Music
Jan. 3 : The Princess Bride in Concert
Follow Westley, Buttercup, Inigo Montoya and other beloved characters from this classic 1987 fairy tale adventure-comedy on the big screen while the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra plays the musical score at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The fan-favorite film stars Cary Elwes and Robin Wright, and features memorable appearances by Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant, Billy Crystal and Carol Kane. bsomusic.org
Jan. 17: Sa-Roc
Known for her thoughtful, personal and socially conscious lyrics, the rapper and Washington, D.C., native performs at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. Stick around for the after-party with DJ OSO Fresh. blackrockcenter.org
Jan. 23: Yamato: The Drummers of Japan
This group from the village of Asuka in Nara Prefecture, Japan, comes to The Music Center at Strathmore for an energetic taiko drumming performance that includes 40 drums onstage as well as other traditional Japanese instruments, choreographed movement and vocalizations. strathmore.org
Jan. 31: Hamid Rahmanian’s Song of the North
After moving to the United States from Iran, artist Hamid Rahmanian wanted to use his creative talent to showcase his Iranian culture. Part of a multiyear project that includes several productions based on the centuries-old epic Persian poem Shahnameh, this show at The Music Center at Strathmore uses nearly 500 shadow puppets, nine performers, a musical score and theatrical lighting to tell the story of a knight who falls in love with an enemy princess. strathmore.org
Feb. 6: Patti LuPone
In a concert reflecting a career that has spanned decades, the Tony- and Grammy-award winning singer and actress performs songs from the shows that made her famous and tunes meaningful to her life at The Music Center at Strathmore. Between musical numbers, she recounts personal stories from her life and times as an actress starring in films and in Broadway and television productions. strathmore.org
Feb. 18: Finneas
Billie Eilish’s brother and frequent musical collaborator, Finneas O’Connell, is a prolific songwriter and producer. He’s also highly decorated, winning 10 Grammy Awards. While he also has worked with such pop stars as Justin Bieber, Halsey, Drake and Nicki Minaj, he’ll be promoting his solo album For Cryin’ Out Loud! when he stops by The Fillmore Silver Spring. fillmoresilverspring.com
Community Events
Jan. 18: Say it Loud, Play it Loud
Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of film, art and music at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. The lineup includes “pay what you can” movies, and a free screening of Leslie Shampaine’s documentary Call Me Dancer. The event also features gallery installations by Rebecca Marimutu and Dunnie Onasanya, spoken word performances, a vinyl record fair and DJs throughout the building. It ends with a concert by bass player and composer Mohini Dey (ticket purchase required). blackrockcenter.org
Jan. 18-19: MLK Day of Service
Participate in volunteer projects that help older adults and people who are sick, hungry or otherwise in need during the annual MLK Day of Service, organized by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center. Service projects at several community centers occur on Saturday and a volunteer fair at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center is on Sunday. montgomerycountymd.gov/
Feb. 1: Rockville Lunar New Year Celebration
The Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays for many Asian cultures. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with a free community event presented by the City of Rockville at Rockville High School and featuring performances, such as a lion dance, displays and crafts. rockvillemd.gov
Feb. 7: Valentine’s Day Family Ice-Skating Night
Make it a family date night on ice at the White Oak Community Recreation Center. The free event for all ages features skating on synthetic ice brought in for the event, games, music and snacks. Skates will be available to use. montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/calendar.html
Theater
Jan. 15-Feb. 16: What the Constitution Means to Me
As a high school student, Heidi Schreck participated in constitutional debate competitions to win money for college. Her autobiographical play—a Pulitzer Prize finalist and two-time Tony Award nominee—starts there and goes on to explore how the U.S. Constitution affected her and other women in her family. The show will hit the stage at Round House Theatre in Bethesda. roundhousetheatre.org
Jan. 25: Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
Based on Jason Reynolds’ book of the same name, this show follows a group of middle school students on their walk home from school. Created by the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences, the play includes puppetry, dance, music and audience participation. Meant for age 10 and older, the production is part of the Saturday Morning Children’s Series at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center on Montgomery College’s Rockville campus. montgomerycollege.edu
Feb. 7-March 30: Dragons Love Tacos
Robby learns lessons about friendship and what happens when you feed dragons spicy salsa. (Spoiler alert: It makes them breathe fire.) Based on the children’s book of the same name, this show at Adventure Theatre MTC in Glen Echo is appropriate for all ages. Look out for special events, such as “dress like a dragon day” and a taco truck at some performances. adventuretheatre-mtc.org
Feb. 13-March 30: Waitress
In this musical based on the 2007 film of the same title, waitress Jenna is stuck in an unhappy marriage and a small town, and dreams of something more. The production at Olney Theatre Center is a regional premiere of the show, with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles. According to the theater’s website, the show would be rated PG-13 if it were a movie. olneytheatre.org
Comedy/Variety
Jan. 24: Sonja Morgan
If you ever wondered what it’s like to hang out with Bravo’s Andy Cohen or how it feels to be a reality TV star, check out the Sonja in Your City improv/comedy/cabaret show at The Fillmore Silver Spring. The Real Housewives of New York City personality promises to answer audience questions in this unfiltered live show. fillmoresilverspring.com
Jan. 25: Sasha Velour
The drag superstar (you may have seen her in Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and featured on HBO’s We’re Here) performs a show at The Music Center at Strathmore based on her book The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag. The show will include stories from her life and references to the history of drag. Expect spectacular costumes, lip-synching performances, camp and some surprises. strathmore.org
This story appears in the January/February 2025 issue of Bethesda Magazine.
