DC Metro Mom

Our family has been visiting Medieval Times pretty regularly since 2006 when our oldest son developed an intense interest in all-things-knights.  And for a little boy who loves all-things-knights, there is no better place than a ringside seat at a Medieval Times banquet.  But it's an experience that grown-ups will enjoy too, with plenty of action, good food, fine displays of horsemanship, pageantry, and falconry.  The new show has returned to its roots, focusing more on the horsemanship and less on Hollywood lighting and smoke.  We also found it to be even more kid-friendly than previous shows, with a lighter story line that was more about the tournament between the knights than the punishment of a dark villan.  

 Annmarie Gardens

Maryland Faerie Festival (May 11-13, 2012) - Darlington, MD -  Do you believe in faeries?  Come celebrate the Year of the Goblin with three full days of Faerie Festivities!  Three Stages with Story Telling, Puppet Shows, Music, Magic, Faerie Tea Parties, Crafts, Food, Fine Arts, Games and more!  Day Passes ($5 child; $15 adult), Evening Passes ($15-$25), and overnight Faerie Ring Camping Experience available ($150 child; $250 adult).

Huge news!  We have FOUR tickets to give-away for Opening Night (June 12, 2012) of Disney's smash hit Beauty and the Beast showing at the National Theatre!  Based on the Academy Award®-winning animated feature film, this beautiful stage production has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide.  With lavish sets and costumes, beloved characters, and an Academy Award®-winning score, this musical is sure to entrance the whole family!

You would think that after 10+ years of motherhood, 3 children, and a history of happy classroom outings that I would be more relaxed about field trips. You would be wrong. I dread them. For the kids, it’s one big party full of excitement, escape from the confines of a classroom and a chance make new discoveries with their friends. It’s a learning experience, it’s enriching. I KNOW. Or should know.

Over the weekend our family enjoyed Imago Theatre's ZooZoo, the last show of a very successful inaugural season of The Hylton Family Series.  This popular show enjoyed a sold-out crowd and provided the perfect entertainment for little ones on a rainy day, all at a cost comparable to taking the family to the movies (adults $15; children $5).  

Without using any words, the talented cast of ZooZoo depicted a series of short 5-7 minute long vignettes by morphing their flexible bodies into playful animals and objects.  Among our favorites were a pair of sleepless hippos fighting over the covers (closely resembling mom and dad), a cat trapped in an enormous paper bag, giant jumping frogs, dancing polar bears, and silly penguins playing musical chairs.  The children especially loved it when the animals climbed off the stage and into the audience's seats (and sometimes laps).  Even the gentleman in the front row whose balding-head received a giant lick by an anteater seemed to be enjoying himself!  Similar to an another show in this season, Fred Garbo's Inflatable Theater Company, the combination of dancing life-like objects, humor, and interaction with the audience provided pure entertainment and fun for kids and adults alike.  

This week join one of the many District, Maryland, or Virginia 2012 Earth Day events to celebrate and learn ways to protect our environment.   Whether its helping to clean-up trash in the community, interacting with local wildlife, or learning about new ways to conserve energy, children will enjoy a host of fun actitivities this week that will engage them in learning more about life on Earth!

epa.gov

The 2nd Annual USA Science & Engineering Festival is a super-charged series of public events and school programs with a mission to "re-invigorate"  children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math. The Festival kicked off this week with over 150 FREE events for the public and Greater Washington, DC schools leading up to the finale Expo and Book Fair at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on April 28 & 29, 2012.  

TRUCK EVENTS

On April 22, 2012, at 2:00 p.m., The Hylton Performing Arts Center will welcome the internationally acclaimed Imago Theatre with its whimsical production of ZooZoo as part of the Hylton Family Series.  ZooZoo caps off a terrific 2011-12 run for the Hylton Family Series which included the family favorite performances of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, Fred Garbo's Inflatable Theater Company, and Peter Yarrow. 

Over the weekend our family had one of the best days ever (or "boss-est" day, as my son put it) at the spring season opening of The Adventure Park At Sandy Springs Friends School. Designed by Swiss alpine mountaineers, The Adventure Park stretches over 5 wooded acres of the 140 acre campus of the Sandy Spring Friends School and is the largest aerial forest park in North America.  What is an aerial forest park?  Think Ewok village crossed with a circus trapeze and you'll begin to get an idea of the fun in store high-up in the trees. Each course has zip-lines (usually at the end) but is comprised mostly of various configurations of cable, wood, and rope that form bridges, tight-ropes, and climbing challenges in between over 150 unique tree platforms.

Whether you love ballet, the twisted tales of Alice, or just enjoy the thrill of a great performance, this revolutionary new production by the Washington Ballet will deliver.  Based on Lewis Caroll's beloved classic, this eye-popping production combines the visionary talents of artistic director/choreographer Septime Webre, costume designer Liz Vandal (Cirque du Soleil's OVO), and composer Matthew Pierce to produce a spectacularly new trip down the rabbit hole.  

If you've noticed the beautiful weather we've been having it won't come as any surprise that the cherry blossoms are coming early this year.  The National Park Service has moved up its forecast for the second time and just announced that the bloom should begin March 18 and peak between March 20-23.  To celebrate the arrival of the beloved blossoms and the Centennial of the Japanese gift of 3,000 cherry trees, Washington will be hosting a once-in-a-lifetime "epic" 5-week festival (March 20 - April 27) with over 200 special events, exhibitions, workshops, and performances from March 20 - April 27, 2012.  

 Photo credit: Marcy Hairston.  Tia Shearer pictured.

Following the successful runs of Drumming With Dishes and Havana Hop, the Atlas Performing Arts Center's Theatre for the Very Young now brings us Out of the Box, a 30-minute interactive, non-verbal show by Arts On the Horizon.  Out of the Box tells the story of a young girl named PJ and her best friend as they find out just how much fun a box can be using their imaginations.  When they discover the large box, one thing leads to another and magic unfolds that could only come from an open heart, playful spirit, and delightful imagination.  Using music, sounds, and gentle interaction, the two friends engage children and parents in exploring this fun-filled world together.

The big news this weekend are the events in Old Town Alexandria and the Mount Vernon Estate.  Old Town's Annual George Washington Birthday Parade is the largest in the country with over 3,500 participants including historical groups, equestrian units, bands, performance groups, scouts, and animals.   In addition, throughout Old Town many historic sites will be having Parade Day Open Houses that your family will enjoy dropping in on.  Down the road, the Mount Vernon Estate is having special events all weekend, culminating in the grand birthday celebration on Monday.  Admission to the Estate is free on Monday and doors will open early (8 a.m.).  

If your tots haven't yet tried out the brand-new Virginia-themed play area at Potomac Mills, tomorrow is a great day to do it.  As part of the Simon Kidgits® Club series, Banjo Man Frank Cassel will be performing his favorite tunes while Rita's Icecream and Starbucks serve up complimentary refreshments.  Kidgits® members will receive a free toy musical instrument while supplies last.  If you're not a member, register at the event and receive a free t-shirt.  Great give-aways and prizes will also be offered.  The Kidgits® Club Sing Along with Banjo Man Frank Cassel is on Thursday, February 16, 2012, 10:00-11:00 a.m. in the Fashion District Court (Neighborhood 1).

Grammy-award winning performer and activist Peter Yarrow (best known as part of the trio Peter, Paul & Mary), brings his family-oriented performance to the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. as part of the Hylton Family Series.