The Good Week | May 28, 2026

With the rain finally easing up, we’re guessing your cabin fever is about as bad as ours. The good news is this week is full of creative ways to get outside, get moving, and see your neighborhood a little differently. Sure, a yoga class can always hit the spot, but what about axe throwing, aerial yoga, or beginner archery — all nearby? And if you’re more in the mood to wander than work out, don’t miss the French Flea Market or SW7’s charm bar, where you can create your own bracelet. Plus, so much more. Read on for all the details.

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

An early summer evening of live jazz, local wine, and food trucks returns to the grounds of Josiah Henson Museum & Park this June. The internationally acclaimed Eric Byrd Trio will perform a mix of swing, bebop, gospel, and blues while guests spread out on blankets and lawn chairs across the historic property. Attendees can also explore the museum grounds and visit with local cultural and community organizations throughout the evening. Free to attend; food and drinks available for purchase.
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The Montgomery Playhouse brings a supernatural twist to Sherlock Holmes lore with The Reluctant Resurrection of Sherlock Holmes at the Arts Barn. Set two years after Arthur Conan Doyle famously killed off Holmes in his stories, the play follows Doyle to a grand country estate where reports of a haunting quickly spiral into something stranger. Part mystery, part ghost story, and part literary what-if, the production blends Victorian intrigue with sharp humor and atmospheric suspense. $23 adults
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Patton Oswalt’s newest stand-up hour is about getting older, being “way less wise,” and trying to process modern life while everything feels vaguely apocalyptic. The Grammy- and Emmy-winning comedian is known for blending sharp cultural observations with deeply human stories, whether from his stand-up specials, his role on The King of Queens, appearances on Veep and Parks and Recreation, or as the voice of Remy in Ratatouille. Orchestra seats are nearly sold out, but other seats remain. $28+
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Food experiences, tastings, and classes that make the week revolve around something delicious.

There are few things that signal the start of summer around here more convincingly than standing outside with oysters, live music, and a drink in hand sharing your strong opinions about brininess. Chevy Chase Lake’s Oysterfest returns with unlimited oysters from eight local restaurants, including Elena James, Nina May, Frankly Pizza, Clyde’s of Chevy Chase, and Opal.

Tickets are sold by two-hour session and there’s an optional bottomless drink add-on if you’d like to fully commit to the afternoon. NBC4’s Tommy McFly will emcee, live bands will play throughout the day, and part of the proceeds support Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration efforts. $99 admission; $50 bottomless drink add-on.
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Hands-on classes and social activities where you can learn something new or step a little outside your comfort zone.

The historic Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park hosts an evening of beginner-friendly contra dancing with live music by The Boneshakers and calling by Kappy Laning. Contra dancing is a lively folk dance where people move through a series of simple group dances in long lines, guided by a live caller and accompanied by live music rooted in American and Irish folk traditions. It is social, surprisingly energetic, and a genuinely fun way to spend an evening. No experience or partner required. $5+
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Mahjong continues its quiet takeover of local social life with this three-week beginner series at Colony Grill in Potomac. Hosted by Talk Tiles To Me, the lunchtime program starts with Mahjong 101 before moving into guided play, strategy, and eventually open play with the same group.

The series includes all materials, a 2026 National Mah Jongg League card, and a pocket guide, making it an approachable way to finally learn the game everyone suddenly seems to be playing. $200 for the full three-week series.
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Acrylic paint, pressed flowers, resin pours, and wine glasses all come together at this creative workshop at Hammer & Stain. Participants will design a floral resin cutting board and hand-paint a wine glass set with guidance from instructors throughout the evening. The finished pieces feel more elevated than typical craft-night projects, and the workshop itself offers an easy, low-pressure way to spend a Friday night doing something tactile and a little different. $65
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The Hall of Mirrors at Glen Echo Park hosts Country Western line dancing classes led by instructor Janee Murray of DC Rawhides, whose background spans musical theater, Latin dance, Country Western, and line dancing. Murray has spent the last five years focused specifically on line dancing and is known for creating a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment that encourages dancers of all experience levels to join in. The classes focus on movement, rhythm, and fun, while also offering a surprisingly good workout. $13+
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Film photography teaches you to think before you shoot. With a finite number of frames and no instant preview, every decision — light, composition, timing — becomes deliberate. Then you take it further: developing your own negatives, printing your own images in the darkroom, and walking away with something you made entirely by hand. A real print, from a real negative, that you produced start to finish. $400.
👉 Register for the course.

