Tag Archives: Weekend April 14-15

The Weekend Round-Up: April 13-15

See DC VIPs at the Cherry blossom parade


It finally looks and feels like spring, and you’ve got your pick of ways to savor it over the next few days. Happy Weekend!

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Where: Constitution Ave, 7th – 17th St. NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free

The annual parade just may be the pinnacle of cherry blossom season. Thousands of people line Constitution Avenue every year to watch the spectacle of lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and a variety of performers travel down the street. Tickets for grandstand seats are available for $20, but you can stake out a spot along the curb for free. Plan to arrive early to get a good view — the crowds come out for this one, especially on a pretty spring day.

Sakura Matsuri
Where: Pennsylvania Ave, 3rd-7th St NW | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 10:30am – 6pm
Admission: $10/ages 13+, free/12 & under

Following the Cherry Blossom parade, head over to Sakura Matsuri, the Japanese Street Festival that is America’s largest one-day exhibition of Japanese culture. There will be live music and dance performances, all kinds of Asian and Western foods, martial arts demos, Japanese art, and more. Be prepared for a crowd.

Bluebells at the Bend
Where: Riverbend Park | Great Falls, VA
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: $7/advance, $9/at event

The cherry blossoms aren’t the only pretty flowers to enjoy around the area. Celebrate the Virginia Bluebells as they blanket the banks of the Potomac River at Riverbend Park. Bring the whole family for fun including games, music, wildflower walks, puppet shows, wagon rides, live animals, and more. Read more about Riverbend in this KFDC post. And to see what else is going on at other Fairfax County Parks, go here.

10th Anniversary Celebration
Where: National Harbor | Oxon Hill,MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free (some activities require fees)

National Harbor has been around 10 years, and they’re celebrating with a weekend of fun festivities! It kicks off on Saturday morning with a Potomac River Cleanup (8am – 12pm).  On Saturday, there will be free carousel rides, a Beer Garden, a ticketed kid’s silent disco, an adult silent disco, and fireworks. Sunday features free Capital Wheel rides, a kids’ corner, a community parade, and live music.  See the schedule and more details here.

Cherokee Days
Where: National Museum of the America Indian | National Mall
When: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free

Celebrate Cherokee culture at the fifth annual Cherokee Days. The festival showcases the shared history and cultural lifeways of three Cherokee tribes with an exhibition, storytelling, traditional flute music, weaponry, woodcarving, beadwork, traditional games, basket weaving, pottery demonstrations, and dance performances.

Living Through the Ages
Where: Patuxent River Park | Upper Marlboro, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm
Admission: Free

See, touch, feel and participate in two millennia of history, as hundreds of reenactors portray 2,000 years of the past in one weekend! Roman Legionaries, Charlemagne’s Army, ancient Irish warriors; 15th century English knights; 16th century German mercenaries; 17th century English Civil War soldiers; 18th century Highland Jacobites, American Rev War, Napoleonic forces; 19th century marines and militia from the War of 1812, American Civil War and British soldiers from the far flung Victorian Empire; 20th century combatants from WWI, WWII, Palestine, and Vietnam.  Discover the soldiers’ lives and that of the civilians who followed their warriors.  This year there are 35 camps of living historians to portray and demonstrate the real history!  

Celebrate Central Asia
Where: The Textile Museum | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free

Join the George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum to celebrate the art and cultures of Central Asia. Enjoy performances by the Silk Road Dance Company featuring traditional dances from Uzbekistan, beautiful costumes, and an appearance by the ikat dragon. Try your hand at watercolor painting, and create your own Ikat designs with paper. Take the opportunity to visit our galleries to see colorful Ikat fabrics in the exhibition Binding the Clouds: The Art of Central Asian Ikat. It’s a great opportunity for all ages to enjoy a museum that’s usually a bit sophisticated for young children.

Dog Days Bloom Fest
Where: Great Country Farms | Bluemont, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: $8-10

This adventure for dogs and their people has something for every member of the family, but canines especially will have a blast at the festivities. Bring your 4-legged friend for a day of fun on the farm with a Frisbee competition, obstacle course, tips, and training. Plus, enjoy Bluemont Wine and Dirt Farm Brews at the event this season. And the rest of the farm, which is essentially a sprawling playground, is open for all to enjoy. Explore the many acres, and opt for a wagon ride to see the orchards and farm in bloom!

