what's up the pike: put on a happy face

- STROyKA Theatre is a Silver Spring-based company devoted to "encourag[ing] members of the suburban communities . . . to become an active part of the Downtown DC Theatre Scene." This month, they're putting on a rendition of the musical Bye Bye Birdie, starring our very own Walter Gottlieb (whose latest work we wrote about last fall).

The show opens at 8pm tonight at the Burke Theater, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in the District, with eight additional performances through the end of the month. FOr dates and ticket information, check out STROyKA's website.

- And tomorrow, Fenton Street Market hosts a skateboarding rally from 10am to 3pm. There'll be demos, videos and skateboards for sale, not to mention plans of the new skate spot being built in Woodside Park.

- The Planning Board has approved plans for the Fillmore music hall on Colesville Road and an office and hotel development behind it. If developers can get a site plan approved this summer, they're on schedule to break ground this fall. For more information, check out our previous posts on the Fillmore.

Last, but not least:

- Sandy Spring prepares for a charrette for the Route 108 strip later this fall.

- Richard Layman notes an anti-BP protest that took place just across the District line from Takoma Park and an student-designed pro-Purple Line poster with some unfortunate errors.