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Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center and the Silver Spring Regional Center are joining forces this summer to present "Screen on the Lot," a free outdoor movie series for the public presented on a large outdoor screen in the Pyramid Atlantic parking lot at 8230 Georgia Ave. The public is invited to bring a blanket, lawn chairs and a picnic to enjoy the cinematic experience. 

At 9 p.m. July 8, there will be a screening of "School of Rock," directed by Richard Linklater and starring Jack Black. The film is about a wannabe rock star in need of cash who poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school and tries to turn his class into a rock band.

At 9 p.m. July 22, "Transformers" will be screened at Pyramid Atlantic. The film, directed by Michael Bay, stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel and features an ancient struggle between two extraterrestrial clans, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, with a clue to the ultimate power held by a young teenager. 

The final film of the summer will be "Iron Man," screened at 9 p.m. Aug. 5. Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, the film is the story of wealthy industrialist Tony Stark, who is forced to build an armored suit after a life-threatening incident. He ultimately decides to use its technology to fight against evil. 

All the films are rated PG-13 and free. For more information, e-mail jdominguez@pyramid-atlantic.org.

Three straight nights

of live music in downtown Silver Spring

The "Friday Night Spotlight" concert series continues from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday with music from Latin jazz band Dual Rhythm at Silver Plaza on Ellsworth Drive between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring.

The series will run every Friday through Aug. 14 and will feature a musical performance, face-painting and temporary tattoos, among other children's activities. For more information, visit www.downtownsilver

spring.com.

The series accompanies the "Silver Spring Swings" concert series on Thursday nights. From 7 to 9 p.m. this Thursday, The Fabulous Bel-Airs will play oldies music at Silver Plaza. The "Silver Spring Swing Series" runs Thursdays through Aug. 6.

And Saturday, Doctor's Orders will play pop, rock and Motown hits for a Fourth of July performance from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Silver Plaza. It is part of a concert series running every Saturday night through Aug. 8.

Library brings beach to

Silver Spring for family event

Those who can't get to the beach this summer can visit the Silver Spring Library from 2 to 3:30 p.m. July 11 for an "Afternoon at the Beach." The event, at the library — 8901 Colesville Road in Silver Spring — is a Montgomery County Public Libraries Summer Reading event. Attendees can decorate their own flip-flops, create a sand design in a bottle, show their skill with the hula hoop, make their own smoothie and, of course, read.

Attendees are encouraged to register by contacting Susan Levin at susan.levine@montgomerycounty

md.gov or 240-773-9420. The event is for ages 10-18.

Folk festival fundraiser

Support the Takoma Park Folk Festival from 5 to 9 p.m. July 14 at the El Golfo Restaurant, 8739 Flower Ave., in Silver Spring for a fundraiser and musical performance.

Lisa Taylor, who won the festival's 2008 showcase and will perform again in this year's festival in September, will provide a preview of her performance at the restaurant beginning at 7:30 p.m. A portion of all food and drink sales from 5 to 9 p.m. will be donated to supporting the festival.

For more information, visit the festival's Web site, www.tpff.org.

Closet Dances squeezing

into Takoma Park

Looking for a little elbow room? Get ready for the Human Landscape Dance group's "Closet Dances" event from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. July 25 at the Contradiction Dance Studio, 7014 Westmoreland Ave. in Takoma Park.

The event will feature choreography emphasizing artistic dance expression in closed spaces, with dancers being confined to an area about the size of a walk-in closet, an effect that increases the intimacy of the moves. Two local bands, the Able Birds and Scott and Friends, will also perform at the event.

Tickets cost $10 at the door. For more information visit the group's Web site, www.hldance.org.

Final meeting for design

of new Silver Spring Library

The final community meeting to determine the exterior design of the proposed Silver Spring Library will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. July 9 at the Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road in Silver Spring. It is the fourth and final in a series of community forums to gather feedback from residents on the exterior design of the library, planned for the corner of Fenton Street and Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring.

The meetings are hosted by Montgomery County Public Libraries and the county's Department of General Services' Division of Building, Design and Construction.

Plans for the site include a six-story library, including a level of office space and an art center, and a 10-story, 146-unit apartment complex on Bonifant Street. Parking for the library would be provided by the Wayne Avenue garage.

After the final design meeting, architects will move forward with designing the building in detail.

To request Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, call the Silver Spring Library at 240-773-9420 at least five working days in advance of the meeting.

