If you are looking for last minute ideas to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in the Nation’s Capitol, here is a list of  cheap and free things to do in DC this weekend.

2013 Memorial Day Events in Washington DC, This Weekend

36th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival: May 27, 2013, Times: 1-6 p.m.Admission: Free! Location: Waterfront Park, Between Prince and King streets. Alexandria Virginia

Stop by the Kennedy Center, this weekend to see  free performance on the Millennium Stage  Saturday  May 25th-Pianist and composer Tao—a 2011 YoungArts alumnus, U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and the only classical musician included on the 2012 Forbes 30 Under 30: Music list—plays a mix of original and classical pieces accompanied by fellow 2012 alumni Huang (violin) and Litvinenko (cello). Part of National YoungArts Foundation’s YoungArts Week.

 Sunday May 26th- Singer, songwriter, and bassist Davis, a 2009 YoungArts alumna and U.S. Presidential Scholar  in the Arts, is accompanied by fellow alumni Schnider on guitar and Kellman on piano. Part of National YoungArts Foundation’s YoungArts Week.

Monday May 27th-The Millennium Stage presents a performance featuring Asian traditional music to K-pop and Gangnam Style.

Celebrate Hawai’i Festival, Sunday, May 26, 2013, 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM,  American Indian Museum

This festival is the museum’s annual celebration of Hawaiian arts and culture and coincides with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. During the festival, visitors can meet and greet Hawaiian culture bearers who are practitioners of the traditional Hawaiian arts related to voyaging and canoes.

Music at the Museum: Summer Band Concerts, Sunday, May 26, 2013, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The U.S. Navy Band, the Commodores, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA, Admission: Free.

Each concert stars an energetic ensemble representing a branch of the U.S. military . Gather family members and friends to enjoy a free performance on the north lawn. No tickets required and parking is free after 4:00 p.m. Blankets are encouraged. Lawn chairs and picnic snacks permitted but may not be brought inside the Museum. Concerts will be held inside the Museum if it rains.

Jazz is America’s music and the U.S. Navy Band Commodores, the Navy’s premier jazz ensemble, have been performing the very best of big band jazz for the Navy and the nation for over 40 years. Formed in 1969, this 18-member group continues the jazz big band legacy with some of the finest musicians in the world and is led by Senior Chief Musician Philip Burlin.

Free Movies on the Potomac-Sunday May 26, 2013 -”Wreck-It Ralph” is playing this weekend at the National Harbor.

Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. The 2013 season runs from Sunday, May 26th through Sunday, September 1st.

Join us for Family Movie Sundays; meet us at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of ocean breezes and all-ages fun! Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the show! (Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are permitted, but coolers filled with alcohol will not be allowed.)

 Wolf Traps Summer Blast Off

Gates open: 6:30 pm for Lawn (90 minutes prior to curtain)
Fireworks viewing area opens: Following the performance,  at approximately 9:30 pm
Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45 pm

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band will launch Wold Trap National Park for the Performing Arts’ summer season with a program of concert favorites. A Fireworks display will follow the concert.

• For 2 centuries, the United States Marine Band has been part of those events which have shaped our national heritage. Its omnipresent role in events of national importance has made it part of the fabric of American life.
• Since 1798, the Marine Band’s primary mission has remained to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. As the only musical organization with that mission, the Marine Band looks to the future, viewing its history and traditions as foundations on which to build into its third century of bringing music to the White House and to America.

President Lincoln’s Cottage – A wreath laying ceremony will take place at the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home (USSAH) National Cemetery to remember our fallen soldiers. Sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln will join us to participate in the ceremony. Then, enjoy the rare opportunity to take a guided tour of the USSAH National Cemetery (predecessor of Arlington National Cemetery). Additionally, visitors can go the Signature Cottage Tour, offered on the hour from 10 am til 3 pm (Memorial Day)

Have a great weekend everyone!

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Friday May 17, 2013 is Bike to Work Day in DC, here are 8 reasons why you should bike to work in Washington DC.

