Arts Archives - Page 24 of 40

The Blair Witch Project, Created by a Wheaton HS Grad and Filmed Primarily in MoCo, Was Released 24 Years Ago Today

Published July 14, 2023 at 1:06PM

The Blair Witch Project was released on this day in 1999, 24 years ago– the first installment of the Blair Witch franchise. Did you know The Blair Witch Project was primarily filmed right here in Montgomery County?

In the indie supernatural horror, three film students camp in the fictional Black Hills Forest of Burkittsville, Maryland in October of 1994 to film a documentary on the local legend of the Blair Witch. Mysteriously, the trio vanishes, leaving behind hours of footage to be discovered a year later by University of Maryland anthropology students. What the viewer witnesses is this purportedly real home video style footage.

Fela! Nigerian Diaspora Party Will Be Free On Plaza in Silver Spring on Tuesday, July 11

By Patrick Herron

Published July 10, 2023 at 10:03AM

Per Montgomery County: Fela Kuti was the biggest Afro Beat star out of Africa. Olney Theatre currently has a production about his life. From 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, there will be a free special event primarily featuring the music and dance of Fela Kuti. The event, at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, will have the additional components of yoga, arts and crafts, a fashion show and even Nollywood stars–all from the Nigerian community.

Fela Kuti was an empowered activist and musician who used his voice to speak up against the injustices against Nigerians. To speak up for oneself and their community in such an authentically profound and remarkable way, one must be in integrity with himself and the universal Soul that connects all.

Guitarist Joe Satriani to Make Appearance at Montgomery Mall

By Patrick Herron

Published June 26, 2023 at 9:58AM | Updated June 26, 2023 at 3:04PM

World famous solo-guitarist Joe Satriani will be appearing at the Wentworth Gallery at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda) on Sunday, July 16 from 1-4pm. The gallery will be exhibiting a collection of Stariani’s original artwork, including canvases and painted guitars. Satriani will also be holding a private performance for anyone who purchase his work. Addition details below:

“Fresh off his Worldwide Tour supporting his 19th Studio album, The Elephants of Mars, world renowned guitarist, Joe Satriani, is now planning to bring his art showings back to the Washington, DC area this July. Satriani’s next art appearances will be at the Wentworth Gallery at Tysons Galleria in McLean VA on Saturday, July 15th from 3-6 pm as well as a visit on Sunday, July 16th 1-4 pm at the Wentworth Gallery at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, MD. Satriani has prepared one of a kind pieces for the exhibit including original canvases and hand painted guitars and the exciting addition to these events, purchasers of any of Satriani’s works will be treated to a private performance, within the gallery, for the final hour of his exhibit appearance. Those who have purchased his unique hand painted guitars will have the extra thrill of jamming with the iconic guitarist. This is a perfect opportunity for any fan of Satriani’s guitar playing to be up close and personal with the master!

Five Things To Do in MoCo This Weekend (June 23-25, 2023)

By Patrick Herron

Published June 22, 2023 at 10:54PM

Imagination Stage Announces 23-24 Season

By Patrick Herron

Published June 15, 2023 at 4:55PM

Per Imagination Stage: Imagination Stage™, the metro DC region’s largest professional theatre dedicated to young audiences, announces our six shows for 2023-2024–a “greatest hits” season celebrating 20 years in our beautiful theatre arts center in downtown Bethesda. The international hit, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (September 22- October 22), kicks it off, with one-quarter of its performances in Spanish and three-quarters in English. That show is best for ages 3-8. Next up are three for the elementary-age crowd, returning hits A Year with Frog and Toad (November 15- January 7), Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale (February 14-April 7), and Miss Nelson is Missing! (June 20-August 10). For the youngest audiences, ages 1-4, the two beloved returning shows are Mouse on the Move (January 13 – February 11) and Inside Out (March 3-30).

Founding Artistic Director Janet Stanford–who has been at Imagination Stage since before the move to downtown Bethesda–chose these “timeless stories to speak to key milestones in youth development including imagining new possibilities, appreciating other cultures and traditions, and empathizing with others.” Managing Director Jason Najjoum says, “We can’t wait to introduce these wonderful shows to a new mini-generation of children. It has been very encouraging to see families returning to the theatre following the pandemic. So many of us all fell out of the habit, and we believe this “greatest hits” season will keep bringing them back.”

Churchill’s Ian Rubin Wins 2023 Best Actor Award

By MCS Staff

Published June 9, 2023 at 4:53AM

The National Theatre has presented the Brandon Victor Dixon Awards for excellence in high school musical theatre, a regional partner of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®), also known as The Jimmy Awards®. The awards program is named in honor of Brandon Victor Dixon, a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award nominee originally from Gaithersburg. Dixon recently portrayed Terry Silver on the STARZ hit series ‘Power.’

