Good morning, sunflower paparazzi!

Peak summer has officially arrived with a flourish, and we've assembled your essential briefing: some of the world's best tennis players are competing just minutes away at Rock Creek, our nearby sunflower fields are absolutely stunning right now, and there's a wonderful mix of family activities, cultural events, and outdoor adventures waiting for your weekend.

Interesting early feedback on the Live & Local-ish Music survey at the bottom 🧐 please keep it coming.

Grab that oat milk cortado and let’s dive in…

🗞 THE LOCAL LOWDOWN 🗞

Tennis Elite Descend on Rock Creek

Mubadala Citi DC Open

The Mubadala Citi DC Open returns to Rock Creek Park July 19-27 with a constellation of tennis royalty—including US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and DC's own Frances Tiafoe, who famously used to sneak into this very tournament as a kid.

After record-breaking package sales left tournament organizers scrambling to release limited single-session tickets (less than 500 tickets remain), this marks the anticipated fifth consecutive sellout for what has become the DMV's most coveted summer sporting event.

With seven current top-10 players committed and the return of crowd favorite Nick Kyrgios after a two-year injury hiatus, securing seats to tennis's only combined ATP-WTA 500 tournament has become about as competitive as getting your teenager into their first-choice college—only with better refreshments courtesy of those Michelin-starred chefs catering the event.

Staying Looped In

🍕 Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria has opened its second Bethesda location at Westbard Square, bringing sophisticated Italian fare like 'Nduja pizza and arancini to the growing culinary scene. (Bethesda Magazine)

🎨 The Montgomery Art Association's prestigious Paint the Town Labor Day Show is now accepting artist registrations through August 5.

📆 Montgomery County just opened online reservations to reserve all indoor & outdoor facilities and athletic fields between August 16-November 30 - log onto ActiveMONTGOMERY to secure prime dates and sought-after spots.

🌻 CHASING GOLD: A Potomac Loop Guide to Our Nearby Sunflower Spectacular 🌻

Peak sunflower season is here! Read your insider's guide to Montgomery County's golden fields: from McKee-Beshers' free wildlife areas to Butler's & Whitetails curated spectaculars, plus this Saturday's special naturalist tour, strategic timing, and sophisticated logistics for discerning suburban photographers.

🗓 THE SOCIAL CALENDAR 🗓

Wednesday, 7/16

Parks Playhouse Junior - Culture Queen. 10-11am @ Cabin John Regional Park
Culture Queen, an acclaimed teaching artist and children's musician, brings dynamic Black History-themed performance proving educational entertainment without a screen. Bring blankets/lawn chairs 🎶

Storytime with the Animals. 10:30-11am @ Meadowside Nature Center
Meet one of Meadowside Nature Center's animal ambassadors and sit down with them to listen to a story - where "sit, stay, and listen" applies to both the audience and the storytellers. 0-6yrs. 🐿

Colored Pencil Wildlife: Waterbirds. 5-7pm @ Virtual
Award-winning artist Lis Zadravec teaches achieving amazing realism in feathers, features, structure and color of ducks and other waterfowl through professional colored pencil techniques. Register in link 🦆

Book Discussion: “Incense and Sensibility”. 6:30-7:30pm @ Potomac Library
Monthly book discussion featuring Sonali Dev's novel about California's first Indian-American gubernatorial candidate and his stress management coach. Copies at Library. 📖

Thursday, 7/17

Nurturing Minds: Parents as Pillars of Children's Mental Health. 4-6pm @ TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm
Panel discussion featuring Dr. Emily Aron from Georgetown, Dr. Abigail Romirowsky from Perspective Health DC, and Claire Noakes from Arlington County Council of PTAs exploring real-world strategies to support children's mental health starting at home. $25, free for TPC members, Register in link 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Toast2Peace on Peace Day. 5-8pm @ World of Beer, Rockville
Mattie Stepanek's 35th birthday celebration featuring Tommy McFly, live music, peace activities, food trucks, and a global 7pm "clink" connecting Maryland with Canada, UK, and worldwide neighbors toasting peace. Link for details

Adaptive Paddling Program. 5-7pm @ Seneca Landing Special Park
Montgomery Parks' new inclusive evening program designed for individuals with disabilities and their family or friends provides all necessary gear and trained staff accompaniment on calm, flat water. Register in link 🛶

