The Silver Spring Penguin

Alright, people. Clear a path for me on the northbound 270 this weekend. I’m hitting Gaithersburg hard!

Thursday

7:00 p.m. Barring any torrential downpours, jazz pianist Elliot Levine closes out the Thursday night free-concert series on Silver Plaza.

8:00 p.m. The Open Circle theatre troupe presents “Songs for a New World” at the Round House Theatre (8641 Colesville Rd). The musical, about two soldiers serving in Iraq and their families at home, runs through Aug 25. Ticket prices vary.

Friday

10:00 a.m. The National Powwow kicks it at the Verizon Center (601 F St NW, in the District) for three days of drums and dance. Adults drop $15, the kids drop either $12 or nothing if they’re younger than 5 years.

3:00 p.m. Get your country on at the 59th annual Montgomery County agricultural fair. Schlep to the Gaithersburg fairgrounds for all the corn dogs and funnel cake you can handle. The gig runs through Aug 18, and operating hours vary. Click here for more info.

The farm exhibits and pig races are $7 for adults, $3 for little kids, free if they’re younger than 2 years. The food and rides are extra.

6:30 p.m. Social workers discuss their work with torture and war survivors. The free talk goes down at Kefa Cafe’s Space 7:10 (963 Bonifant St).

Saturday

9:00 a.m. You already know what’s up at the Ellsworth Drive farmers market. If not, then I don’t know what it’s going to take.

4:00 p.m. Art, poetry and serious grooves go down on Arts Alley (near 8040 Georgia Ave) during the Summer Lovefest. The free event is part of the area-wide “Can a Sista Rock a Mic” festival and runs until 9:00 p.m. (Updated Aug 10, 2007, at 1:12 p.m.)

6:30 p.m. Rock-and-roll delinquents Zero Discipline corrupt young minds on Silver Plaza. The concert is free. The years of rehab will cost you.

7:00 p.m. Painter Solomon Asfaw meets and greets the masses at Highland Origin Coffee (8200 Fenton St). Some of his work is already on display there.

Sunday

Chill. Relax. Chillax.