The can’t-miss events through the summer across the capital region

As The Banner expands our coverage to Prince George’s County, we’re broadening our scope of recommendations for our weekly things to do.

You can expect guides on how to spend your time absorbing the standout food, arts and cultural events across what we’re calling the capital region. This will encompass Montgomery and Prince George’s counties — and sometimes Washington, D.C.

These are some of the highlights through August. But keep your eyes out on social media as events, such as concerts, gallery openings and more, will be announced throughout the spring and summer.

A powerful play makes its regional debut

May 17-June 28

Bethesda’s Round House Theatre presents the regional premiere of “Sally and Tom,” a play from Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks. It’s a play within a play, in which a theater group is putting on a show about Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, starring the playwright as Sally and her partner, also the director, as Tom. As the production takes a turn for the chaotic, the truths about race, power and art emerge.

The Boss Goes to Washington

8 p.m., May 27

A Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert already attracts plenty of attention from those who want to catch the 76-year-old rocker, still in fine form, trot out a decades-long catalog of hits.

But his latest run of shows, called the Land of Hope and Dreams tour, pointedly began in Minneapolis on March 31 and was scheduled to wrap in D.C. at Nationals Park — playoff sports scheduling has since shifted the Philadelphia show after D.C. Springsteen has often been outspoken about his politics both on and offstage, but has recently used his shows and songs to call out President Donald Trump and his administration as “corrupt” and “racist.”

Stay tuned for what the Boss has in store when he marches on Washington.

A homecoming show

May 30-31

R&B star Ari Lennox was born and raised in D.C., but if you’ve ever been to one of her concerts, she often has a regional chorus of dedicated fans ready to belt their favorite songs right back at her.

The 35-year-old released her third album, “Vacancy,” in January, and her coos sound as silky and soulful as ever. But on tracks such as the fittingly titled “Mobbin in DC,” about a paramour who just needs to get it together to be with her, it sounds like Lennox is having the most fun when she’s standing tall in her hometown.

She’ll play two nights at the Theater at MGM National Harbor.

From the Food Network to Olney Theatre

June 3-July 12

Food Network personality and chef Carla Hall, a longtime D.C. resident, recently opened Southern restaurant Bumblebirds in Capitol Hill. Now, she’s taking her talents to the Olney Theatre for a new one-woman show. “Please Underestimate Me” chronicles the chef’s journey from Tennessee to Howard University and the obstacles she faced as a Black woman in the white male-dominated restaurant industry. How did she succeed? By embracing her own authenticity, she shares in this world premiere.

Marlboro Day

10 a.m.-2 p.m., June 6

Upper Marlboro hosts an annual fair that takes over Governor Oden Bowie Drive and rings in a summer of festivities across Prince George’s County.

Details are still developing, but expect a parade downtown along with an array of local food trucks, artisans and live performances. Admission is free as always.

Capital Pride Weekend

June 12-21

On the heels of last year’s World Pride celebration in D.C., local nonprofit Capital Pride offers a packed week of festivities. Highlights include a dance party on June 19 from 9 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. at Echostage, with Dj Bob The Drag Queen; the Capital Pride parade on June 20 from 3 to 7:30 p.m.; and Capital Pride festival from noon to 10 p.m. on Pennsylvania Ave., bringing hundreds of food, drink and art vendors along with multiple stages worth of performances. Look out for the full concert lineup coming soon this spring.

D.C.’s summer classic

July 25-Aug. 2

Tennis diehards and casual fans alike know to set aside a day or two on their calendar to catch some of the world’s best as they gear up for the U.S. Open in the cozy confines of Rock Creek Tennis Center in Northwest Washington.

This year’s Mubadala Citi D.C. Open field has yet to be announced, but, as in years past, homecomings from Hyattsville’s Frances Tiafoe or D.C.’s Haley Baptiste, who has been shining this season, wouldn’t be a surprise. Full tournament ticket packages are on sale now.

35 years of Backyard Band

8 p.m., July 25

It’s getting harder to hear go-go, one of the defining sounds of D.C., within one of 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.”

A history-making artist comes to town

Aug. 2

On the heels of her historic Coachella performance as the first Latina artist to headline the California music festival, Grammy-winning singer Karol G is hitting the road this summer on an international stadium tour titled “Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour,” aptly translated to the “Traveling the World Tropitour” in support of her fifth studio album, “Tropicoqueta.”

The land of furry friends and funnel cakes

Aug. 14-22

The 77th annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair returns this summer, bringing its usual assortment of fair rides, food vendors, arts and crafts exhibits, monster truck rallies and more than 5,000 farm animals. We’ll be watching the pig races or grabbing a grilled cheese at Ye Olde Cheese Barn if you need us.

Dave Grohl returns to the DMV

5:30 p.m., Aug. 17

It’s a homecoming for frontman Dave Grohl, who grew up in D.C. and has named shows at the 9:30 Club as some of his major musical influences. Many artists are opting for venues in Baltimore, Virginia, or skipping the DMV area altogether this summer as Capital One Arena is closed for renovations, but the Foo Fighters are taking the stage at Nationals Park for the band’s “Take Cover Tour,” after releasing their 12th studio album, “Your Favorite Toy,” in late April.

National Book Festival

Aug. 22

This year’s 26th annual edition of the National Book Festival will celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Every square foot of the Washington Convention Center will be dedicated to the collected works of the Library of Congress, including not only literature but also film and audio recordings.

A full schedule of programming, including author talks and signings, is still in the works, but bookworms can expect a diverse lineup of creatives.