The Good Week | May 14, 2026

This week's unofficial theme is simple: go on, get outside. The calendar is full of reasons — festivals, horse races, guided hikes, outdoor concerts, open‑air yoga. There's also plenty of creativity woven in, from hands‑on workshops to dance classes to a sneakers‑painting session that might be the most fun you have with a pair of shoes all year.

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Art, music, performances, and a few reasons to spend the evening out.

The Intersections Series pairs artists whose work meets at a point of contrast. Martins rebuilds lost family history by painting over found photographs, creating images that feel like memories resurfacing. Luu, a U.S. Air Force veteran, uses concrete and resin from his military service to shape sculptures about trauma and recovery. Their work sits side by side, inviting visitors to move between two very different ways of making meaning.
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This week’s outdoor concert in Woodmont Triangle features Jill Fulton’s big, soulful country-blues sound, moving easily from sassy, high-energy originals to warm Southern-leaning ballads. Backed by a band that’s been a regional favorite for more than a decade, the performance feels more like a neighborhood Friday night tradition than a formal concert. The series runs every Friday evening through September.
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Kasha Patel brings her DC Science Comedy show to the Arts Barn, blending sharp stand‑up with stories pulled from her background as a former NASA scientist and science journalist. Her work has appeared on NPR, BBC World, the Science Channel, and TEDx, and she was named one of Thrillist’s “50 Best Undiscovered Comedians.” Expect smart jokes, interactive bits, and a night that leans into curiosity in the best way. $25.
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This week features Ardmore, a group that blends traditional Celtic melodies with folk, bluegrass, and a bit of rock. It’s an easy, bright Saturday morning listen, especially with the farmers market just steps away. If you want to stretch the outing, wander through the nearby independent shops and grab lunch at Frankly…Pizza! before heading home. The series runs every Saturday through early October. Free.
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The fourth year of Flores Flamencas brings a full day of flamenco performances to Cabin John Park, with dancers and musicians from across the region. Spanish dishes like paella, patatas bravas, and jamón y queso ibéricos will be available for purchase, and advance food tickets help avoid lines. Free to attend.
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The monthly St. Elmo Comedy Bunker showcase returns with headliner Rahmein Mostafavi, a DC Improv regular known for sharp satirical takes and two decades of stage work, including a long run with the Kennedy Center’s Shear Madness. He’s shared stages with national names from Dave Attell to Bert Kreischer and has been featured on FOX, PBS, SiriusXM, and TEDx. Hosted by Pete Bergen, a veteran comic with appearances on Investigation Discovery and FOX 5 DC. $17+
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The Gaithersburg Book Festival brings an impressive lineup of award‑winning journalists, historians, novelists, and memoirists to Bohrer Park for a full day of conversations across fiction, nonfiction, history, and memoir. This year’s featured authors include George Packer (National Book Award winner), Carol Leonnig (Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter), Rabih Alameddine (National Book Award finalist), Reyna Grande (bestselling memoirist), Sujata Massey (Edgar Award–winning mystery writer), Keith O’Brien (New York Times bestselling narrative nonfiction), and Peter Cozzens (acclaimed historian). Panels span mystery, historical fiction, true crime, and contemporary memoir.

Free workshops run throughout the day and cover submissions, character development, descriptive writing, and crafting a nonfiction book proposal. Admission is free.
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A full day of steeplechase racing in Montgomery County’s horse country. Gates open at 10, the National Anthem is at 12:30, and the first race goes off at 1:00. The card runs through the afternoon with flat, hurdle, and timber races, including the Open Timber and Novice Timber — some of the most dramatic to watch. There’s a paddock area to see horses before they head to the course, food vendors on site, and plenty of space along the rail to set up and follow the races as they unfold.
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June tickets open May 15 at 10 a.m.

Glenstone’s Summer Music Series returns with outdoor Saturday performances shaped in collaboration with composer Alistair Coleman. The program draws from the ideas explored in Ties of our common kindred, Glenstone’s exhibition marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and brings together artists working across jazz, folk, classical, and global traditions. Tickets are free and include admission to Glenstone.
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Food experiences, tastings, and classes that make the week revolve around something delicious.

Whelan’s is hosting its first wine festival, with 25–30 summer whites and rosés poured across two tasting stations. The afternoon includes pass‑around hors d’oeuvres and plenty of time to sit, sample, and compare notes with friends. Attendance is capped at 50, which keeps the pace relaxed and ensures everyone has a seat. $20
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Hands-on classes and social activities where you can learn something new or step a little outside your comfort zone.

