7 things to do in Montgomery County, from mahjong 101 to a ‘Play in a Day’

Bethesda Urban Partnership has invited area theaters for 19 years to assemble on one evening and have an original play ready to perform within 24 hours.

“The name of the game of ‘Play in a Day’ is fun,” said Patrick Flynn, a playwright and director. “People really do feel free to let it all hang out.”

“You get to watch people who do really serious, possibly sometimes prestigious theater productions in D.C., just play around with a mop puppet for 10 minutes.”

He has represented Glen Echo’s Adventure Theatre since 2015 at “Play in a Day,” a mad dash showcase where several regional theaters stage plays.

Flynn, 45, lives in Bethesda and has come back year after year because it distills what he loves most about theater and comedy.

“It’s really first thought, best thought. You have to move forward, it’s gotta be done,” Flynn said. “It makes it, by necessity, incredibly collaborative.”

But Flynn gets an even simpler creative fulfillment from scrambling to stage this particular play. “It is great to know that no matter what, on Saturday night, the show is going up.”

This year’s edition begins Friday, and curtains go up Saturday at Bethesda’s Imagination Stage at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Here are some other things to do around Montgomery County this week.

‘The Elixir of Love’

Friday through March 8

The Victorian Lyric Opera Company, a community arts group based in Rockville, will put on the Italian opera about the mishaps of a seductive potion at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.

Tickets are $26-$30.

Black History Month Family Day

Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Josiah Henson Museum and Park closes out February with activities to celebrate its namesake and his place in local and U.S. history. Programming includes a re-creation of the settlement Henson started after escaping to Canada on the Underground Railroad.

Tickets are $6-$7.

Mahjong 101

Saturday, 1-3:30 p.m.

If you’ve never played the popular tile game developed in China and now played around the world, here’s your chance to learn from a neighbor. Allison Colker is hosting a primer at Laytonsville’s Waredaca Brewing Company that includes instructions, guided gameplay and a beer with the price of admission.

Tickets are $75.

Last weekend for the birds

On display through Sunday

It’s your last weekend to catch “For the Love of Birds: Climate and a Changing Landscape,” an art exhibit at Black Hill Discovery Center. Photos and other artwork illustrate the effects of climate change on the bird population.

Admission is free.

‘Life in the Ag Reserve’

Through April 19; artist reception on Sunday from 4-6 p.m.

Betsy Casaleno paints scenes from around her home in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve. She has a collection of works depicting the serenity and decay on display at Locals Farm Market in Poolesville. She’ll be on site to chat about her inspirations, and there will be complimentary food and beverages.

Admission is free.

Yotam Ottolenghi

Tuesday, 8 p.m.

The chef and cookbook author brings a live show that blends cooking demonstrations and audience participation to Strathmore. The show, fittingly, ends with a finished meal.

Tickets are $28-$78.