Tag Archives: Tales of Beatrix Potter

September 30, 2011 · 7:25 am

A Milestone this Weekend

The birthday boy with some of his biggest (and littlest) fans

There are a couple of things I feel compelled to note as I post this: 1) Despite the photo accompanying this round-up of weekend events, there is no Nats game (nor will there be another one until the 2012 season) and 2) Despite there being a bunch of cool activities for families happening over the next few days, I won’t be partaking in any of them.

See, this weekend I’m celebrating a milestone, and it’s not one of my kids who’s hitting it. That cute guy in middle of the photo (no, not the one with the beard, the one with the red hat), my awesome husband, is turning 40, so this weekend is all about him. The kids will be on a sleepover while we whoop it up with friends, until they join us for a family celebration on Sunday.

Now you’re probably wondering, why broadcast all this on a blog about things to do with kids? (Because it’s my blog, and I can do what I want!) Because “40″ deserves a shout-out, even on a blog about things to do with kids. And because parenting — and life, for that matter — wouldn’t be nearly as fun if I wasn’t sharing the adventure with him.

And with that, here’s where the family fun is happening over the next few days. Happy Weekend! (And a very, very happy birthday to you, Levi.)

Taste of Bethesda – I’ve heard many a time that Bethesda has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S. True or not, the city definitely has a food scene worth celebrating, and that’s just what will be happening this Saturday from 11am – 4pm. Bethesda’s famous food and music festival, in its 22^nd year, will bring 60 restaurants and five stages of entertainment to Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. Aong with delicious food samples and live entertainment, there will be a kid’s corner for face painting, arts & crafts, and more fun for young ones. Admission is free, and taste tickets are sold on-site in bundles of four tickets for $5. Food servings cost one to four tickets. Ticket sales end at 3:30pm.

Columbia Heights Fall Festival – If you were disappointed when the Columbia Heights Day Festival was cancelled by the hurricane, you can make up for it on Saturday from 11am – 3pm. The Columbia Heights Youth Club, Development Corporation of Columbia Heights, The District Church, DC Department of Parks and Recreation, and Columbia Heights Day Initiative welcome the public for a fun day of free food, face painting, moon bouncing, candied apples, snow cones, popcorn, live music, games, and more.

Fall for Fairfax KidsFest – This annual event by Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. includes exciting, interactive, and educational programs, entertainment and activities. Especially designed for families with elementary and pre-K aged children, activities include scarecrow making, pumpkin painting, public safety and recycling-themed exhibits, pony rides, a petting zoo, hay rides, model trains, and the Wells Fargo KidZone with more than a dozen rides, bounces, and attractions. And that’s just for the kids. Adults can enjoy more than 75 exhibits, activities, and great festival food. While admission is free, some rides and concessions will require a fee. This all takes place on Saturday from 9am -6pm.

Saturday Morning at the National – The awesome free weekend program at the DC theatre begins this Saturday with a Reptile World show. Exotic creatures star in this amazing presentation. Michael Shwedick and his beguiling animal friends teach kids some thrilling and invaluable lessons about the ecology and themselves. Adults will be awed by Michael’s ability to present alligators, snakes, and other sometimes-scary reptiles without frightening even the youngest children. Performances take place at 9:30am and 11am, and tickets are required for admission. Free tickets are distributed half an hour prior to the start of shows on a first-come first-served basis. Only one ticket per person, and all attendees must be standing in line to receive a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult who remains present for the entire performance. Seating is limited, so get there early!

Show Time – Yo Gabba Gabba Live, Beatrix Potter tales in puppet form, the Big Apple Circus, Lilly’s Plastic Purse, Alladin’s Luck, and Snow White are all on local stages this weekend. This post about live entertainment this season has details on all of them.

Art on the Avenue – Celebrate the diversity of Alexandria’s Del Ray community at this multicultural arts festival on Saturday from 10am -6pm. Over 300 artists – jewelers, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass makers, painters, sculptors, fabric artists, and musicians – will have their work on display and for sale. And kids activities have always been a vital part of the festival – scarecrow stuffing, pumpkin painting, lotus flower design, screen art weaving are just some of the crafts to enjoy. Food vendors will also be there offering hot dogs, BBQ, Indian fare, crab cakes, chocolate bananas dipped on a stick, and home made cider donuts.

