Jammin' in Waynesboro, big band at Pen Mar and… Washington Goes Purple! It's NXT Best!

Finish off summer with some hot entertainment — whether your idea of fun involves theater, music, festivals, outdoor activities or learning something new, we've got your entertainment guide right here in NXT Best!

Stories in the Round

Monday, Aug. 26 - 7 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike

Hagerstown

Octogenarian Ellouise Schoettler describes the arc of her life in an interview with friend and fellow creative Susan Gordon, reminiscing about her recurring response to hardship, devastating personal, familial, national and world challenges. Part of Stories in the Round. Free admission. Call 301-730-1638 or email fanitsky@hotmail.com .

Roads to Antietam

Monday, Aug. 26 - 7 p.m.

McKinley Hall

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

209 W. Main St.

Sharpsburg

Presented by local historians John Schildt and Laura Marfut . Part of Civil War Lecture Series. Sponsored by the Jacob Rohrbach Inn. Drawing for an autographed book or a Civil War print with purchase of $5 ticket. Parking area off alley, and on Main and Hall streets. Lecture is free. Go to tinyurl.com/3ecxvurk or call 301-432-5079.

The Rave-Ons

Tuesday, Aug. 27 - 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 28 - 2 p.m.

Totem Pole Playhouse

9555 Golf Course Road No. 603

Fayetteville, Pa.

1950's music review tribute band. Music of Buddy Holly and more. $39. Go to https://tinyurl.com/24u7mpsc or call 717-352-2164.

Faycez U Know featuring Halima Peru

Wednesday, Aug. 28 - 6 to 8 p.m.

University Plaza

50 W. Washington St.

Hagerstown

Go-go, soul and funk. Final MDWK Music & Market of the season. Food and beverages (including alcoholic beverages) available for purchase. Hosted by the city of Hagerstown. Free admission.

West End Baptist Church

Wednesday, Aug. 28 - 7 p.m.

City Park Bandshell

501 Virginia Ave.

Hagerstown

Weather permitting. Contemporary Christian. Final event of Encounter Music Series. Hosted by Valor Ministries. Free. Go to www.valorexcel.com .

Sons of Pitches

Friday, Aug. 30 - 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Music Makers

46 W. Main St.

Waynesboro, Pa.

Jazz, folk and classical. Free admission. Donations appreciated. For more information, email music@artsalliancegw.org or call 717-655-2500.

Pa. Gospel Festival

Friday, Aug. 30 - 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31 - 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 1 - 3 p.m.

Luhrs Center

475 Lancaster Drive

Shippensburg, Pa.

Friday: Booth Brothers, Mark Lowry and The Erwins; Saturday at 2 p.m.: The Inspirations, The Kramers and Poet Voice s; Saturday at 7 p.m.: Greater Vision, Chosen Road and The Hoppers ; and Sunday: Legacy Five, Joseph Habedank and Jeff & Sheri Easter . Each show $25 to $45 or all shows $89 to $139. Go to https://luhrscenter.com/events/ or call 717- 477-7469.

Robbie Limon Band

Friday, Aug. 30 - 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 31 - 2 p.m.

Totem Pole Playhouse

9555 Golf Course Road

Fayetteville, Pa.

70s era music. $39. Go to https://tinyurl.com/bdy2d7mc or call 717-352-2164.

Curtis Salgado: The Blues Foundation

Friday, Aug. 30 - 8 to 10:30 p.m.

Hub City Vinyl

28 E. Baltimore St.

Hagerstown

Blues award winner. $25.31. Go to https://liveathubcityvinyl.com/all-events/ or call 301-800-9390.

Ryan Franke

Saturday, Aug. 31 - 10 a.m. to noon

Brooke's House Coffee & Chocolate Shop

1083 Maryland Ave.

Hagerstown

Variety. Call 240-203-8183. Go to brookeshousecoffeeandchocolate.com/ .

18th Century Homestead Life

Saturday, Aug. 31 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Conococheague Institute Visitor Center

12995 Bain Road

Mercersburg, Pa.

