Weekday Adventures: ‘Make Meaning’ with art, watch a play and listen to catchy tunes

As the weather turns bitter, reserve your seats at a play this week. Adventure Theater and Imagination Stage have great plays showing. Remember, our Indoor Guide has you covered for some fun and unique indoor places to turn to as it’s windy and cold outside. And for you cold weather fans, we will publish a Winter Outdoor Guide soon. 

Monday-

9:30am-11:00am- Rise and Rhyme at Busboys and Poets
(5531 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, Md. 20781)
Rise + Rhyme is a weekly Busboys and Poets series for local stay-at-home parents and early rising families of all kinds! Featuring performances and stories for children ages 5 and under. This week Marsha Goodman-Wood is performing.

9:30am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

9:30am and 10:15am: Storytime at Noyes Library
(10237 Carroll Pl, Kensington, MD 20895)
Come Sing, Read, and Rhyme With Us! Music is a fun way to learn about sounds, rhythm, rhyme and is a natural support for your child’s early learning. Appropriate for all ages.

10:15am and 11:30am: Coyote Mischief Tales at Discovery Theater
(Ripley Center, Smithsonian)
Coyote Mischief Tales introduces the culture and legends of Native Americans in a show featuring the famous trickster Coyote, his friend Hastali, and his loving wife Mole, in a trio of tribal stories that will entertain, inspire and teach.  Walk the Medicine Wheel in four directions, each with a different lesson—alternately funny, warm and wise.  “Coyote Gets his Name” teaches us that the most important lesson is to be true to ourselves; “Coyote and his Pups” reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and to always value others; “Coyote’s Big Giveaway” is a story about friendship and true giving; and the message in “Coyote Visits the Land of the Spirits” is that true love is the strongest medicine of all. Recommended for ages 5-10.

10:30am-11:00am: Songs and stories at Politics and Prose
(5015 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008)
Come sing-along to your favorite songs. Grab a treat in the cafe afterwards or hang out reading books.

Tuesday- Make Meaning is now open in Bethesda. Make your mornings meaningful and fun! Join on Tuesdays to hear some favorite childhood stories followed by an engaging creative activity inspired by each story’s theme. Mini Mornings are for children ages 2-4 accompanied by an adult. Seating is limited so be sure to sign up in advance! Every week we offer a different story and theme.

10:00am-10:45am: Tudor Place: Fall Frolic
(1644 31st Street, NW Washington, DC 20007)
Tudor Place has enchanted young children for 200 years. Experience it yourself Tuesday mornings, as we meet to read, sing, and play in the gardens and historic spaces. This family-friendly program offers a new theme each week, from “adventurous animals” to “growing gardens” and more. Children will participate in interactive read-alouds, songs, and themed movements related to the week’s topic, sharing a tranquil setting with the grown-ups who care for them. For ages 2-4. $5/session, adults free.

10:00am:  The Singing Lizard BICYCLE Music Video Release Show at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
Be the first to see the Bicycle music video before it explodes on YouTube! $7 suggested donation.

10:00am: Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Pavilion 
(10th St. and Constitution Ave., NW)
Every Tuesday at 10:00am you can get into the magnificent butterfly pavilion for free! Make sure and get a free ticket by the entrance. We visited this last month and were amazed by how many butterflies were flying around, some even landing on a shoulder. Look closely and you could spot a frog under some trees.

10:15am and 11:30am: Coyote Mischief Tales at Discovery Theater
(Ripley Center, Smithsonian)
Coyote Mischief Tales introduces the culture and legends of Native Americans in a show featuring the famous trickster Coyote, his friend Hastali, and his loving wife Mole, in a trio of tribal stories that will entertain, inspire and teach.  Walk the Medicine Wheel in four directions, each with a different lesson—alternately funny, warm and wise.  “Coyote Gets his Name” teaches us that the most important lesson is to be true to ourselves; “Coyote and his Pups” reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and to always value others; “Coyote’s Big Giveaway” is a story about friendship and true giving; and the message in “Coyote Visits the Land of the Spirits” is that true love is the strongest medicine of all. Recommended for ages 5-10.

10:30am-11:30am: Snugglers at the United States Botanic Garden
(100 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20001- Conservatory Garden Court)
Do you have a tiny treasure in a snuggly? Looking for ways to get out of the house, and learn? Join us each Thursday for a 45-minute guided tour of the Conservatory. Each week will be a different exploration. This program is designed for parents and care providers who have a tiny one in a snuggly. Please note: Due to narrow paths and the nature of this program, they cannot support strollers or older siblings.

11:00am: Storytime at National Air and Space Museum
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
“Flights of Fancy” staff will read stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Each session includes one story and a hands-on activity. Featured story is If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty.

Wednesday-

10:15am and 11:30am: Coyote Mischief Tales at Discovery Theater
(Ripley Center, Smithsonian)
Coyote Mischief Tales introduces the culture and legends of Native Americans in a show featuring the famous trickster Coyote, his friend Hastali, and his loving wife Mole, in a trio of tribal stories that will entertain, inspire and teach.  Walk the Medicine Wheel in four directions, each with a different lesson—alternately funny, warm and wise.  “Coyote Gets his Name” teaches us that the most important lesson is to be true to ourselves; “Coyote and his Pups” reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and to always value others; “Coyote’s Big Giveaway” is a story about friendship and true giving; and the message in “Coyote Visits the Land of the Spirits” is that true love is the strongest medicine of all. Recommended for ages 5-10.

