Connecting with the Arts – June 2022 - Arts Council of Anne Arundel County

Connecting with the Arts – June 2022

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.

Here’s a look into this month’s post:

Join Footworks at Common Ground On The Hill.
Maryland Concert Series is back and has some exciting new updates to share.
Don’t miss three productions happening at the Classic Theatre of Maryland.
Summer is off to a great start at Maryland Hall – catch up on all their latest happenings.
Chesapeake Arts Center is pleased to announce the return of their FREE Thursday Night Outdoor Concert Series starting in July.
Building Better People is back in action this summer with drama opportunities for kids from 7-18.
Summer Camps begin in early July at ArtFarm and there are several camp options for all ages this summer.
At the Banneker-Douglass Museum, youth and community members came together for the culminating event, “From 1619 to Today Part III” to create a mural of Harriet Tubman.
MEGA (Music Educators of Greater Annapolis) is looking for a temporary home for their grand piano.
You’re invited to Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s 44^th season anniversary gala.
The Londontowne Symphony Orchestra had a strong 2021-2022 season and looks forward to their next season’s opener.
Check out MFA’s current exhibitions.

You can connect and learn more about these organizations by clicking their logos below. We hope you enjoy!

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Join Footworks at Common Ground On The Hill!
Footworks is honored to be teaching again at Common Ground On The Hill Traditions Week 1 again this year, which will be held virtually. Come and Support Footworks and Common Ground On The Hill!

Common Ground on the Hill
Traditions Week 1
Online 2022
Footworks’ Director Marsha Searle will be teaching June 28 – July 2
*Appalachian Flatfooting and Clogging
*Celtic Dance: A Ceili

For details and to register for classes, click here

Footworks has been honored to be a part of Common Ground on the Hill since it inception. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to learn from some of the very best instructors from the comfort of your own home! Common Ground Traditions Weeks run from June 27-July 15th with 3 weeks of classes, concerts, dances, and other activities in the traditional roots-based arts. It is an incredible 3 weeks!

MARYLAND CONCERT SERIES IS BACK! After a two-year pause due to COVID, we are pleased to finally announce our 2022-23 season. We have a new venue and a new co-sponsor – Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn, MD 21225

We also have a new Website www.mdconcertseries.org (please check us out!) and a new email: [email protected]

Our concert line-up for this season is FABULOUS: We open with “The American Rogues” on October 2, 2022, a show not to be missed!

You can purchase a subscription or tickets on our website through Instant seat. For further information, please concert Kathi Hiett on 410-768-1854 (Landline) or through our email. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The Servant of Two Masters (Every Tuesday, May 17- Aug. 30th, at 7:30 pm performed at Reynolds Tavern):

This hilarious play tells the story of a hungry servant who, realizing that working for two masters could ensure him more food, tries to do the job of two men while working desperately to conceal that fact from both employers. Presented weekly on Tuesdays in the outdoor courtyard at Reynolds Tavern. ***We encourage patrons to arrive between 6:00 pm-6:30 pm in order to order a pre-show dinner. All patrons should arrive no later than 7:00 pm for the performance.***

Purchase tickets here

As You Like It (July 7-24, 2022 at 7:30 pm on the lawn of the Gresham Estate, Edgewater):

One of the Bard’s most beloved comedies about flirtation, friendship and mistaken identities, takes a lighthearted look at the fickle and passionate nature of love. This production is set in the 1930s in the Cumberland Gap region of the Appalachian mountains, with nostalgic bluegrass music performed by the cast, an ensemble of twelve seasoned professional actors. Performed on the lawn of the Gresham Estate, featuring convenient parking, a pavilion bar, and a comfortable sloped lawn for picnicking and great viewing. Patrons can bring their own lawn chairs, picnic blankets, etc. Patrons can also bring a picnic to enjoy before the show (NO GLASS CONTAINERS OR OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PERMITTED).

Purchase tickets here

July Cabaret: The Great American Songbook (July 3, 2022 at 7:30 pm):

Enjoy an evening of live music! These popular costumed and choreographed productions feature our resident singers and special Broadway guest performers, accompanied by the popular Unified Jazz Ensemble. This is perfect for date night or a fun evening out with friends. Our updated Cabaret Venue features cafe tables and a full bar in a relaxed comfortable setting.

Purchase tickets here

Summer is off to a great start at Maryland Hall! The United States Navy Band kicked off the Front Stairs Series on June 17 with hundreds of patrons enjoying the Band’s free “Concerts on the Avenue” series on MD Hall’s front lawn. Coming up outside this Summer are H2G Youth Artist Showcases, a Live Arts Maryland Season Preview concert, WTMD’s Saturday Morning Tunes’ Beatles for Kids featuring Yellow Dubmarine, Jazz on the Steps with Todd Marcus and another show by the US Navy Band. Find details on the series including tickets and registration here. All Front Stairs Series shows are either free or low cost.