Kinderfest – Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD, is hosting the 31^st Annual Kinderfest, a day focused on children that takes place every year on the first Sunday in October. This Sunday from 12 – 5pm, there will be loads of events and activities to entertain the whole family: clowns and costumed characters, singers and dancers, pony and hay rides, carnival games, scarecrow workshops, sweet and savory refreshments, and spins on the famous Watkins carousel and miniature train. Admission to the event is free, but some activities require a fee. Visit the website for more info and directions and check out this post from last year for more on Watkins Regional Park.

Brazil Day at Yards Park – Join the Amazonia Harvest Foundation and the Brazilian Consulate of Washington DC as they celebrate the Brazilian community and culture in Washington, DC. The festival boasts an empowering mission to bring forth the best the Brazilian community of Greater-Washington has to offer and shine a spotlight on talented Brazilian performers, vendors, exhibitors and organizations that call the DC region home. Enjoy the extravaganza at the Yards Park on Sunday from 10am – 6pm. Admission is free.

Frederick’s Oktoberfest – This event rich in tradition and history offers fun for the entire family with dancing live music, children’s events, bratwurst, Oktoberfest bier, German wines, and much more. Especially for kids: face painting, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, musical entertainment, and they claim they have a few more tricks up their sleeves just to keep everyone surprised. (See a schedule of kids activities here.) This all benefits Frederick County charities. It’s happening on Saturday 10am -6pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm.

Thank you, NPG, thank you very much – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday from 1-4pm and Sunday from 2-5pm, to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. This weekend, learn about Elvis Presley

Ren Fest – The merriment continues in Crownesville, MD. On weekends through October 23, you can time trip at the charming medieval village that hosts the annual faire. For details on admission and what you will find there, check out this post about the event.

And for tried and true kids’ activities, rain and shine, these two posts have tons of ideas:

The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids

Rainy Day Recreation (ie, Indoor Fun)

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Filed under All ages, Annual, Art, DC, Fall, Farm, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Outdoor, Seasonal, Theatre, Weekend

Tagged as Alladin’s Luck, Art on the Avenue, Big Apple Circus, Brazil Day, Columbia Heights Fall Festival, Fall for Fairfax Kids Fest, Frederick's Oktoberfest, Kinderfest, Lilly’s Plastic Purse, Maryland Renaissance Festival, National Portrait Gallery, Portrait Story Days: Elvis Presley, Reptile World, Saturday Morning at the National, Snow White, Tales of Beatrix Potter, Taste of Bethesda, Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Washington DC Family Activities, Washington DC Kids Activities, Watkins Regional Park, Weekend October 1-2, Yards Park, Yo Gabba Gabba Live

September 16, 2011 · 7:08 am

What Isn’t There To Do This Weekend?

Getting up close and, perhaps, a little too personal with a funky car at last year's H Street Festival

This weekend is one of those times I wish there were seven of me, so I could attend multiple events at one time. Yes, there is that much good stuff happening over the next few days — and that’s just counting the special one-off events, not the ongoing assortment of recreational mainstays in the DC-metro. And it’s all forecast to go down amid superb weather conditions. Whatever you and the kids end up doing, you’re practically guaranteed a great time. Happy Weekend!

H Street Festival – I have very high hopes for the Festival this year. We attended last fall, and it was pretty good, but all of the street construction going on at the time posed some obstacles, making it somewhat difficult to navigate with kids in tow. But with the corridor now free of barriers and pavement back in place, I think this year’s H Street celebration is going to be excellent. There will be live entertainment on four stages, plus a kids stage; art exhibits; a fleet of food trucks; art exhibits; crafts for sale by local vendors; fashion shows; pie eating contests; dancin’ in the street; and lots of kids’ activities, including face painting, story telling, and moon bounces. And you can leave the car at home—free shuttle bus service will be available from Gallery Place and Eastern Market Metros. Enjoy the festivities from 12pm – 7pm.

