Entertainment Archives - Page 97 of 114

Local Singer, Pete Looney, Has Passed Away; Celebration of Life to Take Place in December (New Location)

Published November 29, 2022 at 8:20AM

Local singer Pete Looney, who has been providing entertainment across the county and DC Metro Area for years, has passed away according to a post on his Facebook page. His children, Pat and Monika, released the following statement announcing a Celebration of Life that will take place on Sunday, December 11th (now in a new location).

The Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, December 11th from 6-9pm at Brookeville Beer Farm (20315 A Georgia Ave. Brookeville, MD 20833). Light bites and some wine will be provided. The event organizers ask anyone who is planning to attend to mark “going” on the Facebook event page so that they can plan accordingly.

Dozens of Students Compete at MCPS Latin Dance Competition

By MCS Staff

Published November 28, 2022 at 8:02AM

Dozens of MCPS high school student dancers took the stage at the Music Center at Strathmore on Nov. 21 to represent their schools at the 22nd annual MCPS Latin Dance Competition. The event was organized by the After School Dance Fund, whose mission is to build strong Latin dance clubs in MCPS and to support the academic and social-emotional success of students.

“The annual MCPS Latin dance competition has been taking place at the Music Center at Strathmore since 2010 and is the culmination of Montgomery County’s elite high school Latin dance program which started back in 1999 at Seneca Valley High School. The main objective is to strengthen the social emotional well being of our students and promote health, exercise, and unity through Latin dance education. Students compete in the Junior and Senior categories showcasing their choreographies in Duets/Partner: Salsa, Chacha, Merengue, Bachata, Jack and Jill, Parent/Student, and Best in Show (Group).”

Ledo Pizza Gets a ‘One Bite’ Review From Barstool’s Dave Portnoy

By MCS Staff

Published November 26, 2022 at 6:47PM

At one point Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, ate pizza every day for two years while getting his “One Bite” pizza reviews started on Instagram and YouTube. Through the years, he has eaten pizza from various restaurants across the country– providing a 1-10 rating for each slice. While most of his reviews come from pizza places in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey, he recently tried a New York City Ledo Pizza location (video below).

“It’s good…you’d have to put it in a chain if it has over 100 locations, it’s pretty good for that type of pizza.” Portnoy said of the “Maryland style pizza”, referencing the amount of stores Ledo Pizza has grown to in recent years. He gave it a 6.7, which puts it towards the middle of the pack of the over 1,000 pizza places he has reviewed so far.

The Atlanta Falcons Come to Town With Plenty of Local Connections

By MCS Staff

Published November 23, 2022 at 6:40PM | Updated November 25, 2022 at 6:29PM

The Atlanta Falcons are coming to town to try to slow down the surging Washington Commanders, who have won five of their last six games. Head Coach Arthur Smith is a graduate of Georgetown Prep (North Bethesda), Arnold Ebitekie is a graduate of Einstein High School, and defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo (practice squad) is a graduate of Bullis in Potomac.

Arthur Smith played a big role in the development of Derrick Henry as one of the best running backs in the NFL, turning the Titans offense around, and helping the team make the playoffs in consecutive years before earning the head coaching job in Atlanta. Smith, who graduated from Georgetown Prep in 2001, guided the Little Hoyas to an undefeated season and an IAC championship as a senior. He was inducted into the Georgetown Prep Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017, just two years before being promoted to offensive coordinator for the Titans. Smith started his NFL coaching career when he was named the defensive quality control coach for Washington back in 2007. You may have also heard of his father’s company. Arthur Smith’s father, Frederick W. Smith, is the founder, chairman, president, and CEO of FedEx.

Walter Johnson Alumnus Sebastian Salazar is Providing World Cup Coverage on ESPN

By MCS Staff

Published November 22, 2022 at 10:58AM

Sebastian Salazar joined ESPN in late 2016 as a host, reporter and play-by-play announcer. Salazar appears regularly on ESPNFC as well as the network’s Major League Soccer coverage. Currently, the Bethesda native is covering the World Cup at ESPN.

About Sebastian Salazar: In the summer of 2018, Salazar covered the Mexican national team at the FIFA World Cup, appearing on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio from Russia. Since joining the network, Salazar also has covered the International Champions Cup, the USWNT and the Little League World Series. He also regularly contributes to the ESPN podcasts TwoOnTri, Max & Herc and ESPNFC.

