Welcome back to the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County’s monthly blog series, Connecting with the Arts,  where we feature news and updates from the arts community in Anne Arundel County. Tune in the last Friday of each month to connect and learn more about the arts organizations that are making an impact locally.

The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining brighter, and the arts are coming back stronger than ever.

This month’s post of news and happenings includes:

• Banneker-Douglass Museum shares the success of their first training series and a new banner now prominently displayed on the front of the museum.
• Join the Ballet Theatre of Maryland  as they celebrate the culmination of The Season of Hope with newly commissioned and existing classical and contemporary works.
• The Captain Avery Museum gives you an opportunity to win the perfect Mother’s Day Gift in their Crab Quilt Raffle. If you’ve been looking for new receipes then don’t miss their virtual culinary cook-along class.
• Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park in Eastport re-opens with new state-of-the-art exhibits.
• The Annapolis Opera introduces a story of love, loss, and enduring strength.
• Wanting to get the family out of the house? There’s plenty to explore outside at the Chesapeake Children’s Museum!
• Annapolis Shakespeare Company is officially open and offering select in-person shows/events.
• And as we make our way into warmer months, Londontowne Symphony Orchestra brings us their second virtual concert this June!

You can connect and learn more about these organizations by clicking their logos below. We hope you enjoy!

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Banneker-Douglass Museum’s first training series and “It’s Still Black Lives Matter” Banner Now Displayed!

The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) recently hosted a “Virtual BDM” event, “The Foundations of Racism: Defining the Roots of Bigotry and Discrimination Against Black People in America.” On Wednesday, April 20th, more than 180  participants joined the Zoom Webinar for the first training from Banneker-Douglass Museum (BDM) in a series that aims to strengthen racial equity practices personally, professionally, and culturally.

To view the training and the associated anti-racism educational resources, please visit bdmuseum.maryland.gov/events

Also, this month BDM accepted one of the six banners from Maryland Hall’s “Art Of Activism” exhibit. The banner reads “It’s Still Black Lives Matter” and features the work of local artist Comacelle Brown (@cellspitfire). It is prominently displayed on the front of the museum, so look for it the next time you are in downtown Annapolis. Special thanks to @marylandhall for making this possible.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland celebrates the culmination of The Season of Hope with newly commissioned and existing classical and contemporary works that will showcase the versatility of BTM’s dynamic dancers.

This show will push the boundaries of dance as an artform to explore emotions and themes relevant to all of us presented through a medium that reaches beyond words and into the soul. Join us for a live, outdoor performance at Maryland Hall featuring three world premieres by former Ballet Mistress Meagan Helman and current company dancers Isaac Martinez and Lindsey Bell, one North American premiere set by former company dancer Roman Mykyta, and one company premiere by Digital Dance Project Artistic Director Marinna Kus. Virtual streaming tickets are also available. Performance dates are Friday, April 30th at 7pm and Saturday, May 1st at 3pm.

COVID safety protocols will be in place and tickets must be pre-purchase as they are limited. Bring your own blanket and/or chair – seating is general admission and is on a first come, first-served basis.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Momentum (balletmaryland.org)

Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park in Eastport re-opens with new state-of-the-art exhibits late April 2021

Come view our brand-new state-of-the-art exhibit, Our Changing Waterfront, where you can discover the rich maritime heritage of Annapolis like never before. Visitors to the Museum will experience the Bay and our local history through the interactive and immersive exhibit displays. Our permanent exhibit, was completed in early 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to open to the general public. The exhibit features two 500 gallon aquariums, a life-like hologram of a Bay waterman, virtual reality boat experience and an interactive “Harry Potter”-style book.

Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Cost is $7 adults, $5 Children, Seniors and Military

AMM Members get in free, join today!

Introducing Handel’s Acis & Galatea: A story of love, loss, and enduring strength. 

You are cordially invited to the engagement celebration of Acis and Galatea – where passion and jealousy will collide as the envious Polyphemus intervenes to claim Galatea as his own. Will Acis and Galatea’s love prevail?

In a modern retelling based on Greek mythology — this new cinematic production of Handel’s popular opera is a co-production of Annapolis Opera and Tri-Cities Opera, was originally produced by Out of the Box Opera, and conceived and directed by David Lefkowich.

