To have community events listed free in The Potomac Almanac, send e-mail to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call 703-778-9412.
<cal1>Wednesday/March 9
<cal2>Stars of the Bolshoi. 8 p.m. Featuring Bolshoi Principal Dancers Maria Mashina and Andrei Bolotin performing some of the greatest beloved ballet moments of ballet classics, including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and Don Quixote. Tickets are $40/regular; $38/seniors and students. Call 240-567-5301 or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC. At The Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville.
<cal1>Thursday/March 10
<cal2>Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Beginner lesson at 8:15 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and Guests. At the Back Room at 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.
Critters (and Couture!) For The Cure Fashion Show Gala. Ten women cancer survivors and their pups will work the "catwalk" in spring fashions by Bloomingdale’s and Doggie Couture. At Bloomingdale’s Chevy Chase to raise awareness and funds for women’s cancer. Visit http://www.crittersforthecure.org/.
Eastern Box Turtle: Natural History and Conservation. This box turtle is on the decline, much due to habitat loss and fragmentation, but also threats from motor vehicles, raccoons and dogs. Sandy Barnett, a member of the Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society, is active in box turtle rescue and rehabilitation and will offer a slide presentation and discussion. Free, registration required. For adults. 7:30 – 9 :30 p.m. Woodend Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, 20815. 301-652-9188. www.AudubonNaturalist.org
<cal1>March 10-11
<cal2>"Annie Jr." Presented by Washington Episcopal School’s sixth-grade class. Tickets are $5/students; $6/adults. At Washington Episcopal School, 5600 Little Falls Parkway, Bethesda.
<cal1>March 11-27
<cal2>"The Mousetrap." Potomac Theater Company’s production of Agatha Christie’s stage thriller, "The Mousetrap," is scheduled for three weekends in March. March 11, 12, 13; March 18, 19, 20; March 25, 26, 27. Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Performances at The Blair Family Center for the Arts at the Bullis School, 10601 Falls Road, Potomac. 301-299-8571. www.potomactheatreco.org
<cal1>Friday/March 11
<cal2>Aardvark Art Bazaar. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A free, family-friendly art fair that features local musicians, artists and craftsmen, as well as a children's activity area. At The Harbor School, 7701 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda. Call Whitney Tuttle at 301-365-1100.
Blues and Soul Fusion Dance Party. 9 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $10. Soul Swing Lesson from 8 to 8:30 p.m.; dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight. At the Back Room at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. For more information visit http://www.dancebuddies.com/AllThingsBlues.htm or contact Ken Roesel at 703.282.4187 or at DanceBuddies@Starpower.net.
<cal1>Saturday/March 12
<cal2>Used Book Sale. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most hardback and large paperback books are $1 and regular paperbacks are $.50. The sale will feature gardening books to help prepare you for Spring. At Potomac Library, 10101 Glenolden Dr. Potomac.
Casino Night. 8 p.m. Classic casino games, including poker, roulette, and blackjack. Tickets are $20/advance; $25/door. Casino Night is hosted by Yachad Hadassah, a chapter of the women’s organization Hadassah. All proceeds will benefit Youth Aliyah, a program that provides education and support for at-risk children in Israel. To register, go to http://tinyurl.com/5src6ec. At the Barking Dog, 4723 Elm St., Bethesda, near the Bethesda Metro station. Email yachaddc@gmail.com.
Spaghetti Dinner. 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10/person. Boy Scout Troop 733 is holding its 52nd Annual Spaghetti Dinner. At Potomac United Methodist Church Meeting Hall, corner of Glen and Fall Roads, Potomac.
National Philharmonic. 8 p.m. Pianist Brian Ganz will play Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor with the National Philharmonic, led by Music Director and Conductor Piotr Gajewski. At the Music Center at Strathmore. Also on the program are Grieg’s Wedding Day at Troldhaugen and Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major. Tickets are $32-$79. For tickets, visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call the Strathmore ticket office at 301-581-5100.
A Canine Playbook for Parents. 2 to 4 p.m. Free. This seminar will help you understand canine body language and how to manage children and dogs together. At the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac. Call 301-983-5913.
Play in a Day. 8 p.m. Six professional area theatre companies will write, direct, rehearse and perform original plays based on similar themes in only 24 hours. The plays will be presented at the seventh annual Play In A Day, a one-of-a-kind theatrical event. Tickets are $15. At Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda.
Maggie’s Music Celtic Concert. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. With Maggie Sansone and friends. At Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville. Visit http://www.saintmarkpresby.org or call 301-530-2613.
