Kent County Arts and Entertainment Events- April 2024

Our local artist, Claire Parker, will have a multi-media exhibit entitled "Taming Our Environment's Inequities". Claire Parker has produced a significant number of powerful artistic renderings that express her profound beliefs in our environment.

This community exhibit features the art from the KC Veterans Community Global Art Project for Peace and its artists, running April 3 through 14, with an opening reception April 5, 5 - 7 p.m.

The event is made possible by a Creativity Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) awarded to artist, Marianne Laino Sade, Project Manager, who is partnering with Chestertown RiverArts and Sumner Hall. The logo was created by local artist Tobi Brown, 2023.

The class will be held at the Clay Studio from 6:00 - 8:30 pm on Thursdays, April 4 - May 9.

Students will be introduced to wheel techniques and informational context while learning to create hand-made pottery. This class is deliberately paced with time devoted to the artistic process. The encouraged Open Studio practice time will enable students to create at their own level and improve their skills with clay.

Regular visitors to Tish will already be familiar with the delightful work of Carol Mangano, one of the galleries inaugural artists, well known for her unique interpretations of the Eastern Shore. She is joined this month by fellow artist Tamara Hutchinson whose delightful landscapes and floral creations prove a perfect compliment in this stunning exhibit, to complement the regular range of art and craft.

A community exhibit featuring the art from the KC Veterans Community Global Art Project for Peace and its artists will be held at 200 High Street Gallery of RiverArts, in Chestertown, running April 3 through 14, with an opening reception April 5, 5 - 7 p.m.

The event is made possible by a Creativity Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) awarded to artist, Marianne Laino Sade, Project Manager, who is partnering with Chestertown RiverArts and Sumner Hall. The logo was created by local artist Tobi Brown, 2023.

April 5 - May 5

April First Friday, April 5 5-7pm

Grace Mitchell, Heidi Fowler, Kathryn O’Grady, Joe Karlik, Blake Conroy, Eve Stockton and gallery artists.

March, master of winds, bright minstrel
and marshal of storms than enkindle the season they smite
– Swinburne

Featuring new work by gallery artists in both our High and Cross Street locations.

Gallery Hours:
Thursday – Friday – 11-4; Saturday – 10-5,
Sunday – 12-2

We are happy to open our galleries to you outside of our regular hours. Private appointments may be scheduled at any time by contacting either Carla Massoni (410-708-4512)

Potter's wheel refresher class with Paul Aspell.

Students will learn choices of watercolor paper, brushes, pigments, importance of values, edges, transparency vs. opacity, and color theory. This class uses a limited palette of primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and students will learn how pigments can be transparent or opaque, how to use and control water with pigments, and finally various techniques to enhance watercolor paintings. Each session will begin with class objectives, demonstrations throughout the class time, and conclude with a project for everyone. All supplies are included for this class.

Come out to support members of Musicians' Union (MU) as they perform a variety of music at this semester's Spring Showcase.

The guild’s members have spent the last two years lovingly and skillfully creating the more than 100 quilts on display, which exemplify both the art and the craft of quilting through a variety of styles and techniques including traditional patchwork, modern art quilts and original designs. Attendees will be treated to an array of colorful and artistically created quilts, ranging in size from small wall hangings to bed size. Several of the quilts on display have won honors at the Kent County and Maryland State Fairs and at other quilt shows.

On a Wednesday night in 2010 Matt Mielnick walks into the Zinc Bar on Houston Street, the dividing line between SOHO and Greenwich Village in NYC. He is lured inside the small club by the sounds of live music. An ensemble of musicians, identified by the bartender as the Regional Choro Ensemble, are playing a jubilant, force-you-to-smile instrumental jazz on button accordion, a small, high-pitched mandolin-sized steel-stringed instrument (the cavaquinho), two seven-stringed guitars, and a tambourine. The music had a Brazilian flair, but was consistently upbeat enough to have underscored one of Fred and Ginger’s early 1930’s dance numbers. One evening of this delightful music was not enough, and for many months to follow, Wednesdays became a Choro night. Choro, which originated in 19th century Rio de Janeiro often has a fast and happy rhythm and is characterized by virtuosity, improvisation, subtle modulations, syncopation and counterpoint. It is considered the first characteristically Brazilian genre of urban popular music. The Mainstay is honored to welcome the Regional Choro Ensemble to serenade us with this infectious happy music.

The Washington College Concert Series presents pianist Young-Ah Tak. Praised for her “thrilling blend of fury and finesse” (San Antonio Express-News) and her “winning combination of passion, imagination, and integrity” (New York Concert Review), she enjoys a remarkable career that has taken her throughout the United States, Canada, Austria, Germany, Italy, Korea, and Japan.
To learn more, visit washcoll.edu/concert.

Individual tickets $20 (adults) and $15 (non-WC College Students / Seniors 65 and over / WC Faculty and Staff). Youth 18 and under are free.

Potter's wheel refresher class with Paul Aspell.

The class will be held at the Clay Studio on Tuesdays at 6:00 - 8:30 pm, running from April 16-May 21, 2024 (6 weeks).

