Ongoing

Mommy & Me (& Daddy, Too). Third Tuesday each month. 10 a.m. to noon. At Rockville Town Square. Meet for a morning out with active learning and creative play at all your favorite stores — lunch specials, story time, arts & crafts, sing-a-longs, prizes and more. Visit http://rockvilletownsquare.com/events/mommy-and-me. Nov. 20 and Dec. 18: located in The Library, First Floor.

The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park has announced its 2012-2013 season. There are favorite fairytale princesses, an annual holiday tradition, and a special guest artist with a bilingual twist. 301-634-5380 or www.thepuppetco.org.

Beauty and the Beast, through Nov. 16, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Nutcracker, Nov. 23 – Dec. 30, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Toyland, Jan. 18 – Feb. 10, 2013, Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Alice in Wonderland, Feb. 14 – March 10, 2013, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Jack and the Beanstalk, March. 14 – Apr. 21, 2013, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Cinderella, Apr. 25 – June 9, 2013, Thursdays and Fridays at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Art Exhibition. The Art Glass Center Gallery's ongoing exhibitions feature the work of resident artists Diane Cabe, Christine Hekimian, Sue Hill, Michele Rubin, Sherry Selevan, Bev and Zayde Sleph and Janet Wittenberg. Sculpture, vessels, functional art, and jewelry are also for sale. Classes are taught year-round for beginner, intermediate and advanced students. The hours are Fridays, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays, noon-4 p.m. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2273 or visit www.artglasscenteratglenecho.org.

Glassworks. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Glassworks is the D.C. area's first glass school. Classes are taught year-round for both new and advanced students. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2280 or visit www.innervisionglassworks.com.

Photoworks. Photoworks is a resource for both student and professional photographers to develop their talents through classes, workshops, and exhibitions. The Photoworks gallery is open Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. and Sundays, 1-8 p.m., and during all scheduled classes and workshops. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2274 or visit www.glenechophotoworks.org.

Yellow Barn Studio & Gallery. Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 p.m. The Yellow Barn Studio & Gallery presents free exhibitions of emerging artists' work. Each weekend features the work of a different artist. Most artwork are for sale. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-371-5593 or visit

www.yellowbarnstudio.com.

Science & Nature. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Weekend Nature Programs at Living Classrooms Children’s Museum Living Classrooms Children’s Museum at Glen Echo Park presents engaging science and nature activities for the whole family. Encounter live animals, take an interpretive hike, and explore the indoor anthill and tree slide, and much more. Free for members/children under 2; $5 for non-members. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 202-488-0627, ext. 242 or visit livingclassroomsdc.org/Site-BasedPrograms.html.

SilverWorks Studio & Gallery. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. SilverWorks Studio & Gallery is a working silversmith studio and includes an ongoing exhibition, as well as sales, of the work of artist-in-residence Blair Anderson. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2228 or visit www.silverworksglenechopark.org.

Friday/Nov. 23

Classic Albums Live. 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Tickets $28-$38. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon will be recreated by top musicians live onstage. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Nov. 23 through Jan. 6, 2013

Holiday Art Show and Sale. Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Browse and buy fine artworks at Glen Echo Park’s annual Holiday Art Show and Sale, presented by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. The exhibition will feature works by resident artists, instructors and invited artists and will include glass, ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, crafts and more. In Glen Echo’s Popcorn Gallery at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2222 or visit glenechopark.org.

Nov. 23 through December

Santa Claus. Mazza Gallerie announces the arrival of Santa Claus on Friday, Nov. 23 at noon. Santa will be at Mazza Gallerie for visits and photos, along with his assistants, every weekend before Christmas from noon until 5 p.m., and for extended hours on Dec. 22, 23, and 24. Children and their families can pose with Santa for a variety of print and digital portrait packages available from a professional photographer, starting at $20. At 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Visit www.mazzagallerie.com/

The hours are:

noon-5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, 24, 25, Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16.