Fawning for Deer: Why do fawns have spots, why do bucks grow big antlers? Learn about one of the largest and common mammals. Adults will learn management techniques and deer resistant plant information. Ages three and up, with adult. 10-11 a.m. Audubon Naturalist Society, Woodend Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, 20815. 301-652-9188. www.AudubonNaturalist.org
Geocaching: Join Audubon Naturalist Society for a treasure hunt while learning about this new sport, GPS units and how to find and place geocaches. ANS will provide GPS units. 1-2:30 p.m. Ages six and up, with an adult. Audubon Naturalist Society, Woodend Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, 20815. 301-652-9188. www.ANShome.org
Beginner Bird Walk. Audubon Naturalist Society. 8 a.m. Approximately one hour. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair that morning from Audubon. Beginner walks at Audubon’s Woodend Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, 20815. 301-652-9188. Weekly on Saturday mornings. www.AudubonNaturalist.org
<cal1>March 12-13
<cal2>Rockville Civic Ballet. Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. Will perform "Firebird" and "Piano Barre." Tickets are $16/adults; $12/children. At the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre at Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. For tickets, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre or call the box office at 240-314-8690.
<cal1>Sunday/March 13
<cal2>Open Door Reading. 2 p.m. Free. Poetry reading with author Jeanne Marie Beaumont, who reads from Burning of the Three Fires, and Michele Wolf, reading from Immersion. At The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda. Visit www.writer.org or call 301-654-8664.
Cajun and Zydeco Dance Party. 3 to 6 p.m. With the Acadien Cajun Band. Admission is $15. Introductory Cajun lesson from 3 to 3:30 p.m.; dancing from 3 to 6 p.m. At the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Michael Hart at 301.762.6730 or Glen Echo Park at 301-634-2222, or go to www.DancingByTheBayou.com.
Capitol Steps. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30/general; $25/students. At Walt Whitman High School. For more information, go to http://www.waltwhitmanpostprom.webs.com/capitolsteps.htm
Brides on the Bus. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $25/person. Bus tour of event venues of Montgomery County Parks! Visit Rockwood Manor, the Lodge at Little Seneca Creek, Woodlawn Manor, Brookside Gardens and the Agricultural History Farm Park. Meet vendors at each of the venues. Learn about wedding day makeup and hair. And in between stops, have fun on the bus with games and prizes. Register online at www.ParkPASS.org. Call 301-299-5026.
Canal Stewards Cleanup, 10 am to noon. Sponsored by the Potomac Conservancy, this monthly clean-up day engages volunteers in as caretakers of a site within the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Potomac Conservancy also operates environmental awareness programs out of the River Center, Lock 8, 7906 Riverside Dr., Cabin John. Off Clara Barton Parkway between Cabin John and Carderock exits. Contact Deanna Tricarico at tricarico@potomac.org or 301-608-1188 x.204. Visit www.potomac.org/site/river-center-events/index.php
<cal1>Thursday/March 17
<cal2>Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Beginner lesson at 8:15 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and Guests. At the Back Room at 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.
Murray Horwitz Lecture. 11:30 a.m. Murray Horwitz, playwright, Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner, Ain’t Misbehavin‘. Part of the 23rd Annual Literary Luncheon Series. Followed by Q & A, catered box lunch, and book signings. Copies of the author’s books will be for sale, the net proceeds of which benefit FOL. At the Strathmore Mansion in Rockville. Visit www.folmc.org to register. Call 240-777-0020.
<cal1>Saturday/March 19
<cal2>Fostering a Dog? 1 to 4 p.m. Free. Seminar on dogs from foster home to adoption success with speaker Julie Jacobus. Learn how to make the foster experience successful. At Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac. Call 301-983-5913.
Free Concert. 8 p.m. National Philharmonic Singers, under the direction of conductors Stan Engebretson and Victoria Gau. Music from a variety of periods, ranging from early madrigals to contemporary. At Christ Episcopal Church, 107 South Washington Street, Rockville. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org for call 301-493-9283, ext. 116.
"Hansel & Gretel." 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Metropolitan Ballet Theater will perform the ballet "Hansel & Gretel." Senior Montgomery County students, Delmas Lake and Isabelle Hardinge will dance the roles of Hansel and Gretel. At the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center at Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Tickets are $17/group; $18/seniors; $20/general; $22/door. For tickets, 301-762-1757, www.mbtdance.org.
Swing Dance. 9 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $15. With Seattle’s Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio. Drop-in beginner swing lesson from 8 to 9 p.m.; dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight. At the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.
Women on Course. Noon to 1:15 p.m. Improve your golf game, enhance your focus and lower your handicap through yoga. This workout is designed to teach the yoga moves that will improve your flexibility and golf game. At Village Yoga, 10154 River Road, Suite 150, Potomac. Call 703-268-5078.