This course introduces basic pottery wheel techniques to beginning students with a focus on throwing bowl and cylinder forms. Students will be shown the step-by-step process of wedging, centering, throwing, trimming, and glazing clay into finished pieces. Class time and the encouraged Open Studio practice time will enable students to create at their own level and improve their skills with clay.

The Washington College Music Department presents
Kaitlyn McCaffery's Senior Capstone Experience (SCE) Recital on Jazz Vocals.

Come out and listen to Kaitlyn as she demonstrates jazz styles through singing, featuring the Washington College Jazz Combo and piano accompaniment by Dr. Woobin Park.

Some songs include "Stormy Weather" by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, "Baby I'm a Fool" by Melody Gardot, and "The Mad Hatter" from Wonderland the Musical.

The class will be held at the Clay Studio on Wednesdays at 6:00 - 8:30 pm, running from April 17-May 22, 2024 (6 weeks).

It is intended to be a "next step" for returning beginners, but can easily accommodate new students who like a challenge!

Students will expand and refine their skillset through skills instruction and weekly project assignment. The Class setting provides great opportunity to move beyond the basic techniques and deepen your experience with wheel-thrown clay.

The Washington College Department of Theatre and Dance Presents What She Went Through; Playwriting SCE by Sam Devlin.

Opening April 19 and running through May 5, 2024, is Ken Ludwig’s Sherlock Holmes mystery-comedy “BASKERVILLE.” Ludwig is best known for “Lend Me A Tenor,” “Moon Over Buffalo,” “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol” and the Book for the musical “Crazy For You.” The play will be directed by Marcia Gilliam.

(Follow link for plot description)

Our spring concert will celebrate the many people who have been an integral part of the history and formation of the Delmarva peninsula we call home.

We seek to feature the voices of both the marginalized people groups of this land as well as prominent figures of our home's history: the Native Americans, the early settlers, the fisherman, the pirates, the revolutionaries of colonial America, the farmers, leaders of the Underground Railroad, the wave of 20th century European immigrants, and more.

The Washington College Music Department invites you to come out and support our students as they perform the music they have been working on this semester.

Join us to paint a beautiful spring design on a canvas tote! Bring your friends, family, and snacks - all supplies provided, no painting experience necessary.

Deadline: Wednesday, April 17 @ Noon

Come to the Chestertown Arts & Entertainment District’s ART WALK. Dozens of artists and artisans will be selling works at galleries, storefronts, at a Pop-Up Gallery. Live music will also be happening throughout town. For information email hester@kentculture.org or call the Kent Cultural Alliance at 410-778-3700

Our spring concert will celebrate the many people who have been an integral part of the history and formation of the Delmarva peninsula we call home.

We seek to feature the voices of both the marginalized people groups of this land as well as prominent figures of our home's history: the Native Americans, the early settlers, the fisherman, the pirates, the revolutionaries of colonial America, the farmers, leaders of the Underground Railroad, the wave of 20th century European immigrants, and more.

Banjo wizard Tony Trischka, together with his ace band—Michael Daves on vocals and guitar, fiddler Alex Hargreaves and bassist Jared Engel -- pay tribute Earl Scruggs on his 100th birthday, one of the most important figures in the history of bluegrass.
This program is made possible with support by The Hedgelawn Foundation

The final concert of the season for the National Music Festival's Resonance Concert Series will feature the Blue Iron Steel Band. The six percussionists will present a great program of music for steel drum ensemble. Don't miss this fun concert!

Tickets are $22 for adults; $5 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased in advance at nationalmusic.us or at the door.

The Department of Music Presents Washington College's Orchestra and Band (Directors Prof. McCollum and Dr. McCollum).

Students will learn choices of watercolor paper, brushes, pigments, importance of values, edges, transparency vs. opacity, and color theory. This class uses a limited palette of primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and students will learn how pigments can be transparent or opaque, how to use and control water with pigments, and finally various techniques to enhance watercolor paintings. Each session will begin with class objectives, demonstrations throughout the class time, and conclude with a project for everyone. All supplies are included for this class.

"Paint the Town" is a 4-day event where artists have the opportunity to lose themselves while exploring the beautiful countryside and capturing it in their paintings. After three (3) days of painting, artists gather back together on Saturday afternoon to frame and hang their finished work in the RiverArts Gallery in preparation for sale at the "Wet Paint Show and Sale". Once the show is complete, the participating artists vote for "Best in Show" and "Best Body of Work."

"Paint the Town" is a 4-day event where artists have the opportunity to lose themselves while exploring the beautiful countryside and capturing it in their paintings. After three (3) days of painting, artists gather back together on Saturday afternoon to frame and hang their finished work in the RiverArts Gallery in preparation for sale at the "Wet Paint Show and Sale". Once the show is complete, the participating artists vote for "Best in Show" and "Best Body of Work."

From 9-11am visitors can see and chat with artists painting in Chestertown. At 11am paintings are displayed and for sale in Fountain Park. They are judged by Marcy Dunn Ramsey and the public votes for the Peoples Choice Award. Awards are announced at noon and then the paintings are for sale at the Main Gallery until 3pm.

The Washington College Music Department Invites you to come out and watch our Percussion and Steel Band ensembles as they perform a variety of songs.