DC Emancipation Day Celebration
Where: Pennsylvania Ave., 10th-14th St. | Downtown, DC
When: Saturday, 2-8:30pm
Admission: Free

On April 16, 1862, the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 ended slavery in Washington, DC, freed 3,100 individuals, reimbursed those who had legally owned them, and offered the newly freed women and men money to emigrate. Join Mayor Bowser to commemorate the day at the 2018 DC Emancipation Day celebration with a parade, concert, and fireworks.

Show Time
Where: Theatres around the DMV
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue

* Reserve free tickets for InterAct Story Theatre’s The Town That Cried Avalanche, this week’s Saturday Morning at the National performance
* LOL at a Potted Potter performance at Sidney Harman Hall. (Read a past review here.)
* It’s opening weekend for Robin Hood at Imagination Stage
* Ease on down the road to Ford’s Theatre for The Wiz
* Little ones will love Balloonacy at the Atlas Performing Arts Center
* Catch a fairytale classic as The Puppet Co. presents Little Red Riding Hood & the 3 Little Pigs
* And Jellybean Circus is the Tiny Tots performance for littles there on Saturday
* Disney on Ice presents Follow Your Heart at Eagle Bank Arena
* Snow Child is the newest production at Arena Stage
* Kids musician Matt Heaton is playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin Java

Spring Open House
Where: My Gym Potomac & Bethesda | Potomac & Bethesda, MD
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: Free

Check out My Gym’s facilities and learn about their programs as you enjoy fun and games — at both the Bethesda and Potomac locations! Expect lots of play time, plus get great discounts on spring classes, summer camps, and parties!From 12-1pm, tackle the Ninja Warrior obstacle courses (best for ages 3-10) and have free pizza. From 1-3pm, there will be free face painting and fun for all ages. Grown-ups wear socks, please!

Nats vs. Rockies
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Ticket prices vary

Root for the home team as the Nats host the Rockies this weekend. Be sure to check out special promos — Friday is the Sean Doolittle Bobhead giveaway (first 25,000 fans), and Sunday is Jackie Robinson and Black Heritage Day, not to mention little fans can run the bases after the game. Don’t forget to sign up ages 4-12 for the Jr. Nationals Kids Club, and check these tips on how to save at the ballpark.

Anniversary Celebration
Where: Dumbarton Oaks Park | Georgetown, DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 2pm
Admission: Free

Join the 77th anniversary celebration of Dumbarton Oaks Park. There are volunteer clean-up opportunities in the morning, and the afternoon will feature even more, including children’s activities, interactive exhibits, strolling tours, art in the park, and music. Enter at the top of Lover’s Lane near 3060 R Street NW. (Note: This is not the Dumbarton Gardens; the park is located just behind them.)

Light City
Where: Inner Harbor | Baltimore, MD
When: Through April 21
Admission: Free

See Baltimore transformed with large-scale light installations, performances, music, and innovation. Central to Light City is the BGE Light Art Walk along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, featuring more than 50 attractions including illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors and a children’s area. Light City’s innovation programming generates an ecosystem of ideas and learning during the day – while lights, performances, and live music re-imagine Baltimore at night.

Herring Heroes
Where: Peirce Mill | Rock Creek Park, DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Free

Every April, the mighty herring make their way upstream to lay their eggs—and swim up a “fish ladder” beside Peirce Mill. Come learn about the herring run, and test your stamina in a special obstacle course for young children. Read more about Peirce Mill in this KFDC post.

Model Trains and Thomas
Where: Historic Depot of the W&OD Railroad | Vienna, VA
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free (donations welcome)

Take a trip down to Vienna to visit the Historic Vienna Train Station, where you can see and hear HO scale model trolleys and trains, including Thomas and some of his friends on display and in operation. It’s great family activity for the young and young at heart! The Station is at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna.

DC Youth Orchestra Open House
Where: Eastern High School | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free

The DC Youth Orchestra Program will open its doors to the public with a day of free musical events for the entire family. Prospective young musicians (ages 4-18) can try out orchestral instruments in musical instrument petting zoos. At 12:30pm, the Youth Orchestra will give a pop-up concert, and at 3:30pm, the String Queens, a classically trained trio including DCYOP alumna and conductor Elise Cuffy, will perform pop, gospel, jazz, and R&B arrangements. Between the concerts will be a performance of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, as well as a string instrument care workshop, chamber music performances, yoga classes with One Breath at a Time, and face painting. Food trucks and other vendors will also be at the event.

