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December 6, 2024
  • Upcoming Events at Montpelier Arts Center Announced by Dept of Parks and Rec., Pr. Geo. County

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2022

    Media Contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311

    Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County Announces Upcoming Events at Montpelier Arts Center

    Riverdale, MD – The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County is pleased to announce the start of Montpelier Arts Center’s 2022-2023 season. We have exhibitions, concerts, and workshops for everyone. Upcoming events include:

    Sep 2 – Oct 23

    Dreamer’s House and Anomalies in Time: Photographs by Regina DeLuise and Jay Gould

    Public Reception: Sep 17, 2-4 pm. Tintype Demo & Lecture: Oct 15, 2-4pm

    Light and lens are at the heart of this exhibition. Two photographers working with large format, 8×10 cameras and processes that span the history of the medium. DeLuise’s exquisite photographs explore the passage of time, moments of stillness, and interior space. Meanwhile, Gould’s work embraces the historic collodion process to explore the paradoxes of time, memory, and illusion. Free admission.

    Sep 22, 12 noon

    Smooth Sounds for Seniors Series: Anita King

    National Recording Jazz Vocalist Anita King’s melodic voice has swept across the Washington, D.C. area and brought her to sing in legendary venues across the United States and throughout Europe. Spend an early afternoon with Ms. King as she brings her style, class, and grace to perform many of your favorite jazz songs at the Montpelier Arts Center. Ages 60 and Better; $12/person

    Tuesdays, Sep 27 – Oct 25, 7 pm 

    Music Therapy with HALO Quartet  

    Join this five-week series using music and singing to heal and release. HALO is the first International African American Quartet that leads this workshop through singing, music, and songwriting. Learn how music can help release stress and help you heal. Ages 18 & up; $20/person

    Montpelier Art Center is open to the public seven days a week, 10 am to 5 pm. For more information about these events and more, visit arts.pgparks.com, e-mail MontpelierArts@pgparks.com or call 301-377-7800.

    About the Department

    The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, TwitterPhotoShelter, and Instagram. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. 

  • Return of Celebrate Africa Festival Announced by Dept of Parks and Rec., Pr. Geo. County

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2022

    Program Contact: Deletta Gillespie, 301-446-3232

    Media Contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311

    CELEBRATE AFRICA FESTIVAL RETURNS TO PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

    Riverdale, MD – The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County is pleased to announce its plans for this year’s Celebrate Africa festival, happening September 25, 2022 from 12 – 6 pm at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. This award-winning festival is a day full of celebratory events and joyous performances honoring the artistic and cultural contributions of the African immigrant community to Prince George’s County. Celebrate Africa is free and open to the public.   

    Darlene Watkins, Chief of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Division of Prince George’s County shares “This will be our fifth Celebrate Africa festival and – with a lineup featuring African comedians, storytellers, dance fitness, musicians and food vendors – this year’s festival may indeed be our best!”  

    Celebrate Africa Festival 2022’s lineup includes:   

    • Meditating to the spellbinding vibes of Kora music – known as west Africa’s classical music – with master musician and jeli/griot Amadou Kouyate   
    • Kenyan comedienne, actor, storyteller, and vocalist Anna Mwhalago‘s hilarious sense of humor will have you laughing out loud as she shares stories about African immigrant experiences in the United States 
    • Nigerian-Canadian Singer/Songwriter TolumiDE will charm and delight all with her “Suya Soul” style (a unique fusion of contemporary R&B with African pop) 
    • Chopteeth‘s sounds will connect the common groove between the funkiest, most hip-shakin’ West African and American popular music on the planet 
    • This year’s fashion show – Red Carpet Africa – will have you swooning over Ghanaian-born designer Afua Sam’s African-influenced fashion designs – spotted at red-carpet events all over the world  
    • Performing Arts Center for African Cultures will show you the latest dance moves from across the African continent 
    • Listen to the music of the royal courts of 13th century Manding West Africa with The Uasuf Gueye Trio

    Other festival highlights include Storytelling on the River, where you’ll have a chance to lose yourself in centuries-old folk tales and fables while cruising the Anacostia, as well as shopping in the marketplace for authentic arts and crafts from all over the continent.   

    Along the way, refuel and feast on delightful African culinary creations from a variety of on-site food vendors, including Hunger Tamer (featuring West African cuisine) and more vendors to be announced. 

    For more information, visit https://www.pgparks.com/event_list/celebrate-africa.

    Bladensburg Waterfront Park is located at 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD 20710. Patrons traveling by car are strongly encouraged to park at the nearby Colmar Manor Community Park (3200 37th Avenue, Colmar, MD) and ride the shuttle to the festival. 

    About the Department

    The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, TwitterPhotoShelter, and Instagram. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. 