11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Dec. 22, 23

9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 24.

Saturday/Nov. 24

Tag Dogs. 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Tickets $25-$52. Set on a construction site in a steelworks town, this high-energy, movement-driven theatrical work sends its performers tapping upside down, through water and jumping through scaffolding in a thrillingly fast-paced spectacle that's part theater, part rock concert. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Nov. 24, 25, Dec. 1, 2, & 27

Free Victorian Holiday Greeting Card Workshops. 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. The public is invited to sign up for free workshops on making Victorian-era holiday greeting cards. Participants will dress in period clothing and be photographed. Photos will be used to make holiday cards. The workshops are open to all ages. The house will be open with free guided tours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. At Clara Barton National Historic Site, 5801 Oxford Road, Glen Echo. Call 301-320-1410 to reserve seats. Visit www.nps.gov/clba.

Through Nov. 25

Live Orchestra. Potomac Theatre Company presents Alan Jay Lerner & Frederick Loewe’s My Fair Lady by George Bernard Shaw. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. At

Blair Family Center for the Arts, Bullis School located at 10601 Falls Road, Potomac. Tickets are $20 for adults $20; $18 for seniors and students; groups of 10 or more receive 20 percent off. Call 301-299-8571 to reserve seats.

Mondays/Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10 & 17

Movement Improvisation. 6:30-8 p.m. This class combines techniques from contemporary dance, theater, contact improvisation and parlor games. Explore a variety of exercises that develop physical and spatial awareness and expand existing movement vocabularies. All ages and backgrounds welcome. Tuition is $12. Registrations are required. VisArts is located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Visit www.visartscenter.org or call 301-315-8200.

Tuesday-Wednesday/Nov. 27-28

Strathmore Afternoon Tea. 1 p.m. The sounds of local musicians fill the room as you enjoy afternoon tea in The Shapiro Music Room at Strathmore. Vegetarian meals not available. $23 per person (Stars Price $20.70).
 Pre-paid, non-refundable reservations required. Call 301-581-5108.
The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Visit www.strathmore.org.

Wednesdays/Nov. 28 & Dec. 12

Children’s Ceramic Ornaments Workshop. 4-5:15 p.m. Get a rolled slab of clay (approximately 10 x 13) and all the tools participants need to create ornaments. Glaze them and pick them up a week later. For children of grades K-5. Tuition is $15. At VisArts is located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Visit www.visartscenter.org or call 301-315-8200.

Wednesday/Nov. 30

Julia Nixon: Songs of Burt Bacharach. 7:30 p.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Tickets $30. Hayes Award winner Julia Nixon performs the music of one of America's most successful composers. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Saturday/Dec. 1

Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland. 8 p.m. The winter concert features four professional choral groups at Imagination Stage in downtown Bethesda. Tickets can be purchased at www.bethesda.org. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

Mrs. Claus Tea. 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Parents can celebrate the holidays with their little ones at Strathmore's children's tea with special guest Mrs. Claus, as they enjoy holiday music, a kid-friendly menu of delicious treats and holiday story time. An early appearance from Santa is in store too. For children ages 4 and up. At Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Call 301-581-5108 for tea reservations or visit www.strathmore.org. $28 per person (Stars Price $25.20).

Swing Dance. 8 p.m.–midnight. Swing dance with Blue Moon Big Band, featuring classic big band swing tunes from the incomparable Big Band Era —1935-1945. Dance to the swing tunes by Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller and more. Drop-in beginner swing lesson with Tom and Debra, 8-9 p.m., dance from 9 p.m.-midnight. At Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $18. Email debra@gottaswing.com.

Dec. 1-23

Annual Yellow Barn Members Show. The Yellow Barn Studio, Glen Echo Park’s resident painting and drawing studio, presents its 18th Annual Members Show in the Yellow Barn Gallery at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. The gallery opens on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12–5 p.m. Call 301-371-5593 or visit www.yellowbarnstudio.com.