The Great British Fly-In
Where: Udvar-Hazy Center | Chantilly, VA
When: Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15

The British are coming to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center! Join the Air & Space Museum to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the oldest air force in the world — Great Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) — with a fly-in, presentations, and hands-on activities.

To Hill Tobacco
Where: Claude Moore Colonial Farm | McLean, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, 1-4pm
Admission: $5/adult, $3/child

Help the colonial farm family and neighbors prepare the fields for this season’s crop. Tobacco was used as currency or commodity money in 18th century Virginia and vital to sustain the Claude Moore Colonial Farm family. Weather permitting — call ahead.

Discovery Day
Where: Green Acres School | North Bethesda, MD
When: Sunday, 1-3pm
Admission: Free

Discover progressive education at its best at our experiential open house for parents and students. Tour Green Acre’s 15-acre campus, meet teachers, parents, students and staff, and find out how they learn through teacher-led activities and lessons. Registration is required to attend. To reserve your space, please email admission@greenacres.org. 

Anacostia River Festival
Where: Anacostia Park | Anacostia, DC
When: Sunday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free

Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Anacostia Park and the Year of the Anacostia! Festival-goers will enjoy canoeing, fishing lessons, boating, lawn games and more. The festival will feature a community bike parade, special live performance of The Wiz, family friendly arts and crafts, storytelling, and live music and performances. Line up by the bike valet at 2:30pm to join a 3pm bike parade. River activities will be first-come, first-serve, sign up at tent #1.

Ikebana
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: April 15, 1-2pm
Admission: $10

Children can learn the centuries-old tradition of Japanese flower arranging at an ikebana workshop at the National Arboretum. The hour-long workshop is for children ages 10-13. You can also visit an ikebana demonstration and see the Ikebana International exhibit at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum Exhibits Gallery. Registration required.

A Wild Symphony
Where: National Zoo | Woodley Park, DC
When: Sunday, 1pm & 3pm
Admission: Free, but passes required

Enjoy a free family concert by members of the National Symphony Orchestra at the Zoo on Sunday. This animal-themed show features engaging and fun musical performances for all ages. Following both concerts, there will be an “instrument petting zoo” where visitors can learn about and interact with a variety of musical instruments. Same-day passes are free, but required for entry and will be distributed beginning at 11am for both concerts. Passes are not needed for the instrument petting zoo.

A Family Celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut
Where: Edlavitch DCJCC | Downtown, DC
When: Sunday, 10:30am – 12pm
Admission: $15

Join the DCJCC as they celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday by recognizing the range and diversity of its people and landscape. Through reading and activities, we’ll bring to life the charming and colorful world created by author Leslie Kimmelman in her book Everybody Says Shalom. This program is best for ages 3-7, but the whole family is welcome!  Cost is $15/family. Register here.

***MORE GOOD STUFF TO KNOW***
* You have a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of tickets to see Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt at Adventure Theatre.
* There is also an opportunity to win a Day Out with Thomas at the B&O Railroad Museum.
* Pearachute is a great way to check out kids classes and events with committing to a full session, plus you can save on costs!
* This coming week Bright Horizons is hosting Open Houses at all of their Early Childhood Education Centers around the area!
* Watson Adventures’ next Wizard School Scavenger Hunt for Harry Potter Fans is on May 13 (Mother’s Day!), and these always sell out, so book soon — and read more about it here.
* This article is a must-read if you want to know more about what Facebook has on you. (Warning: It’s kind of creepy.)

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The Weekend Round-Up: April 13-15

Root for Racing Presidents (Let Teddy Win!) at the Cherry Blossom Parade or a Nats game

 

Wow.  There is a LOT going on this weekend. A grand parade, the old ball game, a street festival, fun on the farm, all sorts of live entertainment, a film fest, special workshops for kids, museum programs, and much (yes, much!) more.  The big dilemma: Which to choose?  Here’s the scoop on all of them to help you decide. Happy Weekend!