  • Upcoming Fall Events at Publick Playhouse Announced by Dept of Parks and Rec., Pr. Geo. County

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2022

    Media Contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311

    Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County Announces

    Welcome Back to the Arts! Explore Upcoming Fall Events at the Publick Playhouse

    Riverdale, MD – The Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, part of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is pleased to announce a variety of programs available this Fall at Publick Playhouse in Hyattsville, MD. Currently scheduled for September and October are:

    Art Exhibition: September 13 – November 4

    Artist Reception: September 29, 6pm

    Hispanic Heritage Celebration:  Fran Oviedo

    In this exhibition, Fran Oviedo’s paintings allude to her native country of Chile, where she lived for much of her life. However, because her work is abstract landscapes and, in some cases, reaches complete abstraction, the viewer can be transported anywhere in the world or from their imagination. Oviedo’s works largely reflect her inner, optimistic and adventurous world, and that gets further influenced by particular situations she is in. Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm

    September 29, 11 am

    Platinum Movie: Just Mercy

    World-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson works to free a wrongly condemned death row prisoner. For Ages 60 & better. Cost: $3/person

    October 1, 8 pm

    Celia Cruz All-Stars Band
     This group of young, talented musicians, under the musical direction of Brailey Ramos, pay tribute to the hits you love: the immortal songs of the Guarachera de Cuba. The group has performed in international music festivals in Mexico and the U.S. After each performance, the All-Stars contribute to the Celia Cruz Foundation, which grants musical scholarships to students who could not otherwise afford music school. Celia is smiling down from heaven! For All ages. Cost: $25/person, $20/person for seniors, students, and groups of 20 or more.

    October 4 & 5, 11 am

    Sprout Film Festival- Live More, Play More, Express More 
     Experience the films that celebrate difference, embrace community, and create transformational experiences for both the filmmakers and the audience. A variety of short films will be viewed in this 60-minute program, hoping to light the spark of greater awareness, understanding, and acceptance by presenting work by and about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For All ages. Cost FREE.

    October 9, 4 pm

    Black Cinema Series: Film TBA

    From Hattie McDaniel to Jordan Peele, go beyond the films that make up the history of African American filmmakers. Join Bowie State University’s Chair and Associate Professor of Visual Communications and Digital Media Arts, Tewodross Melchishua Williams, as he curates an exciting three-film series that will explore the amazing cultural contributions of the African diaspora to the art of filmmaking. For Ages 18 & up. Cost: $5/person.

    October 13, 11 am

    A Tribute to the Music of Otis Redding
     Join Memphis Gold as he pays tribute to the legendary Stax recording artist Otis Redding. With hits like “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” and “These Arms of Mine,” audiences will be swept away by soulfully beautiful melodies. For Ages 60 & better. Cost: $10/person

    October 15, 8 pm

    Baltimore Improv Group

    Join us for a hilarious evening of madcap comic actors from the Baltimore Improv Group bringing their short-form improv comedy down the BW Parkway. Enjoy a night of levity and non-stop laughs. Cost: $20/person, $15/person for seniors, students, and groups of 20 or more.

    October 22, 8 pm

    SOLE Defined: Intersection

    SOLE Defined is the Washington metropolitan area’s leading arts organization specializing in percussive dance – using the body as an instrument to create musical expression. Advancing styles such as tap, stepping, body percussion, dance, and gumboot, this BIPOC-led company infuses powerful skills to delight and inspire audiences. Intersection by SOLE Defined is an immersive performance exploration of music and movement rooted in ancestral memory, embodied storytelling, and African Diasporic Percussive Dance. For All ages. Cost: $25/person, $20/person for seniors, students, and groups of 20 or more.

    November 5, 8 pm

    Carolyn Malachi

    Carolyn Malachi is a mix engineer, producer, Grammy-nominated artist, and educator. Malachi believes that the ideas of independent musicians, filmmakers, and other creatives should be taken seriously and handled with great care. Malachi teaches audio production courses in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University, where her research explores the intersection of blockchain technology and data sonification. Cost: $25/person, $20/person for seniors, students, and groups of 20 or more.

    November 18, 11 am, 8 pm

    Luther Relives
     Luther Relives brings to life the great love ballads of the legendary Luther Vandross. Don’t miss your chance to see this electrifying experience. The band delivers a level of energy and showmanship to the stage that will have you walking away wanting more. Cost: $25/person, $20/person for seniors, students, and groups of 20 or more.

    For information on these and other offerings, visit www.pgparks.com/2280/The-Prince-Georges-Publick-Playhouse

    About Publick Playhouse

    Since 1947, the historic Playhouse continues to serve as a popular venue for music and modern dance, musical theater, historical drama, educational programs, and monthly events for seniors. With its plush seating for 494, the theatre is one of the two surviving Art Deco theatres in Prince George’s County. To learn more, visit http://www.mncppc.org/2280/The-Prince-Georges-Publick-Playhouse

    About the Department

    The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, TwitterPhotoShelter, and Instagram. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation.