Kent County Events Calendar - February 2012


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  • Figure Study by Shirley Hampton Hunt
  • Wednesday, February 1   |  Opening Reception 5-8pm
  • Location: The Artists' Gallery
  • Contact: The Artists' Gallery
  • Phone: 410-778-2425
  • Email:
  • URL:
  • New works by Shirley Hunt. Photographs, watercolors, pastels. The show will hang through Feb. 26, 2012.
  • The Garden Puppet Theatre Mini-Museum
  • Wednesday, February 1
  • This event runs February 1–28
  • Location: Kent County Visitor Center
  • Contact: Patsy Hornaday
  • Phone: 410-778-5841
  • Email: tph203@verizon.net
  • URL:
  • Celebrating Presidents Month, puppets George & Martha Washington–First American President & First Lady as they appeared in the 1994 & 1995 Historic Society of Kent County puppet show THE PRESIDENT & PATSY. George Washington and the family of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington addressed her by the family name of “Patsy”. Two surviving letters (written to her by her husband) addressed her as “My Dearest Patsy” as he prepared to lead and eventually form the new nation by the 18th Century American Revolution. Kent County Visitor Center, 122 N. Cross St., Chestertown.
  • The Invisible Line: A Secret History of Race in America
  • Thursday, February 2   |  5pm
  • Location: Hynson Lounge, Hodson Hall, Washington College
  • Contact: CV Starr Center
  • Phone: 410 810-7161
  • Email: jemley2@washcoll.edu
  • URL: www.starrcenter.washcoll.edu
  • Law professor Daniel Sharfstein will delve into the long and complicated history of racial passing in America. His new book, The Invisible Line (Penguin, 2011), explores the dramatic stories of three black families that recast themselves as white during years of great racial upheaval, including one that left slavery to become wealthy sugar planters and prominent Confederates. Sharfstein is a professor of law at Vanderbilt University.
  • Chestertown's 1st Fridays
  • Friday, February 3   |  5–8pm
  • Location: Downtown Chestertown
  • Contact:
  • Phone:
  • Email:
  • URL: www.kentcounty.com/artsentertainment
  • Meander the red-brick, tree-lined sidewalks of Historic Chestertown, while enjoying extended shop hours and arts and entertainment throughout Downtown. For a list of activities, please check this calendar for specific listings.
  • Scenes in Mixed Media
  • Friday, February 3   |  5-8pm
  • Location: Artworks, 306 Park Row, Chestertown
  • Contact: Artworks
  • Phone: 410-778-6300
  • Email: artworkschestertown@verizon.net
  • URL: www.artworkschestertown.org
  • See how artists draw on a variety of mediums and found objects to cut, paint, piece, and sculpt captivating scenes in one, two or three dimensions. Through Feb. 25, 2012.
  • Auditions for "Proof"
  • Friday, February 3   |  6pm on 3rd and 6th: 11am on 4th
  • This event runs February 3, 4 and 6th, 2012
  • Location: The Garfield Center For the Arts ar the Prince Theatre
  • Contact:
  • Phone: 410-810-2060
  • Email:
  • URL: www.garfieldcenter.org/event/auditions-for-proof/
  • Directed by Mark Sullivan, "Proof" will run for two weekends in March, from the 16th - 25th.
  • Beginning Pottery Wheel with Rick Bisgyer
  • Saturday, February 4   |  9am - noon
  • This event runs Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 2012
  • Location: Artworks Clay Studio at Still Pond Station
  • Contact: Artworks
  • Phone: 410-778-6300
  • Email: artworkschestertown@verizon.net
  • URL: www.artworkschestertown.org
  • Students will learn the basics of working on the potter's wheel to create cups, vases, and bowls. From centering clay and pulling up cylinders, to working toward aesthetic shapes with an eye on form and functions, students will create finished shapes and learn the basics of glazing. Class is suited to a range of learners, from beginners to those with some experience. Eight week series is $200 for members and $220 for others. Includes first 25 lbs of clay and first firing. Extra fee for glaze firings depends on size of the piece. Students will need a tool kit which is available for purchase at first meeting; approximate cost is $15.
