6 minute read
Notebook • Kathleen Donner
kids&family
Holiday Show by “Step Afrika!”
The Magical Musical Holiday Step Show by “Step Afrika!” is one of the most vibrant holiday celebrations in town. This family-friendly performance will have you stomping your feet and clapping your hands to energetic beats. The Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is at the Atlas Theater, 1333 H St. NE, from Dec. 9 to 30. Warning: tickets sell out. Get tickets and updates at www.stepafrika.org.
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on the National Theatre stage, Nov. 23 to Dec. 5. Featuring the hit songs “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting with holiday spirit. Tickets are on sale now; $50 and $75. The National Theatre is at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. www. thenationaldc.org
Philip Huffman as The Grinch.
Little Turkey One-Miler
This Thanksgiving be part of the 20th Annual Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger 5K, a time-honored DC tradition sponsored by So Others Might Eat (SOME) on Freedom Plaza. Join the in-person race, timed or untimed, on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 25, and the Little Turkey One-Miler and a family-friendly festival. www.some.org
Photo: Derek Park
Maria Simpkins as the lead in Synetic Theater’s “Cinderella.” Photo: Johnny Shryock Photography
Just in time for the holidays, “Cinderella” joins Synetic Theater’s family series repertoire. Led by an all-female team of Syneticons, this innovative take on the classic fairytale is a perfect t for audiences of all ages. $15 to $30. “Cinderella” is on stage at Synetic Theater, 1800 South Bell St., Arlington, Virginia, on select days from Nov. 29 to Dec. 26, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Free parking. www.synetictheater.org
Shaw Outdoor Family Story Time
On Saturday, Nov. 13 and 27, at 10:30 a.m., enjoy stories and songs with the little ones at family story time for ages birth through five. These 30-minute story times are full of books, songs, rhymes and fingerplays and are a great way to introduce children to language skills in a positive and fun environment. Meet at the garden at Seaton Elementary School. Enter the garden behind the school via P Street between Ninth and 10th streets NW. Bring blankets or chairs. No advance signup is needed. Show up and find a socially distanced space on the grass by 10:30 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled. www.dclibrary.org/watha
Girls on the Run 5K
Acoustic Rooster and Indigo Blum
New York Times best-selling author Kwame Alexander brings two of his beloved children’s books, “Acoustic Rooster” and “Indigo Blum,” to the stage in a world-premiere Kennedy Center commission. Alexander tells a story about being scared and being brave. With special guests like Duck Ellington and Ms. Dairy Parton, this musical adaptation will have children and families dancing in their seats. Afterward, dive into a book to keep the fun going: Alexander’s new picture book of the same name is based on this musical. “Acoustic Rooster” and “Indigo Blume,” on stage at the Kennedy Center, Nov. 18 to 27, is most enjoyed by ages five and older. Following select performances, young audience members can ask questions and hear stories in an up-close-and-personal talk with some of the artists. $20. www.kennedy-center.org
The Girls on the Run 5K is on Nov. 21 at Anacostia Park. It is a 3.1-mile loop around the park. Registration will stay open until Monday, Nov. 15, at midnight for Community Buddy Runner registration and until Sunday, Nov. 20, at noon for families and community runners. Register before Oct. 17 to receive early-bird pricing. Read more at www. gotrdc.org.
FUTURES Family Day
The historic Arts and Industries Building, America’s first national museum, opens its new museum experience, FUTURES, on Saturday, Nov. 20.
On view through July 6, 2022, FUTURES is the Smithsonian’s first major building-wide exploration of the future and will reopen the
Smithsonian’s oldest museum for the first time in nearly two decades. FUTURES Family Day is Sunday, Nov. 21, all day. This day invites families of all types for pop-up guided activities and bite-size experiences. For more information and to plan a visit, go to www.aib.si.edu.
Moomins
Through Jan. 9, 2022, Moomins, the fairytale creatures living in Moominvalley and created by Finnish author Tove Jansson, are the subject of a visiting exhibition at the National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. The exhibition, on loan from the world’s only Moomin museum, in Tampere, Finland, showcases the universal values of the Moomins such as equality, inclusion and respect for nature. The exhibition is hosted by the Embassy of Finland. On Nov. 20 at 10:30 a.m., at the National Children’s Museum, join composers Samuli Kosminen and Jarmo Saar for a musical ride to the fantasy world of Moomins. Hear more about how the heart-warming music score of the awardwinning “Moominvalley” TV series was made. Discover the sounds different instruments make and learn more about the basics of composing. This 30-minute event takes place virtually and in-person. Admission to the museum is $15.95. www.nationalchildrensmuseum.org
First REDEYE Night Market
Inspired by the bustling open-air night markets of East and Southeast Asia, DC’s first annual REDEYE Night Market is on Nov. 6, from 4 to 11 p.m., along four blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue from Third to Seventh streets NW. This family-friendly market brings together 50 local vendors to showcase foods and beverages like those at a night market abroad, including Filipino pastries, Taiwanese shaved ice, bao and Korean fried chicken. Enjoy cultural and musical performances throughout the evening. Admission is free with food and beverages available for purchase. www.theredeye. nokingscollective.com.
Alexandria’s Scottish Christmas Walk
On Dec. 4 at 11 a.m., this family-oriented parade begins at St. Asaph and Wolfe streets and concludes at Old Town’s Market Square with a massed band concert at 1 p.m. www.campagnacenter.org/ scottishwalkweekend
Adventure Theater’s Winterfest
Adventure Theater’s Winterfest is from Nov. 19 to Jan. 2. Get three shows for the price of one. Adventure brings favorites from the digital Jingle in July festival to the live stage. Snowflakes, frost and fantasy abound in “Uri & Ora Light the Menorah” by Robyn Shrater Seemann, “Connection” by Diego Maramba and Michelle Bowen and “Cranky Penguin” by Keegan Patterson. General admission is $20.50. Adventure is at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Maryland. www. adventuretheatre-mtc.org
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree
For a delightful family outing, use the website below to find cut-your-own and choose-your-own Christmas tree farms in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Discover pre-cut tree lots, wagon rides, sleigh rides, holiday recipes and other winter activities. Visit www.pickyourownchristmastree.org for farms and directions. The farms typically open right after Thanksgiving. u
