Community

Weekend Picks: August 25-27, 2017

August 24, 2017

Cirque du Soleil OVO is in Baltimore through Sunday at Royal Farms Arena. OVO is teeming with life. Insects work, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy in motion. Their home is filled with biodiversity, beauty, action and moments of quiet emotion. The awestruck insects are intensely curious when a mysterious egg appears, representing the enigma and cycles of their lives. Tickets start at $48 and the show is family-friendly and full of colorful costumes and magnificent moves including juggling, acrobatics and trampolines!

Comcast Outdoor Film Festival returns to Strathmore this summer! Join on the lawn for free family favorite flicks benefiting the NIH Children’s Charities. Fri. August 25 – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (PG-13). Sat. August 26 – The Lego Batman Movie (PG). Gates open to public at 7:30pm and the movie will begin at dusk. Event is FREE! Popcorn and other summer favorites from Ridgewells available for purchase. Picnics are also welcome.

Maryland Renaissance Festival will be jousting and serving up lots of turkey legs for opening weekend! The festival is free to children 15 and under this weekend only. Take a time machine back to medieval times. With plenty of entertainment, including music, jousting, mazes, puppetry, pony rides, a huge pirate playground and so much more. Your children will see people dressed up in 16th century outfits. Dress like a knight and come participate or just watch! The Festival ends October 22 and is open weekends only.

Friday-

5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Garden
(Constitution Avenue and Madison Drive entrances at 9th Street, NW Washington, DC)
Jazz In The Garden at Pavilion Café in the National Gallery of Art features an eclectic mix of jazz is performed by top Washington-area artists. During jazz concerts, the Pavilion Café offers a special menu of creative American cuisine and refreshments, including a beer and wine menu.

6:30pm-8:30pm: Friday Night Concert Series at Capitol Riverfront
(355 Water St SE)
The free Capitol Riverfront Friday Night Concert Series is back for its 7th Season, this year back on the Yards Park boardwalk! Every Friday night this summer, come to Yards Park to relax and enjoy the river view, fantastic bands, food and beverage, and a large variety of great restaurants within a few minutes walk from the park. Family-friendly lyrics and grassy open space make this an enjoyable event for adults and kids alike.

Saturday-

8:30am-5:00pm: 4th Annual Capital Dragon Boat Regatta
(600 Water St SW)
The Capital Dragon Boat Regatta returns to the Washington DC SW Waterfront for its 4th year. The regatta aims to provide an excellent dragon boating experience to both athletes and spectators alike. This one day event will feature premier and festival racing in the heart of Washington DC. Stop by and check out the action. Parking is available in various surface lots around the area in addition to metered parking along M St.

8:30am-9:30am: Capoeira for Kids Ages 3.5-7 at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Capoeira provides physical fitness for children, ages 4 and up. It is intended to be a no- to low-contact martial art that helps children with gross motor planning and gross motor skills. Children will also learn maculele (a dance done hitting sticks against your partner’s sticks), samba, capoeira instruments, and Portuguese through this fun, interactive class. Classes are $15 each or $120 for a series of ten classes.

9:30am AND 10:30am: Harambe with Baba Ras D at Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
Think of it as your little one’s first opportunity to express his or her voice (into a microphone), dance, play a drum or percussion instrument, shout, or sing-along to songs that build character, confidence and community.With more than 10 years of experience in youth development, education and conflict resolution, program instructor Baba Ras D’s “Harambe” is a morning jolt of inspiration for parents, caregivers and children. Recommended for ages 0 to 7 years. $7 per child $3 per adult suggested donation.

11:30am-3:00pm: Military Appreciation Day at the Portrait Gallery
(8th St NW & F St NW)
Join us in recognizing and honoring our armed forces veterans with a program for the whole family. Create art, learn about American heroes, design your own exhibition, have your photo taken and tap your toes to live music in the courtyard.