Part of Saturdays' historic programs. Historic homestead and gardens. Learn about the 18th century through hands-on programming, crafts and exhibits. Free. Go to www.cimlg.org , email info@cimlg.org or call 717-328-2800.

Music on the Porch Day

Saturday, Aug. 31 - musical performance 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., house open and docents available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Newcomer House

18422 Shepherdstown Pike

Keedysville

Monocacy Field Music, a group of volunteer fife and drum musicians, perform. Free. Email rachel@heartofthecivilwar.org or call 240-308-1740.

Plein-Air Artists' Exhibit and Reception

Saturday, Aug. 31, reception 1 to 3 p.m., exhibit continues through Sunday, Sept. 29 - Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.

Mansion House Art Gallery in City Park

480 Highland Ave.

Hagerstown

Artists' paintings from recent Plein Air Art Festival at City Park’s Hager House and plein-air artwork by Valley Art Association members. Refreshments during reception. Free admission. Go to www.valleyartassoc.org .

Early Living Museum Self-Guided Tour

Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1 - 1 to 4 p.m.

Washington County Rural Heritage Museum

7313 Sharpsburg Pike

Boonsboro

Air-conditioned. Rural-life exhibits. Artifacts from 100 years ago, kids' indoor scavenger hunt. $5 ages 13 and older, $4 ages 4 to 12, free ages 3 and younger. Go to www.ruralheritagemuseum.org or call 240-420-1714.

Barry Ratcliffe Night

Saturday, Aug. 31 - 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Meinelschmidt Distillery

54 S. Potomac St.

Hagerstown

Award-winning actor. Photos, autographs, special Barry Whiskey Sour. Free admission. Call 240-503-1656.

Truck & Tractor Pull Interstate Series

Saturday, Aug. 31 - 6 p.m.

Washington County Ag Center

7313 Sharpsburg Pike

Boonsboro

Classes: 8500 Mod Turbo, Hot Street Semi, 4500 Mod 4x4, Street Diesel 4x4, 7700 Light Limited, 13500 Hot Stock. $15.

Washington Goes Purple Kick-off & Candlelight Vigil

Saturday, Aug. 31 - 6 to 8 p.m.

City Park Bandshell

668 City Park Drive

Hagerstown

Master of ceremonies Ryan Smetzer , keynote speaker Meghann Perry. Purple glow sticks provided for moment of silence in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day. Wear purple in support of addiction prevention.

Bilgewater Bluegrass

Saturday, Aug. 31 - 7 p.m.

Shafer Park gazebo

37 Park Drive

Boonsboro

Hosted by the Boonsboro Park Board. Bring lawn chair and/or blanket. Leashed dogs welcome. Free. Go to town.boonsboro.md.us , email info@townofboonsboro.com or call 301-432-5141.

Annual Jammin’ in the Park Music & Arts Festival

Sunday, Sept. 1 - 1 to 7 p.m.

Main Street Park

25 E. Main St.

Waynesboro, Pa.

Family-friendly. Variety of musical styles. The Loose Screws, The Flying Matlocks, Cornerstone, Brian Forberger, Samz@7, BBD Trio, Ethan Larsh & The Cicadas, The Note Riders and Big Whiskey . Two stages, Kid Zone with free activities, mini golf, face painting, friendship-bracelet making, spin art, corn hole; arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, craft beer from Waynesboro’s Rough Edges Brewing, 50/50 raffle. Presented by The Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro’s Destination ARTS! $10 admission, free ages 12 and younger. Tickets available at www.artsalliancegw.org and at the door. Proceeds benefit the Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro .

Unforgettable Big Band

Sunday, Sept. 1 - 2 to 5 p.m.

Pen Mar Park

14600 Pen Mar Road

Highfield-Cascade

Music and dancing. Part of Jim and Fay Powers Music Series. Free. Call 240-313-2700 or go to www.washco-md.net .

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Jammin' in Waynesboro, big band at Pen Mar and… Washington Goes Purple! It's NXT Best!