  • Winter Bird Count
  • Sunday, February 5   |   Please call Walter or Nancy for specific times.
  • Location: All of Kent County including Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
  • Contact: Kent County Bird Club
  • Phone: 410-778-9568
  • Email: rossgull@baybroadband.net
  • URL: www.fws.gov/northeast/easternneck/
  • Are you interested in bird watching? Join the Kent County Bird Club for a day of bird counting. Teams will cover all of Kent County including Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Pyxis Piano Quartet
  • Sunday, February 5   |  4pm
  • Location: The Mainstay, 5753 Main Street, Rock Hall
  • Contact: The Mainstay
  • Phone:
  • Email:
  • URL: www.mainstayrockhall.org
  • The Pyxis Piano Quartet performs chamber music which includes traditional and contemporary masterpieces for piano quartet.. This performance will include works by Strauss, Turina and Saint-Saens. Compelling, engaging, and informative, Pyxisí performances have become amongst the most sought-after in the Delaware arts scene. Now in their third year as Artists-in-Residence at the Delaware Art Museum, Pyxis performs there regularly to sold-out audiences. Call for reservations. Admission is $15
  • Beginning Pottery Wheel with Rick Bisgyer
  • Monday, February 6   |  6:30-9pm
  • This event runs Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar 6, 13, 20, 27
  • Location: Artworks Clay Studio at Still Pond Station
  • Contact: Artworks
  • Phone: 410-778-6300
  • Email: artworkschestertown@verizon.net
  • URL: www.artworkschestertown.org
  • Students will learn the basics of working on the potter's wheel to create cups, vases, and bowls. From centering clay and pulling up cylinders, to working toward aesthetic shapes with an eye on form and functions, students will create finished shapes and learn the basics of glazing. Class is suited to a range of learners, from beginners to those with some experience. Eight week series is $200 for members and $220 for others. Includes first 25 lbs of clay and first firing. Extra fee for glaze firings depends on size of the piece. Students will need a tool kit which is available for purchase at first meeting; approximate cost is $15.
  • Erotic Poetry
  • Monday, February 6   |  7:30pm
  • Location: The Garfield Center For the Arts at the Prince Theatre
  • Contact: Lucia Foster
  • Phone: 410-810-2060
  • Email: lfoster@garfieldcenter.org
  • URL:
  • Celebrate Valentine's Day in an unconventional way! Join us, as a reader or audience member, as we share poetry open mic style. Bring your own poem, or read one of the ones we provide. To sign up to read, contact Lucia.
  • Oo! Those Awful Hobbits: Tolkien Versus the Academy
  • Tuesday, February 7   |  4:30pm
  • Location: Rose O'Neill Literary House at Washington College
  • Contact:
  • Phone:
  • Email:
  • URL: www.english.washcoll.edu/sophiekerrlegacy/lectures
  • Verlyn Flieger has taught courses on J.R.R. Tolkien at the University of Maryland for the past thirty-five years. She has published three books on his fiction, "Splintered Light," "A Question of Time," and "Interrupted Music." She is the author of the fantasy novel "Pig Tale," its sequel "The Inn at Corbies' Caww," and an Arthurian novella, "Avilion."
  • American Emperor: Aaron Burr's Challenge to Jefferson
  • Thursday, February 9   |  5pm, book signing to follow
  • Location: Custom House, 101 S. Water Street, Chestertown
  • Contact: CV Starr Center
  • Phone: 410-810-7161
  • Email: jemley2@washcoll.edu
  • URL: www.starrcenter.washcoll.edu
  • Join us for a book party and reading to honor historian David Stewart, whose new book, American Emperor (Simon & Schuster, 2011) was written partly at the Starr Center. This vivid biography of Aaron Burr, Jefferson's vice president and arch-nemesis, blends high adventure and political scheming to portray an essential turning point in the life of the young nation. The author of two other books, Stewart received the Starr Center's inaugural Hodson Trust-John Carter Brown Fellowship in 2009.
