I seem to find myself in the Kentlands area a lot lately but my 1st time visiting the Art Barn…read more My Cousin was debuting his new Independent Film and, of course, I am going to support. The building used to be a stable that has beautifully renovated. It definitely has farmhouse touches with the wood, faux pocket doors and rustic touches. There is a reception area on the main floor where there was coffee(I love it already!) and refreshments. There is accessible parking out front and an elevator for those who may need it to get to the theater upstairs. The theater is small and intimate with 99 seats. I wanted to take pictures of the theater, but they were doing panel discussions and I just didn't feel comfortable snapping pictures during such a thoughtful process. As I understand it, they also provide services to the community around art in the form Of classes, discussions and even camps for the kids. So yes. . . Gaithersburg has begun to grow on me even though I live in Southern Maryland. I live over an hour away but I didn't mind the drive. I would definitely come back again.

Rather ironic I'm getting around to reviewing Gaithersburg Arts Barn on September 24, 2026, the…read morefirst day of the Manhattan Shorts Film Festival. Representing the 4th quarter of 2021 in my scrapbook series is Gaithersburg Art Barn. The only times I was ever here was for the Manhattan Shorts Film Fest. I first attended on Friday, October 1, 2021. Then, Wednesday, September 28, 2022. And finally, Friday, October 4, 2024. I attended the Manhattan Shorts Film Fest on Friday, October 3, 2025, but Arts Barn was being remodeled so was in a temporary location. My friend invited a group to the Manhattan Shorts in October 2021, and wow I was impressed with all the short films. The venue itself is nice, historic looking building. The theater is relatively small that goes back fairly deep. Manhattan shorts is popular and does sell out. In September 2022, I went on a date here. I had met her months back, but coordinated a date for this. Date was alright, films were great again, and it was a 1st & only date situation. I'm not sure why I didn't go in 2023. Maybe it was off my radar or had other things going on. In October 2024, my girlfriend & I attended on the Friday night. We both really enjoyed the movies. In October 2025, it was in the temporary venue, which had worse vantage points for seeing the movie screen, which made me appreciate the Arts Barn. 2026 scenario has been much worse in general. I had considered going tomorrow Friday, 9/25/26, but the tickets were sold out. Thursday was not convenient as I am going to be in Rockville for something on Friday and have other plans on Saturday. My friend had texted me about trading for a different days tickets; I mentioned to her how I was concerned about my dad was in the hospital but had interest in general. By the time, I looked into it Friday was sold out. So, I figured this year wasn't meant to be. Hopefully, I'll go again in 2027, and my health (cancer) situation is much better (along with my dad's health) and better year next year in general.

Wear your bathing suit and a tank top. They dont turn on the AC so they can save a few bucks. Or…read moremaybe they only turn it on for certain shows...

Affordable local theatre…read more Nice assortment of plays offered. The facility is accessible. The staff is very helpful - they even relocated my wheelchair accessible seating from the back of the hall to the front due to vision and hearing impairment.

On Friday , I visited the Stathmore to see Ledisi and it was a 10/10. Experience. From the…read morefriendliness of staff, ease of picking up tickets at will call, the food options, and the stunning venue , I was so impressed. I love how if you park on the 4th floor, you can take the bridge right into the venue. I can't wait to go back!

Great music hall. It is nice to have this while the Kennedy Center is closed. The decor is very…read morenice and most shows are quite affordable.

Rebecca Dupas' Poetry Takeover was fantastic! Good food, great poets and a fantastic vibe. Parking…read morewas easy in the garage and there was street parking as well. More shows coming up! The fellows are coming next month.

I just found out there is a difference between going to the bar to order your drinks yourself and…read moregetting them bought to your table. Service on this particular night was VERY SLOW. . We arrived an hour early before show time and it still took sixty minutes for the server to even come to our table and the show had already started. So we stopped at the bar on our own and was not pleased with our drinks we received. $49 for two Dixie cups drinks and one beer. Definitely not worth the price. The performers was excellent. So four stars for them and two stars for the Service.

Review for Musical Comedy: Some Like It Hot (Sept 18 - Nov 8) in the Bernard Family Theatre…read more The Bernard Family Theatre was recently renovated and it was my 1st show at that theater, but not my first at the Olney Theatre. After finally finding a parking spot, I had a little difficulty in finding the theater initially, but with the help of an employee nearby, I was able to find it quickly thereafter and joined my friends. We had our tickets checked at the main door within and once past there, you would either go left or right depending on where your seats were located. For us, we were informed we could have gone either way. Once inside, we checked with an usher who directed us to our seats and what a great view they were. We got to see the whole stage and I could see that others were seated on both sides of the stage in addition to sitting right by the stage itself. I guess those were cabaret seats...nice. The performance was amazing. It was a tap dance musical comedy that brought a classic story to life. I knew nothing about the show prior to attending, other than the music and lyrics were from the creators of Hairspray. Everyone that had a part brought each of their characters to life. It was that good. The show lasted for two and a half hours with an intermission. I loved that during the performance; they used all the stage and even interacted with some of the audience at one time. Some Like It Hot - it is worth the watch. Note: After the performance ended, I waited in my vehicle for no more than 15 minutes or so. By then, most of the exiting traffic was long gone.

The Olney Theatre…read more What an absolute gem of an institution nestled in Olney, Maryland. It's a shame it took me this long to discover such a local treasure. A couple of friends and I attended a performance of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to this wonderful theater. The Roberts Mainstage seats just over 400 patrons, creating an intimate atmosphere where every seat feels surprisingly close to the action. I purchased our tickets rather late, so we ended up in the last row of the mezzanine. Fortunately, the theater's thoughtful design meant we still had an excellent view of the stage. We could clearly see the actors' expressions, and their powerful vocals carried beautifully throughout the venue. The theater also offers an on-site concession counter with a selection of beverages, cocktails, and snacks. Although I didn't take advantage of it, I liked the option to preorder drinks for intermission and appreciated that beverages are permitted inside the theater during the performance. The production itself was outstanding. The set design, costumes, and musical performances were all beautifully executed. The talented cast delivered exceptional performances, supported by a small orchestra tucked into the pit that added richness and energy to the entire production. The entrance to the Roberts Mainstage is located off the rear parking lot, just a short walk from the parking area. There are a few outdoor tables and chairs, making it a pleasant place to relax before the show. Inside, the lobby is bright, welcoming, and well maintained, although it is relatively compact and can become crowded before sold-out performances and during intermission. The theater is accessible, with elevators and designated wheelchair seating. However, navigating the lobby during busy times could be challenging, so arriving a little early may make for a more relaxed experience. We attended a weekday matinee and had a wonderful afternoon. Between the quality of the production, the intimate setting, and the welcoming atmosphere, I can certainly see why Olney Theatre has earned such a loyal following. I look forward to returning for many of their upcoming performances throughout the year.

The Strathmore Art Museum and Sculpture Garden are probably an overlooked place in the Bethesda and…read moreDC area. The interior Strathmore Mansion features contemporary art and has a small art store inside as well. They have special events throughout the year too. The garden overlooks the hilltop of the Strathmore neighborhood and has a beautiful trail guiding the guest through the area. There is also a nice gazebo and fountain on the North side of the Strathmore Mansion. It's really worth one's while to walk through it on the way home from the Metro or go there on the weekends. I know I've certainly not taken enough advantage of it!

(4.15) ~ Very good afternoon tea w. music & speaker for a good cause:)…read more MENU HIGHLIGHTS (see photos): ** Fig & Brie Croissant = (4.35) Our fav! ** Caramelized Onion Quiche Bite = (4.15) Very tasty ** Tomato Canape = (4.15) Very good ** Mini Lemon Cheesecake Bite = (4.15) Very tasty ** Strathmore Tea Blend (Harney & Sons) = (4) very good & I like to squeeze some lemon into it;) ** Water (tap) = (4) very good, must be filtered;) ** Everything else on the menu was very good too = (4)

It is what it is called a little theatre tucked away in Rockville and otherwise known as the F…read more Scott Fitzgerald Theatre. Was here in the Spring of 2010 to see "I Remember Mama". Got my tickets off of goldstar for "free" but really had to pay $5 processing fee. The theatre is cozy and clean. The patrons are polite, friendly, and older. Get cookies, coffee, and other refreshments before a show for a donation of your choice.

We saw a show here recently and it wasn't impressive. I don't want name the show because I rather…read morenot embarrass the actors. This theater is below the amatuer level line. There are plenty of wonderful theaters in this area, but to us, this wasn't one of them.

Went to Blackrock for the first time this past Sunday for a birthday party. Great venue space for…read moreanything really. The theme was Alice in wonderland so the decor was very colorful and worked out beautifully. The food vendors were wonderful too. We had fresh oysters and a variety of sandwiches and dessert pastries.

I came here for a memorial celebration of Prince's birthday, and it was a really good time. Parking…read morewas surprisingly easy, especially with so many other guests in attendance. I was able to park directly in front of the entrance and walk right in. The setup was really nice--plenty of tables and a huge area for dancing. The DJ was spinning not only the hits but also deep cuts and some previously unreleased versions of his songs. Behind her, a projector played clips from Prince's past performances, which added a great visual vibe to the night. There was a small cash bar offering Prince-themed cocktails, plus beer and wine. The staff were fantastic and even popped in a few times to dance and celebrate with us. The venue itself was absolutely gorgeous--cool and comfortable despite all the dancing. I never imagined this would be such a great place to host or attend a party, but I'd definitely come to another event here.

Came to see the Hungry Caterpillar show with 3 year olds for the first time and they absolutely…read moreloved it. The production quality and actors were amazing. Now I have kiddos who keep asking whether we can go again. Just bought tickets to see the Snow Man and the Snow Dog show for the holidays and looking forward to it. Update: Snow Man and the Snow Dog was not loved by the kids (3 year old and 5 year old), personally I felt it was really boring too. High production value but just not captivating enough. My kid loved the original video but couldn't wait for the play to end.

I attended my first play at Imagination Stage yesterday, and I know it won't be my last. This…read moretheatre is truly a gem, making performing arts accessible for families of all ages and abilities. Here is what you need to know: + Garage parking is free on Sundays + Tickets are sent electronically along with a helpful email and storybook pdf that helps prepare young children on what to expect when they go to the theatre + The theatre is truly intimate -- there is not a bad seat in the house (Trust me -- we were last row, on the side of the stage and still had a great view!) + Children's shows can be quite corny and cut corners when it terms to production value but not at Imagination Stage. I was really impressed by the quality of acting and the set of "Dory Fantasmagory." + They offer lots of free programming such as "Meet the Cast", family yoga, and a children's fashion show to go with the play. I went with a group of children ages 4 - 11 and they had everyone entertained. Seeing everyone's faces light up and laughing out loud has truly filled my cup of cuteness for the entire week. Thanks again Imagination Stage. Can't wait to visit again!

Round House Theatre - Bethesda…read more This was my first visit to Round House Theatre in Bethesda, and it turned out to be a delightful surprise. As someone who is still a novice when it comes to the many forms of live theatre available in our area, I found the evening entertaining, educational, and thoroughly enjoyable. Round House is a nonprofit theatre company, and my friend--who is much more involved in the local theatre scene--was able to purchase specially priced tickets through a program that made the performance incredibly affordable. It's nice to see organizations finding creative ways to make live theatre accessible. Parking is available in several nearby paid garages, all within a short walk of the theatre. I didn't notice whether street parking was available. The performance we attended was Adrift, presented by Happenstance Theatre. The intimate, in-the-round stage creates an engaging atmosphere, and there really isn't a bad seat in the house. Being so close to the performers made the experience feel much more immersive. One unexpected highlight was chatting with a fellow theatre patron who spent the time before the show working on an intricate handcrafted project that was a work of art in itself. The production was unlike the traditional plays I was expecting, which made it even more enjoyable. The live music was excellent, and the performers had incredible voices that brought the entire production to life. To end the evening, we walked across the street to Andy's Pizza in Bethesda. The lively atmosphere, upstairs seating, and delicious pizza--available by the slice or as a whole pie--made for the perfect post-show meal. Overall, it was a wonderful night out. Great theatre, talented performers, and excellent pizza made for an evening I would happily recommend.

I loved first experience at Round House Theatre to watch Sally & Tom. This Theatre is very clean…read moreand has a lot of offer-- Bar and coffee. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. I'll be back.