If last week’s theater auditions at Rockville Littler Theatre sparked your interest, here’s another opportunity to get involved in the area’s surprisingly active local theater scene. Best Medicine Rep, the nonprofit theater company focused on new comedy, is holding auditions for its upcoming season with paid roles across multiple productions in Bethesda, Kensington, and Gaithersburg.

Whether you have years of experience or just miss being part of something creative and collaborative, actors are asked to email a headshot, resume, preferred audition time, and desired roles in advance. The company will respond with audition sides, a full script, and a confirmed or adjusted audition time. Break a leg!
👉 Sign up

This relaxed open studio session at Emma’s Art Studio gives guests time and space to paint, experiment with collage and watercolor, or work on personal projects using a curated selection of materials. The format is intentionally unstructured, with optional guidance available throughout the evening. Think creative reset, not formal art class. $60.
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Move your body, get outside, and stay active this week.

Archery has quietly re-entered popular culture somewhere between fantasy fandom, survivalist aesthetics, and people looking for hobbies that don’t involve staring at another screen. This beginner-friendly indoor class teaches the fundamentals of target shooting with recurve bows in a small-group setting with instructor guidance throughout the session. No experience necessary. $33 per class.
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If traditional yoga has started to feel a little too predictable, aerial yoga adds suspension, inversions, and a more playful, strength-focused element into the mix. This beginner workshop introduces students to using an aerial hammock for stretching, balance, and bodyweight movement while covering foundational skills like hammock positioning, wrist wraps, inversions, and safety practices. The small-group format is designed specifically for first-timers and serves as the prerequisite for Flying Buddha Studio’s ongoing aerial yoga classes. $55+
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Adventure Axes at Adventure Park at Sandy Spring turns axe throwing into a more social, game-driven experience with projected digital targets, automatic scoring, and games like tic-tac-toe and Connect Four layered into the competition. The beginner-friendly setup includes a short orientation before throwing begins, and lanes accommodate up to six people, making this an easy option for birthdays, double dates, or group outings. Evening sessions add blacklights, glowing axes, and illuminated targets. $59 per lane, per hour.
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If your summer could use more spontaneous plans and fewer “we should get together soon” texts, this might help. Pinstripes is offering a Summer Pass with two hours of bowling every single day all summer long, shoes included. Think easy Friday nights, rainy Sunday plans, spontaneous weekday outings, and low-effort ways to actually see people this summer. Reservations are encouraged. $60 for all summer bowling.
👉 Learn more about the Summer Pass.

Bethesda Running Club hosts a free weekly 5K run/walk through Bethesda and Chevy Chase, followed by discounted smoothies at Pure Green. The route is designed for all paces, whether you are training seriously or simply looking for a consistent way to get moving before the workday begins. The group meets at Nesfield Performance and welcomes both runners and walkers. Free.
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Earlier picks still ahead — and still worth catching.

🎶 Glenstone Summer Music Series — June 6, 5:30–7:30 pm — outdoor concert series at Glenstone, Potomac

🏡 Town of Kensington Tour — June 7, 10 am–5 pm — self-guided historic home and garden tour in Kensington

🍺 7 Locks Brewing: Summer Kickoff — June 13, 3–8 pm — beer releases, vendors, BBQ, and raffles at 7 Locks Brewing, N. Bethesda

🀄 Mahj Over Matter: June Mahj Boot Camp — June 14, 10:30 am–3:30 pm — beginner-friendly mahjong workshops in Chevy Chase

📚 Summer Book Club at the Bender JCC — June 19 & July 17, 11 am–12 pm — literary discussion series at the Bender JCC, Rockville

🏓 Obsessed Pickleballers Intermediate Camp — June 20, 12–4 pm — intermediate pickleball training camp at Dill Dinkers, Rockville

🎭 Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre — Select dates June 20–Aug. 2 — dinner theatre season featuring Into the Woods and Anything Goes in Rockville

🎭 The Game’s Afoot Open Auditions — June 22–23, 7–10 pm — community theater auditions at Rockville Little Theatre

🔥 Embers & Elixirs Summer Cocktail Class — July 17, 6:30–9 pm — cocktail-making class with BBQ-inspired bites at Summer House, N. Bethesda

🏃‍♀️ Train With Montgomery County Road Runners Club — Various dates — summer running and training programs across Montgomery County

🎶 Volunteer with Music, Fitness & Community Programs Through PCR — Various dates — volunteer opportunities supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Potomac

🧶 Beginner Knitting Lessons at KnitLove Bethesda — By appointment — beginner knitting lessons in Bethesda

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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