We Love Weekends: Montgomery County Planner for Aug. 31 – Sept. 3

Glen Echo Park is the place to be this weekend with the 48th Annual Labor Day Art Show, Saturday’s open house featuring free classes and demonstrations, and Monday’s showcase of Irish music and dance.

The popular Kentlands/Lakelands 5K race takes place Saturday.

Kensington celebrates the Labor Day holiday weekend with their annual art show and on Monday, the 51st rendition of the Labor Day Parade and Festival.

Gaithersburg hosts their 80th Annual Labor Day parade through the streets of  Olde Towne Monday at 1 p.m.

Below are some other ideas for fun this weekend in Montgomery County:

Friday, Aug. 31 

South Pacific  Directed by Alan Muraoka, choreography by Darren Lee and music direction by Kristen Lee Rosenfeld. South Pacific is one of the most beloved of American musicals. Set on a remote Pacific island during World War II, South Pacific tells the love story between nurse Nellie Forbush and French expatriate Emile de Becque, a love threatened by war. Through Oct. 7 at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney.  olneytheatre.org. $42 and up.

Labor Day Art Show Reception  Public opening reception takes place Aug. 31 from 7:30 – 9 p.m. in the Spanish Ballroom. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org Free.

Gilbert & Sullivan Sing-Out The Victorian Lyric Opera Company will kick off its 40th Anniversary by giving Gilbert & Sullivan fans the opportunity to sing through the complete musical scores of all thirteen of the intact operettas. Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, various times. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. vloc.org. $45 – $120.

Chanté Moore  Chanté Moore’s will perform songs from her 7th solo album, ‘The Rise of the Phoenix’. Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. Bethesda Jazz & Blues Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. bbjlive.com. $59.50-$74.

Contra Dance Contra dance is a type of folk dance for all ages and a social dance.  You do not need to bring a partner. There is a beginner’s lesson from 7:30 pm – 8:15 pm which is included in the price of admission. Aug. 24 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park. 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org $10. (Contra dance flyer)

Saturday, Sept. 1

Kentlands/Lakelands 5K The 5K course winds through the Lakelands and Kentlands neighborhoods, then heads down Main Street to the finish line and proceed to Market Square Plaza for the post-race Merchant’s Expo.  Sept. 1 at 8 a.m. at Kentlands Market Square Plaza, Gaithersburg. kentlandsfoundation.org

48th Annual Labor Day Art Show  Presented by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, the exhibition features the work of more than 200 artists from the mid-Atlantic region. The exhibition and sale run from noon to 6 pm each day, Sept. 1 – 3 in the Spanish Ballroom. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org

Kensington Paint the Town Art Show  11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Kensington Paint the Town Art Show, Town Hall, Kensington

Glen Echo Class Open House Participate in a free workshop, see artist demonstrations, meet instructors and tour the Park. Sept. 1 from noon to 4 p.m. at Glen Echo Park,  7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org Free  (open house schedule)

Behind the Scenes: Alan Muraoka  Join actor/director Alan Muraoka as he discusses his journey to South Pacific and his approach to this production. Saturday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney.  olneytheatre.org. $10.

Swing Dance American Swing dance is the family of dances that developed to the musical style that began with the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s.  There is a beginner swing lesson from 8-9 p.m. Aug. 25 from 8 p.m. – midnight. in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park. 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org $20.

Sunday, Sept. 2

Lakeside and Steve Arrington  Funk band Lakeside and funk artist Steve Arrington perform their classic hits. Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. Bethesda Jazz & Blues Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. bbjlive.com. $59.50-$79.50.

Contra & Square Dance Contra dance is a type of folk dance for all ages and a social dance in the most literal sense.  You do not need to bring a partner. Experienced and new dancers will find a warm and welcoming community. Most evenings feature a variety of traditional American contras and two waltzes, plus occasional squares, circle mixers, or other couple dances, all performed to energetic live music with skilled and enthusiastic callers from all over the country.  There is a beginner’s orientation session at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. in the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park. 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org $10.

Monday, Sept. 3

Irish Music & Dance Showcase Featuring a wide variety of Irish music and dance perfomances. Sept. 3 from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org

Gaithersburg’s Labor Day Parade Dana McKay, radio personality with 94.7 Fresh FM, joins the parade as Master of Ceremonies. This year’s Grand Marshal is 2018 Distinguished Citizen Michael Bucci. During the parade, free parking will be available in the Olde Towne garage. Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. gaithersburgmd.gov

Kensington’s Labor Day Parade and Festival The parade starts at St. Paul Park and travels down Connecticut Avenue toward Warner Street before turning back through the heart of Kensington. Following the parade, Armory Avenues will be filled with food trucks, vendors, games and activities. Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at St. Paul Park, Kensington. tok.md.gov.

Watch the latest CultureSpot MC video, below, for more events happening this month:

About Michelle Queen

View all posts by Michelle Queen