Photo by David Amoroso
Jan. 5-25 | Faces of Frida
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was known for her intense self-portraits, but an exhibition at Artists & Makers Studios in Rockville shows how four local artists depict the famous painter, feminist and political activist. The Mexican holiday Day of the Dead is another common theme among the paintings and mixed-media artwork by David Amoroso, Marily Mojica and Sergio and Claudia Olivos on display in the exhibition Frida and the Day of the Dead. It features colorful portraits of Kahlo—one by Amoroso renders her as a strong, heroic pop-art icon (above), while a collage by Mojica suggests Kahlo as a more mysterious, introspective figure—along with other Latin American imagery. An opening reception is planned for 6-9 p.m. on Jan. 5.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, free, Artists & Makers Studios, Rockville, artistsandmakersstudios.com
Photo courtesy of the Fillmore
Jan. 18 | Teenage Dream
A new generation of rising teen pop stars, each of whom got their start online, comes to Silver Spring. Social media sensation Jacob Sartorius headlines his “Left Me Hangin’” tour stop at The Fillmore, along with opening acts Zach Clayton and Hayden Summerall. Sartorius, 15; Clayton, 17; and Summerall, 12, became online celebrities through their postings on YouTube, YouNow, Vine and karaoke app Musical.ly. With millions of followers each, they’re hoping their online fame translates into successful music careers IRL (that’s “in real life”).
7:30 p.m., $29.50, The Fillmore Silver Spring, fillmoresilverspring.com
Jan. 28 | Ice Ice Baby
Winter is onstage in Skatetacular: Dreams on Ice, a family-friendly show that is part figure skating, part Broadway-style musical and part Cirque du Soleil. Characters travel through the seasons on a quest for eternal winter in a production that features live singing, original music, elaborate costumes and a synthetic ice surface that doesn’t have to be cold.
2 p.m., $10-$25, Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Silver Spring, montgomerycollege.edu/cac
Photo courtesy of Round House Theatre
Jan. 31-Feb. 25 | Leading Ladies
Born only six months apart, Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher were the most powerful people in Great Britain during Thatcher’s term as prime minister from 1979 to 1990. But the relationship between the two formidable women was reportedly stony. There’s no documentation of the weekly meetings between the two, but the comedy Handbagged at Round House Theatre imagines what might have transpired in their private conversations. This is the U.S. premiere of the production, which is part of the 2018 Women’s Voices Theater Festival.
$36-$65, Round House Theatre, Bethesda, roundhousetheatre.org
Photo by A manda Sweet, courtesy of Strathmore
Feb. 2 | Hot Jazz, Cool Words
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra are known for their Grammy-winning blend of big-band music, Afro-Latin jazz and sounds from across Latin America. Cornel West is known as a philosopher, Harvard professor and political activist. These two virtuosic entities come together in North Bethesda for a concert at The Music Center at Strathmore. The program includes a performance by the 18-piece band, which will back West in a spoken-word performance during a portion of the show.
8 p.m., $35-$65, The Music Center at Strathmore, strathmore.org
Feb. 16 | Brew Love
Craft beer lovers can plan a date for Love Thy Beer: Winter Warmer Showcase, hosted by the Brewers Association of Maryland in honor of FeBREWary, a monthlong celebration of the state’s craft beers. Attendees can taste seasonal beers not widely available to the public, including winter ales, cask ales and sours. Brewers and brewery owners will be on hand to chat with attendees. The event also includes light fare and folk musician Skribe.
6-10 p.m., $55-$75, Silver Spring Civic Center, marylandbeer.org
Feb. 10-March 18 | Rags to Riches
Mark Twain’s classic story The Prince and the Pauper gets a Bollywood-style makeover in Imagination Stage’s production of The Princess and the Pauper—A Bollywood Tale. The show, a world premiere musical by Anu Yadav, is set in India and follows a spoiled princess who changes places with a dressmaker’s daughter. Expect music, colorful costumes and specially choreographed dancing in this show, which is best for ages 5 and older
$12-$30, Imagination Stage, imaginationstage.org
