to be brave when you’re young. Be immersed in the joys and perils of childhood with the knowledge that in true friendship, there is always a chance for redemption.” Recommended for kids ages 10 and up. The studio is located in Building XX at 814 20th Street NW.

The Rumpus Room
Where: U Street Music Hall | U Street, DC
When: Sunday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: $10, $30/4-ticket pack
The daytime family dance party is back at U Street Music Hall! DJs Marc Meistro and Steven Faith (who are parents themselves) will spin the tunes, while little ones with their parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles enjoy the disco. The soundtrack is a mix of G-rated dance hits and classics, all at a kid-friendly volume. And shakers, hula-hoops, beach balls and other props will be provided. Designed for kids 8 and under and their caregivers, but older siblings are welcome. Drink specials for adults!

*PLAN AHEAD*
Postmen of the Skies
Where: National Postal Museum | Near Union Station, DC
When: Tuesday, May 1
Admission: Free
The National Postal Museum is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first regularly scheduled airmail flights! Join them for the launch of a new exhibition, Postmen of the Skies, and special activities, including a first-day-of-issue ceremony for two new stamps at 11am. Kids can also enjoy a scavenger hunt and air mail themed board games. A fun, unique way to spend a Tuesday!

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* There’s a new post about Kingman & Heritage Islands, where you can explore the Anacostia Watershed and enjoy nature in the city
* The in-ground fountain at The Wharf is going to be a cool place for kids to hang out on hot days.
* The azaleas at the National Arboretum should be at peak bloom anytime now, and it’s always a stunning display of flowers.
* One of the best shows on TV is back for Season 2, and whoa is it intense so far!