To have community events listed free in The Potomac Almanac, send e-mail to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Unless otherwise noted, all events are in Potomac. For more information, call 703-917-6407.
Wednesday/Dec. 3
Afternoon Tea. Pianist Rosalind Breslow is performing at 1 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Prepaid reservations required; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.
Artist in Residence. Jennifer Cutting, artist in residence at Strathmore, is playing at 7:30 p.m. in the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Tickets: $15; call 301-581-5100.
Golden Boys. Dick Fox’s Golden Boys starring Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell is performing at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $38-127. Call 301-581-5100.
Thursday/Dec. 4
Music Club. The Friday Morning Music club is performing at 11 a.m. in the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Free; no tickets required. Call 301-581-5100.
Friday/Dec. 5
Holiday Time. Decorate a holiday treasure box, decorate a winter wreath and enjoy story time with Perfect Parties by Terrye at the Cabin John Mall Atrium, 11325 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 9:30 a.m.
Geology Hike. Join National Park Service Volunteers for a geology hike of the Billy Goat Trail from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Visit www.nps.gov/choh/.
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra performs “Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah” at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Visit www.BSOmusic.org for tickets.
Contra Dance. The Friday Night Dancers presents traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and waltzes at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Contra dance lesson from 7:30-8:15 p.m., dance from 8:30-11:30 p.m. to live music. $9/person. E-mail fndcontra@yahoo.com.
Saturday/Dec. 6
Musical Tea. Enjoy complimentary tea and sweets in addition to free performances by the Levine School of Music’s faculty-artists and students at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda at 11 a.m. Free; reservations required. Call 202-686-8000, ext. 1068.
Greeting Cards. A workshop on how to make Victorian-era holiday greeting cards will be held at Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo, 5801 Oxford Road at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations required; call 301-320-1410.
Specialty Tea. Harpist Carolyn Kemper is performing holiday music at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Tea menu and holiday story telling for children. Prepaid reservations required; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.
National Philharmonic. The National Philharmonic Orchestra is performing “Choral Masterworks: Handel’s Messiah” at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, 8 p.m. Tickets from $29; children 7-17 free. Call 301-581-5100.
Swing Dance. Enjoy a swing dance at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Beginner Swing lesson from 8-9 p.m. and dance from 9 p.m.- 12 a.m. to live music. $12/person. Call 301-340-9732.
Waltz Dance. Enjoy a waltz dance at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Beginner Waltz lesson from 3-3:30 p.m. and dance from 3:30-6 p.m. to live music. $8/person. Call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or visit www.WaltzTimeDances.org.
Climb Wall Weekend. Scale a climbing wall at Discovery Creek Children’s Museumin Glen Echo Park from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free for members and children under 2; $5/non-members. Wall is located in the old stables building, near the Park entrance. Call 202-488-0627 or visit www.discoverycreek.org.
Sunday/Dec. 7
Greeting Cards. A workshop on how to make Victorian-era holiday greeting cards will be held at Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo, 5801 Oxford Road at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations required; call 301-320-1410.
Holiday Craft Show. The Friends of the Clara Barton Community Center is sponsoring a free Holiday Craft Show at the center, 7425 MacArthur Blvd., Cabin John, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring artists and crafters from the community. Call the Center at 301-229-0010.
National Philharmonic. The National Philharmonic Orchestra is performing “Choral Masterworks: Handel’s Messiah” at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, 3 p.m. Tickets from $29; children 7-17 free. Call 301-581-5100.
Family Sing. Bring family and friends to explore the joy of singing in harmony at the Music Center at Strathmore, Education Center room 402, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, 4-5:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Tickets: $7; call 301-581-5100.
Contra and Square Dance. The Folklore Society of Greater Washington presents traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and waltzes at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Dance lesson from 7-7:30 p.m., dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. to live music. $12/non-members, $9/FSGW members.
Critiques and Coffee. Bring photos to a morning critique led by a Photoworks faculty member to the Photoworks studio in Glen Echo Park from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Call 301-229-7930 or visit www.glenechophotoworks.org.
Climb Wall Weekend. Scale a climbing wall at Discovery Creek Children’s Museumin Glen Echo Park from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free for members and children under 2; $5/non-members. Wall is located in the old stables building, near the Park entrance. Call 202-488-0627 or visit www.discoverycreek.org.
Monday/Dec. 8
Afternoon Tea. Pianist Meg Baker is performing at 1 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Prepaid reservations required; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.
The Beach Boys. The Beach Boys perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets: $35-102; call 301-581-5100.
Tuesday/Dec. 9
Afternoon Tea. Pianist John Dassoulas is performing at 1 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Prepaid reservations required; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.
Rockapella Holiday. The five-man a capella ensemble performs at 8 p.m. in the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets: $21-55; call 301-581-5100.
Wednesday/Dec. 10
Afternoon Tea. Flutist Susan Bour and pianist Phil Bour are performing at 1 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Prepaid reservations required; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.
After Hours. Jazz vocalist Sarah Jones performs at 7:30 p.m. in the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Tickets: $15; call 301-581-5100.
Friday/Dec. 12
Home Tours. Guided tours showing the history and personal stories of the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Call 301-581-5100.
