The Good Week | September 3, 2026

The more I look, the more I realize how much art is happening close to home, and how many ways there are to take part. You can see it or make it yourself, from classes and exhibitions at Glen Echo Park to workshops at Clay CoOp and drop-in projects at Hammer & Stain in Rockville Town Center.

This weekend, Kensington brings a little of everything together, with original art to browse, artists painting throughout town and demonstrations that might inspire you to try something yourself. And if you’ve been meaning to visit Glenstone, reservations for September and October opened this week.

I’m also working on our next guide, focused on ways to explore your creative side around Potomac, Bethesda and nearby. Until then, explore our growing collection of local guides.

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend, whether you spend it exploring art, getting outside or simply doing something for yourself.

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

Downtown Bethesda becomes one walkable gallery hop for the evening. Start wherever you like and move among Gallery B, Studio B, Triangle Art Studios, Waverly Street Gallery and Amy Kaslow Gallery, meeting artists and enjoying complimentary refreshments along the way.

September brings several notable openings. Gallery B presents eight finalists for the annual Trawick Prize, selected from more than 370 regional artists. At Triangle Art Studios, Eleanor Tanno’s Veiled Worlds explores the comfort and mystery of interior spaces, while Waverly Street Gallery fills with Sarah Spector’s vivid abstract landscapes in Transcendent Terrains. Free; no registration required.
👉 See the participating galleries and plan your Art Walk

Set amid the political upheaval of 1660 England, Arthur Sullivan’s rarely performed Haddon Hall follows Dorothy Vernon as she risks her place in a world governed by social expectations, divided loyalties and the performance of power.

Victorian Lyric Opera Company presents the work as a semi-staged concert production, bringing Sullivan’s spirited score to a story that blends romance, history, wit and political theater. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. From $26; regular tickets $30.
👉 Get tickets for Haddon Hall

At this interactive exhibition, the chairs are both artwork and invitation. Nine artists have transformed them into visual stories, each offering a starting point for visitors to sit down, consider the artist’s perspective and add their own interpretation to the conversation.

The opening reception offers a chance to meet the artists and explore the work over light refreshments. Free.
👉 Learn more about Pull Up a Chair: Tell Me a Story

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

Rockville Town Square is transforming into an anime-inspired open-air festival with more than 20 food vendors serving street eats, snacks and desserts. The day also brings artist and merchandise vendors, anime-themed décor and a main stage filled with dance performances and DJ sets.

Cosplay is encouraged but entirely optional, and a beer garden adds something for the grown-ups. Free; RSVP for a chance to win a gift card.
👉 Explore Tomodachi Food Fest

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

Paint the Town extends beyond the Armory with a plein air competition open to artists of all experience levels. Participants create a painting or drawing outdoors, choosing any view in Kensington or working from costumed models stationed Saturday morning at Flynn Park and Antique Row.

Artwork must be checked in before painting begins and submitted by 3 pm Saturday for judging and possible sale during the weekend exhibition. Free for Montgomery Art Association members; $10 for nonmembers.
👉 Register for the Paint the Town plein air competition

Over two evenings, beginning woodcarvers will learn how to handle a carving knife safely and practice the stop, push and pull cuts that form the foundation of whittling. Instructor Michael Higgs will also introduce more advanced cuts and cover how to care for and maintain a carving knife. Designed for beginners. $185.
👉 Register for Whittling and Introduction to Wood Carving

Montgomery Art Association’s figure drawing sessions give artists three focused hours to work from a live model through a mix of short and long poses. Choose the morning or afternoon session, bring your preferred dry drawing materials and paper, and settle in at one of the provided easels.

These are independent practice sessions rather than classes. $15 for members; $25 for nonmembers, per session.
👉 Register for a figure drawing session

Polymer clay turns an often-overlooked household detail into a small piece of art in this adult workshop. Instructor Bianca Sindoni will guide participants in creating whimsical switch and outlet covers, which will be oven-cured and ready to install at home.

All supplies and snacks are included, with drinks available for purchase. $65.
👉 Register for the polymer clay workshop

If a home honeybee hive has ever crossed your mind, fall is the time to begin planning for next spring. Croydon Creek’s beekeeper will explain the equipment you’ll need, how to choose and prepare an apiary site, and what to expect during your first two seasons with bees.