Bethesda Business Makes Shark Tank Appearance (Spoilers Inside)

By MCS Staff

Published November 22, 2022 at 8:50AM

Bethesda based clothing line Collars & Co. was featured on the November 11 episode of Shark Tank on ABC. Many may have seen the clothing company’s signature item, the “Dress Collar Polo”, a buttery soft polo with a standard English spread collar that is said to be more comfortable than a normal collared shirt. Collar & Co went on Shark Tank seeking $300K for 4% equity at a $7.5 Million valuation from the sharks. Continue reading if you want to know how it went.

According to its website, Collars & Co.’s mission is to “provide men and women with extremely high quality clothing that not only looks great, but feels amazing as well.” The business sells shirts, sweaters, underwear, and accessories. Bethesda resident Justin Baer presented his product, asking for $300K for a 4% equity (valuation of $7.5M). The business launched in 2021 and went viral on TikTok, leading to 500 orders off the bat and $40K in revenue the first month after the video’s release.

Wootton’s Mack Hollins is in the Midst of His Best NFL Season

By MCS Staff

Published November 21, 2022 at 11:01AM

Montgomery County native Mack Hollins caught 8 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown for the Las Vegas Raiders in his week 3 breakout game that solidified him as a starting wide receiver. Though he is already a Super Bowl champion, he currently has 36 catches for 468 yards and 2 touchdowns in what has become his best NFL season out of five in the league. He was voted a captain prior to the start of the season.

Hollins attended Robert Frost Middle School and Wootton High School. After not receiving any scholarship offers out of high school, Hollins attended Fork Union Military Academy where he received several offers to join teams, including a walk-on opportunity on the University of North Carolina football team if he could get accepted to the university on his own. Hollins got accepted and was able to walk-on, playing three seasons for the Tarheels before getting drafted by the Eagles in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Sports Junkies Sign New Four-Year Deal With 106.7; Three of the Four are MoCo Residents

By MCS Staff

Published November 21, 2022 at 8:29AM

Maryland-natives John Auville (Cakes), Eric Bickel (EB), Jason Bishop (Lurch/Bish) and John-Paul Flaim (JP) will remain on WJFK-FM (106.7 The Fan) Washington, DC, weekdays from 5-10am for at least another four years, the group announced last week.

Auville, Bickel, and Flaim grew up as friends in Bowie, Maryland. Bishop and Bickel became friends when they both attended DeMatha in high school. The longtime friends have worked together on the show since 1995 when the group began with a 30-minute public access television show in Bowie, before moving to radio. Auville, Bickel, and Flaim are all currently residents of Montgomery County, with Bishop living in Virginia.

Essay, Poetry Contests Now Open for High School Students

By MCS Staff

Published November 17, 2022 at 10:41AM

Two writing contests are now open for submissions—the Gaithersburg Book Festival’s poetry contest and Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE). 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.

Partners for Automated Vehicle Education’s (PAVE’s) essay contest encourages high school juniors and seniors to contemplate a future with automated vehicles, and to write about what this could mean for their communities. Learn more on the PAVE essay contest website. Submissions are due Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.The first place winner will receive $2,500; second place, $1,500 and third place, $1,000.

MoComCon 2023 Comic Convention Set for Jan. 14

By MCS Staff

Published November 17, 2022 at 10:38AM

MoComCon is back and it’s an all day, all ages event celebrating all things comics, graphic novels, and fandoms. MoComCon 2023 will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Germantown Library. Additional information available below:

On-going between 11:00 – 3:30pm: Life Sized Candy Land, FOLMC Book Sale, Beat Saber VR Stations, Coloring Stations, Scavenger Hunt, Button Making, Selfie Station, Take & Make Kits (while supplies lasts), and more!

Brookside Gardens’ Garden of Lights Display Opens Friday, November 18

By MCS Staff

Published November 17, 2022 at 10:24AM

Montgomery Parks announces the opening of this year’s Brookside Gardens’ annual Garden of Lights outdoor, walk-through winter light display on Friday, November 18 (preview photos and video available below). Garden of Lights features glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and pathways throughout Brookside Gardens. New features this year include a winter wonderland scene with tall ice-like formations and falling snow in the Rose Garden and oversized colorful flower forms throughout the Formal Gardens. All new displays were handcrafted by Montgomery Parks staff

Pedestrians and cyclists can enter the seasonal light display at the pedestrian gate at 1800 Glenallan Avenue or via a half-mile path beginning at 2000 Shorefield Road, near the Wheaton Regional Park Adventure Playground.Visitors can buy unique, seasonal gifts at the gift shop and hot chocolate and snacks will also be available for purchase.