Connecting with the Arts – March 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.
Can you feel it? Spring is in the air! And the arts community is welcoming this change of season with open arms and new programming.
- The Annapolis Film Festival starts the month of April off right with 10 days of 100+ films to enjoy in the comfort of your home.
- Experience ten amazing voices with the Annapolis Opera’s two upcoming events.
- Celebrate Historic London Town & Garden’s 50th year of being open to the public.
- Don’t miss the Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s free, virtual performance of Momentum.
- This summer, Annapolis Shakespeare Company will present live outdoor theatre experiences along with their virtual, on-demand programs.
- The Hammond-Harwood House is safely welcoming back the community with several historic tours along with a Mother’s Day gift idea.
- The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra welcomes Spring with their final concert of the season happening in May and a new exciting youth program added to the Annapolis Symphony Academy.
- Maryland Cultural and Conference Center (MC3) wraps this month’s post up with a new vision for the Annapolis arts community and a dance party (with a twist!) to celebrate the warmer days ahead of us.
You can connect and learn more about these organizations by clicking their logos below. We hope you enjoy!
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Annapolis Film Festival 2021 Official Film Slate Announcement – Over 100 Films
“This year’s festival has expanded to 10 days for its virtual presentation to allow for a better user experience this year,” says Lee Anderson, Festival Director and Co-Founder. “And because of that we have been able to program more films this year.”
This year’s program contains over 100 films (22 feature-length narrative films; 15 feature-length documentaries; 66 short films). The films come from 35 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Czech Rep., Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malta, Mauritania, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, and USA.
“This year’s opening night film Marvelous and the Black Hole brings a bit of magic to our program (literally),” says Patti White, festival director.
With heart and humor, it tells the story of a rebellious teenage girl (played by Miya Cech from the current tv show The Astronauts) dealing with the loss of her mother and then bonding with an eccentric magician (“Marvelous Margot” played by Rhea Perlman, the Emmy-winning actress from the classic tv show Cheers) who helps her to reconnect with life and joy. It’s a story of being lost and found.
“This was easily one of our favorite films from this year’s Sundance Film Festival,” says Derek Horne, director of programming. “And it is exactly the type of marvelous and uplifting film that can help all of us to heal after the black hole of 2020”
For more information and to purchase passes and tickets, visit www.annapolisfilmfestival.com
2 Events, 10 Amazing Voices
Join us on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 7 PM for an unforgettable evening of music with Will Liverman and pianist, Jonathan King. Called “a voice for this historic moment” by The Washington Post, baritone Will Liverman continues to bring his compelling performances to audiences nationwide. The 2020 winner of the Marian Anderson Vocal Award, Will brings a breadth of genres to the stage with equal authority and beauty. Mr. Liverman will also be joining us as a judge for our annual vocal competition.
For the past 32 seasons, the Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition has supported emerging artists, introducing them to our audience and a panel of esteemed judges as they compete for prize money. This year’s final round will feature 9 finalists competing for more than $15,000 in awards. Tune in on Sunday, April 11, 2021, at 3 PM to see their performances and find out who wins!
Go to our website for more information and to register for both of these events: annapolisopera.org
50 Years of Historic London Town & Gardens
“On April 15, 1971, the first visitors to the London Town Publik House and Arboretum signed the original registry. They toured the c.1760 William Brown House, even as it was being restored to how it may have looked originally as a colonial tavern.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Historic London Town and Gardens being open to the public.
Learn more about the creation of London Town and upcoming programming related to the 50th at www.historiclondontown.org/50
A Free Virtual Performance of Momentum
Ballet Theatre of Maryland is partnering once again with the Prince George Community College Center for Performance Arts to bring a free, virtual performance to all! Momentum, will include 4 contemporary works performed by the company on Saturday, April 17th at 7pm. On the bill is two returning works by Artistic Director Emeritus, Dianna Cuatto and two brand new pieces by Company Dancers, Lindsey Bell and Isaac Martinez.
Register today for this free event at www.pgcc.edu
Annapolis Shakespeare Company Presents Live Outdoor Theatre Experiences This Summer
Annapolis Shakespeare Company (ASC) is a Helen Hayes Award-nominated regional theatre company, offering over 200 live performances annually, and serving Anne Arundel County as the leading professional arts provider of school matinees and student workshops.
