Here are a few upcoming events from the BethesdaNow.com calendar. If you'd like to see your event featured, email your submission to news[at]bethesdanow[dot]com. Also, please check out the How To Create Compelling, Believable Characters The Writer's Center 4508 Walsh Street Time: 11 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. We create characters in our fiction by drawing on our emotional experiences, and basing them on people we know. Sometimes we start with 'stock' characters: the crooked cop, the femme fatale, the middle-aged spouse. Yet characters have to do more than convey information and move the plot forward. They have to be unique, compelling individuals. How do we create them on the page? We'll work on ways to deepen and enrich your characters using personal history, conflict, dialogue, and interiority. Thursday, April 16 
Stress, Motivation And The Adolescent Brain Walt Whitman High School auditorium 7100 Whittier Boulevard Time: 7:00 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson will speak Thursday, April 16th, 7 pm, at Whitman High School on "STRESS, SELF-PROPELLED MOTIVATION & THE ADOLESCENT BRAIN." The lecture is open to the public and is free with donations accepted for Whitman Speech & Debate and CollegeTracks. Suggested is $10-$30 for adults and $5 for students and teachers. (Adults are the target audience, but mature students are welcome.) WALK-INS ARE WELCOME. Pre-registration and prepayment are recommended, but not required. Optional online prepayment by credit card is also possible, using Paypal redirect in registration link above. Payments at door must be cash/check only. Saturday, April 18 
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Presents Music Box: On Safari The Music Center at Strathmore 5301 Tuckerman Lane Time: 10:00 a.m. — 10:30 a.m. BSO Music Box is a new concert series created for babies and toddlers 6 months to 3 years and their families. Hosted by acclaimed actress, dancer and storyteller Maria Broom, the Music Box Series gives your budding music-lover the chance to explore music through highly engaging and interactive performances. Each half-hour concert features the musical talents of a small ensemble of BSO musicians performing classical and children's songs to develop musicality, creativity, coordination and literacy. Adventure awaits as your family is whisked away to enjoy a musical safari full of elephants, giraffes, lions and zebras. Monday, April 20 
SoulCycle Charity Ride For The Red Tent Foundation SoulCycle Bethesda 4931 Elm Street Time: 7:30 p.m. — 10:00 p.m. Our foundation is actually (ACTUALLY) making a difference for college women and these funds will support our goals. Plus SoulCycle is the chicest! Ugh, who wouldn't want to come? Miscellaneous:
- Shoes and water will be PROVIDED!
- Arrive no later than 7:15 pm.
- We will also provide refreshments (red gatorade) and snacks (red velvet cupcakes) post ride.
- Show your support by wearing RED to the ride. It's the RED tent foundation after all!
- After our ride, guests are welcome to join us for drinks and networking at a nearby bar. Location TBD.
- If you have a bike preference, please tell us ahead of time! (Front row? Back row?)
- Complimentary $15 gift card to Cera Wax Studio included!
Wednesday, April 22 
B-CC Chamber of Commerce – The BIG Event! Pike & Rose 11810 Grand Park Avenue Time: 4:00 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. Those pre-registering and attending The Big Event! will receive an advance list of all other pre-registered attendees as well as each registrants' "Needs & Leads" list. DATE & TIME: April 22, 4pm – 7:30pm WHERE: Pike & Rose on the 5th Floor, 11810 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852 COST: Pre-registration: $10/person for groups of 5 or more; $12 for individuals; GET YOUR TICKETS at EVENTBRITE At the door: $15/person at the door – See more at: http://www.bccchamber.org/thebigevent
