The Good Week | December 11, 2025

Art, stage, and sound worth leaving the house for.

An evening with bestselling authors and photographers Frank Van Riper and Judith Goodman as they debut The Green Heart of Italy: Umbria and its Ancient Neighbors. Their new work moves from hill towns to quiet interiors, blending documentary precision with a painterly sense of light. Meet the artists, hear the stories behind the images, and get your book signed. The exhibition runs through January 18 if you can’t make the opening.
→ See details.

A winter wander built for art lovers and curious browsers alike. Five galleries open their doors for an easy, self-guided loop through contemporary work, studio spaces, and artists you don’t usually meet on a Friday night. Expect everything from nature-inspired fine art at Amy Kaslow to member-led shows at Waverly Street Gallery, plus working studios where you can watch pieces come to life. Complimentary refreshments keep things social and unhurried as you move from stop to stop.
→ Explore the Art Walk.

An illustrated talk and trunk show with Judy Frater, whose thirty years in Kutch, India reshaped how traditional artisans engage with design education and global markets. A Fulbright and Ford Foundation Fellowship alumnus and a former associate curator at The Textile Museum in D.C., Frater founded the region’s first design school for artisans. She’ll share images, stories, and textiles featured in her new book Artisans by Design, offering a rare look at fifty years of artisan-led innovation.
→ Learn more.

An afternoon with Peter Mountford reading from Detonator, his new story collection spanning personal and political upheaval from Sri Lanka to Ecuador to Washington, D.C. Mountford’s work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Paris Review, and The New York Times Magazine, and he brings the same sharp, humane eye to these stories. He’s joined by novelist and cultural reporter Karin Tanabe — author of seven novels exploring history, identity, and media — for conversation and Q&A. Free.
→ RSVP for the reading.

This year’s Winter Show brings together painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, ceramics, and sculpture selected from a record number of Rockville Art League submissions. The exhibition highlights emerging and established local artists across a wide range of styles and subjects. With more than a hundred pieces on view, it’s an easy way to see the scope and quality of local art in one place.
→ Visit the gallery.

We’re running this one again because the buzz since opening has been loud and deserved. The U.S. premiere of Sam Holcroft’s British farce turns a holiday dinner into a brilliantly choreographed unraveling, where every coping mechanism is exposed and every tense moment lands with comedic precision. Smart, fast, and deeply relatable for anyone who has ever navigated a family table in December. From $27.
→ Get tickets.

Good flavor, better company — places worth lingering this week

A simple way to get out with friends or family and feel the season without planning a full holiday outing. The Sidwell Friends Choir brings carols to the rustic dining room, adding just enough sparkle to turn an ordinary dinner into a shared moment. It’s relaxed, close by, and the kind of evening where everyone gets to enjoy themselves — no hosting, no cleanup, just good company wrapped in a little music.
→ Reserve now.

Just in time for the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday. Holiday season, classic comfort without the cleanup. Chef Ben Goodnick’s Hanukkah latkes return with housemade apple sauce and sour cream. It’s an easy way to bring family together around a Hanukkah tradition, minus the frying session and the lingering kitchen aroma that comes with it.
→ Make a reservation.  

A Christmas Eve built for gathering. The newly renovated Mon Ami Gabi brings out its signature bistro classics – Boeuf Bourguignon, Roast Chicken a la Grand-Mère, and a Grand Plateau piled with lobster, shrimp, and oysters – all served in a refreshed space with just the right holiday lift. Hosts actually get to stay seated, cocktails lean winter-warm, and the whole evening lands as a relaxed, celebratory way to mark the night.
→ Book your table.

A holiday meal that lets you stay present. Founding Farmers is rolling out a Christmas Day prix fixe with seasonal mains like lamb chops, herb-crusted prime rib, crab cakes, and a seafood platter. Desserts go classic-holiday with peppermint bark cheesecake, a gingerbread blondie sundae, and Black Forest mousse. A festive table without the kitchen marathon. $55+
→ Reserve for Christmas Day.

Ways to get your body moving and your mind reset.

