Weekend To Weekend Pick 9/2/10: Visit Backyards

Check out some backyards during a Wildlife Garden Tour. This is something special happening in Rockville and you can be a part of it. Find out how and be inspired!

Saturday, September 11, 2010
9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Croydon Creek Nature Center
Event Fees: $10R/$12NR

Register for the activity online by 9/4.

Want to attract wildlife to your yard? Explore of some of your neighbors’ yards that are certified as wildlife habitats. These yards are wildlife-friendly around Rockville. Some people are doing some small things that you might already be doing. Other neighbors have gone above and beyond. Find out the possibilities to:

• Provide Food
• Supply Water
• Create Cover
• Provide A Place To Raise Their Young
• Go Green

Some volunteers in Rockville are trying to get Rockville certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Wildlife Habitat. It will take 200 properties for the city to be recognized. This tour will provide information and resources to help certify your yard, too.

If you want additional information, contact Croydon Creek Nature Center: 240-314-8770

During the past three years, I’ve often highlighted events in and around Rockville. For a year and a half I researched and wrote the Weekend to Weekend listing of all the happenings in Rockville before we asked Helen Triolo at Rockville Living to automate the process and encouraged everyone to post event announcements on her wonderful calendar. For a while I picked the best of the week to highlight here on Rockville Central. Now I’m back at it again with the W2W Pick.

Weekend to Weekend Pick 8-26-10: Scandalous White Affair

Don’t let summer go without a proper goodbye hit the Scandalous White Affair Party!

We all know Labor Day weekend brings the end of summer even if the calendar disagrees. Traditionally, the white clothes are closeted for a few seasons and we get down to serious business. My advice is to stay outside as much as possible. Who knows what lurks around the weather corner.

Head up to the End of Summer Party on The Rooftop at Rockville Town Center and wear WHITE. It might be your last chance.

The facts:

Tuesday, August 31, 2010
5 PM till 11 PM
The Rooftop, 155 Gibbs Street, Rockville
$5 cover
21+ with ID
Drink specials until 6:30 PM

Do you want to dance? You can get down with FREE SALSA CLASSES then DJ Dario will be entertaining with music until 11 PM. The whole event was created by our friends at La Tasca.

During the past three years, I’ve often highlighted events in and around Rockville. For a year and a half I researched and wrote the Weekend to Weekend listing of all the happenings in Rockville before we asked Helen Triolo at Rockville Living to automate the process and encouraged everyone to post event announcements on her wonderful calendar. For a while I picked the best of the week to highlight here on Rockville Central. Now I’m back at it again with the W2W Pick.

Join Animal Exchange As They Turn 31! [UPDATED]

Rockville Central readers know that Ruth Hanessian’s Animal Exchange is the crossroads of Rockville.

This incredible establishment is marking its 31st anniversary this weekend with a celebration that will include a book signing and awarding of photo prizes.

It all happens Saturday, August 28 from 11am until 2pm

Here’s the scoop from Ruth herself:

We are 31!

Animal Exchange opened August 5, 1979.  You are invited to celebrate with your pets and ours from 11AM – 2PM on Saturday August 28th.  If you entered our photo contest, prizes will be awarded at 1PM.  The winners (congratulations) are on display at the store ’till then.  The author of “Jenny’s Own Puppy” will be here and will be signing copies of her delightful new children’s book available at Animal Exchange.  We enjoy her gentle guidance for choosing an appropriate breed of dog.

UPDATE: Ruth has announced that Dr. Karen Shanor, author of Bats Sing, Mice Giggle: The Surprising Science of Animals’ Inner Lives, will be on hand to sign her books too!