1.    Biking to work is cheaper than driving a car.

2.    It’s cheaper than taking public transportation.

3.    It’s a fun free event in DC.

4.    You will get in shape riding your bike to work.

5.    You’ll learn more about bicycling in DC.

6.    You will get free food and fun prizes at the pit stops.

7.    You’ll meet other bikers in DC.

8.    It will be an exciting experience to share with your colleagues, family, and friends.

If you don’t own a bike, you can still participate in this event.  There will be several bike stations throughout the city that you can rent a bike for a nominal fee.

Be sure to leave your car at home on Friday May 17th, 2013 and Bike to work in Washington DC.

Don’t forget to tell family and friend to also ride their bikes to work!

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If you are looking for something fun to do in DC, with the family check out “Opera in the Outfield”

Celebrate the fifth year of free live opera broadcasts at the ballpark with Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s American masterpiece Show Boat on Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Arrive early to Nationals Park to enjoy entertainment and activities including:

• Dance demonstrations by Gottaswing
• A meet and greet with M&M’S^® Ms. Brown
• Photo opportunities for kids of all ages with the living statue of Babe Ruth (back by popular demand!)
• A special costume trunk where kids can play dress up using a wide variety of costumes and accessories
• Face painting by theatrical makeup artists
• A screening of the Warner Bros. cartoon “What’s Opera, Doc?,” starring Bugs Bunny and his nemesis Elmer Fudd
• Chances to win prizes, including tickets to Kennedy Center performances
• And more!

M&M’S^® Opera in the Outfield will take place rain or shine!

Did you know that you can save money at several theatre’s in Washington DC?

If you are a theatre enthusiast on a budget you can get half price tickets to shows and events in the Nation’s Capital, you don’t have to pay full price if you take advantage of the deals and discounts that the theatre’s in DC offer.

These theatre’s offer everything from local plays to Broadway shows, classic film nights, musicals, dance performances, festivals, and more; many of these theatrical events offer cheap, free, or half-price tickets.

Here are a few theatres in DC that offer discounts or free tickets.

One of the best ways to save money on theatre tickets is to volunteer, a few days a month, so you get to see performances for free.

These four letters can save you tons of money the next time you buy a ticket at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington DC, (PWYC) pay what you can. Two hours before showtime you can get pay-what-you-can tickets for the first two performances of every production featured at the theatre. (This usually happens on a Monday or Tuesday).

• If you are under 30 years old, you are in luck because you can buy a ticket for $20 for any performance if it’s available.

• If you are a first responder or in the military you can get 10% off regular priced tickets for each show.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is one of the busiest performing arts center in the country and hosts major performances and festivals throughout the year.

• If you want to go to the Kennedy Center to see a free performance  you can check out the Millennium Stage, where there are free performances 365 days a year at 6pm.

The Arena Stage is one of America’s regional theatres specializing in the production of new and classic plays. The Arena stage also offers a savings program for people on a budget.

• If you are a full-time student, you can get a 35% discount off regular ticket prices if the tickets are available.

• Southwest D.C. residents and people who work in Southwest can buy discounted tickets for specially designated performances, $35 for musicals and $25 for non-musicals. You do need to prove that you either live or work in Southwest.

• If you are 30 and under the price of the ticket you purchase depends on your age, so if, you are 5 years old, guess how much you get to pay for each performance.

• U.S. military and first responders can get a 20% discount on tickets for performances at the Arena Stage.

The National Theatre is the oldest continuously operating theater in Washington DC and the third oldest in the nation. The National Theatre  presents Broadway shows, musicals, top-notch professional touring attractions and more.

The National Theatre also offers half -price- tickets to:

• Persons 65 years or older
• Full time students
• People with certain disabilities
• Military personnel
• DC residents with a limited income

The Warner Theatre, is a performing arts venue in Washington DC, originally built as a 1920s movie palace and now host to plays, musicals, dance and music.

• The Warner Theatre offers student rush tickets that students can purchase the day of show tickets to all Warner Stage company performances. Student ID is required you can also join their email club to receive special offers.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company is the nation’s foremost Shakespeare company and the “region’s most dynamic theatre”.

The following are eligible for discount theatre tickets:

• If you are a Senior Citizens (60 years and older) you can get a 10% discount, and on Wednesdays you can get a 50% discount for afternoon performances

• If you are in the Military, you can get a 20% discount except on Friday or Saturday evening performances.

• Are you 35 and under? If so you can get tickets for $18 through the Young Prose program.

