By Sarah Elbeshbishi

Most students throw their hall passes away when they’re done with them. But Watkins Mill High School students may soon be trying to sell theirs. WMHS English and journalism teacher Sara Goodman Confino’s second book, She’s Up to No Good, isn’t even out yet, but it’s already a bestseller because of Amazon’s First Reads program. Just four days into the pre-release, Confino’s novel was the #5 book in the entire US Kindle store and was the number one bestseller in three categories, including humorous fiction.


The Arts Barn‘s professional art gallery exhibits the region’s most accomplished artists, including painters, printmakers, sculptors, ceramic artists, photographers, and more. Artwork is original & available for purchase.

Viewing hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 1 – 5 p.m. or by appointment. Please call the Arts Barn for more information.


Joe Lewis graduated from Wootton High School in 1997. Since graduating he had held positions such as Manager of Development at Comedy Central, Director of Production at 20th Century Fox, Head of Original Programming at Amazon Studios, and his current position as Head of Television at Amplify Studios. Last night he was a part of multiple Tony Award wins for co-producing A Strange Loop.

This year’s nominations were dominated by the musicals A Strange Loop and MJ The Musical, with 11 and 10 nominations respectively. Another Wootton High School alumnus, Myles Frost, who stars at Michael Jackson, won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.


Myles Frost graduated from Wootton High School in Rockville in 2017. Last night, just five years later, he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In December of 2021, he took over the role of Michael Jackson on Broadway’s MJ.

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Where can you see the Orfeia vocal ensemble, Dong Xi duet, and artwork made from delicate fabric or battered musical instruments?

The performers and artwork were featured in the Takoma Park Arts cultural series, and they appear now on vinyl wraps that have been installed on glass panels at three new local bus shelters. The public art project is beautifying bus shelters and promoting the Takoma Park Arts series, which includes free City-funded art exhibitions, concerts, poetry readings, film screenings, theater, and other events at the Takoma Park Community Center at 7500 Maple Avenue.


Myles Frost graduated from Wootton High School in Rockville in 2017. Four years later, in December of 2021, he took over the role of Michael Jackson on Broadway’s MJ. Frost, who plays the King of Pop in the new musical, received a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway debut.

He was nominated for ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical. “It’s been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I’ve been introduced to so many different things…it’s been an amazing honor.” Frost told Broadway World in a recent interview.


Congressman David Trone (MD-06) announced the winners of the Congressional Art Competition from Maryland’s 6th District. Each year, the House of Representatives hosts the Congressional Art Competition, recognizing high school artists who live or attend school in each Congressional district.

“Maryland is home to some of the most creative students in the nation, and their talent was put in the spotlight during this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Congressman David Trone. “We selected our first place winner through public voting on social media, with Emily Duan of Richard Montgomery High School receiving the most votes for her artwork entitled, ‘Reminiscence.’ Thank you to everyone who participated, and congratulations to Emily and our other winners for their incredible work.”


Highly regarded regionally and nationally as one of the country’s most outstanding youth orchestra programs, The MCYO is the oldest and most established youth orchestra program in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. In MCYO, students experience a seamless connection between the artistic and the educational experience. Since 2005, MCYO has been a resident partner in the Music Center at Strathmore.

Under the direction of Artistic Director Jonathan Carney and Music Director Kristofer Sanz, MCYO offers three full orchestras: a chamber ensemble, two string orchestras, small ensembles and chamber groups to nearly 500 talented musicians in grades 2-12.


Per the City of Takoma Park: Sculptures chiseled and carved in stone by artist Michelle Frazier are on display at the Takoma Park Community Center.

Frazier brings faces, bodies and abstract shapes to life through her sculpture of soapstone and alabaster across a range of natural colors. The exhibition, which is part of the City’s Takoma Park Arts cultural series, is on display in glass cases near the library in the Community Center.


Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Division has partnered with the Takoma ARTery to promote the work of local artists through a new online artist directory at takomaartery.com. Per the City of Takoma Park: The volunteer-led artist collective was organized during the COVID-19 pandemic to connect local artists and help them share their work with the public. Artwork displays have filled storefront windows in downtown Takoma Park and at the Historic Takoma building at the Takoma Junction. The City’s Arts and Humanities Coordinator Brendan Smith also helped organize a previous grant to support the group’s start-up costs and its first art fair last summer outside the Takoma Park Community Center.

Takoma ARTery artists have reported not only sales but also a broadened sense of connection and support from other artists and residents, according to ARTery co-founder Eleanor Landstreet. “The financial and staff support from the City have helped transform the ARTery from an innovative pandemic-related arts project into a vibrant artist community, which is boosting the creative economy and small businesses run by artists,” Landstreet said.


The Alliance for Parks of the Gaithersburg Parks, Arts and Recreation Corporation (G-PARC), along with the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture, are pleased to announce the First Annual Photo Contest, designed to showcase the best of Gaithersburg’s Parks, Arts & Recreation. Photos should illustrate the connection between parks, arts & culture, and recreation in the City, and MUST be taken in a City Park. Photos should fall under one of the following themes.

The top 12 photos will be announced at the end of May. Winners will be selected by a panel of jurors comprised of local artists, members of G-PARC, & members of the City’s Public Information Office. In addition, a random winner will be chosen weekly during the month of May. All winners will be announced on Instagram & Facebook, and notified via social media channels. The objective of this contest is to expand G-PARC’s social media presence through photo documentation of our parks & what happens in them.


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