Weekend To Weekend Pick 8-19-10: Swanky Exhibit Opening

Intuitive Paint, the new exhibit at VisArts, doesn’t open until  opened on July 6th, and you can be one of the first to view it and meet artists Mike Dowley and William Whitaker at their opening reception. Attending a VisArts reception always leaves me feeling very cosmopolitan and loving our Town Center. Elevate your being by immersing yourself in their paintings and the excitement of the opening. You can also meet all of the VisArts artists working in their studios. The crowd at these openings has grown over the past couple of years.

Friday, August 27th, 2010
6:30 to 8:30 PM
VisArts, 155 Gibbs Street, 2nd floor

Artisits Mike Dowley and William Whitaker flatten space through the use of line and color in their art. Whitaker’s technique focuses on painting familiar images and utilizing false perspective to enable viewers to create their own interpretation of the images. Dowley draws from personal memories and cultural traditions to evoke familiar feelings in his work which features textured brushwork and dense colorful shapes.

Mike Dowley received an MFA in Painting from Savannah College of Art and Design, and is currently an Artist in Resident at Georgetown University. He has exhibited in New York, Georgia, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

William Whitaker received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. He has exhibited in Rhode Island, California, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

Read their thoughts on the exhibition. Really, it’s right here in Rockville!

During the past three years, I’ve often highlighted events in and around Rockville. For a year and a half I researched and wrote the Weekend to Weekend listing of all the happenings in Rockville before we asked Helen Triolo at Rockville Living to automate the process and encouraged everyone to post event announcements on her wonderful calendar. For a while I picked the best of the week to highlight here on Rockville Central. Now I’m back at it again with the W2W Pick.

Uncorked Wine and Music Festival Is A Regional Destination [Updated]

Several people have told me the Festival is not until the Fall. Let me clear this up!

Uncorked Wine and Music Festival
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Noon till 6 PM
Rockville Town Square (Be there or … you know what.)

Last year they ran out of wine glasses about half way through the event and wine enthusiasts had to make due with plastic cups. This year they only have 2,000 glasses again, so get there early and pay your $10 to enjoy the tastings. You also might want to be there at noon because my Rockville Central partner, Brad Rourke, will be performing with The West End! The event is free but you need to pay to taste the wines.

Growing in popularity, Uncorked was absolutely packed with smiling and friendly people exchanging opinions about our Maryland wines last year. In my case, I asked a woman to join our group and since then we’ve become friends and volunteer together for Montgomery Women. I’m looking forward to an even better time this year.

As I wrote in my 2009 review:

People were gladly standing around to share their opinions on scents and tastes. Complete strangers were enjoying each other’s opinions. From Elk Run’s “Montgomery College” to Solomon’s Island fruity wines, people would take a sip and inevitably make a comment and enter into a conversation about wine.

THE WINE

Look at this list of participating Maryland Wineries, the best our State has to offer:

• Basignani Winery
• Boordy Vineyards
• Bordeleau Winery
• Elk Run Vineyards
• Frederick Cellars
• Gilly’s Craft Beer and Fine Wine
• Running Hare Vineyard
• Solomons Island Winery
• Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
• Terrapin Station Winery
• The Bottle Shop
• Woodhall Wine Cellars

If you love wine, you will be happy to know Rockville has a brand new wine bar!  Two weeks ago Jackie’s Wine Club opened next to Lola’s Cafe (same owner) [8/29 CORRECTION: the owners are not technically the same]. Although they are late to the table, this new little bistro is attempting to participate in Uncorked. Either way, you can easily stop by since the location is 12 North Washington Street. The wine list from around the world sells from $12 to $38.  You can buy by the glass or bottle and they’ll have regular tastings. Also they’re offering exclusive cheeses, imported meats & pate, and a variety of cold and hot tapas. You’ll want to unwind in this is the little corner.

