Weekend to Weekend Pick: Austin Palooza

Hours and hours and hours of local live music in the heart of Rockville!

First Annual Austin Palooza
This Saturday Janaury 15, 2011 12 PM until Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 2 AM.
Main Stage - Rockville Austin Grill, 36-A Maryland Avenue

Take a look at the lineup for “one of the freshest live music events to hit the Rockville Town Square”:

MAIN STAGE

12 – 12:45 String Theory
2:05 – 3:20 Soular Power
4:05 – 5:2 0 Redline Addiction
6:30 – 7:30 The Fisherman Band
9:15 – 10:15 Yellow Dubmarines
11:00 – Close – Jamison And Double O Soul

SIDE STAGE

12:50 – 2:00 Mike/Mindy
3:25 – 4:00 The Hemlock Society
5:25 – 6:25 Force Major
7:35 – 9:10 Love Lucy
10:20 – 11:00 DJ Garret spinning for T.O.N.

Yes, one of my absolute favorite bands which leaves a smile on my face FOR DAYS is playing – that’s Force Major! I don’t know how they are fitting all these bands into one cold winter weekend but we can certainly use the heat!

Tickets are already on sale so get them now. Pre-Sale are only $10 and available at the Rockville Austin Grill or by phone at 301-838-4281. Tickets will be available at the door for $15.

Event information from Austin Grill Rockville on Facebook is here.

Weekend to Weekend Pick 11-18-10: Punk Rock

Looking ahead to Thanksgiving Weekend, you can rock with Force Major at Austin Grill Rockville on Saturday, November 27, 2010 from 10 PM till 1 AM. Since I reviewed their October show, they’ve been in the studio recording a single. The show will no doubt get you moving right through the holidays.

This week I was also pleasantly surprised to hear recordings from guitarist/singer Kirill Romanov’s other “band”. The St. Charles quartet. He does in fact play a classical instrument with great skill in addition to the “jazz punk” of Force Major.

Force Major is the full, intense package, just in time for your holiday shopping so catch them live in our local “club”.

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. Now I highlight a different event each week with the W2W Pick.

Weekend to Weekend Pick 11-11-10: The Happy Elf

Official Montgomery College photograph by Sanjay Suchak

Montgomery College and Adventure Theatre open The Happy Elf at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center on the Rockville Campus this weekend. The musical features music and lyrics by Harry Connick Jr., and is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando, and features Tony Award-winning actor Michael Rupert.

The Happy Elf
Dates and Times:
Previews – November 12 at 10:30 AM & 7 PM & November 13 at 11 AM
November 19 at 10:30 AM
November 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 at 11 AM & 3 PM
November 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, & 27 at 7 PM
Tickets are $20 Regular, $15 Seniors and Students
Box office information at the Parilla Performing Arts Center of Montgomery College Rockville.

“The Happy Elf started as a song from Harry Connick Jr. on his 2003 holiday cd, and was later developed into a 2005 CGI-animated TV special. This new, live stage production tells the story of Eubie, a North Pole elf who always wears a smile. Eubie’s overly optimistic outlook is put to the test when he decides to bring Christmas joy to the sad little town of Bluesville, which has fallen into a state of permanent blues. If Eubie can fix Bluesville, he may win a coveted spot on Santa’s sleigh team.”

Weekend to Weekend Pick 10/28/10: Glenview Mansion Art

Art exhibit openings provide an opportunity to speak with artists to learn about their methods and discuss the creative process. Since many work alone in their studios, they relish the chance to interact and explain the intricacies of their creations. The Glenview Mansion Art Gallery gives regional artists the chance to sell their work and meet the public. Usually on the first Sunday of the month, the City hosts an opening reception with musical entertainment. Free to the public, the event always lifts the spirits. This month should be no exception.

Meet the Artists & Opening Reception

Sunday, November 7, 2010
1:30 - 3:30 PM
Glenview Mansion Art Gallery
With a Sunday Afternoon Concert Featuring the U.S. Navy Band – Chamber Ensemble from 2 to 3 PM.

This month’s artists:
Michael Ian Goulding – gelatin silver photographs
Jackie Hoysted – acrylic on pastel paper
Mara Odette – sculpture
Hussein Saidi – mixed media collages

The Exhibit will be on display in the Mansion from November 7th to 30th.