Sunday/Dec. 2

Bethesda’s Winter Wonderland. 1-4 p.m. The celebrations continue in Veterans Park, located at the corner of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues. A live ice sculpting presentation will transform blocks of ice into wintry works of art followed by choral performances from local school groups. Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Garrett Park Elementary School, Norwood School, Our Lady of Lourdes, Seneca Valley High School and Westbrook Elementary School will delight the crowd with holiday music. Additionally, Santa Claus will make a visit to the park that afternoon, and holiday treats will be provided to children. All of Sunday’s events are free, and WASH-FM is serving as the exclusive radio sponsor.

Free Holiday Craft Show. 1-5 p.m. The Friends of the Clara Barton Community Center is sponsoring the fifth annual Holiday Craft Show at the Center, 7425 MacArthur Blvd., Cabin John. There will be all kinds of crafts for sale — jewelry, beads, fiber arts, soaps, Christmas items, wood crafts, prints, metalwork, ceramics, glass, oils, watercolors, photography, books and more. Call Leslie Barden at 301-365-1311 or email leslie.barden@comcast.net. Visit www.friendsofclarabartoncommunitycenter.org.

Free Concert. 4:30 p.m. Pianist Matthew Griswold, a recent Oberlin Conservatory graduate and an alumnus of Washington Conservatory of Music, will be presented at the Washington Conservatory at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Visit www.washingtonconservatory.org or call 301-320-2770.

Waltz Dance. 2:45-6 p.m. Waltz Time presents a beginning waltz lesson from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m., followed by an afternoon of waltzes and other couples dances to live music by Some Assembly with Donna Boylan (piano), Mary Flora (flute, saxophone, whistles), Joe Klausner (violin, mandolin), Paul Miller (guitar). Dancing 3:30-6 p.m. No partner is required. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $10. Email info@waltztimedances.org.

Argentine Tango. 6:30-11:15 p.m. Tango Brillante DC is happy to offer Argentine Tango lessons followed by a Milonga most Sunday evenings. Dancers can choose either the beginner lesson from 6:30-7:15 p.m. or the intermediate lesson from 7:15-8:15 p.m., or both. Cost is $15 for lesson and includes the Milonga that follows. For dancers who wish to attend just the Milonga, cost is $10 and the open dance runs from 8:15-11:15 p.m. Rene will DJ with a mix of traditional and mueovo tango with a little alternative added. No partner required. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Email Ciardo8130@yahoo.com.

Contra and Square Dance. 7-10:30 p.m. The Folklore Society of Greater Washington presents traditional American contra dancing. The evening can include square dances, mixers, waltzes and other couple dances. All Contras and Square dances are taught, no partner is necessary. There is a lesson at 7 p.m., followed by dances with live music 7:30-10:30 p.m. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $12 for non-members, $9 for FSGW members. Visit fsgw.org.

Monday/Dec. 3

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2012. 8 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit as some of music’s big names jam on fresh, lively arrangements of seasonal favorites, led by multi-Grammy nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz. The Music Center at Strathmore 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Visit www.strathmore.org.

Tuesday/Dec. 4

Chinese Language Book Club. 6-8 p.m. Potomac Library. 10101 Glenolden Dr. Chinese book discussion in Chinese language. "Return Home" by Yu Lihua. Ask for the books at the Circulation Desk. No registration required.

Birchmere Shows. The Brian Setzer Orchestra. Extravaganza 2012 US Tour. 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Tickets on sale through www.Strathmore.org or call 301-581-5100.

Wednesday/Dec. 5

George Winston. 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Tickets $28-$55. Winston will perform selections from his melodic piano recordings, as well as R&B piano, stride piano and more. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Wednesdays/Dec. 5 & 12

Dichroic Glass Jewelry Workshop. 6:30-9:30 p.m. The intrinsic beauty of dichroic glass means that with little or no experience students can design beautiful pendants and earrings. In three hours participants will design, create and wait for their creations to cool and then put findings on them. Create a pendant and a set of earrings. Tuition is $50. Require is required. VisArts is located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Visit www.visartscenter.org or call 301-315-8200.