National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
Where: Constitution Avenue NW, from 7th to 17th Streets
When: Saturday, 10am – 12:30pm
Admission: Free
The mac daddy of cherry blossom festivities is definitely the parade. Thousands of people line Constitution Avenue every year to watch the spectacle of lavish floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and a variety of performers travel down Constitution Avenue. This year, catch an American Idol finalist, The Voice winner, gymnastics shows, and 80’s pop idol Debbie Gibson. Other celebrity appearances will include Kristi Yamaguchi, Marie Osmond, Debbie Gibson, and Buzz Aldrin. And Katie Couric and Alex Trebec will be hosting ABC’s coverage of the parade. Tickets for grandstand seats are available for $20, but you can stake out a spot along the curb for free. Plan to arrive early to get a good view — the crowds come out for this one, especially if it’s a nice day.

Nationals vs. Reds
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday 7:05pm, Saturday 4:05pm, Sunday 1:35pm
Admission: Starts at $10
The Nats are back for their first series of the regular season against the Cincinnati Reds. Tickets are available for all of the games, and there are some special promos going on including Family Fun Days, Signature Sundays, Kids Run the Bases. For details on all of them, see this post from a couple of days ago. Or, go straight to the Nationals website to purchase your tickets.

Sakura Matsuri
Where: 12th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
When: Saturday, April 14, 11am – 6pm
Admission: $5/ages 13 and older
Immediately following the Cherry Blossom parade, many folks head right over to Sakura Matsuri, the Japanese Street Festival that is America’s largest one-day exhibition of Japanese culture. Stretching down six city blocks from 9th to 14th Streets on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, there will be live music and dance performances, all kinds of Asian and Western foods, martial arts demos, Japanese art, and more. Be prepared for a crowd.

Spring Garden Market
Where: River Farm
When: Friday 9am – 6pm, Saturday 9am – 3pm
Admission: Free
The American Horticultural Society’s Spring Garden Market features a variety of vendors of plants, garden supplies, garden art, and other related products. But the real reason to bring the kids is for the garden, especially the Children’s Gardens, which have got to be among the loveliest outdoor play spaces in the DC area. For more about the locale, see this post from a few days ago.

Shake Up Your Saturday!
Where: Folger Shakespeare library
When: Saturday, 9:30-11:30am
Admission: $35/one child & one adult, $10/each additional child
Children in grades 1 through 5 can immerse themselves in Shakespeare’s world as they are introduced the language of his plays and stage combat. Master Swordsman Brad Waller will teach performance-based techniques, and students will perform a scene from Macbeth! Registration is required: Email educate@folger.edu or call 202.675.0395.

For Your Entertainment
Where: Various venues
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by performance

If you’re looking for live entertainment this weekend, you’ve got your pick of performances starting with a Boogie Babes show at the Atlas this morning (Friday) at 10:30am. Tomorrow, catch a free jazz performance for kids at the National Theatre. Or see Gustafer Yellowgold as he returns to Jammin’ Java. Septime Weber’s Alice (in wonderland) at the Kennedy Center is getting wonderful reviews. The Puppet Co. just introduced their newest production, Pinocchio and has Tiny Tots shows on the line-up as well. Also at the Kennedy Center are Sleeping Beauty and an NSO Kinderkonzert. Imagination Stage presents their version of Rapunzel. And The Gift will give its final performances tonight and tomorrow evening at Round House Theatre. For more details on all of these shows, see this post about spring entertainment.

Lowe’s Build and Grow
Where: Lowes stores throughout the area
When: Saturday, 10am
Admission: Free
It’s another Build and Grow clinic at the home improvement store. Lowe’s hosts free bimonthly workshops for kids, and during this session guests can build a Game Show Chip Drop Game. The store will provide all the materials, along with goggles, an apron, and other goodies to take home. We still haven’t been to one yet, but friends have, and they gave it a great review. Go here to find your local Lowe’s and register for the workshop.

Unbuilt LEGO Washington
Where: National building Museum
When: Saturday, 10am – 12:30pm
Admission: $15/members, $20 non-members
Inspired by the Museum’s exhibition Unbuilt Washington exhibit, join the Museum and staff from Play-Well Teknologies for an exciting LEGO® Build. Design your own buildings that you think should be added to our nation’s capital. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Free for adults accompanying children. Prepaid registration required.

