happy father's day 2008 - The Metro Herald

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
June 13, 2008
THE BMA CELEBRATES
20 YEARS OF JAZZ SERIES
Concerts in the BMA Sculpture Garden
Join the Baltimore Museum of Art
in celebrating the 20th anniversary
of its popular Jazz in the Sculpture
Garden concert series. Sit back and listen
to cool jazzy sounds on a warm
summer evening in the BMA’s scenic
sculpture gardens. This one-of-a-kind
summer experience features critically
acclaimed national and regional jazz
talent against a scenic backdrop of modern
art. These casual concerts take place
on select Saturdays in July and August
at 7p.m. Tickets are $25.
As part of the festivities this year,
the BMA is offering pre-concert twilight
tours at 5 p.m., exploring aspects
of jazz appearing in works of art such
as rhythm, pattern, and harmony. After
the tour, gain early access to the sculpture
gardens to reserve your seating,
and enjoy a glass of wine. Pre-concert
tour tickets are $10; a concert ticket is
required in order to purchase pre-concert
tickets. Space is limited!
Enjoy the show from intimate concert
seating, picnic with sandwiches
and snacks purchased from the outdoor
bar, or bring your own. For an extraspecial
evening, make reservations at
Gertrude’s for Jazz+Dinner, an elegant
three-course meal served on the terrace
overlooking the sculpture garden.
Jazz+Dinner tickets are $70.
Tickets go on sale Sunday, June
15, and are available at the BMA Box
Office in person or by phone at 443-
573-1701, or at artbma.org. Concerts
usually sell out; advance ticket purchase
is recommended.
SPECIAL OFFER! Purchase the
five-concert series by July 3 and save
$10! Tickets for the series are $115 per
person. This summer’s line-up includes:
July 5: T. K. Blue—This dynamic
alto saxophonist is a local favorite.
Billboard Magazine describes him
best: “His saxophone talks in warm
tones that speak of an intense love . . .
with subtle tenderness.”
July 19: Jackie Ryan—Spun like
silk, Jackie Ryan’s sultry voice is absolutely
mesmerizing. This chart-topping
vocalist is sure to delight in the
majestic setting of the BMA’s
renowned sculpture garden.
July 26: Warren Wolf—Baltimore’s
own prodigious vibraphonist returns to
the BMA for another explosive performance!
This artist and his ensemble
are known for mind-blowing performances
that reach unmatched heights.
August 9: Vanessa Rubin featuring
Don Braden—A perfect pairing of
artists perform under the stars on a
warm summer evening. Experience the
soulful vocals of Vanessa Rubin,
paired with the smooth notes of jazz
saxophonist Don Braden.
August 16: Rolando Matias & The
Afro-Rican Ensemble—A spontaneous
fusion of Afro-Caribbean-Bebop
led by multi-talented percussionist
Rolando Matias. This accomplished
group of musicians will deliver an explosion
of funk, sure to have you up
and out of your seats!
In the event of rain, concerts are
held in the BMA Meyerhoff Auditorium.
Call the BMA Box Office at
443-573-1701 after 3p.m. for an update.
If the concert is held indoors,
Jazz+Dinner ticket holders must call
Gertrude’s at 410-889-3399 to make
reservations for indoor seating or to obtain
a rain check. Please note: children
do not receive Jazz+Dinner discounts.
ABOUT THE BALTIMORE
MUSEUM OF ART
The Baltimore Museum of Art is
home to an internationally renowned
collection of 19th-century, modern, and
contemporary art. Founded in 1914
with a single painting, the BMA today
has 90,000 works of art—including the
largest holding of works by Henri Matisse
in the world. Throughout the Museum,
visitors will find an outstanding
selection of European and American
fine and decorative arts, 15th- through
19th-century prints and drawings,
works by established and emerging
contemporary artists, and objects from
Africa, Asia, the Ancient Americas, and
Pacific Islands. Two beautifully landscaped
gardens display an array of
20th-century sculpture that is an oasis
in the city. As a major cultural destination
for the greater Baltimore region,
the BMA organizes and presents a variety
of dynamic exhibitions and innovative
programs throughout the year, and
frequently hosts special events with
cultural and educational partners. The
Museum is located in a park-like setting
in the heart of Charles Village and
adjacent to the main campus of The
Johns Hopkins University. It is distinguished
by a grand historic building designed
in the 1920s by renowned
American architect John Russell Pope
with an impressive wing for contemporary
art added in 1994.
