Be In A Music Video On The Rooftop

Here’s your chance to be in a music video for Do That Michael Phelps during SkyatFive on the Rooftop at Rockville’s Town Center on Thursday, August 26, 2010. The song is written and performed by Rockville resident and “Rising Artist”, Adam Bomb.

Listen to “Do That Michael Phelps” here. It be rap, right?

SkyAtFive starts at 5 PM (of course!) and filming will begin around 8 PM. Be early to make sure you get a spot.

If you attend SkyAtFive, the Rooftop has issued a notice:

All attendees irrevocably consent, and irrevocably grant us, our associates and our assignees a perpetual royalty free license, without compensation, to use photographs and audio/video recordings of all types in which attendee appears, and all comments, statements or testimonials made by attendee, for any legal purpose whatsoever.

The event sponsors include Absolut, Lindy Promotions, Malibu, Oro Pomodoro, Peroni, and Red Bull. You must be 21+ and a there’s a $5 cover charge. That’s not bad to be in a video and have the type of time that goes with it. To reserve VIP seating, email info@rockvillerooftop.com.

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 Pick 8-12-10: Bad Influence

Photo from Bad Influence

Out To Lunch Wednesdays bustle from 11 AM until 2 PM but they really rev up at noon when the band takes the stage. This week Bad Influence‘s original blend of Chicago blues, swing, American roots, and rock promises to please “blues fanatics and non-blues fans alike” so please join me for lunch at noon on August 18, 2010!

I met band founder Michael “Jr” Tash at the last Rockville Chamber of Commerce Mixer and I’ve been waiting to hear the band. My son will be with me so bring the kids (if you have any but it’s not mandatory!). The Band’s last CD was named Tastes Like Chicken so they are totally perfect for an Out to Lunch event. We’ll be at the tables closest to the bandstand on East Montgomery Avenue. You can choose between Ben and Jerry’s, California Tortilla, Giuseppi’s Pizza Plus, Potbelly Sandwich Works, and Tara Asia.

Bad Influence was formed in 1988 but the current members have been together since 1993.  Mike Tash (guitar and vocals), Roger Edsall (Harp/Vox), Bob Mallardi (Bass/Vox), and Rockville’s own David Thaler (Drums). Unfortunately David has a work commitment and won’t be performing but former Nighthawk member Pete Ragusa will fill in seamlessly as he often plays with the band. Washingtonian Magazine hails Bad Influence as “a part of a long and worthy Washington blues tradition”. Their last CD won the 2001 Best Blues Recording award from WAMMIE. They’ve opened for Puddle of Mudd!

Out to Lunch Wednesdays also include the Farmers’ Market with fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, herbs, and baked goods for purchase. You can leave with some healthy and locally-grown goodies. 

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.

Hometown Holidays Headliner Announced

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I just ran down to the basement to grab my Soul Asylum cassette tapes! They’re playing the 22nd annual Hometown Holidays on Memorial Day weekend. As you can tell, I’ve been a fan for many years. Although the Grammy-award winning band is known for such hits as “Runaway Train,” “Somebody to Shove” and “Black Gold.”, my favorite albums were “While You Were Out” and “Hang Time” and now I’m going to listen.

Here’s a description of my absolute favorite event from the City of Rockville:

The Hometown Holidays festival takes place from 1-10 p.m. Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30, 2010. Each year more than 60,000 people descend on Rockville’s downtown to celebrate summer with more than 40 bands and entertainers performing on 10 stages, children’s activities, a green festival and Taste of Rockville.

The list of activities is impressive with some new twists this year:

• An Arts and Craft Festival with over 50 artisans
• A freestyle dance stage open to all
• A living history stage for Rockville’s 150th anniversary, and
• A teen dance on The Rooftop.

