LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL
Friday, July 24 & Saturday, July 25 | 8:00 PM, Sunday, July 26 | 3:00 PM 📍 Port Tobacco Players, 508 Charles St, La Plata 💵 $20 adults / $17 students, seniors 60+ & military
If you've been meaning to catch a show at Port Tobacco Players, this is a great one to start with. The Broadway adaptation of Legally Blonde is all pink, all heart, and a lot of fun, the kind of show that sends you out of the theater in a good mood.
Friday and Saturday are evening shows at 8, and there's a Sunday matinee at 3 if you'd rather make it an afternoon. Tickets run $20 for adults and $17 for students, seniors, and military, and you can book online or call the box office.
It's community theater at its best, right in downtown La Plata. Grab dinner nearby and make a night of it.
🏘️ COMMUNITY & SEASONAL PICKS
Small-town summer, the good kind, is in full swing this week.
10 & TEA FRIDAYS
Friday, July 24 | 9:30 AM meet, 10:00 AM roll out 📍 Clarity Coffee House, 4175 Indian Head Hwy, Indian Head 💵 Free
Black Girls Do Bike SOMD hosts a relaxed, no-pressure ride along the Indian Head Rail Trail, then heads back to Clarity for coffee, tea, and pastries. No pace expectations, just fresh air and good company to kick off your Friday. Perfect if you're off on Fridays or just want to move your body before the weekend.
FIRST RESPONDERS APPRECIATION DAY PARTY
Sunday, July 26 | 4:00 PM 📍 Martinis Lounge, Waldorf 💵 See link
A community party to thank the folks who show up when we need them most. Music, a good-time crowd, and a feel good way to close out the weekend.
AMERICA 250 SCAVENGER HUNT
Monday, July 20 through Saturday, July 25 | All day 📍 All CCPL branches, Charles County 💵 Free
A self guided hunt through the library and a little American history, tied to the nation's 250th. Finish it and win a prize. Easy, free, and doable at whichever branch is closest to you.
🎵 LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
From a free lawn concert to a beach bash with a live band, the weekend has range.
WES RYCE IS BACK AT APES
Tuesday, July 21 | 6:00 to 10:00 PM 📍 Apehangers Bar & Grill, 9100 Crain Hwy, Bel Alton 💵 See link
Wes Ryce is back at Apehangers, and if you've caught him before, you know the deal. Live music, good bites, cold drinks, and that easy Apes atmosphere. A fun midweek excuse to get out of the house.
LA PLATA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Friday, July 24 | 7:00 to 9:00 PM 📍 La Plata Town Hall lawn, 305 Queen Anne St, La Plata 💵 Free
The town's free Friday-night concert on the Town Hall lawn. Bring blankets and chairs, grab something from the food vendors, and settle in. Check the town page for this week's lineup.
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION BBQ BEACH BASH
Saturday, July 25 | 3:00 to 7:00 PM, plus Thunderball 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM 📍 Apehangers Bar & Grill, 9100 Crain Hwy, Bel Alton 💵 See link
Apes throws a customer appreciation cookout with a beach-party vibe, 10% off tabs from 3 to 7, and live music all afternoon. Family friendly until 9, then Thunderball takes the stage to close it down. Two very different energies in one day.
RHYTHM AND BINGO CABARET
Saturday, July 25 | 7:00 PM 📍 Martinis Lounge, Waldorf 💵 See link
Live rhythm, cabaret energy, and bingo for prizes all in one night. It's a different kind of Saturday out, and honestly that's the appeal.
RELENTLEZZ-LY-QUICK
Sunday, July 26 | 5:00 PM 📍 Burner's Bar & Grill, Indian Head 💵 See link
Live entertainment at this easygoing Indian Head spot. A relaxed way to spend a Sunday evening on the west side of the county.
🎨 ARTS, WELLNESS & CREATIVE EXPERIENCES
Make something, feel something, or just sit still and let a sound bowl do the work.
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
Friday, July 24 & Saturday, July 25 | 8:00 PM 📍 Indian Head Black Box Theater, Indian Head 💵 Tickets required
Hard Bargain Players close out their run of the tender Albom and Hatcher play about a journalist reconnecting with his dying former professor. These are the final performances, so if it's been on your list, this is your last shot.
SMOOTH STEPPERS SOCIAL
Friday, July 24 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM 📍 Waldorf Senior & Recreation 💵 $25
An evening of hand dance and line dance with great music and easy to learn steps. Beginners and pros both welcome, and light refreshments and drinks are provided. Come find your rhythm and meet some fellow dancers.
