The Good Week | November 5, 2026

I was so excited to be invited to Strathmore’s Fresh AIR debut concert earlier this week, introducing the 2027 class of Artists in Residence.

Six remarkable local musicians took the stage, each bringing a completely different sound and set of influences, from Appalachian traditions and sacred music to dream grunge and more. What made the night especially memorable was hearing those distinct musical worlds come together and watching the artists discover what they could create with one another in real time.

It was the kind of evening that reminded me how much creative talent is right here in our community, and how special it is to get in early and support artists as they grow.

I’ll be sharing more from the night soon. Follow The Good Week on Instagram and Facebook for a closer look at the artists and the experience.

✨ THIS ISSUE’S TOP PICK

✉️ Know someone who loves trying new things around Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, and nearby? Forward them The Good Week.

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

Montgomery County Woodturners will be demonstrating their craft live at Artists & Makers Studios, giving visitors a chance to see how wood is shaped into finished pieces.

The demo is part of A Forest Meadow, an exhibition pairing the Woodturners with Friendship Star Quilters. Both groups are exploring woodland meadows from different angles: quilters focus on the flowers and plant life that emerge when a tree falls, while woodturners transform the wood itself. The exhibition runs November 4–24, with a First Friday opening reception November 6 from 5–8 pm. Free.
👉 See details for A Forest Meadow

The Washington Balalaika Society brings 55 musicians to Rockville for one night, performing on traditional folk instruments rarely heard in an orchestra this size. The program ranges from Fiddler on the Roof and “Speak Softly, Love” from The Godfather to selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.

The community orchestra has performed music from Ukraine, Russia, and beyond for nearly 40 years. The organization also supports humanitarian aid for displaced Ukrainian refugees, adding another layer to a concert rooted in the region’s musical traditions. $35 general admission; discounts available for seniors, military, and students.
👉 Get tickets for Winter is Coming!

Food experiences, tastings, and classes that make the week revolve around something delicious.

Chef Paula is teaching a hands-on class built around one of the kitchen’s most useful workhorses: cast iron. You’ll move from stovetop to oven while making white-wine braised chicken with mushrooms, crispy potato cake with truffle salt, grilled pear and pomegranate salad, and chocolate pecan brownies.

Paula trained at L’Academie de Cuisine and spent a decade cooking in The Washington Post’s executive dining room before turning to teaching. No prior cooking experience is needed, and all ingredients and equipment are provided. $89 includes the two-hour class and four-course meal.
👉 Book the Crowd-Pleasing Cast Iron Feast on Cozymeal

Spend two hours learning how to make chocolate truffles from scratch with master chocolatier Crisoire Reid. You’ll make ganache, roll and shape your own truffles, and practice different dipping techniques, with plenty of chocolate knowledge along the way.

The class also digs into where chocolate comes from, beginning with a short look at SPAGnVOLA’s farm-to-retail process and a discussion of cacao varieties and genetics. Beginners are welcome. $75.
👉 Reserve a spot

Hands-on classes and social activities where you can learn something new or step a little outside your comfort zone.

Here’s an unusual pairing for a Wednesday night: candle-making and fried chicken at Bonchon. You’ll build a 10-ounce candle from scratch, choosing your wax, essential-oil blend, and botanical toppings to create your own fall scent and design.

Instructions are offered around 5 and 6 pm, and you can hang out at the restaurant while your candle cures. $49.87.
👉 Reserve a spot

District DabbleLab’s Plot Twisted pairs book discussion with a hands-on project inspired by the month’s read. November’s pick is Sally Hepworth’s Mad Mabel, a darkly funny mystery about an 81-year-old woman whose long-buried past as a convicted murderer suddenly comes back into view.

Bring your favorite drink, settle in for conversation and nibbles, and make a one-of-a-kind craft to take home. $55.
👉 Reserve a spot for Plot Twisted

Whether you already play or have been curious about all the mahjong buzz, this casual Monday-night gathering is designed for both. Come for mahjong, good company, and happy hour specials from King Street Oyster Bar.

Experienced players can bring their own card and join the open play for $17.85. Beginners can sign up for the $49.87 option, making this an easy way to finally learn the game rather than just watch everyone else play it.
👉 Reserve a spot

And in Kensington, BabyCat is turning Friendsgiving into a mahjong night, with separate tables for people who want to learn and those who already know how to play.