General admission to the BMA is
free. Special events and exhibitions
may be ticketed. The BMA is open
Wednesday through Friday, 11a.m.–
5p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11a.m.–
6p.m. The Museum is closed Monday,
Tuesday, New Year’s Day, July 4,
Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The
BMA is located on Art Museum Drive
at North Charles and 31st Streets, three
miles north of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
For general Museum information,
call 443-573-1700 or visit artbma.org.
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN THEATER
HOSTING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
The Contemporary American
Theater Festival (CATF) has
been awarded a grant from the
West Virginia Humanities Council to
host Act I, the Young Playwrighting
Workshop. Through this program, 10
students ages 16 to 21 will study with
theater professionals from the CATF
staff. “We have wanted to provide an
educational experience for younger
students ever since CATF began,”
stated Ed Herendeen, CATF Founder
and Producing Director. “With our
2008 season expanding to five plays,
this is the perfect year to introduce the
Young Playwrights experience and expose
younger audiences to the beauty
of creative writing for the theater.”
Act I will be held July 16 to July
30 at Shepherd University, in tandem
with the CATF 2008 season. The
workshop will be held daily from
9:00am to 5:00pm, with laptops and
lunch provided to the students. The
Director of Act I will be Theresa M.
Davis, Associate Professor in the Department
of Drama at the University of
Virginia. She most recently directed
The African Company Presents
Richard III and worked closely with
playwright Carlyle Brown to develop
the production. Master Teacher for the
workshop will be David Andrew Snyder,
producing artistic director and
CEO of The Young Playwrights Theatre
in Washington, D.C. He has been
an actor, director, educator, producer
and administrator for over 15 years.
Shepherd University instructors Dr.
Sylvia Shurbutt and Dr. Betty Ellzey
will be guest instructors, and CATF favorite,
playwright Richard Dresser will
participate in the workshop. Dresser’s
play, A View of the Harbor, will complete
his happiness trilogy, with all
three plays premiering at CATF.
“The goal of Act I is to help students
become better listeners and communicators,
to improve their writing
skills, and to gain an appreciation for
the arts,” stated Peggy McKowen, Associate
Producing Director of CATF.
At the conclusion of the program, three
public readings of their work will be
held at the Apollo Civic Theatre in
Martinsburg, the Ice House in Berkeley
Springs, and the Old Opera House
in Charles Town. The cost to participate
is $200, with scholarships available
to two students, based on financial
need. Contact Peggy McKowen at
pmckowen@shepherd.edu or 304-
876-5151 for more information about
the Act I program.
The 2008 CATF season runs from
July 9 through August 3 with five adventurous
plays in rotating repertory:
The Overwhelming by JT Rogers, Pig
Farm by Tony Award-winner Greg
Kotis, Stick-Fly by Lydia Diamond, A
View of the Harbor, a world premiere
by Richard Dresser, and Wrecks by
Neil LaBute. The Contemporary
American Theater Festival prides itself
on producing and developing new
American theater. Since 1991, CATF
has produced 63 new plays, including
23 world premieres. This year,
“thinktheater” and “thinkfive” with the
Contemporary American Theater Festival
. . . five plays, five playwrights,
five unique theatrical experiences.
For more information, visit www.catf.
org or call 304-876-3473 or 800-999-
CATF (2283).
AOL’S BLACK VOICES CELEBRATES
BLACK MUSIC MONTH; ANNOUNCES
NEW VIDEO EXPERIENCE
Black Voices, www.BlackVoices. com, the No. 1 online destination for
African-American news, culture and community, recently debuted its
celebration of Black Music Month, www.BlackVoices.com/blackmusic-month.
