7 things to do in the capital region, including Heritage Days and live-painting baseball

Baseball can be beautiful. But is it art?

Artists including Norman Rockwell and Morris Kantor have painted America’s pastime. And, for the past three years, the Bethesda Big Train have tried to create their own scenes by hosting local artists from the Montgomery Art Association for live plein air painting of scenes from a game.

“I loved it. A number of fans came by and appreciated the artwork that I was doing, as well as the work that other artists were doing that night,” said Mark Adler, the association’s plein air coordinator.

“For me, it was extra special because, when my kids were growing up, we went to Big Train games a lot. ... There’s just a lot of special memories, so for me to come back and paint the games was just a lot of fun.”

(The Banner is a sponsor for the 2026 season of the Bethesda Big Train, but the club has no input on editorial decisions.)

Adler, 69, was a lawyer for 40 years before retiring in December 2020. The Potomac resident’s daughter suggested he take a watercoloring class, and he took to it right away alongside his decades-long hobby detailing model trains.

Around a dozen artists, including Adler, will station themselves around Shirley Povich Field in Rockville’s Cabin John Regional Park. They draw scenes of players, fans and the park using watercolors, oils and acrylics.

This season’s painting session will be Saturday during a doubleheader that starts at 4 p.m. The Big Train host the DC Grays as part of the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. Fans can observe and interact with the artists and come back July 11 to purchase the completed works. Tickets are $5-$13.

Here are more things to do this week.

World Cup watch parties

Thursday, 10 p.m.

U.S. soccer fans are surely excited about the country’s undefeated start to the tournament. But, for the final match of the group stage, locals will have to stay up late to catch the men’s team kick off against Turkey.

Outdoor venues including National Harbor will wrap their watch parties earlier in the evening. But head inside to spots including Silver Branch Brewing Co. in Silver Spring, which will be airing the game to enjoy with a late-night kitchen menu. Admission is free.

Collage exhibition

Friday through Aug. 9

Hyattsville’s Pyramid Atlantic Art Center will be displaying works from dozens of local artists across mediums who incorporate collage into their works. “Superimposed” is a showcase of the finest from more than 700 entries. An opening reception takes place Friday from 6-9 p.m.

Admission is free, with a $10 suggested donation.

Heritage Days

Saturday and Sunday, times vary

Venues across Montgomery County will open for the annual festival to celebrate cultural and historic sites. Olney’s Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park will host blues musicians, historic games and tours of the namesake log cabin that was home to African American families in the late 1800s.

Admission is free.

‘The Light We Carry’

Saturday through Aug. 2

Alexis Janay, who graduated from Bowie State University, will stage a gallery of her latest portrait works at Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel. The works are tied together by finding shared connections across cultural experiences. Janay will have a public reception on July 11.

Admission is free.

Emerald City Pride

Saturday through Aug. 2

Greenbelt will host a summer-long celebration of Pride that begins with a makeup workshop on Saturday at Springhill Lake Recreation Center and a primer and tutorial on vogue, a stylized dance that originated in New York’s Harlem, at the Greenbelt Community Center on Sunday.

Admission is free.

River & Roots Fest

Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Accokeek Foundation will host a festival at Piscataway Park that features live music from Uncle Devin, a family-friendly drummer and percussionist. Other activities include nature hikes and jousting.

Admission is free.

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