The City of Rockville celebrates Lunar New Year by offering a free event, at Wootton High School on Saturday, January 28th from 10am-1pm, that celebrates Rockville’s Asian cultures with performances, to-go activities and snacks. Organized in partnership with Rockville’s Asian Pacific American Task Force, the Lunar New Year celebration is a source of pride for the city’s Asian community and an educational opportunity for neighbors to learn about Asian culture. Event program below:

Individuals with Disabilities: We encourage individuals with disabilities to register and participate in Rockville recreation programs. To adequately plan for a successful and rewarding experience, contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or via phone at 240-314-8620. We ask that you inform us prior to the activity start date as ample time is needed to secure auxiliary services and aides.


The Montgomery Art Association (MAA) member exhibition has returned to the Benjamin Gaither Center (80 Bureau Dr A) in Gaithersburg  through March 26, 2023. Meet the artists at a free reception on Tuesday, February 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The exhibit and reception are open to the public. Masks & social distancing are encouraged.

The Montgomery Art Association is a nonprofit organization supporting the visual arts and artists in Montgomery County and the D.C. metro area. It offers a number of opportunities for its 350 members to display & sell their work. The Association offers field trips, plein air painting outings, business workshops, art-themed social events & monthly meetings with noteworthy guest speakers.


Preparations are in full swing for the spring theater season throughout the school system at middle and high schools. Plan now to see these great performances, which run from February into May. From “Mean Girls” and “The Lightning Thief” to “Into the Woods” and “Mary Poppins,” there’s something for everyone. Grab your tickets and come on out! 2022-2023 Spring Theater Schedule below (courtesy of MCPS):

 


MCPS students, parents and staff at Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School, in Germantown, ushered in the Lunar New Year in grand style with their annual show and celebration on January 20. From traditional dances to vibrant costumes, students from all backgrounds celebrated Asian culture and traditions.

Students performed traditional Chinese and Vietnamese dances; sang; showed off martial arts moves; showcased a kids’ game; and played the flute, gourd flute and erhu, traditional Chinese instruments. Check out a photo gallery from the event. Courtesy of MCPS.


Five writing and video student contests are now open for submissions—the Gaithersburg Book Festival poetry contest; Partners for Automated Vehicle Education’s essay contest; a Black history essay competition and video contests from Choose Respect and the Keeping It Safe Coalition. In some cases, cash prizes are up for grabs. Details are below:

The 2023 Gaithersburg Book Festival’s annual high school poetry contest is now open for submissions. This year’s theme is “Diversity or Inclusion.” To participate, students must be enrolled in grades 9-12. The deadline is midnight on Thursday, Feb. 23. First, second and third place winners will receive $250, $100 and $50 gift certificates, respectively.


Get your free tickets now for the annual MCPS Dance Showcase, which will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17 at James Hubert Blake High School. The snow date is Tuesday, Feb. 21. Blake is located at 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. Additional information below:

Students from the following 10 middle and high schools are expected to perform—A. Mario Loiederman, Forest Oak, Kingsview and Silver Spring International middle schools and Albert Einstein, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Blake, Montgomery Blair, Northwood and Wheaton high schools. There will also be a performance from the All-County Dance Ensemble. These students thrive in dance class and exemplify their school’s instructional program. Student dancers in the ensemble are nominated by their dance teachers, and rehearse as a group for three months.Reserve your tickets here.


Per the Wheaton Arts Parade: Thanks to a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council’s “Public Art Across Maryland” program, Wheaton Arts Parade (WAP) has started planning Wheaton’s next mural. The site for the mural is the west wall of Elbe’s Beer & Wine store on University Blvd near the intersection with Grandview Ave.

Elbe’s has been family owned since 1951 when it was established as a neighborhood grocery by Willie and Miriam Bobrow. The beer and wine store is now managed by their sons Andy and Jeff. WAP will convene a public meeting on Tuesday, January 17 at 4pm to present the project to the community and solicit ideas for possible themes for the mural.


On January 20 ‘Give a Hoot’ comedy club, the first ever full-time comedy club in Montgomery County, will launch at La Mexicana in Gaithersburg with a twofold mission: to show patrons a great time, and to give back to the local community. According to the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, ‘Give a Hoot’ will give 50% of its proceeds to local charities. In addition to comedy shows, the club will also feature murder mystery and hypnotist acts.

Per the press release: The brainchild of co-founders Irwin Weinstein and Ken Watter, local comics who have collectively produced and performed in over 1,000 shows, Give A Hoot comedy club aims to fill an entertainment niche in the region – offering access to some of the East Coast’s most beloved comics on a predictable and accessible basis.


Drummer, composer, and educator Allison Miller created Rivers in Our Veins as an exploration of the cultural and ecological life of rivers. She combines original jazz music with tap dance by Claudia Rahardjanoto and Luke Hickley, modern dance by Maleek Washington and improvisational video projections by Todd Winkler inspired by the sights, sounds, and movements of five U.S. rivers, including the Potomac and James.

Between the rhythmic elements inherent in tap and her dynamic movements, Rahardjanoto serves as a bridge between the aural and visual impacts of the piece. Rahardjanoto is both a dancer and a musician, blending into the performance as an additional member of the band. At the same time, Winkler improvises with imagery as his instrument. His projected natural sets shift in reaction to the band’s improvisational interplay and Claudia’s rhythmic vibrations, captured live via a feed connecting Rahardjanoto’s tap floor with his video equipment. What results is a balanced, multimedia experience that unifies the senses and fully immerses the audience into the wonders of these great American waterways.


WHAT: Create your own Rap about the harmful effects of Menthol. Facts: More than 18.9 million people currently vape/smoke menthol cigarettes. Flavors, including menthol, are one of the main reasons kids start using tobacco products.* Also, Tobacco Companies target minority communities using  the more addictive menthol flavor.

WHEN: Entries due by April 15, 2023 by 9 PM.


Educators can now book free school visits to Glenstone Museum through June. Glenstone offers bus transportation and substitute teacher reimbursement for MCPS guided school visits. The Potomac museum provides opportunities for middle and high school students to learn in an environment that encourages direct connection with art, architecture and nature. Learn more about the options for student visits to Glenstone, including guided, self-guided and virtual engagements. Schedule a school visit here. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect at the museum.

Educators can also now visit without scheduling in advance; walk up to the arrival hall and present a valid ID card during operating hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. They can bring one additional guest. Glenstone is located at 12100 Glen Road in Potomac. For questions, email Francisca Moraga Lopez, community engagement coordinator.


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