Connecting with the Arts – September 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:
- Angela Wilson, founder and CEO of the AngelWing Project, Inc is winning in writing, producing and directing to being published internationally.
- The Freedom Choir will launch a new Fall session in two locations beginning the first week of October.
- Come aboard the Wilma Lee out of the Annapolis Maritime Museum for a boat race watch party.
- Chesapeake Arts Center is revving up for their 8th Annual Arts in the Park Festival.
- AND Creative has once again partnered with the Annapolis Town Center to transform an empty retail space into a weekend pop up art installation.
- Check out October events happening at ArtFarm for teens and adults.
- Don’t miss Classic Theatre of Maryland’s two upcoming productions.
- Ballet Theatre of Maryland presents Les Sylphides and Other Works at Maryland Hall.
- Historic Annapolis is pleased to announce Hands-On History Days, a new family program offered on the second Sunday of every month.
- The Live Arts Maryland 2022-2023 season opens with Guys & Dolls presented as a pops gala.
- Save the Date for Annapolis Film Society screening on Sunday, October 30th.
- Catch up on all the latest happenings at Maryland Hall.
- World Artists Experiences (WAE) presents VOLVER (The Comeback) by The Tango Lovers Company.
- MFA presents Collector’s Choice and check out their current exhibitions.
- Take a look at some upcoming events at the Hammond-Harwood House.
You can connect and learn more about these organizations by clicking their logos below. We hope you enjoy!
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Glen Burnie, MD Playwright is Winning in Writing, Producing and Directing to Being Published Internationally
Angela Wilson is the founder and CEO of the AngelWing Project, Inc. (AWP). She leads the non-profit organization in their mission to “positively impact the community by providing uplifting, entertaining shows and events to inspire appreciation for and participation in the arts.” She is a producer, director, an award-winning playwright and an independent artist with a vision.
Angela is a natural teacher and performer who found her niche in writing plays that are based on actual historical events and tell stories of African American experiences in this country. She ensures that audiences are learning as they are being entertained and inspired.
Angela’s critically acclaimed stage play, Tears of the Soul, which premiered at the Chesapeake Arts Center in 2018 and has been very well received by audiences, has recently been published and licensed by Heuer Publishing. Heuer is one of the oldest publishing houses serving the educational community theater markets from amateurs to stock (professional) performances in the US and several countries. They are a pioneer in commissioning and publishing unique works from a broad range of playwrights, which are entertaining and yet, thought provoking, family appropriate, and edgy. Tears of the Soul also won the DC Black Theater and Arts Festival in Washington, DC in 2019 as it was voted the Festival Favorite in the full-length play category. Read more here!
After a 2-year hiatus because of the pandemic, The Freedom Choir will launch a new Fall session in two locations beginning the first week of October. Liberate your voice with this welcoming and unique community choir. No audition or prior experience are required.
During the pandemic, the choir’s Annie award-winning director Elizabeth Melvin led a weekly community sing on Zoom with hundreds of attendees and song leaders from around the globe. For many of the warmer months a small group of singers from The Freedom Choir also met weekly to sing outside under Elizabeth’s guidance. Now the choir is ready to open its doors and welcome singers of all levels to experience the joy of singing in a friendly, supportive community.
The repertoire of songs is eclectic and uplifting, drawing from a wealth of traditional and contemporary sources. Easy chants, rounds, layer and harmony songs are all taught by rote with no score, with lyrics and recordings provided on the choir website for practice. The stress-free musical atmosphere leaves singers feeling restored, peaceful and energized.
The 8-week session begins Wednesday, Oct. 5, 11 am – 12:15 pm at St. Luke’s Church, 1101 Bay Ridge Ave., Annapolis and Thursday, Oct. 6, 7:30 – 8:45 pm at the Severna Park Community Center in Boone Station Hall, 623 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park. With registration, choose one of the two locations and days but singers are welcome to attend either one at any time. $130 for the session, register online at www.thefreedomchoir.com.
Not sure if the choir is right for you? Drop-ins welcome any time for $20. To reserve a drop-in space send an email to [email protected] and put “Drop-In” in the subject line.
Best place to watch a Boat Race?
Another boat of course! On October 6, over 30 classic skipjacks are passing through Annapolis for the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, a 118-nautical mile sprint from Baltimore to Norfolk. Come aboard the Wilma Lee out of the Annapolis Maritime Museum for a watch party. Hospitality includes adult beverages and lunch.
8th ANNUAL ARTS IN THE PARK FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 8, 2022 | 10 am to 3 pm
FREE ADMISSION!
Sponsored by Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, Belle Grove Corporation and Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
Chesapeake Arts Center is revving up for our 8th Annual Arts in the Park Festival. What’s that you ask? It is a magical day filled with FREE art activities, performances and workshops, oh my!
