Get Out: Greenbelt Weekend Events

Looking for a break from the daily routine this weekend? Greenbelt has plenty to offer, and with sunny skies predicted for the weekend, there are many activities both indoors and outdoors.

Kick off your weekend on Friday night with the Greenbelt Aquatics and Fitness Center’s monthly Family Swim Night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 15. Bring your whole family for only $3 for all families, including pass holders. Families will be charged $1 for each additional non-family member (limit three non-family members per group). Swimming in this outdoor facility is a great way to cool off from the hot summer temperatures.

Friday and Sunday, stop by the Greenbelt Arts Center for a staged reading of "The Knot." The Dreadnought Theatre Co. presentation follows a poet and repressed scholar as they make discoveries about themselves and their womanhood, while seeking to understand their relationships with the people around them. Written an directed by local playwright Akosua Johnson. Friday, July 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 17 at 1 p.m. $15 general admission, $12 students and seniors.

Always heard about belly dancing but never actually watched it? The Starlight Shimmy could be your Saturday night entertainment. See the talents of a variety of dancers hosted by Zareen, a belly dancer in the Washington D.C. area. Starlight Shimmy will perform on July 16, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the New Deal Cafe. The performances of this Middle-Eastern dance are completely free to the public. You'll not only see one type of dance, you'll get to experience dances derived from many cultures.

On Sunday July 17, Charles and Kelly of The Hot Noodles will perform from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the New Deal Cafe. They will sing and play the guitar, as they bring forth a unique style of rock music in an acoustic folk style. Come out and support this local band.

Want to experience the history of Greenbelt? The Greenbelt Museum offers tours of the historic house on Sunday, July 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The house at 10B Crescent Road has been restored to look as it would have from 1936 to 1952. Visitors can walk back in history. They'll see objects and decorations from that time period as well. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for adults over age 55 and $1 for children under the age 12.

Don’t forget that Harry Potter is opening this weekend. See the dramatic ending to the eight part film series, as those in the wizarding world enter the final battle of good against evil. If you want to check it out in Greenbelt, Academy 8, at 6198 Greenbelt Rd., is featuring showtimes all weekend for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."