A highlight of the weekend is Monday’s Memorial Day Parade at 10:30 AM. This will be the 66th year for the parade as we remember and honor those who died serving our country. My Cub Scout Pack 928 is busy at work building a float on our family’s trailer. Rockville comes out in full community spirit each year for the parade and it’s always a moving experience. United States Army Nurse Corps Col. Richard Ricciardi will serve as the parade grand marshal along with Brian van de Graaff, the morning weather forecaster for Good Morning Washington, ABC 7 News, who will be the emcee.

This is going to be a great one! Check out the complete schedule here.

Predrag Gosta's New Trinity Baroque Debuts In Rockville

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Photo from NTB by Richard Calmes

As some of you may know, Predrag Gosta, formerly with the National Philharmonic, often jets down to Atlanta, as well as many other places in the world. Well, he’s finally bringing Atlanta to Rockville!

Predrag founded and conducts New Trinity Baroque (NTB) which calls Atlanta its home while presenting over 25 concerts and educational events each season. His NTB is doing a special Gala Scholoarship Concert for Montgomery College’s School of Music at Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center on Thursday night, March 11, 2010 at 7:30 PM.

This concert is NTB’s debut in Washington DC area. The program for the evening is entitled “VIVALDI ON FIRE” and will feature as a soloist Magdalena Wor, who sang at the November’s Haydn/Mendelssohn concert as well – she is alumni of the Young Artists Program with P. Domingo. NTB uses “period instruments, stylistically appropriate voices, and historically informed techniques” to delight its audiences.

Tickets are $25 (students only $10). For more information and tickets visit newtrinitybaroque.org or call the Performing Arts Center’s Box Office at (240) 567-5301.

Bang On The Drum All Night

Have you ever dreamed about drumming? >Rockville Central friend and VisArts Studio Artist, Judith Heartsong, tells us that February’s Art After Hours at VisArts Rockville is a drum fest. Bring along your own small drum or rattle to “beat the winter blues”. If you don’t have your own percussion instrument, they will have some on hand.

Do you want to know the absolute best part? Nancy Nuttle is leading the session. I spent years in her Music Together classes with both my sons. This drumming circle won’t turn you into a rock star drummer, but Nancy certainly taught me how to loosen up and appreciate making music with my kids. The drumming is from 7 to 8 PM.

Nancy says:

I am a trained Health Rhythms facilitator and have been teaching music for 25 years. Health Rhythms Recreational Music Making encompasses enjoyable, accessible and fulfilling group music-based activities that unite people of all ages regardless of their challenges, backgrounds, ethnicity, ability or prior experience. RMM ultimately affords unparalleled creative expression that unites our bodies, minds and spirits. No music skills required.

In case you haven’t attended, Art After Hours is free. VisArts swings wide their doors and all the artists open their studios from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. You can see these artists creating and purchase their work just in time for Valentine’s Day. Speaking with the artists, hearing about their techniques, and appreciating the joy of their work is such a fulfilling experience. The arty atmosphere makes for a fine date. I can’t recommend VisArts enough.

Get together with your friends and enjoy one of the most unique Friday nights in the Metro DC area right here in our wonderful City.

Great Hometown Crowd for Keegan Corbey

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During last Friday’s show at Austin Grill Rockville, I asked Keegan Corbey if he had a day job. He replied “Funny you should ask, I quit today.” With this daring move, he’s giving music his full-time attention.

His first CD, Navigators, will be released on February 13, 2010, the same night he opens for The Association (Never My Love) at the Birchmere. This well-deserved break will launch the next phase of this local performer’s career.

Born at Holy Cross Hospital, he laid down his first dollars for a guitar at age 13 while listening to garage bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Sound Garden. After Good Counsel High School he headed to Middle Tennessee State University. He’s back in Rockville and has decided if he’s going to make it musically, now is the time.

If Friday night’s show is any indication, he’s made the right decision. His intense presence and crowd-pleasing voice kept everyone out much later than expected. Keegan’s versions of popular songs made the audience forget the orginals then his own songs caught everyone’s attention. He and Dave Speake are a well-polished acoustic guitar duo, a unified pleasure to hear. Keegan even steps up the sound with a bass drum.