Gallery Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM; Tuesday, Thursday, 9 AM to 9 PM.
Closed official holidays.

Weekend to Weekend Pick 10/21/10: Swing Band

Photo from the Swing Band website

Rockville’s year-long celebration of our sesquicentennial anniversary is drawing to a close, but there’s still a chance to look back and remember. The Rockville Swing Band and Rockville Singers will celebrate the 150th birthday of Rockville’s incorporation with music. What better way is there? They always mix contemporary jazz big band arrangements with traditional swing charts from the Golden Era for an uplifting afternoon.

Rockville Swing Band
Sunday, October 31, 2010
3 PM
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville Civic Center Park
Free with a suggested donation of $5

You’ll be home in plenty of time for Trick or Treating!

Halloween Weekend approaches so enjoy all the fall festivities throughout the week, here’s the Complete Halloween Roundup.

Weekend to Weekend Pick 10/14/10: Nunsense

The Richard Montgomery High School Black Maskers present Nunsense, which has been making folks laugh for 25 years. This is our chance.

At Richard Montgomery High School auditorium
Friday, October 22, 2010 7-9 PM
Saturday, October 23, 2010 10/23/2010 2-4 PM AND 7-9 PM
Adults: $13, Students: $5
To reserve tickets, go to Richard Montgomery Drama at Ticketleap

The surviving Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook accidentally killed fifty-two residents of the convent with tainted soup. Upon discovering the disaster, Mother Superior had a vision in which she was told to start a greeting card company to raise funds for the burials. The greeting cards were an enormous success and, thinking there was plenty of money, she bought a home entertainment system for the convent, leaving her with no money to pay for the last four burials.

With remaining deceased nuns on ice in the deep freeze, the sisters decide to stage a variety show in the Mount Saint Helen’s School auditorium to raise the needed funds. Participating in the project are Mother Superior Mary Regina, a former circus performer who cannot resist the spotlight; her competitive but dignified rival, second-in-command Sister Mary Hubert; Sister Robert Anne, a streetwise nun from Brooklyn; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is determined to be the world’s first ballerina-nun; and wacky, childlike Sister Mary Amnesia, who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. The entertainment that they present includes solo star turns, madcap dance routines, and a wild surprise turn of events that will tickle your funny bone!!

The Black Maskers annually perform one play in the fall and a musical in the spring, much to the delight of our community. This one sounds like a heavenly endeavor for hearty laughs.

Weekend to Weekend Pick 10-7-10: Classic Cars

Photo from City of Rockville website

Rockville’s Antique & Classic Car Show

Saturday, October 16, 2010
11:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Glenview Mansion at Rockville Civic Center Park

Schedule of Events
11 AM Field opens to spectators–FREE ADMISSION
12:30 PM Rockville Swing Band Performance (Main Stage)
2 PM People’s Choice voting ends
2:45 PM Mayor and Council Trophy and People’s Choice Award

This is always a packed favorite for a large crowd. Unfortunately it was rained out last year. Let’s hope it’s back in full glory. From the City:

The grounds of Glenview Mansion are transformed when more than 400 antique and classic automobiles go on display. Twenty-four car clubs, from Packard to Ferrari, are represented during this grand event, while auto collectors and enthusiasts share the fond memories of the classic cars of yesteryear.

The goals of the Rockville Antique & Classic Car Show Committee are to exhibit motor vehicles of the highest standard of preservation and restoration and to continue to be recognized as the premier non-judged motor vehicle show in the region.

New at this year’s Car Show:
The Rockville Cemetery Association invites Car Show attendees to check out the antique hearses on display and to tour Rockville’s oldest cemetery to visit final resting places of American war veterans, Rockville movers and shakers, baseball’s best pitcher, and other notable Montgomery Countians. Stop by to meet 19th century physician Dr. Edward E. Stonestreet, who enjoys talking about his medical practice in Rockville, transportation in his day, and his family buried at Rockville Cemetery.”

Rain date: Saturday, October 23. Call 240-314-5022 for inclement weather updates.

Additional Parking will be available at Meadow Hall Elementary School.

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 9/30/10: Dinner With Rockville Central

To support Rockville Restaurant Week, we’re finally inviting you all to join us for an evening get together.