10:30am: Turkey Time at Meadowside Nature Center
(5100 Meadowside Ln, Rockville, MD)
Turkey tales, turkey calls, and a turkey craft will help us explore the world of the wild turkey.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Mr. Gabe at Union Market 
(1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC. 20002)
Access the free market parking lot from 6th Street NE or travel via metro to NoMA-Gallaudet. Come early for coffee and stay for lunch!

11:00am-12:00pm: Baby and Me Yoga Fit at Lil Omm
(4708 Wisconsin Ave NW, DC. 20016)
Yoga Fit is a blend of yoga and strength training where you bring your baby along for the fun! Get ready for a workout that blends cardio, yoga, strength, and resistance training using free weights, bands, and blocks to leave you feeling like one hot mama! Recommended for babies 6 weeks-pre-crawling.

11:00am: Storytime at National Air and Space Museum
(14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151)
“Flights of Fancy” staff will read stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Each session includes one story and a hands-on activity. Featured story is If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty.

4:00pm-5:30pm: Free Art Wednesdays at Create ART
(Silver Spring Civic Building – 1 Veterans Plaza)
Join Create ART in this wonderful new FREE after school art workshops – improv, sewing, comics, & more! Kindergarten-5th grade students welcome. Register online.

4:15pm-5:00pm: Jumpers and Me yoga at Lil Omm 
(4708 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016)
Jumpers & Me yoga is a class for toddlers ages 2-4. In this class we learn developmentally appropriate poses for this active and playful age. We do this with poses, games and songs to teach the basics principles of yoga to our children. This is a magical age to practice with your child and introduce them to the benefits of yoga.

5:30pm: !Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! at BloomBars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
!Uno, Dos, Tres con Andres! is a sure bet every time. Children of various ages enjoy this interactive show that teaches Spanish language and Latin American culture.

Thursday-

10:00am: Harambe at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
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.

10:15am and 11:30am: Coyote Mischief Tales at Discovery Theater
(Ripley Center, Smithsonian)
Coyote Mischief Tales introduces the culture and legends of Native Americans in a show featuring the famous trickster Coyote, his friend Hastali, and his loving wife Mole, in a trio of tribal stories that will entertain, inspire and teach.  Walk the Medicine Wheel in four directions, each with a different lesson—alternately funny, warm and wise.  “Coyote Gets his Name” teaches us that the most important lesson is to be true to ourselves; “Coyote and his Pups” reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and to always value others; “Coyote’s Big Giveaway” is a story about friendship and true giving; and the message in “Coyote Visits the Land of the Spirits” is that true love is the strongest medicine of all. Recommended for ages 5-10.

10:30am: The Great Zucchini at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
Get tickets here for The Great Zucchini, Washington’s funniest and most magical preschool and kindergarten entertainer, performs a colorful magic show where every child is a star and guaranteed to laugh. Experience the excitement of the children when they get to learn a magic trick at the end of show.

10:30am:Boogie Babes at Eastern Market
(225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003)
Our most popular show of the week! Join us at Historic Eastern Market’s North Hall (closest to South Carolina) for a lively concert, grab lunch and shop for dinner. Access to the North Hall via the market for Boogie Babes. Eastern Market Metro is two short blocks away.

11:00am: Storytime at National Air and Space Museum
(601 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20597)
“Flights of Fancy” staff will read stories about famous aviators, hot-air balloon flights, trips to Mars, characters visible in the night sky, or creatures that have their own wings. Each session includes one story and a hands-on activity. Featured story is Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin.

Friday- 

10:15am and 11:30am: Tot Rock: Jammin’ at the Smithsonian presents Alastair Moock
(Ripley Center, Smithsonian)
Meet one of Boston’s premier folk artists, a 2014 Grammy nominee for best children’s album and a Parents’ Choice Gold Medal winner. Time Out New York calls Alastair Moock ”a musical descendant of Woody Guthrie with a zany sense of humor.” His shows, described as “half Appalachian hootenanny, half honky-tonk jam session” are rowdy, rootsy, singin’ and dancin’ fun! Recommended for ages 2-6.

10:30am: Rocknoceros at Jammin Java
(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
As every family with youngsters in the DC area already knows, Rocknoceros (pronounced like rhinoceros) is three guys: Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie, who make wildly popular, award-winning music for the whole family. Tickets are $5.

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Andres at Atlas Performing Arts
(1333 H Street NE Washington, DC. 20002)
Join us at the ATLAS Performing Arts Center along the H Street Corridor. Snack bar and bathrooms are easily accessible. Lots of good and kid-friendly lunch options within one to three blocks!

1:00pm-4:00pm: The National Portrait Gallery presents Open Studio Fridays
(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001 – Education Center, Room E151)
Friday afternoons at the Gallery feature some creative and free fun! Check out a Portrait Discovery Kit to explore the museum and try a different selection of art material each week.

4:00pm-5:00pm: Old School Preschool: Music Foundations 101 at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
Join renowned jazz vocalist and music educator Rochelle Rice on a music history journey traversing various genre’s from generation past to present. Parents and little ones learn about the lives and music of America’s greatest performers through interactive musical activities, dancing, singing, and storytelling. From Mozart to Mahalia Jackson, the goal is to nurture well-rounded music lovers and inspire early learning through the arts.