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. 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.
Used Book Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive. Browse through hardback and paperback novels. Free. 240-777-0690.
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.
Pet Photos with Santa. 1-3 p.m. at Wagging Tails Thrift Store, 1310 E. Gude Drive, Rockville. Pets can take pictures by appointment. 240-483-2846.
Musical Plays. 4 p.m. at Wootton High School, 2100 Wooten Parkway, Rockville. See “Yertle and Myrtle: The Tyrant Turtles” and “Wayward Knight.” Free. Visit www.childrock.org for more.
Community Shred Event. 8-11 a.m. at Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg. Bring sensitive documents to have them safely destroyed. Free. 240-777-8000.
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.
Hanukkah Happening. 4;30 p.m. at Har Shalom. Hear music, crafts, dinner and more. $9/adult; $6/child. 301-424-9318.
Pet Photos with Santa. Noon-5 p.m. at Posh Pooch, 8009 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda. Pets can take pictures by appointment. 240-483-2846.
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.
Book Signing. 7:30 p.m. at Audubon Naturalist Society, 8490 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase. Get copies of “City of Trees.” Free. 301-652-3606.
Thursday/ Dec. 18
Winter Snacks for Animals. 10 a.m. at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Children 3 years and up can feed the animals. $3/person. 301-299-1990.
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.
Saturday/Dec. 20
Family Solstice Hike. 11 a.m. at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Families can enjoy hikes and more. $2/person. 301-299-1990.
Music Performance. 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore. Hear the National Philharmonic Chorale perform “Messiah.” Tickets start at $29. Children free. Visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or 301-581-5100.
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.
Tuesday/Dec. 23
Dipless Candles. 6 p.m. at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Families with children 5 and up can craft simple candles with no smoke or wax. $6/person. 301-299-1990.
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.
Saturday/Dec. 27
Chanukah Feast. A Strathmore-produced stage version of the popular CD will run at 8 p.m. in the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Tickets: $21; 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. Visit www.tomcunningham.com.
Music. 7:30 p.m. at Kreeger Auditorium, JCC of Greater Washington, Rockville. Hear music by Lenny Solomon. $18/adult; $15/child. Visit www.jewishroc.org or 301-468-3881.
Sunday/Dec. 28
Cajun/Zydeco Dance. Dancing by the Bayou presents Cajun and Zydeco dancing with Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp at the Bumper Car Pavilion in Glen Echo Park. Cajun dancing lesson at 3 p.m. followed by a dance from 3:30-6 p.m. $15/person. E-mail Dancingbythebayou@verizon.net.
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.
Wednesday/Dec. 31
Nature Craft Potpourri. 1 p.m. at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Make a magnet with supplies. $4/person. 301-299-1990.
Tuesday/Jan. 6
Chinese Book Club. Join in a Chinese book discussion in the Chinese language from 7-9 p.m. at the Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Drive. Registration not required.
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.