Dave played the harmonica for No Cover Charge, apparently the one and only song he’s allowed to pull it out for:

Keegan’s laying it all on the line to live his dream of being a songwriter performing his original “Neo-Celtic Americana folk rock”. There’s no doubt his obvious talent will win fans with every chord.

Tickets are still available for his Birchmere show with The Association on Saturday 2/13/10 at 7:30 p.m. $35. Fans eagerly anticipate his 8 song CD next month.

Jazz Fest and Taste of Town Square This Saturday

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Town Square will be all jazzed up this Saturday, October 3, 2009 from noon until 6 PM.

Here’s the schedule for an afternoon of cool, smooth music:

Noon – Swing Speak
1:30 PM – Donato
3 PM– James King
4:30 PM– Jeff Carmella Band
6 PM– The Kevin Mittleman Trio

Stop by the ATM because the Taste of Town Square is cash only with $5 food tastings. Wine and Signature drinks will also be sold at various prices from these fine Town Square restaurants:
Bobby’s Crabcakes
Gordon Biersch
La Tasca Spanish Tapas Bar
Noodles & Company
Oro Pomodoro
Primo Italiano
SpiceXing
Taste of Saigon

If you spend $15 on taste tickets or retail purchases, they’ll be giving away mini-insulated coolers while supplies last. Only one per customer and the quantitiy is limited so buy early.

You can also sign up at the information tent for a chance to win gift cards from your favorite Rockville Town Square merchants.

For more information, please contact 301-998-8178 or email jpowell@federalrealty.com.

Chorale Joins National Philharmonic for Season Opening

>Rockville Central friend, Daryl Newhouse, was kind enough to pen an announcement for the National Philharmonic concerts which start the 2009-2010 Season this weekend.

Last Tuesday night as several residents of the West End prepared to carpool to the Music Center at Strathmore for their National Philharmonic Chorale rehearsal with artistic director Stan Engbretson, they passed Maestro Piotr Gajewski knocking on their neighbors’ doors, campaigning for re-election to the City Council. On October 3 & 4, 2009 he will pick up his conductor’s baton to direct the National Philharmonic’s Opening Concert “Beethoven 1-2-3.”

The Chorale, with 6 soloists, will join the full orchestra and piano for the last 5 minutes of Beethoven’s Fantasia op.80 (or “Choral Fantasy”) (It’s been jokingly said that these concert soloists must be earning the highest pay per note of all time!) The Choral Fantasy, written in Beethoven’s “middle period” in 1808, foreshadows his Ninth Symphony, which he completed 16 years later. As you listen, you will hear some familiar variations on the well-known “Ode to Joy” finale of the Ninth Symphony. The text celebrates the power of art to dispel the storm and stress of daily life.

Performances are Saturday, October 3, 2009, 8 P.M. and Sunday, October 4, 2009, 3 P.M. All National Philharmonic concerts at the Music Center at Strathmore are preceded by free pre-concert lectures at 7:00 p.m. in the Education Center. Parking is FREE in the Grosvenor – Strathmore Metro Garage.

The 2009–2010 season marks the National Philharmonic’s fifth full season in residence at The Music Center at Strathmore. The group now known as the National Philharmonic Chorale originated as the Montgomery County Masterworks Chorus. Since moving to Strathmore, the National Philharmonic Chorale has grown to almost 200 members. With six concerts and eight performance dates, this will be our busiest season to date. We will be performing exquisite and greatly varied musical works in addition to the Beethoven, including Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise, Handel’s Messiah, Bizet’s Carmen, Brahms’ Requiem, and Vivaldi’s Gloria.

Visit nationalphilharmonic.org for concert subscriptions and ticket information. Tickets for this weekend range from $29 to $79 each. Season subscriptions are available. Kids 7-17 are ALL FREE, ALL THE TIME (sponsored by The Gazette). All kids tickets must be purchased in person or by phone.

A Mechanical Bull and The West End

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As I was leaving Rockville Roundtable today, I came across a new addition. A mechanical bull was being delivered to Austin Grill Rockville. So of course, I snapped his picture. He’s being installed today and will be ready to ride by happy hour tomorrow, Friday, September 11th.