In exciting event news, tickets are now on sale for Arts Alive Global! Sponsored by Rams Head taking place on Friday, September 9, 2022. The Yacht Lobsters and all four MD Hall Resident Companies – Annapolis Opera, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Theatre of Maryland and Live Arts Maryland – are the live entertainment for the evening. Arts Alive Global guests are boarding a yacht and sailing the world at MD Hall’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

On the community front, the MD Hall Outreach team continues to make an impact. During the month of June, they opened an end of year exhibition at MD Hall featuring works by students in the outreach program, built a float for the Juneteenth parade and helped create a mural at Chesapeake Children’s Museum. This is on top of preparing for their Youth Artist Showcases, including a July 10 show at City Dock, and the regular arts programming they lead at local schools including Eastport and Tyler Heights Elementary schools.

Chesapeake Arts Center is pleased to announce the return of our FREE Thursday Night Outdoor Concert Series starting in July.

Grab your lawn chair, pack a snack, and groove out to some awesome local music in Northern Anne Arundel County. These shows are all ages, there is plenty of FREE parking, and since CAC has 2 awesome theatres, this event is rain or shine, because we can always move the show indoors & keep the party going.

Register and learn more here!

Building Better People is back in action this summer with drama opportunities for kids from 7-18! Check us out!

Summer Play Production- Teens
June 27 – July 1, 2022 | 12PM-3PM | Ages 12-18
ArtFarm Annapolis
111 Chinquapin Round Road, Annapolis, MD 21401
$250
Register Now

Start off the summer by bringing your creativity to the stage! In this one week class, students will rehearse and perform a short play, building acting and teamwork skills all at the same time. The show is the afternoon of the last day of class. Class will be held at ArtFarm Annapolis. NOTE: As of now, masks are optional and welcomed, and we practice distancing as much as we can.

Play Production and Prop Building Camp
July 11-July 15, 2022 | 9AM-4PM | Ages 7-11
ArtFarm Annapolis
111 Chinquapin Round Road, Annapolis, MD 21401
$425
Register Now

Our Play Production/Prop Building Camp with ArtFarm Annapolis is back for a second year! Campers will learn the art of theater, music and movement, while rehearsing the play during the morning session and then building props with an ArtFarm artist each afternoon. This Summer’s production presented by BBPP is “Gorilla Ballerina”, a show about being the you that you were meant to be! Performance for families will be at the end of the last day of camp on the stage at ArtFarm. Please Note: This is a full-day camp. Please remember to send your child to camp with a lunch and water bottle everyday.

Find out about all we do at bbpproductions.com

Summer Camps begin in early July at ArtFarm and there are several camp options for all ages this summer!

Here are the ones that still have some space!

7/5 – Painting and Process Camp (ages 8-11)
7/11 – Nature & Textile Art Camp (ages 9-12) 9-4p
7/11 – Play Production & Prop Building Camp (ages 7-11) 9-4p
7/11 – Fearless Girls Photo Camp (ages 10-13)
7/18 – Beat Making & Music Inspired Art Camp (ages 12-17) 9-4p
7/18 – Creative Writing and Zine Camp (ages 12-17) 9-4p
7/25 – Jr. Kids Art School (ages 6-8)
8/1 – Mixed Media and Printmaking Camp (ages 9-12)
8/8 – Fearless Boys Photo Camp (ages 12-17)
8/22 – Kids Art School (ages 9-11)

We also have some great adult and teen offerings coming up:

Every Sunday – yoga from 10-11am
6/24: Henna Workshop
6/26: Mandala Workshop
9/8: Beginner Photo Class (4 weeks)
9/24: Creativity Workshop
10/8: Woodburning Workshop

On June 11, 2022, youth and community members came together for the culminating event, “From 1619 to Today Part III” to create a mural of Harriet Tubman in celebration of Tubman’s year-long 200th Birthday Celebration while incorporating themes from The 1619 Project by Nicole Hannah-Jones.

The mural concept was developed by Chanel Compton, artist and Executive Director of the Banneker-Douglass Museum. Chanel then presented the concept to Gina Marie Lewis, Professor of Art at Bowie State University, who designed the basic composition that included Harriet Tubman and significant years.

Adinkra symbols were painted by youth and community members throughout the mural to symbolize “Freedom in Emancipation”, “Trust in God”, “Abundance”, and more. Attendees also received free copies of The New York Times bestseller, The 1619 Project.

The “From 1619 to Today” series was a partnership between Banneker-Douglass Museum, Baltimore Read Aloud, Lambda Delta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and the Bowie State University Department of Fine and Performing Arts. In this three-part series, we explored the influence of race on the Annapolis community from 1619 to today through public readings, youth presentations, group discussions, and this community mural/book giveaway event. Special thanks goes to the Rotary Club of Annapolis, who was the Part III event sponsor.

