Music
May 3: An Evening with Leslie Odom Jr.
The multifaceted performer won a Tony Award for his role as Aaron Burr in the musical Hamilton. He was also nominated for a Grammy for his song “Speak Now” from the film One Night in Miami… and for an Oscar for his role as singer Sam Cooke in the same movie. Expect to hear songs from those career highlights as well as standards and other tunes when he visits The Music Center at Strathmore. strathmore.org
May 10: Allison Miller
The acclaimed drummer and DMV native leads jazz ensemble Boom Tic Boom during two shows at AMP by Strathmore. strathmore.org
May 11: National Philharmonic
The National Philharmonic partners with The Washington Chorus in this concert, the Philharmonic’s last of the season. The two groups perform at The Music Center at Strathmore in a program of spiritual and religious compositions by Lili Boulanger, Igor Stravinsky and Ludwig van Beethoven. nationalphilharmonic.org
May 17: Herb Alpert & Lani Hall
Famed trumpeter Herb Alpert is now 89, but still blowing his horn. Together with his wife, vocalist Lani Hall, he’ll perform American standards, Brazilian jazz and classics at The Music Center at Strathmore. The performance also includes stories from the couple’s lives, A&M Records—which Alpert co-founded in the 1960s—and artists they’ve collaborated with over the past 50 years. strathmore.org
May 25: RagDolls
From the costumes and scarf-adorned microphone to the rocking guitar solos and fierce falsetto vocals, you “don’t want to miss a thing” when this all-female Aerosmith tribute band takes the stage at Germantown’s BlackRock Center for the Arts. The band’s “Amazing” performance might leave you “Cryin’.” blackrockcenter.org
June 2: Sticky Fingers: A Night of the Rolling Stones
Six of the DMV’s leading ladies of indie rock, pop and blues come together at Bethesda Theater for a tribute to the Rolling Stones’ iconic 1971 album. Backed by a band of local musicians, they’ll perform “Wild Horses,” “Dead Flowers” and “Moonlight Mile,” along with the rest of the album and other favorites from the group. bethesdatheater.com
June 3: Madaraka Festival
Rappers, DJs, singers and songwriters from Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon and other parts of Africa take the stage at The Fillmore Silver Spring for this concert celebrating African culture, music and community. madarakafestival.com
June 27: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
A native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, home of the Delta Blues Museum, the Grammy-winning guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has been hailed as a generational talent and torchbearer for Mississippi Delta blues. See his performance at The Fillmore Silver Spring. livenation.com
Theater
May 22 through June 23: Long Way Down
This new hip-hop musical at Olney Theatre Center is based on the Newbery Medal-winning young adult novel by DMV native Jason Reynolds. After his brother is shot and killed, Will is determined to avenge his death, but what happens on the elevator from his top-floor apartment down to the street might change his mind. olneytheatre.org
May 29 through June 23: Topdog/Underdog
Writer Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play is about two con men brothers named Lincoln and Booth, their sibling rivalry and their struggle for dominance. But the dark comedy staged at Round House Theatre in Bethesda is also about larger themes such as race, poverty, violence and brotherhood. roundhousetheatre.org
June 21 through Aug. 19: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
Based on the Caldecott Honor-winning book by Mo Willems, this musical at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo follows Trixie and her father through the streets of New York City, but somehow Knuffle Bunny doesn’t make it home that day. adventuretheatre-mtc.org
Art
May into July: Art Exhibitions
VisArts in Rockville will feature two exhibitions exploring Black experiences. In the Gibbs Street Gallery, Sanah Brown-Bowers’ paintings of Black families tell stories of joy and 1980s nostalgia, blending pop art, fantasy and whimsy. They’re on display from May 24 through July 14. In the Kaplan Gallery from May 31 through July 21, the exhibition Wade, curated by Mae A. Miller-Likhethe, explores questions of Black ecologies, geographies and lifeways in the African diaspora through a variety of artworks. visartscenter.org
June 6-30: Bethesda Painting Awards Exhibition
This annual competition awards a $10,000 grand prize to a painter from Maryland, Virginia or Washington, D.C. See artwork by the finalists at this Gallery B exhibition in Bethesda. An opening reception is planned for June 14. bethesda.org
Comedy
May 3: The Mother of All Comedy Shows
Women take the mic for this stand-up comedy show meant for audiences 18 and older at the Arts Barn in Gaithersburg. gaithersburgmd.gov
Community Events
May 4: Sligo Creek Fest
Sligo Creek Parkway transforms into a street festival from Dennis Avenue to University Boulevard, complete with live music, activities and entertainment for children, food and drinks. The event aims to highlight Sligo Creek Parkway and the surrounding trails. montgomeryparks.org
May 4: Family Archaeology Day
