shortstuff Art & Soul

The National Center for Children and Families (NCCF) will hold its eighth Annual Art & Soul Charity Auction at The Music Center at Strathmore, June 25, 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the construction of NCCF’s new cultural arts and recreational facility, a safe harbor for young people who need to manage the burden of profound grief and gain opportunities to smile, laugh, live and grow. World-renowned jazz musician Marcus Johnson will perform. Live and silent auctions will include art from youth in the Greentree Adolescent Program (GAP) at NCCF and original works of art by promi-nent local artists. Ticket purchase: Heidi Coons, 301-365-4480, ext.114, nccf-cares.org.

All That JazzDC Jazz Festival takes over

the nation’s capital June 1-13 with outstanding performances by musicians, such as multiple Grammy Award-winners Paquito D’Rivera, Dianne Reeves, Poncho Sanchez and more. June 5-6 is Jazz ‘N Families Fun Day at the Phillips Collection, celebrating the synergy between jazz and the visual arts. With more 100 concerts in nearly 50 venues, the festival offers free, all-day concerts at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden, Lisner Auditorium and other venues. dcjazzfest.org

The Ultimate Summer at Good

CounselTheir outstanding athletic

camps for ages 4-18 have a repu-tation for being among the best in the area. New this year is Falcon Day Camp, for ages 5-12. From scavenger hunts to T-shirt tie-dying, themed camp days and the ultimate Field Day Friday—Falcon Day Camp is one you won’t want to miss! They also offer a Summer

Institute program for fun enrichment and academic classes. Camps start June 14. Register now and be part of Summer at Good Counsel in Olney. 240-283-3359, OLGCHS.org

PEACE 4 U Summer CampThe Guhyasamaja Center is dedicated to the

practice of Mahayana Buddhism, following the Tibetan Gelugpa tradition, the lineage headed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This summer the center is offering a new summer camp for teens in Reston—PEACE 4 U. Each half-day session centers on meditation, discussion, guest speak-ers and a range of fun activities and projects. Explorations include how we think, how we act,

how we relate to others and how we find mean-ing. Guhyasamaja.org

Terrific for TotsClap your hands for Little Tots Summer Fun, a free

interactive entertainment series for toddlers, preschool-ers and their parents or caregivers. Little Tots features some of the area’s top children’s performers and includes musical performances, educational activities, merchant specials and much more. Find Little Tots Summer Fun at Washingtonian Center (Gaithersburg—WashingtonianCenter.com), Downtown Silver Spring (Silver Spring—DowntownSilverSpring.com), Fairfax Corner (Fairfax—FairfaxCorner.com) and Virginia Gateway (Gainesville—VAGateway.com).

What’s New at Busch Gardens?Lots! In the new simulator ride, “Europe in the Air,” swoop

across gorgeous terrain and past famous landmarks. A new live show has authentic Irish storytelling, singing, music and dance. Enjoy an extreme sports extravaganza at their stop on the ASA Action Sports World Tour. “IllumiNights” is a nightly spectacu-lar that encircles family fun and memories with world tradi-tions. Take a behind-the-scenes tour for close-up encounters

with the newest inhabitants of Highland Stables, including the park’s own team

of Clydesdales. And visit buschgardens.com/va

for new ways to save, including on Twitter.

10 Washington Parent June 2010