We Love Weekends: Montgomery County Planner for Sept. 7 – Sept. 9

The sounds of jazz will fill Veterans Plaza on Saturday, September 8 as the Silver Spring Jazz Festival returns for the 15th year. Dianne Reeves, five-time Grammy Award winner and recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters award headlines the Festival. Additional performances by Akua Allrich and the Tribe, Marcus Johnson, and more.

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

Friday, Sept. 7

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.

Art Walk  The Glen Echo Park Partnership hosts open studios and artist demonstrations in the Park’s many visual arts studios and galleries today from 6 to 8 p.m. Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org Free.

First Friday at Artists & Makers Studios  The Artists & Makers Studios will be open to celebrate their new September exhibits featuring work by Nancy Weisser, Spencer Dormitzer, and a group exhibit of the lavender fields of Provence with Glen Kessler’s Compass Atelier. Sept. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artists & Makers Studios, 11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 210 AND 12276/12280 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville. artistsandmakersstudios.com. Free.

Pablo Cruise  Pablo Cruise returns to Bethesda Blues and Jazz. Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. Bethesda Jazz & Blues Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. bbjlive.com. $49.50-$69.50.

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. Sept. 7 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. in the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park. 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org $10. (Contra dance flyer)

Saturday, Sept. 8

BlackRock Open House Meet artists, preview the upcoming film series, see showcases of upcoming attractions, sample workshops, during the annual open house. Drop-in or register to get 50% off all individual tickets. Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. blackrock.org Free.

Grease 40th Anniversary Film & Parties Celebrate the anniversary of the 1978 American classic film Grease. Come in costume to win a prize. Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. artsonthegreen.com. $5-$8.

Carnival of Chocolates  This family-friendly event features chocolates from the areas premiere chocolatiers, chocolate tastings, live music, story time and art classes hosted by The Dwelling Place, which help low-income families in Montgomery County achieve housing and financial stability. Sept. 8 from noon to 5 p.m. at Rockville Town Square, Rockville tdp-inc.org. Free, $1 tokens may be purchased for chocolate and activities.

Silver Spring Jazz Festival  Five-time Grammy winner Dianna Reeves headlines the 15th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival. Sept. 8 from 3 to 10 p.m. at Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring. silverspringdowntown.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.

Sunday, Sept. 9

Pooch Pool Party  Dogs will be allowed to swim and frolic at the pool before it is closed and cleaned for the winter. Each dog must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Pre-registration and current rabies vaccination are required. Sept. 8 and 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hector I. Ayala Wheaton/Glenmont Outdoor Pool, 12621 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring. mocorec.gov. $10 (flyer may be found here)

DiVerse Poetry Reading and Open Mic The fall season of poetry readings opens with featured poets Hiram Larew, Nancy Naomi Carlson, and Steven Leyva. An Open Mic follows the readings. Sept. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave, Gaithersburg. diversepoetry.com Free.

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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