Bethesda Loop

February 18, 2026

Bethesda Loop

๐Ÿด Your Wallet's Getting a Prix Fixe

Good morning, Bethesdan!

It's nearly 60 degrees and somehow the parking lot snow pile is still there: grey, defiant, and taking up two spots like it pays rent.

In today's Bethesda Loop,

- Restaurant Week returns

- Tropical butterflies arrive

- Mike Winch at The Hunters Hound

Let's Loop.

๐Ÿ—ž๏ธ The Local Lowdown

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Restaurant week returns with wallet-friendly prix fixe menus. 36 Bethesda spots are slashing prices February 19-March 1 with $10, $20, and $35 deals, from Mon Ami Gabi's French classics to Dog Haus burgersโ€”plus many offer takeout for easy weeknight wins. See all the participants
๐Ÿฆ‹ Tropical butterflies take over Brookside Gardens. Step into a living kaleidoscope as hundreds of butterflies flutter through the conservatory's tropical paradise, featuring exotic species from Central and South America. Tickets on sale now
๐Ÿˆ Former NFL player and Landon teacher Tre' Johnson dies. The beloved Bethesda educator and former Washington lineman taught history for over 20 years at Landon School, remembered for his tremendous care for students. Read full tribute [WTOP]
๐Ÿ’ƒ Glen Echo Park launches new Latin dance series. Salsa & Bachata y mรกs combines beginner lessons with social dancing on third Fridays monthly in the Ballroom Back Room, plus multiple gallery openings Saturday evening. Learn about programs
โค๏ธ Suburban Hospital hosts heart health advocacy workshop. Local women's health experts Dr. Tina Zhang and Dr. Yolandra Hancock lead a free virtual discussion today about navigating healthcare and prioritizing cardiovascular wellness during Heart Month. Register now
๐ŸŒธ MoCo kicks off spring sign-ups. Montgomery County Parks and Montgomery Country Recreation both opened spring registration today, with hundreds of programs to entertain and educate. Browse all the programs here

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ The Social Calendar

Support the Loop by mentioning it when you attend.

Wed ยท Feb 18

Chevy Chase Fiction Book Club: The Fury by Alex Michaelides

3pm-4pm ยท Chevy Chase Library

Dive into a twisty Greek island murder mystery by the bestselling author of The Silent Patient, where a celebrity's Easter gathering turns deadly among old friends with hidden grudges.

Davis Adult Global Book Discussion

4:15pm-5pm ยท Davis Library

The Davis library's book club tackles a gripping Siberian crime novel where a child's disappearance exposes the fault lines in a remote community.

Voter Education Talk

6:30pm ยท Promenade Towers

Indivisible MoCoWomen hosts a voter education talk with David Naimon, President of Montgomery County Board of Elections, and Michelle Whittaker, Executive Director of Rank Choice Voting Maryland, on ranked choice voting and election integrity.

Free Workshop: The Art of Entertainment

7:30pm ยท The Mansion at Strathmore

Trumpeter Cyrus Mackey teaches performers how to connect with audiences beyond technical skills, covering microphone confidence, smooth transitions, and compelling setlists that turn concerts into experiences.

Thu ยท Feb 19

Art Discussion Group

1pm-3pm ยท Davis Library

Share your take on art's meaning in a welcoming circle where curiosity matters more than credentials, exploring everything from technique to personal impact.

Spousal Caregiver Support Group

2pm ยท The Kensington Bethesda

New monthly support group led by Care Manager Leslie Mason, LCSW-C, for spouses caring for partners at home or in communities, with light refreshments provided. RSVP in link

GEICO/Friendship Commons Pre-Submittal Community Meeting

7pm ยท Westland Middle School Cafeteria

GEICO and development partners present their Friendship Commons project plans before formal submission, giving residents a chance to ask questions and voice concerns about the proposed development. RSVP to eegirard(at)lerchearly.com

Mahjong at The Bunny Hive x The Charleston Coach

7pm ยท The Bunny Hive Bethesda

The Charleston Coach hosts weekly mahjong lessons with guided play and coaching for beginners, plus wine and snacks.

