The evening fall music series at the Publick Playhouse is well under way with outstanding performances through the end of the year. This month, experience the sparkling Afro-Caribbean sounds of Tiempo Libre. Performance date is Oct. 1 at 8 pm. 

A three-time Grammy nominee, Tiempo Libre is one of the hottest Latin bands today.  Throughout the past 14 years, the band has appeared around the globe and has been featured on television shows including The Tonight Show, Live from Lincoln Center, and Dancing with the Stars.  

Also on deck at the "Playhouse" is R&B songstress Vivian Green (Oct 22); the  Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (Nov 5); and a special holiday concert featuring Chelsey Green & The Green Project (Dec 3). All shows are Saturday, 8 pm. 

And, let's not forget, the "Platinum Series for Seniors" with the blues of Memphis Gold (Oct 21);  A Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long featuring the BRENCORE ALLSTARS Band (Dec 23). Both shows are Friday, 11 am. 

For tickets, visit the Publick Playhouse box office in Landover or call 301-277-1710. 

Need more musical flavor? Experience Live @ Montpelier! in Laurel and soulful sounds/old school at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Fort Washington.  

After the first planting in 2007, the efforts of farm owners Gordon Germeny and his late wife Mary have come to fruition. The county's second winery - Gemeny Winery & Vineyards, is now open. 

Gemeny Winery & Vineyards is located at 8606 Cedarville Road in Brandywine on a 2-acre tract of the family's 200-acre Germeny Farms (which has been in the family since 1897). 

In addition to the winery, there is a tasting room. The winery is open to the public weekends, from 10-6 pm.

Big plans are underway for 2017 at Six Flags America (SFA), the only theme park in the DMV/Baltimore metroplex. Next season, SFA will debut its tallest ride ever - the WONDER WOMAN: Lasso of Truth. Standing a whopping 24-stories high, this extreme swing ride will spin riders at speeds of 40 mph.

DID YOU KNOW? The much-anticipated summer blockbuster  "Wonder Woman"  hits theaters nationwide June 2017. That's what we call "Super Hero Synergy". 

MGM National Harbor made a big play in the DMV entertainment scene by partnering with Live Nation for booking and ticket services for "The Theater @ MGM National Harbor". The 3000 seat (4k+ general admission) flex theater is expected to host cabaret-style acts, world-class concerts, comedy, UFC, boxing, and more in an intimate flex setting. Won't be a bad seat in the house. Ticket service will come thru LN's Ticketmaster branch.

Extended Stay offerings continue to expand in PGC. Among other props proposed, pending, or under construction, plans are in play that will add another 240 keys to the grid. Coming to "Downtown Largo" will be the county's first Homewood Suites by Hilton. The 116-room, four-story prop will be located on an 8+ acre tract, off Basil Court, next to the DoubleTree Hotel Largo. The prop will be developed by DC-based Frontier Development & Hospitality Group, owner of the adjacent DoubleTree. 

In fabulous Greenbelt, a Woodsprings Suites (no relation to the above) will be coming to Greenway Center. The five-story, 124-room hotel will be built on a 3-acre section of existing parking lot (between the Greenway Center and Maryland Trade Center) at Greenway Center Drive. This prop is being developed by Richmond-based Sandpiper Hospitality, which has also proposed a Woodspring (with room for a second, equal-sized sister prop) off the corner of Arena & Brightseat in Largo extended.

National Harbor is the second pending location in Maryland for a "The Brass Tap" craft beer bar. It will take space at 164 Fleet Street, at the corner of Mariner Passage. 

A growing chain based out of Tampa, FL, The Brass Tap (TBT) is an upscale beer bar  that offers up to 80 different craft beers on tap, more than 300 varieties of imports, local craft beers, signature cocktails, and a large selection of premium wines. There may also be a cigar component. TBT also features a full food menu including Tap Two Lunch offers and Weekend Brunch.

Music/entertainment is a huge part of the TBT experience, so it will be a wonderful addition to the National Harbor night scene. In addition, its a great place for sports with hi-def sets throughout carrying major packages.

 

TBT-National Harbor is scheduled to open in early 2017. The initial Maryland entry is set to open in B'more later this fall. 

Speaking of the "NAT" and libation stations, opening possibly later this month is  The Irish Whisper at 177 Fleet Street. Whisper is a true Irish pub featuring craft beers, cocktails, wine, and Irish food fare. What makes it unique is that it will also offer 80 different Irish whiskies, scotches and bourbons. There will also be an on-site humidor containing one of the largest selections of cigars at NH. 

You may recall in some of our past scribble that the former Harrington's Pub & Kitchen  space (and surround) were being re-structured to accommodate two new dine offerings at NH. Whisper joins regional newbie,  Brother Jimmy's BBQ, that now takes up  the larger footprint at 177 Fleet. 

Brother Jimmy's NH, the first and only location currently in the DMV/Baltimore metroplex, is a funky spot specializing in traditional North Carolina BBQ. Their long-standing slogan is "Put Some South In Yo Mouth". Menu items include Carolina Pulled Pork, Northern-Style and Baby Back Ribs, Nashville Hot Chicken Dinner, Country Catfish, Southern Fried Chicken, and the Dixie Hoe Cake. Also available is a host of southern-inspired apps, sandwiches, and salads.