Friday, March 13, 2026, 8 p.m. Montgomery College/Takoma Park Cultural Arts Center – Theater One 7995 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
For centuries, the U.S.–Mexico border has shaped stories, identities, and sound.
Now, experience the music born from that powerful intersection.
Grammy-winning vocalist and violinist Mireya Ramos joins forces with the genre-defying Poor Choices for an extraordinary live performance that fuses Ranchera soul, Jarocho rhythms, Bluegrass grit, Jazz improvisation, and Country storytelling.
This is more than a concert.
It is a celebration of resilience, heritage, and cultural dialogue.
Be part of a night where history meets innovation — and where music reminds us that connection transcends division.
Kentlands resident Tanya Anisimova welcomes spring with the music of Rachmaninoff, Schubert and her own composition at the Arts Barn on March 7. An acclaimed cellist and interpreter of Bach […]
A teacher and musician, Ms. Brown is at the center of a multi-generational musical family. Her mother was a concert violinist, and her father, Ray Brown, was a jazz trumpet player with Stan Kenton. Her husband, Daniel Levitov, is a cellist, and with their twin daughters, Arabella and Imogen, they perform as the Brown/Levitov Family Band, showcasing jazz arrangements by Ray Brown.
The Arts Barn Concert Series presents acclaimed artists from classical and jazz to folk, traditional, global music, and more, offering exceptional performances in an intimate, welcoming setting.
Noteworthy: New Construction – Luxury Design / Build Home
Prestigious Glen Hills locale! Luxury design / build home by Whitehall Building & Company can be tailored to your specifications, and delivered in 12-14 months, see their website for additional information. Our standard is anything but, boasting elegantly appointed spaces for today’s discerning buyers. Timeless finishes, modern proportions – all designed to elevate your everyday. True gourmands’ kitchen boasts walk- in pantry, high end appliances, quartz countertops, oversized island with seating. Palatial main level primary suite with spa- inspired bathroom featuring two vanities, free standing tub, shower enclosure, connected walk in closet. Up to five en suite bedrooms across all three levels. Dramatic, double height ceilings in foyer and family room. Main level laundry. Wide plank flooring throughout. Side entry, two car garage. Over 4,600 square feet of living on a 0.92 acre lot! Plans (as shown) can be adapted to add a screened porch, additional garage bays. See interior photos for examples of recently completed homes. Large, lush corner lot – your new property allows for abundant outdoor spaces, activities. A short stroll to Glen Hills Park, with tennis courts, playground. Convenient to all of Bethesda, Rockville, Potomac, DC. From adjacent Lakewood Country Club – with memberships available – to Pike & Rose, Park Potomac, Wildwood, Montgomery Mall, and Glenstone Museum – sport, cultural, entertaining, shopping, dining options abound. You live here.
“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people,” said comedian Victor Borge. What’s more? Connecting and laughing with others can strengthen your resilience in the face of uncertainty and help you tackle tough challenges.
Improv classes, in particular, are great for people dealing with uncertainty and anxiety because they train you to be present in-the-moment and focus on the person and situation in front of you, instead of worrying about what the future holds. Plus, they’re incredibly fun and entertaining, offering a much-needed respite from reality.
Writing about her own improv education, Axios DC Reporter Mimi Montgomery recently wrote, “As grown-ups, we often repress the imaginative playfulness and openness we had as kids, writing off these urges as embarrassing or dumb. But that means we cut ourselves off from opportunities to grow and create — dream jobs and passion projects and wild adventures.”
Experts in Spreading Joy
Washington Improv Theater (WIT) has been the DMV’s premier destination for hilarious improv comedy shows and informative, accessible classes for more than 25 years. Each year, more than 1,000 adults take one of WIT’s “Foundations of Improv” courses.
“Everybody needs an escape from time to time, and I’d say that’s especially true right now,” says Mark Chalfant, WIT’s Artistic/Executive Director.
For the past two years in-a-row, Washington City Paper readers have named WIT’s classes as being the “Best Art Class” in the District, according to the platform’s annual “Best of DC” poll.
Start Your New Adventure!
WIT’s Level 1 classes, which teach techniques for honing your communication and collaboration skills, are currently enrolling for weekly classes that start as soon as this Sunday, April 27. There are eight classes in total plus a showcase at the end.
The theater’s talented and dedicated teaching artists are trained in providing a positive learning environment that is safe, inclusive, and welcoming to all.
“WIT students come from a variety of backgrounds and different stages in life, from 22-year-old college grads and 35-year-old mid-career professionals, to 55-year-old senior executives and individuals who are well into retirement,” says Chalfant. “Our classes serve as a laboratory for self-discovery and a catalyst for creativity regardless of how old you are or what you do.”