<cal1>Sunday/March 20
<cal2>Waltz Dance. 3:30 to 6 p.m. Admission is $10. With the band Elixir. This versatile band will provide a lively mix of folk waltzes with a few other couple dances, including Hambo, Schottische, Swing, Tango, and Polka. Introductory Waltz workshop from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.; dancing from 3:30 to 6 p.m. 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.
Japan Fair. 1 to 5 p.m. Free. The event is presented by high school students from Yokohama Hayato High School located in Yokohama, Japan. Students will demonstrate and teach various Japanese arts, games and customs. At Bauer Drive Community Center, 14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville. Call 301-468-4015.
Open Door Reading. 2 p.m. Free. Join editor Joelle Biele in a reading from the recently published Elizabeth Bishop and The New Yorker: The Complete Correspondence. Readers include Dana Gioia, Sandra Beasley, David Gewanter, and Rose Solari. The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD 20814. Details: www.writer.org or call 301-654-8664.
Potomac Horse Center’s Client Show. Watch a horse show indoors. Potomac Horse Center, 14211 Quince Orchard Road, North Potomac, 301-208-0200, www.potomachorse.com.
Botanical Gems of Potomac: Blockhouse Point Conservation Park. On the first day of Spring, search for the season’s early blooms and swelling buds and explore this botanically rich but underappreciated Potomac park. Moderate hike of 2-4 miles. 1-5 p.m. For adults. $23 members, $32 nonmembers. Audubon Naturalist Society. 301-652-9188. www.audubonnaturalist.org
Bach Marathon. 2 to 7 p.m. Free admission. Ten organists will feature the music of J.S. Bach in half-hour programs each. Following the concert, a German dinner will be available for $10. At the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, One Chevy Chase Circle, NW, Washington, D.C. Call 202-363-2202.
<cal1>Monday/March 21
<cal2>Foghorn Stringband With Old Sledge. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18/advance; $22/door. IMT Rockville, Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville. Call 301-754-3611 and visit www.imtfolk.org.
<cal1>Tuesday/March 22
<cal2>Jon Shain and Friends. 8 p.m. Tickets are $18/door; $15/advance at FocusMusic.org. At Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville. Contact 301-275-7459.
<cal1>Wednesday/March 23
<cal2>Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All-Stars. 8 p.m. Tickets are $25-$52. At the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
Nathan and Noble Jolley, Jazz. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. Nate and Noble, Jr. will team up with fellow musicians Tim Green (saxophone), Christie Dashiell, (vocals) and Eric Wheeler (bass). At the Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
Discovering Your Roots. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Features Constance Potter and Katherine Vollen from the National Archives, Marlene Katz Bishow, President of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington and Milton Goldsamt, Ph.D., Genealogical Researcher. At Temple Beth Ami, 14330 Travilah Road, Rockville. This program is presented by the Greater Washington Women's Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee. Cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Lunch is included. Reservations are required. Contact Maxine Kretchmar at 301-530-7253. All proceeds will be donated for library resources.
<cal1>Thursday/March 24
<cal2>Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Beginner lesson at 8:15 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and Guests. At the Back Room at 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.
"Leave the Winter Blues Behind" with Blues Pianist, Daryl Davis. 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Davis has appeared with such top artists and ensembles as Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters’ Legendary Blues Band, Presley’s Jordanaires and The Coasters. RSVP no later than March 21 at 301-983-3620 or email potomac@arden-courts.com. Arden Courts of Potomac, 10718 Potomac Tennis Lane, Potomac.
<cal1>Friday/March 25
<cal2>Blues and Soul Fusion Dance Party. 9 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $10. Soul Swing Lesson from 8 to 8:30 p.m.; dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight. At the Back Room at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. For more information visit http://www.dancebuddies.com/AllThingsBlues.htm or contact Ken Roesel at 703.282.4187 or at DanceBuddies@Starpower.net.
<cal1>Saturday/March 26
<cal2>Community Health Fair. 10 a.m. The City of Rockville will host a free community health fair with health screenings, nutrition workshop, fitness demonstrations and fun activities for kids. At the Twinbrook Community Recreation Center, 12920 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville. Contact Cynthia Bangali, 240-314-8317 or cbangali@rockvillemd.gov.
Sock Hop. 9 p.m. Come to a genuine '50s and '60s style Sock Hop at Tikvat Israel in Rockville. Featuring the Rock & Roll Relics, one of the premier oldies musical acts in the region. Dress is casual; letter sweaters, poodle skirts, and saddle shoes are optional. Admission is $12/person in advance and $15/person at the door. To purchase your ticket, call 301-762-7338, email (tikvatoffice@gmail.com), or mail payment to Tikvat Israel, 2200 Baltimore Rd, Rockville.