THE MUSIC

The West End at Uncorked 2008

The music is top notch and it’s all FREE! Here’s the band lineup and descriptions from the City of Rockville site:

Noon to One PM:

The West End on the Maryland Stage
Together, The West End produces straight-ahead Americana rock. The band was formed when neighbors Mike Shawn, Monique DeFrees and Brad Rourke got together and they felt a musical kinship. Neighbor and friend Matthew Taylor fills out the sound. In 2007 they released their first EP, Risen, which was named an “editor’s pick” by the influential Smother.net. In 2008 they followed up with their first full-length CD, This Ride Could Be My Last.

Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun on the Plaza Stage
You wouldn’t be wrong to refer to Word to the Wise, the latest outing from songwriter, singer and Titan of the Telecaster Bill Kirchen, as a “duets” album. The record—Kirchen’s second for Proper American, hit May 25. The new album opens with the rockabilly rave-up “Bump Wood.” On his first Proper album, Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods, Kirchen saw his challenge as “trying to write some songs that were more from the heart and closer to the bone. I wanted to let go of my stance of writing attitude-laden truck-driver songs—I’ve done enough of those to last a lifetime. But, as with any of my albums, I love so many kinds of music that I haven’t figured out a way to focus down and just do one specific thing.”

Kevin Mittleman on the Gibbs Stage
Kevin Mittleman first began playing guitar at age 17 after becoming enamored with the sounds of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. He soon gravitated towards Jazz at age 21 and began his studies under local Jazz Guiatr Master, Paul Wingo. While studying at Berklee, Kevin attended private lessons with Jazz Legend Mick Goodrick, a period which would prove to be pivotal in his development as a guitarist. He has performed in various venues in Boston and the DC area as well as The Knitting Factory in NYC. In 2005 Kevin co-founded The School of Music LLC in Rockville, MD where he currently teaches guitar.

One Thirty to Two Thirty PM

Kevin James on the Gibbs Stage
A veteran of the Washington, D.C., area acoustic music scene, Kevin draws on elements of pop, rock, country and Irish folk music. His easy-going manner and sense of humor combine with tasteful guitar playing, bluesy harmonica and heart-felt singing to create lively and entertaining performances. An award-winning songwriter, Kevin received national acclaim for his song “USS Indianapolis—Let History Remember.” Most recently his song “When Dixie Was Young” won honors in the Billboard Magazine song contest.

Two to Three PM

Mama Jama on the Maryland Stage
Since 1990, Mama Jama have been intoxicating Bay music lovers with their eclectic blend of rock, reggae, calypso and blues. The band plays everywhere, from week-long performances at local bars and restaurants to benefit concerts to the Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival. “You can’t sit down when we play. We just make you feel good.” Drummer and original member Larry Griffin is joined in the band by John Gladstone—the other remaining original member—Avon Lucas, Henry Sar, Fallah Dadzie and Mike McHenry.

Big Light on the Plaza Stage
San Francisco-based rock band Big Light first emerged in 2007 as a vehicle for aspiring singer/songwriter/guitarist Fred Torphy to get his songs into the world. Now hailed as one of the fiercest young rock bands on the Bay Area scene with a growing national buzz, Big Light is poised to release its debut full-length album, Animals In Bloom, through reapandsow on March 2. With band members Fred Torphy, drummer Bradly Bifulco, bass player Steve Adams and guitarist Jeremy Korpas, Big Light quickly climbed the S.F. club circuit, going from bar gigs to headlining The Independent to playing support at the legendary Fillmore; they’ve shared bills with Spoon, Broken Social Scene, The Mother Hips, Dead Confederate, Everest and Howlin Rain to name a few. Listening to the new album and watching the band evolve at such a rapid rate onstage, one gets the feeling that Big Light is poised to get a lot bigger.

Three Thirty to Four Thirty PM

Hand Painted Swinger on the Maryland Stage
Hand Painted Swinger, formerly the PestStrips, is one of Washington D.C.’s most sought after cover-original bands, playing an electric arrangement of hit songs spanning over the last five decades. Since their first show in 1991, the band has performed more than 1,000 cover songs at hundreds of mid-Atlantic venues all while promoting two self produced original full length CD’s. Hand Painted Swinger continues to tour the Washington D.C. area entertaining fans of all ages.