Come check out the mural at the Banneker-Douglass Museum in the Frederick Douglass Reading Room, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.

Watch this wonderful time-lapse video, by Christian Smooth, on our YouTube here

Looking to babysit a grand piano?

MEGA (Music Educators of Greater Annapolis) is looking for a temporary home for their grand piano. It’s a new Brodmann 187 grand piano, and it’s currently in storage. MEGA is hoping to collaborate with a local organization that has space for small recitals/concerts and would be able to safely store the piano.

For detailed information about the piano, click here

Interested? Email Tobias Russell at [email protected]

Ballet Theatre of Maryland is celebrating the start of our 44^th season with an anniversary gala on August 25^th at Prism Annapolis. Join us in celebrating our upcoming season with a new direction, new vision, and a new look. Get excited for a big announcement and enjoy light refreshments and dessert while mingling with fellow art patrons. We will be hosting a silent auction and raffle alongside a short performance by our company dancers.

For tickets, visit btmgala.eventbrite.com

To make a donation to our silent auction and raffle, please contact us at [email protected]

The Londontowne Symphony Orchestra had a strong 2021-2022 season with one hiccup. COVID-19 caused us to cancel our January concert, “A Salute to our Veterans”, featuring the chorus from Archibald Spalding High School, but we are looking to reschedule that for next season. We were pleased to perform in Maryland Hall, and we will do so again next season. We especially want to thank all of those who came out to hear the LSO – some of you for the first time – and we were pleased to hear your surprise at what you saw and heard.

Looking ahead, our next season’s opener will be on September 24. Music Director/Conductor Anna Binneweg has titled it “Opening Night Celebration” and has invited pianist Thomas Pandolfi to play Rachmaninoff’s passionate Piano Concerto No. 2 with the orchestra. His concerts have taken him to China and Europe, and this appearance will add Maryland to Mr. Pandolfi’s 20-state touring schedule throughout the United States.

The night will begin with Mexican composer José Pablo Moncayo’s Huapango for orchestra as we honor Hispanic Heritage month and close with Elgar’s timeless Enigma Variations. Now is a good time to put it on your calendar.

The LSO hopes everyone has a pleasant summer. and we look forward to seeing you again starting in the fall. Thank you again for your support.

Fiber Options: Material Explorations
MFA Circle Gallery
Jun 29 – Jul 30

MFA’s 6^th biennial Fiber Options: Material Explorations exhibition explores the possibilities of what artists can do with fiber. Fiber art incorporates both natural and synthetic fibers and textiles showcasing the beauty of form over function that can be created through an artists’ touch. Whether sewn, sculpted, woven, or decorated, see what these 37 artists have done with fiber through Jul 30 at Circle Gallery. Join us on Jul 10 via Zoom for the Virtual Awards Ceremony with Juror Hillary Waters Fayle, Director of the Fiber Program at Virginia Commonwealth University, from 4 – 5 PM and on Jul 30 from 4 – 6 PM at Circle Gallery for an in-person closing reception. Visit mdfedart.com/portfolio/255/ to learn more.

Portals
MFA Curve Gallery
Jun 15 – Jul 31

Portals are openings to new places, new experiences, and new sensations. They can transport you somewhere magical or just provide a glimpse into another way of life. This exhibition features 42 artists’ interpretations of the concept of a portal – both literal and metaphorical. See Juror Andrew Brandmeyer’s selections online in MFA’s Curve Gallery from Jul 15 – Aug 31. Visit mdfedart.com/portfolio/254 to see the work.

Tracy Barwick and Sandy Cohen at Paul’s
MFA at Paul’s Homewood Café
Apr 28 – end of July

Both self-taught artists, Tracy Barwick and Sandy Cohen have been very successful in their chosen media. Barwick is a multimedia artist, specializing in intricate beadwork and abstracts, with a simple artistic narrative: personifying emotions, beliefs, and social concepts through ethnic patterns, shadings, and mediums across the full spectrum of color. Cohen briefly learned to paint at an early age, and then decided to start drawing and painting portraits as a way to capture her grandchildren as they were growing up. She is now an accomplished portrait artist. Visit mdfedart.com/portfolio/restaurants to learn more about the artists and be sure to stop by Paul’s Homewood Café to check out their work from Apr 28 through the end of July.

Fern Loos Beu and Glenn Strachan at 49 West
MFA at 49 West
Jun 2 – Aug 3

Fern Loos Beu is a psychologist and artist who loves to paint people: portraits, figures in motion, large scale works with movement. Recently, as she has begun to travel after Covid, she has enjoyed painting scenes from her travels. Glenn Strachan got his first camera and one pack of film per week from his father at age nine, and has continued to learn about photography ever since. He hopes to continue taking and sharing more work. Check out their work at 49 West through Aug 3. Learn more about the artists at mdfedart.com/portfolio/restaurants.