places to go Saturday, May 14, 8 pm Concert: Buckwheat Zydeco No stranger to working with his hands, accordionist and keyboardist Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr. is best known as the leader of the world's most successful Zydeco band. His version of Southwest Louisiana's propulsive Creole French music was the first signed to a major label, and his band has maintained a higher profile worldwide than any other act in their genre. The group has recorded with Eric Clapton, Dwight Yoakam, Willie Nelson and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, and they have opened gigs for U2. Buckwheat played on Rolling Stone Keith Richards' solo debut.
All ages Tickets: $25/general admission; $20/sr. citizens and students Wednesday, May 18, 2 pm Afternoon Tea: “Sting, Stang, Stung” Rosemary Loar, Vocalist; Frank Ponzio, Pianist Rosemary Loar has reinvented the music of Sting, one of the pop world's iconic songwriters. With wit and sensitivity, Loar advances the view that Sting is the Cole Porter of this generation—a man who is not afraid to write lyrics that are intelligent or simple, profound and universal. The glorious result: a whole new songbook of jazz sting-standards. Loar breathes new life into the music of Sting with inventive interpretations of such classics as "Fields of Gold" and "Message in a Bottle." The music ranges from swing to samba and jazz/pop to crooning torch.
All ages Tickets: $15/person Saturday, May 21, 8 pm Concert: Dee Dee Sharp Singing is what Dee Dee Sharp loves best. Tantalizing vocals with a sassy style have been Sharp's signature during her thirty-year career as a song stylist. She hit the big time with her No. 1 smash, "Mashed Potatoes Time." Only in her teens, Dee Dee Sharp became an international star and toured the U.S. and Europe quite often as part of Dick Clark's "Caravan of Stars", working with just about every major act in the golden age of rock and roll. Her hits include "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)," "Ride," "Do the Bird," "Wild," "Never Pick a Pretty Boy," and "I Really Love You.”
Saturday, June 18, 8 pm Concert: Julia Nixon
brentwood arts exchange
Former Broadway “Dreamgirls” and award-winning artist Julia Nixon brings the song stylings of authentic rhythm & blues that have been her signature mark for more than two decades to Harmony Hall. An international performer and beloved local musical fixture in her adopted hometown of Washington, D.C., Julia has stepped up to yet another level with the release of her long awaited debut solo album Keeping On Track. The new album consists primarily of original music composed or co-authored by Julia with help from musical colleagues and friends through the years. A few covers are intermingled for texture, including a blockbuster dance version of “One Night Only,” a ballad she performed as Effie in “Dreamgirls.”
at gateway arts center
All ages Tickets: 25/person general admission; $20/person sr. citizens and students
EXHIBITS MAIN ART GALLERY Gallery Hours: Mondays through Thursdays 8:30 am-9:45 pm; Fridays - 8:30 am-4:45 pm; and Saturdays - 10 am-3:45 pm Monday, Jan. 17–Saturday, Mar. 12 Artists’ Reception: Saturday, Jan. 22, 5-7 pm The Black History Month Biannual Fine Art Exhibit: Black Abstraction What comes to mind when you think of abstract art? Too often we think of abstract art as just expressively rendered colors and geometric shapes on flat canvas, but it encompasses a range of styles from naturalistic to nonobjective. In this exhibition curated by Jarvis Dubois, Black Artists of DC takes on the concept of abstract art in the 21st century. Our goal is to explore the many dimensions, layers, mediums, and possibilities of abstract art.
All ages; FREE Monday, Mar. 28– Saturday, May 21 Artist’s Reception: Apr. 2, 3-5 pm Bruce Gugliuzza Using wood and metal as his medium, Bruce Gugliuzza produces highly finished sculptures that resemble magnified and stylized versions of microbes and plant seeds.
All ages; FREE
All ages welcome Tickets: $35/general admission; $30/seniors and students
Update:
County Visual Artists Registry
The Prince George’s County Visual Artists Registry is moving to an an all-digital format. In a joint project with the Prince George’s Arts Council, the Registry is being put online and should be accessible by the end of 2010. All artists who live, work or attend school in Prince George’s County are invited to join the Registry. Artists who currently have 35mm slides in the registry are invited to update their registry file with digital images as soon as possible. The registry is a free resource for artists, curators and agencies commissioning art works. Registry artists also receive the monthly newsletter Arts Opportunities. If you are an artist interested in joining the registry, please contact the Prince George’s Arts Council at 301-277-1402.
Huntington Community Center’s Art Gallery/Cyber Café 13022 8th St., Bowie, MD 20720 Artistic Visions presents a collection of works from the Prince George’s Artists’ Association celebrating Women’s History Month through the arts. Their works express femininity using current thoughts and discussions, and historical movements. Join us for the opening reception Thursday, March 10, 7-9 pm to meet local artists and enjoy light refreshments. Works will be on display through March and April. In May and June, Bowie High School students share their talents by displaying a variety of works. Join us May 6, 7-10 pm for a reception and a Café Groove program.
20/ M-NCPPC, Spring 2011 Guide to Parks and Recr eation
3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, MD 20722 301-277-2863; TTY 301-446-6802 Hours: Mondays-Fridays, 10 am-7 pm; Saturdays 10 am-4 pm; closed Sundays Brentwood Arts Exchange Gallery
Located in the Gateway Arts Center, the Brentwood Arts Exchange offers visual arts classes for all ages, coupled with an art gallery displaying changing exhibitions by regional artists and a store selling one-of-a-kind, fine craft items by local artisans.
EXHIBITS Tuesday, Mar. 1–Saturday, Apr. 9 Mondays-Fridays, 10 am-8 pm; Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm Resonant Forms Resonant Forms opened on February 1 in honor of Black History Month, and features artworks by Alonzo Davis, Martha Jackson-Jarvis and Frank Smith. This blockbuster exhibition continues through spring with activities in honor of Women’s History Month, spotlighting the artwork of Martha Jackson-Jarvis and held in collaboration with the Prince George’s County African American Museum and Cultural Center. Please call the Brentwood Arts Exchange for updates on times and details.
All ages; FREE Tuesday, Apr. 26–Saturday, Jun. 11 Mondays-Fridays, 10 am-8 pm; Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm Big Ideas Big Ideas brings forth the strength and intelligence of three women, all well-established artists, with a very contemporary and interactive exploration of abstract art. Sondra Arkin and Susan Finsen both exhibit recent paintings made specifically for this exhibition. Ellyn Weiss is creating a large-scale mixed media drawing in the gallery throughout the duration of the exhibition, giving visitors a chance to ask questions and watch her creative process at work. Big Ideas also features a large interactive installation – a collaboration of all three artists that gallery visitors are invited to interact with and even contribute to.
All ages; FREE
clarice smith performing arts center at Maryland Rte. 193 and Stadium Dr., University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 301-446-3232; TTY 301-446-6802 The Center’s Prince George's County Room is available to county arts groups at no charge for workshops, meetings, and seminars. Call to schedule. An acting camp for young actors will be held during Spring Break for teens 13-18. See p. 33 and look for Spring Break Day Camp: Theater or call the number listed above.