Get in your last DC skate of the season this weekend
There are so many things to love about this time of year: The much anticipated change in weather, the earliest sprouts of spring, a reason to drink green beer (and drink it outdoors), the lead up tp March Madness (go, Terps!). Even better, with it all comes a host of events and activities that let us enjoy everything even more. This round-up, packed with local happenings, is proof. Happy Weekend! (PS – Something to keep in mind: The Rock’n'Roll Marathon is Saturday morning, so be sure to check road closures before you attempt to drive or take the bus in DC.)
Later, Skaters
Where: Local Ice Rinks
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
This weekend is your last chance to hit the ice al fresco. Our local outdoor ice skating rinks (that are still open) are closing for the season after this weekend. See this post listing them all for details on where you can glide ‘neathe the sky one last time this winter (and note that Canal Park is already closed).
Shop and Celebrate
Where: 529 Kids Consign at Hollin Hall
When: Friday, 6-8pm
Admission: Free
The high-end consignment shop in Hollin Hall will celebrate their first-year milestone, and the boutique is inviting all to come join the celebration. Stop in for sweet treats, drinks, door prizes from local businesses, and15% off all full-priced items. The party also marks the official launch of the store’s original kids art collection, and artist Cindy Wallace of lovinarte will be in attendance as she introduces her kids line described as colorful, whimsical, and bold.
DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Where: Constitution Ave. from 7th to 17th Streets NW
When: Sunday, 12pm
Admission: Free
Find a spot on the curb along Constitution Ave. between 7th to 17th Streets NW to watch the 44th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade roll through the city. Floats, marching bands, Irish dancers, bag pipers, members of the police and fire departments, and other entertainment will be part of the celebratory procession.
Smudge! Comics Arts Expo
Where: Artisphere
When: Saturday, 12-6pm
Admission: Free
It’s a showcase of independent comics that will inspire attendees to become storyteller themselves. The second annual Smudge! Comics Arts Expo will feature tons of fun activities for both children and adults. Browse and buy comics and comics-related art in the Artisphere Ballroom, then step into the Black Box Theater for a variety of presentations. After that, try your hand at making comics during an hour-long workshop or at the MAKE SOMETHING! area, which will feature button-making and comics-drawing all day.
A Wild Birthday Bash
Where: Patuxent Research Refuge
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the birthday of the National Wildlife Refuge System at the Patuxent Research Refuge on Saturday. Activities will include live animal viewing, children’s crafts, hikes, live music, and much more. The Refuge’s National Wildlife Visitor Center is located off of Powder Mill Road, 2 miles east of the Baltimore/Washington Parkway, just south of Laurel, Md.
Women in Aviation and Space
Where: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Admission: Free, but parking is $15
Bring the whole family to the Chantilly arm of Air & Space to learn about the incredible contributions of women in aviation, science, and aerospace. Enjoy hands-on activities, guest speakers, stories, and more flight-themed fun.
Pi(e) Day
Where: Maryland Science Center
When: Saturday, 12-4pm
Admission: $18.95/adult, $15.95/child
The annual celebration of all things circular at the Baltimore children’s museum will feature activities, demonstrations, and experiments — all in honor of the mathematical symbol for the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Visitors can stuff their faces in a pie eating contest (with pies provided by Dangerously Delicious Pies), explore how to draw the perfect circle, and recite as many digits as they can in the pi recitation competition, and more.
Show Time
Where: Local Theatres
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by venue
* Wiley and the Hairy Man is in its final weekend on the Imagination Stage (look for a deal on tickets)
* And Blue just opened at the Besthesda theatre
* Arts on the Horizon presents Blossom’s Rainbow at The Athenaeum on Sunday
* Jon Spellman’s Tall Tales is this week’s free Saturday Morning at the National show
* Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp are entertaining audiences at The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park for the final weekend
* And Clowning Around is the featured Tiny Tots show at the puppet theatre
* Bari Koral is playing the Saturday morning show at Jammin’ Java
Iberian Explorations
Where: Kennedy Center
When: Through March 22
Admission: Free
Iberian Suite, the festival celebrating the cultures of Portugal and Spain includes exhibits, performances, food demos, workshops and more through March 22. Drop in anytime to view the art (many works that kids will find cool, too), crafts and games for children, and to explore Iberian culture through theatre, dance, or music performances — several will be taking place over the weekend. See the schedule for details.
Gaithersburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Where: Washingtonian Center
When: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Free
The city’s 15th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will include both traditional Irish performances and classic parade pageantry. Celtic dancers, bagpipes, marching bands, clowns, firetrucks, and more will make their way through town.
