Potomac Almanac

Potomac — Email community entertainment events to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos and artwork encouraged.

Ongoing

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. http://rockvilletownsquare.com/events/mommy-and-me. Dec. 18 in The Library, First Floor.

Holiday Art Show and Sale. Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 6, 2013, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Browse and buy fine artworks at Glen Echo Park’s annual Holiday Art Show and Sale, presented by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. The exhibition will feature works by resident artists, instructors and invited artists and will include glass, ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, crafts and more. In Glen Echo’s Popcorn Gallery at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2222 or visit glenechopark.org.

The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park has announced its 2012-2013 season. There are favorite fairytale princesses, an annual holiday tradition, and a special guest artist with a bilingual twist. 301-634-5380 or www.thepuppetco.org. The Nutcracker, through Dec. 30, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Toyland, Jan. 18-Feb. 10, 2013, Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Alice in Wonderland, Feb. 14-March 10, 2013, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Jack and the Beanstalk, March. 14-Apr. 21, 2013, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Cinderella, Apr. 25-June 9, 2013, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Art Exhibition. The Art Glass Center Gallery's ongoing exhibitions feature the work of resident artists Diane Cabe, Christine Hekimian, Sue Hill, Michele Rubin, Sherry Selevan, Bev and Zayde Sleph and Janet Wittenberg. Sculpture, vessels, functional art, and jewelry are also for sale. Classes are taught year-round for beginner, intermediate and advanced students. The hours are Fridays, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays, noon-4 p.m. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2273 or visit www.artglasscenteratglenecho.org.

Glassworks. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Glassworks is the D.C. area's first glass school. Classes are taught year-round for both new and advanced students. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2280 or visit www.innervisionglassworks.com.

Photoworks. Photoworks is a resource for both student and professional photographers to develop their talents through classes, workshops, and exhibitions. The Photoworks gallery is open Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. and Sundays, 1-8 p.m., and during all scheduled classes and workshops. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2274 or visit www.glenechophotoworks.org.

Yellow Barn Studio & Gallery. Saturdays and Sundays, noon-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 are for sale. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-371-5593 or visit www.yellowbarnstudio.com.

Science & Nature. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Weekend Nature Programs at Living Classrooms Children’s Museum Living Classrooms Children’s Museum at Glen Echo Park presents engaging science and nature activities for the whole family. Encounter live animals, take an interpretive hike, and explore the indoor anthill and tree slide, and much more. Free for members/children under 2; $5 for non-members. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 202-488-0627, ext. 242 or visit livingclassroomsdc.org/Site-BasedPrograms.html.

SilverWorks Studio & Gallery. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 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. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2228 or visit www.silverworksglenechopark.org.

Wednesday/Dec. 12

Charm City Klezmer Band. 7:30 p.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Tickets: $15. The family band Michael S. Raitzyk and Charm City Klezmer celebrate the Festival of Lights with a jazzy twist in a Hanukkah program featuring a variety of Yiddish theatre, klezmer and Jewish-themed music. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Children’s Ceramic Ornaments Workshop. 4-5:15 p.m. Get a rolled slab of clay (approximately 10 x 13) and all the tools participants need to create ornaments. Glaze them and pick them up a week later. For children of grades K-5. Tuition is $15. At VisArts is located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Visit www.visartscenter.org or call 301-315-8200.

Thursday/Dec. 13

Violin Concert. 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane. Tickets $25-$55. Mark O'Connor shares the holiday songs of his childhood, a mixture of Christmas carols and traditional American music that encompass the spirit of An Appalachian Christmas. Audience members can join a pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Mark O'Connor Strings Method For String Teachers. 2-3:30 p.m. The virtuoso violinist, equally at home in folk and classical music, reveals his American Classics strings teaching method and makes the case for classical music training that explores the American canon as well as improvisation and jams. For orchestra directors and string teachers. Mansion at Strathmore (Shapiro Music Room), 5301 Tuckerman Lane. Free, but registration required at www.strathmore.org.

Blues Dance. 8:15-11:30 p.m. Capital Blues presents weekly Thursday night blues dances. A beginner workshop from 8:15-9 p.m. offers partnering basics for new dancers. The class is included with admission; no partner necessary. Dancing runs 9-11:30 p.m. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $8. Email info@capitalblues.org.

