<cal1>Now Through Dec. 20.
<cal2>Holiday Food Collection. To benefit the Manna Food Center, a nonprofit food bank providing food to low-income households, food pantries, soup kitchens, group homes, and schools in Montgomery County. Bring non-perishable food to participating stores: Safeway, Chicken Out and PNC Bank, River and Falls Road in Potomac. Visit www.mannafood.org
<cal1>Now Through Nov. 28
<cal2>"The Mikado." The Potomac Theater Co. presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s "The Mikado" with a live orchestra. Performances are Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. In the Blair Family Center for the Arts, Bullis School, 10601 Falls Road, Potomac. Call 299-8571. See www.potomactheatreco.org.
<cal1>Now Through Dec. 30
<cal2>International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature. Free. Gallery hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 301-581-5200 or visit www.strathmore.org.
Michael Bignell & Mikhail Kononov. Free. Explore Bignell’s works in acrylic and Kononov’s works in oil. Gallery hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 301-581-5200 or visit www.strathmore.org.
<cal1>Tuesday/Nov. 23
<cal2>Folk Singer Chuck Brodsky. 8 p.m. Brodsky is a down-to-earth musical storyteller. Tickets are $18/door; $15/advance. At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville. Visit www.FocusMusic.org.
The Magnificent Mazowsze. 8 p.m. Tickets are $30-$65. At the Music Center at Strathmore, Concert Hall. 2Luck Concepts presents a thrilling display of dazzling movement, vibrant color and stunning beauty. Ninety dancers, musicians and singers are arrayed in a seemingly never-ending series of handmade traditional costumes – more than 1,000 in total, one more dramatic and colorful than the next. Call 301-581-5108.
<cal1>Nov. 24 to Jan. 9
<cal2>Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Some Saturday 11 a.m. performances. Single ticket prices range from $10-$22, with group rates available. It’s holiday time in Room One and that means drama! Tattletale May keeps picking on Junie B., and things get even worse when Junie B. draws May’s name for Secret Santa. She hatches a plan to give May a lump of coal, while getting an awesome Squeeze-A-Burp for herself. Will Junie B. have a last-minute change of heart and show her true holiday spirit? Just like its heroine, the show has laughs, verve and energy to spare! At Imagination Stage 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD. Imagination Stage offers discount ticket packages with benefits that emphasize the flexibility that parents and grandparents value, as well as significant savings. Details are on the website, www.imaginationstage.org.
<cal1>Nov. 26 Through Jan. 9
<cal2>Holiday Art Show and Sale. Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibition will feature works by resident artists, instructors and invited artists and will include glass, ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, and more. In the Popcorn Gallery of Glen Echo Park. Call 301-634-2222 or visit glenechopark.org.
<cal1>Friday/Nov. 26
<cal2>Contra Dance. 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. Admission is $9. The Friday Night Dancers presents Contra dancing as well as some square dances and waltzes. There is a Contra dance lesson from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. followed by the called dance from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. At the Spanish Ballroom of Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Email: fndcontra@yahoo.com.
<cal1>Saturday/Nov. 27
<cal2>Swing Dance. 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $15. Beginner swing lesson at 8 p.m.; dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight. With the Tom Cunningham Orchestra. At the Spanish Ballroom of Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Email: tomcunningham.com.
O Come Let Us Adore Him: Mormon Orchestra & Chorus of Washington, D.C. 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $21 and $25 (Stars $18.90 and $22.50). At the Music Center at Strathmore. The Mormon Orchestra & Chorus of Washington, D.C. perform their new holiday concert "O Come Let Us Adore Him." The program includes arrangements of traditional carols "The First Noel," "O Holy Night," "See Amid the Winter’s Snow" and more. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
<cal1>Sunday/Nov. 28
<cal2>Contra and Square Dance. 7 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $12/nonmembers; $9/FSGW members. The Folklore Society of Greater Washington presents traditional American contra dancing. The evening can include square dances, mixers, waltzes and other couple dances. All Contras and Square dances are taught, no partner is necessary. There is a lesson is at 7 p.m., followed by dances with live music by Hammer and String from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. In the Spanish Ballroom of Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Contact: fsgw.org.
Services of Songs. 9:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Musician Dr. Ysaye Barnwell will lead two services of songs. At River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Road, Bethesda. Call 301-229-0400. Or visit www.rruuc.org.
Ballroom Tea Dance. 3 to 6 p.m. Admission is $12. Join the Hot Society Orchestra of Washington for an afternoon of dancing, featuring music and dances from the 20s, 30s and 40s. Dancers will enjoy foxtrot, two-step, waltz, cha-cha, rumba, swing and more in the Spanish Ballroom. A basic dance lesson at 3 p.m. for all levels is followed by dancing to live music from 3:30 - 6 p.m. In the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Email: Dave@hotsociety.com.
