Music
July 10 through Aug. 21: Live from the Lawn
Pianist Mark G. Meadows and singer Rochelle Rice celebrate blues music in an all-ages version of the concert they present each year to Montgomery County Public Schools fifth graders. The show is the first of Strathmore’s outdoor summer concert series. The lineup also includes an Aug. 7 appearance of EU featuring Sugar Bear, which is expected to be one of Strathmore’s most popular shows of the season. strathmore.org
July 11 through Aug. 1: Cool Concerts for Kids
Strathmore’s outdoor summer children’s concert series begins with a performance by the Grammy-winning bilingual duo 123 Andrés, which packs energy, education and positive vibes into its family-friendly music. Vocalist Jazzy Ash and the New Orleans-style jazz band the Leaping Lizards, “kindie” rockers Marsha and the Positrons, and hip-hop artist Fyütch fill out the lineup of Thursday evening shows. strathmore.org
July 11 through Aug. 15: Montgomery Parks Summer Concert Series
The series kicks off with a concert by a local band, The Nighthawks,on July 11 at Black Hill Regional Park and continues through mid-August with a different band playing at a county park every Thursday. montgomeryparks.org
July 25: A Night With Norm Lewis
It’s a double celebration at Olney Theatre Center as film, television and Broadway actor Norm Lewis performs a concert to salute the Olney Outdoors season opening and the theater’s 86th birthday. An Emmy, Tony and SAG Award nominee, Lewis made history as Broadway’s first African American phantom in Phantom of the Opera and has appeared in Broadway shows including Porgy & Bess, Chicago and Les Misérables. olneytheatre.org
Aug. 8: Straight No Chaser
Get a shot of nostalgia when the all-male a cappella group takes on the ’90s in a concert featuring pop hits from that decade at The Music Center at Strathmore. strathmore.org
Aug. 15: The Righteous Brothers
Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley formed the soulful rock ’n’ roll duo in the 1960s, but their songs have endured for decades. Some of their most famous hits were featured in blockbuster movies in the ’80s and ’90s—Tom Cruise’s rendition of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ ” in Top Gun and Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze’s pottery scene with “Unchained Melody” in Ghost—making the tunes iconic. After Hatfield’s death in 2003, Medley teamed with vocalist Bucky Heard to revive the group’s repertoire. They will stop by The Music Center at Strathmore on their farewell tour. strathmore.org
Aug. 17: A BandHouse Gigs Tribute to DC Legends
An impressive number of musical superstars have called the D.C. area home. This show at The Music Center at Strathmore, featuring performances by current regional musicians and vocalists, pays homage to the area’s homegrown talent. Expect songs by Marvin Gaye, Roberta Flack, Patsy Cline, Joan Jett, Nils Lofgren, Emmylou Harris and Duke Ellington to name just a few. strathmore.org
Aug. 24: Santigold
Punk, hip-hop, pop and dub are just some of the influences for this genre-defying indie musician. Expect cuts from her 2022 album Spirituals and more from her oeuvre at The Fillmore Silver Spring. livenation.com
Aug. 24-25: War
The “Low Rider” band rolls into town for two shows at the Bethesda Theater. Formed in the 1960s, the group fuses funk, rock, soul and Latin music for a distinctive sound. Other hits include “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” and “Spill the Wine.” bethesdatheater.com
Theater
Through Aug. 10: Miss Nelson is Missing!
