Tag Archives: Stories in Art

February 11, 2011 · 9:55 am

We Love Weekends

Who needs chocolate when you've got something this sweet?

You’d think with all I’ve posted about Valentine’s Day, I’d be a huge fan of cupid and his holiday. Truth be told, I don’t actually celebrate it for myself (which is somewhat strange, since as mentioned before, my husband and I actually met on February 14). However, I do celebrate it with the kids, as I love the tradition of passing out little Valentines to classmates, and when Owen brings home a handmade card from school that says “I Love Mommy” my heart just melts.

If you’re also a sucker for Valentine’s Day when it comes to the kids (or even yourself), there are tons of ways to get into the spirit this weekend. And if you’re looking for some non-love-themed family pursuits, there are plenty of those to enjoy, too. Happy Weekend!

The Power of Chocolate – The National American Indian Museum is hosting a two-day celebration of one of the world’s favorite flavors. Festivities will include performances by local dance troupes, demonstrations by Panamanian artisans, presentations by experts at MARS Chocolate North America, live food demos with the museum’s Mitsitam Cafe executive chef Richard Hetzler, and hands-on activities for families, including paper mola making. For specifics, see the full schedule. The free event is happening on Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 4:30pm.

All You Need is Love – Kids have their choice of Valentine’s Day workshops and events this weekend. From learning about the heart to creating Valentine hearts, there are plenty of ways to celebrate love. For details on all of them, see this post from a couple of weeks ago.

Central Asian Festival – This month’s Arts for Families program at the Textile Museum welcomes guests to a festival featuring Central Asian music and food along with hands-on art and textile activities. Enjoy a fun exploration of Central Asian dance led by members of the Silk Road Dance Company. Take part in an energetic dance circle or test your ability to work with others by animating a huge dancing dragon inspired by Uzbek legends. The free event runs from 12-4pm on Saturday.

Celebrate Black History Month – A Family Day at the Air & Space Museum, an exhibit at National Geographic, stamp collecting at the National Postal Museum, reading about Rosa Parks, and special tours at Mount Vernon are just a few ways kids can celebrate and observe Black History Month. For details on all of them, see this post from last week.

Puppetry Festival – The McClean Community Center’s Alden Theatre is hosting a day dedicated to puppetry on Saturday. Guests can enjoy two puppet shows starting at 1:30pm, then make their own puppets at puppet creation stations. Admission is $12, $10/McLean district residents. Purchase tickets through the Alden Theatre website.

Rockville Winter Festival – Celebrate the season at the Rockville Town Center with fun for the whole family. Life-sized ice sculptures of kids’ favorite characters, live music, outdoor winter games, Disney on Ice ticket giveaways, and more. Festivities are from 12 – 4pm. The complete schedule of events is available on the website.

Tot Trails at Port Discovery – Celebrate the grand opening of the Baltimore children’s museum newest permanent exhibit. Tot Trails was created with the littlest explorers – infants and toddlers — in mind. Both Saturday and Sunday will be full of programs and activities for families, from moon bouncing and Valentine-making to story time and clown performances. See this post from a few days ago for more details.

Theater Time – Several children’s stage productions are in local theaters, and tickets are still available for some of this weekend’s performances. Check out this post to see what’s playing and how to reserve your seats.

Stories in Art – Pop Artist Jim Dine is the subject for this week’s children’s program at the National Gallery. The workshop will start with a reading of “The Tin Forest,” a story about an old man who followed his dreams, transforming a junkyard into a magical place. From there, the group will examine the unique materials used by Jim Dine then create their own imaginary forests. Hour-long sessions begin at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am that day and will continue until all spaces are filled. No admission fee required.

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Filed under All ages, Art, DC, Festival, Free, Maryland, Museums, Ongoing, Play, Seasonal, Weekend, Winter

Tagged as Air & Space Museum, Alden Theatre, Central Asian Festival, Jim Dine, McClean Community Center, Mount Vernon, National American Indian Museum, National Gallry of Art, National Geogrpahic, National Postal Museum, Port Discovery, Puppetry Festival, Rockville Town Center Winter Festival, Stories in Art, Textile Museum, The Power of Chocolate, Tot Trails Grand Opening Celebration, Valentine's Day

January 28, 2011 · 7:26 am

Mid-Winter Weekend

The good news: We’re about half-way through winter. The bad news: We’re about half-way through winter. It’s been a crazy week for many, with hectic commutes, power outages, and school cancellations. You all deserve some fun and relaxation this weekend. Here’s where you can find some of the family-friendly variety. Happy Weekend!