Four to Five PM

Toby Walker on the Gibbs Stage
Toby Walker is a unique, accomplished fingerstyle guitar virtuoso adept at blues, rags and hot country picking, coaxing more out of a guitar than anyone can imagine. He is also a skilled singer and songwriter who draws inspiration from traditional and contemporary music.
Toby takes this foundation and creates something uniquely his own and has been eagerly received in concert halls, festivals, schools and coffeehouses throughout the U.S., England and Europe.

Four Thirty to Six PM

Superland on the Plaza Stage
Formed in 2004 at the University of Maryland, Superland quickly became College Park’s favorite band. Featuring a raucous horn section playing funk classics from the ’60s and ’70s, the band was soon familiar throughout the region. On the way, Superland has played shows with local favorites Chuck Brown, the Bridge, and the Pietasters, as well as funk icons Papa Grows Funk and Sam Kininger. In 2008, Superland’s horns crossed generations to back up guitar legend Tom Principato in a reunion with vocalist George Leh, and later that year Superland released its first studio recording, “Taste the Mangos,” featuring all original compositions.

THE COOKING

If you are not into local music or wine, you might enjoy cooking!

One to Two PM

Chef Patrice Olivon, the Program Director of Culinary Arts at L’Academie de Cuisine, “uses humor, anecdotes, and charm to captivate live audiences and television viewers.”

Three to Four Thirty PM

Suzanne Carreiro, Cookbook Author & Independent Food and Wine Consultant, looks “at its ancient recipes, traditions and the people who pass them on.”

See you there!

Weekend to Weekend 8-5-10 Magic

Photo from BarrysMagicShop.com

Twenty years ago we visited Barry’s Magic Shop in Wheaton. He’s now in the Rockville area and still puts on a show.

Kidzrock with Barry’s Magic Shop

The Rooftop

Sunday August 15, 2010
4-6 PM

Spend a magical night out with your kids (ages 2 – 12).

First an hour of hip, fun and safe dance with instruction from street breakdancers, teachers from Studio-310 and a Washington Talent Agency DJ.

Second, Barry Taylor from Barry’s Magic Shop will astound the entire family.

From Barry’s Magic Shop:

Since 1974, Barry’s Magic Shop has been owned and operated by magician Barry Taylor and his wife Susan. Barry is well known in the Washington DC metro area, and has performed his magic both locally and internationally. Barry Taylor has been called a “Washington Legend” by the Washington Post, and has been voted “Best Magician” by the Washington Magazine. Barry’s Magic Shop is one of the largest magic emporiums in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.

Tickets are $5 in advance. Buy tickets online and click ‘mark your calendar’. Proceeds go to the Rockville Recreation and Parks Foundation.

Sponsored by MarVa Tots ‘n Teens, Buffalo Wild Wings, Studio 310, Vis Arts and The Rooftop.

Kidzrock happens one Sunday out of every month from 4 to 6 PM.

A Full Week Of Events On Rockville’s Rooftop

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We are certainly into the height of the outdoor summer event season and you can’t have a great time any higher than The Rooftop in Rockville Town Square. This week has a full, ramped-up schedule with unique specialty parties, plus the regular good times.

Every Tuesday: Beso del Cielo-(Weekly, 5p.m. – 11p.m.) Latin music every Tuesday Night. Hosted by La Tasca, Telemundo, Radio Viva 900, and Cuzquena! DJ Dario: Latin Hits and Top 40. Doors open at 5p.m. weekly! Free Salsa lessons each week from 6 -7p.m. For VIP seating email info@rockvillerooftop.com

This Wednesday, July 21st – Sunset Jazz at The Rooftop (6-9:30 p.m.) Jazz aficionados can experience this music genre through a total indulgence of the senses. The spectacular Rooftop view, diversity of sounds from extraordinary artists, décor and the culinary skills of prominent restaurants will provide an unprecedented experience for jazz listeners. Please visit www.rsvpsignature.com/jazz.html for event details and pricing to reserve your seat today. Varied ticket levels available. Sunset Jazz at the Rooftop is brought to you by RSVPSignature LLC, a distinctive “Over the Top” event planning company.