Premiering Friday, May 14th, 2021 at 7:30 PM
with a VIP cocktail (half) hour beginning at 7:00 PM

*Please note, this is a virtual production* that will be available from 
Friday, May 14th at 7:30 PM until Sunday, May 23rd at 11:59 PM.* 

Tickets available online at: annapolisopera.org/acis/

ASC is officially open and offering select in-person shows/events!

Annapolis Shakespeare Company (ASC) is a Helen Hayes Award-nominated regional theatre company, offering over 200 live performances annually, and serving Anne Arundel County as the leading professional arts provider of school matinees and student workshops.

ASC is officially open and offering select in-person shows/events! ASC is also proud to offer a wide selection of virtual programming streaming on-demand now as well as live outdoor theatre experiences coming this summer. Coming up, we have Hollywood, Hollywood: Musical Hits of the Silver Screen, a virtual cabaret featuring Broadway’s Ian Knauer. We also have the world premiere stage adaptation of Secret Garden, which will be available for streaming on-demand May 24th-June 8th. Our live experiences include our “Comedy in the Courtyard,” continuing for eight years with “The Servant of Two Masters,” as well as epic outdoor Shakespeare on the lawn of the Gresham Estate with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” To find out more information about all that is happening at Annapolis Shakespeare Company please visit us at www.annapolisshakespeare.org/ 

The Londontowne Symphony Orchestra’s second virtual concert!

The Londontowne Symphony Orchestra will hold their second virtual concert on June 4 at 7:30pm, so please save the date and watch/listen livestreamed on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LSOmusic/. The concert will feature Dvořák’s Serenade for Strings.

The first virtual concert by the LSO on March 26 met with a few technical difficulties which have now been all worked out. See you on June 4.

For more information visit www.lso-music.org.

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All equipment includes a one-year membership to interactive access.

Plus amazing bonus gifts!
(Scroll down for more details)

Robert Andrew Body Ritual –
Inspired by the ancient healing of Ayurvedic practices designed to increase circulation, detoxify and restore vitality and peace. This ritual begins with an exfoliating body scrub, infused with Macadamia oil to eliminate toxins and improves metabolism. A warm milk bath is prepared for your relaxation, hydration, and time to quiet the mind and soothe the soul while enjoying a hot herbal tea or wine of your choice. The massage is the final experience in the journey. A warm cream with a Macadamia base will soften the muscles and hydrate the skin. $200 VALUE

Robert Andrew Collection of Salons and Spas was originally established over 45 years ago. Our current, 33,000 sq foot facility located in the Waugh Chapel Center in Gambrills MD, continues to remain one of the region’s finest destination spas.  We offer a wide range of Salon and Spa services, including couples massage, suite retreats, and advance skin treatments.  Escape to another world, without the airfare.

For more information about Robert Andrew, visit www.robertandrew.com/

Gift certificate and yoga essentials provided by Ruah Studios, located in Annapolis, MD –
Sometimes yoga feels overwhelming before it feels life-changing. It’s a practice and the practice is a path and the path begins when you decide to lay down your mat and breathe and move with intention.  Ruah is built on integrating ancient techniques for wellbeing into modern human lives with joy, compassion, and our deepest love for yoga.  We are here to help unlock and cultivate the best expression of you. $200 VALUE

For more information about Ruah Studios, visit www.ruahstudio.com/

Gift Card to Nutrition 33, located in Edgewater, MD –
Experience your choice of over 30 meal replacement shake flavors, herbal teas, custom juices, and much more in an uplifting environment that leaves you feeling great!!!
$150 VALUE

For more information about Nutrition 33, visit www.facebook.com/nutrition33.md  

One month pass to Club Pilates, located in Annapolis, MD – 
We offer multi-level group classes and state-of-the-art private training. Club Pilates makes Pilates accessible to everyone, from beginner to advance, specializing in reformer training classes. $150 VALUE  

For more information about Club Pilates, visit www.clubpilates.com/location/Annapolis/

Wine and Chocolate – 
We’ve added a basket of wines to add to your wellness regime. And since chocolate is good for the soul, Kilwins has provided an assortment of chocolate. $300 VALUE

For more information about Kilwins chocolate, visit www.kilwins.com

Staying Connected, Informed, and Entertained! | Charles Kavoossi

Charles Kavoossi has been working as a self-booking, full-time performing musician for about five years. Prior to March 2020, he worked four gigs a week, and made additional income from weddings, private parties, and guitar lessons.

