The Connection

Ongoing

Children's Storytime. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 4801 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda Listen to employees read children’s stories. Free. Visit www.store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/4824850-21.

Adult Single Night. Saturdays, 9 p.m. at at Benny’s Bar & Grill, 7747 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac. Find a DJ, open dance floor, and other singles. No cover charge. Visit www.bennysbargrill.com.

Nando’s Spicy Saturday Nights. 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturdays through Sept. 26 at Fountain Square Plaza. Local bands perform. Free. Visit www.downtownsilverspring.com.

Yoga on the Plaza. 7 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sept. 30 at Fountain Square Plaza. Take a mixed-level vinyasa flow yoga class from Grace Yoga instructors. Free. Visit www.downtownsilverspring.com.

Seasonal Walk. Through Sept. 30, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at Safeway, Downtown Silver Spring, 909 Thayer Ave. Walk the sidewalk trails through residential and retail areas of Silver Spring and into Takoma Park. Follow either the 5 km or the 10 km routes. Trails suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Free. Register at www.sugarloafers.org.

VisArts Faculty Show. Through Sept 27, During gallery hours at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. A juried show of current VisArts faculty including Barbara Brower, Web Bryant, Gina Copanzzi, Janet Greer, Ann Hobart, Yunjeong Hong, Elizabeth Michaels, Eric Westbrook, Jenna Wright. Free. Visit www.visartsatrockville.org for more.

Dane Winkler: “Gusset.” Through Oct. 4, Gallery hours at VisArts at Rockville, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Sculptor Dane Winkler uses industrial and natural materials, installation, kinetics, performance, sound and video to explore life and nostalgic experiences. Free. Visit www.visartsatrockville.org.

Christian Benefiel: “Sea of Tranquility, Ocean of Doubt.” Through Oct. 4, Gallery hours at VisArts at Rockville, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Christian Benefiel fills the gallery with a site-specific installation that teeters between completed object and in-progress construction. Free. Visit www.visartsatrockville.org.

(come back TO) Rockville! Through Oct. 18, gallery hours at VisArts at Rockville, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Artists Naoko Wowsugi and Graham Coreil-Allen are commissioned to create original projects investigating and initiating social networks, invisible communities and hidden public places. Free. Visit www.visartsatrockville.org.

Cooking Demonstration and Tasting. Wednesdays, Sept. 16-Nov. 4, 6 p.m. at The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Local chefs provide demonstrations and tastings. Free, but registration required. Visit www.strathmore.org.

Butterfly Exhibit. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily from through Oct. 25 at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallen Ave., Wheaton. Free. Visitwww.montgomeryparks.org for more.

Art Walk in the Park. First Fridays through October. 6-8 p.m. Glen Echo Park. Enjoy pottery, calligraphy, glass work, and much more. Visit www.glenechopark.org for more.

Paint Night. 5:30-8 p.m. on first and second Mondays of the month through December at Sweet Frog, 100 Lexington Drive, Silver Spring. Spiritual Unicorn art sponsors a night of painting. Tickets are $10 for children and $15 for adults. Visit www.spiritualunicornart.com.

VisArts Cocktails and Canvas Class. at VisArts in the Painting & Drawing Studio, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Price $40. Visit www.visartsatrockville.org/cocktails-and-canvas for more.

Thang Ta. Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. at Sutradhar Institute of Dance and Related Arts, 1525 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. Learn the ancient art of the sword and spear. $25. Visit www.dancesidra.org.

Weekly Blues Dance. Thursdays 8:15-11:30 p.m. in the Back Room Annex at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Capital Blues presents rotating DJs and instructors with beginner workshop 8:15-9 p.m., no partner necessary. $8 for all. Visit capitalblues.org for more.

Weekly Swing Dance. Saturdays, 8 p.m.-midnight. The DC Lindy Exchange presents a swing dance with live music in the Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Beginner swing dance lesson at 8 p.m., followed by dancing until midnight. Admission $16-$18, age 17 and under $12. Visit www.glenechopark.org for more.

Argentine Tango with Lessons. Most Sundays, 6:30-11 p.m. in the Back Room Annex at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Argentine Tango lessons followed by a Milonga most Sunday evenings. Beginner lesson 6:30-7:30 p.m. and intermediate lesson 7:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $15/lesson and includes the Milonga. For just the Milonga, cost is $10 and the open dance with DJ runs 8:30-11 p.m. No partner required. Visit www.glenechopark.org or call 301-634-2222 for more.

Contra and Square Dance. Fridays and Sundays 7-10:30 p.m. in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. The evening can include square dances, mixers, waltzes and other couple dances. All Contra and Square dances are taught, no partner necessary. Lessons at 7 p.m., followed by the called dance with live music at 7:30. $13 for nonmembers, $10 for FSGW members, $5 ages 17 and under. Visit www.glenechopark.org or call 301-634-2222 for more.

Late Night Comedy. Fridays (open mic night) and Saturdays (established comedians) at Benny’s Bar & Grill, 7747 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac. Benny’s is open 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Visit www.BennysBarGrill.com.

Drop in Art Activities. Every Saturday 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Candy Corner Studio at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., parents and children can explore a new art form or theme. $10/child, parent combo. Drop-in only. Visit www.pgip.org for more.

Mommy & Me (& Daddy, Too). Third Tuesday each month. 10 a.m. at Rockville Town Square. Meet for a morning out with active learning and creative play with lunch specials, story time, arts and crafts, sing-a-longs, prizes and more. Visit rockvilletownsquare.com/events/mommy-and-me.

Live Music & Dancing. Fridays and Saturdays, 7-11 p.m. in Margery’s Lounge, Normandie Farm Restaurant 10710 Falls Road. Dance to the music of Barry Gurley. Call 301-983-8838 or visit www.popovers.com for more.

Chocolate Factory Tours. Fridays and Saturdays, 2-5:45 p.m. at SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier, 360 Main St., Gaithersburg. Take a short tour of The Truffle Factory facilities. Free. Visit www.spagnvola.com.

Glen Echo Park Films. Saturdays and Sundays. Arcade Building, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Films about the Park’s history are shown on rotation in the lobby. Free. Visit www.glenechopark.org for more.

SilverWorks Studio & Gallery. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. SilverWorks Studio & Gallery is a working silversmith studio and includes an ongoing exhibition, as well as sales of the work of artist-in-residence Blair Anderson. Free. Visit www.silverworksglenechopark.com.

Art Glass Center at Glen Echo. All day Wednesdays; Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sundays, noon-4 p.m. Art Glass Center, Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Ongoing exhibitions feature work of Resident Artists Christine Hekimian, Sue Hill, Michele Rubin, Sherry Selevan, Bev and Zayde Sleph and Janet Wittenberg. Sculpture, vessels, functional art and jewelry are for sale. Classes are taught year-round for beginner, intermediate and advanced students. Visit www.artglasscenteratglenecho.org for more.

Glen Echo Pottery. Through December, Saturdays and Sundays, 12-5 p.m. Glen Echo Pottery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. The Gallery shows the work of 29 individual potters and instructors at Glen Echo Pottery. Wheel-throwing demonstrations are offered most Saturdays and Sundays, noon-2 p.m. Children are welcome. Visit www.glenechopottery.com/gallery for more.

Yellow Barn Studio & Gallery. Saturdays and Sundays, 12-5 p.m. The Yellow Barn Studio & Gallery presents free exhibitions of emerging artists' work. Each weekend features the work of a different artist. Most artwork is also for sale. Visit www.yellowbarnstudio.com for more.

Acoustic Open Mic. Wednesdays, 7-11 p.m. at Benny’s Bar & Grill, 7747 Tuckerman Lane. Everyone welcome to perform. Wine bottles are 50 percent off. Visit www.bennysbargrill.com.