An Apple a Day – One of fall’s most anticipated traditions is underway: apple picking! Many area orchards and farms offer pick-your-own opportunities, and with so many apple varieties that ripen at different times, the pickings often last through October, sometimes even into November. This post has a good selection of farms and orchards where you can reap the fruits.

The Big Build – Budding builders can start honing their skills as they work alongside professionals, including architects, designers, builders, artisans, and trades people at the National Building Museum on Saturday from 10am – 4:30pm. Guests can try their hands at a variety of construction techniques, build a miniature house from sticks, create mosaics, talk with the experts, enjoy a live Bob the Builder show, and more. This free event (a $5 donation is suggested) takes place

Harvest Time, Honey – Discover the busy world of bees and other pollinators as the Patuxent Research Refuge host the Maryland Honey Harvest Festival on Saturday from 9am – 3pm. Guests can enjoy arts& crafts, honey tastings, candle-making demos, environmental tram tours and much more — all for free! The event will be held at the Refuge’s National Wildlife Visitor Center. More information about the Refuge is available on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.

Greek Festival – There’s music, dancing, and a marketplace full of Greek goods, but if you go to this annual Festival at the Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in 16^th Street Heights, be sure to go with an appetite. Because, really, it’s all about the food. We’re talking authentic Greek fare, and a huge variety of it. Be prepared to stand in line if you go at a mealtime, but the queue moves fast, and the wait is beyond worth it. After indulging, sit back, relax, and enjoy the entertainment. All in all, a good time for the whole family. The Festival runs Friday and Saturday from 12 – 9:30pm and Sunday 12 – 7:30pm. Admission is free, but you pay food and drinks.

Cider Festival – Great Country Farms is celebrating apple season with a focus on one of the fruit’s yummiest products – cider. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be cider pressing demos with the farm’s antique cider press as well as tastings. Visit the website for activity times. The $8/child and $10/adult admission also covers hayrides, wine tasting across the street at Bluemont Vineyard, visits with barnyard animals, and loads of fun for kids, including a pumpkin jumpin’ pillow, 60-foot slide, five mazes, and pedal tractors.

Collection Connections – Drop in at the National Postal Museum on Saturday from 11am – 2pm to make a stamp collection to take home. Guests can choose a collection topic from thousands of international postage stamps. While there, kids can sit in the driver’s seat of mail truck, take a Pony Express journey, and view the Owney the Postal Dog exhibit among other mail-related fun.

Tales of Beatrix Potter – Be among the first audiences to see The Puppet Co.’s latest production. Tales of Beatrix Potter, which explores the fantasy world of one of Victorian England’s best-known authors and illustrators, opens today and runs through October 9. Showtimes are 10am and 11:30 on Fridays, and 11:30am and 1pm on Saturdays and Sunday.

A Century of Women in Aerospace – The National Air & Space Museum is celebrating National Aerospace Week with a family event that recognizes the women who have contributed to technological advances in aviation and space. On Saturday from 10am – 3pm, meet women who are today’s role models and learn about the historical women who have inspired them through storytelling, arts & crafts, and more. Just like admission to the museum, the event is free.

Shiver me Timbers, It’s Pirate Day! – Ahoy, mateys! In preparation for International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19), the National Children’s Museum Launch Zone needs all hands on deck! Batten down the hatches and head on over for a day full of pirate-themed activities, including a treasure hunt around National Harbor. Be there or walk the plank, savvy? The free event takes place on Saturday from 11am – 4pm.

Maryland Renaissance Festival – I’ve recommended the faire in Crownsville, Md, for three weeks now, and its going to remain in the weekend round-up until it closes in late October. Enjoy a village full of medieval amusement, spend a day outdoors, and get some good ideas for Halloween costumes all in one fun day. This post has all the details you need.