ORIN SWIFT WINE DINNER EXPERIENCE
Friday, July 24 | Time TBD, check the link 📍 The Charles Restaurant & Bar, 417 Charles St, La Plata 💵 See link
A guided wine dinner that opens with a welcome pour of Roederer Estate Brut and moves through a full tasting menu. A more grown-up night out if you're in the mood for something special downtown.
GODDESS FREQUENCY: SACRED SOUND BOWL & TAROT
Saturday, July 25 | 2:00 PM 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💵 See link
A restorative afternoon of crystal sound-bowl vibrations paired with a tarot experience at Waldorf's wellness space. If your week's been a lot, this is a reset.
SOUND & STILLNESS: RESTORATIVE SOUND HEALING
Sunday, July 26 | 1:30 PM 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💵 See link
A guided sound-healing session built to melt off the week's stress. Wear something comfortable, bring an open mind, and let Sunday be slow for once.
CREATE & SIP WITH CÉYVONNE: PAINT, MIX & MINGLE
Sunday, July 26 | 3:00 PM 📍 Paint N Sip, Waldorf 💵 See link
No experience needed, just show up ready to create, sip, and socialize. A great low key outing with friends to round out the weekend.
MATTAWOMAN CREEK ART CENTER SUMMER EXHIBITION
Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26 | 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM 📍 Mattawoman Creek Art Center, 5565 Upham Pl, Marbury (inside Smallwood State Park) 💵 Free, park fee waived for the gallery
The light-filled gallery tucked inside Smallwood State Park is open all weekend with its current member exhibition. A quiet, scenic stop, and an easy one to pair with a walk in the park.
👨👩👧 KIDS & FAMILY
Tie-dye, bubbles, scratch art, and a kids' cooking class. Keep the little ones busy this week.
TIE-DYE DAY AT WHITE PLAINS PARK
Monday, July 20 | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM 📍 White Plains Regional Park (CCPL Mobile Library) 💵 Free
The Mobile Library rolls up with tie dye crafts, plus Wi-Fi, library cards, and take-home materials. Messy in the best way, and a fun outdoor start to the week.
CHICK-FIL-A LA PLATA FAMILY NIGHT: SCRATCH ART NIGHT
Tuesday, July 21 | 5:30 to 7:30 PM 📍 Chick-fil-A La Plata, 107 Drury Drive, La Plata 💵 Free
Make colorful scratch art to take home, and every adult meal comes with a free kids' meal, dine in only. Dinner and a craft, sorted.
BUBBLE, COMEDY & MUSIC PARTY WITH TURTLE DANCE MUSIC
Tuesday, July 21 | 2:00 PM 📍 Potomac Branch, Indian Head 💵 Free, registration required
A high energy bubble, comedy, and music show for all ages and abilities. Silly, interactive, and a guaranteed hit with the little ones. Register each person attending.
MINI-CHEF SERIES
Wednesday, July 22 | 9:00 to 9:45 AM 📍 Chick-fil-A La Plata, 107 Drury Drive, La Plata 💵 Free
A weekly hands on cooking series where kids assemble Chick-fil-A breakfast classics. A cute, low-stakes morning activity, and breakfast is basically handled.
SUMMER KIDS SHOWS
Thursday, July 23 | 10:00 to 11:00 AM 📍 Town of La Plata, 305 Queen Anne St, La Plata 💵 Free
A free morning kids' show hosted by the Town of La Plata. An easy, no-cost way to get out of the house on a Thursday.
THE HUMANE SOCIETY PRESENTS: TALKING BONES, CSI
Saturday, July 25 | 10:00 AM 📍 Waldorf West Branch 💵 Free, registration required
Learn about animal forensics with the Humane Society of Charles County in this hands-on CSI for kids. Equal parts science and detective work, and genuinely fun.
📚 LIBRARY & LEARNING
Your library is doing more than you think this week, moths included.
NATIONAL MOTH WEEK: MOTH APPRECIATION STATION
Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24 | 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Fri 1:00 to 5:00 PM) 📍 Potomac Branch, Indian Head 💵 Free
A different native Maryland moth featured every day, from Giant Leopard and Luna moths to a Friday Moth Man art and trivia finale. Drop in anytime, no registration needed. Surprisingly delightful.