Through Oct. 18

“HomeLands.” During gallery hours at Photoworks Gallery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Robb Hill’s new black and white photo exhibit focuses on the themes of home, land, and loss. Free. Visit www.glenechophotoworks.org for more

Through Oct. 3

“Blooming” by Wanjin Kim. Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m. at Waverly Street Gallery, 4600 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Artist Wanjin Kim’s “Blooming” exhibit is a “conversation” between her small figurative sculptures and larger hanging wire sculptures. Admission to the gallery is free. Visit www.waverlstreetgallery.com for more.

Through Sept. 13

Silver Spring Restaurant Week. Various times at various locations in the greater Silver Spring area. Fifteen participating restaurants are offering patrons special prices and menus. Diners may choose between: $12 two course lunch, $17 three-course lunch, $17 two-course dinner, $27 three-course dinner. Visit www.silverspringrestaurantweek.com for more.

Thursday/Sept. 10

Janelia Soul Performance. 8 p.m. at Villain & Saint, 7141 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. Afro-pop and Reggae singer Janelia Soul will perform. Tickets are $10-12. Visit www.villainandsaint.com/.

Friday/ Sept. 11

Reception for “Quilting for Change.” 6-9 p.m. at Artists & Makers Studios, 11810 Parklawn Drive, Rockville. Celebrate the launch of an international quilt exhibit. Free. Visit www.artistsandmakersstudio.com for more.

“The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)” 8-10 p.m. at Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. The play is structured in five acts, each a short musical parodying and paying homage to the style of a composer or composer/lyricist team: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Kander & Ebb, all dealing with roughly the same plot: "I can't pay the rent!" Tickets are $22, $12 for children 14 and under. Visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/calendars.

The Nighthawks Concert. 8 p.m. at AMP by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Ave., North Bethesda. The Nighthawks combination of blues, rock and swing is performed through covers and original songs. Tickets are $20-30. Visit www.ampbystrathmore.com.

Friday-Sunday/Sept. 11-13

“The Gypsy Baron.” 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. The Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents a operetta follows a pair of lovers surrounded by Gypsies and other lively characters. Tickets are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $16 for students. Visit www.vloc.org for more.

Sept. 11-28

“Quilting for Change” Exhibit. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday at Artists & Makers Studios, 11810 Parklawn Drive, Rockville. “Quilting for Change” is a collaboration between The Advocacy Project, Quilt for Change, and Solar Sister. Visit www.artistsandmakersstudio.com for more.

Saturday/ Sept. 12

Potomac Library Book Sale. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Potomac Chapter. Runs most months. Most hardbacks are $1 and paperbacks are $.50. Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library/branches/potomac.html.

Silver Spring Jazz Festival. 3-10 p.m. at Veterans Plaza at the intersection of Ellsworth and Fenton. Al Chez and the Brother of Funk Big Band will headline this annual event. Marcus Johnson & The Union Jam Band, Halley Shoenberg, Dani Cortaza, and the Jazz Academy of Music will also perform. Free. Visit www.silverspringdowntown.com for more.

Reception for “Quilting for Change.” 5-8 p.m. at Artists & Makers Studios, 11810 Parklawn Drive, Rockville. Celebrate the launch of an international quilt exhibit. Free. Visit www.artistsandmakersstudio.com for more.

“It’s a Grand Night for Singing” A Cappella Showcase. 6-8 p.m. at City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg. Singing unaccompanied by instruments takes the stage. Find the Arlingtones, Harbor City, Harmony Express, Singing Capitol Chorus and Sons of the Severn. Free. Visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov for more.

Matt Schofield Concert. 8 p.m. at AMP by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Ave., North Bethesda. Guitarist featured in the top 10 British blues players of all time performs. Tickets are $20-30. Visit www.ampbystrathmore.com.

Sunday/Sept. 13

Parks Half Marathon. 7-10 a.m. Run from Rockville to Bethesda. Showcases Montgomery County’s park system. Sponsored by Montgomery County Road Runners Club. Registration is $67 until Aug. and $73 Sept. 1-9. Visit www.mcrrc.org.

