National Arts & Humanities Month in October encourages everyone to appreciate art and is a great way to explore the diverse cultural scene of Montgomery County, Maryland. From musical and theatrical performances to sculptures, paintings and an interactive multimedia exhibit, be inspired by these must-see cultural experiences the county has to offer.
Performing Arts
The Mountaintop
Round House Theatre | Bethesda
Various Dates Through November 5th
This story tells the story of the night before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s death as he returns to his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis after delivering a speech. He is visited by a maid Camae as they begin a humuours and flitatious conversation. After Camae gives her true identity, it makes Dr. King think of his legacy and the Civil Rights Movement.
The Brothers Paranormal
Olney Theatre Center | Olney
Various Dates Through October 29
Thai-American brothers Max and Visarut haven’t had a single case for their paranormal investigation business since they opened. Finally, a customer arrives, Delia, a Black woman who has relocated to the area after losing her home in Hurricane Katrina. She’s seen a female, perhaps Asian, maybe Thai-speaking ghost haunting her house for reasons unknown. Max, who doesn’t believe in ghosts, is most excited to sign her up for a deluxe investigation package. But when the brothers visit Delia and her husband Felix, strange things begin to happen.
Music
Anoushka Shankar
The Music Center at Strathmore | North Bethesda
Friday, October 6 | 8:00 pm
Masterful sitarist Anoushka Shankar brings with her a new quintet of musicians with whom she has carved out a multifaceted and dynamic sound. The energy and camaraderie on stage is unmatched as Shankar leads the way in pioneering a new sound through inventive arrangements, sensitive virtuosity, and a neoclassical approach to the Indian music tradition.
Festival de Ritmos Latinos (Latin Rhythms Festival)
Black Rock Center for the Arts | Germantown
Sunday, October 1 | 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Join BlackRock as they celebrate the fullness of Latin culture and contribution with a full evening of heart-pounding, energetic, caliente fun! The 3rd annual Latin Rhythms Festival offers a free and safe way to enjoy a day full of fun, festivities, and celebration of Hispanic heritage, including a street market, local artists and performances from La Unica, Jonathan Acosta, and Orquestra Nfuzion.
Visual Arts
Joana Stillwell: All The Windows In My Mother’s House
VisArts | Rockville
Various Dates Through October 22nd
For Joana Stillwell’s site-specific installation in the Gibbs Street Gallery, all the window’s in my mother’s house, she attempts to preserve the teal quality of light in her parents’ home. Stillwell additionally resonates on the few surviving mementos from her mother’s side of the family, along with adopted images, found objects, oral histories, home videos, and ephemeral fragments, to build a body of work that explores the tangibility and fragility of a family archive.
Reni Gower’s Geomatrix: A Perfect Proof
VisArts | Rockville
Various Dates Through October 29th
Reni Gower’s artwork recognizes geometric perfection (sacred geometry) as the matrix of the cosmos. Since ancient times, perfect forms (circle, square, and triangle) have been thought to convey sacred and universal truths by reflecting the fractal interconnections of the body and the natural world. One finds these similarities embedded in the decorative designs of all cultures across the globe. Significantly, by incorporating these motifs into contemporary works, one can reveal the cross-cultural bonds of our shared humanity.
Vian Borchert: Elevation
The Farmer’s Choice Gallery | Gaithersburg
Various Date Through October 31st
In the solo exhibition titled “Elevation”, noted artist, Vian Borchert, presents new paintings that embody a sense of elevated elements through color and theme. Skyscapes within landscape and seascapes aim to elevate the viewer into a higher realm of consciousness along with attaining a sense of meditative enlightenment that transforms one towards a Zen state of peace and harmony
Countryside Artisans
Montgomery County Agriculture Reserve
October 7-9 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Spend an art day in the country on this self-guided driving tour! Follow winding roads with beautiful views of Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve to discover charming studios of the Countryside Artisans filled with inspired pottery, stoneware, glass, oil, watercolor, wood, stone, fiber and more.
The arts are alive and thriving in Montgomery County! Check out our Arts & Culture guide to explore performance venues, museums and galleries.