  • artNOW:Baltimore
  • Friday, February 10   |  Opening 5pm
  • Location:  Kohl Gallery, Washington College
  • Contact: Kay MacIntosh
  • Phone: 410-810-7408
  • Email: kmacintosh2@washcoll.edu
  • URL: www.washingtoncollegenews.blogspot.com/2012/02/koh
  • Five contemporary artists based in Baltimore are showcased in the first of three annual art:NOW exhibitions that will present works by some of the most talked-about artists working in nearby major cities. Featured artists: Christian Benefiel, Karen Furlong, Andrew Liang, Rene Trevino and Karen Yasinsky. Curated by Alex Castro and Cara Ober.
  • Ham & Oyster Buffet Dinners
  • Saturday, February 11   |  3–6:30pm
  • Location: Galena Fire Co. Hall
  • Contact: Ann Dwyer
  • Phone: 410-648-5104
  • Email: ahdwyer@verizon.net
  • URL:
  • All you can eat buffet: ham, fried oysters, scalloped potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, rolls, coffee, tea, assorted desserts. Cash Bar with beer, wine & sodas. Other 2012 dates: January 21, March 10.
  • Sassafras Samplers Training
  • Saturday, February 11   |  9am-12noon
  • Location: Washington College, Toll Science Building
  • Contact: Jamie Brunkow
  • Phone: 410-708-3303
  • Email: riverkeeper@sassafrasriver.org
  • URL: www.sassafrasriver.org/whatwedo/#section3
  • Join SRA's team of citizen scientists, helping to monitor the health of the Sassafras River! SRA will provide all the training, guidance and materials to get you started with this exciting, once a month, water testing project. Volunteers get the chance to learn more about the Sassafras River and interact with SRA staff and community volunteers. Help out your River by volunteering today! For more information, or to RSVP for the training contact Jamie Brunkow.
  • A Tribute to the Music of Louis Armstrong
  • Sunday, February 12   |  4pm
  • Location: The Mainstay, 5753 Main Street, Rock Hall
  • Contact: The Mainstay
  • Phone: 410-639-9133
  • Email:
  • URL: www.mainstayrockhall.org
  • A tribute to the music of New Orleans native Louis Armstrong with cornet and trumpet player Zach Smith (Dixie Power Trio, New Line Brass Band) and the University of Delaware Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Tom Palmer. This is the first event in The Music of New Orleans: Jazz with All the Fixin's, a 2 week celebration of New Orleans and its jazz heritage. Call for reservations. Admission is $15.
  • American Fun
  • Monday, February 13   |  5pm, book signing to follow
  • Location: Hynson Lounge, Hodson Hall, Washington College
  • Contact: CV Starr Center
  • Phone: 410 810-7161
  • Email: jemley2@washcoll.edu
  • URL: www.starrcenter.washcoll.edu
  • American history is often presented as a litany of brawls: Native Americans against Pilgrims; patriots against redcoats, Occupy Wall Street against the plutocracy. John Beckman, a professor of English at the U.S. Naval Academy, takes a different view by chronicling the ways that Americans have had fun. This story, too, often involves rebellion, bad behavior, and mockery. All will be on display at this rollickingly fun event.
  • Washington College Concert Series
  • Tuesday, February 14   |  8pm
  • Location: Decker Theatre, Gibson Center for the Arts
  • Contact: Kate Bennett
  • Phone: 410-778-7839
  • Email: kbennett2@washcoll.edu
  • URL: www.washcoll.edu
  • Cuarteto Latino Americano from Mexico presents a program of Latin string quartets.
  • Polymer Clay Techniques-Mokume Gane
  • Tuesday, February 14   |  9am-3pm
  • Location: Heron Point, 501 East Campus Ave, Chestertown
  • Contact: Artworks
  • Phone: 410-778-6300
  • Email: artworkschestertown@verizon.net
  • URL: www.artworkschestertown.org
  • Originally an ancient Japanese metalworking technique, mokume gane or "wood-grained metal" has evolved into a polymer clay standard. Learn how to create rich organic patterns, delicate layers of color, and the illusion of depth with a simple technique. Choice of small projects to apply it to and then the piece will be completed giving a professional looking, glass-like finish.Recommended that students take Basic class first but not essential. Registration deadline is Feb 7th, $80 members $95 other - includes all materials; $18 for Basic Kit if you don't have one.