• Certain seats in Sidney Harman Hall are always $20, and if you want to buy one ticket and you don’t mind sitting next to someone you don’t know you can see a great performance for $20, these tickets are popular and sells quickly.

• C & D Seats, if you don’t mind the view you can get a C & D seat. These tickets are priced cheaper, and you will have an obstructed view of the stage.

If you want to find out about discount theatre tickets to all the performing arts theatre events in Washington DC, go to TicketPlace Outlet for everything you need to know about half price tickets in the DC metro area.

Finally, you can find cheap theatre tickets from discount websites like:

•    Groupon Washington D.C.!

•    Living SocialSave 50-70% off with LivingSocial’s Daily Deals!

•    Deal ChickenGet 50%-90% off the best things to see, do, and eat in your town with DealChicken.com

•    Gilt City Discover Washington D.C. with Gilt City. Up to 55% off Fine Dining, Exclusive Spas, Live Events.

These sites offer 50-90% off at restaurants, DC attractions, theatre, clubs, spas and more events Washington DC it’s free to sign up, and you will receive money saving deals on things you like to do and see in DC.

There is no excuse to pay full price, now that you know the different ways to save money on theatre tickets at some of the best theatres in Washington DC.

Attention Film Enthusiasts

The GI Film Festival, is May 6-12, 2013 Washington DC

The GIFF presents films from new and established international and domestic filmmakers that honor the heroic stories of the American Armed Forces and the worldwide struggle for freedom and liberty. Some of the films screened are voted on by fans. Others are screened for the first time. All will in some way express the courage and selflessness of our fighting men and women and the value of their work.

You will see 51 amazing films that educate, entertains, empowers, and tells the reel stories about our real heroes in the military.

Film Festival passes starts at $12, and the festival will be held at multiple locations throughout the DC metro area.

Be sure to  tell all your friends and family about the 2013 GI Film Festival in Washington DC.

If you are looking for something to do with the kids this weekend take them to the National Air & Space Museum for Family Day, Space Day: Living and Exploring in Space on Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Here are the fun things kids and adults get to do at Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum this weekend.

Space Day promotes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education with fun activities aimed at nurturing young peoples’ enthusiasm for the wonders of the universe and inspiring them to pursue careers in the STEM disciplines. The theme for this year’s event is Living and Exploring in Space. Presentations:

Current astronaut, Patrick G. Forrester (Colonel, USA Ret.) STS-105, STS-117, STS-128 11:30 AM

Moving Beyond Earth (Gallery 113)

Current astronaut, Patrick G. Forrester (Colonel, USA Ret) STS-105, STS-117, STS-128 and Former astronaut Thomas “T.K.” Mattingly (Rear Admiral USN, Ret.) Apollo 16, STS-4, STS-51C Moving Beyond Earth (Gallery 113)

2:00 PM

David DeVorkin, senior space history curator Talks all about Skylab

Space Race (Gallery 114)

Time TBD

Observe the Sun (weather permitting) Public Observatory

Noon – 3:00 PM

All Day Programs:

In Milestones of Flight (Gallery 100) •    Observe LEGO spacecraft built by the Washington Metro Area LEGO Users Group. •    Discover the composition of a comet in front of the Stardust Capsule. •    Understand how rockets are launched with International Launch Services. •    Find out what Presidents Nixon and Ford have to do with the Space Program.

In Space Race (Gallery 114)

•    Find out how spacesuits and Mars air bags are made with ILC Dover. •    Explore how you can be involved with model rockets with NOVAAR (Northern Virginia Association of Rocketry). o    Uncover the Secrets of the Corona reconnaissance camera with support of the National Reconnaissance Office

In the South Lobby (Gallery 108)

•    Design an astronaut mission patch. •    Make comet art.

In Apollo to the Moon (Gallery 210)

Astronaut “training school”

•    Work together to put together a space shuttle. •    Train with “space” gloves.

•    Dress like an astronaut.

•    Navigate like an Apollo astronaut. •    Make a hydroponic garden.

•    Design a robotic arm.

After taking the kids to the National Theatre for Saturday Morning at the National, you can bring the to the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museums Family Day! Space Day: Living and Exploring in Space.

Admission: Free

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