Category Archives: Summer Outdoor Music

Favorite Things, 76 Trombones, Belle, A Beast: Summer Fun Abounds

May 16, 2012

Summer is around the corner and one of the best things about living in DC is there is never a dirth of great theatre to take advantage of with the kids or date night. Today I am highlighting some of the shows I am most excited about…so especially if you also LOVE musicals – today’s post is for you.

Don't miss Beauty & the Beast. Photo Credit: The National Theatre

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to Washington, D.C. for two weeks only at the National Theatre.  Tickets for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast begin at $56.50 and can be purchased online.  Tickets go on sale at the National Theatre Box office on Monday, May 21.  I am going to see the show on June 12 – so expect my review the next day – and just might be more excited than my 6-year-old. The National Theatre indicates it is age appropriate for those 3 and up.

We grew up on the Music Man in my house – we couldn’t get enough of watching the movie version. Seriously. Madam Librarian, Marian – love her. So for any other Music Man lovers out there, Professor Harold Hill rolls into town May 11 – July 22 at the Arena Stage. I am headed there next week with my mom and sister but will report back not just as a date night/ladies night idea but also about taking the kids. The Music Man is directed by the Arena Stage’s Artistic Director Molly Smith.

Local fun fact: Joining the adult cast are five D.C.-area youth who were cast as a result of an all-day casting call held at Arena Stage. The chosen young actors include Ian Berlin making his professional theater debut as Winthrop Paroo, Heidi Kaplan as Amaryllis and Jamie Goodson as Gracie Shinn. Colin J. Cech and Mia Alessandra Goodman appear as River City kids.

Tickets range from $46-$91 and the show is 2 hours and 2o minutes with an intermission.

Every summer I love love love Wolf Trap, despite the heat, the inevitable t-storms and the disaster of the parking lot when you’re tired, it’s late, and you just want to go home. It doesn’t matter because what is summer without Wolf Trap? I love Children’s Theatre in the Woods, I mean, who doesn’t, right? But now that my girls are a little older, I’m also considering the Sound of Music Sing-Along on August 25. First of all, it’s my 10th anniversary, and they are having a costume contest. Do you think I could convince Mr. Wired Momma to show up in Lederhosen? I think I’ve earned that after 10 years and 2 kids.

But more to the point, how can I resist my Favorite Things: a lawn, a picnic, my kids, a starry night and Julie Andrews and the ever-dashing Captain Von Trapp? Oh: and of course, Mr. WM dressed like this:

It could happen

What fun summer plans do you have? I dare you to show up at Wolf Trap dressed as the lead nun on August 25……

“Like” Wired Momma on Facebook because the summer fun ideas are just starting……

1 Comment - Leave a comment!
DC Events with Kids, Summer Outdoor Music, Summer Survival with Kids, Theater for kids

Get out and play: Activity ideas with the kids

July 7, 2011

Here are some great ideas to beat the heat, enjoy it in the shade, or otherwise keep your kids occupied and pretend it’s not hot out:

  • Every Saturday is “Free Summer Saturday” at the Corcoran and they have a line-up of fabulous kid-friendly events. This Saturday’s event particularly caught my eye, its theme is “Edible Color Wheel” and from 10:30-2pm, kids can use icing to learn how to mix primary colors into secondary colors and make their own edible color wheels. They had me at icing…..
  • One of my all-time summer favorites kicked off last week, Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods.   New this summer, buy admission for one show and you can stay for the second show for free. Tickets are $8 and shows run Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10am and 11:15am. If you haven’t been, the setting is lovely, the shows fantastic and you can spend much of a day there if you pack a lunch and have a picnic after the show. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so I do try to get there a bit early. I’d also recommend bringing some bug spray. Here’s a link to a fab YouTube video to give you a great sense of what to expect when you hit this lovely park.
  • If you live downtown, Georgetown Harbour offers kids activities every Tuesday from 10:30-noon
  • If you like music outdoors, the downtown Silver Spring Swings Concert series kicks off tonight from 7-9pm and runs every Thursday through the  month of July. Head down with your kids in their suits and let them enjoy playing in the fountain and dancing to the music and I’d also recommend the new FroYo that recently opened – the frozen yogurt if fat free and delicious, the toppings include fresh fruit and the prices are so reasonable because you pay by the ounce.
  • If you have little ones, ranging from 12months – 5 years old, Adventure Theatre has started a Preschool Playlab series. Classes are broken down by age group and theme and are offered every weekend and some week day evenings at 6:30pm. The themes strike me as creative and very age-appropriate (Dora Diego theme for 2-3 year olds, for example).  The drop-in rate strikes me as somewhat steep at $24, with a pre-register rate of $20. The location is fabulous, however, and you can spend much of a day at Glen Echo Park  if you hit one of these classes, then the carousel, playground and pack a lunch.

