Arts Archives - Page 26 of 39

2023 Oscar Predictions (By MoCo Movie Critic Andrew Italia)

Published March 12, 2023 at 2:15PM

Andrew Italia is an attorney in Rockville, 2001 Quince Orchard High School graduate, and MoCo resident. When he was in college at the University of Maryland, he was the movie critic for The Maryland Diamondback. During his time as the movie critic, he began making Oscar predictions for all 24 categories. His all-time record is 21 out of 24, but he usually falls in the 18-20 range. For the fourth straight year he is providing The MoCoShow with his predictions. Earlier this week, he shared his Top 12 Movies of 2022.

I might have nodded off a little early during last year’s Oscar telecast…What did I miss?

Churchill Jazz Ensemble Wins Second Place at Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Competition

By MCS Staff

Published March 10, 2023 at 8:10AM

The Winston Churchill High School Jazz Ensemble won second place at the annual Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival’s High School Band Competition last month.

Twelve high school bands from across the East Coast competed in the prestigious event, with the top three bands performing in a final round to determine the overall winner. This was the first time the Churchill ensemble has placed in the finals, and they were the only school from the state of Maryland to advance to the final round.

2022: The Top Twelve List (by MoCo Movie Critic, Andrew Italia)

By MCS Staff

Published March 10, 2023 at 7:49AM

By Andrew Italia. Italia is a Quince Orchard High School graduate and MoCo resident. When he was in college at the University of Maryland, he was the movie critic for The Maryland Diamondback. During his time as the movie critic, he began making Oscar predictions for all 24 categories. His all-time record is 21 out of 24, but he usually falls in the 18-20 range. Below is his Top 12 movie list for 2022. For more movies on Twitter, see @Italia_budo

Mark Twain once mused that history might not repeat itself, but it sure did rhyme. In that spirit, we found ourselves sipping on gin and nostalgia last year, as what was once old was new again. The Terps brought back Juan and Gary for a celebration. Putin brought back the Cold War for an invasion. The Fresh Prince got in one little fight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myjEoDypUD8), his mom got scared (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TG6r6H5iZM), and he had to move back to Bel Air (https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/bel-air). McDonald’s Cheese Danish triumphantly returned after 40 years. Shackleton’s Endurance returned after 107. Johnny Depp performed again (on the witness stand), Mike Tyson fought again (on a JetBlue flight), and Bennifer got engaged again (in a bubble bath). Lizzo felt it was about damn time to play a 200-year-old flute once owned by James Madison (rap name “J Mads”).

Sensory-Friendly Performance of ‘The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen’ This Sunday at Imagination Stage (sponsored)

By Patrick Herron

Published March 9, 2023 at 4:20PM

There will be a Sensory Friendly Performance of The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen this Sunday at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. Adaptations for Sensory-Friendly performances include:

Per Imagination Stage: Imagination Stage™, the metro DC region’s largest professional theatre for children, debuts its latest new play commission, The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen, adapted for the stage by Gloria Bond Clunie from the book by Thelma Lynne Godin, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Angelisa Gillyard directs. Set in Harlem, this intergenerational story is a charming celebration of family and community ties. The show runs through April 8 and is best for ages 5+.

Daniel Ross, the voice of Donald Duck, Grew Up in MoCo

By MCS Staff

Published March 5, 2023 at 9:39AM

Daniel Ross is an Emmy-winning actor and producer, who is perhaps best known as the third person to ever officially voice Donald Duck. The actors was born in DC, but raised in Montgomery County– where he has quite the “MoCo history.”

Ross has lived in Silver Spring, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Olney, Germantown, and just outside of MoCo in Frederick. He graduated from Springbrook High School and attended Montgomery College in Germantown. Growing up, he frequented Wheaton Plaza and worked for many years at Wheaton Plaza, Target in Rio, and as a store manager of the Blockbuster on Goshen Road in Montgomery Village.

Doodle for Google Contest Entries Due March 14

By MCS Staff

Published March 2, 2023 at 5:04PM

Doodle for Google is holding its 15th annual art contest for students in grades K-12. Students in Montgomery County are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com, as well as win scholarships and tech packages for their schools.

This year’s theme is: “I am grateful for …” Taking a step back to think about what you’re grateful for can be a great way to take care of mental health and refocus on what’s most important. What moments, people, places and things are special to you? What or whom can you not imagine living without? What are the things that get you through the day? Share what you appreciate most. Doodles are meant to surprise and delight people when they visit Google.com. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 14. How to Enter. Submit a Doodle.

Four Bilingual Poets to Share Their Poetry in English and Spanish at Free Event on Thursday, March 9

By MCS Staff

Published March 1, 2023 at 8:19AM

In a free Takoma Park Arts event on Thursday, March 9 at 7:30pm at the Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Ave), four bilingual poets will share their poetry in English and Spanish which transcends borders and unites diverse cultures across political and geographical divides. The featured poets include Rosie Prohías Driscoll, david alberto fernández, David Lott, and Jorge Fernando Sodero.

Per the City of Takoma Park: Rosie Prohías Driscoll is a Cuban-American educator and poet. The daughter of Cuban exiles, she writes about identity and exile, loss and renewal, grief and grace. Her poems have appeared in many journals, and her debut full-length collection Poised for Flight was published last year. She lives in Alexandria and teaches English at Bishop Ireton High School.

Free Kensington Art Walk Lets You Explore Beautiful Murals

By MCS Staff

Published March 1, 2023 at 8:12AM

Kensington has many works of commissioned art located in public places throughout Town. Murals and carvings are located in parks and on buildings large and small. Put on your walking shoes, grab your bike, or drive your car to take in all the culture. Click here to access an ART WALK MAP that shows the location of each work of art. See the murals and an explanation of each below:

Pets are required to be leashed at all times when visiting both Town and County Parks. Pet waste is the responsibility of the pet owner/handler. Pet waste must be picked up and disposed of either in trash or pet waste containers provided within the park or removed from the park and properly disposed of by the pet handler. Visitors to Town and County parks are responsible for adhering to any posted rules or regulations within the parks.

17th Annual Capital Irish Film Festival Will Be Held March 2-5 at AFI Theatre in Silver Spring

By MCS Staff

Published February 24, 2023 at 11:49AM

AFI Silver Theatre will join with Solas Nua to present the 17th Annual Capital Irish Film Festival (CIFF) from March 2-5 in Silver Spring. The four-day festival will bring the […]

Entries Can Now Be Submitted for Seventh Annual Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival Poster Contest

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2023 at 10:18AM

Per Montgomery County: Entries are now being accepted for the Seventh Annual Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival poster contest. The winning design will be used on all promotional materials for the parade and festival, which will take place in Downtown Wheaton on Sunday, Oct. 15. The winner will receive a $500 commission. The parade and festival will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 15 in and around the Marian Fryer Town Plaza in the Wheaton Triangle Business District. The theme for the 2023 parade is “Art to Action: Before we can make our world a better place, we need a vision of the future that inspires us to act.

Dancers From 10 Schools Showed Off Their Moves at the MCPS Dance Showcase This Past Weekend

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2023 at 7:09AM

Dancers from 10 middle and high schools showed off their moves in the MCPS Dance Showcase on February 17th (access to photo gallery below).

During the day, students attended master classes in ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theater and yoga, and listened to guest speakers. In the evening, students performed for parents, peers and the community. Students from the following schools performed: A. Mario Loiederman, Forest Oak, Kingsview and Silver Spring International middle schools and Albert Einstein, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, James Hubert Blake, Montgomery Blair, Northwood and Wheaton high schools.