Friday/Dec. 14

Toys for Tots. 6 a.m.-10 a.m. the US Marines will be at Mazza Gallerie along with the MIX 107.3 Jack Diamond Morning Show for the annual Toys for Tots drive, collecting unwrapped toys and donations during an outdoor live radio broadcast. Visit www.MazzaGallerie.comor or call 703-785-5634. Mazza Gallerie is located at 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

Contra Dance. 7:30-11:30 p.m. The Friday Night Dancers present Contra dancing as well as square dances and waltzes. Contra dance lesson from 7:30-8:15 p.m., followed by the called dance to live music by the Glen Echo Open Band, 8:30-11:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome. Admission is $9. Free for age 17 and under. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Email info@fridaynightdance.org.

Balboa DJ Dance. 8:30-midnight. Here’s a chance for Balboa/Bal-Swing enthusiasts to dance to DJ music. Drop-in beginner swing lesson at 8:30 p.m. with Dabe and Janelle Johnson; dance 9 p.m.-midnight. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $10. Email debra@gottaswing.org.

Friday-Saturday/Dec. 14-15

Annual Production of Blast. Blast 24: American Bandstand will be performed at Winston Churchill High School Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.wchsarts.com or in the box office outside the Bish Auditorium, 11300 Gainsborough Road, Potomac.

Dec. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23

The Nutcracker. Suitable for all ages. 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 21; 1 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, 16, 22, 23. At Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee St. Tickets are $23-28 in advance; $28-33 at the door. To purchase, call 240-567-5301 or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.

Saturday/Dec. 15

Christmas Music Event. 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane. Tickets $25-$95. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Jazz Vocal Intensive: Scat Singing 101. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Join an exploration of the improvisational technique known as scatting. Start with an understanding of what scatting actually is. For adults. The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Call 301-581-5200 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Concert. 8 p.m. The National Philharmonic Singers, under the direction of conductors Stan Engebretson and Victoria Gau, will present a free holiday concert at Christ Episcopal Church, 107 South Washington St., Rockville. The concert will feature famous carols, including the Hallelujah Chorus; Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols with harp; John Rutter's Three Carols for Choir and Harp; and The Blessed Son of God from Hodie by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Other highlights include music from various periods, with an audience sing along. Free but donations in support of the Community Ministries of Rockville will be accepted. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301-493-9283, ext.116.

Winter’s Eve. 6-9 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season at Glen Echo Park’s Winter’s Eve event. Enjoy holiday craft activities, open studios, storytelling and a hot chocolate bar. Stroll through the Park’s artist studios and Popcorn Gallery to find one-of-a-kind items. Call 301-634-2222 or visit www.glenechopark.org.

Swing Dance. 8-midnight. Drop-in beginner swing lesson with Tom and Debra from 8 to 9 p.m., dance 9 p.m.-midnight. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $18 for people of 18 and up, $12 for ages 11-17, $10 for ages 10 and under. Email debra@gottaswing.com.

Sunday/Dec. 16

Jazz Orchestra Holiday. 3:30, 5:15 and 7:30 p.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Tickets $25. The 17-piece Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra gathers some of Washington's best musicians to bring some swing to the holidays. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Family Christmas Sing-Along. 4 p.m. Strathmore's Grammy-winning music educator Betty Scott and Artist in Residence alums, the charming Sweater Set, will have families and friends singing holiday hits in harmony with Strathmore's rousing sing. Revelers will sing holidays classics such as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Nuttin' for Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." At Music Center, Room 402, 5301 Tuckerman Lane. Tickets $10. Visit www.strathmore.org.

DIY Feather Earrings and Drinks. 7-8:30 p.m. Make fun and stylish accessories, plus red and white wine and snacks. Materials are provided. Bring ID to drink. Each workshop is $15. At VisArts located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Visit www.visartscenter.org or call 301-315-8200.

Waltz Dance. 2:45-6 p.m. Waltz Time presents a beginning waltz lesson 2:45-3:30 p.m., followed by an afternoon of waltzes and other couples dances to live music by Rose by the Door with Anna Hoag (fiddle), Marty Taylor (winds, concertina), LizDonaldson (piano), Ralph Gordon (bass). Dancing 3:30-6 p.m. No partner is required. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $10. Email info@waltztimedances.org.

Argentine Tango. 6:30-11:35 p.m. Dancers can choose either the beginner lesson 6:30-7:15 p.m. or the intermediate lesson 7:15-8:15 p.m., or both. Cost is $15/lesson and includes the Milonga that follows. For dancers who wish to attend just the Milonga, cost is $10 and the open dance runs 8:15-11:15 p.m. Rene will DJ with a mix of traditional and mueovo tango with a little alternative added. No partner required. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Email Ciardo8130@yahoo.com.