When the pandemic shut down the local music, Charles turned the challenges into an opportunity. He tells us that Anne Arundel County GAP funding “allowed me to focus on learning new skills and acquire the appropriate equipment needed in order to sustain myself through a rapidly-shifting industry and adapt to new ways of creating art and an income for myself. Being able to integrate my performances and music-based engineering and producing into an almost fully web-based world has kept me afloat.”

Charles is also the face behind Naptownmusic, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting our local music scene. They promote musical artists, compile an online calendar of music events, and film, live-stream, and photograph music events in and around the city of Annapolis. Through their website, social media page, and mobile app, Annapolis locals and visitors can easily find upcoming performances, and learn more about the musicians and performers of Annapolis.

Normally, advertising of music venues, retailers, and events funds Naptownmusic’s operations, but at source dried up last spring when COVID restrictions took hold. GAP funding helped to compensate for this lost revenue. It also enabled Naptownmusic to afford the materials and media production equipment they needed to adjust to a new internet-focused format. Charles says, “We hope to find ourselves continuing on and adapting to new and effective ways to help the Annapolis music community stay connected, informed, and entertained!”

To connect and learn more about Charles Kavoossi, visit www.kavoossimusic.com/

Follow Charles Kavoossi on social media!
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Follow Naptownmusic on social media!
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A Sigh of Relief | Building Better People Productions

Incorporated in 2015, Building Better People (BBP) is a theater company for young audiences that produces shows with themes centered around kindness and understanding. Normally BBP tours schools, offers drama classes, hosts summer camps, and performs for public audiences. But when COVID hit, BBP was forced to cancel all of their in-person programming. Moving performances online helped to generate some revenue, but it wasn’t enough to cover production costs and operating expenses like insurance and professional subscriptions.

Receiving the Anne Arundel County GAP Arts Organization grant “was a huge sigh of relief” said Founding Artistic Director Lynne Childress. It enabled BBP to produce two shows that they would have been unable to offer. The first is a virtual tour of our original show Friendlier Fables and Thoughtful Tales, offered to schools and families and performed and streamed live online. Originally planned for in-schools during the 2020-21 academic year, the pandemic of course made that impossible. Using the GAP funding to pay creative staff and pay for props, costumes, and marketing enabled BBP to offer performances to schools and families at a greatly reduced rate.

The second project is an innovative interactive virtual show being developed by and starring Ms. Childress and a colleague, who invite kids to be a part of the action. Each performance has a small audience of about 10 families, who receive instructions ahead of time to assemble props from around the house to use during the show. This Zoom-based program gives kids a chance to connect online with the performers in ways that they can’t otherwise do in larger groups.

Moving programming online has also expanded BPP’s reach, enabling them to perform for a national audience. “I really can’t express enough the feeling of relief we have,” said Ms. Childress. Having weathered the economic uncertainty of the pandemic with assistance from GAP grant, BBP is now able to focus exclusively on their mission of creating, performing, and reaching children and families.

To connect and learn more about Building Better People Productions, visit bbpproductions.com/

Follow Building Better People Productions on social media!
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The COVID-19 Relief Grants for the Arts Program (GAP) funding made possible by County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County. 

Click here for information regarding the Anne Arundel County GAP Grant for Independent Artists 

Click here for information regarding the Anne Arundel County GAP Grant for Arts Organizations

The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County is a private, non-profit organization with the mission to encourage and invest in the visual arts, performing arts and historic preservation for the people of Anne Arundel County. The Arts Council’s vision is to serve as the premier resource for the cultural arts community in the County, providing leadership in advocacy, funding, programming, promotion, and information sharing in order to help create and sustain a vibrant cultural community that enriches the quality of life for every county resident.