Every Thursday: Sky At Five (Weekly, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.) The hippest party in town, SkyAtFive is The Rooftop’s weekly party. DJ Ramzy: Top 40 and House. Sponsored by Absolut, Lindy Promotions, Malibu, Peroni, Red Bull and Oro Pomodoro. For VIP seating email info@rockvillerooftop.com

Every Friday: Breeze (Weekly, 6 p.m. – 1 a.m.) Back by popular demand, this weekly Friday night event is hosted by K2Events and Taste of Saigon. DJ Twinspin: House, Hip Hop and Top 40. Doors open at 6p.m. For VIP reservations contact 202-222-5000

This Saturday, July 24th – Pride in The Sky (8 p.m. – 1a .m.). The Premiere of the first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender lounge to hit Montgomery County. Hosted by The Rooftop, La Tasca, LURe and DJ Rosie. Doors open at 8 p.m. Rain or Shine (moved to VisArts if inclement weather). 21+/ID. $5.00 Cover. Drink specials: 8-9 p.m.

This Sunday, July 25th – Dancing With The Stars (7 – 9:30 p.m.). Featuring the hot Big Band hits from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, this great dancing event will feature live entertainment by Night and Day Band - the area’s greatest Big Band, Swing and Jazz band. Free For All! Rain or Shine (moved to VisArts if inclement weather).

See what I mean? Every day this week! If you haven’t partied under the stars, this week is your chance.

Weekend to Weekend Pick: 7/15/10

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Photo of Egle Gatin's Painting from the Strathmore.org website

During the past three years, I’ve often highlighted events in and around Rockville. For a year and a half I researched and wrote the Weekend to Weekend listing of all the happenings in Rockville before we asked Helen Triolo at Rockville Living to automate the process and encouraged everyone to post event announcements on her wonderful calendar.

For a while I picked the best of the week to highlight here on Rockville Central. Now I’m back at it again with the W2W Pick.

This week an art opening at Strathmore caught my attention. Some of you may know how I love to paint so I obviously can’t wait to see Seven Women in the Mansion at Strathmore’s First Floor Galleries & Gudelsky Gallery Suite. The exhibition runs from July 17 to August 21, 2010.

This On Saturday, July 24, 2010, there will be free Art Talks & Tours for children at 10:15 AM and for adults at 1 PM.

From the Strathmore Press Release:

Strathmore presents Seven Women, an exhibition of works by Marjorie Bender, N. Penney Denning, Eglé Gatins, Elena Osterwalder, Elsie Sanchez, Barbara Vogel and Leah L.Wong. The female artists have come together for more than two decades for debate, support and inspiration, and to showcase their culturally diverse artistic creations.

The friends have met monthly for more than 26 years to share their art and have a meal together. Their works are influenced by the wide range of loud dinnertime conversations covering art, politics, life, family, movies, books, anything and more. The pieces showcased in the exhibition range from works by Marjorie Bender that focus on social commentary with a satirical edge, to Elena Osterwalder’s pieces crafted in handmade papers and fabrics infused with natural dyes, and Barbara Vogel’s photographs, manipulated and reinterpreted through paint, encaustic and collage.

Continuing Strathmore’s tradition of public education, the informative Art Talk lecture and tour of the exhibition for adults is Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 1 PM. Children can also explore the exhibition with a Children’s Talk and Tour at 10:15 AM. Consisting of a child-friendly tour of the exhibition, a discussion of the works and a hands-on activity, this morning program helps foster an appreciation and understanding of art for a future generation of art lovers. Both the adult and children’s programs are free, but reservations are required for the Children’s Talk and Tour. Children must be five years old and be accompanied by an adult. Please call (301) 581-5109 for reservations.