Meet us at La Tasca on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 7 PM. During Restaurant Week, dinner is a set price of $25 per person at La Tasca, so you’ll know what to expect. If you order any beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, they will be extra along with the tax and tip.

Hopefully the Town Square location will make it easy for Metro rail commuters. This is a perfect opportunity to Buy Rockville, support our restaurants, and meet fellow Rockvillians.

We don’t have an agenda or any speeches, rather we invite you to come and discuss what’s important to you and meet each other in person. It’s that simple. You don’t have to RSVP in advance, but if you think you are coming, please let us know: [email protected].

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 9/23/10: California Suite

“Simon at his most humane, compassionate best—A humorous confection divided into four parts following guests from New York, Philadelphia, London, and Chicago in a California hotel suite.”

California Suite written by Neil Simon in 1976.
Performed by the Rockville Little Theatre
at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre
Directed by Laurie Freed and Patrick Miller

Performance Dates and Times:
Fridays: October 1, 8 at 8 PM
Saturdays: October 2, 9 at 8 PM
Sundays: October 3, 10 at 2 PM.

Adults - $16, Seniors (62 and over) and Students (with valid I.D.) - $14

Cast List

NEW YORK:
Hannah Warren - Leta Hall
William (Billy) Warrren - Ken Kemp

PHILADELPHIA:
Marvin Michaels - Jeff McDermott
Bunny - Mandy Keating
Millie Michaels - Allyssa Sanders

LONDON:
Sidney Nichols - John Van Eck
Diana Nichols - Susan Geisel

CHICAGO:
Mort Hollender - Skylar Sanders
Beth Hollender - Allison Hawley
Stu Franklyn - David Dieudonné
Gert Franklyn - Jung Weil

Production Crew
Director (Act 1): Pat Miller
Director (Act 2): Laurie Freed
Producers: Peter Caress & Elaine Hoover
Stage Manager: Diane Pick
Props/Set Dressing: Sonya Okin
Set Designer: Anna Britton
Costume Designer: Marietta Greene
Master Carpenter: Eric Henry
Lighting Designer: Jim Robertson
Sound Designer: Kenny Neal
Program: Annette Kalicki

Since 1947, Rockville Little Theatre has been an ever-changing and growing company, presenting a mix of old and new plays for our community.

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 9/16/10: Cellist Who Ditched The Van To Sing

Photo from BenSolle.com

First I noticed the sustainable angle, Ben Sollee is biking to Strathmore and he started in Long Beach, California. That’s a whole lot of miles without support vehicles. Then I realized he sings with a cello. You have to admit that’s different. Finally, I listened to this video on the Strathmore event page and realized he was clever, entertaining, and talented.

Ben Sollee: The Ditch the Van Tour 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010, 7:30 PM
The Mansion at Strathmore
$15 general admission tickets

This isn’t the last stop. He’ll end up back in Kentucky. The Tour, sponsored by the Kentucky Coffeetree Café, is a “reaction to the massive carbon footprint that many tours leave behind (particularly the fleet of 53’ trucks required to haul an elaborate U2 stage) …” Ben also wants to experience the towns and communities with the slow pace of a bike rather than planes or buses.

Yet another reason to catch his unique show in Rockville: by December he’s be touring with Billy Bragg in the UK.

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 9/9/10: The Cafe

The Cafe performed by The FINEST! Youth Performance Troupe. This is a ”dynamic play about a troubled teen who goes to live with “Auntie”, a poetry cafe owner. Music and poetry propel the audience, along with the teen, through interactions with African American poets of the past and present.”

Friday, September 17, 2010 8 - 10:30 PM
Saturday, September 18, 2010 2 - 4:30 PM
F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, Rockville Civic Center Park (Information and Directions)
Event Fee: $15 Adult, $10 Senior (60+), $10 Child (12 & under)

Music, dance and the spoken word promise to delight audiences of all ages.

If you are wondering about The Finest! Youth Performance Troupe, it’s “a multicultural youth performance group of actors, dancers and steppers performing plays and appearing in Rockville area parades and community events. But most importantly, The Finest! is a fitness program with an emphasis on healthy, productive and alternative ways for youth to spend non-school hours.”

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 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.

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.

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.