Have a great weekend! Next week’s posts will include more activity ideas, another DC Expert Series featuring a local mom and her amazing business she’s launched, and of course, some rants from moi! Stay cool…

0 Comments - Leave a comment!
DC Events with Kids, DC Parenting Blogger, Motherhood, Puppet Shows for Kids, Summer Outdoor Music, Summer Survival with Kids, Theater for kids, Washington Mommy Blogger

Get out and play: Activity suggestions with the kids

June 23, 2011

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted any activity ideas…please forgive me…things have been hectic. There are always so many great events happening around town in the summer, so here are just a few ideas, if you can tear yourselves away from the pool:

For the outdoor music lovers: Strathmore is kicking off a free outdoor concert series on Wednesday June 28 at 7pm. For 8 Wednesdays this summer, pack your beach chairs, toss a few blankets into the car and head over to Strathmore for some great music, let the kids play outdoors, and even purchase dinner at the BBQ shack while you’re there. Wednesday’s performer, Rafi Malkiel, brings a jazz sound infused with Klezmer, Latin and Caribbean influences – perfect for a sultry summer night. Strathmore also offers some wonderful programs just for the kids. Beginning Thursday mornings in July, take your kids for a trip around the world in the Backyard Theater for Kids for just $8, free for those ages 2 and under. The series takes place outside under a tent, so pack your bug spray and picnic blankets, and even plan to bring a picnic lunch to make it a longer outing. Each week focuses on music from a different part of the world. Also, if you’re looking to take a break from the heat, check out the Strathmore calendar of events for upcoming specialty teas for the kids. Next week I’m looking forward to the Fancy Nancy specialty tea and in July they are hosting a Prince and Princess specialty tea. Be sure to book early because these teas sell out quickly.

For the young theater lovers:

The Puppet Co in Glen Echo Park is showing The Great Dinosaur Mystery through July 17. Targeted for the preschool set through grade 4, I’ve heard the show is lively, engaging and definitely loud…which should appeal to my never-quiet 5-year-old. Click here for ticket prices and show times. The show lasts about 50 minutes and as always, is catered towards the little ones. I’m headed there next week with the girls and really looking forward to it.

Charlotte’s Web is opening on Friday at Adventure Theatre.

Images by Bruce Douglas

You can catch the show until September 5 though if you are around over July 4 weekend and looking to fill in some time, I heard they have plenty of tickets still available for that weekend. I’m taking my eldest to see it in a few weeks, the web site indicates it’s good for those ages 3 and up and I’ve always found their age recommendations to be spot-on, when determining whether or not to take my younger one. Click here to purchase tickets or peek at the great upcoming season. We never miss a show at Adventure Theatre, in my house, because they are always so well done and the perfect  duration for young ones.

I realize today’s post is all about Montgomery County…as always – if you have an event anywhere around the beltway – please email me at monica.sakala@gmail.com or post a comment here to let us all know about it. I’ll resume more activity ideas after the long July 4 idea. Until then…stay cool…and have fun.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!
DC Events with Kids, DC Parenting Blogger, Motherhood, Puppet Shows for Kids, Summer Outdoor Music, Theater for kids, Uncategorized