Yappy Hour & Pop-Up Dog Park. 6-8pm @ Elm Street Park
Canine social hour combines temporary off-leash dog park fun with local restaurant vendors serving food, beer, and wine in partnership with Montgomery Parks. Woof 🐶

Movie Night Under the Stars - HOOK. 6-10pm @ Twinbrook Quarter Central Park
Free family-friendly outdoor screening of Hook with Rocklands BBQ food truck, lawn games, complimentary popcorn and shaved ice. Bring blankets & lawn chairs 📽

Friday, 7/18

Fun Friday Outdoors on the Green. 5-7pm @ Cabin John Village
My Gym brings free fun and games to the grassy lawn behind Cabin John Village, complete with frozen treats. Register in link 🍧

Concert, Cookies & Cocktails Fundraiser. 6:30pm @ Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary
Asheville folk/Americana singer-songwriter Jane Kramer performs an outdoor concert fundraiser among rescued farm animals, complete with free cocktails, plant-based bites, and Midnight Treats cookies. $50, tickets in new link. 👩‍🌾

Saturday, 7/19

Mubadala Citi DC Open Kids Day. 7:45-9:15am @ Rock Creek Park Tennis Center
Free tennis instruction for ages 5-12 featuring skill-building games and fun activities both on and off the court at the professional tennis tournament venue. Free, register in link 🎾

Pvolve on the Green Demo Class. 9:30am @ Cabin John Village
Outdoor demo class for Jennifer Aniston's favorite functional fitness method opening soon in Potomac, featuring resistance equipment sculpt-and-tone techniques. Free, just bring workout shoes & water 👟

Chess Lounge Launch. 12-5pm @ Westfield Montgomery Center Court
New Chess Lounge debut coinciding with International Chess Day featuring free instruction, open play, mini tournaments, and chess master appearances in partnership with regional nonprofits. Free, register in link

Fantasmagory Fashion Party. 2:30-4pm @ Imagination Stage
Wacky outfit celebration between Dory Fantasmagory performances featuring family yoga class, live fashion show on red carpet where kids get 15-30 seconds to strut their creative costumes. Register in link🎭

Pottery Workshop with David MacDonald. July 19+20 @ Glen Echo Pottery
Nationally recognized Syracuse artist teaches surface designs and decorative practices from sub-Saharan Africa over 2 days, celebrating African heritage through pottery while expressing human spirit's magnificence and dignity. $225, register in link👨‍🎨

Bachata y más. 7:30pm-midnight @ Glen Echo Park Ballroom Back Room
Latin dance night featuring Bachata lessons plus Salsa, Merengue, and Kizomba with live DJ, partner rotation for singles, and inclusive atmosphere welcoming all skill levels. $15, lessons included w/ticket 💃

Sunday, 7/20

Figure Model Drawing. 9am-12pm & 1-4pm @ Compass Atelier Kensington
Double-model sessions featuring Gazelle and Tom with combination of short and long poses, some models posing in tandem, others on opposite sides for exclusive long-pose focus. $25 for non-members, bring fav drawing tools & paper, easels provided.

Drop-In Chess. 10am-12pm @ Potomac Community Center
Casual chess for all ages and skill levels from novice to grandmaster, guided by Churchill High School Chess Club members and supported by Friends of the Potomac Community Center. Free, kids under 12 need their Grand Master nearby

DC Polo Society Summer Social. 2-5:30pm @ Congressional Polo Club
Countryside elegance meets sport with two polo rounds, big hats, seersucker style, onsite bar and food truck in beautiful majestic grounds setting perfect for dates and families. $45+, kids <12 free, RSVP in link 🐴

Yoga with Archana. 3-4pm @ Potomac Library
Free 45-minute mat session plus 15-minute breathwork and meditation with wellness coach respectful of participants' age and agility, promoting balance and stress management. Bring your mat 🧘‍♂

"Better Living Through Birding" Book Club. 4:30-5:30pm @ Locust Grove Nature Center
Nature-focused book discussion exploring BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ perspectives through Christian Cooper's memoir about birding, identity, and the viral Central Park incident that shocked the nation. Register in link 📖

Gif by Neighbours

Everyone is excited to see your local ad in the Loop so click the image!