The West End rocked their Concert in the Square last month.

Perfect timing for The West End’s show this Saturday, September 12th from 9 PM till mid-night with special guest Terry DeFrees joining Brad Rourke, Mike Shawn, Monique DeFrees, and Matthew Taylor. Since The West End’s last CD was entitled This Ride Could Be My Last, let’s hope that if you get on the bull, it isn’t!

The bull will be available on a “somewhat regular basis” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. There is a charge to jump on his back.

I’ve never been on a mechanical bull and want to try, but my arm is busted up so I probably shouldn’t. Who’s riding?

Do Not Miss This Thursday’s Concert in the Square

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TWE at Uncorked 2008

Although the movies and kid’s activities have ended, the bands play on. I’ve been waiting for this Thursday’s show all summer.

My Rockville Central partner, Brad Rourke, will be playing and singing with The West End from 6 – 8 PM as part of the Concert in the Square series. The band also includes Rockville friends Monique DeFrees on drums, Matthew Taylor on bass and guitar, and Mike Shawn on keyboard, with a special guest appearance by Terry DeFrees (Monique’s uncle on harp). Although we had to leave their last show before Terry performed, I hear his talent is unbridled and the crowd loved him.

When The West End’s CD was released last year, I wrote a review on CD Baby. Here’s an excerpt:

This Ride Could Be My Last is a new rock experience. The West End proves without a doubt that they can play a diversity of styles with a true rock quality in a special unison of talent. The West End blasts through this CD leaving you to try to keep up with their unbridled enthusiasm. They Go and Father Lou are their get up out of your seat songs, foot stomping not tapping. Monique DeFree’s intense drumming and Matthew Taylor’s strong bass are both just right there and steady, pounding out these brand-new favorites. Brad Rourke has a deep tone to his natural story-telling voice that matches his meaningful songs. Mike Shawn’s Hard to Sleep captures the longing of lost love and makes you glad the song’s not just in your head because his piano just pours all over you in the real world. The West End has absorbed slightly obscure rock influences from the last few decades into a sound that is all their own. This CD knocks seriousness into uncommon rock.

TWE at Austin Grill 4-09

If you don’t own it, you can hear them live on Thursday. You’ll also be able to buy a CD at the show the old-fashioned way — in person.

An impressive new sound system was installed on the stage this summer and there’s been a noticeable improvement at concerts. If you haven’t been to one this season, this is your chance for a guaranteed great show. Come on over and let’s have a big old Rockville party to bid summer farewell. Grab some dinner in Town Square, listen to our favorite Rockville band, and leave full of the best Rockville has to offer.

If you’re interested in the remaining outdoor shows through September, check out my Ultimate Outdoor Summer Guide for Rockville Town Center.

Northwest Boychoir Visits

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The Northwest Boychoir is performing in Rockville. This Grammy-nominated Boychoir from Seattle recorded for the Valkyrie movie soundtrack and The Shoe Bird. They will present a 90-minute program without charge at Christ Episcopal Church as part of its two-week Summer 2009 East Coast Concert Tour on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 7:30 PM. The concert features sacred favorites, secular and patriotic songs.

When composers need the unique sound, they often turn to the Northwest Boychoir whose professional talents have also been used in the film Millions and on the soundtrack for Sea World Florida’s spectacular show, Blue Horizons. They have performed in France, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico. The boys attend 27 diverse public and private school in the Greater Seattle area and range in age from 9 to 14.

From their press release:

In its 35 years, the Northwest Boychoir has trained thousands of young singers, and more significantly, shaped the lives of its members by instilling important lessons in personal commitment, and the value of teamwork and diligence. Led by Joseph Crnko, now in his 25th year as music director, Northwest Boychoir members are skilled musicians who read music fluently and perform professionally with confidence.

Free-will offering to benefit Community Ministries of Rockville and The Christ Church Choir Scholarship Fund.