We Love Weekends: Montgomery County Planner for Feb. 22-Feb. 24

The annual theatrical event, Play in a Day, challenges six professional Washington, D.C. area theatre companies to write, direct, rehearse and perform original plays in only 24 hours. The plays will be presented at the 15th annual Play in a Day Saturday, February 23 at Imagination Stage in Bethesda.

Here are some additional suggestions for entertainment around the county this weekend.

Friday, Feb. 22

Pechakucha Volume 15 Reality:  How do you view reality? What is reality? Volume 15 examines reality. Speakers will share their perspectives and views on reality over beer, wine, light fare and great conversation. Friday, February 22 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place. Click here for more information, $0-$25.

Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite: Sandy Spring Theatre Group’s production of Plaza Suite is a trio of one-acts set in the Plaza Hotel. Recommended for ages 15 & up. Through Sunday, Feb. 24 at Gaithersburg Arts Barn. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Click here for more information. $18-$20.

Comedian Robert Mac:  Winner of Comedy Central’s national stand-up contest, Laugh Riots, Robert Mac entertains with his smart, subtle, and squeaky-clean style. Mac pokes fun at everyday life and shares his unique perspective on the world’s problems. At AMP by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda. 8 p.m. For more information, click here. $14.

The Gondoliers: The Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents this Gilbert & Sullivan story of two gondoliers who discover that one is actually the king of the far-off land of Baritaria. But they don’t know which one is the king. February 22, 23 & march 1, 2 at 8 p.m. | February 24 and March 3 at 2 p.m. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre at Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. For more information, click here. $20-$28.

BSO Off the Cuff Elgar Cello Concerto: This 60 minute Off The Cuff concert features a performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto with background information provided by our conductor, Nicholas Hersh. After the concert, stick around for a question and answer session on stage.. At the Music Center at Strathmore. Friday, February 22 at 8:15 p.m. For more information, click here. $35-$90.

Once:  Set in contemporary Dublin, a street guitarist is about to give up on his dreams when he meets a curious woman who wants to know all about him. The two embark on a remarkable music-making journey that includes a group of unlikely companions. This musical is based on the 2006 film which won an Oscar for Best Original Song. Runs through March 10 at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road. For more information, click here.  $64-$84.

 

Saturday, Feb. 23

Meet the Artists Reception: The exhibit ‘INK IT: Contemporary Print Practices’ is a biennial juried printmaking exhibition that includes 46 prints by artists from the mid-Atlantic region. The exhibit will be on display through March 30. Saturday, February 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. At BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. For more information, click here. Free.

Farmers Markets Kensington’s farmers market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kensington Train Station, 3701 Howard Ave. Click here for more information. Gaithersburg’s Main Street Farmers and Artists Market takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main Street Park and Pavilion, 301 Main St. Click here for more information. Silver Spring’s Freshfarm Downtown Market runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ellsworth Drive and Veterans Plaza. Click here for more information.

14th Annual Play in a Day:  Six professional Washington, D.C. area theatre companies will write, direct, rehearse and perform original plays based on similar themes in only 24 hours.  The plays will be presented Saturday, February 23 at 8 p.m. Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda. Click here for more information. $15

Reykjavik: Rorschach Theatre presents this play by Steve Yockey, directed by Rick Hammerly about James whois in Reykjavik for the Northern Lights, but they’re not here. Instead he ventures into the 24-hour dark of the Icelandic winter and finds himself entangled with dangerous strangers, suspicious lovers, malevolent birds and the mysterious Huldufólk. Through March 3. Silver Spring Black Box Theatre, 8641 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. For more information, click here. $20-$30

Soul Crackers:  The Soul Crackers perform rock and soul calssics like, “I Feel Good,” “Dancing in the Streets,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” Known for their signature medleys, lead vocalist Tommy Lepson, along with the nine-piece band’s horn section create combustible energy to get you on the dance floor. At AMP by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda. 8 p.m. For more information, click here. $15-$25.

National Philharmonic: Conductor Piotr Gajewski leads the Orchestra in Schumann’s Manfred Overture; Miklós Rózsa’s Theme, Variations and Finale, op. 13; Richard Straus’ Don Quixote and Wagner’s Prelude to Die Meistersinger featuring three-time Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey and Grammy Award winning violist Roberto Diaz. At the Music Center at Strathmore. Saturday, February 23 at 8 p.m. For more information, click here. $32-$84.

Sunday, Feb. 24

BSO Elgar Cello Concerto: Conductor Nicholas Hersh leads the Orchestra in Debussy’s Rondes de printemps from Images, Elgar’s Cello Concerto, and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 6. featuring Armenian cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan. At the Music Center at Strathmore. Sunday, February 24 at 3 p.m. For more information, click here. $35-$90.

Debussy’s Rondes de printemps from Images

Elgar’s Cello Concerto

Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 6.

Feelin’ The Funk Band:  GP Promotions presents Feelin’ The Funk Band, ten musicians dedicated to bringing back the best funk music from the 1970s including classic songs by Parliament-Funkadelic, Ohio Players, Mandrill, Lakeside, Cameo and many other funk bands. Bethesda Blues and Jazz Club, 7719 Wisconsin Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m. $30. 240-330-4500. For more information, click here.

Farmers Markets Takoma Park Farmers Market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Laurel Avenue. Click here for more information.

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