An upbeat night of social dancing from the group that’s been teaching the region to Lindy Hop and Jitterbug since 1994. Start with an intro lesson, then stay for three hours of classic swing rhythms, friendly partners, and a dance floor that doesn’t quit. No experience or partner needed — just comfortable shoes and a willingness to try that first triple-step. $12.
→ Join the dance

A fresh way to move if you want something beyond your usual routine. Learn knot tying, belay basics, and the safety skills that get you comfortable on the wall, all in a beginner-friendly class built for first-timers. Take this session, try your first class free, or book a quick tour if you want to see the space before committing. $37.
→ Sign up and start climbing.

Creative detours that use your hands, curiosity, or a little courage.

Create a fresh-flower holiday centerpiece with Megan of Flowers Worldwide, who walks you through choosing blooms, building form and balance, and keeping your arrangement vibrant all week. An hour of hands-on design that leaves you with a gift-worthy piece or a showstopper for your own table. Materials included. $65.
→ Register for the workshop.

A low-key hour for readers who love the outdoors: bring a favorite nature or conservation book, grab a hot drink, and join a naturalist and fellow book lovers for a relaxed conversation. Registration required. Free.
→ Sign up for the chat.

Yes, another cozy workshop. No, we’re not sorry. You’ll thank us in January. A hands-on way to slow down before the holidays. Learn the loop-and-pull method to hand-knit a plush throw (no needles required) with guidance, color choices, and plenty of room to get it right. You’ll leave with a blanket you made yourself and a new skill that might just carry you through winter. $80.
→ Save your spot. 

It’s niche, yes — but if this speaks to you, it’ll really speak to you. A weekly gathering for photographers working in historic processes like cyanotype, salted paper, platinum/palladium, and wet plate collodion. Some nights focus on printing; others on conversation and troubleshooting the beautiful chaos of alt-process work. It’s a collaborative space rather than a class, best for those with some experience and their own materials.
→ Join the group.

A weekly chance to put your random knowledge to work in one of the area’s most charming historic pubs. Expect classic trivia rounds, quick-fire questions, and plenty of chances to team up with friends. Come early for dinner or settle in with a drink before the first question drops — it’s a solid midweek outing for anyone who loves a good challenge.
→ Play trivia.

A hands-on introduction to wheel throwing in one of the area’s most welcoming studios. You’ll learn the basics step by step and shape your first cup, bowl, or vase using VisArts’ studio glazes. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a fun creative night out. Most winter sessions are already full — this is the first open class on the calendar, and a great early chance to book a spring creative night.
→ Book your class

Simple pleasures to reset, restore, and lift your week — and yes, Kensington is having a moment. Holiday lights, open studios, and plenty of reasons to wander that way.

More than thirty local vendors fill the Community Green behind the mall with handmade gifts, warm drinks, and the cheerful shuffle of neighbors browsing between booths. It’s the kind of slow, festive wander that makes holiday shopping feel pleasantly human again.
→ Browse the market.

A relaxed, project-friendly gathering for anyone who knits, crochets, or just likes the feel of quiet company while the yarn keeps moving. Bring whatever you’re working on, swap ideas, or come for the low-key rhythm of working alongside fellow makers. Open to adults, older adults, and teens.
→ Bring your project.

A seasonal showcase that fills the Park’s galleries with work from resident artists and invited guests across glass, ceramics, photography, painting, jewelry, ornaments, and more. Explore the Popcorn, Stone Tower, and Park View Galleries with pieces from the Art Glass Center, Glen Echo Pottery, SilverWorks, Photoworks, and other studios. Holiday hours vary, so it’s easy to slip in some inspired gift hunting before the season moves on.
→ Explore the show.

Ways to give back, support local causes, and make the week a little brighter for someone else.

If you’ve been looking for a way to give back that feels personal and genuinely needed, The Village at Rockville offers on-site opportunities that build real connection. Volunteers help residents get to activities, join them for art or music, share a skill, or simply spend time with someone who would value the company. It’s flexible, close by, and a meaningful way to use your time or talents. Whether you prefer structured activities or quieter moments, there are several ways to get involved.
→ Get involved.