Tag Archives: Weekend November 5-6

November 4, 2016 · 9:40 am

The Weekend Round-Up: November 5-6

A beautiful dose of nature for these city kids at Prince William Forest Park

Autumn is is hitting a sweet spot this weekend with a combo of vibrant fall hues and gorgeous weather — a perfect backdrop for all of the fun, enriching events and activities happening around the DMV. Here are details on all of them, and I highly recommend some time outdoors, too. Happy Weekend!

Leaf Peep on the Trail
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
Take in the brilliant color spectrum of autumn and get a little exercise to boot on a family hike. From right here in the city to country locales, you’ve got your pick of places where you can enjoy the fall foliage and some time outdoors. This post about good area hikes with kids started in the early KFDC days, and with many new recommendations added since — Prince William Forest Park, the most recent — there are lots of great recommendations for happy trampers.

Back, East
Where: National Gallery of Art – East Building
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
After a long renovation, the galleries in the East Building of the National Gallery of Art recently reopened! Enjoy it all at this Community Celebration, a special fun and art-filled weekend featuring sketching, performances, face painting, and a photo booth. Activities are for all ages, unless noted otherwise. Auditorium programs are on a first-come, first-seated basis. And it’s all free!

Kids Euro Festival
Where: Around the DC-Metro
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
This weekend is the last to enjoy free artistic adventures of the European variety, thanks to the annual Kids Euro Festival. Musicians, storytellers, dancers, and puppeteers are just a few of the many, many exciting acts that are performing at a variety of venues through November 6. See what’s on the schedule over the next few days.

Ikea Cook and Eat Your Way
Where: Ikea Stores
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Cook and eat your way Ikea! This event taking place at stores across the country welcomes all for a day of fun, food, and family. There will be all kinds of giveaways, special offers, workshops — enjoy a Swedish American breakfast for just $1.50, sample Swedish treats, get kitchen design tips, and more!

Dia Day los Muertos Family Day
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum
When: Saturday, 11:30am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with the American Art Museum! Enjoy traditional Mexican folk dance performances throughout the day, add your own artwork to their mural, and leave your handmade ofrendas (offerings), including paper marigolds, calaveras (skull masks), and paper monarch butterflies on the Day of the Dead altar.

DC Author Festival
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
When: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Meet your favorite local author, snag a signed book, and hear authors speak on variety of topics at this festival that showcases the talents of area writers! And a KFDC tip: Go at 3pm to hear Rebecca Green of Not-So-SAHM speak and sign her fabulous book Banish Boredom!

hiSTORYtime
Where: National Museum of American History
When: Saturday, 11am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Drop by the American History to listen to delicious stories about food! Then, children can participate in food games and crafts, and touch cookware from the collection. This new program aims to boost early literacy, while introducing young visitors ages 0-6 to objects in the museum’s collection. It will also take place on November 12 and 19.

Rocking Romeo and Juliet
Where: Folger Shakespeare Library
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Shake up your Saturday with a workshop at the Folger! These programs occurring on the first Saturday of every month, encourage families to experience Shakespeare’s language together. This session, dive into the Bard’s most famous love story of bitter feuds, banishment, betrayal, and doomed lovers. Ages 5-7 go 10-11am, and 8-14 from 11am – 12pm. Register here.

Children’s Flea Market
Where: McLean Community Center
When: Saturday, 11am – 1pm
Admission: Free
Scope out the bargain prices at this annual flea market! Children’s toys, clothes, games, and other items will be sold by those who know them best…the kids! Whether you plan to get your holiday shopping done early or want to fill the toy chest with goods, get some good deals and help support this entrepreneurial venture by local youths.

