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Musical Open House

The International School of Music will host a free open house Sunday featuring live music, refreshments, a magic show, a free raffle, a caricature artist, seated massages, hair-braiding, face-painting and jewelry-making. Children can try out different musical instruments at the Instrumental Petting Zoo.

The event will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at the school, 5110 Ridgefield Rd., Bethesda. For information, call 301-657-0763 or visit http://www.ismw.org.

One-Act Play Festival

Silver Spring Stage presents the 2008 One-Act Festival this month, featuring mostly original one-act plays by local playwrights. Each weekend offers plays that examine diverse subjects, including the theater audition process, the challenges of deportation, finding one's identity, Napoleon Bonaparte's exile and abstract art.

The shows will be at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 31. The theater is in the lower level of the Woodmoor Shopping Center, Colesville Road and University Boulevard, Silver Spring. Tickets are $13 to $18. For information, call 301-593-6036 or visit http://www.ssstage.org.

Children's Solar Car Derby

The county Department of Environmental Protection will host a free 2008 Solar Car Derby on Saturday in which, weather permitting, children ages 8 to 14 will race solar-powered model cars they have assembled to learn about clean energy.

The free event will run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring. For information, call 240-777-7700 or visit http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov and click on "Environmental Protection" under county departments.