The Silver Spring Penguin

UPDATE — A quiet news week can be a blessing. Sure, it’s dull for readers — how many more times can you read about the busted water valve in East Silver Spring? But for the Penguin editorial board, it’s an opportunity to catch up on long-neglected tasks.

For example, no news allowed me to meet with clandestine sources for a little nosh and serious story leads. The information has been embargoed, but when that shit drops, you will go gah-gah. I’ve already got Penguin Twitter buddies spinning their wheels over this story.

Also, The Penguin sales team was able to score another sponsor: the Takoma Park Folk Festival. There will be three free gigs at Pyramid Atlantic leading up to the big score on Sep 13, so check them out. While you’re there, thank festival organizers for supporting The Penguin.

Next week, I brainstorm with Buy Local Silver Spring’s new coordinator, Paula, to present a workshop on online social networking. For now, the workshop is open only to participants in the Buy Local program. If you’re on that list and want more info, stay tuned as things develop.

And you thought I was just slacking off.

I’ve got a Burger Quest review to compose for this afternoon. In the meantime, check out this weekend’s events:

Friday

6:30 p.m. Folk singer Kate Charnock gives a preview performance of next month’s Takoma Park Folk Festival. This free event takes place at ArtSpring (8519 Georgia Ave) and is open to the public.

Saturday

9:00 a.m. Freshfarm Markets holds its weekly farmers market until 1:00 p.m. on Ellsworth Drive, between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street. There is no admission fee.

11:00 a.m. The Washington Animal Rescue League offers dogs for adoption at the Living Ruff pet-supply shop (8517 Georgia Ave) until 2:00 p.m. There is no admission fee.

5:00 p.m. The Quarry House Tavern (8401 Georgia Ave) celebrates two years of its Rockabilly Saturdays series of performances. Scheduled to play are JP McDermott and Western Bop, Jumpin’ Jupiter, and The Flea Bops. Admission is $5 per person; performances continue until 2:00 a.m.

7:00 p.m. The Sonic Circuits Festival of Experimental Music presents “Off the Grid”, a showcase in which performers use only acoustic instruments or electronic equipment not requiring alternating current from a wall socket. Scheduled to play are Neil Feather, Mike Tamburo, Pilesar, Avocado Happy Hour, Layne Garrett, and Ize B. Pickin.

This event takes place at the Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center (8230 Georgia Ave); admission is $8 per person.

Sunday

7:30 p.m. The AFI Silver Theatre (8633 Colesville Rd) presents “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962), starring Peter O’Toole. This final summer screening costs $10 per ticket.

Updated Aug 28, 2009, to move Friday night’s free gig from the Pyramid Atlantic gallery into its art shop in the Downtown Silver Spring shopping center. — JD