Contra and Square Dance. 7-10:30 p.m. 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 at 7 p.m., followed by dances with live music 7:30-10:30 p.m. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $12 for non-members, $9 for FSGW members. Visit fsgw.org.

Encore Chorale. 3-4:15 p.m. The nation’s largest choral program for older adults, presents Maryland Encore Chorales of Schweinhaut Senior Center, Asbury Methodist Village and Washington Conservatory of Music in a Holiday Concert. This concert is sponsored by Family and Nursing Care of Silver Spring. These 175 singers, ages 55+, will perform a concert consisting mainly of secular holiday tunes. Guest Artists include the East Avenue Ensemble of the National Institutes of Health Chorus and NIH Brass conducted by W. Robert Johnson. Cellist Katie Daugert and pianist Maribeth Gowen will be featured. Cultural Arts Center at Silver Spring, 7995 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring. Admission is free, no tickets needed. Arrive early for free parking.

Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker. 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. More than 60 local youth have been selected to perform alongside the Russian professionals in Moscow Ballet’s 20th Anniversary production of Great Russian Nutcracker at The Music Center at Strathmore for two performances. CityDance Center at Strathmore, under the direction of Lorraine Spiegler, is the host studio for Moscow Ballet’s student program. Visit www.citydance.net. The Music Center at Strathmore 5301 Tuckerman Lane. Visit www.strathmore.org.

Monday/Dec. 17

Movement Improvisation. 6:30-8 p.m. This class combines techniques from contemporary dance, theater, contact improvisation and parlor games. Explore a variety of exercises that develop physical and spatial awareness and expand existing movement vocabularies. All ages and backgrounds welcome. Tuition is $12. Registrations are required. VisArts is located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Visit www.visartscenter.org or call 301-315-8200.

Holiday Performance. 7:30 p.m. at Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Hear the Cathedral Choral Society perform “A Dickens Christmas at Strathmore.” Tickets range between $18.75-37.50. Discount for phone orders using the code “Dickens2012.” Visit www.strathmore.org or 301-581-5100.

Tuesday/Dec. 18

Holiday Concert. 7:30 p.m. National Philharmonic Associate Conductor Victoria Gau will lead the Washington Symphonic Brass and National Philharmonic Chorale in a holiday concert at the Music Center at Strathmore. The critically acclaimed 17-member brass and percussion ensemble will ring in the holidays with arrangements of holiday favorites, including a medley by WSB Director Phil Snedecor called Christmas Memories; an arrangement by Tony DiLorenzo of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas; and an exuberant version of Beethoven's Ode to Joy with the National Philharmonic Chorale. In addition, the group will present holiday music from France, Norway, Britain, Russia, Finland and Poland. To purchase tickets, visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call the Strathmore box office at 301-581-5100. Tickets are $28-$48; free for kids 7-17. All Kids tickets must be purchased in person or by phone.

Wednesday/Dec. 19

18th Street Singers Christmas Concert. 7:30 p.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Tickets: $15. The 18th Street Singers take Strathmore up a few blocks to 34th Street with a Christmas concert that brings over 50 members of this eclectic, D.C.-based choral group together to sing festive favorites of the season. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Thursday/Dec. 20

Charm City Klezmer Band. 7:30 p.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Tickets: $15. The family band Michael S. Raitzyk and Charm City Klezmer celebrate the Festival of Lights with a jazzy twist in a Hanukkah program featuring a variety of Yiddish theatre, klezmer and Jewish-themed music. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Blues Dance. 8:15-11:30 p.m. Capital Blues presents weekly Thursday night blues dances. A beginner workshop 8:15-9 p.m. offers partnering basics for new dancers. The class is included with admission; no partner necessary. Dancing runs 9-11:30 p.m. to blues music from every corner of the genre. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $8. Email info@capitalblues.org.

Through Dec. 21

Art Exhibition: "An Abstract Approach." Paintings by Lesley Clarke, June Plotkin, and Edith Sievers; ceramics by Karin Abromaitis, and mixed media by Jessica Beels. Opening reception is Sunday, Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 301-299-7087. At Gallery Har Shalom, located at Congregation Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road.

Saturday/Dec. 22

Swing Dancing. 9 p.m.-midnight. Admission is $15. One-hour lesson from 8 to 9 p.m. With the Tom Cunningham Orchestra. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Visit www.tomcunningham.com/calendar.

Mbandi. 8 p.m. Characterized by exotic rhythms, heartwarming string harmonies and lyrical melodies, Mbandi's instrumental compositions blur the line between smooth jazz, pop, classical, and world music. Ticket are $29.99. Montgomery College Performing Arts Center is located at 7995 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring. Call 877-535-8085 or visit www.mbandi.com/concert.php.

