Weekend Picks: November 3-5, 2017

Color’s Garden: An Adventure with the Elements of Art at National Gallery of Art is inspired by the art of Henri Matisse, Color’s Garden is a play that celebrates the joys and discoveries of making a new kind of art. Come see for yourself: Saturday, November 4 at 10:30 and 12:30 and Sunday, November 5 at 11:30. Color, who dreams of making something new all on her own, leads her friends Line and Shape on an imaginative adventure. By working and playing together in new ways, the friends discover that art can capture so much more than what we see with our eyes. Featuring projections, playful animations, and a lively jazz score, this theatrical fantasy brings the elements of art to life and offers new understandings about their expressive power. Following each performance, families will be invited to make collages in our hands-on artmaking space and will be provided with self-guiding resources to explore the elements of art in the Gallery’s collection. For families with children ages 4 and up and approximately 45 minutes in length.

Kids Euro Festival wraps up this weekend and is bringing Europe’s most talented children’s entertainers to the DC metro area each fall. Full of free performances, concerts, workshops, movies, storytelling, puppetry, dance, magic, and cinema. With programs both for the general public and for school groups, more than 10,000 DC-area children and their families enjoy Kids Euro Festival programs each year. Schedule of events found here.

Fall Festivals can be found here, most are ending soon.

Saturday-

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 11:00am: Rainbow Puppets: The Really Big Dinosaur Show at National Theatre
(1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004)
Imagine that rare dinosaur fossils could talk . . . what amazing stories they could tell! Well there’s no need to imagine as Rainbow Puppets presents a musical romp through prehistoric times including a dinosaur beauty pageant, a dancing T-Rex and a long-necked dinosaur who measures sixteen feet from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. It’s not called “The Really Big Dinosaur Show” for nothing.

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.

10:00am-3:00pm: Family Day at The Embassy of Sweden (part of Kids Euro Festival)
(2900 K Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20007)
The Embassy of Sweden invites the whole family to participate in a day of creativity, imagination, and fun. Enjoy theatre, workshops, crafts and film screenings, swap toys with new friends and partake in a Swedish fika. Whether you join us for a few hours or for the whole day, come to play, perform, or take in a performance designed to engage kids and parents alike. Read more about our activities below.

10:00am-11:00am: First Studio: Story + Workshop at The Kreeger
(2401 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC 20007)
Children are invited to use their imagination as they explore the paintings, sculpture, and architecture of The Kreeger Museum. Each program includes a gallery tour, a story and a hands-on art-making experience. Adult companion required and art-making attire recommended. $10 register online. To get a glimpse into the program see my review here.

10:30am-11:15am: Saturday Song Circle at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Ave Bethesda, MD 20814)
You and your child are invited to a fun, interactive musical experience! An Early Childhood Teaching Artist explores a popular children’s book with your family through song and musical instruments, and you will receive a list of all the songs to practice at home. Giraffes Can’t Dance is the story.

11:00am:  Saturday Family Story Session at Strathmore
(The Mansion)
Local storytellers teach kids how to weave narrative tales, instilling a love of learning with every word. Music, movement, art, and interactive play: it’s all about understanding other people, enjoying different cultures and boosting imagination and creativity. Recommended for ages 3–8.

11:00am-4:00pm: Write Now! at the National Postal Museum
(2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20002)
In anticipation of Veterans Day, please join us in honoring past and present military personnel by celebrating the history and art of correspondence at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum. This rich history is on display in our exhibition: My Fellow Soldiers: Letters from World War I, which brings back to life the powerful and heartfelt letters between family, friends and service members during the war. In addition, we have many wonderful activities for children and have set up activities for Girl Scout troops to get their “Celebrating Community” badge.

Sunday-

10:30am-12:30pm: Harvest Hoedown at Forest Hills Playground
(3200 Chesapeake St NW)
Abracadabra Alex will be the featured entertainer, doing his balloon animals and a highly-entertaining magic show for kids.  Jackie from Cleveland Park Library will attend for story time, a fire truck visit and a dance party!! Costumes encouraged (kids and adults) for the annual parade around the playground. Kids get one more use before they grow out of it! Or wear your Harvest Hoedown best (perhaps some cowboy boots, flannel and a hat).

11:00am-11:45am: Sunday Funday at Imagination Stage
(4908 Auburn Ave Bethesda, MD 20814)
Bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, music, movement, and visual art. Each session you leave with a special take-home item we used or created that day, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books. Featured story: The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig.

12:00pm-5:00pm: DC Art Book Fair at The National Museum of Women
(1250 New York Ave NW)
40+ tablers will be selling their books/zines/comics/prints/art/other cool things. Admission is free and this event is kid-friendly. This is also a Free Community Day and admission to the museum is free.

Extra, Extra!!

Caravan is giving away a gift card worth $20.00 – good for anything on their website to one lucky Beltway Bambinos reader. Tag a friend on Beltway Bambinos Facebook page for your chance to win! Winner will be announced November 10, 2017 so you have plenty of time to choose some holiday decor. 

Movie ticket giveaway, to a PG rated movie, The Star ⭐️Comment on Facebook or Instagram with what activity you’re most excited about doing this winter with your Bambinos. 15 winners announced November 5, 2017 and will be given 2 passes.

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