This introductory session includes time for questions, along with resources to help you decide whether backyard beekeeping is for you. $15.
👉 Learn how to get started with beekeeping

“Yes, Amazon, This House Again” or “We’re Probably Pretending Not to Be Home”? Choose from four playful designs, then learn how to apply and paint a vinyl stencil onto a natural coir doormat. Choose a rectangular or half-round mat, with the stencil, paints, tools and other supplies included. No previous experience is needed. $68.
👉 Choose your design and register

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

Potomac Paddlesports leads a four-hour journey through a serene stretch of the river using calm water, stable kayaks and instruction designed for first-time or inexperienced paddlers. Guides teach proper paddling technique while sharing the natural and human history of the Potomac and C&O Canal.

Bring binoculars for possible sightings of bald eagles, herons, kingfishers, white-tailed deer and painted turtles. Kayak, paddle and personal flotation device are included. $125.
👉 Book a beginner kayak tour on the Potomac

Old Farm Pool is keeping its lanes open beyond Labor Day with two ways to stay in the water. The FINS Masters program offers coached early-morning practices four times a week for intermediate and advanced lap swimmers, with workouts designed around different abilities and goals.

For a more flexible routine, open lap swimming and water walking are available throughout the week under lifeguard supervision, including morning, midday, evening and Saturday hours. No pool membership is required. Open Lap Swimming: $200. Masters Program: $424.
👉 See the schedules and register for fall swimming

The idea is simple: slow down enough to truly notice the natural world around you. Certified forest therapy guide Adria S. Zeldin leads this two-hour experience inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, using gentle, sensory invitations to deepen your connection with the forest.

This is a slow-moving experience rather than a traditional hike, although the moderate trail includes uneven natural surfaces, changing slopes and some stairs. $10; registration required.👉 Reserve a place for fall forest bathing

Earlier picks still ahead — and still worth catching.

🪴 Macramé Workshop at Good Earth Garden Market — Fri, Sept. 4, 5 pm — Make a hanging plant holder using a terra-cotta pot, mason jar or your own small pot.

🏺 Capital Clay Co. Grand Opening — Sat, Sept. 5, 3–7 pm — Tour the new ceramics studio, watch live demonstrations and meet the instructors.

📜 The Story of the Edmonson Farm — Thu, Sept. 10, 6–7 pm — Discover the remarkable history of the Black-owned farm that once stood where Leisure World is today.

🧘 YogaSix Potomac’s First Birthday Bash — Sat, Sept. 19, 10–11 am — Celebrate with free yoga on the lawn, local vendors, a DJ, retail specials and cake.

🎨 Small Press Expo — Sat–Sun, Sept. 12–13 — Meet 450 independent cartoonists, browse original work and explore programs and creative workshops in North Bethesda.

🏮 Mooncake Candle and Light-Up Paper Lantern Workshops — Sat, Sept. 12, 1–5 pm — Make a mooncake-shaped candle, an illuminated paper lantern or both during a Mid-Autumn “crafter-noon.”

🎶 Circlesinging with VoiceExchange — Sun, Sept. 13, 3–5 pm — Join a welcoming, improvisational singing circle where no sheet music or previous experience is needed.

🔥 Enamel Tiles Workshop at the Art Glass Center — Wed, Sept. 16, 6:30–9 pm — Experiment with colorful glass enamels and create a fused tile to take home.

🎤 Westbard Voices — Thu, Sept. 17, 6–8 pm — Watch local performers share music, poetry, comedy, storytelling, dance and more at Westbard Square.

🎻 Taylor Swift: The Symphony Era at Strathmore — Fri, Sept. 18, 8 pm — Hear Steve Hackman and the BSO reimagine Taylor Swift’s catalog with full orchestral arrangements.

😂 Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood at Strathmore — Sun, Oct. 4, 4 pm — The stars of Whose Line Is It Anyway? bring their completely improvised comedy show to North Bethesda.

📷 Photoworks: Timeless ’26 — Through Sun, Oct. 4 — See contemporary photographs created by hand using cyanotype, wet plate collodion and other historic processes.

💛 Main Street Volunteer Crew — Ongoing — Volunteer alongside Main Street members at social events, creative programs and community gatherings in Rockville.

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