The award for Best Actor went to Ian Rubin, a senior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, for his work in Matilda The Musical. Per the MD Theatre Guide website, Ian is honored to be nominated for best actor for his performance as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical. In the fall, Ian will be attending the University of Michigan where he will be pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Some of his favorite credits include Young Artists of America’s Cabaret (Emcee), A Chorus Line (Mike), Into the Woods (Wolf); WCHS’ senior showcase production of The Last Five Years (Jamie), and Ovations Theatre Spring Awakening (Moritz). Ian currently studies voice with Thomas Pedersen and dances at City Dance Conservatory.

Gaithersburg to Host Jubilation Day Gospel Concert

By MCS Staff

Published June 8, 2023 at 7:29AM

Per the City of Gaithersburg: Gospel music, the uniquely American art form that gave rise to jazz, blues, R&B, and rock & roll, will be celebrated to the highest as the City presents the 17^thAnnual Jubilation Day Gospel Concert. The Concert Pavilion at City Hall will host performances of all styles of Gospel, Christian & uplifting music by local & regional artists. The event will also feature an acknowledgement of the upcoming Juneteenth Holiday.

Admission to Jubilation Day is free. Make a day of it by getting a meal at one of the area restaurants, bring a picnic, or purchase from on-site vendor Heavenly Wings. Gaithersburg’s Concert Pavilion is located at 31 South Summit Avenue in front of City Hall. The outdoor venue features lawn seating with limited chairs. Please feel free to bring your own low chair or blanket. The celebration will also feature crafts for purchase and giveaway drawings for fun prizes. Winners must be present.

Fernando Santiago of Silver Spring Selected as Winner of 2023 Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival Poster

By Patrick Herron

Published June 7, 2023 at 9:21AM

Per Montgomery County: The poster for the seventh annual Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival will be based on a design submitted by Fernando Santiago, a Silver Spring artist and resident. As the winner of poster contest, he will receive a cash prize of $500 donated by IHOP Wheaton. The poster contest was open to all residents of Montgomery County. After Mr. Santiago’s artwork was selected, Wheaton Arts Parade designer Josue Martinez of Corinto Gallery incorporated it into the design for the poster and T-shirt. It will be featured in all promotional materials leading up to the parade.

More than 50 festival tents are available in the 2023 festival for artists to rent to exhibit and sell their original artwork and for arts organizations and community organizations to promote their work. The day is inspired by the parade and the closure of roads so that people can pull giant floats and show off their art, play music and dance,

KID Museum FREE For MCPS Students on Sundays This Summer (Registration Required)

By MCS Staff

Published June 7, 2023 at 7:42AM

Courtesy Kid Museum

KID Museum is dedicated to expanding access for the MCPS community by providing free opportunities to participate in our programming. “Thanks to the generous support of Montgomery County Public Schools, all MCPS students and families can register for free admission to KID Museum through June 30, 2023” (registration link below).

KID Museum opened last May in its new flagship site at Bethesda Metro Center, 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 140— a brand new, 28,000 square foot facility “created to foster the “Mind of a Maker” and empower the next generation with the skills to invent the future.” The state-of-the-art makerspace is purpose-built for kids ages 4-14 to explore coding, robotics, engineering design, and hands-on maker learning, with the capacity to welcome more than 100,000 visitors every year. There will be grand opening events, becoming a member, or sponsoring us to help all kids discover a love of exploring, creating, and collaborating to become makers of the future.

Clarksburg Summer Concert Series Begins Saturday, June 3rd

By MCS Staff

Published June 2, 2023 at 4:25PM | Updated June 8, 2023 at 5:11PM

The summer concert series is set to begin on Saturday, June 3rd (6pm-9pm) at the Clarksburg Amphitheater off of Clarksburg Square Rd. “We are excited to ANNOUNCE, Summer Concert Series Season is among us!  We have top-notch performers COMING YOUR WAY!  As well as some of our favorite food trucks returning!  Join the fun every other week and join us at the amphitheater.” The schedule can be seen below:

• Hunter Rich will be performing on Saturday, June 3rd.

Call to Artists to Design the County’s Official Pride Decal

By MCS Staff

Published May 29, 2023 at 1:51PM

In preparation for Pride Month in June, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Community Partnerships are calling on artists and designers to create the county’s official 2023 Montgomery County Pride decal.

Submissions are due Wednesday, June 1, and should be submitted electronically on the MontgomeryCountyPride.org website. The county’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board will choose up to five final designs to be displayed Pride Month events and on social media for public voting.