Memoir Book Club

7pm-8pm ยท Wonderland Books

First meeting to discuss Lara Love Hardin's hilarious no-holds-barred account of her journey from soccer mom to opioid addict to successful ghostwriter. Sign-up information on website

Writing in Times of Conflict: Interior/Exterior with Maya Marshall

7pm ยท Virtual

Cave Canem fellow and MacDowell alum Maya Marshall guides writers through crafting protest and witness poems that bridge personal experience with political action.

Fri ยท Feb 20

Move When the Spirit Says Move

3pm-5pm ยท Chevy Chase Library

A Black History Month film screening that showcases the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader Dorothy Foreman Cotton who trained activists in nonviolence alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and led freedom songs that powered the movement.

Sat ยท Feb 21

No Blueprint for the Moon: Navigating the Unknowns of Extraterrestrial Construction

1:30pm ยท Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center

NASA scientist Dr. Caitlin Ahrens, who advises the Artemis mission on lunar landing risks, explains how engineers plan structures for the Moon where soil data is sparse and Earth's building codes don't apply.

On St. Elmo Comedy Bunker 11: Josh Kuderna

7pm-8:30pm ยท ON St. Elmo

DC's Jenny Questtell and Baltimore comic Josh Kuderna brings his road-tested material from opening for Patton Oswalt and Nate Bargatze.

Sun ยท Feb 22

Yoga with Becca

10:45am ยท Babycat Brewery Kensington

Instructor Becca leads flowing poses and stretches in the taproom setting, where post-class pints are always an option. Bring your own yoga mat.

Waltz Workshop & Social Dance Party

6pm-9pm ยท Capital Ballroom Dance Studio

USA Dance Mid-Atlantic Chapter starts with smooth waltz technique instruction, then opens the floor for social dancing with partners of all skill levels.

๐Ÿ‘‰ See every Bethesda event on our full calendar ๐Ÿ‘ˆ

๐ŸŽท Live & Local-ish Music

Wed
CGT Jazz Collective
Hank Dietles ยท 5:30pm
Inn House Band
The Irish Inn ยท 6pm
Songwriters Association of Washington (SAW) Showcase
Hank Dietles ยท 8pm
Thu
Josh Bayer Trio
Hank Dietles ยท 5:30pm
Jeff Herbert
The Irish Inn ยท 6pm
Mike Winch (Traditional Irish Music)
The Hunters Hound ยท 7pm
Terry Hanck CD Release Party w/ Charlie Owen and Pocket Change
Hank Dietles ยท 8pm ยท TIX
Fri
9th Street Chamber Music Collective
Fourth Presbyterian Church ยท 1pm
Beatles at Dietle's
Hank Dietles ยท 5pm
Jim Stephanson
Clyde's of Chevy Chase ยท 5:30pm
Jack-A-Roses w/ Special Guest Drummer Jared Coffin
Tommy Joe's ยท 7pm ยท TIX
Collective Disturbance
The Alley at Bethesda Boards ยท 7:30pm-10pm
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: La Vida Loca
Strathmore ยท 8pm ยท TIX
The Roustabouts
Hank Dietles ยท 9pm
Chris Timbers Band
Clyde's of Chevy Chase ยท 10pm
Sat
One Night Samba
Alfio's La Trattoria ยท 7-10pm
Gettin' Weird
The Alley at Bethesda Boards ยท 7-11pm
Timmie Metz
Clydes of Chevy Chase ยท 5:30pm
Chuck Underwood Trio
Hank Dietles ยท 5:30pm
For the Lovers..A Night with Frankie The Godson
Bethesda Theater ยท 8pm
Sookey Jump
BT's Bethesda ยท 8pm
Emma G
The Hunters Hound ยท 8pm
Mike Westcott Band
Hank Dietles ยท 9pm
Thunderball
Caddies on Cordell ยท 9:30pm
Great Northern ft. Amy Wilson
Clyde's of Chevy Chase ยท 10pm
Sun
Sons of Town Hall
Strathmore ยท 4pm & 7pm ยท TIX
The Instrumental Ensemble & Jidi Onumah
The Global Forum at Georgetown Prep ยท 4pm
Brooks Tegler
The Irish Inn ยท 4:30pm
Cole Larravide Band
Hank Dietles ยท 6pm

*Dates & times subject to change

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