Kids can get a glimpse into the world of an archaeologist at this free event at Needwood Mansion in Rock Creek Regional Park. Hands-on activities include a simulated archaeological dig, making clay marbles and pots, tinsmithing and weaving. Try your hand at spear throwing or compete in a sack race. Also, learn how people in the region lived during the Civil War and pre-Colonial eras. montgomeryparks.org
May 4: Kensington Car Show
Check out antique and customized cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles during this event at the Kensington Service Center and along Howard Avenue. The event is free to attend and also features a monster truck show, face painting and balloon twisting for kids, food vendors and live music. The proceeds benefit the Jubilee Association of Maryland, a Kensington organization that supports adults with disabilities. kensingtoncarshow.com
May 4-5: Rockville Arts Festival
Rockville Town Square becomes an outdoor art gallery at this free event showcasing work by more than 100 artists. In addition to art for sale, there will be art demonstrations, a community art project, a chalk art competition, and food and drinks for sale from local vendors. visartscenter.org/rockville-arts-festival
May 11-12: Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
More than 100 artists from around the country display and sell paintings, photographs, sculpture, handmade jewelry and more at this free fair that also features live music, food from local restaurants, and a children’s area. It takes place around downtown Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. bethesda.org/arts/artsfestival.htm
May 17: Roller Disco
Bring your skates and your funky moves for this free roller-skating party, which features a DJ and concessions for purchase. You can BYO chair, blanket and picnic to Ridge Road Recreational Park in Germantown. montgomeryparks.org
May 18: Gaithersburg Book Festival
Whether it’s the latest page-turning thriller on your bedside table, a deep-dive nonfiction exploration or a collection of poetry, there’s sure to be something to pique your interest at this annual book festival, which draws prominent authors from around the country. Fiction writer Alice McDermott, journalists Carlos Lozada and Susan Page, and young adult literature writer Sharon G. Flake are just a few of the festival’s featured authors. Expect book talks, workshops, Q&As with writers, activities for kids and more during the free event at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. gaithersburgbookfestival.org
May 18: WaterFest
Learn about the local watershed at this event geared toward kids ages 5 to 12. Attendees can make and shake a rain stick, and also create fish prints, suncatchers, frog masks and other spring crafts at the Maydale Nature Classroom in Colesville. An aquatic scavenger hunt with prizes is also on tap. montgomeryparks.org/event/waterfest
May 25-26: Hometown Holidays Music Fest
Rockville kicks off the unofficial start of summer with this free two-day festival at RedGate Park. Rock band Everclear headlines two stages of live music, activities for kids and the Taste of Rockville food festival. rockvillehth.com
May 27: Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade
Founded 80 years ago, the event begins with a ceremony remembering service members who gave their lives and continues with a parade through downtown Rockville, featuring military and community groups, fire trucks, marching units and dance troupes. rockvillemd.gov/2402/memorial-day-ceremony-and-parade
June 15: Silver Spring Blues Festival
This free block party has attendees literally dancing in the street with two performance stages for live music—one for acoustic acts and the other for electric groups. The 15th annual festival draws local, regional and national bands and musical ensembles to downtown Silver Spring. silverspringblues.com
June 15: Mudfest
Make mud pies and mud art, and slip and slide in mud pits at this down and dirty annual festival at Woodstock Equestrian Special Park in Beallsville. The family-friendly event takes place rain or shine. Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes for the ride home. montgomeryparks.org/event/mudfest
June 15: Paws in the Park
This one’s for the dogs. Leash up your four-legged friend for a festival that includes a group dog walk, demonstrations, contests and pup-related vendors at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center in Gaithersburg. mchumane.org/paws-in-the-park-2024
June 29: SummerFest
Gaithersburg celebrates Independence Day a few days early with a family-friendly festival that includes food trucks, activities for kids, a fireworks display and SummerGlo After Party at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. gaithersburgmd.gov/recreation/special-events/summerfest
Sports
May 31: Big Train Baseball
The summer collegiate team kicks off its 25th season with an exhibition game against the Southern Maryland Senators on May 31 and the home opener against the Gaithersburg Giants on June 1. The regular season ends on July 17 and playoffs begin on July 20. Catch the Big Train’s home games throughout the summer at Cabin John Regional Park’s Shirley Povich Field. bigtrain.org
This story appears in the May/June edition of Bethesda Magazine.