On Friday, Silver Spring’s regional center celebrates a sign of the times — whatever that might mean.

The family event marks the end of downtown’s Turf, that swath of artificial grass on Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street. Like it or not, the carpet is on its way out to make room for a paved plaza, though the exact date of its demise is unclear.

According to the event’s announcement, attendees can expect some street performers. Maybe the guy with the pots and pans will beat out some serious drum action. Perhaps the “break-dancing” teens will get over their endless posing and actually break dance.

Check it out, if only to brag on Monday morning that you were there. Then take in the weekend’s other offerings:

Thursday

7:00 p.m. Baroque musicians from the Bach Sinfonia perform a free concert on Ellsworth Drive near Georgia Avenue. This event is part of the Silver Spring Swings weekly concert series and is open to the public.

8:00 p.m. Stroyka Theater presents Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” at the Backroom at Jackie’s (8081 Georgia Ave). Each seat runs you $18, not including the mini Elvis burger on your plate and the cosmo in your glass.

Friday

4:00 p.m. The Pyramid Atlantic community-arts store (924 Ellsworth Dr) hosts happy hour, with good eats courtesy of Taste of Jerusalem restaurant. The free nosh runs until 6:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. The Silver Spring Regional Center throws a “Sign of the Times” party on the Turf at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street. The free gig features a deejay and street performers, and it runs until 8:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. Adam Johnston performs at South Silver Spring’s Arts Alley (8030 Georgia Ave). This event is part of the weekly Arts Alley Fridays series of free performances.

8:00 p.m. The Silver Spring Stage (10145 Colesville Rd) presents the comedy “Incorruptible”. Tickets are $15 to $18 each.

8:00 p.m. Stroyka Theater presents Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” at the Backroom at Jackie’s (8081 Georgia Ave). Each seat runs you $18, not including the mini Elvis burger on your plate and the cosmo in your glass.

10:00 p.m. Event producer 88 presents Loda, a music-and-multimedia gig. The party hits the Gallery restaurant and lounge (1115 East-West Hwy) and runs to 3:00 a.m. Ten bucks and convincing ID get you through the door.

Saturday

9:00 a.m. Freshfarm holds its weekly farmers market on Ellsworth Drive, between Fenton Street and Georgia Avenue. There is no admission fee.

10:00 a.m. Gas up the Zip Car and haul ass to one of a dozen farms participating in the county’s annual farm tour and harvest sale.

If the Zip Car’s a Prius, designate a driver and head to the Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard in Dickerson (near the Frederick County line) for a little sumpin’ sumpin’. Stuck with an SUV? The Heyser Farm is just up New Hampshire Avenue.

Some things are free; some aren’t. Check out the absurdly large PDFs on the event’s web page for a list of participating farms, maps and possible fees. The tours end at 4:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. The Gateway Heliport Gallery (8001 Kennet St) celebrates the second opening of “Heads, Torsos, Legs”, a revised collection based on the “Exquisite Corpse” game. The free reception rolls until 8:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m. The Unity Reggae Band plays, um, reggae on Ellsworth Drive near Georgia Avenue. This free event is part of a weekly concert series sponsored by the Downtown Silver Spring shopping center and is open to the public.

8:00 p.m. The Silver Spring Stage (10145 Colesville Rd) presents the comedy “Incorruptible”. Tickets are $15 to $18 each.

8:00 p.m. Stroyka Theater presents Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” at the Backroom at Jackie’s (8081 Georgia Ave). Each seat runs you $18, not including the mini Elvis burger on your plate and the cosmo in your glass.

Sunday

10:00 a.m. Gas up the Zip Car and haul ass to one of a dozen farms participating in the county’s annual farm tour and harvest sale. Check out the event’s web page for a list of participating farms, maps and possible fees. The tours end at 4:00 p.m.

SPONSORED CONTENT
11:00 a.m. Nicaro restaurant (8229 Georgia Ave) hits you with its brunch menu. Prices range from $6 to $15. The nosh rolls until 2:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m. Stroyka Theater presents Steve Martin’s “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” at the Backroom at Jackie’s (8081 Georgia Ave). Each seat runs you $18, not including the mini Elvis burger on your plate and the cosmo in your glass.

Lead image: Photo of a crop circle, courtesy of the Goddess Chess Partnership. Embedded images courtesy of Flickr user Elemental_Fool and the Celebrate Silver Spring Foundation.