The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County’s Mini-Grant program is designed to support innovative, well-defined arts-related projects that are directed to a new or broader audience, preferably within underserved communities. They are awarded to eligible organizations and programs on a dollar-to-dollar matching basis and may not exceed $2,500. New partnerships with other arts or community organizations are encouraged in an effort to engage more local residents in cultural and artistic activities. ACAAC is available to assist applicants with outreach and marketing to potential partners and audiences within Anne Arundel County. Organizations may not apply for more than one Mini-Grant per fiscal year.

The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County has adopted new goals directed towards increasing the diversity of artists and arts organizations supported by its grant programs. This includes artistic activities that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Mini-grant applications for projects that reflect these goals, including partnerships among grantees for these purposes, are definitely encouraged.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2021 at midnight. Applications must be completed online through the ACAAC GO Grants portal

CLICK HERE for full guidelines and to apply!

The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County’s ARTS virtually auction will run until
10 PM on May 6th.

With over 60 items that have been graciously donated – there is something for everyone to enjoy!

To register for this FREE event and see the full list of items CLICK HERE
(Sroll down to the tab ‘Silent Auction’)

*All proceeds will benefit the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County

The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County is now accepting PROGRAM ADS for our annual gala event! On May 6th, we will be celebrating ARTS virtually, making the gala and the downloadable program free to arts lovers everywhere! Please help us to reach our largest audience ever, and show your support for the arts by purchasing a program ad.

To reserve your ad, please fill out the form linked below and email it to [email protected].

ACAAC Program Ad Form

The contract, payment, and ad image must be received by Friday, April 30, 2021.

For more information about ARTS virtually and to register for our 2021 gala, click here.

A Life Saver | The AngelWing Project

The AngelWing Project (AWP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to using the performing arts to uplift the community both surrounding and at large. They are proudly the theatre in residence of the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park, and are dedicated to delivering quality performances and creating lasting relationships. Their community artists are committed, creative individuals who give unselfishly of themselves as they dedicate themselves to the dramatic arts through numerous rehearsals, learning scripts, teaching, and performing with their hearts. Their reputation reaches beyond their neighborhood, county, and region, as they have become known for excellent work, exceptional artistry, and a strong commitment to helping others.

When the pandemic struck, AWP re-scheduled a Spring 2020 stage production of August Wilson’s Fences for September, and then ultimately cancelled it completely. Two in-person workshops for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 were projected to bring in substantial revenue but were cancelled, and the organization was unable to hold its annual fundraising event. Without any income, AWP wondered if they would be able to sustain themselves.

Using the Anne Arundel County Arts Organization GAP funding, AWP was able to produce an online Virtual Youth Poetry Showcase in December, and deliver an online five-week youth acting course. The grant also supported marketing, technology upgrades, and staffing a part-time administrative assistant who is getting the organization up to speed with the various technologies, overseeing social media platforms, and managing virtual learning courses. The GAP grant was “a lifesaver for our small non-profit.” said Executive Director Angela Wilson. “We are so appreciative of the county understanding the importance of our work and being willing to lend a hand so that we can continue to operate. This boost allowed us to be able to have a beautiful online poetry showcase and get up to speed with the technologies needed to operate in a virtual environment while still delivering the quality we are accustomed to.”

To connect and learn more about The AngelWing Project, visit theangelwingproject.org/

Follow The AngelWing Project on social media!
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The AngelWing Project is also the theatre in residence at the Chesapeake Arts Center!
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Keeping the Doors Open | Cameron Bach and Kristin Clevenger

Cameron Bach and Kristin Clevenger are ceramic artists and small business owners. They generate most of their income selling their work at Quirk-n-Bach Pottery, a storefront in Eastport, along with sales at juried craft shows and several wholesale accounts, as well as hosting summer workshops for kids and classes and events for adults. Early in 2020, it appeared they were going to have a really great year with new wholesale accounts, additional new show acceptances, and more store traffic, as the store was new and had been gaining momentum building traffic.

But when the pandemic hit last March, it all shut down. The retail store was closed for March, April, May, and part of June resulting in missed sales, especially in May for the normally profitable Naval Academy Commissioning Week. Clay Camp Children’s Summer Workshops were greatly modified with only four children per session instead of the usual 12, resulting in a blow to the projected summer income for 2020. No wholesale orders from ANY accounts during the shutdown and beyond, with some permanent loss in those accounts due to businesses not surviving COVID. Wholesale orders filled and delivered/ invoiced before the shutdown were not paid for months, and they are only just now catching up. No lessons or private studio classes during March, April, May, and part of June, and a year later are still limited in attendance due to social distancing measures.