Thursday/Dec. 6

Natalie Macmaster: Christmas in Cape Breton. 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Tickets $28-$58. Canadian fiddler Natalie MacMaster performs traditional Scottish and Irish holiday tunes. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Blues Dance. 8:15-11:30 p.m. Capital Blues proudly presents weekly Thursday night blues dances. A beginner workshop from 8:15-9 p.m. offers partnering basics for new dancers. The class is included with admission; no partner necessary. Dancing runs 9-11:30 p.m. to blues music from every corner of the genre. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $8. Email info@capitalblues.org.

Thursday-Friday/Dec. 6-7

Annual Landon Greens Sale and Holiday Boutique. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Come celebrate the holiday season at Landon School located at 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda. This community event features specialty wreaths and artful greens arrangements, boxwood, and wonderful holiday shopping for the whole family. This year’s Holiday Boutique will feature more than 40 vendors. Guests can also relax with a treat from the Bake Sale and Café and visit and shop at the Landon Farmhouse, listed on Montgomery County’s Historic Registry, bedecked in its holiday finery. General admission and parking are free.

Thursday-Sunday/Dec. 6-9

Tree Sales. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Find the perfect Christmas tree at the Landon Bear Tree Lot located near the football stadium (6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda). On Thursday and Friday, tree sales begin at noon and fo until 8 p.m. General admission and parking are free.

Dec. 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15

Annual Production of Blast. Blast 24: American Bandstand will be performed at Winston Churchill High School Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.wchsarts.com or in the box office outside the Bish Auditorium, 11300 Gainsborough Road, Potomac.

Friday/Dec. 7

Contra Dance. 7:30-11:30 p.m. The Friday Night Dancers present Contra dancing as well as some square dances and waltzes. Contra dance lesson 7:30-8:15 p.m., followed by the called dance to live music 8:30-11:30 pm. Beginners are welcome. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $9. Email info@fridaynightdance.org.

Saturday/Dec. 8

Concert. In celebration of the holidays, National Philharmonic Chorale artistic director Stan Engebretson will conduct the National Philharmonic in Handel's Messiah on Dec. 8 at 8 p.m., Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 23 at 3 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane). The concert will feature the National Philharmonic's nearly 200 voice all-volunteer Chorale, as well as soloists Danielle Talamantes (soprano); Magdalena Wór (mezzo-soprano); Matthew Smith (tenor); and Kevin Deas (bass). A free pre-concert lecture will be offered at 6:45 p.m. on Dec. 8 and 22; at 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 23 in the concert hall at the Music Center. To purchase tickets to National Philharmonic's concerts, visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301-581-5100. Tickets are $28-$81; children age 7-17 are free through the ALL KIDS, ALL FREE, ALL THE TIME program. ALL KIDS tickets must be purchased in person or by phone.

Swing Dance. 8 p.m.-midnight. Flying Feet Enterprises presents a night of swing dancing. Beginning with a Swing lesson from 8 to 9 p.m. with Marc Shepanek and Ellen Engle, followed by dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $15. Email dance@flyingfeet.com.

Saturday-Sunday/Dec. 8-9

The Mini-Nut. 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. An abbreviated version of The Nutcracker, designed to introduce children to the magic of this family favorite. This holiday tradition with soaring music by Tchaikovsky promises to hold the attention of even the youngest theatergoer. Suitable for all ages, this version is less than an hour and performed by cast members from Maryland Youth Ballet’s full-length production. At Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Tickets are $18 for adults, students and seniors; $12 for children 12 and under. Available in advance at MYB studios or by mail: 926 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (cash or check only).

Sunday/Dec. 9

Kids Sunday Workshop. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Ages 7-11. The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Call 301-581-5200 or visit www.strathmore.org.

• Go Crazy with Henna. Henna artist Bhavna Naik brings the symbols and meanings of henna to life — and there’s even a visit to Strathmore’s Skin exhibit, where Bhavna’s work is exhibited.
• Artist Trading Cards: Mini Masterpiece. Miniature masterpieces made from pastels, collage, watercolors, markers and acrylics. This workshop includes a tour of Strathmore’s exhibit, Fine Art in Miniature, for inspiration as children create collectable 2.5” x 3.5” works of art.
• Black & White Printmaking
. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Students sketch out ideas while touring Strathmore’s Grayscale exhibit, then learn a combination charcoal drawing/black and white printmaking lesson using Styrofoam, acrylics, block ink, rollers, canvas and more.

Holiday Glass Plate Workshops. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. In this two-hour session participants will design and create a curved 5-inch square plate that is functional and decorative. Choose from extensive selection of glass, stringers, frits and powders to makes green trees, blue stars, snowmen faces and more. Examples will be available for inspiration or come with participants’ own idea. They may pick up projects one week after class date. Tuition is $40. Registration is required. VisArts is located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Visit www.visartscenter.org or call 301-315-8200.

English Country Dance. 2:30-5:30 p.m. Michael Barraclough presents an English Country dance featuring instruction and dancing to recorded music. Dancing runs 2:30-5:30 p.m. No partner required; newcomers are encouraged to be present at 2:30 p.m. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $10. Email michael@michaelbarraclough.com.

Argentine Tango. 6:30-11:15 p.m. Tango Brillante DC is happy to offer Argentine Tango lessons followed by a Milonga most Sunday evenings. Dancers can choose either the beginner lesson from 6:30-7:15 p.m. or the intermediate lesson 7:15-8:15 p.m., or both. Cost is $15 for lesson and includes the Milonga that follows. For dancers who wish to attend just the Milonga, cost is $10 and the open dance runs 8:15-11:15 p.m. Rene will DJ with a mix of traditional and mueovo tango with a little alternative added. No partner required. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Email Ciardo8130@yahoo.com.

Contra and Square Dance. 7:30-11:30 p.m. The Folklore Society of Greater Washington presents traditional American contra dancing. The evening can include square dances, mixers, waltzes and other couple dances. All Contras and Square dances are taught, no partner is necessary. There is a lesson at 7 p.m., followed by dances with live music by Crowfoot, with caller Mary Wesley, 7:30-10:30 p.m. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $12 for non-members, $9 for FSGW member. Visit www.fsgw.org.

Tuesday/Dec. 11

DIY Assemblage Brooch and Drinks. 7-8:30 p.m. Come to make different kinds of fun and stylish accessories, plus red and white wine and snacks. Materials are provided. Bring ID to drink. Each workshop is $15. At VisArts located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Visit www.visartscenter.org or call 301-315-8200.

Wednesday/Dec. 12

Charm City Klezmer Band. 7:30 p.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Tickets: $15. The family band Michael S. Raitzyk and Charm City Klezmer celebrate the Festival of Lights with a jubilant, jazzy twist in a special Hanukkah program featuring a variety of Yiddish theatre, klezmer and Jewish-themed music. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Thursday/Dec. 13

Violin Concert. 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Tickets $25-$55. Mark O'Connor shares the holiday songs of his childhood-a wondrous mixture of Christmas carols and traditional American music that encompass the spirit of An Appalachian Christmas. Audience members can join a pre-concert lecture with Mark O'Connor at 6:30 p.m. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Mark O'connor Strings Method For String Teachers. 2-3:30 p.m. The virtuoso violinist, equally at home in folk and classical music, reveals his American Classics strings teaching method and makes the case for classical music training that explores the American canon as well as improvisation and jams. For orchestra directors and string teachers. Mansion at Strathmore (Shapiro Music Room), 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Free, but registration required at www.strathmore.org.

