Montpelier summer concert series -- Free two-hour concerts on selected Fridays at 7:30 p.m. on the grounds of Montpelier Mansion, 9652 Muirkirk Road at Route 197. July 10, Brass of the Potomac, 30 musicians playing American spirituals and patriotic music; July 24, Caribbean music by Sam 'O and the JFC Band; July 31, "The Taming of the Shrew" by Shakespeare in the Park; Aug. 7, contemporary county by Jay Henley & the Stone Broke Band. Bring friends, a picnic, blanket and or chair. Free public and handicapped parking available. Sponsored by the South Laurel Recreation Council, 301-776-2805.

Concerts in the Park -- Sponsored by the Laurel Parks and Recreation. Fridays, 7 to 9 p.m., Granville Gude Park stage. July 17, J. R. Booker, country; July 31, Michael James Baker and Blue Smoke (blues); and Aug. 14, Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition (bluegrass). 301-725-7800, www.laurel.md.us.

Extra concert in Old Town -- Sunday, Aug. 23, 7-9 .m., McCullough Field Stage, 8th St., Project Natale, jazz. Parks and Recreation, 301-725-7800, www.laurel.md.us.

Free community concerts -- Sponsored by the Laurel School of Music, the Laurel Board of Trade and the city of Laurel at McCullough Field, 8th and Montgomery streets, 7 to 9 p.m. on Sundays, July 26, Evidence, smooth classic jazz; and Aug. 30, Flashlight, fun, flashy and funky Go-go and pop. Donations from the public and sponsorships from individuals and business are appreciated.

Traveling Band concert series -- Presented by Howard County Recreation and Parks, Friday, July 10, 7 p.m., Savage Park, 8600 Foundry St. in Savage, Jay D. Henley & The Stone Broke Band (country). Free ice cream sponsored by Edy's Grand Ice Cream, while supplies last. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Picnic or utilize park concession stand. 410-313-7275. howardcountymd.gov/rap. Inclement weather, 410-313-4452 after 4 p.m. day of concert.

Jam session

Laurel jam session -- First and third Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Phelps Senior Citizens Center, 701 Montgomery St. Under the coordination of local musician Bob Bowman, interested experienced and novice musicians are invited to sit in for an open jam. Music includes folk, bluegrass, Celtic, jazz, ragtime, polka and traditional. Children must be supervised.

Theater

"Charley's Aunt" -- Family comedy, directed by Tom Schneider, opens Friday, July 10 at 8 p.m. at the Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main St. Performances run weekends through July 19 with Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m. and two Sunday matinees on July 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets $13 general admission, $10 students (18 and under) and seniors (65 and over). Reservations, 301-617-9906 and press 2. www.laurelmillplayhouse.org. Maureen Rogers, maureencrogers@gmail.com or 301-452-2557.

Exhibits

Montpelier Arts Center -- 9652 Muirkirk Road, 301-377-7800, montpelier.arts@pgparks.com. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 28th annual Montpelier Invitational Sculpture Exhibition: Main Gallery: New sculpture, Moving Towards Stillness, by Nancy Sausser, through Aug. 13. Resident Artist Gallery: New Paintings by Patricia Phillips Bowden, through July 27, reception, Sunday, July 12, 2 to 4 p.m. Library Gallery: Mixed media, by Suzanne Herbert-Fortron, through Aug. 13.

Needleart 2009 -- Saturday, Juy 18 through Sunday, July 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Montpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road at Route 197. Sponsored by Stitching Pretty Ltd., The Friends of Montpelier and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the mansion will be filled with an array of stitched art, from needlepoint to ribbon work, beading to pulled thread and cross stitch. There is a special category for juniors. Judges choose winners in several categories and visitors are invited to vote for the "People's Choice" award. Demonstrations of various forms of needleart given daily. Vendors will sell needlework, needlework supplies, jewelry, soaps and glasswork. New this year is an exhibit celebrating family, with samplers belonging to families that record family events such as births, weddings and history. There will also be a special category ribbon presented to "new" samplers of the same type. All ages. $6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 children. 301-377-7817. www.pgparks.com.

"Water in Any Form" -- Photo exhibit highlights winning works by Gaithersburg Camera Club, through July 31, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., WSSC Art Gallery, Main Lobby, Richard G. Hocevar Building, 14501 Sweitzer Lane. 301-206-8100, communications@wsscwater.com.

"Children of the World: One Spirit, Many Faces" -- Photographs by Maryland artist Billy Michels, on display through Sept. 2 at the Himmelfarb Gallery on the Tai Sophia campus, 7750 Montpelier Road. Color and black and whit photographs reflect the innocence, joy, compassion and energy found in children representing five continents and all socio-economic conditions. Gallery hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

History

Hands-on History Day: A Day in the Life of a Soldier -- Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to noon, at Montpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road at Route 197. Re-enactors of the American Revolution show what it was like to be a soldier in the 18th century, from uniforms to equipment to the fife and drum corps. All ages, $7 per child. Reservations recommended, 301-377-7817. www.pgparks.com.

Tours -- 18th-century Georgian Montpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road. Guided tours on Sundays at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; drop-in, self-guided tours Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Group tours of 10 or more by appointment. $3 adults, $2 seniors and groups of 10 or more, $1 ages 6-18, free ages 5 and under. 301-377-7817, montpelier.mansion@pgparks.com.

Historical reproduction kitchen -- Montpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road. Learn about the skilled workers -- enslaved, free and indentured -- who enabled plantations like Montpelier to prosper. No reservations required. Sponsored by Friends of Montpelier and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. 301-953-1376. www.pgparks.com.

History tours -- Snow Hill Manor, late-Georgian plantation house built in 1755, 13301 Laurel-Bowie Road. Tours Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 301-725-6037. snowhill.manor@pgparks.com.

Laurel Museum --"Shake, Rattle 'n' Roll: Laurel in the 1950s, A Community in Transition," 817 Main St. Open Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m., and Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Groups Monday through Friday by appointment. 301-725-7975. www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org.

Movies

Movie at Montpelier -- "Hairspray," two-hour free movie, Friday, July 17, dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.), Montpelier Mansion grounds, 9652 Muirkirk Road at Route 197, 31st anniversary of Montpelier summer concert series. Bring a picnic, blanket or chair. Rain location, Vansville Community Center, 6813 Ammendale Road, Beltsville. Call 301-937-6621 for verification after 5 p.m. 301-776-2805.

Free Friday family fun movies -- Presented by the Laurel Department of Parks and Recreation and co-sponsored by Don Pablo's Restaurant of Laurel, Fridays, 8:30 p.m., Granville Gude Park and Lakehouse, 8300 Mulberry St. July 10, "Kung Fu Panda" (PG); July 24, "The Tale of Despereaux" (PG); and Aug. 7, "Igor" (PG). Bring a blanket. Refreshments available for purchase. 301-725-7800, www.laurel.md.us.

Flick and Float movie -- Saturday, Aug. 8, 8:30 p.m., Laurel Municipal Pool. Free to pass holders, $1 for all others. Bring your rafts and floats to lounge on, in the pool or on the deck, while watching a summer favorite. Sponsored by Laurel Parks and Recreation. 301-725-7800. www.laurel.md.us.

Movie in Old Town -- Friday, Aug. 28, dusk, Emancipation Park, 8th St. "Wall-E" (PG). The year is 2700 and Wall-E is a robot still spending everyday doing what he is made for until he meets Eve. 301-725-7800, www.laurel.md.us.

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