Wizard School Scavenger Hunt for Harry Potter Fans
Where: National Gallery of Art
When: Saturday, 2pm
Admission: $17.50/ages 10-17, $19.50/18 and up
Join Watson Adventures on a unique Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt for kids 10 & up! Follow in the footsteps of young wizards on a field trip to the National Gallery in search of art that echoes characters, places and enchanted objects in the famed Harry Potter books and movies. Wizards and muggles alike can play and enjoy this hunt. The hunt is not an addition to or variation on Harry’s adventures, but instead references to the books will provide a surprising bridge to many strange and wonderful works of art. It’s a great way to discover—or rediscover—the museum. This hunt is designed for kids and adults to do together, but all-adult teams will be allowed to compete separately. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Advance purchase is required. Questions? Call 877-9GO-HUNT.

Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Reserve free tickets for Jon Sands’ Slam Poetry for Kids, this week’s Saturday at the National show
* Join InterAct Story Theatre for African drumming and dancing at Highland Elementary School on Saturday!
* Peter and the Wolf is at Arts Barn for one show only
* Catch Looking for Roberto Clemente at the Atlas Performing Arts Center
* Where Words Once Were opens at the Kennedy Center (get discount tickets)
* The Olney Theatre presents Mary Poppins
* Hansel & Gretel are the current stars on the Main Stage at The Puppet Co.
* And Animal Crackers is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theater
* This weekend if your last chance to catch the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s fantastic production of Romeo & Juliet (recommended for older children or make it a date night)
* See Miss Nina’s Rap, Rock, and Read Show at Jammin Java on Saturday morning
* The Okee Dokee Brothers are playing a Sunday show at Alden Theatre
* ANNIE Jr. opens at Summit Church today for a two weekend run
* It’s opening weekend for Oliver Twist at Creative Cauldron
* See the superbly acted The Little Foxes at Arena Stage (recommended for teens and up)

Dog Pool Dip
Where: Washington Hilton
When: Saturday, 12-3pm
Admission: $5 suggested donation
Four-legged friends and their people are welcome for the Washington Hilton’s annual dog pool dip, when the community is invited to bring their dogs for a swim after the pol closes for the season and before it’s drained and winterized. This event benefitting the Humane Rescue Alliance has seen upwards of 150 dogs splash in the large outdoor 75-80 degree heated, saline-treated pool. There is also a children’s wading pool for smaller dogs who want to join the fun as well! The current forecast for this Saturday is 63 and SUNNY! Are you interested in joining the pawrty?

Side Yards
Where: Yards Park
When: Saturday, 6-10pm
Admission: Free
The third annual sideshow extravaganza, Side Yards, is back at The Yards Park! An evening of all-ages quirky amusement and wonder beckons DC to let loose while taking in the sights and sounds of the East Coast’s top sideshow performers. Stages of entertainment will showcase the unusual talents of contortionists, magicians, jugglers, escape artists, snake handlers, fire breathers, sword swallowers and more attention-grabbing acts.

Shanghai Nights
Where: George Mason Center for the Arts
When: Friday, 8pm & Saturday, 2pm & 8pm
Admission: $30-50
The Shanghai Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China will delight the whole family with this thrilling exhibition! Trampoline artists and aerial acrobats fly through the air with the greatest of ease, while jugglers, contortionists, and martial artists demonstrate the exacting precision of their skills. Through jaw-dropping feats of acrobatics, impeccably timed stunts, and beautiful costumes, performers merge the hustle and bustle of contemporary Shanghai with China’s rich cultural heritage to produce this celebration of their native land.

Maryland Emancipation Day
Where: Montgomery County Parks
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: Free
Celebrate Maryland Emancipation Day, which commemorates the adoption of the 1864 Maryland Constitution that abolished slavery in the state of Maryland. join Montgomery Parks for free activities take place all weekend long, such as hikes on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail, living history demonstrations, live musical performances, and tours of historic sites.

Fall Back to Bethesda
Where: Rock Creek Mansion
When: Sunday, 12-4pm
Admission: $10
Celebrate fall with fun for the whole family while raising critical funds for NIH Charities, Bethesda Fire Department and MetroBethesda Rotary Foundation. Kids pre-K – 8th grade can enjoy unlimited inflatables, face painting, and interactive FUN from Activity Rocket, an dall can enjoy food, music, games, and the beautiful Rock Creek Mansion setting.

