If you’re looking for something to do this long President’s Day weekend (And who are we kidding? Of course you are.), there’s something for adventure-loving older kids, Princes-s and ice-skating-loving kids of all ages, and budding historians.
Hit the Theater:
Bethesda’s Imagination Stage is showing Perseus Bayou now through March 13. Set in the swamps of post-Civil War Louisiana, the show is a musical based on the Greek hero Perseus, the demi-God who destroyed the Medusa and the Kraken. The show includes Cajun-inspired music, sword fights, puppets, gods and goddesses, snakes, gator-men, and monsters. The exciting fight choreography and creepy creatures may especially appeal to boys, but the female characters are strong, powerful, and brave—a special inspiration for girls in the audience.
And the show has local roots: the choreographer is Ingrid Zimmer, a local mother and dancer. Zimmer has been choreographing musicals for kids and adults in Washington for the past 15 years, but this is her first show for Imagination Stage. Many Washington parents might know her from the musicals she choreographed for National Cathedral School and St. Albans. If you’ve been thinking about purchasing tickets to Perseus Bayou, Zimmer recommends taking those age six and older.
Buy tickets ($10 to $22) through Imagination Stage’s Web site.
Princesses on Skates:
For the wannabe-princess in your house, ages two and up, be sure to check out Disney’s Princesses on Ice at the Verizon Center now through February 21. Tickets aren’t cheap, but Disney never disappoints. My girls are very excited to see the show, especially my five-year-old. If you’re concerned about bringing little ones, the show is about two hours long with a 20-minute intermission.
It’s not just the skating that’s appealing. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian—as well as the Sea Sirens—will interact with the audience. And the first act concludes with a boat ride in which children from the audience are selected at random to participate and ride in the boat. For an extra dose of everything pastel and sparkly, be sure to go an hour before the show starts for a Disney Princess Pre-Show that includes a fairy-tale display of gowns and treasures from the Disney Princess stories.
Parking is always difficult near the Verizon Center and very expensive, so I’d recommend taking the Metro to Gallery Place. Prepare to resist or budget for the vendors hawking princess gear that your little one will be certain she can’t leave without.
Buy tickets ($19.55 to $85.10 with fees) through Ticketmaster.
President’s Day Celebrations:
For the budding historians in your house, take advantage of the many President’s Day celebrations happening this weekend. Where better to go than Mount Vernon, which offers a weekend packed with activities? Admission to Mount Vernon is free on President’s Day (on other days, admission is $15 for adults and free for those under five). The traditional George Washington breakfast celebration really caught my eye—it had me at “hoecakes.”