CAC invites you to spend the day with us Saturday, October 8 from 10 am to 3 pm. Come dabble in one or all of our many hands-on arts workshops perfect for any age artist; experience live performances by the School of Magic Arts, The AngelWing Project INC., and S.T.A.R. LTD.; catch some tunes with music by Justin Trawick and The Common Good; browse the booths of more than 50 artist vendors and community organizations; and eat delicious treats in our food truck alley; and did I forget to mention we have some awesome door prizes and giveaways! This family-friendly event offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Register here for more information about the festival and for a chance to win door prizes
If it rains the day of the festival, the event will be held in the CAC’s Hammonds Lane Theatre
AND Creative has once again partnered with the Annapolis Town Center to transform an empty retail space into a weekend pop up art installation. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we will be creating a visual journey to heal, educate and celebrate our community. We will have a gallery exhibition by regional artists, information sessions, events and a special line of merchandise. 20% of all sales of art and merch will go to a local non profit providing services to those battling breast cancer. Please stop to see the exhibit and join us for one of the many events happening in the space during the weekend!
October Events at ArtFarm: for teens and adults
Oct 8: Wood Burning Workshop
Oct 9: Block Printing Workshop
Oct 13: Sketch Night with model
Oct 16: Adult Poetry Open Mic ($5 at the door)
Oct 15: Collage Workshop
Oct 28: Henna Workshop
Oct 29: First Exposure (Photography Workshop) (4 week)
Oct 30: Mandala Workshop
Register and Find out more: www.artfarmannapolis.com
Twelfth Night (October 7 – 30, 2022):
In our reimagined tribute to the golden age of Hollywood, Twelfth Night features separated twins, mistaken identities and of course, love. We are excited to bring new life to Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy.
October 1930’s Cabaret (October 17, 2022 at 7:30pm):
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.
Ballet Theatre of Maryland presents Les Sylphides and Other Works on October 7th – 9th at Maryland Hall!
Les Sylphides, to the music of Chopin music performed live by the Londontowne Symphony Orchestra, follows the “poet” as he dances with ghostly sylphs through the romantic atmosphere of a moonlit park. Described as “romantic reverie,” this one-act ballet celebrates the beauty of romantic ballet with a setting evocative of the Halloween season.
Joining Les Sylphides on this program will be Sapphire Romance by BTM Founding Artistic Director Edward Stewart, Flow and Ebb by BTM Soloist dancer Cindy Case, and Hijinks and Lullabies by guest choreographer Keith Lee. Lee, master choreographer, former American Ballet Theatre Soloist, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater ballet master has created Hijinks and Lullabies as a world premiere for Ballet Theatre of Maryland. This production is friendly for all ages and includes different genres of dance ranging from the timeless beauty of traditional ballet to contemporary ballet, as well as a comical piece that will leave you wanting more!
For more information visit Les Sylphides and Other Works
Photo credits: Clara Molina
Historic Annapolis is pleased to announce Hands-On History Days, a new family program offered on the second Sunday of every month at the Museum of Historic Annapolis. Special activities will be available from 10 am to 2 pm at the Museum, located at 99 Main Street in downtown Annapolis. Museum admission on second Sundays is half-price, and Hands-On History activities are included with admission.
Monthly Hands-on History Days bring families together through fun, interactive activities for all ages. During your visit, experience stories shared by history interpreters, get to touch original artifacts from the Historic Annapolis collection, and go on scavenger hunts through the Museum to discover more about Annapolis history. We are also partnering with the Anne Arundel County Public Library to provide a Hands-On History Book Nook!
This program is the perfect opportunity for families to visit the Museum each month to explore special themes and and have fun making discoveries, learning new things, and spending quality time together. These special events support our mission by connecting the Annapolis community with each other, to our shared American story, and the unique and diverse history of the City of Annapolis.
Join us at the Museum of Historic Annapolis at 99 Main Street every second Sunday for a special family day out! Admission on second Sundays is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 6-17, and free for children under 6, Historic Annapolis members, and active-duty military. Visit museum.annapolis.org for more information about visiting the Museum.
The show must go on! The Live Arts Maryland 2022-2023 season opens with Guys & Dolls presented as a pops gala. This show features many outstanding American Songbook standards such as “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”, “If I Were A Bell”, “A Bushel and a Peck”, and more. Audiences of all ages will find the magic of live musical theater right here in Annapolis in this timeless classic on October 14th and 15th! On October 21st at The Live Arts Studio, Noah Dion will be hosting a jazz night! There will be a jazz quartet featuring Jennifer Blades as a vocalist. The concert will feature songs from the Great American Songbook and jazz improvisations. Tickets are $25 and the show will begin at 7:30pm!
