February 2013 at the National Children's Museum

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD (Jan. 23, 2013) – Throughout the month of February, the National Children’s Museum (NCM) will feature innovative programming that aims to introduce children to different forms of music and dance.

Unless otherwise noted, all programs will take place at the National Children’s Museum at 151 St. George Blvd. at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Md. Tickets are available at the NCM box office and can also be purchased online in advance for weekend visits and days when attendance will be at capacity. If timed entry tickets are sold out online, tickets may still be available for purchase in person in advance for the next available admission time. For more information, visitors may go to www.ncm.museum, email info@ncm.museum or call the museum’s main number at 301.392.2400.

Free Family Night sponsored by GEICO

Friday, Feb. 15, 5-6:30 p.m., 6:30-8 p.m.

Families can enjoy free admission to the museum as well as hands-on activities and interactive play in the NCM theatre and exhibit areas. February’s Free Family Night will celebrate Festival of Nations. Please note: Families can attend one of two 90-minute shifts from either 5-6:30 p.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. Free tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the NCM box office beginning at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15. The museum will close for half an hour at 4:30 p.m. to give staff time to prepare for the event. 

Guest Performance: Cantaré’s ¡Mucha Música!

Saturday, Feb. 16, 11-11:30 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m.

Celebrate Festival of Nations Week with Cantaré's ¡Mucha Música!, a 30-minute musical journey to Latin America. Each exciting, interactive performance will introduce families to the musical heritage of the Caribbean, Central and South America, Cantaré performs songs in Spanish and Portuguese and shares the music's cultural and historical background. Sharing in the same mission of the museum’s Our Worldexhibit, ¡Mucha Música! highlights cultural differences while also communicating the rich fusion that results when diverse traditions come together. Both performances will take place in the NCM Theatre; no separate tickets are required.

Guest Performance: Green Golly & Her Golden Flute

Monday, Feb. 18, 11-11:30 a.m. and 1-1:30 p.m.

This child-friendly introduction to classical music, created and performed by Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel, inspires children to listen actively and imagine creatively. Based on the story of Rapunzel, Green Golly & Her Golden Flute tells the story of a girl who finds musical inspiration every day life. Both performances will take place in the NCM Theatre; no separate tickets are required.

NCM Celebrates Presidents’ Day

Monday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Events will take place throughout the day)

Visitors can learn about the rich history of the U.S. presidency and what it takes to hold one of the most important jobs in the country. Families can explore the Museum’s large library of presidential-themed books, create artwork from presidential shapes and household objects and write biographies about their favorite presidents.

In addition to its monthly programming, the museum will also begin offering field trip programs on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Field trips are available Tuesday-Friday from 10-11:30 a.m. and

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  Admission is $8 per child and $10 per adult, with one adult receiving free admission for every five children. For reservations or more information, educators can contact schools@ncm.museum or 301.392.2450.

The National Children's Museum has served more than 30,000 visitors since opening in December 2012. The museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day. During the summer months, the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Standard admission is $10 per child or adult and $8 for seniors ages 65 and up. There is no cost of admission for infants 12 months or younger.

# # #

About National Children’s Museum

The National Children’s Museum (NCM) is a world-class cultural and educational center (www.ncm.museum) that inspires children to care about and improve the world. NCM opened in Dec. 2012 at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Md. After operating as a “museum without walls” for several years, the Museum is now Greater Washington’s premier family attraction and the only national museum dedicated especially to children and their families and caregivers. NCM was designated by Congress in 2003 and was founded in 1974 as the Capital Children’s Museum.