  • Fiction Reading with Paul Lisicky
  • Thursday, February 16   |  4:30pm
  • Location: Rose O'Neill Literary House at Washington College
  • Contact:
  • Phone:
  • Email:
  • URL: www.english.washcoll.edu/sophiekerrlegacy/lectures
  • Paul Lisicky is the author of "Lawnboy, "Famous Builder," and the recently published novel "The Burning House." A graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, he is the recipient of awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the James Michener/Copernicus Society, the Henfield Foundation, and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, where he was twice a fellow.
  • Open House at Kent School
  • Thursday, February 16   |  6pm
  • Location: 6788 Wilkins Lane
  • Contact: Beth Collins
  • Phone: 410-778-4100 ext. 11
  • Email: admissions@kentschool.org
  • URL: www.kentschool.org
  • Information and tours provided for families looking for an enriched education for their children, ages 3 through grade 8.
  • From Gottschalk to Swamp Romp: the Roots of the Music
  • Thursday, February 16   |  7:30pm
  • Location: The Mainstay, 5753 Main Street, Rock Hall
  • Contact: The Mainstay
  • Phone: 410-639-9133
  • Email:
  • URL: www.mainstayrockhall.org
  • A free and informal discussion with audio examples of the roots of the music of New Orleans. Led by Tom McHugh. This discussion is part of the 2-week celebration "The Music of New Orleans: Jazz with all the Fixin's" sponsored by the Mainstay and the Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince. Free.
  • The New Line Brass Band
  • Saturday, February 18   |  8pm
  • Location: The Mainstay, 5753 Main Street, Rock Hall
  • Contact: The Mainstay
  • Phone: 410-639-9133
  • Email:
  • URL: www.mainstayrockhall.org
  • The big, bold, brassy, New Orleans-style street parade music (think Treme, Olympia & Dirty Dozen Brass Band) of the New Line Brass Band combines the talented members of the Dixie Power Trio with one of Washington/Baltimore's finest horn lines. They blend a heady mix of traditional brass band standards, spirituals, zydeco, and original compositions with a loose vibe and a funky groove. Itís raw, fun, and full of energy! Call for reservations. Admission is $15.
  • Mad Hatter's Tea Party
  • Sunday, February 19   |  1-4pm
  • Location: Artworks Clay Studio at Still Pond Station
  • Contact: Artworks
  • Phone: 410-778-6300
  • Email: artworkschestertown@verizon.net
  • URL: www.artworkschestertown.org
  • Have fun at Artworks Clay Studio making a mug, plate, and napkin ring using the slab technique. Class will be taught by Karen Douglas. Class fee is $35; tools and clay will be supplied
  • BYOB: Blog Your Own Book
  • Monday, February 20   |  4:30pm
  • Location: Rose O'Neill Literary House at Washington College
  • Contact:
  • Phone:
  • Email:
  • URL: www.lithouse.washcoll.edu/
  • This event focuses on the rising use of social media (blogs, facebook, twitter) in the book world. Leading this discussion will be Rebecca Jones Schinsky (The Book Lady) and author Joseph Wallace.
  • The US Army Blues Swamp Romp
  • Monday, February 20   |  7:30pm
  • Location: The Mainstay, 5753 Main Street, Rock Hall
  • Contact: The Mainstay
  • Phone: 410-639-9133
  • Email:
  • URL: www.mainstayrockhall.org
  • A free MONDAY concert with Swamp Romp, the Louisiana-influenced subset of the jazz band of the United States Army Band (known worldwide as 'Pershing's Own'). Fronted by Graham Breedlove from Lafayette, Louisiana on trumpet and Harry Watters from Huntsville, Alabama on trombone, they play a wide mix of New Orleans classics, Dixieland, ragtime, original compositions and contemporary works with their special hot sauce. Free!