Washington Youth Garden Turns 40 – The garden on the ground of the U.S. National Arboretum is celebrating a big anniversary with a loads of festivities on Saturday from 11am – 3pm. There will be children’s activities, a juggler, live music, a food tent, hand cream making and bee-keeping demos, and much more. Go here for more details and the schedule of events.

Nationals vs. Marlins – It’s a weekend of home games for the Nats as they host the Florida Marlins. There are games tonight and Saturday evening at 7:05pm, and on Sunday at 1:35pm. Don’t miss the special promos — Signature Sundays welcome fans to arrive early to meet select players and get autographs and Kids Run the Bases means young fans 12 and under can loop the infield after the game. Tickets for all of the games are available for purchase online or at the Box Office.

Brookside Gardens Children’s Day – This year’s theme for the annual event is “Adventures with Food – Let’s Move and Groove!”. From 11am – 4pm this Saturday, children will move and groove throughout the day keeping fit while they enjoy activities throughout the gardens. There will be a Little Sprouts area for toddlers, an activity circuit, face painting, fruit and veggie bingo, a kids’ farmer’s market, story time, and lots more. Admission is free.

Colonial Market & Fair – Take a day trip back to 18^th-century America at Mount Vernon’s Colonial Market & Fair. Watch artisans and craftspeople from all over the country demonstrate early techniques of their crafts, many of which will be for sale. Live entertainment will include music, puppet shows, a sword swallower, a fire eater, and a miracle medicine man. Admission is included in the entrance fee to the Estate: $15/adults, $7/kids 6-11, children 5 and under are free. Food will be available at extra cost. For more information and the full performance schedule, visit the Mount Vernon website.

Fiesta Musical – Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the National Zoo on Sunday from 11am – 5pm The annual event will include animal demos, Hispanic and Latino music and foods, costumed dancers, and crafts for sale. Admission to the event is free, but if you drive and park in the Zoo lot, be prepared to pay – $10 for the first hour, $15 for two to three hours, and $20 for more than three hours. Parking is free for FONZ members.

And just to make heads spin a little more, this post has tons of ideas for savoring the glorious early fall weather:

The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids

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Filed under All ages, Animals, Annual, DC, Eats, Educational, Fall, Farm, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Seasonal, Shop, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as A Century of Women in Aerospace, Brookside Gardens Children's Day, Cider Festival, Collection Connections, Colonial Market & Fair, Fiesta Musical, Great Country Farms, Greek Festival, H Street Festival 2011, It’s Pirate Day!, Maryland Honey Harvest Festival, Maryland Renaissance Festival, Mt. Vernon, National Air & Space Museum, National Building Museum, National Children's Museum Launch Zone, National Postal Museum, Patuxent Research Refuge National Wildlife, Shiver me Timbers, Tales of Beatrix Potter, The Big Build, The Puppet Co., Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Washington DC Apple Picking, Washington DC Family Activities, Washington DC Kids Activities, Washington Nationals, Washington Youth Garden, Weekend September 17-18, What to do with Kids in Wahsington DC

September 12, 2011 · 11:05 am

A Fall Full of Family Entertainment

A new season doesn’t just mean a change in weather; it also brings a whole new line-up of family entertainment. And this fall is no exception. From puppet shows and plays to opera at Nationals Park to kids rock concerts to shows about science, there is something to indulge all ages and interests. Here’s the scoop on performances coming to our local stages and, in at least one case, the ball park.

Tales of Beatrix Potter
Where: The Puppet Co. Playhouse
When: September 16 – October 9
Tickets: $10 (Get a $5 discount on tickets to shows on 9/16-18 by using the code BK2S online)
Applause Unlimited’s puppeteer/storyteller Christopher Hudert explores the fantasy world of one of Victorian England’s best-known authors and illustrators. Set in an old-fashioned nursery, this performance includes three favorite Beatrix Potter stories as seen through the eyes of a young English girl growing up at the beginning of the twentieth century. As she pursues the everyday activities of playing and learning, the tales of “Two Bad Mice”, “Jeremy Fisher”, and “Jemima Puddleduck” seem to grow from her imagination. This 45-minute show incorporates hand, rod, and shadow puppets in a style that is sure to please young and old alike.