Live Arts will also be continuing with their monthly Open Mic Night on Tuesday, October 25th at 7:30pm! Since it is the spooky season, we are inviting all attendees to wear a Halloween costume! If you wear a costume, you will receive a discount coupon to be used at any future Live Arts Studio performance. We are also asking for donations for the Discoveries Community Pantry and The Light House Food Pantry. We will accept basic baby supplies, hygiene supplies, and canned goods.
You can find information on all upcoming concerts and events at www.liveartsmd.org.
Want to see first-release films before anyone else? Interested in viewing independent documentaries and narrative feature films that are not readily available to the public? Enjoy hearing the insiders perspective from special industry guests and filmmakers when available? Suffering from withdrawal when the Annapolis Film Festival Wraps up each spring? If so, the Annapolis Film Society is for you!
Save the Date for Annapolis Film Society screening on Sunday, October 30th.
Doors open 6:30 PM, movie starts at 7 PM. At Maryland Hall’s Bowen Theater.
Learn more at annapolisfilmfestival.com
September was a busy month at Maryland Hall! We are grateful for a very successful 24th Annual Arts Alive Global event, our Resident Company performances are entertaining large audiences in the Main Theatre and we’ve kicked off Latinx Programming & Events, in honor of Hispanic Heritage month. Now through October 30th, make a special visit to see the outstanding Perspectivas Latinas Exhibit featuring 19 Latinx artists in the Chaney & Martino Galleries. See full details about the exhibition here.
Come enjoy these upcoming events; World Artist Experiences Presents: Volver by the Tango Lovers Company and Maryland Hall Movie Night: Outdoor Screening of “Coco” in Spanish, in partnership with City of Annapolis. Visit the Maryland Hall website for all upcoming events related to Hispanic Heritage month and more.
Fall classes are in full swing including all of your favorites and inspiring new classes taught by new teaching artists. Consider these new classes; Ocarina Mud Workshops and Dia de los Muertos: Teen Art to Wear – both classes in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. View all adult classes here – and all child and teen classes here.
World Artists Experiences (WAE) presents VOLVER (The Comeback) by The Tango Lovers Company. This live performance will take place on Monday, October 17, at 7:00 pm at Maryland Hall for the Creative Art, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, Maryland. The event is free; seating is first come, first served. Donations are appreciated.
VOLVER (The Comeback) by the Tango Lovers Company, is the story of tango dancers, musicians, singers who travel the world together with the tango genre and their return to their place of origin to tell and transmit endless stories with their art, through different characters which take center stage during the show.
For over 12 years, the Tango Lovers Company has traveled the world. Through its production VOLVER, it pays tribute to those places and people that marked its history and return to the stages after difficult times for humanity. A live orchestra, dancers, and singers from Argentina and Uruguay will make you live the passion and sensuality of tango for an experience you will never forget.
Additional information about the Tango Lovers Company is available at www.tangolovers.com
World Artists Experiences is a non-profit organization that fosters transnational and cross-cultural understanding by bridging people and cultures across continents and through shared artistic experiences. More information is available on the WAE website, www.worldartists.org or by email at [email protected]. This event is offered in collaboration with the Embassy of Uruguay,
WAE recommends wearing a mask and social distancing, regardless of vaccination status.
Collector’s Choice
MFA at Volvo Cars Annapolis and online
Oct 23
Collector’s Choice is your exclusive chance to wine and dine with MFA’s impressive membership of artists, while also treating yourself to a new piece of art. It’s an evening of great food, music, and art – one ticket admits two people to MFA’s biggest and most exciting fundraiser for food, drinks, and one amazing piece of art. The work you take home guarantees you won’t forget this fantastic event. Join us in-person at Volvo Cars Annapolis or online on Oct 23. VIP admission 5 PM. General admission 6 PM. Visit mdfedart.com/collectors-choice/ to purchase tickets and learn more.
Fall Member Show
MFA Circle Gallery
Sept 28 – Oct 15
Fall into the season of the changing leaves and chilly air at Circle Gallery with our annual Fall Member Show. Come see what our talented Members have been working on recently in this all-media exhibition. Sixty-five works by fifty-eight different artists selected by juror Susan Badder will be on display in Circle Gallery Sept 28 – Oct 15. Visit mdfedart.com/portfolio/264 to see the work.