ASC is officially re-opening on March 25th with a brand new cabaret room designed by the internationally recognized event designer, Maya Wildberger. ASC is proud to offer a wide selection of virtual programming streaming on-demand now as well as live outdoor theatre experiences coming this summer. These live experiences include our “Comedy in the Courtyard,” continuing for eight years with “The Servant of Two Masters,” as well as epic outdoor Shakespeare on the lawn of the Gresham Estate with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
To find out more information about all that is happening at Annapolis Shakespeare Company please visit us at www.annapolisshakespeare.org/
Reopening of the historic Hammond-Harwood House Museum
Hammond – Harwood House is excited to announce its safe reopening on April 1, welcoming back the community to the museum and garden with visitation guidelines in place.
Advanced reservations are required and are now available.
Noon to 4 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays
CLICK HERE to schedule your tour reservation.
Two Great Houses Outdoor Architecture Tour
Saturday, March 27 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.
For more information, CLICK HERE
Charles Willson Peale Walking Tour
Saturday, April 17 at 11:00 am – Outdoor tour for a limited number participants -Cost $15 | HHH Members $10
A tour of Annapolis’s historic district, where the painter Charles Willson Peale’s world has been preserved. The walk starts at the Old Treasury Building on the grounds of the Capitol.
For more information and tickets, CLICK HERE
Mother’s Day Basket
Make Mother’s Day extra special with a Fresh Herb Basket from Hammond-Harwood House! A Mother’s Day Herb Basket is the perfect way to say “thank you” to all of the moms, grandmothers, aunts, friends & neighbors in your life. Inspired by Mrs. Loockerman’s herb garden, each basket comes with an assortment of herbs and a blooming plant, all of which can be replanted for a long-lasting gift.
Last day of orders: Sunday, April 25, 2021
Basket pick up: May 5, 6 and 7
For orders, CLICK HERE
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Spring!
Welcome Spring! The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s concert on March 20, Strings Serenade, reflected the pivotal significance of renewal, echoing both reflective and hopeful moods at this stage of the season and the pandemic, looking forward to an imminently brighter future. You may view this performance with your Symphony+ subscription. Learn more at www.symphonyplus.org
The final concert of our 2020-21 season is Saturday, May 1, and will feature:
- Tan Dun Concerto for String Orchestra and Pipa. Wu Man, recognized as the world’s premier pipa virtuoso, will be joining the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra for this performance.
- Johannes Brahms – Serenade No. 1 in D Major, op. 11
Tickets are available at www.SymphonyPlus.org or through the box office at 410.263.0907
Just announced this month, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Maestro José-Luis Novo will join the faculty of the Annapolis Symphony Academy to lead a new high level, tuition free youth orchestra. The Orion Youth Orchestra will be the only youth orchestra in the region to be conducted by the music director of its parent professional orchestra. This move is a key component in Academy’s new preschool to high school expansion designed to cultivate young musical talent and promote diversity. Information about auditions and enrollment in the Annapolis Symphony Academy is available at www.tunedtoyouth.org
One Annapolis: A Community Art Project
The Maryland Cultural and Conference Center (MC3), formerly known as Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts (MTPA), is debuting a new vision for the Annapolis arts community with the One Annapolis Community Art Project. The project will feature a vibrant mural created by renowned artist Comacell Brown and will be painted on the wall adjacent to MC3’s StageOne at Park Place.
The mural will memorialize Carr’s Beach, a historical landmark in the Annapolis community that became a major performing arts venue for Black musicians. Performances often attracted tens of thousands of people; its impact on the community was significant. Carr’s Beach hosted several notable artists including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, James Brown, Little Richard, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin. Today, Carr’s Beach is rarely recognized for its integral part in Annapolis’s rich cultural history. For more information about this historical venue, see: upstart-annapolis.com/ago-carrs-beach/
Project Disco
The Maryland Cultural & Conference Center (MC3) is celebrating Spring at Park Place in Annapolis with Project Disco. This Outdoor Silent Disco + Light Show will feature well-known Maryland based DJs “DJ Griff” (@dj_griff_) and “ALWZ SNNY” (@alwzsnny). The interactive light show has been developed by MFA students within The University of Maryland Lighting Department, led by renowned Director and Multimedia Designer Jared Mezzocchi.
It’s a dance party, but with a twist! Attendees will each be given a pair of wireless headphones that connect to two radio stations – one for each DJ. Each person will have the ability to choose which station they wish to listen to (and flip back and forth); The (socially distanced) crowd will be seen dancing to the beat of different songs! This silent dance party is outrageously fun, safe and perfect for all ages!
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mc3annapolis.org/program-events/
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