Dancing with My Baby
Where: NOVA Natural Birth Center
When: Sunday, 10:30-11am
Admission: Pay what you can
This program allows families the opportunity to connect through movement, dance, yoga, and the expressive arts through simple dance steps and routines set to music. Families can enjoy a fun way to support the parent-child bond while making memories together. Classes are offered on a “Pay What You Can” basis. Register online here.

Disc Golf
Where: Calvert Road Park
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free
Hit the links, the chain links, that is! Disc golf is a great way to enjoy a nice fall day outdoors with the family. Not only is it fun and challenging, the courses, many of them set up in scenic places, are lovely this time of year. This post has info about one in College Park, and there are also great courses at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg and Burke Lake Park in Burke.

Farm Fun
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by place
Just because you don’t need to pick out a potential Jack o’ lantern, that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun on the farm. Many locales have way more to enjoy than just pumpkin patches. Whiz down slides, bounce on giant jumping pillows, visit farm animals, and loads more. This list of fall fests has details to get started — Ticonderoga, Cox, Clark’s Elioak, and Great Country Farms are all good bets.

Hiking & History
Where: Harper’s Ferry
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Free ($10 if you park in lot)
Get some fresh air and exercise as you take in autumn hues and historic sites. Harpers Ferry is an easy day trip or weekend destination from DC, and fall is a great time to go. For more about a visit there, see this KFDC post.

O Say Can You See
Where: Fort McHenry
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $10/adult
Venture up to Baltimore to explore the birthplace of our National Anthem! Fort McHenry makes for a very interesting, informative, and enjoyable outing for all ages. Engaging exhibits range from historical objects and structures to multimedia displays and interactives. And the grounds located right on the Chesapeake are lovely to stroll on a nice day. Read about our recent experience there.

The 5th Annual Kids Euro Festival: A Month of Cultural Adventure in DC

From Greece: A puppet show about a dragon and his crocodile friends.

You don’t have to cross an ocean to introduce your kids to European art and culture. Thanks to the French-American Cultural Foundation, the 27 EU embassies, and more than 30 American cultural institutions, Europe is coming to us via the Kids Euro Festival with four weeks of continental artistic adventures.

From October 17 through November 13, the festival will present more than 200 FREE family-friendly, Euro-themed events all around the DC-metro area. Mimes, storytellers, dancers, and puppeteers are just a few of the exciting acts on the schedule. Public libraries, DC embassies, The Kennedy Center, National Gallery of Art, National Children’s Museum, Shakespeare Theatre, La Maison Française, National Geographic, Strathmore, and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, and local schools are among the many performance venues.

The festival, designed for children ages 2-12, is the largest of its kind in the country. All 27 countries in the European Union are represented in the shows that highlight national cultural traditions and art.

Just about all of the performances on the first day take place at schools, but there are Millennium Stage shows at the Kennedy Center Thursday and Friday evenings, October 18 & 19, that are open to the public. And the open invite continues for several weeks after that.

Some events require reservations, so be sure to visit the Kids Euro Festival website for details, including the complete schedule of performances, age recommendations, and registration info. You can also “like” the Facebook page and follow them on Twitter for updates on events.

The Weekend Round-Up: November 4-6

A fall frolic on the National Mall.

These post-Halloween days are almost as enjoyable as the extravaganza itself. After weeks of costume discussions, trick-or-treat planning, and candy hiding (mostly from myself) so it’s not eaten before the big day, this respite between major holidays is welcome. It won’t last long, as preparations for winter festivities are about to begin. (And I’ll be posting about them soon, but wanted to give you a chance to untie ghosts from trees and dispose of rotting pumpkins). So, in the meantime, enjoy these next few autumn days. Here are some ideas of where to do it. Happy Weekend!

