7 things to do in the capital region, including a crab feast and puppet slam

Puppets are typically seen as children’s entertainment.

The Puppet Co., based in Glen Echo Park, has been making its name for decades by putting on award-winning productions for young audiences.

But every few months organizers will host a puppet slam, which showcases myriad short-form puppet acts using shadow puppets, hand puppets, marionettes and more. These performances, including one on Saturday at 7 p.m., are geared for audiences 18 and older.

These events are part of the reason Sage Cassamas got hooked on puppetry. The Gaithersburg resident is the Puppet Co.’s house manager and had only a casual knowledge of the art from popular properties including the Muppets.

But, once she started watching professional productions and experimental performances, she saw how transformative puppets could be.

“Puppetry had the theatrical qualities that film animation has of being just abstract enough from literal human forms to be able to do things that regular human performers cannot do,” said Cassamas, 27.

This will be her third puppet slam. She’s also been experimenting with marionettes for Saturday’s show.

“No matter what show somebody looks at, if somebody sees something that looks like a kids show at first, there’s something you can get from it even if it doesn’t sound like it’s for you,” Cassamas said. “The performers are genuinely a talented group of people who are putting on well-set-out and well-scripted pieces, and there’s something for everybody.”

Tickets to “Puppet Slam: Summer Lovin’” are $15-$35.

Here are other events to check out across the capital region.

Montgomery County farm tours

Saturday and Sunday

The annual tour of working farms of Montgomery County takes place this weekend. Outposts from Silver Spring to Dickerson will open their gates to serve wood-fired pizzas, wines and produce.

Admission is free.

Taste of Burtonsville

Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Ten Burtonsville eateries will represent the East County alongside live music from the JoGo Project and children’s entertainment. Don’t miss bites from Catalyst Hot Dogs and PhoWheels, home to one of my favorite bowls of pho in Montgomery County.

Tickets are $28.52 and include seven food tastings; additional $5 tasting tickets will be available at the event.

A crab feast

Saturday, 4 p.m.

Want to dig into a spread of crabs and cookout eats? Prince George’s Equestrian Center and the Show Place Arena will host a buffet accompanied by live music and a DJ.

Tickets are $94.24-$132.04; a cash bar will be available.

Playoff baseball

Saturday, 7 p.m.

The Bethesda Big Train, a summer team, will host a semifinal series beginning Saturday in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. They’ll play a best-of-three series and look to advance to the finals, which begin on July 28 — barring weather delays.

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

Tickets are $5-$13.

Backyard Band’s 35th anniversary

Saturday, 8 p.m.

It’s getting harder to hear go-go, one of the defining sounds of D.C., within the city’s music venues. Luckily, stages across Prince George’s County are stepping up to host these lively performances.

One of the genre’s finest ensembles, Backyard Band, will celebrate its 35th anniversary of keeping the beat going at the Theater at MGM National Harbor. The group, led by Anwan “Big G” Glover (who played Slim Charles in “The Wire”), has pioneered the form across the region. If you’re unfamiliar with go-go, consider one of the easiest gateways: Backyard’s cover of Adele’s “Hello.”

Tickets start at $181.26.

Sound bath

Wednesday, 6:30-8 p.m.

The summer is ending sooner than you think. Have you had a chance to unwind? Stay close to home when Gaithersburg’s Kentlands Mansion will host a sound bath featuring the hums of Tibetan bowls, chimes and more.

Tickets are $40-$43; guests are encouraged to bring their own yoga mats, pillows and blankets.