🔵 BlueConic: ___🔗 Query: ___✏️ Composer: ___

Hau Chu

Hau Chu is a food, arts and culture reporter at The Banner covering Montgomery County and its surroundings. He previously spent nearly a decade at The Washington Post writing about life and oddities across the D.C. region, primarily for the Local and Features/Style sections. Before that, he also worked at the New York Daily News. Hau was born and raised in the Virginia suburbs of D.C. and attended George Mason University. Please reach out to him with any tips on stories, new local bands and overlooked eateries.

The latest from Hau Chu

7 things to do in Montgomery County, from a bluegrass legend to a grand opening

This week in Montgomery County brings a Japanese rock trio, a local bluegrass pioneer and a brewery opening in Bethesda.

Oct 30, 2025

Boris, a Japanese rock trio, will perform Nov. 1 at the Fillmore Silver Spring.

Halloween events around Montgomery County, from a drag show to a pumpkin patch

Halloween-themed events around Montgomery County through Sunday include a drag show, pumpkin picking and more.

Updated Oct 30, 2025

The Not so Spooky Skate at Wheaton Ice Arena in 2023. This year's edition takes place Oct. 30 at 5:45 p.m.

Woodmont Grill in Bethesda announces abrupt closure

Bethesda’s Woodmont Grill, which has been serving all-American classics since 1992, announced its abrupt closure.

Updated Oct 30, 2025

Woodmont Grill has been open in downtown Bethesda since 1992 but announced its abrupt closure in a message posted on its website and entrance doors Wednesday.

Jerry B. Whiddon, artistic director who poured his heart into Round House Theatre, dies at 77

Jerry B. Whiddon was the artistic director of Bethesda’s Round House Theatre for 20 years. He died on Oct. 17 at age 77.

Oct 29, 2025

Abrupt closure of Solaire Social food hall leaves businesses scrambling

Owners and employees of nearly a dozen small businesses lost their venue Friday after the Solaire Social food hall abruptly closed after less than 18 months in business.

Oct 27, 2025

The owner of Solaire Social in Silver Spring told its vendors Wednesday that the food hall would be permanently closing Friday at 10 p.m.

Where can you see 10 DJs perform back-to-back? In a barn on a Maryland farm.

Forma Festival at The Garage in Boyds will showcase techno, dance music and visual arts.

Oct 24, 2025

Alexandre Docouto, founder of Heaven Dancing Club, is hosting Forma Festival at The Garage in Boyds on Oct. 25.

Hank Azaria’s latest voice? Bruce Springsteen.

Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band perform Friday at Rockville’s Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center and Saturday at Ocean City’s Sunfest.

Oct 23, 2025

Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band is the comedic actor's latest impression: Bruce Springsteen cover band.

7 things to do in Montgomery County, from costume contests to mac and cheese

Dog and kid costume contests, a macaroni and cheese cook-off and more things to do in Montgomery County this week.

Updated Oct 23, 2025

Dogs in the costume contest at 2024's Barks & Brews Fall Festival at Pop-Up Park in North Bethesda. This year's edition takes place Oct. 25.

BabyCat Brewery plots Bethesda expansion amid industry struggles

The Kensington brewery, less than three years old, hadn’t planned to expand this soon. A second location in Bethesda is scheduled to open Oct. 31.

Oct 22, 2025

BabyCat Brewery opened its original location in Kensington nearly three years ago. Their newest location at 4850 Rugby Ave. in Bethesda is scheduled to open Oct. 31.

How far am I willing to drive for a Colossal Donut?

The planned closure of Shoppers in Germantown will diminish your chances to get one of the region’s finest doughnuts.

Oct 17, 2025

Shoppers’ colossal doughnuts, shown here at the Germantown grocery location, are a customer favorite.

7 things to do in Montgomery County, from pickleball to line dancing

A pickleball tournament, a classic car showcase and more things to do in Montgomery County this week.

Oct 16, 2025

A scene from 2024's Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show. This year's edition takes place on Oct. 18 from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Every Maryland resident is welcome to join this book club

“One Maryland One Book” has been running for 18 years. This year’s pick, “Kin: Rooted in Hope,” is available through Montgomery County Public Library branches.

Oct 15, 2025

A pattern of books with some of them open. The books are of different sizes and colors. The pattern is made up of various books stacked on top of each other

Maryland’s Irish dance championship jigs into Rockville

Feis Culkin and the Maryland Fall Championship in Irish dance will be held on Oct. 11 and 12 at the Hilton Washington D.C./Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center.

Oct 10, 2025

A group of volunteers and competitors at Feis Culkin 2024.

Germantown’s DIY skate park is gone

Hogspot DIY Skate Park was built by neighborhood kids more than five years ago as an escape. It was torn down Monday.

Oct 10, 2025

Skaters built their own features and obstacles at Hogspot DIY Skate Park in Germantown on Aug. 2, 2024.

7 things to do in Montgomery County, from pumpkin carving to square dancing

Pumpkin carving, a noir film festival, square dancing lessons and more things to do in Montgomery County this week.

Oct 9, 2025

Contestants in 7 Locks Brewing's stein-hoisting competition at an Oktoberfest celebration in 2024.

Furloughed? We can’t get you working again, but we can tell you where to find some freebies.

Businesses across Montgomery County are offering deals and discounts to furloughed federal government workers.

Oct 3, 2025

Businesses around the county are offering deals to furloughed federal government workers, including a few in Silver Spring.

Birds and bird-watchers are transforming this Rockville park

The documentary “Bird Walk” shows how RedGate Park, formerly a golf course, is being preserved from commercial development by residents, including bird enthusiasts.

Oct 3, 2025