<cal1>Monday/Nov. 29
<cal2>Stories from the Attic. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuition is $75 for three sessions (Stars $67.50). At the Mansion at Strathmore, Shapiro Music Room. Lynn Stearns of the Writer’s Center helps participants put priceless family stories on paper, teaching major elements of writing such as voice, point of view, language, dialogue, setting, structure, plot, pacing and resolution. Each participant will write in class and have opportunities to have work critiqued. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
Beth Sholom Book Club. 8 p.m. Will review The Search Committee: A Novel by Rabbi Marc Angel. The book is an engaging debate drawing upon the current conflicts between ultra and modern Orthodox Jews. It focuses on how the search committee examines the qualifications and ideology of two rabbis for the position of rosh yeshiva. As the committee interviews 10 people from both positions, an ideological battle ensues. All are welcome. Email alamp9608@yahoo.com. At Beth Sholom Congregation, 11825 Seven Locks Rd. Potomac.
<cal1>Tuesday/Nov. 30
<cal2>Specialty Tea: Hanukkah tea. 1 p.m. $26 reservation required. At the Mansion at Strathmore. Enjoy traditional music and food for the first Hanukkah tea. Call 301-581-5194.
<cal1>Wednesday/Dec. 1
<cal2>Food Glorious Food Art Show. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Art on Display from Dec. 1 through Feb. 6. Presented by Zenith Community Arts Foundation to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. At a calendar launch celebration and silent auction on the Terrace Level at Embassy Suites Hotel, Chevy Chase Pavilion, 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Chevy Chase. To purchase tickets, call 202-783-8005.
<cal1>Dec. 2 and Dec. 3
<cal2>Greens Sale and Holiday Boutique. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A huge selection of specially designed quality greens to decorate inside and outside your home will be available. Holiday Boutique offers gifts for everyone on your list. Boutique items include: children’s gifts, clothing, jewelry, specialty foods as well as home & garden accessories. There will be a Bake Sale & Café on the premises. At Landon School, 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 2
<cal2>Brandeis National Committee Talk. 10:30 a.m. Paula Matuskey, Interim Sr. Vice-President for Academic and Student Services, will discuss Abraham Lincoln’s challenges as well as the results of the newest mid-term elections. Cost is $12. At Temple Beth Ami, 14330 Travila Road, Rockville. Call 301-598-6952 or contact weisymar@aol.com.
Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Slow blues lesson from 8:15 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9 to 11:30 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and guests. At the Back Room of Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Donna Barker at 301-634-2231 or go to info@CapitalBlues.org or www.CapitalBlues.org.
The 2010 Kenny G Holiday Show. 8 p.m. Tickets $38-$125 (Stars price $34.20–$112.50). Grammy winner Kenny G brings a mellow holiday concert featuring favorites from his best-selling albums, including "The Greatest Holiday Classics" and "Miracles," which, in addition to being Kenny’s first album to hit number one on the Billboard Top 200 chart, became the best-selling holiday album of all time. Co-presented with AM Productions. At the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Visit www.strathmore.org or call 301-581-5100.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 3
<cal2>Blues and Swing Dance. 9 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $15. Swing lesson from 8-9 p.m.; dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight. With the band Meschyia Lake from New Orleans, and with instructors Donna Barker and Mike Marcotte. At the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo. Go to www.CapitalBlues.org or call Donna Barker at 301-634-2231.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 4
<cal2>Swing Dance. 9 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $18. Swing dance lesson from 8 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight. This event is part of the BamBLOOZled Blues Exchange Weekend of music and dancing, including all-day dance workshops on Saturday and Sunday. With instructors Donna Barker and Mike Marcotte and with the band Shemekia Copeland. At the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Go to www.CapitalBlues.org or call Donna Barker at 301-634-2231.
<cal1>Dec. 4 Through 12.
<cal2>"The Nutcracker." Presented annually since 1974 by the Rockville Civic Ballet, under the direction of Claudia Mangan, the show is a community favorite. Performances are Saturdays, Dec. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, Dec. 5 and 12 at 2 p.m. At the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater, Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Tickets are $16/adults; $12/children (12 years and younger), and $12/seniors. Group rates available. For tickets call the box office at 240-314-8690 between 2 and 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, or visit www.rockvillemd.gov/arts.