<cal1>March 26 to March 30
<cal2>Spring Change-Over Sale. The five non-profit organizations that make up the Montgomery County Thrift Shop have scheduled their Annual Spring changeover sale and $3 Bag day. Half price sales days 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.: Saturday, March 26, to Wednesday, March 30. Located at 7125 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. Call 301-654-0063.
<cal1>Sunday/March 27
<cal2>Cajun/Zydeco Dance Party. 3:30 to 6 p.m. Admission is $15. With the band Jesse Lege & Joel Savoy with the Foghorn Trio. Introductory dance lesson from 3 to 3:30 p.m.; dancing from 3:30 to 6 p.m. At the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. Call Michael Hart at 301-762-6730 or go to www.DancingbytheBayou.com.
Shrimp and Oyster Feast Fundraiser. 1 to 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Alumni Association. In the Anastasia Room in the Rescue Squad, 5020 Battery Lane (at Old Georgetown Road), Bethesda. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance. Call 301-977-6634. Visit www.bccrs.org or email info@bccrs.org.
<cal1>Monday/March 28
<cal2>Sierra Hull & Highway 111. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20/advance; $25/door. IMT Rockville: Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville. Call 301-754-3611 and visit www.imtfolk.org.
Beth Sholom Book Club. 8 p.m. The book that will be reviewed is "Gertruda's Oath" by Ram Oren. Meets at Beth Sholom Congregation, 11825 Seven Locks Road, Potomac. Contact Tanya Lampert alamp9608@yahoo.com
<cal1>Thursday/March 31
<cal2>Slow Blues and Swing Dance. 9 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $8. Beginner lesson at 8:15 p.m. With DJ Mike Marcotte and Guests. At the Back Room at 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>Saturday/April 2
<cal2>Literary Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $65. Features Ted Leonsis, Robert Krantz, Nick Tsiotos, and Eva Kalivas — all noted Greek-American writers who will reflect on their craft. Sponsored by The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. At Bethesda Country Club, 7601 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda. Contact Catherine Sarlis at 301-469-7990.
<cal1>April 8-10
<cal2>Sugarloaf Crafts Festival. More than 250 artisans will display and sell their unique creations in ceramics, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, furniture and home décor, fine art and photography with the theme, Artful Outdoors. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7/online; $9/door. At the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg. Visit www.sugarloafcrafts.com or call 800-210-9900.
<cal1>April 9 to May 29
<cal2> George & Martha: Tons of Fun! 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. The two endearing hippos from the James Marshall picture books stomp onto stage in this warm and funny musical adaptation. George and Martha are best friends. They play music together and share meals, presents, picnics, and exciting adventures like flying a balloon. Sometimes they have differences as all friends do. But it cannot last. Like all good friends, George and Martha just can’t stay angry for long! This simple story says much about our relationships at any age. Geared for our youngest theatre-goers but enjoyable for all, this new musical by Joan Cushing sparkles with clever lyrics and laughter. 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>April 16 to May 21
<cal2> The Day John Henry Came to School. 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. Johnny is a typical 5th grader, way into video games and not especially motivated at school. Imagine his surprise one night when there’s a loud knock at the door and his ancestor John Henry bursts into his bedroom, wielding a 12 lb. hammer and insisting that he will visit Johnny’s class the next day for "Show & Tell." At first unimpressed by John Henry’s tragic tale about his race with the steam engine, the children in Johnny’s class come to appreciate the importance of his ultimate sacrifice. The award-winning playwright of Lost & Foundling has created another witty and insightful contemporary comedy. At Imagination Stage in the Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre. 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> Thursday/ May 12, 2011
<cal2> Piano Recital. 7:30 p.m. Tickets $28 (Stars Price $25.20). This artist channels the 19th century composer and pianist Clara Wieck Schumann (wife of Robert Schumann), recreating an 1871 concert by Clara. Performing on Strathmore’s 1850s Broadwood piano, Sharon Joshua deftly intersperses works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Bach and Chopin with engaging readings from Clara’s diaries and letters. A Gerald M. Woofter Memorial Concert Program. At the Mansion at Strathmore. Call 301-581-5109 or visit www.strathmore.org.
<cal1>July 22 to Aug. 14, 2011
<cal2> The Wind in the Willows. 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. This musical retelling of the classic is faithful to the novel and features the beloved characters Mr. Toad, Mole, Ratty and Mr. Badger. It is early in the twentieth century and Mr. Toad falls hard for the charms of the motor car. His reckless driving results in his being thrown into prison, but, dressed as a laundry lady, he manages to escape. But will Mr. Toad be able to expel the Wild Wood squatters from Toad Hall and reclaim his home? Prepare to be enchanted by this irresistible mix of adventure and camaraderie. 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.