Things to do in the DC area: ‘Momentum Park(our)’, Fourth of July celebrations … and more!

One of the installation areas at MOMENTUM PARK OUR in the National Building Museum Courtesy National Building Museum One of the installation areas at MOMENTUM PARK OUR in the National Building Museum Courtesy National Building Museum Parkour is essentially treating the world as your obstacle unit going from one point to another by jumping and climbing on anything around you without assisting equipment and often involving acrobatics Mark Toorock founder and CEO of American Parkour described parkour as seeing the built ecosystem through a different lens As we get older we get busy we do things and we stop moving we stop exploring we stop seeing the world as a child Toorock commented Parkour is really just a fantastic opportunity to get back to that in a fun and joyful way Starting Thursday at the National Building Museum the MOMENTUM PARK OUR installation spans more than square feet with four obstacle areas and interactive stations throughout The physically involved installation is family friendly for children as young as years old and various courses are aimed at teens and adults Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the D C area For the youngest guests the play area includes foam versions of basic elements of parkour training such as steppingstones and balance beams For teens and adults the installation includes built-in monkey bars and other custom components There are no prerequisites revealed Toorock who noted there will be certified instructors available for both new and seasoned parkour athletes The design of the installation was inspired by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin whose work emphasized interactive society spaces and dynamic exploratory movement His bulk recognizable work for locals may be the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in D C Toorock a parkour pioneer launched the world s first parkour gym which operated until He has organized one of the world s largest parkour gatherings in Rosslyn Virginia for over a decade His company American Parkour works in collaboration with D C Populace Schools to provide physical guidance programs to students that involve parkour MOMENTUM PARK OUR runs through July open Thursday to Monday each week from a m to p m It is on the West Court of the Great Hall in D C s National Building Museum Tickets cost an additional on top of the regular museum admission Here s what else is happening in the D C area DC Fourth of July celebrations around the DMV Searching for Independence Day celebrations in the D C area WTOP has you covered with our guide on local parades and even rooftop parties for panoramic views of the fireworks Find all our Fourth of July reporting here Fourth of July Where to find the top July restaurant and bar deals in DC Where to watch fireworks in the DC area this Fourth of July sky-high rooftop parties in DC to celebrate the Fourth of July AfroAmp Summer Festival In Northeast D C dance to Afrobeats and Amapiano music at the AfroAmp Summer Festival on Saturday Ticket prices vary Punk Rock Karaoke Scream your favorite songs at this punk rock karaoke event at Black Cat on Saturday Artists in the catalog include Bad Brains Fugazi and Minor Threat among countless others Advanced tickets cost roughly with all proceeds going to the global wellness and humanitarian organization Project Hope Flea Region at Fantom Comics Fantom Comics is hosting its first ever flea sector Sunday Come and shop for clothes accessories collectives and more Sundeck Summer Reads Join fellow lovers of literature at The Sundeck at The Yards in Southeast for a used book sale bookmark making journal decorating journaling prompts and a book giveaway The Sundeck Summer Reads event is Wednesday with free general admission Maryland Tarmac Tour of the College Park Aviation Museum Explore the College Park Airport up close on Saturday The oldest continuously operating airport in the world the College Park Airport is hosting a tarmac tour with information on the numerous firsts that happened on the airfield and how the airport is used in current times Registration is required Dinosaur Park Open House On Saturday families can bring their children to the Laurel fossil site Dinosaur Park for an open house event that allows for free admission to residents programs This open house event repeats on the first and third Saturday of each month depending on weather Yellow Dubmarine The D C -based band Yellow Dubmarine is a Reggae tribute to The Beatles who will perform at the Live from the Lawn outdoor concert series on Wednesday This series is at the Strathmore s Gudelsky Gazebo in North Bethesda RSVPs are recommended though the event is pay what you can Virginia West African Cultural Heritage Night Learn about African history while dancing at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale This event is on Saturday with free general admission Mr Jon Friends For family fun enjoy an interactive musical performance from Mr Jon The free event is at the Lubber Run Amphitheater in Arlington on Sunday Fit The Fountain Head outdoors for a free instructor-led pilates class hosted by D C Fray in Arlington s National Landing neighborhood RSVPs are recommended as space is limited Have an event you d like featured in WTOP s Things to do in the D C area weekly guide Let us know Source