The Carnival of Chocolates. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Rockville Town Square. Unlike the more formal Carnival of Chocolates from previous years, The Dwelling Place is bringing this year’s event “to the streets” with family-friendly fun with tastings from local chocolatiers, a kids fun run (100 yard dash), live music, games, and two children’s story times. Free to attend, registration for the Fun Run is $10, and tokens for tastings are $1. Visit www.dwellingplaceinc.org for more.

PawPaw Festival. 12-4 p.m. at Rock Creek Regional Park, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Meadowside Nature Center will celebrate the native fruit with music, storytelling, crafts, games, face painters, raptor talks, expert advice on pawpaw cultivation, and pawpaw tasting station. Find both pawpaw fruit and trees for purchase. Admission is $5. Visit www.montgomeryparks.org for more.

Tuesday/Sept. 15

Diana Ross Concert. 8 p.m. at The Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Watch R&B artist Diana Ross perform. Tickets are $69-249. Visit strathmore.org for tickets.

Wednesday/Sept. 16

Symphony of the Goddesses Concert. 8 p.m. at The Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Watch the Symphony of the Goddesses perform over 28 years of music from The Legend of Zelda live. Tickets $45-100. Visit strathmore.org for more information and tickets.

Thursday/Sept. 17

Trio Concert. 7:30 p.m. at The Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. These Juilliard-trained, Marsalis-mentored, clarinet- and sax-playing brothers and guitarist Alex Wintz round out the trio for an evening of show tunes and favorites from the American Songbook. Tickets $30. Visit strathmore.org for tickers and more information.

Chris Trapper Performance. 8 p.m. at Villain & Saint, 7141 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. Singer Chris Trapper is most known for his song “This Time,” which was the number one selling song on the Grammy Nominated soundtrack for “August Rush.” Tickets are $17-20. Visit villainandsaint.com.

Sept. 17-Oct. 7

Latin-American Film Festival. Various times at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. Watch films from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. Tickets are $10-13. Visit www.afi.com/silver/laff/.

Saturday/Sept. 19

Fall Concert. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer perform instruments including guitar, banjo, and more. Tickets are $12. Visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Redwood Restaurant Crab Feast. 1-5 p.m. at 7121 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda. Find live music from local bands, an outdoor grill serving American classics, and local beer and crabs. General admission tickets are $39, VIP tickets are $59 and children’s tickets are $15. Visit www.redwoodbethesda.com for more.

“Between the Bullet and the Hospital: Clara Barton and the Civil War.” 4 p.m. at Clara Barton National Historic Site, 5801 Oxford Road, Glen Echo. A talk by a park ranger will include photos from the Civil War era to explore the dangers Clara Barton faced and to highlight hers accomplishments. Free. Call 301-320-1407.

Park After Dark. 6 p.m. at Historic Great Falls Tavern, 11710 MacArthur Blvd. Find food, music, a bonfire and more at this outdoor educational event. Proceeds will benefit C&O Canal National Historical Park and its Canal Classroom program. Tickets go on sale July 15 for $175 per person. Visit www.canaltrust.org.

Saturday-Sunday/Sept. 19-20

National Philharmonic: West Side Story & Gershwin. 8 p.m Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Listen to Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story,” followed by George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and “Concerto in F.” Free for ages 7-17. Adults must purchase a National Philharmonic subscription package to attend. Subscription prices vary. Visit www.strathmore.org.

Sunday/Sept. 20

Montgomery County Out of the Darkness Community Walk. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Rockville Town Center, 30 Maryland Ave., Rockville. This walk, in conjunction with 200 communities across the country this fall, benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Visit www.afsp.org for more.

Waltz Dance. 2:45-3:30 p.m. for Introductory Waltz Workshop, 3:30-6 p.m. for Dance at the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park. Dance to ensemble Alexander’s Rag Tag Band’s folk waltzes and other couple dances after taking a 45-minute dance lesson and workshop followed by social dancing until 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or visit www.WaltzTimeDances.org or e-mail info@WaltzTimeDances.org.