Connecting with the Arts – February 2021
Welcome back to the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County’s monthly blog series, Connecting with the Arts, where we feature news and updates from the arts community in Anne Arundel County. Tune in the last Friday of each month to connect and learn more about the arts organizations that are making an impact locally.
This month’s blog post is jam-packed with some great news and happenings! Live Arts Maryland starts by sharing how they responded to the pandemic by going virtual for their 2020-2021 season! Maryland Hall had a successful launch of its newest fundraising and advocacy event this past January. You won’t want to miss the fifth film in this year’s World Artists Experiences virtual film festival. Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts (MTPA) took the opportunity to do some introspection and re-envisioning and is now emerging as the Maryland Cultural and Conference Center, more commonly referred to as MC3! The Ballet Theatre of Maryland takes you under the sea for its revival of The Little Mermaid. The Hammond-Harwood House announces two programs coming up in March. Be sure to check out Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s broadway productions along with an opportunity to join their team!
You can connect and learn more about these organizations by clicking their logos below. We hope you enjoy!
*****
Live Arts Maryland responds to the current COVID-19 pandemic with a series of virtual concerts
For the 2020-2021 season, Live Arts Maryland’s Bach+ series will respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic by offering a series of virtual concerts that builds on the same pillars of its in-person concerts: communication—exploring the musical dialogue among Bach and those who came before him as well as those who were influenced by his music; and creative collaboration among performers working in a variety of genres. While you will find “historically informed performances” within our Bach+ programming, you’ll also experience works that span a number of centuries, including twenty-first-century compositions and jazz improvisation.
All Bach+ concerts will take premiere at 7 pm on Thursday nights and can be streamed on the Live Arts Maryland YouTube channel. You can also follow LAM on Facebook and Instagram!
Maryland Hall launched its newest fundraising and advocacy event Athletes for the Arts in January 2021
The uplifting evening shared the stories of professional athletes, including Eric Kettani and Aaron Maybin, who’ve found artistic success and used their art to help others through both outreach and entrepreneurship. Student stories from MD Hall’s ArtReach program were also shared through powerful video testimonials and 6-time GRAMMY-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon performed live. The Capital covered the inaugural event.
600+ viewers in the virtual audience left the evening inspired with a greater understanding of how the arts can help our youth grow into well-rounded people. Debuting as part of the Hall’s dedication as the Michael E. Busch Center for the Arts at Maryland Hall, Athletes for the Arts will return annually each January. Enjoy a free encore presentation of the event!
The full press release can be found HERE.
The fifth film in this year’s World Artists Experiences film festival, “The Citizen”, is being shown this Tuesday, March 2 at 7:00 P.M
“The Citizen”, co-written and directed by Sam Kadi, is the story of an Egyptian, Ibrahim Jarrah, who immigrates to the U.S. the day before the 911 terrorist attack. The film portrays an important challenge faced by Arab immigrants (and all immigrants): How to access and live the American Dream in a society that is suspicious of or feels threatened by you. Imagine how this challenge is amplified if you happen to arrive in New York City one day before the 911 terrorist attack. You learn that innocence is not a defense against xenophobia. Through every setback and humiliation, Ibrahim maintains his resolve to become a citizen. His credo — “to reach your dreams, plant your good deeds” — foreshadows the conclusion of the film and the realization of his goal.
The Citizen’s ensemble cast effectively portrays believable New York City characters caught up in the insecurities of urban life during a crisis. The standout performance belongs to Khaled Nabawy, who portrays Ibrahim Jarrah. He creates a fully rounded and complex Ibrahim, reacting to everything he experiences with a combination of wonder, disbelief, and determination. Through his perseverance, Ibrahim becomes a true hero in every sense of the word.
This film was produced in English. CLICK HERE to view the trailer.
Zoom Webinar ID: 833 6029 3896
Passcode: Bridges
Introducing MC3: A New Vision and Name for the Former Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts
During the past year while the COVID 19 pandemic limited so many activities, Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts (MTPA) took the opportunity to do some introspection and re-envisioning, and is now emerging as the Maryland Cultural and Conference Center, more commonly referred to as MC3. As a result of the “pause” imposed by the pandemic, MC3’s Strategic Planning Team and Board developed a new strategic plan, a new website has been launched, and a programming schedule for Spring 2021 has been created.
MC3 Board Chair, Michael (“Mike”) W. Davis and MC3 Board Vice Chair, Midgett S. Parker, Jr., along with Executive Director, Mattie Fenton, and an active Board of Trustees and creative professional staff, will lead MC3’s efforts to implement its strategic plan to become a “world-class cultural and conference center offering state-of-the-art meeting and entertainment spaces, innovative and dynamic multi-cultural programming in a venue that honors veterans within the greater Annapolis region and the state of Maryland.” The full press release can be found HERE.
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland takes you under the sea for its revival of The Little Mermaid
Ballet Theatre of Maryland is thrilled to partner with the Westin Annapolis to bring ballet back to a live audience. Join us under the sea for a revival of Artistic Director Emeritus, Dianna Cuatto’s The Little Mermaid, based on the Hans Christian Anderson tale. Watch Pearl, a mischievous young mermaid, as she takes us on the adventure of a lifetime when she willingly gives up her freedom of life in the sea to become human, gain an immortal soul, and win the heart of a handsome, young Prince. But it will take all of her courage, selflessness, and determination to make her dreams come true by defeating a sneaky sea witch, her devious sea wraith companion while saving two kingdoms in the process.
There are ticket options available for both in-person and virtual performances. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place for those attending in-person performances. Seating will be pre-arranged to provide adequate social distancing. You will be seated with your group. Masks will be required throughout the performance. There is a maximum of 150 audience members per performance in order to maintain 25% capacity of the ballroom. Please visit The Little Mermaid (balletmaryland.org) for more information and to purchase tickets.
Intersecting Lives: 19th Century Woman at Marietta
Women’s History Month Talk
Thursday, March 18 at 12:00 pm – Free Online Presentation By Dr. Julie Rose
Dr. Rose, Marietta House Museum director & Hammond-Harwood House trustee will explore the lives of five historical women who lived free and enslaved at Marietta around 1830. These women’s lives intersected through their work duties, family ties, social norms, and their womanhood.
See more information and register here
Two Great Houses Outdoor Architecture Tour
Saturday, March 20 at 11:00 am – Outdoor tour for a limited number participants -Cost $20
The Hammond-Harwood House Museum and the Chase-Lloyd House invite guests to an hour-long tour that explores the two architectural treasures in downtown Annapolis. The tour will cover architectural details and the longstanding social history that connects these two great houses on Maryland Avenue.
See more information and register here
Annapolis Shakespeare Company – The Classic Theatre of Maryland
Streaming / On-Demand Productions for February/March, 2021
All That Jazz – Full-Length Musical Review with the Unified Jazz Ensemble. Extended by popular demand until March 28, 2021!
Premiering March 1st:
My Funny Valentine
with Broadway’s Mark Campbell
And Coming Soon:
Jukebox Review – Full-Length Musical Review with the Unified Jazz Ensemble
Get your tickets today at annapolisshakepeare.org or call our Box Office at 410.415.3513
JOIN OUR TEAM
Annapolis Shakespeare Company is seeking a part-time administrative assistant/program manager.
Are you or someone you know interested? Follow the link below to learn more about this position and other employment opportunities at ASC.
www.annapolisshakespeare.org/careers-at-asc.html
Annapolis Shakespeare Company is a 501c-3 nonprofit and an equal opportunity employer.
English 
Spanish