Monster Jam – Twelve-foot-tall, ten-thousand-pound monster trucks will race on, tear up, soar over, and smash through a specially designed track loaded with obstacles. There are three shows: Tonight at 7:30, tomorrow at 2pm, then in the evening at 7:30pm. Tickets are $60/VIP seats, $25/Gold Circle seats, and Mid-Level are $20/adults, $10/kids 2-12. Kids under 2 are free. For more info, see this post from a few weeks ago.

Washington Auto Show – Sure, it’s a “grown-up” event, but any kid with a penchant for cars will love seeing the hundreds of wheels on display. Besides new models from more than 40 manufacturers, guests can check out Star Cars, replicas of some of the most famous cars from the big and small screens and one real Transformer. There will also be children’s activities, appearances by some of kids’ favorite characters as well as local and national celebs (come on, you know you want to meet Snooki!) Taking place at the Washington Convention Center, the show runs from Saturday through Sunday, February 6. Tickets are $12/adults, $5/kids 6-12, free for children 5 and under. Hours vary by day, so check the website for specifics.

Free Family Film Screening at DC Shorts REWIND – Local favorite film festival, DC Shorts, is getting ready to present REWIND, a re-screening and retrospective look at the biggest hits of the last seven years. Included is a Free Family Film screening on Saturday morning. Recommended for ages 8 and up, the review will feature 90 minutes of kid-friendly films from around the world. See this post from a a couple of weeks ago for more info.

“Be Mine” – Parent-Child Valentine – Tomorrow from 11am – 12pm, Paper Source in Georgetown is hosting a “Be Mine” – Parent-Child Valentine workshop, where participants can create accordion books with Valentine themes using all kinds of neat art supplies provided by Paper Source. Cost is $25 (add just $10 for a second child), and the class is recommended for ages 5-10. More details about this and other Valentine-themed events are here.

Pentagon Row Ice Skating Gala – Lace up your skates for the 2nd Annual Pentagon Row Ice Skating Gala. On Saturday from 5 -7pm, guests can enjoy live music by Fools & Horses, a fun photo booth, free hot and merchant specials, plus strolling family entertainment, including a stilt walker, magician, ice princess, and juggler. A portion of the ice skating proceeds benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Capitol Chapter. Tickets are $8/adults, $7/children 12 and under, $3/skate rentals.

Michael Taggart: Magician Extraordinaire – This weekend’s Saturday Monrning at the National performer will amaze and amuse all ages. This adroit and personable magician does marvels with scarves and balls and wizard’s wands. Audience volunteers help him make the magic! At the conclusion of his performance, he floats up in the air into a mini-snowstorm: a lovely, magical moment not to be missed. Show times are 9:30am and 11am at the National Theatre. Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ikat-Inspired Flower Garden Art – Search the galleries of the Textile Museum for colors and floral designs on a scavenger hunt. Afterward, use markers, colored pencils and paint to create a flower garden inspired by the designs in the Colors of the Oasis exhibition. The free workshop is recommended for ages 4-12. No reservations required, so just show up and have fun.

Puppet Shows for Little Ones – Two Tiny Tots shows will be performed at The Puppet Co. this weekend. Panda-Monium on Saturday and Old MacDonald’s Farm on Sunday. Both start at 10am. Tickets are $5 and available online. Tiny Tots shows are recommended for ages 0-4.

Portrait Story Days: Georgia O’Keefe – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. On Sunday, learn about artist Georgia O’Keeffe from 1pm – 4pm. This is a free program.

Stories in Art – Alexander Calder will again be the subject for this week’s Stories in Art at the National Gallery. The workshop will start with a reading of “Sophie’s Masterpiece,” a book about a spider and her wondrous creations. From there, the group will explore Calder’s “Spider” and learn to weave their own wire mobiles. Hour-long sessions begin at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am that day and will continue until all spaces are filled. No admission fee required.

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Filed under All ages, Art, Charity, Class, DC, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Museums, Weekend, Winter

Tagged as “Be Mine” – Parent-Child Valentine, Alexander Calder, DC Shorts, Michael Taggart, Monster Jam, National Gallery of Art, National Portrait Gallery, Old MAcDonald's Farm, Panda-Monium, Paper Source, Pentagon Row Ice Skating Gala, Portrait Story Days: Georgia O’Keefe, REWIND, Saturday Morning at the National, Stories in Art, The Puppet Co., Tiny Tots, Washington Auto Show

January 21, 2011 · 7:48 am

It’s the Weekend…Party Time!