MORNING BINGO SOIREE
Wednesday, July 22 | 10:00 to 11:30 AM 📍 La Plata Branch 💵 Free
Classic bingo with fun prizes to brighten a weekday morning. Come for the games, stay for the company.
SAFE: MONEY SMART FOR OLDER ADULTS
Wednesday, July 22 | 12:00 to 1:00 PM 📍 Virtual and in person 💵 Free
A scam awareness and financial education session with the Maryland Department of Labor. Practical, plain-language tips to help older adults spot and avoid fraud. Join online or in person.
JIHWA: KOREAN PAPER FLOWERS
Wednesday, July 22 | 6:00 PM 📍 La Plata Branch 💵 Free
Make traditional Korean mulberry-paper flowers with the Korean American Cultural Arts Foundation. A lovely, hands on craft for teens and adults.
Heads up: CCPL branches also run daily weekday Story Times and Cuddle Times for babies through preschool at the Waldorf West, Potomac, P.D. Brown, and La Plata branches, plus a Saturday Morning Story Time at P.D. Brown on July 25 at 11:00 AM. See the full schedule on the CCPL calendar.
🏛️ LOCAL GOVERNMENT & CIVIC MEETINGS
Your county is making decisions this week. Here's where to show up.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING (HYBRID)
Monday, July 20 | 6:00 PM 📍 Charles County Government Building, La Plata, or online 💵 Free
The Planning Commission's regular hybrid session. Attend in person or watch online, agendas are posted on the county site.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING
Tuesday, July 21 📍 Charles County Government Building, La Plata 💵 Free
The Board of County Commissioners' regular session, the main venue for county business and public comment.
ANIMAL MATTERS HEARING BOARD
Tuesday, July 21 | 6:00 PM 📍 Charles County Government Building, La Plata 💵 Free
A public hearing board addressing local animal-related matters and appeals.
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD
Thursday, July 23 | 4:00 PM 📍 Charles County Government Building, La Plata 💵 Free
The county's Police Accountability Board meeting, open to the public.
How to Watch: Can't make it in person? Charles County Government TV (CCGTV) streams most public meetings live and archives them afterward. Check charlescountymd.gov for the viewing schedule.
🛍️ SHOP LOCAL & POP-UPS
Three markets this week. Support the people who make this place feel like home.
LA PLATA FARMERS MARKET
Wednesday, July 22 & Saturday, July 25 | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 Overflow lot north of Talbot St, La Plata 💵 Free to attend
Twice-weekly market with local produce, meats, breads, flowers, and crafters. On Wednesday, the CCPL Mobile Library joins in with a community color-by-number.
WALDORF FARMERS MARKET
Saturday, July 25 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 3003 Festival Way, Waldorf (lot across from CAVA) 💵 Free to attend
Seasonal produce, homemade goods, plants and flowers, plus local artisans with jewelry, scarves, and more. A relaxed Saturday-morning stroll.
BRYANS ROAD FARMERS MARKET
Sunday, July 26 | 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM 📍 Ace Hardware, 3060 Livingston Rd, Bryans Road 💵 Free to attend
A Sunday market on the west side of the county at the Ace Hardware lot. A nice reason to swing through Bryans Road and grab something local.
🧠 Quick Reminders
🎭 Legally Blonde runs Fri and Sat at 8, Sunday matinee at 3, Port Tobacco Players
🎭 Last chance for Tuesdays with Morrie, Fri and Sat only in Indian Head
🚲 10 & Tea bike ride and coffee, Friday 9:30 AM at Clarity Coffee House
🦋 National Moth Week runs all week at the Potomac Branch, free, no registration
🎶 Live music at Apes twice this week, Wes Ryce Tuesday and the BBQ Beach Bash Saturday
🥕 Three farmers markets: La Plata (Wed & Sat), Waldorf (Sat), Bryans Road (Sun)
💃 Smooth Steppers dance social, Friday 6 PM in Waldorf, $25
Know a hidden local business?
Got a favorite spot that deserves more love? A new restaurant, boutique, artist, or service that your neighbors should know about? → Here
That’s it for this week.
Before you go,
If you make it to Legally Blonde or catch that Friday bike ride, hit reply and tell me how it went. I'm always looking for tips on what to feature next week, so send them my way.
That's the week.
From one local to another
— Candace
📣Summer Camp Guide
Parents, this one's for you. I just put together a full 2026 Summer Camp Guide, every local camp I could find sorted by age, with prices, dates, and signup links. The free and low-cost ones fill fast, so don't wait on it.