Opera in the Outfield
Where: Nationals Park
When: September 22, 7:30pm
Tickets: FREE! Reservations are encouraged, but not required.
Join Washington National Opera for the 4th annual Opera in the Outfield, a free, live opera broadcast of Puccini’s Tosca at Nationals Park. Arrive early to the ballpark — gates open at 5:30pm — to enjoy entertainment and activities including: Performances by community youth groups including the Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. Stars double-dutch team of Greenbelt, MD, the award-winning Yorktown High School Marching Band from Arlington, VA, and the DC-based Taratibu Pan-African Step Team; a screening of the Warner Bros.cartoon “What’s Opera, Doc?,” starring Bugs Bunny and his nemesis Elmer Fudd; chances to win prizes, including a VIP suite for a Nationals Game and tickets to Kennedy Center performances.

Tiny Tots
Where: The Puppet Co.
When: Ongoing – Wednesdays, Saturdays, & Sundays at 10am
Tickets: $5
The series presents puppet shows designed for the youngest theater patrons (ages 0-4). They are shorter, the lights stay on, and the doors stay open. They have an arsenal of shows that they switch up every performance, so be sure to check the schedule to see what’s playing when you go.

Boogie Babes
Where: North Hall of Eastern Market & The Atlas
When: Thursdays & Fridays at 10:30am
Tickets: $5/child, free for siblings 6 months and under
The Boogie Babes have doubled the fun! Little ones can now boogie along with their favorite local musicians in Eastern Market’s North Hall every Thursday morning AND at The Atlas Performing Arts Center on Fridays. Go for the show, then grab lunch in the Market and stay to play, or hit one of the many eateries on the H Street Corridor. Check out the schedule to find out who’s playing when.

Tot Rock
Where: Jammin’ Java
When: Ongoing
Tickets: $5/weekdays, $10/weekends
Tot Rock is Jammin’ Java’s super-popular kids music concert series, providing wholesome family entertainment at one of the DC Metro area’s finest music clubs. Local groups perform every Monday through Friday and touring performers drop by on many weekends. Check the calendar often to see when your favorite act is performing, and for other calendar updates.

Various Performances for Children
Where: Discovery Theater
When: Ongoing
Tickets: $3 – $6
Songs and stories in English and Spanish, a puppet show about Amelia Earhart, talking drums, and kitchen science are all on the entertainment line-up at Discovery Theatre this fall. Most performances take place at the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center. See the complete schedule of shows on the theater’s website for more info and to purchase tickets online.

Big Apple Circus
Where: Dulles Town Center
When: September 22 – October 10
Tickets: $15-49
See the world’s greatest circus artists presented under an intimate big top, where no seat is more than 50 feet from the ring. Let your imagination soar and summon the most amazing acts – a juggler with a suit to fit his sweet feats of fancy handiwork; a mechanical doll who comes alive in a sinuous balancing act; spirited horses, frolicsome dogs, and a capybara and porcupine to perk up the sawdust party; audacious acrobats who astound with athletic grace; comical conjurors with magical moments of grand illusion; the aerial daring of the trapeze flyers; a singing ringmistress and the Big Apple Circus Band, creating the ringing melodies of memories to last. And Grandma, apogee of comical aspiration and mirthful joy! Your dreams will inspire a Big Apple Circus of living thrills and marvelous delight — a celebration of the imagination — an astonishing circus world of wonder.

Lilly’s Plastic Purse
Where: Adventure Theatre
When: September 23 – October 31
Tickets: $17
Lilly loves all sorts of things. She loves school, she loves dressing up, and she even grows to love her “stinky baby brother,” Julius. In fact, Lilly loves everything! At least, she loves everything most of the time. Even Lilly has some bad days, but when you have movie star sunglasses and a purple plastic purse, how bad can it be? Recommended for all ages.