Sunday/Dec. 23

Brunch with Santa. 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. at the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. Enjoy food with family and friends while visiting with Santa. $18/child, $35/adult, not including tax or gratuity. Reservations required. 301-581-5253.

Through Dec. 23

Annual Yellow Barn Members Show. The Yellow Barn Studio, Glen Echo Park’s resident painting and drawing studio, presents its 18th Annual Members Show in the Yellow Barn Gallery at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. The gallery opens on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12–5 p.m. Call 301-371-5593 or visit www.yellowbarnstudio.com.

Tuesday/Dec. 25

Family Painting Event. 2-5 p.m. at VisArts at Rockville, 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Children can choose a Hello Kitty or cupcake canvass, while adults can paint Kadinsky’s Winter landscape or “Starry Night.” $15. Visit www.visartsatrockville.org for more.

Through Dec. 29

Grayscale. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Explore the connection of grayscale images to the past and their meaning in the present, and addresses viewers' ability to ascribe color to a black and white image by assessing the intensity of light that is different for every color. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Hundreds of works in a variety of media-sculptures, drawings and paintings-perfectly rendered in a tininess that tests the artists' talent and makes most viewers depend on a magnifying glass to see every detail. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Sunday/Dec. 30

Waltz Dance. 2:45-6 p.m. Join for a Waltz Dance in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. featuring the ensemble Gigmeisters. This band will play mostly waltzes as well as Swing, Tango, Foxtrot, and Blues. The 45-minute dance lesson begins at 2:45 p.m. with a half-hour introductory Waltz workshop and a more advanced moves presented the last 15 minutes. Social dancing follows until 6 p.m. Admission is $10. No partner required. Call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, or visit www.WaltzTimeDances.org, or e-mail info@WaltzTimeDances.org.

Through Dec. 31

A Little House Christmas. Adventure Theatre MTC at Glen Echo Park presents A Little House Christmas. Celebrate the holidays with this heartwarming adventure that shows that the simple things make living worthwhile as Mary and Laura learn the true meaning of Christmas. Saturdays, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Winter Break (Dec. 26-31) performances at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Some Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $19. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2270 or visit adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

Saturday/Jan. 5

Concert. 8 p.m. at Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Hear violinist Stefan Jackiw and violist Victoria Chiang perform with the National Philharmonic. They will perform Mozart and Mendelssohn among others. Children’s tickets are free if purchased by phone or in person. Adult tickets range $28-$81. A free lecture at 6:45 p.m. in the Concert Hall. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org or 301-581-5100 for tickets.

Sunday/Jan. 6

Concert. 3 p.m. at Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Hear violinist Stefan Jackiw and violist Victoria Chiang perform with the National Philharmonic. They will perform Mozart and Mendelssohn among others. Children’s tickets are free if purchased by phone or in person. Adult tickets range $28-$81. A free lecture at 1:45 p.m. in the Concert Hall. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org or 301-581-5100 for tickets.

Through Jan. 6

Musical. Seussical runs in Imagination Stage’s Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. Best for ages 4-12. Tickets are $12-$25, and may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the ImaginationStage box office or at 301-280-1660.

Through Jan. 7

Photography Exhibition. Photoworks Gallery at Glen Echo Park presents Places and Time, featuring works by Harvey Kupferberg and David Meyers. Meyers’ black and white images of Cairo’s Muslim cemeteries offer unique views of a place that is often called the city of the Dead. Kupferberg’s black and white images of the canyons of Utah and the deserts of Death Valley were taken over a 20-year period and are an artistic interpretation of what the camera captures. Photoworks gallery is open Saturdays 1-4 p.m. and Sundays 1-8 p.m. Opening reception and gallery talkvDec. 7, 6-8 p.m. Visit www.glenechophotoworks.org.

Saturday/Jan. 19

Recital. Pianist Brian Ganz will perform an all-Chopin recital with the National Philharmonic at 8 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. Children are free, but must be purchased by phone or in person. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org or 301-581-5100.

Monday/Jan. 28

Raising Confident Kids. Parents often worry about children’s problems and misbehavior. In this talk Emory Luce Baldwin focuses on how parents can encourage children to develop what they need to feel confident and successful in life. Call 301-468-9343.

Jan. 30 through March 10

Theater Performance. Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, showcases “Anime Momotaro,” a Japanese folktale that teaches powerful lessons about inner strength and the ability to stand up against bullying. Tickets range $12-$25 and available online at www.imaginationstage.org or 301-280-1660.