Food for Thought
MFA Curve Gallery
Oct 15 – Nov 30
From farm to table, from fields and gardens, from land and sea – food sustains our bodies as art sustains our souls. For each person, food has a story and a history. Food can help define our community and sometimes our community needs help being fed. We work as a community to help feed our neighbors. A portion of the proceeds from this show go to support the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. This show reflects how food has shaped lives through art. Works selected by Juror Katie Commodore will be on display in MFA’s online gallery, Curve Gallery, from Oct 15 – Nov 30. Visit mdfedart.com/portfolio/267/ to see the work.
Wil Scott
MFA at 49 West
Sept 29 – Nov 30
Photographer, Art Historian, and MFA Member Wil Scott will be showing his work at 49 West from Sept 29 – Nov 30. Scott has exhibited in Europe and across the United States. His work is inspired by his frequent travels and our own beautiful Maryland. His show will feature recent photographs from Hawaii, California, and Maine, as well as work depicting Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and other familiar parts of our region. Join us at 49 West on Oct 2 from 5 – 7 PM for an opening reception. Learn more about Wil Scott and MFA’s other restaurant shows at mdfedart.com/portfolio/restaurants.
Mike P. McSorley and Marisa Evangelista at Paul’s Homewood Café
MFA at Paul’s Homewood Café
Aug 17 – the end of October
Highly accomplished painters and MFA Members Mike McSorley and Marisa Evangelista have both been fascinated by the details from a young age. McSorley, by the “mundane;” Evangelista, by the nuances of human emotion. McSorley brings an object’s spirit to life through an active painting process. Paint is applied, scraped, and wiped off, again and again. Paint that is or isn’t left on the surface is “an analogy for life, scarred but surviving.” Various elements in and of Evangelista’s portraits contribute to the narratives created by hidden nuances and are used intentionally to evoke specific emotions. She starts with a concept derived from her own experiences, and deliberately composes a photograph (often of herself) to use as a guide, but views her image “as a character in a painted reality.” Works by McSorley and Evangelista will be on display at Paul’s Homewood Café through the end of October. Meet the artists at the reception on Sept 15 from 4 – 6 PM at Paul’s. Learn more about the artists and MFA’s other restaurant shows at mdfedart.com/portfolio/restaurants/.
Pumpkin Walk
Friday, October 28 from 4:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m
Price per family: $25 | HHH Members: $20
Hammond-Harwood House is inviting you to celebrate the spooky season with games, crafts, snacks, storytelling, face painting, and a costume parade around the Hammond-Harwood House mansion. This event will also feature a brief tour of the mansion to introduce children to colonial superstitions and the special architecture of the Hammond-Harwood House. Wear your best costume for the selfie station! This family event is an Annapolis tradition not to be missed! Costumes encouraged. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
Jane Austen Tour
Wednesday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Price: $12 | HHH Members Free!
Participants will enjoy a 90-minute guided tour of the Hammond-Harwood House that compares the customs and social graces of the Loockerman family, who lived in the Hammond-Harwood House in the early 19th century, with those of characters in Jane Austen novels.Make it extra special with Tea and a Tour! Hammond- Harwood House is proud to partner with Reynolds Tavern of Annapolis. Reynolds Tavern offers an extensive afternoon tea menu – a perfect pairing to enjoy before or after the Jane Austen Tour. Tours and tea are booked separately.
Jane Austen Tour | Hammond-Harwood House (hammondharwoodhouse.org)
Poetry and Painting –Considering the Creative Spirit
Saturday, October 22 from 1:00 p.m to 2:30 p.m
Price: $15 | HHH Members: Free
Join award-winning poet Ellen Wise and Hammond-Harwood House Director Barbara Goyette for a Poetry Workshop. Explore the connection between creating a painting and creating a poem. Learn about some of the pieces in the Hammond-Harwood House collection. Then try your hand at writing poetry inspired by a piece of art, an enslaved woman’s shoe, the perfect architecture, an ornate silver teapot. or a feeling about the past life of the house.
Group size is limited.
Gershwin In The Garden
Saturday, October 15 at 4:30 p.m
Price: $65 | HHH Members: $55
Music from the American Songbooks in the Hammond-Harwood House Museum Garden.
Elissa Edwards, soprano, is joined by the Miles O’Malley Trio for a heartwarming tribute to Gershwin and enduring highlights from the Great American Songbook.
Experience some of the most beloved jazz standards of all time: “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm,” and more!
St Anne’s Cemetery Tour
Saturday, October 15 at 11:00 a.m
Price: $15 | HHH Members: $10
Did you know that several of the Hammond-Harwood House’s former occupants are buried in St. Anne’s cemetery?
On this cemetery tour, visitors will discover the fascinating lives of the men and women who called the Hammond-Harwood House home. Stories of love, tragedy, and insanity will be told in this 60-minute tour through the winding hills of this historic burying ground. Tour begins at the cemetery entrance, between Northwest Street and College Creek.
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