Blues Dance. 8:15-11:30 p.m. Capital Blues presents weekly Thursday night blues dances. A beginner workshop from 8:15-9 p.m. offers partnering basics for new dancers. The class is included with admission; no partner necessary. Dancing runs 9-11:30 p.m. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $8. Email info@capitalblues.org.

Friday/Dec. 14

Toys for Tots. 6 a.m.-10 a.m. the US Marines will be at Mazza Gallerie along with the MIX 107.3 Jack Diamond Morning Show for the annual Toys for Tots drive, collecting unwrapped toys and donations during an outdoor live radio broadcast. Visit www.MazzaGallerie.comor or call 703-785-5634. Mazza Gallerie is located at 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

Contra Dance. 7:30-11:30 p.m. The Friday Night Dancers present Contra dancing as well as square dances and waltzes. Contra dance lesson from 7:30-8:15 p.m., followed by the called dance to live music by the Glen Echo Open Band, 8:30-11:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome. Admission is $9. Free for age 17 and under. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Email info@fridaynightdance.org.

Balboa DJ Dance. 8:30-midnight. Here’s a chance for Balboa/Bal-Swing enthusiasts to dance to DJ music. Drop-in beginner swing lesson at 8:30 p.m. with Dabe and Janelle Johnson; dance 9 p.m.-midnight. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $10. Email debra@gottaswing.org.

Dec. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 & 23

The Nutcracker. Suitable for all ages. 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 21; 1 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, 16, 22, 23. At Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee St. Tickets are $23-28 in advance; $28-33 at the door. To purchase, call 240-567-5301 or visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC.

Saturday/Dec. 15

Christmas Music Event. 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Tickets $25-$95. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Jazz Vocal Intensive: Scat Singing 101
. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Join an exploration of the improvisational technique known as scatting. Start with an understanding of what scatting actually is. For adults. The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Call 301-581-5200 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Concert. 8 p.m. The National Philharmonic Singers, under the direction of conductors Stan Engebretson and Victoria Gau, will present a free holiday concert at Christ Episcopal Church, 107 South Washington St., Rockville. The concert will feature famous carols, including the Hallelujah Chorus; Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols with harp; John Rutter's Three Carols for Choir and Harp; and The Blessed Son of God from Hodie by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Other highlights include music from various periods, with an audience sing along. Free but donations in support of the Community Ministries of Rockville will be accepted. Visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301-493-9283, ext.116.

Winter’s Eve. 6-9 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season at Glen Echo Park’s Winter’s Eve event. Enjoy holiday craft activities, open studios, storytelling and a hot chocolate bar. Stroll through the Park’s artist studios and Popcorn Gallery to find one-of-a-kind items. Call 301-634-2222 or visit www.glenechopark.org.

Swing Dance. 8-midnight. Drop-in beginner swing lesson with Tom and Debra from 8 to 9 p.m., dance 9 p.m.-midnight. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $18 for people of 18 and up, $12 for ages 11-17, $10 for ages 10 and under. Email debra@gottaswing.com.

Sunday/Dec. 16

Jazz Orchestra Holiday. 3:30, 5:15 and 7:30 p.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Tickets $25. The 17-piece Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra gathers some of Washington's best musicians to bring some swing to the holidays. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Family Christmas Sing-Along. 4 p.m. Strathmore's Grammy-winning music educator Betty Scott and Artist in Residence alums, the charming Sweater Set, will have families and friends singing holiday hits in harmony with Strathmore's rousing sing. Revelers will sing holidays classics such as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Nuttin' for Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." At Music Center, Room 402, 5301 Tuckerman Ln. Tickets $10. Visit www.strathmore.org.

DIY Feather Earrings and Drinks. 7-8:30 p.m. Make fun and stylish accessories, plus red and white wine and snacks. Materials are provided. Bring ID to drink. Each workshop is $15. At VisArts located at 155 Gibbs St., Rockville. Visit www.visartscenter.org or call 301-315-8200.