Discovering the Titanic
Where: National Museum of Natural History
When: 1-3pm
Admission: Free
Find out how archaeologists study shipwrecks during this session of the museum’s Second Saturday Arts & Sciences program. NOAA archaeologists will be on hand to help guests work with images of Titanic artifacts, placing them on a giant sonar image of the Titanic site. Then, learn how photomosaics of compiled images are used to visualize something of Titanic’s magnitude at such a depth. Of course, there’s plenty more to explore while you’re at the museum – this post has a run-down of some of our favorite exhibits.

Filmfest DC – Eleanor’s Secret
Where: Goethe-Institut Washington
When: Saturday,
Admission:
The 26th annual International Film Festival includes a kids’ offering this weekend and next. Eleanor’s Secret, a French animated film from an Academy-Award-nominated director, tells the story of a magic library where characters from classic children’s books come alive. The film will be presented in English and is an excellent opportunity for local children to view a film they would not otherwise see.

Royal Mail Ship Titanic Centennial
Where: National Postal Museum
When: Saturday, 12-3:30pm
Admission: Free
Many know about the story of the Titanic disaster, but not that it was a floating post office. During this free Family Day program, guests can learn about life on board the fated ship and the postal workers who processed tons of mail at sea through hands-on activities taking place in the museum’s atrium. The workshop is being presented in connection with the exhibit Fire & Ice: Hindenburg and Titanic.

ArtsNOW
Where: CHAW
When: Saturday, 11am – 1:30pm
Admission: Free
The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop is celebrating its 4oth anniversary in street festival meets flash mob style. ArtsNOW will feature free classes and demonstrations in ceramics, visual arts, and Zumba; performances by CHAW’s private music instructors, Suzuki violinists, ballet students, and theater groups; a gallery scavenger hunt by the Capitol Hill Art League, and much more. CHAW also invites the community to join hands outside the building at 11:40am in an interconnecting community moment requiring 1600 hands. CHAW is located at 545 7th Street SE.

Japanese Films at the Freer
Where: Freer Gallery
When: Sunday, 11am, 1:30pm, 4pm, & 7pm
Admission: Free, tickets required
The Smithsonian museum showcasing Asian Art is presents four Japanese films as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival offerings. The first film, Ponyo, has a G rating is appropraite for young viewers. Reviews of the other three, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away call them darker and suggest they are more suitable for older children, especially those interested in anime. Tickets for all films (limit two per person) will be available beginning at 10:30am. Additional tickets will be made available 30 minutes before each screening.

West African Dance Workshop
Where: Bloombars
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: $20 suggested donation
Dance your way around the world this weekend! Bloombars’ Blooming Dance Program is hosting a West African Dance Workshop with instructor Afrika Dances. Students will learn various authentic West African dance styles during the three-hour class that includes a warm-up, breakdown of dance steps, and choreographed routines. Recommended for ages 5 and up, the workshop is $20 (pay at the door). RSVP to afrika_dances@yahoo.com.

Celebrate National Volunteer Month
Where: National Children’s Museum Launch Zone
When: Saturday, 11am -4pm
Admission: Free

April is National Volunteer Month and the NCM wants to provide kids with information on ways to give back. Join them to create create heart suncatchers for The Children’s Inn of NIH for their “Thoughtful Treasures” program. In addition, friends from RJ Smiles will be at the Launch Zone from 11am – 2pm to present a craft activity.

How Things Fly
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
It’s a Super Science Saturday at the Dulles arm of the Arm & Space Museum. Through demonstrations and hands-on activities, visitors of all ages will become immersed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics related to aviation and space exploration. This month’s program will focus on “How Things Fly.”

Eggcellent Fun on the Farm
Where: Ticonderoga Farm & Butler’s Orchard
When:Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $11.95/Ticonderoga, $6.50-8.50/Butler’s

It’s the last of the spring/Easter celebrations at these two local farms. Ticonderoga will be open through Sunday 10am – 5pm, and Butler’s on Sunday only 9am – 3pm. For more on both festivals, see this KFDC post.

For even more (yes, more!), check out these posts with ideas for outdoor and indoor adventures:
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, Class, DC, Educational, Festival, Free, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Movies, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Parade, Seasonal, Sports, Spring, Theatre, Virginia, Weekend