This Weekend with Kids in DC Metro: April 30th – May 1st

Saturday, April 30th

Mount Vernon Big Flea

8am – 3pm @ Mount Vernon Community Center, Alexandria

Check out this large flea market fundraiser to benefit the Mount Vernon Community School PTA.  There will be furniture, kids gear, electronics, household items, collectibles, jewelry, and more.  The MV Big Flea doors open for early admission at 8am ($10) with general admission (free) starting at 9am. At noon, everything is half off and at 2pm everything left over is free!  They are also raffling off a classic 1986 convertible ($10 per ticket).

http://www.mvbigflea.com

Alexandria Earth Day

10am – 2pm @ Ben Brenman Park, Alexandria.  

There will be environmental display, food, jazz music, poetry, free parking, and a tree sale.  There will be 51 exhibitors – every one will have a hands-on children’s activity at their stand.  The main event is a Fashion from Trashion Show in which 200 youngsters from Alexandria will walk the catwalk in their designs made from trash.  Check out my post for more fun things to do to celebrate Earth Day this weekend.

http://www.alexearthday.org/

Glen Echo Park Family Day

11am – 4pm @ Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD

This event celebrates the opening of the carousel and offers a full day of activities for families.  There will be magic shows with Barry Wood and Alex Wohl, Irish Dance Performances, Ballet Petite and Youth Performing Arts School presents “Cinderella”, Family Dancing, art projects, face painting, hula hoop fun, balloon animals, cake & lemonade, and lots more!  The Carousel operates from  12 – 6 pm, $1.25 per ride.

http://www.glenechopark.org/family-day-2011

2nd Birthday of the Launch Zone

11am – 4pm @ NCM Launch Zone, National Harbor, MD

Happy birthday to the National Children’s Museum’ Launch Zone!  On Saturday, they will host a “birthday party”, with birthday hat decorating, a visit from a lovable Peep from the Peeps Store, face painting, rain stick making, party favors, and much more.  In addition, Wayne Alan, a well-known magician will perform two 45 minute shows at 12pm and 2pm.

http://www.ncm.museum/home/news/ncm-launch-zone-celebrates-2nd-birthday-april-30

Move Me!  Arts Experience Festival

2pm – 5pm @ Kenmore Middle School, Arlington

A fun, free, family friendly event (how’s that for alliteration?) that will celebrate local arts.  It is hosted by Bowen McCauley Dance, and brings together local arts organizations like Synetic Theatre and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts for an afternoon of family fun.  The event will feature dance, music, visual art, literary art, and fitness activities.  At 3pm the BMD Professional Company, the Kenmore Junior Company, and Dance for PD (Parkinson Disease) students will take the stage for a one-hour performance to music of Duke Ellington.

Click here for more info.

Hawks

2:30pm – 3:30pm @ Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington

Learn all about Virginia’s hawks.  Join members of the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia as they share their knowledge and let you have a chance to meet some live birds.  This event is free, but donations to the Raptor Conservancy is encouraged.  This is for families with children ages 5 and up.  For more info call 703-228-6535.

http://www.arlingtonva.us/calendar/default.aspx#EventDetails_12667

Sunday, May 1st

Stories and Music in the Garden!
4 pm- 6pm, @ Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria
There will be performers presenting stories and songs, and there will also be a spring craft for children.  Brats, hot dogs, sweet treats, and more will be available.  Beer and wine will also be sold.  Proceeds support the Fort Hunt Preschool/MVUC natural playground project.

http://mvuc.org/articles/807/1/Stories-amp-Music-in-the-Garden/Page1.html

Choralis Cantus Youth Choirs’ May Day Concert

4pm @ Falls Church Presbyterian Church, Falls Church

The Choralis Cantus Youth Choir’s spring concert will feature each of the youth ensembles and the Cantus Primo Select Youth Choir.  It will be fun for the whole family.  A reception will follow the concert in the Fellowship Hall of the church.  Ticket prices for the concert are:  $10 adults, $5 for students 22 and under with ID; and free for ages 12 and under.

http://fallschurchtimes.com/20727/sunday-52-choralis-youth-choir-concert/

May Day Baskets

1:30pm @ Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale

Join the tradition of making a May basket and fill it with flowers to hang on the front door of friends or neighbors as a May Day surprise.  Learn to identify some wildflowers and make art with flowers.

Click here for more info.

Saturday April 30th & May 1st

The Cat Who Went to Heaven

11am, 1:30pm, & 5pm on Saturday and 1:30pm & 4pm on Sunday @ The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

This is a children’s jazz puppet show, based on the 1931 Newbery Award–winning children’s book by Elizabeth Coatsworth.  This is a great introduction to jazz for children age 5 and up.  Cost is $18 per ticket.

http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showevent&event=KLTAD

 

This Weekend in DC Metro: January 15th – 17th

 

It is a three day weekend for many of you out there.  The DC area is a great place to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, so go out and play!

