We Love Weekends: Montgomery County Planner for Sept. 14 – Sept. 16

The AFI Silver Latin American Film Festival runs through Oct. 3 and includes films from Latin America as well as Spain and Portugal. In its 29th year, the festival showcases LatinAmerican cinema during National Hispanic Heritage Month. The schedule of films and special events may be found online at AFI Latin American Film Festival webpage.

The festival opens with the screening of Birds of Passage. Watch the trailer below:

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

Friday, Sept. 14

Charlie Sepulveda & The Turnaround World-class jazz trumpeter Charlie Sepulveda and his band perform Latin jazz music.
Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. at AMP by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda. ampbystrathmore.com. $32-$42.

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.

Small Mouth Sounds Written by Bess Wohl and directed by Ryan Rilette, Small Mouth Sounds tells the story of six strangers who seek enlightenment by attending a silent retreat in the woods. Now through Sept. 23 at various dates and times. Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway Bethesda. roundhousetheatre.org. $50-$67.

Cellist Tanya Anisimova Internationally-known musician and Kentlands resident, Tanya Anisimova peforms a mixture of Renaissance to Contemporary music on the cello after a wine tasting. Following the performance, a reception with Anisimova and a chocolate tasting by local chocolatier, SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier takes place downstairs in the Arts Barn Gallery.  Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. artsonthegreen.com. $20-$35.

Funkateers Ball Betty Davis Tribute  The third Annual Funkateers Ball Weekend kicks off with a special tribute to legendary singer Betty Davis. Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. Bethesda Jazz & Blues Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. bbjlive.com. $30.

Always Patsy Cline  A musical tribute to Patsy Cline’s rise to stardom told through the eyes of her biggest fan. Sept. 14 – 16 at various times at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. blackrock.org . $25-$40.

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. If Glen Echo Park closes due to inclement weather the dance will be canceled. Sept. 14 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park. 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org $10. (Contra dance flyer)

La Fanciulla del West  Maryland Lyric Opera (MDLO) presents Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West which is a romantic Western epic featuring one of opera’s greatest orchestrations. The opera features sopranos Susan Bullock and Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs/ The MDLO Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Music Director Louis Salemno. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Sept. 14 at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.  strathmore.org. $35-$75.

Saturday, Sept. 15

26th Annual Poolesville Day The festival begins at 8 a.m. with a 5k race followed by the parade at 10 a.m. featuring local officials and an appearance by the Washington Nationals mascots. Live music, a car show, carnival rides and other activities take place over the course of the day. The event will be held rain or shine. Sept. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Town of Poolesville. poolesvilleday.com. Free.

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.

Funkateers Ball featuring Clones of Funk with MC Bootsy Collins The third Annual Funkateers Ball Weekend continues featuring a live performance by Clones of Funk and special guest MC Bootsy Collins!. Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Bethesda Jazz & Blues Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. bbjlive.com. $65.

Kindertransport Sandy Spring Theatre Group tells the story of Eva, a child refugee from Europe. Just before the outbreak of the Second World War, Britain took in over 10,000 refugee children from Europe.  The play runs through Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. artsonthegreen.com. $12-$20.

Sunday, Sept. 16

Film: Break the Chain An award-winning documentary that addresses human trafficking within Michigan communities and the United States. The film chronicles two survivors. A panel discussion follows the screening. Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. blackrock.org . $10.

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.

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

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