<cal1>Saturday/Dec. 4
<cal2>Pianist Michael Adcock. 8 p.m. Free. Concert by pianist Michael Adcock who performs works by composers including Schubert, Ravel, Scriabin, and Granados, and pieces including "The Alcotts" from the Concord, Mass. 1840-1860 Sonata of Charles Ives and Listz's Sonetto 104 del Petrarca from Années de Pèlerinage, Italie. At Westmoreland Congregational UCC Church, One Westmoreland Circle, at Massachusetts and Western Avenues, the boundary of D.C. and Bethesda.
German Christmas Bazaar. 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Enjoy coffee and homemade cake, as well as traditional German Food. German wooden Christmas ornaments from the Erzgebirge, a variety of European Christmas decorations, and Christmas gifts. German meat products and Swiss-baked goods. Many activities for your children. Come and enjoy a European afternoon with delicious food and Christmas gifts.
At the German School, 8617 Chateau Drive, Potomac.
"Amber Brown is Not a Crayon." 11 a.m. This musical is about a feisty little girl who wonders what to do when her best friend is about to move away. Tickets are $7/regular; $6/seniors/students. At the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville. Call 240-567-5301. To order tickets online, visit Web site at www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC
Used Book Sale. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fund-raiser sponsored by the Friends of Davis Library Inc. Christmas and seasonal books, children’s gift gooks, holiday cookbooks for sale. At Davis Library, Lower Level, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Call 240-777-0922.
Bazaar and Silent Auction. 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A giant estate sale with garage sale prices. Toys, clothing, books, rugs, jewelry, art, kitchenware, computers, food, and more. Retail sales close at 3 p.m. Silent Auction from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. At River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation (RRUUC). 6301 River Road (at Whittier Blvd.) in Bethesda. 301-229-0400 or visit www. rruuc.org/bazaar
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 5
<cal2>Open Door Reading. 2 p.m. Free. Join editor Philip Clark and local authors who will read work from the recent anthology Persistent Voices: Poetry by Writers Lost to AIDS. Readers include Dan Vera, Philip Clark, Charles Jensen, and Kim Roberts. At The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda. Call 301-654-8664 or visit www.writer.org.
Waltz Dance. 3:30 to 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Introductory waltz workshop is 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.; dancing from 3:30 to 6 p.m. With the band, Some Assembly, which will provide a mix of folk waltzes with a few other couple dances, including Hambo, Schottische, Swing, Tango, and Polka. At the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, go to www.WaltzTimeDances.org or e-mail info@WaltzTimeDances.org.
Holiday Craft Show. 1 to 6 p.m. Crafts from 40 local artists for sale — jewelry, beads, fiber arts, soaps, Christmas items, wood crafts, prints, metalwork, ceramics, glass, oils, watercolors, photography, books and more. At the Clara Barton Community Center, 7425 MacArthur Blvd. (at 75th Street) in Cabin John. Call 301-229-0010.
Holiday Happenings Craft Show. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A juried craft show with more than 60 artists and crafters participating; sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Recreation. At the Bauer Drive Community Center, 14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville. Call 240-777-6922.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 6
<cal2>Dave Koz and Friends. Performs their Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour. Will Feature Special Guests Jonathan Butler, Brian Culbertson and Candy Dulfer. At Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
A Celtic Yule. 7:30 p.m. With Al Petteway, Amy White and Robin Bullock. Tickets are $20/advance; $25/door. At IMT at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville. Call 301-754-3611 and visit www.imtfolk.org.
<cal1>Thursday/Dec. 9
<cal2>Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Slow blues lesson from 8:15 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9 to 11:30 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and guests. At the Back Room of Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Donna Barker at 301-634-2231 or go to info@CapitalBlues.org or www.CapitalBlues.org.
Celebrate the Arts Night. 6 to 8 p.m. Students from Potomac Elementary will showcase their artwork that was entered in the National PTA Reflections Art Contest. The theme was "Together We Can", and students were challenged to create visual art, photography, dance choreography, film production, and musical composition with that theme in mind.
Gerald Clayton Trio. At 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28 (Stars Price $25.20). A rising star in the jazz world, at the young age of 26, pianist Gerald Clayton has already racked up numerous awards, performed with greats like Kenny Barron, Roy Hargrove and Clark Terry and garnered critical acclaim. DownBeat raves, "In a generation of wunderkinds, Clayton stands out for his nuanced touch, precise articulation and the way he constructs a narrative for his solos." At the Mansion at Strathmore. Call 301-581-5109 or visit www.strathmore.org.
