Weekend picks for families in and around Washington, DC

My First Imagination Stage: The My First Imagination Stage theatre series offers intimate, interactive theatre performances designed for the very young in our Reeve Studio Theatre. Learn more below about their early childhood classes and weekend workshops for ages 1-5. Wake Up, Brother Bear is on stage now from January 11- February 13, 2019. The show is about Sister Bear and Brother Bear are back from hibernation to take your little ones on an interactive journey through the seasons. Meet a curious butterfly, play in a rushing waterfall, and catch lightning bugs as the bears frolic through the forest in this unforgettable live theatre experience. Reimagined for this 10th anniversary performance, this audience favorite is sure to delight and inspire.

The Enchanted Bookshop is at Encore Theatre and Stage one final weekend. During the day, A Likely Story looks like any other bookshop, but at night the characters inside the books come alive. Classic characters — including Dorothy Gale, Pollyanna, Heidi, Tom Sawyer and more — long to help Margie, the scatterbrained owner, save her struggling store. When a pair of smugglers come looking for a stolen necklace hidden inside one of the books, the characters must find a way to rescue the bookshop without being seen. Join the magical mission to celebrate the enchantment and joy of reading. Show is recommended for ages 4 and older. 

Saturday

11:00am: Rocknoceros plays at Dangerously Delicious Pies 
Pie meets catchy tunes!! 

12:00 AND 2:00: Painting for Peace Weekend at Art Jamz
In honor of MLK Day ArtJamz is donating $5.00 per canvas order to local charity DC Central Kitchen. During Painting for Peace Weekend we encourage the creation of original art under the guidance of local artists and with inspiration from our jamming social art studio and lounge. There will be plenty of images and quotes inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. not to mention some stencils to help you create a unique masterpiece.

1:00pm-4:00pm: Portrait Story Days: MLK, Jr at National Portrait Gallery
Listen to a story and create art inspired by someone in the Portrait Gallery’s collection.

2:30pm-4:30pm: Opera Workshop for Kids: Radamisto
Spend an afternoon with your child or grandchildren, niece or nephew and immerse yourselves in the arts of opera! Learn the story of Radamisto, a drama about the taming of a powerful and ambitious king. Sing in Italian with a soprano! Stage a battle with our armory props! See and design costumes. Hear and touch an oboe. (Did you know the word “Oboe” comes from a French Word Hautbois, that translates to “High-Wood” or “Loud-Wood?”) Come enjoy a free afternoon of opera playtime. Stop by for a few minutes or join us for a full afternoon of fun. Families with children 8 – 12 years of age, but all are welcome

Sunday

10:00am-12:00pm AND 4:00pm-6:00pm: Slime Sunday at Red Panda Art Studio
Join us Sunday for our slime workshop. In this extended (2 hour!!) slime session, kids will get to make at least 3 different types of slime. We will experiment with different slime mix-ins, mix up some of our own colors to make our slime truly unique, and create names for our slimes. Cost is $30/child Sign up here.

12:00 AND 2:00: Painting for Peace Weekend at Art Jamz
In honor of MLK Day ArtJamz is donating $5.00 per canvas order to local charity DC Central Kitchen. During Painting for Peace Weekend we encourage the creation of original art under the guidance of local artists and with inspiration from our jamming social art studio and lounge. There will be plenty of images and quotes inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. not to mention some stencils to help you create a unique masterpiece.

1:00pm-4:00pm: Portrait Story Days: MLK, Jr at National Portrait Gallery
Listen to a story and create art inspired by someone in the Portrait Gallery’s collection.

5:00pm: Step Afrika! at Strathmore
Step Afrika!, the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, launches its 25th anniversary season at Strathmore with a retrospective performance of the company’s best-loved works including Wade, Passing 25, and Nxt/Stp: Hip Hop. Featuring the critically acclaimed artists of Step Afrika!, the company celebrates 25 years of stepping while paying homage to the company’s deep connections to South African dance, music, and culture.  

Monday: MLK Jr.; Day (See related post below)