This weekend two incredible family events begin. One explores how photography builds bridges across cultures and time, and the other literally gets families involved in building…with blocks.  

SATURDAY – Building Bridges, Not Fences Opens at Strathmore 

Photo at left: All rights reserved Maria Magdelena Campos-Pons, “Island Treasures” via Strathmore.org.

The Building Bridges, Not Fences exhibit presents photography in all its  forms in a family-friendly setting, free and open to the public. The exhibition will be on view in the Mansion at Strathmore from September 24, 2011 to November 5, 2011. The first floor follows photography from darkroom to digital image-making with traditional black and white photographs by Bruce Barnbaum, digital photographs from Dean Kessmann and innovative digital compositions by Bruce McKaig. The second floor galleries will feature the stirring artwork of Israeli photojournalists Shay Aloni and Ammar Younis, and Cubans Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Enrique de la Uz, Pedro Abascal and Nestor Hernandez.

In conjunction with all this photographic awesome, Strathmore is hosting a number of kid-friendly events this fall. Children ages 7-11 will get the chance to develop their skills in photography in the PhotoKids: Take Your Best Shot! class series. Held for three Saturdays, beginning this Saturday September 24, October 1 and October 15, each Saturday morning from 10 a.m.-noon, photographer Lisa Murphy will provide a directed photo shoot and formal instruction on composition and lighting, as well as a slideshow exhibition for family and friends. Each child will leave the three-session course with a finished photo album of their best shots.

On Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 10:15 a.m., a Children’s Talk & Tour invites children to explore the exhibition and exercise their creativity through a hands-on arts activity. That same Saturday, October 1, at 1 p.m., adults learn about the artwork in the exhibition from curator Harriet Lesser during the Art Talk & Tour. Both events are free. Reservations are required for the Children’s Talk & Tour and can be made by calling (301) 581-5109.

For children and families, Nancy Breslin will teach a camera-less photography workshop on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 10-11:30 a.m. Children will learn how to make pictures without a camera by creating their own cyanotype images. Breslin will also teach a more advanced class for adults on camera-less photography where students will study and create their own cyanotype and lumen prints from noon-3 p.m., also on October 22.

SUNDAY – Building Block Blitz for Habitat for Humanity

On Sunday, September 25, 2011 from 1:00pm?3:00pm join Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, MD (HFH?MC) for the 5th annual Building Block Blitz at Westfield Montgomery Mall at 7101 Democracy Blvd. in Bethesda.

Help kick?start this year’s Act! Speak! Build! Week (check out all the week’s events) by working in teams to build a building block house with 400 building blocks within an hour. Not only will you and your team have a blast, you will be raising money and awareness for Habitat! Register in advance for a discounted rate of $25 (day-of price is $30).

What a fun way to start kids’ involvement in charity events that are also enjoyable ways to spend a day!

9/11 Unity Walk

The Walk is endorsed by faith centers, congregations, churches, mosques and temples in the DC area. Join people of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths in building respect for each other through a framework of education, compassionate leadership, and service. The 2011 Walk commemorates the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on Sunday September 11, 2001 with the theme: From different walks, we serve as one.

Meet at the Washington Hebrew Congregation at 3935 Macomb Street Northwest between 12:30-1pm and walk down Embassy Row with others in solidarity. Along the walk, attend a service fair with your family and learn of ways you can volunteer together, listen to musicians, experience the Muslim call to prayer, take guided tours of houses of worship and more. Timeline of the event.

Register for the walk (choose either the free registration or the $10 donation option.)

Will it be happening if it is raining? Yes. The event website states, “The Walk will happen rain or shine, so please plan accordingly and wear weather-appropriate clothing or bring an umbrella…there will be activities both indoors and outdoors – some (but not all) of the outdoor events have indoor locations in case of bad weather.”

For a firsthand account and testimony about the learning and healing possible at this interfaith event, read the guest piece in The Washington Post‘s On Faith blog by Arsalan Iftikhar of TheMuslimGuy.com and managing editor of The Crescent Post.

Choralis Performance – In Search of Peace

Choralis, an auditioned 100-person choral ensemble with a professional core, is performing a special concert in honor of 9/11.  This choral group has been lauded for its beautiful, inspiring sound. The “In Search of Peace” concert will be held at 4 pm on Sunday, September 11 at National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW.

The performance will feature a new work from Washington area composer Gary Davison “in recognition of those lost, as well as the enduring spirit and sacrifice of our community.”  The concert will also include Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, the Dona Nobis Pacem from Bach’s Mass in B Minor, and “Taps,” played by nationally renowned bugler, Woodrow English.

Children 12 and under are free, and general admission for adults is $25. Tickets.

Washington, DC National Children’s Museum Launch Zone at National Harbor: A Preview of the Coming New Children’s Museum

Last week the kids and I were invited to the Launch Zone to learn about the new offerings and programs, and a good deal has changed since I reported on the free children’s learning site back when it opened. Although the upcoming National Children’s Museum (NCM) at National Harbor is scheduled to open in 2013, kids can get a taste of what the museum will offer NOW at this interactive, free play space.

Here is what the Launch Zone has to offer for your family:

Toddler Tuesdays – Free Drop-In Programs for Children Age 2-4 and Their Parents from 10:30am-2:30pm

Tuesdays at the Launch Zone are all about toddlers and preschoolers. Activities have a different theme each month and include games, art projects, stories and movement for kids and parents to experience together (it’s a drop-in program, not a drop-off). No reservations are necessary.

• Upcoming themes: September – The Sun and Stars, October – The Wizard of Oz, November – The Human Body.

You can find Toddler Tuesdays on the A Parent in Silver Spring calendar.

Special Weekend Programming and Themes

On Saturdays and Sunday, the Launch Zone goes big with the learning projects for families who stop by. With a different theme each week based on a seasonal or interesting educational topic, kids age 3-8 are the stars of the Zone. Here are the upcoming weekend special celebrations in learning:

• September 10 and 24, 11am-4pm at Launch Zone : Get Eggcited for Better Breakfast Month - Come learn how to make your own breakfast with the School Nutrition Association.
• September 18, 12pm-6pm at Lane Manor Park in Adelphi: 30th Annual Hispanic Festival – The NCM is an exhibitor and invites families to take part in cultural dances, sample cuisine from various countries, enjoy live entertainment, an interactive children’s and teen area, carnival rides and games. Free admission.
• October 8, 11am-4pm at Launch Zone: Dino-Mite Dinosaurs – Join a dinosaur dig, skeleton puzzles, claw printing and more.

You can find all of the Launch Zone’s weekend activities on the A Parent in Silver Spring calendar.

Developing Programming for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Families with a child with ASD are invited to help make the upcoming NCM as accessible as possible. Be part of the prototyping by assessing the social story for the museum and help create a successful visit for children with ASD.

Drop-In Play and Learning ANYTIME

Looking for a fun way to spend a day with your child? Head to National Harbor and visit the Launch Zone. In addition to the free rotating open play and arts and crafts options available during the week for children, you can ride the ferry/water taxi, play on The Awakening, hit Family Fest the last two Saturdays remaining on September 3 and 10, climb on the Calleva Pirate Ship Course (there’s a weight minimum, best for bigger kids), visit the Peeps store, eat, shop and explore all the National Harbor has to offer.

Hours and Location

Now until September 6th: Open Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday-Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday & Saturday 10am-7pm

September 7 – October 31: Open Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm

Hours at other times of year

The NCM Launch Zone

112 Waterfront St.

National Harbor, MD 2074

Map and Directions

Disclosure: My children and I were invited to the Launch Zone to meet the staff, have lunch and play.