Get Out: Ideas for the Weekend

Where/When: (7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda) and various other locations in downtown Bethesda. Friday, April 20, through Sunday, April 22. 

Why Go: The 13th annual Bethesda Literary Festival will host an array of local and national authors, journalists and poets, as well as writing and poetry contests. Featured literary guests include Thomas Friedman, , Joby Warrick and Walter Isaacson.

Through more than 20 entertaining events, the festival will present fascinating literary personalities who will read their work, talk about their craft and take part in discussions with other writers and audience members.

Price: Free.

Where/When: (4922 Cordell Ave., Bethesda). Thursday, April 19, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Why Go: April 19 is the 110th day of the year, and autism affects 1 in 110 people. Your tax-deductible donation of just $25 will entitle you to a complimentary dinner buffet and a cash bar with drink specials, including the "CSAAC Cosmo," at this fourth annual happy hour to raise awareness about autism. The event often sells out, so arrive early or on time. Proceeds benefit Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (www.csaac.org), one of the oldest and largest autism service providers in the nation, and based in Montgomery County.

Price: $25

Where/When: (8814 Kensington Parkway, Chevy Chase). Sunday, April 22, at 2 p.m.

Why Go: Enjoy live, sacred jazz music by pianist, composer and educator Chuck Marohnic, a gifted and innovative musician who uses free improvisations on everything from contemporary songs to traditional hymns. From "Here I Am" to "Amazing Grace," Chuck uses a rainbow of rhythms and harmonizations as he mixes the familiar and the new to draw the worshipper/listener into the spiritual realm of jazz.

Price: Free.

Where/When: (9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda). Sunday, April 22, at 4 p.m.

Why Go: Carmina—an early-music ensemble that has performed at the National Cathedral, the German Embassy and the National Gallery of Art—will present a concert of late-16th- and 17th-century English music by Henry Purcell, William Byrd and other composers. Featured performer Vera Kochanowksy will play the harpsichord.

Price: Free.

Where/When: (5811 Warwick Place, Chevy Chase). Friday, April 20, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Why Go: It's a pop-up bookstore in Chevy Chase: Browse through the books to find something new to read, while supporting the Somerset Elementary School at the same time.

Price: Free to browse.