Join The Kiwanis Club at Baci Thursday Night, 7-15-2010

Our good friend >Ruth Hanessian, who happens to be a very active Kiwanis Club member, passed along notice of what looks like a good local networking event:

The Kiwanis Club of Rockville is having a Happy Hour and Dinner if you wish at Baci on Thursday July 15, 5:30 – 6:30. It is open to all and I would especially like to invite . . . families and friends to join us for this very informal evening. A new young man is operating the place after working at Flaps in Potomac and partering in a sucessful restaurant in Olney. The crabcakes are great.

I’m especially interested in the new management at the restaurant, and I hope the new owner can build a successful business!

Rockville Twilight Runfest Next Saturday 7-17-2010; Benefits Rockville Recreation Fund

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Photo of 2009 Twilight Runfest by Anais Menguy

Just one week after tomorrow, July 17, one of my favorite annual Rockville traditions will take place: the Rockville Rotary Twilight Runfest. This is an 8 kilometer race that starts late in the day, as the sun is beginning to set, and winds throughout Rockville neighborhood streets. The path goes right by my house, fairly late in the course so the pack is spread out quite a bit.

It is fun to watch people just keep going by, one after the other. This year I am considering putting out a sprinkler for people to grab a quick cool-down if they wish.

I’m a runner myself, but have never run in this race (I don’t really compete much in races, except for the Marine Corps Marathon which I do as a fundraiser for autism research). This year, though, I am considering running because . . . well, I don’t know why, I just feel like it! There’s a chance I will be out of town, though, so we will have to see.

In any event, registration is still open and you can sign up before the 14th for $25 here. If you miss that deadline, you can still sign up race day for a little more. Just check out the registration page link.

The Runfest benefits the Rockville Recreation Fund, which makes funds available for resident children who might not otherwise be able to take part in City programs. It’s one of the great things about Our Fair City.

Peerless Rockville to be Honored by Big Train and Rockville Express [Updated]

Our friends at the >Gazette report that Rockville’s historic preservation organization, Peerless Rockville, will be honored at the Saturday baseball game between Bethesda’s Big Train and Rockville’s Express baseball teams (both part of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League).

The game will be the second in a unique double-header between the two teams. The first game will be on Saturday, July 10 at 1:00 pm at Montgomery College. The second game will be at 7:20 at Povich Field in Cabin John Regional Park. The second game is the one that will benefit Peerless, as Big Train named them “nonprofit of the night” and donated 100 tickets for sale.

So, in order to help Peerless, you’ll need to buy your tickets through the organization at this link. Tickets are $10 each, or you can get tickets to the game and a cool picnic with Ledo’s Pizza for $25.

Peerless director (and Rockville Central friend) Max van Balgooy Mary van Balgooy told the Gazette that money raised at the game will go toward educational programs and to the preservation fund which helps maintain places like Frieda’s Cottage at Chestnut Lodge and the Montrose School House on Montrose Road.

[Thank you Judith Hruz at the Gazette for pointing out our error (Mary not Max) above.]

Tour The New Courthouse Site

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Trapper Martin, President of the Town Center Action Team (TCAT) has extended an invitation to our readers to get a “sneak peak” behind the new courthouse project.

The tour will take place on Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 at 2:30 PM. If you would like to attend you must RSVP to Trapper by email: tmartin@noodles.com.

Since it’s a construction site there is a dress code. No tennis shoes and no shorts. Visitors must wear hiking or work boots. Also if you happen to have a hard hat then bring one of those along as well.

You should get back to him as soon as possible if you are interested in this unique opportunity.

He sends a special thank you to Aileen Klein and Rocio Estrada for helping to get this set up. I do too. I’ve already signed up!