Weekend Picks in and around Washington, DC

Many programs rev back up next week, like Songs at Imagination Stage, Saturday Mornings at National Theatre, Art Investigators at NGA and Saturdays at Hirshhorn (to name a few!). This weekend you may need to visit the Indoor fun Guide for ideas. There are also fun suggestions on our Surviving Daylight Savings post, even though the days are getting longer now!

Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC) has classes this weekend for Infant Investigators (Saturday, January 6 at 10am and Sunday, January 7 at 10am). The class is called “CAN Touch This”: Infants love touching and exploring different textures! We will utilize this universal truth while going on a tactile tour in the National Museum of Natural History’s Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, & Minerals. Twos Travelers also has a class this weekend (Saturday, January 6 at 10am and Sunday, January 7 at 10am). “Yellow Submarine”: Dive deep into the Ocean Hall at the National Museum of Natural History and learn about the type of transportation we would need to travel below the surface of the water.  Along the way we will explore the different ocean zones and the creatures that inhabit them. See our review of the program here.

NSO In Your Neighborhood is an initiative that provides free performances and educational activities by the National Symphony Orchestra in neighborhoods throughout the Washington DC area. Over the course of one week, events include full orchestra concerts, in-school visits, chamber performances, artistic exchange, instrument petting zoos, and a range of classes, presented in schools, churches, community centers, night clubs and performing arts venues that reflect the makeup of a participating neighborhood. Through this community engagement program, the NSO strives to build deeper connections with audiences of all ages, to inspire learning, and to create excitement and foster appreciation for live classical music. See schedule and don’t miss this opportunity– lasts through Monday.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

9:00am-12:00pm: Home Depot Kids Workshop
The first Saturday of each month. Kids workshops provide a lively environment mixing skill-building, creativity, and safety for future DIYers. Get organized for 2018 in our hands-on Workshop where you and your child can assemble a wooden block calendar to kick off the new year. Useful year-round, the block calendar is perfect for a tabletop display. 

9:45am-12:45pm: Summer camp sampler at Imagination Stage
Try a sample camp on us! Get an up-close-and-personal taste of what camp is like at Imagination Stage for children ages 4-Grade 12. We promise you’ll have a blast! Parents are encouraged to join the sample classes for children in grade 2 or younger. Parents of campers in grade 3 or older are welcome to observe the sampler, but not required. Parents are required to stay in the building while their child is attending a sampler. Register for a spot online. 

10:00am-1:00pm: Carnival of Animals hosted by Montgomery Blair High School
The festival’s main event will be a performance of Carnival of the Animals, by Camille Saint-Saëns. We will also feature an “Instrument Petting Zoo,” a marching band, instrument making, face painting, raffle prizes, and more. Member of Blair Bands and Orchestras will be on hand with their instruments so kids can see them, learn a bit about them and can try them out. We expect to have a full compliment of band and orchestra instruments, as well as pianos on hand. This is something the National Symphony Orchestra does, but it costs way more and is all the way downtown!

2:00pm: NSO in your Neighborhood Family Concert at National Portrait Gallery
This NSO Family Concert, titled “Bernstein, Inside the Music,” is part of a year-long celebration of Leonard Bernstein. The program honors the creator of Young People’s Concerts by featuring his music and the idea that orchestral music can be accessible to everyone. The performance will take place in the Kogod Courtyard. A musical instrument “petting zoo” will take place before and after the performance in the McEvoy Auditorium. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, January 7, 2018

11:00am: Sunday Singalong with Bear Song at Upshur Street Books
Join us for a singalong with Bearsong – D.C.’s leading children’s entertainer. John Ray is a traveling songmaster, bringing music and joy to young children all over Washington, D.C. Join us for this session of classic children’s songs. And look for other dates with John at Upshur Street Books. He sings with us four times each month – every Sunday at 11am. The session is FREE and perfect for young children. All children’s books are discounted 10% during the singalong.

1:30pm: Gustafer Yellowgold at Jammin Java
Taylor’s funny and touching multimedia presentation about a little guy from the Sun who landed in the Minnesota woods has loads of adult crossover appeal, making Gustafer Yellowgold’s show a truly all-ages experience. Fresh from his appearance at WILCO’s revered Solid Sound festival, Taylor will be featuring material from his new album “Brighter Side” alongside classic fan favorites.

3:00pm: NSO in your Neighborhood at The International Spy Museum
This family-friendly event features an NSO string quartet — Marissa Regni and Glenn Donnellan violins; Eric deWaardt, viola; and Eugena Chang, cello — performing espionage-themed music. Free for museum attendees. Audiences for this performance will receive $5 discounts to visit the Museum.

Theatre:

Encore Stage and Studio presents Sherlock Holmes, running shows Friday-Sunday and then again next weekend. Join the mystery, action and laughter in this thrilling adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective story. Moriarty is after a set of mysterious letters and so is Sherlock Holmes. The game’s afoot! Before long, Moriarty’s minions have London in a dangerous grip. Sherlock is willing to put his life on the line to stop it. Recommended for ages 6 and older.

Charlotte’s Web is sticking around for two more weekends at Imagination Stage. In this beloved classic (now infused with live music!), Fern, a soft-hearted farm girl, forms an unlikely bond with Wilbur, a charismatic pig. At the Zuckerman Farm, Wilbur meets a silly goose, a moody sheep, a selfish rat, and Charlotte, a clever spider. In an effort to save her friend, Charlotte weaves flattering messages about him into her web that cause a sensation in the small town. Fall in love with your favorite characters all over again as they bring this “radiant” tale from page to stage this holiday season! Recommended ages 5 and older.

Plan ahead for some events for this winter here.