The fifth graders at Smedley Elementary School are in for a surprise when their sweet teacher, Miss Nelson, disappears and is replaced by the dreaded substitute, Viola Swamp. The musical adaptation of the children’s book by Harry Allard is performed at Imagination Stage and recommended for children age 4 and older. imaginationstage.org
July 3 through Aug. 25: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
This jukebox musical at Olney Theatre Center features hits such as “So Far Away,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by the famous singer-songwriter, and tells the story of her life from a hopeful 16-year-old trying to sell a song to music publishers, to one of the 20th century’s greatest tunesmiths. olneytheatre.org
July 6 through Aug. 4: The Wizard of Oz
Journey down the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion in this musical production of the classic American fairy tale at The Puppet Co. in Glen Echo Park. The show, which runs about 55 minutes, is best for age 4 and older. thepuppetco.org
July 6 and 9: Shakespeare in the Parks
Meadowside Nature Center and Brookside Gardens transform into open-air theaters for free performances of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Bring a picnic or, at Brookside, pick up a bite from an on-site food truck. montgomeryparks.org
Aug. 15 through Sept. 8: DinoRock Productions: Dinosaur Babies
With prehistoric characters and original music, this show, which first graced The Puppet Co.’s stage in 1998, is for large reptile lovers. About 45 minutes long, it’s recommended for children age 5 and older. thepuppetco.org
Fairs & Festivals
July 14: International Food and Craft Festival
Experience flavors from around the world at this event at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. In addition to delicious things to eat, vendors will showcase handmade items and other wares for sale. chiceventsdc.com
July 21: Afro Latino Festival
Celebrate the culture of the community through more than 40 vendors, live music, food and crafts that represent Afro Latino heritage at this free festival at Silver Spring’s Veterans Plaza. afrolatinofestival.net
July 27: Tastes of Calleva
At this progressive-style meal, guests tour Calleva Farm in Dickerson and stop at different stations, each featuring an artist or musician from the community along with small plates highlighting eggs and meat from the farm, produce and herbs grown there, and locally sourced beer, wine and cocktails. In addition, there will be zip lines, wagon rides, lawn games, garden tours, a campfire and a sing-along. calleva.org/farm/tastes-of-calleva
Aug. 10: Montgomery County Children’s Business Fair
Up to 40 young entrepreneurs will be open for business at this one-day marketplace at Rockville Town Square designed to inspire businesspeople ages 6 to 15. Kids are invited to create a product or service (think baked goods or paintings), market it and then sell it at the fair. mocochildrensbusinessfair.org
Aug. 17-18: RisuCon
Comic, anime and cosplay fans can meet voice actors, artists and illustrators at this comic convention at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. The family-friendly event features Q&As, panel discussions and autograph signings. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes. risucon.com
Aug. 24: Maker’s Market and Festival
Shop the wares of creative vendors and neighborhood businesses at the summer installment of this seasonal sidewalk festival in Friendship Heights. The free event, along Wisconsin Avenue from Jenifer to Garrison streets, also includes community hangout zones, oversize games, music and dancing. friendshipheights.com
Aug. 25: African + Caribbean Music & Arts Festival
Live music, including a steel orchestra and jazz ensemble, takes center stage at this free festival at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. Arts and crafts representing African and Caribbean culture are also featured. carnivalnation.com
Film
July 26; Aug. 2, 9: Bethesda Outdoor Movies
Bethesda Urban Partnership presents free outdoor films at the corner of Auburn and Norfolk avenues in downtown Bethesda. First up? Men in Black. Dine at a nearby restaurant before the show and make it dinner and a movie. bethesda.org
July 31 through Aug. 21: Movies in the Parks
This free Wednesday evening film series features family-friendly movies in a different Rockville park each week. Bring your own chairs, blankets and picnics to Fallsgrove Park for The Emperor’s New Groove, the first of the set. The lineup also includes The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Encanto and Matilda. rockvillemd.gov/1755/movies-in-the-parks
Aug. 2: James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket
Marking the 100th birthday of the American writer and civil rights activist, Strathmore launches its series on James Baldwin with a screening of the documentary James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, followed by a conversation led by Keith Clark, a professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The series continues into October with concerts and lectures. strathmore.org
Dance
July 6: Bumper Car Squares
Want to swing your partner or learn how to do-si-do? Check out this square dance event at Glen Echo Park’s Bumper Car Pavilion. After a lesson for dancers of all levels, a caller will lead a square dance with a live band. The event is for all ages; free for kids 12 and younger. Footwear with a back is suggested—wouldn’t want to lose a shoe while you promenade. glenechopark.org/events-calendar/202407
Fourth of July
July 4: Germantown Glory
Head to South Germantown Recreation Park starting at 7 p.m. for music from a live band before the fireworks kick off. Bring chairs or a blanket and a picnic, or grab a bite from a food vendor on-site. montgomerycountymd.gov
July 4: Poolesville’s Annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration
The community celebrates with music, food and fireworks at the soccer fields off Hughes Road. Gates open at 5 p.m. poolesvillemd.gov/225/events
July 4: Rockville’s Independence Day Celebration
Uncle Jesse, a cover band playing hits from the ’90s and 2000s, provides the tunes at the city’s July Fourth event, which also includes a 20-minute fireworks display at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park. rockvillemd.gov/663/independence-day
July 6: Mid-County Sparkles
Keep the celebration going into the weekend with a live band and fireworks at Albert Einstein High School in Kensington. The event begins at 6 p.m. montgomerycountymd.gov
This story appears in the July/August edition of Bethesda Magazine.