Kennedy Center

Last Saturday we had a great day at the Kennedy Center Open House (thanks to Alison and the playgroup for telling us about it)! Neither Mark nor I had ever been there; we didn't even know it had three venues (like the Music Center). The Open House was fabulous- there were free events all day; in the three halls, out on the two plazas, and on temporary stages in the foyer. We saw the National Symphony Orchestra play different pieces of "Americana" (including John Philip Sousa, songs from The Music Man, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the type of music you hear in classic cartoons).

After lunch in the rooftop cafeteria we took in a concert by children's folk singer Dan Zanes on the plaza. Really, really fun, with plenty of kids dancing, a misting tent, and more than enough rocks for Sam to collect as he wandered around the plaza (he's still trying to work out how to pick up more rocks when his hands are already full). Sam also got to experience Popsicles for the first time, and he's a fan. :) We didn't get to see the ballet or Chinese puppet theater, and the storytellers weren't geared to kids, but it was still an enormously entertaining outing. There were even free shuttles back to the Metro station.

Too much sitting in the concert hall; must wander around.

That stroller (not ours) was labeled with our last name!
We didn't get to hang around and meet the potential relatives.

Love the misting tent when it's 90F+ outside!

Mmmm, Popsicle!

Dan Zanes is the one in the blue shirt.

This will probably be our only trip to the Kennedy Center for the next two years, but it was a good one