Gospel Choir. The Soweto Gospel Choir performs at 8 p.m. in the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets: $25-48; call 301-581-5100.
Contra Dance. The Friday Night Dancers presents traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and waltzes at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Contra dance lesson from 7:30-8:15 p.m., dance from 8:30-11:30 p.m. to live music. $9/person. E-mail fndcontra@yahoo.com.
Saturday/Dec. 13
Geology Hike. Join National Park Service Volunteers for a geology hike of the Billy Goat Trail from 1-3 p.m. Visit www.nps.gov/choh/.
Children’s Tour. Children ages 5 and older, accompanied by an adult, go on a guided tour and do an art activity from 10:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m. in the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Reservations required; call 301-581-5100.
Swing Dance. Enjoy a swing dance at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Beginner Swing lesson from 8-9 p.m. and dance from 9 p.m.- 12 a.m. to live music. $15/person. Call 301-340-9732.
The Nutcracker. The Puppet Co. will perform “The Nutcracker” at 6 p.m. at the Puppet Co. in Glen Echo Park. Tickets: $25 (children under 2 free).
Winter’s Eve. Enjoy live performances, holiday crafts for children and a hot chocolate bar at the Holiday Art Show in the Popcorn Gallery in Glen Echo Park. 6-9 p.m. Free. Call 301-634-2222 or visit www.glenechopark.org.
Biennial Auction. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road. Browse items by the Potomac Craftsmen Fiberarts Guild. Free. Visit www.potomaccraftsmenguild.org for more.
Book Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive. Browse through paperbacks, hardbacks and more. Free. 240-777-0690.
Talk. 11:30 a.m. at Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah, 11825 Seven Locks Road. Robbie Berman will talk about organ donation. Free. E-mail office@bethsholom.org for more.
Sunday/Dec. 14
Chamber Music. Robert Shafer and friends perform at 3 and 7:30 p.m. in the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Tickets: $25; call 301-581-5100.
Youth Orchestras. Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras performs at 3 p.m. in the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets: $20/adults, $8/children and seniors. Call 301-581-5100.
Contra and Square Dance. The Folklore Society of Greater Washington presents traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and waltzes at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Dance lesson from 7-7:30 p.m., dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. to live music. $12/non-members, $9/FSGW members.
Monday/Dec. 15
Afternoon Tea. Piano duo Hsien Ann-Meng and Wei-Der Huang are performing at 1 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Prepaid reservations required; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.
Origami. Gretchen Schermerhorn and Yukie Kobayashi teach origami from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Tickets: $15; call 301-581-5100.
Tuesday/Dec. 16
Afternoon Tea. Pianist Fran Hrastar is performing at 1 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Prepaid reservations required; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.
Wednesday/Dec. 17
Afternoon Tea. Harpist Jo Morrison is performing at 1 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Prepaid reservations required; $21 plus tax. Call 301-581-5108.
Art After Hours. Zemer Chai, the 30-member Jewish Community Choir of Washington, D.C. performs at 7:30 p.m. in the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Tickets: $15; call 301-581-5100.
Book Discussion. 1 p.m. at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive. Discuss “An Equal Music” by Vikram Seth. Free. 240-777-0690.
Friday/Dec. 19
Six String Sing-a-Long. A musical performance and sing-a-long of children's favorites with Ellis Woodward at the Cabin John Mall Atrium, 11325 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, 9:30 a.m.
Contra Dance. The Friday Night Dancers presents traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and waltzes at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Contra dance lesson from 7:30-8:15 p.m., dance from 8:30-11:30 p.m. to live music. $9/person. E-mail fndcontra@yahoo.com.
Swing Dance. Enjoy a swing dance at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Beginner Swing lesson from 8-9 p.m. and dance from 9 p.m.- 12 a.m. to live music. $15/person.
Sunday/Dec. 21
Christmas Music. The Washington Chorus performs at 5 p.m. in the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets start at $15; call 202-342-6221.
Waltz Dance. Enjoy a waltz dance at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Beginner Waltz lesson from 3-3:30 p.m. and dance from 3:30-6 p.m. to live music. $8/person. Call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or visit www.WaltzTimeDances.org.
Contra and Square Dance. The Folklore Society of Greater Washington presents traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and waltzes at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Dance lesson from 7-7:30 p.m., dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m. to live music. $12/non-members, $9/FSGW members.
Chanukah Menorah Lighting Celebration. 4:45 p.m. at Cabin John Shopping Center parking lot, corner of Tuckerman and Seven Locks Roads. Enjoy clowns, magic tricks, free food, music and more. Free. Visit www.LightTheMenorah.com.
Monday/Dec. 22
Holiday Celebration. The Washington Symphonic Brass performs Christmas classics at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets: $29; children 7-17 free. Call 301-581-5100.
Friday/Dec. 26
Contra Dance. The Friday Night Dancers presents traditional American dancing including contra dances, square dances, and waltzes at the Spanish Ballroom in Glen Echo Park. Contra dance lesson from 7:30-8:15 p.m., dance from 8:30-11:30 p.m. to live music. $9/person. E-mail fndcontra@yahoo.com.