Weekday Adventures: Salamanders, Kings, Queens and Barefoot Puppets

Monday-

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-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.Today’s featured artist is master educator, musician, and storyteller,   Bashea “Iya ” Imana .  “Iya & the Kuumba Kids” is  an interactive, hands-on, fun-filled time. Iya masterfully blends music & movement with storytelling, eco-friendly arts & crafts, and puppetry. This educational program for children fosters a love for learning and promotes literacy, critical thinking, respect for the environment, character development, and creativity. 

Tuesday-  

10:00am: Rocking Tot Tuesdays with The Singing Lizard at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
Grab an instrument, get on stage or practice your moves on the dance floor. This is a perfect spot for your little one to move and groove. Suggested donation $7.

10:00am and 11:00am: Marsha Goodman-Wood at Takoma Park Maryland Library
(101 Philadelphia Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912)
Marsha will be joining forces with librarian Karen MacPherson once again as they lead Circle Time at the Takoma Park Library! Sing, dance, and rhyme with us! 

10:00am: Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Pavilion (2nd floor)
(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.

10:30am-12:00pm: Book of the Month Club at National Building Museum
(401 F Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001)
Book of the Month is B is for Bulldozer by June Sobel and Melissa Iwai. At the construction site, there’s a big yellow Bulldozer, a tall shiny Crane, and a rusty red Dump truck. But what are they building? Watch the trucks bang, dig, and scoop all the way to the letter Z! Readings at 10:30 and 11:30 am.  FREE with admission to the Building Zone.  Drop-in program.  Recommended for ages 3 to 5. 

11:00am: Story time 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 Sally’s Great Balloon Adventure by Stephen Huneck.

Wednesday-

10:00am-11:00am- Story time at The Kreeger Museum
(2401 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007)
Children ages 3-5 and an adult companion are invited to use their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each program includes a gallery tour, analysis of works of art from the collection, a story and a hands-on art-making experience. Class size is limited to 10 children. Pre-registration is required. Payment due at time of registration. An adult must remain with the child throughout the program.

10:30am-11:15am: Tyke Hikes: Seldom Seen Salamanders
(5100 Meadowside Ln., Rockville, Md.)
Come and discover the bustling world around the Nature Center. Take a nature mini-hike and make a craft to take home. Investigate under logs and rocks for the secretive amphibian and their food. 2-3 year olds, $5.

10:30am: Boogie Babes 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!

10:30am: Arts on the Horizon present Sunny and Licorice
(The Lab at Convergence- 1801 N. Quaker Ln. Alexandria, Va. 22302)
Sunny, the zoo’s sole orangutan, is delighted to get a new roommate, but things don’t go smoothly when Licorice first arrives. Sunny likes to be loud, but Licorice prefers to read the newspaper. And Licorice likes to keep things tidy, but Sunny keeps making a mess! When the zookeeper leaves behind a radio, a curious thing happens — toes start tapping and arms start swinging. Could music bring this “odd couple” together? Plays through June 14, tickets are $8.

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. 

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.

10:15 and 11:30am: Discovery Theatre presents Trickster Tales with Barefoot Puppets
(1100 Jefferson Drive SW, on the National Mall: Ripley Center, Smithsonian)
How does a spider beat an elephant in a bout of tug-of-war? Find out when Anansi the Spider takes center stage in two traditional folktales from West Africa. You’ll also meet Elephant, Hippo, Namibi the python, Osebo the leopard, a swarm of angry hornets, and an even angrier Sky God, all in the form of expressive rod and hand puppets. Colorful scenery, original music, and lots of puns add to the high-energy antics. $6 children, $3 under 2, adults $8. 

10:30am: Boogie Babes presents Oh Susannah! 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.

10:30am: Preschool Series: Kings and Queens at Hillwood Estate
(4155 Linnean Ave NW, Washington, DC. 20008)
Enter the glamorous world of kings and queens as you prepare for a royal ball and discover glittering treasures. Experience the wonder of Hillwood with your preschooler! Explore a new mansion room each week of this three-part series through make believe, art projects, and imaginative play. $30 per child (age 2-5) with one accompanying adult; $25 member; $15 additional adults. Price listed is for three-class series (June 5, 12, and 19). For single class: $12 per child; $10 member. Limited to 10 children ages 2-5, each with one accompanying adult. Please call ahead to register: 202.686.5807.

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: Arts on the Horizon present Sunny and Licorice
(The Lab at Convergence- 1801 N. Quaker Ln. Alexandria, Va. 22302)
Sunny, the zoo’s sole orangutan, is delighted to get a new roommate, but things don’t go smoothly when Licorice first arrives. Sunny likes to be loud, but Licorice prefers to read the newspaper. And Licorice likes to keep things tidy, but Sunny keeps making a mess! When the zookeeper leaves behind a radio, a curious thing happens — toes start tapping and arms start swinging. Could music bring this “odd couple” together? Plays through June 14, tickets are $8.

6:00pm: John Henry, the Guitar Playing Man at Broad Branch Market 
(5608 Broad Branch Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015)
John Henry has a busy day! He’s back at our favorite summer concert series. Catch him every Thursday at BBM. Grab dinner inside the market and eat it while singing along to his catchy tunes or treat your bambino to an ice cream. A fun way to end the evening and if you’re little one isn’t ready to go home afterwards walk across the street to Lafayette Park and choose between the many playgrounds or fields to play on.

 (Sunny and Licorice, actors: Ryan Sellers and Maggie Erwin, photo: Aram Vartian)

Friday-

10:00am: Songs, stories & puppets at Bloombars
(3222 11th St NW, Washington, DC. 20010)
30 minutes of storytelling, dancing, singing and entertainment just for kids under 5.

10:15 and 11:30am: Discovery Theatre presents Trickster Tales with Barefoot Puppets
(1100 Jefferson Drive SW, on the National Mall: Ripley Center, Smithsonian)
How does a spider beat an elephant in a bout of tug-of-war? Find out when Anansi the Spider takes center stage in two traditional folktales from West Africa. You’ll also meet Elephant, Hippo, Namibi the python, Osebo the leopard, a swarm of angry hornets, and an even angrier Sky God, all in the form of expressive rod and hand puppets. Colorful scenery, original music, and lots of puns add to the high-energy antics. $6 children, $3 under 2, adults $8.

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 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!

10:30am: Arts on the Horizon present Sunny and Licorice
(The Lab at Convergence- 1801 N. Quaker Ln. Alexandria, Va. 22302)
Sunny, the zoo’s sole orangutan, is delighted to get a new roommate, but things don’t go smoothly when Licorice first arrives. Sunny likes to be loud, but Licorice prefers to read the newspaper. And Licorice likes to keep things tidy, but Sunny keeps making a mess! When the zookeeper leaves behind a radio, a curious thing happens — toes start tapping and arms start swinging. Could music bring this “odd couple” together? Plays through June 14, tickets are $8.

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.

Buy tickets now for Saturday, June 7: 

Fairy Tea and Treats at Tudor Place 
Bring your favorite Tinkerbell, as children dress up in magical fairy costumes complete with tutus, wands, and wings. Dressed for tea, costumed interpreters explain the favored drink of early America, while guests enjoy tasty desserts. After the tea, children tour Tudor Place’s enchanting fairy gardens and make a special period craft to take home. Purchase tickets here before they are sold out!