12:00pm-6:00pm: 17th Street Festival
(17th Street NW from P Street to R Street, NW)
Since 2010, the 17th Street Festival celebrates 17th Street and its diversity of restaurants and retailers. The festival features an entertainment stage, including djs, dance troupes, bands, and drag performances throughout the day. There are 100 vendors, with more than 50 artists displaying everything from fine art to jewelry, ceramics to crafts, and every creative item in between. Other vendors include area nonprofit organizations, politicians, entrepreneurs, and local businesses.The kids zone has activities for children, including a moon bounce, ball crawl, face painting, and games throughout the day. The pet zone brings together pooches, and other four legged creatures, from around the neighborhood to shop or adopt a pet.

12:00pm-6:00pm: Arena Stage Community Day
(1101 Sixth Street, SW)
Arena Stage invites you to celebrate the American Voices that have shaped our country and our 2017/18 Season for a free event! Showcasing America’s cultural past, Arena Stage’s artistic present and Southwest D.C.’s culinary future, Community Day is fun for the entire family. Scheduled activities include: Live music • Aerialists • Dance performances • Face painting • Photobooth and Costume Trunk, Historic and cultural presentations • Storytelling • Poetry readings • Jugglers • Hand Balancers. Moving Stories Workshops, Arena Stage’s interactive literacy program for young students. Using song, movement, sign language and storytelling, we will explore “Zomo the Rabbit” through creative drama. Great food from restaurants on the Wharf and in Southwest including Mike Isabella’s Requin, Del Mar, Masala Art, Richard’s Place and Station 4.

Sunday-

10:00am-11:00am: Nous Bloombars
(3222 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001)
The Alliance Francaise is very proud to continue its partnership with BloomBars, bringing back a weekly music program for children. Nous Bloomons is a celebration of French language and culture through song and dance, led by Achille Ango. Achille grew up in Cameroon (Central West Africa). After graduating from High School, he went to France where he lived for seven years studying and playing music. He has taught French to children, and played music with various bands in the Washington area for more than 20 years. He now teaches French in an immersion school using music as a vehicle. If you want to have fun, dance, jump and sing “à tue-tête”, join us at BloomBars! $7 suggested donation per child. $3 per adult.

6:00pm: Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)
Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of our delicious dining establishments, and meet us at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Movie: Remember the Titans (PG)

(Photo: Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook at Adventure Theatre)

Theatre for this weekend:

Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook at Adventure Theatre has shows on Saturday and Sunday. The show was so popular they extended until August 27!

Circus! at Puppet Co. has shows on Saturday and Sunday with a Tiny Tots: Dragon Babies show on Sunday morning

Weekend Picks: June 2-4, 2017

June 2, 2017

Join us for the 37th annual Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park, (pictured above) Saturday and Sunday, June 3 & 4, 2017 from 12pm – 7pm. One of the most popular events of the year at Glen Echo Park, the Festival attracts close to 10,000 visitors. Free to the public and held rain or shine, the Festival features over 450 musicians, storytellers, dancers, and crafters from the greater Washington area. Produced by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington in collaboration with the Glen Echo Park Partnership, the Washington Folk Festival is a celebration of this region’s rich cultural diversity. International performers share the music, dance, and cultural traditions they brought from their original homes while American performers showcase a variety of musical traditions that developed in this country.

At Jazz ‘n Families Fun Days in partnership with The Phillips Collection, DC JazzFest celebrates the synergy between jazz and the visual arts with performances by more than a dozen regional artists and rising star ensembles. This free, family-friendly weekend event will feature storytelling, unique meet-the-artist opportunities, an instrument petting zoo, art workshops, and more! Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-7pm.

Friday-

5:00pm-8:30pm: Jazz in the Garden in the Sculpture Garden
(7th St SW & Independence Ave SW)
It’s back and I couldn’t be more excited! Pack a picnic and head to the garden for an eclectic mix of jazz is performed by top Washington-area artists. Alcohol can be purchased at the garden but you can not bring it in yourself.