Send Silver Spring news to Staff Writer Jason Tomassini and Takoma Park news to Staff Writer Jeremy Arias at The Gazette, 13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707. The fax line is 240-473-7501. Tomassini can be reached at 240-473-7559 or jtomassini@gazette.net; Arias can be reached at 240-473-7564 or jarias@gazette.net.

Downcounty libraries to hold Guitar Hero tournaments

The Wheaton, White Oak, Silver Spring and Long Branch libraries will each hold a Guitar Hero qualifying tournament this month to find the player best suited to represent each library in a countywide Guitar Hero tournament.

First up is Wheaton Library's tournament, held at 2 p.m. July 8 at the library, 11701 Georgia Ave. Next is White Oak's, which will be held at 2 p.m. July 9 at the library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave.

The Silver Spring Library, at 8901 Colesville Road, will have a tournament at 2 p.m. July 20. And finally, residents can compete at Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Ave., at 2 p.m. July 22.

Winners of each tournament will receive a prize and represent the libraries at the final competition, which will be held at 2 p.m. July 30 at the parks department headquarters, 4010 Randolph Road in Wheaton. For more information, call 240-777-6985.

The competition, co-sponsored by the county Department of Recreation, is for age 12 and older. Snacks and drinks will be provided at each event.

Area church

to hold blood drive

Hughes United Methodist Church, located at 10700 Georgia Ave. in Wheaton, is holding a blood drive from 2 to 8 p.m. July 13 at the church to replenish reserves in the Washington, D.C., area. Church officials say blood supply levels have been "critically low" in recent years. If donators bring a friend and register beforehand, each can receive a $5 Starbucks gift card. Call Deja Lockwood at 301-890-8902 to register.

Recreation, commercial vehicle parking ban to take effect

Legislation that prohibits parking of recreational vehicles on public roadways and limits the parking of heavy commercial vehicles to public roads where both sides of the street are zoned for industrial use will go into effect today. The bill, passed unanimously by the County Council, allows recreational vehicles to be parked on a road for up to 18 hours for loading and unloading. Police should be passing out fliers in neighborhoods explaining the ban. For more information, visit

www.montgomerycountymd.gov.

County executive seeks nominations for arts awards

The Silver Spring-based Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) announced last week that the deadline for submitting nominations for the county executive's annual "Excellence in the Arts and Humanities Awards" is at 5 p.m. July 24.

County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) is seeking nominations for the awards, to be presented Oct. 19 at the Music Center at Strathmore. Members of the community are invited to nominate an individual or group who is worthy of an award.

Five awards will be presented, one in each of the following categories — Education, Community, Business or Individual Patron, Volunteer, and Outstanding Artist or Scholar. For details and nominating instructions, visit the Web site of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County at

www.creativemoco.com/

Executive-Awards. Applications must be submitted by e-mail as instructed on the nomination form. 

For more information, call Fran Abrams or Michelle Grove at 301-565-3805 or send an e-mail to

grantsinfo@creativemoco.com.

Established in 1976, AHCMC is Montgomery County's designated arts and humanities nonprofit agency with the mission to promote, support, and expand a vibrant arts and humanities presence woven into the fabric of our diverse and inclusive community. 

Second week of ice dance clinic to be held at Wheaton Ice

The second week of professional ice dancing instruction will be provided to intermediate skaters (Gamma level and up or age 5 and older) in the ice dance clinic, Monday-July 10 at the Wheaton Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Ave. in Wheaton. Skaters should have a clear grasp of edges, three-turns and mohawks. They will learn dance patterns and music interpretation and participate in on- and off-ice drills and strength-building exercises. Bring a lunch and/or snack as well as sneakers for off-ice training. Register at

www.parkpass.org.

Brookside Nature Center summer programs

Learn why today is a holiday while using clues to hunt for a treasure in the park, during the July 4th holiday treasure hunt, 11 a.m. to noon Saturday. Fee is $5. For age 4 and older; reservations required by entering course number 73807 at www.parkpass.org.

Bat campfire at Maydale

Do bats want to nest in your hair or drink your blood? Roast marshmallows, view bats from a hilltop perch and find out these answers and more, 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. July 8 at Maydale Park, 1638 Maydale Drive in Cloverly. All ages welcome; fee is $1. No reservations are required, but the program will be canceled if it's raining.

Brookside Nature Center is located at 1400 Glenallan Ave. For more information, call 301-946-9071.

National Labor College hosts author

Author Les Leopold will discuss and offer signings for his latest book, "The Looting of America," 7 p.m. July 14 at the Lane Kirkland Center at the National Labor College, 10000 New Hampshire Ave. in Silver Spring. Parking is available. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, go to www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/the_looting_of_america:paperback#.