New to the game? The two-hour Mahjong 101 class covers the rules, flow of play, and basic strategy, with all materials provided. Already play? Sign up for the Social Play option and settle in for a more casual night of tiles and conversation. Come with friends or solo. $100 for Mahjong 101; $35 for social play.
👉 Reserve a spot for Friendsgiving Mahjong

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

The outdoor rink at Rockville Town Square is open for another winter, with two-hour skating sessions available throughout the week and later hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Online reservations are recommended since sessions can sell out, and booking ahead is slightly cheaper than walking up.

Skating starts at $12 for adults with skate rentals available separately, and reservations include two hours of validated parking.
👉 Reserve a skating session

Locust Grove Nature Center is pairing a beginner birding walk with freshly brewed tea for an easy Friday-morning outing. You’ll learn basic birding techniques while looking for the species that spend the winter in Maryland, with staff on hand to help identify what you see.

Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from the nature center, and feel free to bring your favorite breakfast drink if tea isn’t your thing. Ages 18+. Free. Inclement weather cancels.
👉 See details for Morning Tweets and Tea

Be Yourself Dance Fitness mixes hip-hop, Latin, African, Bollywood, and other world-dance styles into a weekly class that’s part workout, part dance party. The session also incorporates sound healing and chakra-focused movement for anyone curious about the mind-body side of the experience.

No dance background is required. Bring water, come ready to move, and expect a welcoming, high-energy class built around fitness, rhythm, and self-expression. Free; donations accepted.👉 See details for Be Yourself Dance Fitness

PATC is leading a moderate 5.5-mile hike through Blockhouse Point Conservation Park, with mature forest, streams, river-rock outcrops, and overlooks above the Potomac. The route also passes through an area used by Union troops during the Civil War to protect Potomac River crossings and the C&O Canal.

Expect about 528 feet of elevation gain, one steep downhill, and a significant stream crossing, so sturdy footwear is a must. There are no restrooms on the route, and space is limited to registered hikers. Free.
👉 RSVP for the Blockhouse Point hike

Earlier picks still ahead — and still worth catching.

📚 Book Lovers Craft Night at Locally Crafted Workshop — Thu, Nov. 5, 6:30–8:30 pm — Swap books, make collage bookmarks, color, and chat with fellow book lovers at Rio.

🚵‍♀️ Women's Mountain Bike Ride at Cabin John Trails — Thursdays, 6–8 pm — Join a beginner-friendly, 4–5-mile group ride on Potomac's wooded trails. Registration required.

🍫 Maryland Chocolate & Coffee Festival — Sat–Sun, Nov. 7–8 — Sample sweet treats, explore 200+ vendors, and watch demonstrations in Boyds.

🍹 Craft Syrup Workshop at Ceremony Coffee — Sat, Nov. 7, 5:30–6:30 pm — Make flavored syrups for coffee, cocktails, and holiday drinks in Bethesda.

🥂 Pre-Holiday Sip & Shop at Metro Vintage Market & Gallery — Thu, Nov. 12, 7–9 pm — Browse eight women-owned vintage galleries with drinks and light bites in Kensington.

🎁 A Winter Salon at Emma's Art Studio — Opening reception Fri, Nov. 13, 5–8 pm — Meet local artist-teachers and shop their original artwork in Bethesda. Exhibition continues through Jan. 8.

🎭 Cult of Love at Round House Theatre — Nov. 18–Dec. 27 — Four siblings reunite for Christmas Eve in a funny, music-filled family drama in Bethesda.

🥂 Laurent-Perrier Champagne Master Class at Knowles Station — Thu, Nov. 19, 6–8 pm — Taste five Champagnes paired with a chef's tasting menu in Kensington.

🍸 Holiday Cocktail Class at Summer House — Thu, Nov. 19, 6–8:30 pm — Learn to mix four seasonal cocktails and enjoy festive bites in North Bethesda.

📚 Mystery Book Club at Connie Morella Library — Tue, Nov. 24, 6:30–7:30 pm — Discuss Liz Moore's The God of the Woods with fellow mystery lovers in Bethesda.

🪲 Beetlemania! at Amy Kaslow Gallery — Through Nov. 8 — Explore Joan Danziger's colorful beetle-inspired sculptures 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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