Unity Dance & Movement’s Spring 2 session begins May 11 with adult classes in ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, and modern dance. Drop-ins are welcome throughout the session, so you can try a class without committing to the full eight weeks. Whether you danced years ago or are starting fresh, the studio offers a supportive and friendly environment that makes it easy to get moving again.
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Mahjong Night is an easy way to start the week, with a mix of regular players and people who are still learning the game. You can bring your own card and jump right in, or pick up the basics at a slower table. Light bites come with the ticket, and the bar runs $6 wine and cocktails throughout the evening. Check‑in runs from 6 to 6:30 pm, giving everyone a chance to settle in before open play begins. The night ends with a small raffle for anyone still around. From $44.52.
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Bethesda Row is hosting a spring Soirée on the Lane with a lineup of small, hands‑on workshop. Each session includes materials to take home, and the mix ranges from floral design to fragrance blending to zero‑proof cocktails. It’s a rare chance to step behind the counter with some of Bethesda Row’s standout shops and try the kind of hands‑on work they’re known for.

11 am — Raku: The Art of Ikebana
Create a simple, balanced Japanese floral arrangement. Includes vessel and fresh flowers.

12 pm — Reformation: Design Your Signature Fragrance
Blend from more than 100 fragrance notes and leave with a custom 15ml perfume.

1 pm — HAWKERS: Zero‑Proof Mixology
Learn to build balanced, alcohol‑free cocktails. Includes shaker, jigger, and ingredients.

2 pm — Georgetown Cupcake: Master the Swirl
Practice piping techniques and decorate six cupcakes to take home.

2 pm — Luke’s Lobster: Lobster Roll Class
Dress fresh lobster meat and assemble a classic roll. Includes roll, drink, and chips. $30.

👉 Learn more [Visit Montgomery]

Move your body, get outside, and stay active this week.

This guided hike traces the path of 19th‑century freedom seekers through the woods and fields surrounding Woodlawn Manor. Interpreters walk you through the techniques used for navigation, concealment, and survival, with context drawn from local history and the landscape itself. The route covers two miles on a natural-surface trail and includes admission to the Woodlawn Museum. $8+
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Bethesda Row’s outdoor BE Well series continues with a high-intensity HIIT class led by Burns in partnership with Equinox. Check-in begins at 9 am, with mats available first come, first served. Tickets include a same-day Equinox pass, plus early-arrival perks from nearby Bethesda Row favorites, including Dolcezza and J.McLaughlin. If weather cancels the class, attendees can redeem their pass directly at Equinox.
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Part yoga class, part serotonin boost. Puppy Yoga Club pairs a beginner-friendly yoga flow with plenty of time to cuddle, play with, and photograph puppies from local breeder and rescue partners. The sessions are designed for all experience levels, with the focus more on relaxation and fun than perfect poses. During class, the puppies may wander through the room, curl up nearby, or suddenly decide your yoga mat is theirs now. $64.
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Rockville’s summer recreation guide is packed with ways to get out of the house and try something new this season. You’ll find Pilates, yoga, circuit training, evening tennis and pickleball classes, partner dancing, beginner salsa, aquatics, and more, with options ranging from low-key to legitimately ambitious. Most classes take place at local parks and community centers, and you don’t need to be a Rockville resident to sign up.
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Earlier picks still ahead — and still worth catching.

🧲 Polymer Clay Magnet Workshop — May 16 — polymer clay workshop at Emma’s Art Studio, Bethesda

🏺 Sip & Sculpt Pottery Workshop at 7 Locks Brewing — May 17, 12:30–2:30 pm — pottery workshop at 7 Locks Brewing, Rockville

🏃‍♂️ Metro Move Fest — May 17, 11 am–3 pm — community movement festival at BCC High School, Bethesda

🎶 Jason Mraz: Still Yours Tour — May 26, 7:30 pm — acoustic concert at Strathmore

🧵 Kawandi Stitching Workshop — May 30, 1–4 pm — fiber arts workshop at Artists & Makers Studios, Rockville

🀄 Mahj in Bloom: Spring Tea & Open Play — May 30, 1:30–4:30 pm — mahjong social at The Retreat, Gaithersburg

🧗‍♀️ Women’s Climbing Circle (Rappel Skills) — May 31 — women’s climbing and rappel skills session at Carderock, MD

If you stop by any of this week’s spots, let them know you heard about it in The Good Week.

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