Think Outside… – These splendid fall days are going to be fewer and farther between soon, so my top recommendation is to get out and enjoy them while you can. Do a quintessential DC outing and tour the memorials on the Mall. Go leaf peeping in the National Arboretum or explore the sprawling grounds of Brookside Gardens. Hike amid brilliant foliage at Great Falls or Riverbend Park. Play the day away Cabin John Regional Park. The options are abundant, and you can find even more in KFDC’s list of The Best Places in the DC Area to Enjoy a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids.

Smashing Pumpkins – Now that Halloween is over, you can get rid of those jack-o-lanterns that are starting to cave in on themselves on the front porch. And you can have a good time doing it at Great Country Farms’s Punkin’ Chunkin’. Do the honors on their Silo Drop or Zip Wire Sploosh, or bring it to their Pumpkin Drop Zone to be added to the “fireworks display” as pumpkins are dropped from a 40-foot lift in the parking lot. And while you’re there, enjoy the rest of the farm’s attractions — cow trains, swings, slides, mazes — before the amusement shuts down for the winter. Open from 10am – 5pm. Admission is $10/adults, $8/children.

Euro Entertainment – We’re in the last week of the Kids Euro Festival, the program bringing a month of free continental artistic adventures to venues all over DC. This weekend see “A Cat in Paris” at AFI, “The Seasons of Palina” at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, several performances on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, and much, much more. Check the schedule for times and details.

Rock Out with Recess Monkey – Seattle’s celebrated band of teacher-rockers is coming to DC this weekend to perform three shows at two different venues. First, they are playing a free concert on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Saturday at 6pm. For shows that might work better with little ones’ schedules, see them on Sunday, November 6, at Jammin’ Java at 11am or 2pm. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase online.

Happy 90th, Phillips Collection! – The museum housing masterpieces from some of the world’s most famous artists probably isn’t exactly a go-to spot for a day out with little ones. But this Saturday is an exception. It’s the gallery’s 90^th birthday/anniversary, and they’re celebrating with an all-day bash that includes free activities, gallery talks, and performances for the whole family. Cupcake favors will be handed out while they last, ballet students will be practicing among Degas paintings, an accordionist and a cappella group will perform for guests, and even more will be happening throughout the day from 10am – 8pm. See the schedule for times and details.

Celebrate American Indian Heritage – American Indian leaders, traditions, and arts are commemorated on U.S. postage stamps, and the National Postal Museum is celebrating them with a day of activities for kids. Learn about American Indians on postage stamps; make a topical stamp collection; and enjoy storytime with a book about Sequoyah, the Cherokee man who gave his people written language. Join in the fun on Saturday from aam – 2pm.

Robin Hood – Encore Stage’s production of the classic tale opens on Friday at 7:30pm, and there will be several shows to follow this weekend and next. Here’s what’s special about Encore’s performances: They are for children by children. Yes, it’s mostly a youth cast, and if their production of The Wizard of Oz is any indication, these kids will put on quite a show. The play will be performed at Artisphere’s Spectrum Theatre, tickets are $12/adults, $10/children and can be purchased online.

Children’s Flea Market – Score a few bargains and support some entrepreneurial kids at the McLean Community Center on Saturday from 11am – 1pm. Young vendors will have a variety of gently used items for sale. A donation truck will be on hand after the event to take any unsold items.

NSO Teddy Bear Concert: Tunes ‘n’ (Pig) Tales – 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. Tickets are $18.

Theatre on Strings – Take the kids to a puppet show at Glen Echo Park where The Three Billy Goats Gruff is currently being performed on Main Stage. Showtimes are 11:30am and 1pm Saturday and Sunday, recommended for pre-K and up. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase online.

Portrait Story Days – Drop in at the National Portrait Gallery from 1-4pm on Saturday and Sunday 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 Chief Joseph (1840-1904), chief of the Nez Perce.