The special section will run throughout June, highlighting black
music and the incredible range of influence African-American artists have had
on all music genres. In addition, AOL also announced it will be launching a new
video site on Black Voices, www.BlackVoices.com/videos, offering searchable
videos appealing to the interests of the African-American community.
Highlights of the Black Music Month site include:
• Aspecial essay for Black Voices from 18-times GRAMMY® Award-winner,
GRAMMY Legend Award-winner and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement
Award-winner Aretha Franklin on the importance of Black Music Month.
• R&B band Mint Condition pays tribute to the iconic group Earth, Wind
and Fire in an exclusive online “Jam Session.”
• YoYo, the legendary rap diva and current host of VH-1’s reality TV show
“Miss Rap Supreme,” will be the featured celebrity blogger on the
“Supreme Journey” blog.
• Black Voices users will have the opportunity to vote for the best albums of
all time.
• Online quizzes will test users’ knowledge of Black Music from one hit
wonders to legendary artists to blue-eyed soul phenoms.
• Interactive profiles of hip hop hit-makers, jazz luminaries and icons in the
business of Black Music.
“Black Voices realizes the huge part that music plays in our consumers’
lives, so we’re excited to celebrate Black Music Month by highlighting legendary
artists as well as new artists,” said Tariq Muhammad, Director, Black
Voices. “Through our celebration of Black Music Month, Black Voices will
increase our consumers’ awareness of this genre of music and provide an engaging
experience that not only tests but expands their knowledge of this important
and extremely powerful medium. Our new video site adds more interactivity
and engagement to the overall news and information provided on
the Black Voices site throughout the year.”
The Black Voices video site is a uniquely comprehensive aggregated video
experience, powered by Truveo’s video search, http://truveo.com.
Users have the opportunity to search videos in a wide range of categories
of interest focusing on African-American news and issues.
GREAT AMERICAN
SCRAPBOOK
CONVENTIONS
RETURNING TO
CHANTILLY
Friday, June 20 marks the
opening of the 7th Annual
Great American Scrapbook
Convention at the Dulles Expo
Convention Center. Show runs
through Saturday, June 21. The
Convention Center is located at
4368 Chantilly Shopping Center,
Chantilly, VA. Expected to attract
6,000 scrapbookers from Chantilly
and across the country, the show
celebrates one of the fastest-growing
hobbies in the U.S.
Workshops taught by scrapbooking
pros will introduce both
novice and experienced scrapbookers
to new techniques, ranging
from the ever-popular traditional
photo album, to innovative
cardmaking, to the newest trends
in digital scrapbooking.
175 exhibitor booths will provide
ample opportunity for shopping;
vendors will be offering their
newest and most popular scrapbooking
tools and products.
Cropping parties end each day
with a celebration. Attendees are
invited to gather with their supplies
and any new techniques they’d like
to practice and take some muchneeded
time to work on their scrapbooks
together with friends. Door
prizes add to the festive atmosphere.
Plus, there’s a special allday
pre-show cropping party on
Thursday, June 19.
The 2007 show experienced
sell-out crowds at the cropping
parties and many of the workshops.
As a result, Great American
Scrapbook Convention encourages
attendees to reserve spots early by
registering online. Workshop descriptions,
online registration and
more are available at www.
GreatAmericanScrapbook.com.
MONTGOMERY
COUNTY HOSTS
JUNETEENTH
CELEBRATION
Montgomery County Executive
Isiah Leggett invites
the public to the
County’s 12th Annual Juneteenth
Celebration on Thursday, June
19, at 7p.m., at the BlackRock
Center for the Arts, 12901 Town
Commons Drive, Germantown.
This year’s celebration will include
a musical performance by
Joshua Sommerville, a youth performance
troupe from the City of
Rockville, and performers from the
Sharp Street United Methodist
Church and Mount Calvary Baptist
Church.
Juneteenth was first celebrated
on June 19, 1865, to mark the liberation
of African American slaves
in the United States by President
Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
The program is sponsored by
the County Executive’s Office of
Community Partnerships. Admission
is free and light refreshments
will be served. For more information,
call 240-777-2500.
16 THE METRO HERALD