  • Conservatory Classic Jazz Band
  • Thursday, February 23   |  7:30pm
  • Location: The Mainstay, 5753 Main Street, Rock Hall
  • Contact: The Mainstay
  • Phone: 410-639-9133
  • Email:
  • URL: www.mainstayrockhall.org
  • New Orleans style, Chicago style, small-group swing, and mainstream jazz from this DC-based jazz band.. Their repertoire includes the music of Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, Bessie Smith, Eddie Condon, Benny Goodman and other early jazz pioneers, in addition to the Great American Songbook compositions of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Hoagy Carmichael. Sponsored by the Snow Foundation in memory of Allen Malcolm. FREE but space is limited; reservations are required.
  • The Nerd
  • Friday, February 24   |  Fri. & Sat. 8pm; Sun. 2pm
  • This event runs Feb. 24-26; Mar. 2-4, 9-11
  • Location: Church Hill Theatre
  • Contact: Joyce Benton
  • Phone: 410-758-1331
  • Email: office@churchhilltheatre.org
  • URL: www.churchhilltheatre.org
  • "The Nerd" is a hilarious comedy set in the midwest in which an architect is visited by a man who saved his life in Vietnam. The visitor turns out to be an incredible inept, hopelessly stupid nerd who outstays his welcome and causes outrageous complications in the architect's life.
  • Kent Chamber Music Concert
  • Saturday, February 25   |  7pm
  • Location: St. Paul's Church Parish House, 7579 Sandy Bottom Road Chestertown, MD
  • Contact: Faith Souders
  • Phone: 410-810-2805
  • Email: fsouders@atlanticbb.net
  • URL: www.kentchambermusic.com
  • Performance by Trio Simpatico, an eclectic chamber music ensemble featuring Phyllis Richardson on clarinet, Heidi Littman on French horn, and Matthew Bachman on piano. Tickets $15.
  • Mardi Gras Dance Party
  • Saturday, February 25   |  8pm
  • Location: The Garfield Center For the Arts at the Prince Theatre
  • Contact:
  • Phone: 410-810-2060
  • Email: boxoffice@garfieldcenter.org
  • URL:
  • Dance party featuring Zachary Smith and the Dixie Power Trio. All ages welcome. Tickets $12
  • The Potomac Guitar Trio
  • Sunday, February 26   |  4pm
  • Location: The Mainstay, 5753 Main Street, Rock Hall
  • Contact: The Mainstay
  • Phone: 410-639-9133
  • Email:
  • URL: www.mainstayrockhall.org
  • Phil Mathieu, Peter Fields and Jeff Meyerriecks in a performance of classical guitar music dedicated to Charlie Byrd. The concert will include a concise history of classical Brazilian guitar music with works by classic composers Joan Pernuambuco (1863-1947) and Pixinguinha (1897-1973), some unique arrangements of Bossa Nova standards by AC Jobim (1927-1994) and infrequently played original compositions by guitar legend Charlie Byrd (1925-1999). A Hedgelawn Classical Music Series Concert. Call for reservations. Admission is $15.
  • Lincoln Caplan Covering the Supreme Court
  • Tuesday, February 28   |  5pm, book signing to follow
  • Location: The Egg, Hodson Hall Commons, Washington College, Chestertown
  • Contact: C.V. Starr Center
  • Phone: 410 810-7161
  • Email: jemley2@washcoll.edu
  • URL: www.starrcenter.washcoll.edu
  • Legal journalist Lincoln Caplan, who writes editorials about the Supreme Court for the New York Times, will share his insights about the present and future direction of the Court in a public conversation with Starr Center director Adam Goodheart. A former faculty member at Yale Law School, Caplan was the founding editor of Legal Affairs. He is the author of five books and has covered legal issues as a staff writer at the New Republic, the New Yorker, and elsewhere.
  • Open Mic Night
  • Wednesday, February 29   |  7:30pm
  • Location: The Garfield Center For the Arts at the Prince Theatre
  • Contact: Ford Shumann
  • Phone:
  • Email: ford01@aol.com
  • URL:
  • For information or to sign up contact Ford.