Waltz Dance. 2:45-6 p.m. Waltz Time presents a beginning waltz lesson 2:45-3:30 p.m., followed by an afternoon of waltzes and other couples dances to live music by Rose by the Door with Anna Hoag (fiddle), Marty Taylor (winds, concertina), LizDonaldson (piano), Ralph Gordon (bass). Dancing 3:30-6 p.m. No partner is required. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $10. Email info@waltztimedances.org.

Argentine Tango. 6:30-11:35 p.m. Dancers can choose either the

beginner lesson 6:30-7:15 p.m. or the intermediate lesson 7:15-8:15 p.m., or both. Cost is $15/lesson and includes the Milonga that follows. For dancers who wish to attend just the Milonga, cost is $10 and the open dance runs 8:15-11:15 p.m. Rene will DJ with a mix of traditional and mueovo tango with a little alternative added. No partner required. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Email Ciardo8130@yahoo.com.

Contra and Square Dance. 7-10:30 p.m. The evening can include square dances, mixers, waltzes and other couple dances. All Contras and Square dances are taught, no partner is necessary. There is a lesson at 7 p.m., followed by dances with live music 7:30-10:30 p.m. At Spanish Ballroom at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $12 for non-members, $9 for FSGW members. Visit fsgw.org.

Tuesday/Dec. 18

Holiday Concert. 7:30 p.m. National Philharmonic Associate Conductor Victoria Gau will lead the Washington Symphonic Brass and National Philharmonic Chorale in a holiday concert at the Music Center at Strathmore. The critically acclaimed 17-member brass and percussion ensemble will ring in the holidays with arrangements of holiday favorites, including a medley by WSB Director Phil Snedecor called Christmas Memories; an arrangement by Tony DiLorenzo of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas; and an exuberant version of Beethoven's Ode to Joy with the National Philharmonic Chorale. In addition, the group will present holiday music from France, Norway, Britain, Russia, Finland and Poland. To purchase tickets, visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call the Strathmore box office at 301-581-5100. Tickets are $28-$48; free for kids 7-17. All Kids tickets must be purchased in person or by phone.

Wednesday/Dec. 19

18th Street Singers Christmas Concert. 7:30 p.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Tickets: $15. The 18th Street Singers take Strathmore up a few blocks to 34th Street with a Christmas concert that brings over 50 members of this eclectic, D.C.-based choral group together to sing festive favorites of the season. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Thursday/Dec. 20

Charm City Klezmer Band. 7:30 p.m. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Tickets: $15. The family band Michael S. Raitzyk and Charm City Klezmer celebrate the Festival of Lights with a jazzy twist in a Hanukkah program featuring a variety of Yiddish theatre, klezmer and Jewish-themed music. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Blues Dance. 8:15-11:30 p.m. Capital Blues presents weekly Thursday night blues dances. A beginner workshop 8:15-9 p.m. offers partnering basics for new dancers. The class is included with admission; no partner necessary. Dancing runs 9-11:30 p.m. to blues music from every corner of the genre. At Ballroom Annex at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Admission is $8. Email info@capitalblues.org.

Through Dec. 21

Art Exhibition: "An Abstract Approach." Paintings by Lesley Clarke, June Plotkin, and Edith Sievers; ceramics by Karin Abromaitis, and mixed media by Jessica Beels. Opening reception is Sunday, Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 301-299-7087. At Gallery Har Shalom, located at Congregation Har Shalom, 11510 Falls Road.

Saturday/Dec. 22

Swing Dancing. 9 p.m.-midnight. Admission is $15. One-hour lesson from 8 to 9 p.m. With the Tom Cunningham Orchestra. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Visit www.tomcunningham.com/calendar.