Alladin’s Luck
Where: Imagination Stage
When: September 23 – October 30
Tickets: $10-22
A clever street urchin called Aladdin falls madly for the Princess Leilah when they meet by chance at the bazaar. Determined to impress the Princess, he embarks on a search for fortune and instead finds a dingy oil lamp. But this is no ordinary lamp; it houses a magical genie who helps Aladdin masquerade as a grand emir to win Leilah’s hand. Leilah, however, fell for the street urchin, not the grand emir. Frustrated that Aladdin won’t admit who he really is, Leilah gives the lamp to an unscrupulous magician and ends up his prisoner. Now Aladdin must travel across the desert to rescue Leilah by doing the thing that scares him the most…being himself. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live!
Where: Patriot Center
When: September 30
Tickets: $25-52
Yo Gabba Gabba Live! is going on the road again! The “It’s Time To Dance!” Tour is traveling to more than 50 cities with an all-new show. See all your favorites, like DJ Lance Rock, Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Plex, and Toodee, with special guests Hip Hop Legend Biz Markie and Razzle Dazzle Superstar Leslie Hall. You won’t want to miss it!

Snow White
Where: Alden Theatre
When: October 1
Tickets: $10/McLean residents, $15/non-residents
This musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale features both live actors and wonderful puppets. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Taste of DC Family Stage
Where: Pennsylvania Avenue NW
When: October 8-9
Tickets: FREE!
Rocknoceros, The Great Zucchini, and Hope Harris and the Cousins Jamboree will be part of the entertainment at this year’s Taste of DC, the annual festival celebrating food, wine, and culture in the city. See the schedule to find out when your favorite acts are playing during the multi-day event.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Where: The Puppet Co. Playhouse
When: October 13 – November 18
Tickets: $10
“The 3 Billy Goats Gruff” is a marionette romp in which three brothers get the goat af a hen-pecked troll, in their attempts to trip-trop-tromp to where the grass is greener. Performed on a unique round stage, the goats literally travel in three-dimensional space in a way that is unprecedented on the Playhouse or any other stage. Three variety numbers precede the performance, demonstrating the making of a simple hand puppet, and manipulation of rod puppets and marionettes, as an introduction to the Art of Puppetry.

The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and Her Dog
Where: Kennedy Center
When: October 15-29
Tickets: $18
There are no puzzles in space, right? Wrong! Space is one giant puzzle waiting to be put together by physicists, astronomers, and a brainy girl who goes by the name Dr. Wonderful. Fly through the solar system with Dr. Wonderful and her amazing adventure team of Newton (the dog) and Ben (the human) in this all-new musical! Saving a super star from disappearing is no small task, especially when the star is 1.3 million times the size of Earth and 93 million miles away. But when Dr. Wonderful receives the call, her team leaps into action from their laboratory/bedroom into outer space. With a couple of butterscotch candies and a rock song from Mom in the mix, the mystery solvers are amazed by their final discovery. Girl-detective-noir meets science-geek-chic in this super cool astronomical event! Recommended for ages 6 and up.

NSO Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf Live
Where: Kennedy Center
When: October 16
Tickets: $15-18
Here’s a puzzle: which instrument sounds most like a wolf and which can play the part of a little boy? Find out when the NSO fuses a fantastic film with magical music in the fun multimedia event Peter and the Wolf Live! Audiences will be introduced to the story’s characters and the instruments that play them in Prokofiev’s beloved score. Then they will delight in hearing the work performed live while watching the action play out on the big screen in Suzie Templeton’s Oscar(r)-winning stop-motion animated film that The Times of London praises for being “beautifully made and very funny.” Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Robin Hood
Where: Artisphere’s Spectrum Theatre
When: November 4-13
Tickets: $12/adults, $10/children
Encore Stage & Studio’s fall production presents the dashing outlaw Robin Hood and his Merry Men dwelling happily in Sherwood Forest, defending the people of England from the wicked Prince John. Until one day, when Robin uncovers an evil plot — it’s up to him to save the kingdom from the devious Lady Merle and rescue the fair Maid Marian! Don’t miss this rousing tale! Recommended for ages 4 and up.