The pair were forced to take drastic steps. They stopped paying themselves and buying supplies and used savings to stay current with studio rent and utilities. They did not qualify for PPP, and the resulting loss of income was a significant blow to their families. For Cameron and Kristin, the Anne Arundel County GAP Independent Artist came at a critical time: “We are so very thankful for this relief. It helped us to bridge the “GAP” so to speak! It also gave us the hope that we could continue with our vision for our business by having this cushion. We have put 25 years of our life, heart, and soul, into our business and we greatly appreciate the help.”

To connect and learn more about Cameron Bach and Kristin Clevenger, visit www.quirknbachpottery.com/

Follow Cameron Bach and Kristin Clevenger on social media!
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The COVID-19 Relief Grants for the Arts Program (GAP) funding made possible by County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County. 

Click here for information regarding the Anne Arundel County GAP Grant for Independent Artists 

Click here for information regarding the Anne Arundel County GAP Grant for Arts Organizations

Please join the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County on May 6, 2021 for ARTS virtually, as we celebrate 28 years of support and advocacy for the arts!

The past year has been challenging for everyone, especially our local arts community. The Arts Council was faced with an unprecedented level of need, but through the generosity of our patrons and the support of state, county, and local leaders we were able to reach more artists and arts organizations than ever before.

We invite you to attend ARTS virtually a free, fun, and engaging celebration of the arts in Anne Arundel County. Meet local artists and enjoy performances that showcase their talents, as we thank our community for its continued support of our mission to encourage and invest in the visual arts, performing arts, and historic preservation for the people of our County.

CLICK HERE FOR EVENT DETAILS AND TO REGISTER!

The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County is a private, non-profit organization with the mission to encourage and invest in the visual arts, performing arts, and historic preservation for the people of Anne Arundel County. The Arts Council’s vision is to serve as the premier resource for the cultural arts community in the County, providing leadership in advocacy, funding, programming, promotion, and information sharing in order to help create and sustain a vibrant cultural community that enriches the quality of life for every county resident.

The Community Arts Grant (CAG) program provides general operating fund awards to support local nonprofit cultural and arts organizations, in order to:

• Foster excellence, diversity and vitality in arts offerings for all Anne Arundel County residents, regardless of age, geographic location, race, ethnicity, country of origin, or other characteristic;
• Broaden opportunities for county audiences, artists, and arts organizations;
• Increase the availability of arts activities and programs for all county residents; and
• Promote countywide awareness of arts resources and opportunities.

Funding for these grants is provided by the Maryland State Arts Council, from a portion of the tax receipts generated through the State and City of Annapolis hotel taxes, and through private donations. Funding limitations do not generally allow for full funding of all approved applications.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2021 at midnight. Applications must be completed online through the ACAAC GO Grants portal.

CLICK HERE for full guidelines and to apply!

Welcome back to the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County’s monthly blog series, Connecting with the Arts,  where we feature news and updates from the arts community in Anne Arundel County. Tune in the last Friday of each month to connect and learn more about the arts organizations that are making an impact locally.

Can you feel it? Spring is in the air! And the arts community is welcoming this change of season with open arms and new programming.

• The Annapolis Film Festival starts the month of April off right with 10 days of 100+ films to enjoy in the comfort of your home.
• Experience ten amazing voices with the Annapolis Opera’s two upcoming events.
• Celebrate Historic London Town & Garden’s 50th year of being open to the public.
• Don’t miss the Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s free, virtual performance of Momentum.
• This summer, Annapolis Shakespeare Company will present live outdoor theatre experiences along with their virtual, on-demand programs.
• The Hammond-Harwood House is safely welcoming back the community with several historic tours along with a Mother’s Day gift idea.
• The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra welcomes Spring with their final concert of the season happening in May and a new exciting youth program added to the Annapolis Symphony Academy.
• Maryland Cultural and Conference Center (MC3) wraps this month’s post up with a new vision for the Annapolis arts community and a dance party (with a twist!) to celebrate the warmer days ahead of us.