America’s Got Talent Auditions – Is your child a star in the making? Well, here’s a chance to show the nation. America’s Got Talent is holding their DC auditions Saturday and Sunday at the Washington Convention Center, and kids (and adults!) of all ages are invited to try out for the show. Doors open at 8am and close by 7pm. Pre-registration and more info is available here.

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Filed under All ages, Art, Babies, DC, Festival, Free, Gradeschoolers, Live Entertainment, Maryland, Museums, Music, Outdoor, Preschoolers, Preteens, Theatre, Toddlers, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as America's Got Talent auditions, Artisphere, Encore Stage, Great Country Farms Punkin' Chunkin', Jammin' Java, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Kids Euro Festival, McLean Community Center, National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, NSO Teddy Bear Concert: Tunes 'n' (Pig) Tales, Portrait Story Days, Recess Monkey, Robin Hood, The Puppet Co., The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Washington DC Family Activities, Washington DC Kids Activities, Washington DC Outdoors, Weekend November 5-6, What to do with kids in DC

November 2, 2011 · 2:38 pm

Rock out with Recess Monkey and Enter to Win Their Latest CD!

Time Magazine called them the “new bastion of kindie rock.” USA Today says their kids’ songs are “awesome!” AOL Parentdish notes comparisons to The Beatles. They are all referring to Recess Monkey, Seattle’s celebrated band of teacher-rockers. And I couldn’t agree with them more.

You can check out Recess Monkey for yourself on their website AND when they come to DC this weekend to perform three shows at two different venues. First, they are playing on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage on Saturday, November 5, at 6pm. For shows that might work better with little ones’ schedules, see them on Sunday, November 6, at Jammin’ Java at 11am or 2pm. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase online.

In high-energy, dance-driven sets, Recess Monkey will offer a bevy of songs from their new superhero-themed CD, FLYING!, along with an array of “greatest hits” from the band’s previous albums. Kids and their parental units will zoom around the room with Drew, Daron, and Jack on “Flying,” join the Monkey Bar conga line (located everywhere), take a soapy ride at the Bubble Factory, and give that loose tooth an extra jiggle with Dr. Wiggle. From flapjacks to jetpacks and everything in-between, families should be ready for more disco dancing, knock-knock jokes and catchy sing-alongs than you can shake a stick at!

Finally, to celebrate their DC appearances, we’re doing a giveaway — one lucky KFDC reader can win a copy of Recess Monkey’s latest CD, FLYING! To enter, just leave a comment on this post. I’ll take entries through tomorrow, then a winner will be drawn at random and announced on Friday morning.

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Filed under All ages, DC, Free, Giveaway, Gradeschoolers, Live Entertainment, Music, Preschoolers, Preteens, Toddlers, Virginia, Weekend

Tagged as Jammin' Java, Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Kids Concerts, Recess Monkey, Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, Washington DC Childrens Concerts, Washington DC Family Activities, Washington DC Kids Activities, Weekend November 5-6, What to do with Kids in Washington DC

October 10, 2011 · 8:21 am

Kids Euro Festival: Four Weeks of Free European Art & Culture in DC!

You don’t have to cross an ocean to introduce your kids to European art and culture. Thanks to the French-American Cultural Foundation, 27 EU embassies, and more than a dozen major cultural institutions, Europe is coming to us via the Kids Euro Festival, a virtual passport to four weeks of continental artistic adventures.

From October 14 through November 10, the festival will present more than 200 FREE children’s performances all around the metro area. Mimes, storytellers, dancers, and puppeteers are just a few of the exciting acts on the schedule. Public libraries, DC embassies, National Geographic Live, the Kennedy Center, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, the National Childrens Museum, Shakespeare Theatre, Strathmore, and AFI are among the many performance venues.

The festival, designed for children ages 2-12, is the largest of its kind in the country. More than 27 countries in the European Union are represented in the shows that highlight national cultural traditions and art.

Visit the Kids Euro Festival website for the complete schedule of performances and age recommendations. You can also “like” the Facebook page for updates on events.