Gates open at 5:30pm, Movie starts at 9:00pm: Movie Nights in the Heights
(Harriet Tubman Elementary School- Irving Street near 11th St)
The movie will start when it gets dark. Set up a blanket and enjoy a picnic! In case of rain, wind, or a wet field, the movie will be moved to the Salvation Army at 3335 Sherman Ave. Movie: Space Jam

Lot opens 6:00, Lot closes promptly at 8:15, Film begins 8:45, Film ends at 10:20: Union Market Drive-In
(1309 5th Street NE Washington, District of Columbia 20002)
$10 parking fee per car. Advance purchase is highly recommended.Free for walk-ups. Excited for the drive-in but don’t have a car? Rent one on Getaround for the night and get $25 off your first rental. For more information and tickets click here. Movie: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Saturday-

9:30am-10:30am: Imagination at Noyes Storybook Parade

(10237 Carroll Place, Kensington, MD)
Children and adults are encouraged to dress as their favorite storybook character and bring musical instruments (including drums, triangles and cymbals) to march in the parade. Classic characters, such as The Cat in the Hat, Winnie the Pooh, and Dorothy and Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz, will also be participating. The free event begins with the parade at 9:30 a.m. Lemonade and cookies will follow the parade, and the event ends at 10:30 a.m. The rain date is June 4. The parade will follow a short route that starts at Noyes Children’s Library.

10:00am-5:00pm: Strawberry Festival at Sandy Spring Museum
(17901 Bentley Rd Sandy Spring, MD 20860)
Sandy Spring Museum is gearing up for the 36^th Annual Strawberry Festival! This event has grown to over 6,000 attendees and is something you won’t want to miss! Taking place throughout the museum’s 7 acres along Route 108, the event features live music and entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden, and activities for children of all ages. Over the years the Strawberry Festival has featured a rock climbing wall, pony rides, a petting zoo, and much more! Purchase a wristband for unlimited kids activities. $10 ahead of time (place your order before 5 pm June 3) or $15 on the day of the event Click here to save money

10:00am-3:00pm: Imagination Bethesda
(Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street in downtown Bethesda)
Celebrate children, art, and all things fun at the 23nd annual Imagination Bethesda. Activity tents line the streets, face painters bring butterflies and pirates to life, a stage of live entertainment will have the whole street dancing, and more! Enjoy this FREE family fun day!

11:00am-3:30pm: Kalorama Park Community Day

(1875 Columbia Rd. NW)
Join us for the 2nd Annual Kalorama Park Community Day celebration! We are aiming to build on the success of last year’s event, this year with even more fun activities, entertainers, and local businesses and organizations. Meet your neighbors, try a new form of exercise, discover a local band, spend time with your family, and more. See you at the park!

Sunday-

12:00pm-7:00pm: Jazz ‘n Families Fun Days

(See above)

12:00pm-7:00pm: Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park

(See above)

Sandy Spring Museum

May 15, 2017

In a city filled with Smithsonian-caliber museums it can be easy to overlook local history. The Washington Metro area has a rich history that goes beyond just being where Congress lives and our founding fathers memorials are. There are and have been families and everyday people here who share a unique and beautiful history. In 1981 a group of residents of Sandy Spring, Maryland saw that history slipping away and were determined enough to preserve at the Sandy Spring Museum. The museum hosts community artists, houses an archive and library, a gallery, and is also a space for events big and small.

The community of Sandy Spring has an important story to share – from agricultural innovation, women’s suffrage, and progressive education to the establishment of one of the largest land-owning African American communities in Maryland. The permanent exhibit at Sandy Spring Museum illustrates this rich local history through photographs, documents, and objects that were collected from the families of the community’s earliest residents. Temporary exhibits rotate quarterly

The 36th annual Strawberry Festival helps to promote many of these goals. Each year it grows in scale physically, and in community participation. Last year over 6,000 people attended many to see family members perform, or to volunteer, or eat a piece of the “Best Strawberry Shortcake in the State of Maryland”.

The events at the festival vary from quaint to fantastic, from traditional kids games like throwing bean bags and rings to a huge climbing wall, moon bounce, pony rides and an entire petting zoo. Most of the games and rides are a few dollars but you can buy a bracelet for unlimited games all day for $15. What a steal!