Through Dec. 29

Grayscale. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Explore the connection of grayscale images to the past and their meaning in the present, and addresses viewers' ability to ascribe color to a black and white image by assessing the intensity of light that is different for every color. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Annual International Exhibition of Fine Art in Miniature. Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike. Hundreds of works in a variety of media-sculptures, drawings and paintings-perfectly rendered in a tininess that tests the artists' talent and makes most viewers depend

on a magnifying glass to see every detail. Call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

Through Dec. 31

A Little House Christmas. Adventure Theatre MTC at Glen Echo Park presents A Little House Christmas. Celebrate the holidays with this heartwarming adventure that shows that the simple things make living worthwhile as Mary and Laura learn the true meaning of Christmas. Saturdays, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Winter Break (Dec. 26-31) performances at 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Some Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $19. At Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Call 301-634-2270 or visit adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

Through Jan. 6

Musical. Seussical runs in Imagination Stage’s Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. Best for ages 4-12. Tickets are $12-$25, and may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the ImaginationStage box office or at 301‐280‐1660.

Through Jan. 7, 2013

Photography Exhibition. Photoworks Gallery at Glen Echo Park presents Places and Time, featuring works by Harvey Kupferberg and David Meyers. Meyers’ black and white images of Cairo’s Muslim cemeteries offer unique views of a place that is often called the city of the Dead. Kupferberg’s black and white images of the canyons of Utah and the deserts of Death Valley were taken over a 20-year period and are an artistic interpretation of what the camera captures. Photoworks gallery is open Saturdays 1-4 p.m. and Sundays 1-8 p.m. Opening reception and gallery talkvDec. 7, 6-8 p.m. Visit www.glenechophotoworks.org.

Tuesday/Jan. 8

Social Thinking At Home. This workshop for parents will introduce the social thinking vocabulary and provide practical suggestions on how to incorporate it into the everyday life for your child.

Monday/Jan. 28

Raising Confident Kids. Parents often worry about children’s problems and misbehavior. In this talk Emory Luce Baldwin focuses on how parents can encourage children to develop what they need to feel confident and successful in life. Call 301-468-9343.

Wednesday/Feb. 20

Apps, Apps and More Apps. Join Joan Green, the founder of Innovative Speech and author of "The Ultimate Guide to Assistive Technology in Special Education," as she explores the world of apps. Call 301-468-9343.

Sunday/March 3

Strathmore Show: Pianist Alain LeFèvre. 4 p.m. The Canadian pianist will perform the Washington premiere of Francois Dompierre’s “24 Preludes,” written for and dedicated to the pianist by the composer. The Mansion at Strathmore 10701 Rockville Pike. Visit www.strathmore.org.

Sunday/March 10

Strathmore Show: Dan Tepfer and Ben Wendel. 7:30 p.m. This jazz duo of piano and saxophone offers a unique sound, and this pair of critically acclaimed artists takes the sonic adventure even further. Join them for the release of their new CD. The Mansion at Strathmore 10701 Rockville Pike. Visit www.strathmore.org.

Friday/March 15

Strathmore Show: Ensemble. 7:30 p.m. Exploring the borders of contemporary classical music, indie rock, and other diverse musical forms, this ensemble combines flute, clarinet, electric guitar, double bass and piano. The Mansion at Strathmore 10701 Rockville Pike, Visit www.strathmore.org.

Monday/March 18

The Strengths of Autism. Learn about the latest research findings in non-social strengths (e.g., a detail-focused cognitive style) and difficulties (e.g., inflexibility/desire for sameness) in autism spectrum disorders. Call 301-468-9343.

Wednesday/May 8

Siblings — A Unique Perspective. Parenting a child with special needs can be challenging. The impact on the family, specifically the siblings, can be profound. Ms. White will share her knowledge and provide resources to help you support your children. Call 301-468-9343.

Wednesday/May 22

Social Behavior Mapping. At this workshop a variety of social mapping formats will be presented to use with children Pre-K through high school who exhibit social cognitive challenges. Call 301-468-9343.