Lunar New Year, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Fest, Valentine Specials at AMP: Bethesda Weekend Events

BETHESDA, MD — Here are some of the theater productions, live music performances and other weekend activities happening Feb. 12-14, courtesy of the MyMCMedia.org calendar:

Friday, February 12

• The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival opens today with school Jazz band performances. Headliners this year include Grammy winners Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling, and Poncho Sanchez. The Festival takes place in Rockville throughout the weekend at the Rockville Hilton, here’s theschedule of performances.
• Bethesda’s Gallery B art exhibit this month features works by Heather Jacks, Darlene Towson and Andrew Wohl. The opening reception takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. during Bethesda Art Walk. The Bethesda Circulator is available with stops close to the open galleries and studios. Plan your visit with this list of participating galleries.
• Montgomery Playhouse’s production of A Grand Night for Singing opens tonight at Gaithersburg Arts Barn at 8 p.m. Will run through Feb. 27.
• Round House Theatre’s production of Father Comes Home From the Wars performance begins at 8 p.m.in Bethesda.
• Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club present A Lover’s Weekend with Jeff Bradshaw and Eric Roberson. The peformance tonight at 8 p.m.
• The Jazz in the Round concert series at Sandy Spring Museum continues tonight with Mark G Meadows and Rochelle Rice at 8 p.m.
• R&B singer Julia Nixon appears at AMP by Strathmore in Bethesda at 8 p.m. AMP has a special Valentine’s Day weekend menu.

Saturday, February 13

• Join the city of Rockville at their Lunar New Year celebration at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. This free event features multi-generational performances, colorful and traditional displays, activities and samples of Asian cuisine.
• The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival first free performance of the day is by the Thomas S. Wootton High School Jazz Band at 10 a.m. Headliners this year include Grammy Winners Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling,and Poncho Sanchez. The Festival takes place in Rockville throughout the weekend at the Rockville Hilton, here’s the schedule of performances.
• Montgomery County is celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day with the HERtime2shine expo at Westfield Montgomery Mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Maryland Soccer Foundation is one of the exhibitors with some great giveaways.
• The Waterfowl Festival at Black Hill Visitor Center in Boyds includes a day filled with activities, demonstrations and exhibits on the water birds that make Little Seneca Lake home during the winter. No registraiton is required for this free event from noon to 4 p.m.
• Bethesda’s Gallery B art exhibit this month features works by Heather Jacks, Darlene Towson and Andrew Wohl. The gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m.
• Round House Theatre’s production of Father Comes Home From the Wars has performances at 2 and 8 p.m.in Bethesda.
• Film Screening of Love Between the Covers at Ashburn Library in Virginia starts at 2 p.m. MyMCMedia blogger Diana Belchase is one of the writers to participate in a panel discussion following the screening.
• Die Laughing Productions presents The Newly Dead Game at AMP by Strathmore in Bethesda at 8 p.m. This hilarious whodunit murder mystery comedy show includes audience participation and lots of improv. AMP has a special Valentine’s Weekend menu.
• Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club present A Lover’s Weekend with Jeff Bradshaw and Eric Roberson. Peformance tonight at 8 p.m.
• Montgomery Playhouse’s production of A Grand Night for Singing continues tonight at Gaithersburg Arts Barn at 8 p.m.
• District Comedy performs at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown at 8:30 p.m.
• The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs at the Music Center at Strathmore at 8 p.m. Joshua Bell performs Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

Sunday, February 14

• The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival first free performance of the day is the St. John Baptist Church Male Chorus and Praise Team at 10:30 a.m. Headliners this year include Grammy Winners Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling,and Poncho Sanchez. The Festival takes place in Rockville throughout the weekend at the Rockville Hilton, here’s the schedule of performances.
• Duquesne University presents The Tamburitzans at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville at 2 p.m.
• Montgomery Playhouse’s production of A Grand Night for Singing has a matinee performance at Gaithersburg Arts Barn at 2 p.m.
• Round House Theatre’s production of Father Comes Home From the Wars matinee performance at 2 p.m.in Bethesda.
• Blues and gospel singer Ruthie Foster performs at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown at 5 p.m.
• Support Community Ministries of Rockville while enjoying great music at Christ Episcopal Church’s Jazz Vespers in Rockville at 5 p.m.
• Bethesda Blues & Jazz Club present A Lover’s Weekend with Jeff Bradshaw and Eric Roberson. Peformance tonight at 7:30 p.m.
• AMP by Strathmore presents jazz and pop fusion ensemble Chaise Lounge for a special Valentine’s show at 8 p.m.

»Photo of singer Kurt Elling, photo credit: Anna Webber