NSO Teddy Bear Concert: Tunes ‘n’ (Pig) Tales
Where: Kennedy Center
When: November 5
Tickets: $18
Music and stories go together like pieces of a puzzle – together they help create a better picture. Enjoy stories and music all about animals in this Teddy Bear Concert featuring The Three Pigs, Teddy Bear Rag, The Swan, and Baby Elephant Walk. Performed with a very unusual combination of instruments, NSO principal musicians Marissa Regni on violin and Dotian Levalier on harp join with Marissa’s father Albert Regni on four different saxophones to give each animal its own unique voice. And as a “little” surprise, along with full-sized instruments, the musicians perform on their miniature counterparts–a toy piano, a sopranino saxophone, and a tiny violin! Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

The Rough-Faced Girl
Where: Synetic Family Theatre
When: November 11 – December 28
Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
This tale, well known among the multicultural versions of the Cinderella story, skillfully invites the audience to look past the surface and into the soul. Cast aside by her family and tribe, the Rough Face Girl survives scorns and scars to follow her heart past vision and belief. Through a blend of music, dance, acrobatics, and Native American storytelling traditions, Synetic Family Theater actors help young theater goers celebrate Native American History Month and understand that beauty lies within.

Dangerous Encounters
Where: National Geographic Live
When: November 12
Tickets: $16/adults, $12/children 12 and under, $40/family 4-pack
Take a thrilling ride through the world of wildlife with Brady Barr, reptile expert and host of the National Geographic Channel series “Dangerous Encounters”. The first person to capture all 23 species of wild crocodiles, Brady has risked his life to preserve some of the world’s most amazing animals. Go behind the scenes with Brady, meet some live animals, and hear about his most exciting adventures.

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

Tagged as Adventure Theater, Alden Theatre, Alladin’s Luck, and Hope Harris and the Cousins Jamboree, Big Apple Circus, Children's Theater, Dangerous Encounters, Discovery Theater, Dulles Town Center, Encore Stage & Studio, Family Activties, Imagination Stage, Jammin' Java, Kennedy Center, Lilly’s Plastic Purse, Live Entertainment, National Geographic Live!, Nationals Park, NSO Family Concert: Peter and the Wolf Live, NSO Teddy Bear Concert: Tunes 'n' (Pig) Tales, Opera in the Outfield, Patriot Center, Robin Hood, Rocknoceros, Snow White, Synetic Family Theater, Tales of Beatrix Potter, Taste of DC Family Stage, The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and Her Dog, The Great Zucchini, The Puppet Co., The Rough-Faced Girl, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Theatre for kids in DC, Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Tiny Tots, Tot Rock!, Washington DC Kids Activities, Yo Gabba Gabba Live

September 11, 2011 · 8:33 pm

Where to Play on the Weekdays: September 12-16

Tending to flowers at the Children's Garden

Keep the kiddos engaged and entertained all week!

Monday – Head to Old Town Alexandria for Tavern Toddlers at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. Drop in between 10:30am and 12pm for playtime and a craft activity in the historic ballroom. Admission is $7 for a group of three, which must include an adult.

Tuesday – Enjoy the forecasted sunshine at one of the prettiest places in the city, the U.S. National Arboretum. Bring lunch for a picnic, a ball to kick around in the open spaces, and a camera for photo ops amongst the variety of flora collections.

Wednesday – Discover and play at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Kids can flex their green thumbs in the Children’s Garden, complete with water pump and fountains, shovels and watercans, a bamboo “forest,” and a mini garden house. The collections are also wonderful to tour, the jungle exhibit being a highlight for little ones. Stop in the West Gallery to sniff a variety of botanical scents. And be sure to visit the National Garden outside, too.

Thursday – Bounce on over to Pump it Up in Lanham for Pop-In Play Time from 10 – 11:30am. Kids ages 2-6 (and their accompanying grown-ups) can jump, slide, climb, and have a blast in a room full of giant inflatables. Admission is $8/child. Be sure to wear or bring socks!

Friday – Be among the first theatre-goers to see Tales of Beatrix Potter at The Puppet Co. Playhouse. Showtime is 10am. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase online.