You’ll also find food trucks with all sorts of cuisines, crafters, a beer and wine garden, two stages with live performances of professional and local talent, an enormous plant sale, raffles, artists doing en plein air paintings throughout the day.

Other events at the museum include a Beer and Wine Garden: Live music, locally-brewed beer and locally-produced wine, and food trucks…the ingredients for a perfect summer evening! Join friends and neighbors at this family-friendly outdoor picnic held on the last Fridays of June, July and August. Each month features a new band, new drink vendors and new food trucks. See the calendar of events for the list of participants. Cover charge is $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Save $5 and get your tickets now!

Folklife Festival: The Folklife Festival is part of Montgomery County’s Heritage Days. Each year, on the last weekend of June, Heritage Montgomery hosts its signature event, the annual Heritage Days celebration – this year marking its 20th anniversary! This two-day (Saturday, June 24 & Sunday, June 25, 2017 – noon to 4pm) countywide event with free admission offers visitors an opportunity to sample numerous sites representing the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County. This family-friendly festival is now in its fourth year. RSVP here.

Nanty Narking Nearly Nine K Run which is a beautiful trail run and 2 Mile Fun Stroll that highlighted historic sites in the Sandy Spring community.
Address: 17901 Bentley Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10:00am-5:00pm
****Open year-round with the exception of December 25, January 1, and July 4

Admission: Members: Free, Adults: $5, Seniors: $4, Children (3-17): $3
****Admission is free for the general public on Wednesdays, excluding groups

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 2017 around Washington, DC

January 14, 2017

Do your children know why they are off school on Monday? Here are some events and opportunities you can share with your child to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” There are plenty of places open and needing assistance on Monday to serve those less fortunate and other places open to remember King.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Make an impact on your community.

Washington, DC:

Martin Luther King Jr., Parade- Monday, January 16, 2017, 10:00am
(2500 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE)
Nick Cannon will once again lead the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Peace Walk held annually on the federal MLK holiday. The Peace Walk is coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, a group of individuals and non-profits dedicated to peace and positivity for the DMV’s youth.

“It Takes a Village” Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Project Monday, January 16, 2017- This year there are opportunities for participants to either serve off-campus in direct service projects or engage on-campus through workshops and mobile service projects.

Let Freedom Ring! – Monday, January 16, 2017 at 6:00pm– The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the free, ticketed musical tribute Let Freedom Ring!The annual program, part of the free daily performance series on the Millennium Stage, features Grammy Award winner Gladys Knight and the Let Freedom Ring Choir led by Music Director Rev. Nolan Williams Jr.

Visit the Martin Luther King Memorial– This weekend is a great time to visit the Memorial. National Park Service Rangers discuss King’s role in the Civil Rights movement daily. The National Park Service will host a wreathlaying service on January 19, 2015, 8:00am-9:00am. in observance of the birthday-anniversary for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Join Rock Creek Conservancy on Saturday, January 14th and Monday, January 16th in honor of the 2017 MLK Day of Service. There are volunteer events in your neighborhood as well as other locations throughout Washington, DC, and Montgomery County, MD.

Maryland:

Monday, January 16 at 3:30pm Dr. MLK Jr Tribute & Celebration at Strathmore
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Tribute & Celebration is a multi-cultural program that engages diverse, talented performers and award honorees who serve their communities unselfishly. Approximately 2,000 young people, including county officials and local press, participate in this commemoration in the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Limit four tickets per household.

I Have A Dream Weekend Celebration at Port Discovery Children’s Museum taking place from 10:00am-4:00pm Saturday, Sunday & Monday. Community comes to life over the three-day “I Have a Dream” weekend! Join the Museum to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Montgomery County MLK Day of Service 2017 is a great family friendly event and one in which MCPS students can earn SSL hours. This annual event, organized by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center and our many partner agencies, will feature a wide variety of coordinated family-friendly service projects at locations across the county, providing residents of all ages with ways to help our community. Projects will include everything from packaging food for the hungry and making dog toys for animal shelter to creating blankets for hospice and crafting appreciation cards for military troops.