Go for a Spin at RIO
Where: RIO Washingtonian
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: $3 per ride
The new carousel at RIO Washingtonian in Gaithersburg opens for the season with a special celebration on Saturday. Along with spins, enjoy live music, face painting, balloon art, samples from RIO restaurants, and specials from merchants.
All Aboard for a Model Train Open House
Where: Historic Vienna Depot of the W&OD Railroad
When: Saturday, 1-5pm
Admission: Free
Chug on down to Vienna to watch model train and trolley activities that realistically depict an actual railroad that existed in North Carolina in the 1950′s, the Western North Carolina (WNC). Every hill, town, building, locomotive, rail car, and industry in this layout is modeled after those places and things as they looked in that era. Well, almost everything. To satisfy popular demand, expect an occasional sighting of Thomas the Tank Engine (and a few of his friends) chugging around among the bigger steam and diesel locomotives. The Vienna Depot is located at 231 Dominion Road NE in Vienna, Virginia just down the street from the red caboose. Check out a virtual tour.
NOVA Mini Maker Faire
Where: South Lakes High and Hughes Middle Schools
When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Admission: $15 advance or $20 at door/adults, $5 advance or $8 door/child
This family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness is a celebration of the Maker movement. It’s a place where people show what they are making and share what they are learning. Ranging from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists to garage tinkerers, Makers are of all ages and backgrounds.
American Girl Fashion Show
Where: Sheraton Pentagon City
When: Saturday & Sunday,
Admission: Ticket range is $35-50
The Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) will be hosting its 2nd Annual American Girl Fashion Show®, “Styles of Today and Yesterday,” March 14-15, 2015, at the Sheraton Pentagon City (900 South Orme St., Arlington, VA). This fun-filled event for girls and their families, friends and favorite dolls celebrates the experience of being a girl throughout history through a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions. Attendees at each show will enjoy elegant refreshments, enter to win door prizes and learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture and girls’ individual styles.
Great Adventures
Where: Freer | Sackler Gallery
When: Saturday & Sunday, 2-4pm
Admission: Free
Embark on a voyage across China, Japan, India, and the Middle East. This drop-in workshop offers a guided tour and hands-on activities related to The Traveler’s Eye. All ages are welcome, but it’s recommended for ages 8–14 with adult companions.
Music Together
Where: William Penn House
When: Saturday, 9am, 10am, & 11am
Admission: $20/family
Support the scholarship fund of Toddlers on the Hill, a Montessori learning experience on Capitol Hill, by bringing your children to a 45-minute Music Together class with Mr. Steve Leroy and Ms. Libby Quaid. Fun for the whole family, the classes include songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement and instrument play developmentally appropriate for kids ages 0-5. All proceeds going towards the scholarship. Advanced registration encouraged, not required. The William Penn House is located at 515 East Capitol Street SE.
Good Deeds Day
Where: Three locations (see below)
When: Times vary by location
Admission:
Being kind to animals can happen on Good Deeds Day and any day when you join the JCC’s PJ Library to take part in this special project. Make items to donate to animals in local shelters as well as a birdfeeder to take home and feed the birds in your backyard. Please bring old T-shirts to use to make the items for the shelters. This will take place in Fairfax at Gesher Jewish Day School (4800 Mattie Moore Court) 1–1:50pm and 2–2:50; in Rockville at the JCCGW (6125 Montrose Road) 1:30–2:30pm, and in the District at the DCJCC (1529 Sixteenth Street NW), 10-11am
Nowruz Festival
Where: John Carlyle Square Park
When: Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate Persian culture as hundreds of Persian-American artists, musicians, singers, dancers, and traditional players assemble to ring in the Nowruz, the Persian New Year in Alexandria. Along with the live entertainment, more than 75 vendors will be offering traditional foods, jewelry, crafts, books ,and other traditional products – all in a family-friendly environment.
Climb On
Where: ClimbZone
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: $25/ages 6 and up, $12/5 and under
The new indoor climbing center in Laurel lives up to the hype! Kids and adults will have a blast scaling the many colorful, whimsically-themed climbing walls. Get the full scoop on what to expect there in this recent post about our experience there.
Think Outside
Where: Around the area
When: Throughout the weekend
Admission: Varies by locale
After the dreary winter the mid-Atlantic has endured, we all owe it to our souls to get out and relish in warmer temps and sunshine. The round-up of the Best Places in the DC Area to Spend a Beautiful Day Outdoors with the Kids is full of ideas for al fresco adventures.