Okay, so maybe partying isn’t on the agenda for everyone this weekend, but it’s about all we’re thinking about in our household. Both of my kids celebrated their birthdays within the past two weeks, and the big shebang is happening tomorrow. Soon, I’ll post a review of the party locale along with other party ideas and venue recommendations (similar to this post from many months ago). In the meantime, here are some ideas for family fun over the next few days. Happy Weekend!

See Stars… and Help Save the Planetarium – The Arlington Planetarium presents four shows of In My Backyard this weekend – Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sunday at 1pm and 3pm. The program aimed toward younger takes the audience on a tour of the narrator Fred’s backyard, first by day exploring nature as the seasons change, then at discovering the night sky after the sun goes down. Unlike most planetarium shows where guests are expected to remain quit, the audience is encouraged to sing, clap, and even recite a poem along with Fred as they learn about the stars, planets, and moon. Tickets are $3/ages 13 and up, $2/12 and under. Read more about the planetarium along with Friends of the Arlington Planetarium’s efforts to keep the venue open.

Lego Aircraft Building Day – This Saturday, the College Park Aviation Museum is hosting a Lego building day. Guests can design their own aircraft out of provided Legos and take home a picture of their creation. Top designs will be displayed throughout the museum. The event runs from 12pm – 4pm. Museum admission is $4/adults, $2/ages 2-18, free for 2 and under.

Collection Connection at the Postal Museum – Discover the fun of stamp collecting! The museum invites guests to drop by to learn how to make a topical collection, select stamps to take home, and explore the exhibition Collecting History: 125 Years of the National Philatelic Collection. The free program will take place in the museum’s atrium from 1 – 5pm. While you’re there be sure to check out the rest of the exhibits – the Postal Museum is a fantastic, but often overlooked, attraction for families.

Snow Show at The Puppet Co. – Take the littlest ones to the Tiny Tots show on Saturday morning for a marionette performance all about snow. Presented especially for children ages 0-4, the shows are short and accommodating to newbie audience members. Read more about it here.

Science You Can Sing To – Entertainment and experiments will be on the line-up at Jammin’ Java on Saturday morning. Ryan Buckle & Friends will perform “Science You Can Sing To,” a show that combines great tunes with amazing science experiments to inspire curious kids. For more about the show and ticket info, see this post from a few days ago.

Storytelling at Mount Vernon – Children enter a world of fantasy and fables when costumed interpreters weave three tales together during Mount Vernon’s storytelling session, “Once Upon a Time at Mount Vernon,” held every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and 3pm. “Working Together” is the theme for January’s storytelling sessions. During the 20-minute session, children learn Aesop’s fables and listen to stories about George Washington’s life. Recommended for children 3-8, parental supervision is required. Sessions will take place in the Hands-On History Room in the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center. Sessions are included in regular Estate admission: $15/adults, $7/ages 6-11, $7.00, free for ages 5 and under.

Family Game Day at Labyrinth – If you’re bored with your board games or looking for a unique out-of-the-house family activity, then head to Labyrinth Games & Puzzles on Sunday for Family Game Day. The event will give guests a chance to try out some fantastic European-style games that are perfect for revitalizing family game night. See this post for more details.

Stories in Art – Alexander Calder will again be the subject for this week’s Stories in Art at the National Gallery. The workshop will start with a reading of “Sophie’s Masterpiece,” a book about a spider and her wondrous creations. From there, the group will explore Calder’s “Spider” and learn to weave their own wire mobiles. Hour-long sessions begin at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and 2:30pm. Sign-in will take place in the East Building Atrium, beginning at 11am that day and will continue until all spaces are filled. No admission fee required. Check out this post for more about the series.

Portrait Story Days: George Washington Carver – Young visitors with their parents are invited to drop in at the National Portrait Gallery to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. On Sunday, African American scientist and educator George Washington Carver will be the honored subject. The program is free and runs from 1-4pm.

Post Recs for Ice Skating – This isn’t the first time I’ve suggested ice skating as a winter family activity, but this Best Bets piece from the Washington Post provides some useful insight on several area rinks.