 

Saturday, January 15th

NSO Kinderkonzert: Making Music with Friends

11am & 1:30pm @ Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

The Kennedy String Quartet performs an interactive programs for kids.  The audience will help to compose the piece to illustrate the connection between how we act and feel to the way music is performed.  For age 4 and up. There is also a free musical instrument “Petting Zoo” one hour before the performance.  Tickets are $18, and it lasts 1 hour.

http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/?fuseaction=showEvent&event=NLKKA

 

Snakes Alive

3pm – 4pm @ Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington

A program to teach everything you ever wanted to learn about snakes, and you can also meet some!  $5 fee per person, for children ages 4 and over. Register online- activity #: 622950-K

http://www.arlingtonva.us/calendar/#EventDetails_11004

 

Sunday, January 16th

Rocknoceros

10:30am @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington, DC

Rock out to Rocknoceros!!  Tickets are $8 in advance, and $10 the day of the event.

http://www.sixthandi.org/EventDetails.aspx?evntID=355&dispDt=1/16/2011%2010:30:00%20AM

 

Monday, January 17th

“I Have a Dream…” Pillowcases

11am – 2pm @ The National Children’s Museum Launch Zone, National Harbor, MD

Head to the Launch Zone and make your own “I have a Dream…” pillowcase, as well as take part in other activities.  No registration required.

http://www.ncm.museum/home/events

 

Saturday – Monday, January 15th- 17th

Martin Luther King, Jr Family Festival

10am – 5:30pm @ National Museum of American History, Washington, DC

A free three-day festival celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.  There are various programs, activities, and performances that visitors can take part in.  There is a play, Join the Student Sit-ins, which allows visitors to be the protestors during the Woolworth Lunch Counter sit-in.  There will be a dramatic presentation of, “To the Mountaintop”, as well as other activities and performances.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D92273763

 

 

This Weekend in DC Metro: November 13th- 14th

It looks like it is going to be a beautiful weekend.  I’m not sure how this happened, but we are sneaking up on the holiday season.  To help get you in the holiday spirit, check out several events that kick of the season- plus more fun things to do!

Saturday, November 13th

Long Branch’s 38th Birthday Bash

2:00pm – 4:00pm: Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington.

The Long Branch Nature Center opened in 1972 in a converted 1940s house. In fact, one of the former residents was Mae Hickman, a pioneer in the field of wildlife rehabilitation. The nature center continues to be actively involved in the rehabilitation of injured wildlife, and Long Branch’s naturalists are licensed to treat injured and sick reptiles.

Come help them celebrate their 38th year!  Long Branch party attendees can meet the animals on display, take part in a scavenger hunt, craft making, and help blow out the candles on the cake (cut at 3:00 p.m).  There is no program fee, but $5 donations per participant are encouraged. To register, call 703-228-4747 or go online at: http://registration.arlingtonva.us Ages 3 & up.  http://www.arlingtonva.us/calendar/#EventDetails_10209

Special Nutcracker Storytime and Mini-preformance by BalletNOVA

10:30am: Barnes and Noble, Clarendon Market Commons, Arlington

BalletNova Center for Dance is partnering with Barnes & Noble to offer a Nutcracker Storytime hour.  Costumed cast members from BalletNOVA’s Nutcracker will read one-on-one to the children, followed by a special preview performance.

http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3066957

8th Annual Pentagon Row Holiday Festival

5pm – 7pm: Pentagon Row, Arlington

Head down to Pentagon Row this weekend for for a fun start to the holiday season!  There will be hay rides, live music, a visit from Santa, store specials, and ice skating.

http://www.pentagonrow.com/events

Red White, and Blue Holiday Cards

11am – 2pm: Postal Museum, Washington, DC

Hang out at the Postal Museum and create holiday cards for friends and family or donate a card to American military members through Operation Gratitude.  Cost is free, and is appropriate for kids 5 and older.

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/museum/1b_calendar.html#/?i=1

The Great Zucchini and Barry the Magician

10am: Avalon Theater, Washington, DC

One of DC’s most popular pre-school entertainers,The Great Zucchini will be performing along with the famous Barry The Magician at the Avalon Theater.m.
(202-966-6000). Tickets online at printtixusa.com. Adults and children, $8.50.

http://www.theavalon.org/programs-events/weekend-family-matinee/

Saturday, November 13 & Sunday, November 14

Tea with Martha

3:00 – 4:30pm: Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Alexandria
Sound like a little girl’s dream?  A re-enactor playing Martha Washington discusses 18th century tea customs, clothing and dancing.  Drink the museum’s special blend of tea, pound cake, dried fruit, and assortment of cookies. The fun part is, party attire requested!  Recommended for adult groups, mothers and daughters. $25 per person, $20 for groups of 6 or more with reservations.  Reservations (required) to 703-746-4242.

http://oha.alexandriava.gov/gadsby/

National Children’s Museum Celebrates Family Literacy Month

The Launch Zone, National Harbor, MD

The National Children’s Museum is celebrating Family Literacy Month with “A Celebration of Children’s Literature: The White House on the Waterfront”.  There are three author discussions planned (details below) on November 13-14. The three authors will engage families with an interactive discussion, a Q&A session, and a book signing. The Launch Zone will also involve children by offering a make-and-take craft.

• Steven Kellogg, Regina Medal recipient, author, and illustrator of over 100 children’s books. (SESSION IS FULL)

• Katherine Paterson, Newbery Medal award winner for Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved – Saturday, Nov. 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
• Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal award winner for Sarah, Plain and Tall – Sunday, Nov. 14, 1-3 p.m

Advance registration is required. Families must register for individual authors’ sessions online at www.ncm.museum/register. The event is free to attend and most appropriate for ages 6 to 12.

Sunday, November 14

Family Friendly Sunday Big Screen Brunch

11am: Eat Bar, Arlington

Every week Eat Bar shows a different kid friendly movie, so you and your family can hang out, eat a yummy brunch, and not have to clean up afterwards.  What could be better?  Movies begin at 11am.

http://www.eat-bar.com/documents/EatBarWeekendBrunch.pdf