We Love Weekends: Montgomery County Planner for March 15-March 17

The Gaithersburg St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place at Rio Washingtonian Center Saturday, March 16 from 10 a.m. to noon. Following The parade route begins at Rio Boulevard and Grand Corner and continues down Grand Corner to the Kohl’s. Following the parade there will be live entertainment at the lakefront plaza.

The St. Patrick’s Outdoor Festival at the Rockville Town Square takes place Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. Expect live music, pipes & drums, Irish dancers, and for the children a bouncy castle and face painting.

Here’s our guide to arts and entertainment in Montgomery County, March 15-17.

Friday, March 15

Irish Arts Celebration:  Enjoy Irish music, dance, poetry, and art with The Bog Band, Kristin Ferragut, and Monica Harwood. Following the performance, enjoy an Irish beer and take part in an instructional Ceili (set dancing) with the Ring of Kerry Irish Dancers. Friday, March 15 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. Click here for more information. $12.

Celtic Angels: Begin your St. Patrick’s Day celebration with this performance. Five vocalists – Victoria Kenny, Emily Carroll, Tammy Browne, Amy Penston, and Ellie Mullane – make up the Celtic Angels.  Accompanying the music will be the Celtic Knights Dancers, featuring two former lead dancers of Riverdance.  Friday, March 15 from 8 to 10 p.m. BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. For more information, click here. $25-$45.

Oil: In five separate but connected playlets, a single mother named May defies the odds to provide for her daughter Amy by any means necessary. From Cornwall to Tehran, London, Baghdad, and back, the mother-daughter power struggle evolves and shifts, even as the resources that fuel it (and the rest of the world) begin to dwindle. Runs through March 31 at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road. For more information, click here.  $59-$64.

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 17 at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road. For more information, click here.  $64-$84.

Loston Harris Cabaret at AMP:  Painist Loston Harris presents the music of the great American songbook. Harris and his quartet transform AMP into a swinging cabaret filled with favorites from Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and others. Friday, March 15 at 8 p.m. AMP By Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda. Click here for more information. $25-$40.

Saturday, March 16

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.

Thumbelina: Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’s 30th Anniversary performance season continues with a fun fairytale ballet, Thumbelina, presented with an original dance work. Through March 18 daily. Parilla Performing Arts Center, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville. Click here for more information. $19-$31.

Les Miserables in Concert: This symphonic theatrical production features over 250 young performers from the Young Artists of America at Strathmore and Seneca Valley High School Chorus. Les Miserables is based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. Based in 19th century Franch, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. Saturday, March 16 at 3 p.m. The Music Center at Strathmore. Click here for more information. $18-$68.

Maryland Young Voices Festival:  The 15th annual Maryland Young Voices Festival features six children’s choirs from the state of Maryland. Participating choirs are the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis, the Baltimore Children’s Choir, the Deer Creek Youth Choir, the Glorystar Children’s Chorus, the Maryland State Boychoir and the Strathmore Children’s Chorus. Guest conductors are Mr. Chris Fox and Ms. Arianna Tam. Saturday, March 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center, 9900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington. Click here for more information.

Mwenso and The Shakes:  A staple of the NYC jazz scene, Mwenso & The Shakes are a global troupe that fuses jazz with funk, rock, gospel and blues. Saturday, March 16 from 8 to 10 p.m. At BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. For more information, click here. $25-$45.

Tenors Un Limited:  Tenors Un Limited known as “The Rat Pack of Opera,” present their own take on the popular classical genre by combining opera, pop and crooner classics in a modern cabaret with their wicked sense of humor. Saturday, March 16 from 8 to 10 p.m. At BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. For more information, click here. $25-$45.

Sunday, March 17

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

Pinkalicious:  This musical tells the story of Pinkalicious who can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe which is a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. Based on the beloved children’s book series this family-friendly show is perfect for all ages. Sunday, March 17 at 3 & 6 p.m., Monday, March 18 at 10 a.m. At BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. For more information, click here. $18-$25.

MCYO of Strathmore Spring Concerts: The two Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras of Strathmore present their spring concerts.
Sunday, March 17 at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. The Music Center at Strathmore. Click here for more information. $15-$25.

Heathers The Musical: The Rockville Musical Theatre’s production of the musical based on the 1989 film abut Westerberg High and a group of three girls all named Heather who rule the school. Misfit Veronica Sawyer and her new boyfriend J.D. plan to eliminate the Heathers. Recommended for ages 15 and older. Runs through March 24. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road. Click here for more information.  $18-$22.

Don Quixote: The Rockville Civic Ballet presents Don Quixote directed by Eleanor Simpson.  Saturday, March 16 at 2 & 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Click here for more information. $13-$17.

 

 

 

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