<cal1>Dec. 11-12
<cal2>"Handel’s Messiah." Performed by the National Philharmonic Chorale. Saturday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. The concert will feature the National Philharmonic’s nearly 200 voice all-volunteer Chorale, as well as soloists Audrey Elizabeth Luna (soprano); Yvette Smith (mezzo-soprano); Don Bernardini (tenor); and Christòpheren Nomura (baritone). At the Music Center at Strathmore. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call the box office at 301-581-5100. Tickets are $32-$79; kids 7-17 are free.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 12
<cal2>Zydeco Dance. 3:30 to 6 p.m. Admission is $15. Introductory Zydeco dance lesson from 3 to 3:30 p.m.; dancing from 3:30 to 6 p.m. With the band Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe. At the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Michael Hart at 301-762-6730 or go to www.DancingbytheBayou.com.
Tribute to Frankie Valli. 7 p.m. Featuring The Unexpected Boys. At Woodmont Country Club, 1201 Rockville Pike, Rockville. Funds raised will benefit JSSA’s (Jewish Social Service Agency) Employment and Career Services. For tickets, call or email Lesley Schrier at JSSA, 301-610-8342 or lschrier@jssa.org.
Canal Stewards Cleanup Day. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Help the Conservancy clean up and beautify the land and water surrounding Lock 8, and along miles 8 and 9 of the C&O Canal towpath. This monthly clean-up day is open to all ages, and is part of the Canal Steward Program, engaging volunteers in a long-term relationship in which they become the caretakers of a designated site within the C&O Canal National Historical Park. At River Center at Lock 8, 7906 Riverside Dr., Cabin John. Visit www.potomac.org, or contact Deanna Tricarico at tricarico@potomac.org, or 301-608-1188 x204.
<cal1>Monday/Dec. 13
<cal2>Scandinavian Christmas. 7:30 p.m. With Andrea Hoag, Loretta Kelley, and Charlie Pilzer. Tickets are $15/advance; $20/door. At IMT at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville. Call 301-754-3611 and visit www.imtfolk.org.
<cal1>Tuesday/Dec. 14
<cal2>Joe Jencks and Gathering Time. 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 at the door, $15 in advance at FocusMusic.org. At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville. Contact David Spitzer at focusrockville@earthlink.net or 301-275-7459.
<cal1>Thursday, Dec. 16
<cal2>Open Rehearsals. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Free. Encore Choral for singers 55-plus. Calling all former high school and college choristers, church, synagogue and community choral singers. Be a part of the Encore Chorale conducted by Jeanne Kelly, past conductor of the United States Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club, Georgetown University Concert Choir and Senior Singers’ Chorales of the Levine School of Music. Encore Choral of Washington Conservatory of Music at Glen Echo Park. At the South Arcade, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Bethesda. Call Jeanne Kelly at 301-261-5747 or email Jeanne.kelly@encorecreativity.org.
Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Slow blues lesson from 8:15 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9 to 11:30 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and guests. At the Back Room of Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Donna Barker at 301-634-2231 or go to info@CapitalBlues.org or www.CapitalBlues.org.
<cal1>Friday/Dec. 17
<cal2>Country Star Margaret Durante. 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Potomac native Margaret Durante returns to her hometown to perform. Tickets are $10. At the Old Anglers Inn, 10801 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac. Visit www.oldanglersinn.com.
<cal1>Sunday/Dec. 19
<cal2>Chevy Chase Christmas Concert. 4 p.m. Free. The annual tradition of the singing and ringing choirs of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church is sure to enhance your Christmas spirit with a candlelight processional as well as presentations by each of the choirs and audience carol singing. At the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, One Chevy Chase Circle, NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-363-2202.
Waltz Dance. 3:30 to 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Introductory waltz workshop from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.; dancing from 3:30 to 6 p.m. With the band Terpsichore, which will provide a lively mix of folk waltzes with a few other couple dances, including Hambo, Schottische, Swing, Tango, and Polka. At the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, go to www.WaltzTimeDances.org or e-mail info@WaltzTimeDances.org.
<cal1>Thursday, Dec. 23
<cal2>Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Slow blues lesson from 8:15 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9 to 11:30 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and guests. At the Back Room of Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Donna Barker at 301-634-2231 or go to info@CapitalBlues.org or www.CapitalBlues.org.
<cal1>Jan. 13
<cal2>Open Rehearsals. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Free. Encore Choral for singers 55-plus. Calling all former high school and college choristers, church, synagogue and community choral singers. Be a part of the Encore Chorale conducted by Jeanne Kelly, past conductor of the United States Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club, Georgetown University Concert Choir and Senior Singers’ Chorales of the Levine School of Music. Encore Choral of Washington Conservatory of Music at Glen Echo Park. At the South Arcade, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Bethesda. Call Jeanne Kelly at 301-261-5747 or email Jeanne.kelly@encorecreativity.org.