🎷 LIVE & LOCAL-ISH MUSIC 🎸

Wednesday, 7/16

  • Gaithersburg Concert Pavilion | Lilo Gonzalez | Kids | 10:30-11:15am

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | CGT Jazz Collective | Jazz | 5:30-7pm

  • The Irish Inn | Irish House Band | Irish/American folk | 6-9pm

  • Kennedy Center | Orquestra el Macabeo | 6pm

  • Wolf Trap | Barenaked Ladies | 7pm | TIX

  • Strathmore Lawn | Jigjam | Bluegrass/Irish | 7:30pm

  • Friendship Heights Community Center | Seth Kibel Band | Woodwinds | 7-8pm

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | Songwriters Assn of Washington | 8-10pm

Thursday, 7/17

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | Carlie Bryant | 5:30-7pm

  • The Irish Inn | Jeff Herbert | 6-9pm

  • Dogfish Head Alehouse | Justina Beth-El | 6-9pm

  • Kennedy Center | Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas | 6pm

  • Pike District Pop-Up Park | Earls and Gallagher Duo | Acoustic | 6-8pm

  • Gaithersburg Concert Pavilion | Mama Moon & The Rump Shakers | 6:30-8pm

  • Hunters Bar & Grill | Rob Patrick & Friends | 7pm

  • Strathmore | Old-time Music & Dance Party | Appalachian/Kids | 7-8pm

  • Glen Echo Park | The High and Wides | Bluegrass | 7:30pm

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | Tommy Lepson & The Bad Dawgs | 8-10pm

  • Wolf Trap | NSO | Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert | 8pm | TIX

Friday, 7/18

  • Windridge Vineyards | Bill Jones | Acoustic | 5-8pm

  • The Crossvines | Live Music | 5-8pm

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | Beatles at Dietle’s | 5-7pm

  • Kennedy Center | Oakland Rising | 6pm

  • Rocklands Farm Winery | Eli Lev | 6-9pm

  • Rio Lakefront Boardwalk Stage | Daisy Road | Pop/Rock | 6-9pm

  • Woodmont Triangle | La Unica | 6pm

  • The Square @ Rockville | Don’t Back Down | Tom Petty Tribute | 6-9pm

  • Whelan’s | Jay Byrd | 7-10pm

  • Brews & Barrels | Jimmy Solesky | 7-10pm

  • Java-Nation Rockville | Jen & Dave Hawley | Classic hits/pop | 7-9:30pm

  • Wolf Trap | Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays Gershwin | TIX

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | The HalFSmokes | 9-midnight | TIX

  • Clydes of Chevy Chase | Odyssey Express | 9pm-close

  • Caddies on Cordell | Firekite | Party Rock | 9:30pm-close

Saturday. 7/19

  • Clear Skies Meadery | Swingville | Acoustic jazz/swing | 3-6pm

  • Grove Bar & Grille | Steven Gellman | 5-8pm

  • The Crossvines | Live Music | 5-8pm

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | Chuck Underwood Trio | Improvisational | 5:30-7pm

  • Kennedy Center | Gina Sobel | 6pm

  • Java-Nation Rockville | Mike Heuer | 7-9:30pm

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | J.P. McDermott & Western Bop | Rockabilly | 9-midnight | TIX

  • Clydes of Chevy Chase | Quantum Leap | 9pm-close

  • Caddies on Cordell | Climb On | Pop/Rock | 9:30pm-close

Sunday, 7/20

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | The Anacostia Delta All-Stars | 2-4:30pm

  • Strathmore | BSO | Gershwin, ft Rhapsody in Blue | 3pm | TIX

  • Honey Acres Music Center | Wang-Riese-Kim String Trio Concert | 3pm | TIX

  • The Irish Inn | Brooks Tegler & Friends | 4:30-7:30pm

  • Hank Dietle’s Tavern | The Hula Monsters | Hawaiian Swing/Country| 6-9pm

  • Rocklands Farm Winery | Juliet Lloyd & Jon Tyler Wiley | 6:30-9pm | TIX

  • Whelans | DMV Beer Choir | 7-9pm

  • Wolf Trap | Weird Al Yankovic | 8pm | TIX

Thanks for reading!

Now go share this with that neighbor who’s frantically refreshing ActiveMONTGOMERY for those prime athletic field slots.

-Potomac Loop Team

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