You can connect and learn more about these organizations by clicking their logos below. We hope you enjoy!

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Annapolis Film Festival 2021 Official Film Slate Announcement – Over 100 Films

“This year’s festival has expanded to 10 days for its virtual presentation to allow for a better user experience this year,” says Lee Anderson, Festival Director and Co-Founder. “And because of that we have been able to program more films this year.”

This year’s program contains over 100 films (22 feature-length narrative films; 15 feature-length documentaries; 66 short films). The films come from 35 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Czech Rep., Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malta, Mauritania, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, and USA.

“This year’s opening night film Marvelous and the Black Hole brings a bit of magic to our program (literally),” says Patti White, festival director.

With heart and humor, it tells the story of a rebellious teenage girl (played by Miya Cech from the current tv show The Astronauts) dealing with the loss of her mother and then bonding with an eccentric magician (“Marvelous Margot” played by Rhea Perlman, the Emmy-winning actress from the classic tv show Cheers) who helps her to reconnect with life and joy. It’s a story of being lost and found.

“This was easily one of our favorite films from this year’s Sundance Film Festival,” says Derek Horne, director of programming. “And it is exactly the type of marvelous and uplifting film that can help all of us to heal after the black hole of 2020”

For more information and to purchase passes and tickets, visit www.annapolisfilmfestival.com

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE! 

2 Events, 10 Amazing Voices

Join us on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 7 PM for an unforgettable evening of music with Will Liverman and pianist, Jonathan King. Called “a voice for this historic moment” by The Washington Post, baritone Will Liverman continues to bring his compelling performances to audiences nationwide. The 2020 winner of the Marian Anderson Vocal Award, Will brings a breadth of genres to the stage with equal authority and beauty. Mr. Liverman will also be joining us as a judge for our annual vocal competition.

For the past 32 seasons, the Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition has supported emerging artists, introducing them to our audience and a panel of esteemed judges as they compete for prize money. This year’s final round will feature 9 finalists competing for more than $15,000 in awards. Tune in on Sunday, April 11, 2021, at 3 PM to see their performances and find out who wins!

Go to our website for more information and to register for both of these events: annapolisopera.org

50 Years of Historic London Town & Gardens

“On April 15, 1971, the first visitors to the London Town Publik House and Arboretum signed the original registry. They toured the c.1760 William Brown House, even as it was being restored to how it may have looked originally as a colonial tavern.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Historic London Town and Gardens being open to the public.

Learn more about the creation of London Town and upcoming programming related to the 50th at www.historiclondontown.org/50

A Free Virtual Performance of Momentum

Ballet Theatre of Maryland is partnering once again with the Prince George Community College Center for Performance Arts to bring a free, virtual performance to all! Momentum, will include 4 contemporary works performed by the company on Saturday, April 17th at 7pm. On the bill is two returning works by Artistic Director Emeritus, Dianna Cuatto and two brand new pieces by Company Dancers, Lindsey Bell and Isaac Martinez.

Register today for this free event at www.pgcc.edu

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE!

Annapolis Shakespeare Company Presents Live Outdoor Theatre Experiences This Summer

Annapolis Shakespeare Company (ASC) is a Helen Hayes Award-nominated regional theatre company, offering over 200 live performances annually, and serving Anne Arundel County as the leading professional arts provider of school matinees and student workshops.

ASC is officially re-opening on March 25th with a brand new cabaret room designed by the internationally recognized event designer, Maya Wildberger. ASC is proud to offer a wide selection of virtual programming streaming on-demand now as well as live outdoor theatre experiences coming this summer. These live experiences include our “Comedy in the Courtyard,” continuing for eight years with “The Servant of Two Masters,” as well as epic outdoor Shakespeare on the lawn of the Gresham Estate with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE!

To find out more information about all that is happening at Annapolis Shakespeare Company please visit us at www.annapolisshakespeare.org/

Reopening of the historic Hammond-Harwood House Museum
Hammond – Harwood House is excited to announce its safe reopening on April 1, welcoming back the community to the museum and garden with visitation guidelines in place.
Advanced reservations are required and are now available.
Noon to 4 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays

CLICK HERE to schedule your tour reservation.

