The Birchmere is a commercial nightclub, currently in Alexandria, Virginia, that features a fair number of folk performers. They are contemplating opening a second branch in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, assuming Montgomery County (Maryland) will build them a building and let them use it for bupkis.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/090606/wheanew214242_31939.shtml

The timing depends on when the county decides to pay for it, and if us vocal folkies who live in the nearby neighborhoods would rather see the public tax money go to help build non-profit venues for folk music (like the Folklore Society of Greater Washington or Class Acts Arts or the Institute of Musical Traditions) rather than a private business like the Birchmere which charges an arm and a leg to see performers.

Given the history of local activists in Montgomery County who raise questions delaying a project, I'd guess the opening of the Birchmere is still a decade or two away.

--Charlie Baum, who lives about 5 blocks from the proposed site for the Birchmere.