In addition to WIT’s classes for individuals, its organizational training arm WIT@Work uses applied improv to teach professional skills, leadership development, and team building. It’s one of the top providers of its kind in the entire country.
What WIT’s Students Have to Say:
“I love all the people I’ve met. Improv pushes you to get out of your comfort zone, which builds confidence. It’s all been wonderful!” — Kevin T.
“It’s the best professional training for creativity and working with people. I literally use improv everyday, including trying to approach most ideas with a spirit of ‘Yes, and’!” — Julia G.
“WIT constantly teaches me it’s okay to make mistakes (and move on), and how to trust my colleagues… Your classes have helped me take the poison out of toxic people and relationships, so that we can all take away something truly helpful and powerful.” — Helen D.
This is a monthly sponsored post by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Northern Virginia that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement and private sector employee matters.
By John V. Berry, Esq
We have been representing and advising numerous federal employees regarding the Reductions-in-Force (RIF) that have recently been issued by several different federal agencies.
As most people have started to realize, these RIF actions have not been thought out very well and have been designed for speed as opposed to accuracy or compliance with the meaning of law and regulation. The question now is what to do if you receive an RIF.
What is a Federal Employee RIF
Federal employee RIFs are simply notices which start the separation process for federal employees. RIFs are supposed to be issued due to restructuring, department elimination, or lack of funding or work. RIFs are also supposed to follow laws, rules, and regulations. A federal employee is also supposed to be given 60 days’ notice before separation.
What We Have Been Seeing Lately
In many of the cases we have seen, most federal employee RIF notices simply state that their entire competitive areas have been eliminated. These mass RIF actions were never anticipated when the laws and regulations governing them were issued. The rules were supposed to be based not on speed but rather on a thoughtful process of eliminating positions that were no longer needed when government funds were low or when an agency needed to restructure.
In reality, the RIFs appear to simply be a means of getting rid of as many federal employees as quickly as possible based on a directive from the President. In most of the notices we have seen, there has been no consideration for performance ratings, years of service, or prior military service. The federal agencies directed to conduct these RIFs have simply looked at cutting numbers and not needs or proper reorganization. This is extremely unfortunate.
DY Begay (Diné [Navajo], b. 1953) weaving a private commission in her studio. Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2023.
Sublime Light: Tapestry Art of DY Begay exhibition. Photos by Norwood Photography for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.
Sublime Light: Tapestry Art of DY Begay exhibition. Photos by Norwood Photography for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.
Sublime Light: Tapestry Art of DY Begay exhibition. Photos by Norwood Photography for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.
Visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian to see the first-ever retrospective of Diné fiber artist DY Begay and experience the love she holds for her homelands, expressed through 48 inspired tapestries.
Bring the whole family and join an interactive experience for young visitors to understand the care and pride involved in weaving a Navajo rug.
Weaving Family Threads Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free | National Mall
In support of the exhibit Sublime Light: Tapestry Art of DY Begay, fiber artist DY Begay (Diné) and her sisters, Berdina Charley and Berdine Begay will share their stories and talents with the public. There will be hands-on interactive demonstrations to share some of the processes involved with weaving, including carding (combing) wool and spinning wool into thread.
While you are at the museum, enjoy Indigenous-inspired cuisine at the Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe, open daily 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Major support provided by Henry Luce Foundation. Generous support provided by Ameriprise Financial. Additional support provided by The Coby Foundation, Ltd., and Furthermore: a program of the J. M. Kaplan Fund. This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.
355Code.com is a Computer Science School founded by Mr. Tim Yang, a Montgomery Blair High School and CMU alumnus.
The 355Code Curriculum includes:
Javascript — Web Development | Tic-Tac-Toe, Connect 4, and Pac-Man student games
Python — Data Structures, List Comprehension | Strings and Hangman student games
AP — Computer Science A, Artificial Intelligence and Competitive Coding
355Code
Classes meet in-person for 2 hours on Saturdays at Pike & Rose/Rio Gaithersburg or virtually through zoom on weekdays from 6-8 p.m.
“Our son loves the classes, and he is learning a great deal — not just about coding but about math, problem-solving, and hard work as well. We attended the school STEM fair last night. He ran a Raspberry Pi machine learning setup found from Google’s Teachable Machines website, adapting their Python code to his setup. All made possible by your class — We’re grateful!” — Montgomery County Public School parent feedback
Class prices are $90/Week with one-on-one instruction from Ivy League instructors.