Two Great Houses Outdoor Architecture Tour
Saturday, March 27 at 11:00 am – Outdoor tour for a limited number participants -Cost $20
The Hammond-Harwood House Museum and the Chase-Lloyd House invite guests to an hour-long tour that explores the two architectural treasures in downtown Annapolis. The tour will cover architectural details and the longstanding social history that connects these two great houses on Maryland Avenue.

For more information, CLICK HERE

Charles Willson Peale Walking Tour
Saturday, April 17 at 11:00 am – Outdoor tour for a limited number participants -Cost $15 | HHH Members $10
A tour of Annapolis’s historic district, where the painter Charles Willson Peale’s world has been preserved. The walk starts at the Old Treasury Building on the grounds of the Capitol.

For more information and tickets, CLICK HERE

Mother’s Day Basket
Make Mother’s Day extra special with a Fresh Herb Basket from Hammond-Harwood House! A Mother’s Day Herb Basket is the perfect way to say “thank you” to all of the moms, grandmothers, aunts, friends & neighbors in your life. Inspired by Mrs. Loockerman’s herb garden, each basket comes with an assortment of herbs and a blooming plant, all of which can be replanted for a long-lasting gift.

Last day of orders: Sunday, April 25, 2021
Basket pick up: May 5, 6 and 7
For orders,  CLICK HERE

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Spring!

Welcome Spring! The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s concert on March 20, Strings Serenade, reflected the pivotal significance of renewal, echoing both reflective and hopeful moods at this stage of the season and the pandemic, looking forward to an imminently brighter future. You may view this performance with your Symphony+ subscription. Learn more at www.symphonyplus.org

The final concert of our 2020-21 season is Saturday, May 1, and will feature:

• Tan Dun Concerto for String Orchestra and Pipa. Wu Man, recognized as the world’s premier pipa virtuoso, will be joining the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra for this performance.
• Johannes Brahms – Serenade No. 1 in D Major, op. 11

Tickets are available at www.SymphonyPlus.org or through the box office at 410.263.0907

Just announced this month, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Maestro José-Luis Novo will join the faculty of the Annapolis Symphony Academy to lead a new high level, tuition free youth orchestra. The Orion Youth Orchestra will be the only youth orchestra in the region to be conducted by the music director of its parent professional orchestra. This move is a key component in Academy’s new preschool to high school expansion designed to cultivate young musical talent and promote diversity. Information about auditions and enrollment in the Annapolis Symphony Academy is available at www.tunedtoyouth.org

One Annapolis: A Community Art Project

The Maryland Cultural and Conference Center (MC3), formerly known as Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts (MTPA), is debuting a new vision for the Annapolis arts community with the One Annapolis Community Art Project. The project will feature a vibrant mural created by renowned artist Comacell Brown and will be painted on the wall adjacent to MC3’s StageOne at Park Place.

The mural will memorialize Carr’s Beach, a historical landmark in the Annapolis community that became a major performing arts venue for Black musicians. Performances often attracted tens of thousands of people; its impact on the community was significant. Carr’s Beach hosted several notable artists including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, James Brown, Little Richard, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin. Today, Carr’s Beach is rarely recognized for its integral part in Annapolis’s rich cultural history. For more information about this historical venue, see: upstart-annapolis.com/ago-carrs-beach/

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE!

Project Disco

The Maryland Cultural & Conference Center (MC3) is celebrating Spring at Park Place in Annapolis with Project Disco. This Outdoor Silent Disco + Light Show will feature well-known Maryland based DJs “DJ Griff” (@dj_griff_) and “ALWZ SNNY” (@alwzsnny). The interactive light show has been developed by MFA students within The University of Maryland Lighting Department, led by renowned Director and Multimedia Designer Jared Mezzocchi.

It’s a dance party, but with a twist! Attendees will each be given a pair of wireless headphones that connect to two radio stations – one for each DJ. Each person will have the ability to choose which station they wish to listen to (and flip back and forth); The (socially distanced) crowd will be seen dancing to the beat of different songs! This silent dance party is outrageously fun, safe and perfect for all ages!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mc3annapolis.org/program-events/

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE!