Quick Hits: Weekend picks for Montgomery County
Jazzed Up: It's hard to overstate the magnitude of what's going down Saturday at the Music Center at Strathmore. Director Dan Pritzker is presenting his silent film "Louis," about young Louis Armstrong. That's cool enough, but the music makes it even better. Famed New Orleans trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and a live jazz orchestra will be on hand to play the score. The show begins at 8 p.m.
Rockin' Rio: Summer's almost over, and so are the free concerts. But a few remain. Head to Rio Entertainment Center in Gaithersburg on Saturday night for a concert by the band 8 Ohms. The Annapolis group boasts a full horn section and a lively mix of reggae, funk and soul. Watch out for the Hammond organ, too. The show starts at 6 p.m.
Blues in the park: For even more horns, go back in time with Swing Shift Friday at Bethesda Metro Center. As the name suggests, the band dips back into swing's 1940s heyday. The 18-piece ensemble doesn't stop there. They also tackle current jazz and pop hits. Check out the free big band dance concert from 6 to 9 p.m.
Taking the box office: The plot for the movie "Takers" isn't that original: a group of bank robbers run into trouble when they cross a tough cop. Its stars are more interesting than the movie itself. Just weeks after dusting themselves off following scrapes with the law, T.I. and Chris Brown star in a movie about crime. We'll soon know whether they can hold their own on screen and if their reputations are repairable. Horror fans will probably be more interested in "The Last Exorcism."