Four Retired “Rebels Without A Cause” Exhibit with artists Lee Weaver, Don Viar, Tom Renner, & Jeff Shoaf opens in the Galleries with social distancing & masks on October 1, 2020.

The exhibit can also be viewed “virtually” on the WCC web page at https://www.washingtoncountyarts.com/ on October 2, 2020.

The Regional Arts Summits are virtual this year! Join the Maryland State Arts Council team on (October 20, 2020 from 4:00 PM until 6:3O PM for an afternoon of arts content-specific breakout groups, community sharing, and more! This event is free! Register at marylandartscouncil.eventbrite.com #MDArtsSummit2020

Sign up is easy: visit tinyurl.com/SummitOfficeHours and find the staff member you’d like to speak with and choose a time slot!

Dear Friend,

This week, we offer three musical selections that were performed on the "Cosmic Questions, Musical Answers" concert from November 2015.

Charles Ives' early 20th-century masterwork, The Unanswered Question, with its contrasting conversation between trumpet and woodwinds, and Cindy McTee's The Unquestioned Answer, composed in 2009, provide the point-counterpoint to this Maryland Symphony concert, conducted by Elizabeth Schulze. "Cosmic Questions, Musical Answers" comes to a powerful thematic conclusion with Richard Strauss' 1889 tone poem, Death and Transfiguration (Tod und Verklärung), which reflects an artist's end-of-life struggle and the heavenly release he finds in death.

Charles Ives | "The Unanswered Question"

Cindy McTee | "The Unquestioned Answer"

Richard Strauss | "Death and Transfiguration (Tod und Verklärung)", Op. 24

Concert halls are shuttered worldwide to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As you are probably aware, the MSO has been forced to cancel live concerts and events following recommendations from state and local health officials. In spite of that, we remain committed to presenting music to virtual audiences, via free archival streaming.

Never before has the MSO opened our recording archive to the public. However, every Friday for the next few months, we will release an archived MSO performance recording for streaming online. As the 2019/20 concert season was a celebration of Music Director and Conductor Elizabeth Schulze's 20th anniversary season, it is only fitting that she is curating the many selections we plan to release. These are some of her favorite performances from the past twenty years.

Washington County Free Library’s gradual reopening began Monday, September 21, 2020.  Branch libraries throughout the county welcomed patrons back for browsing the stacks to find library materials, public computer use, and other limited in-person services during modified business hours.

The main Fletcher Branch Library in Hagerstown is open to the public from 2-6 PM Monday through Friday. A full listing of branch library hours is available on the library website, washcolibrary.org. A limited number of patrons will be allowed enter to library buildings. Some areas of the library buildings are “staff only” at this time.

Patrons ages five and over must wear face coverings that completely cover the mouth and nose at all times, and practice social distancing in all WCFL branch libraries.

Library materials are still available for checkout through curbside pickup services. Curbside pickup services at the Fletcher Branch Library will continue Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 AM-2 PM, and Tuesday and Thursday from 2-6 PM.

Returns throughout the county will only be accepted through book drops. All returned items are quarantined for 120 hours before going back into circulation.  

For more information about library services available at this time, visit the Washington County Free Library website at washcolibrary.org or call your branch library.

Contact Information:

Sarah Nadeau

Community Partnerships Librarian

Washington County Free Library

The City of Hagerstown presents the final edition of Imagine Hagerstown for the 2020 season on Saturday, September 26 from 5-8pm. The evening’s entertainment will feature outstanding music and a captivating storytelling performance live from the University Plaza stage at 50 West Washington Street. 

The event is free and no tickets are needed. Eventgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs, get takeout from downtown restaurants, and bring drinks in non-breakable containers. The Plaza will be limited to 50% capacity and face coverings must be worn when six-foot social distancing cannot be maintained.

Local storyteller Fanny Crawford kicks off the festivities with an extraordinary 30-minute collection of stories crafted from her interviews with dozens of ordinary people—from artists to shopkeepers to church ladies to hometown heroes—who live and work in Hagerstown’s Arts & Entertainment District.

Then, for something completely different, J Berd and DJ Jon Daily take the stage. Frederick, Maryland’s J Berd is a remarkable rhyme slinger who has appeared in venues in major cities like New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Still reinventing his act on the regular, the veteran performer with over 20 years of experience infuses traditional boom bap hip hop music with originality and his very own signature style.

Closing the show and the season will be the group that opened the 2020 City Park Concert Series, the critically acclaimed Jill Fulton Band. Jill’s voice has drawn comparisons to Faith Hill. A soulful singer/songwriter, Fulton promises she and her band’s combination of powerhouse blues, country, soul, and rock will deliver “a message of hope in these crazy times.” Before the night is over, the Jill Fulton Band will get your toes tapping, your body shaking, and your lips smiling!

Imagine Hagerstown is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) and the Washington County Arts Council. For more information, visit www.imaginehagerstown.org, @imaginehagerstown on Facebook, or call 301-739-8577, ext. 116.

The Shepherd University School of Music is excited to announce a series of virtual master classes and clinics geared toward aspiring young musicians and prospective music majors. The master classes and clinics presented by Shepherd University School of Music faculty are free of charge, however participants must register online in advance. A link to the event will be sent to the email before the scheduled date and time.

 

Friday, September 25 at 3:00pm   

Richard Polonchak presents Performance Techniques for the High School Bassoonist

 

Jeremy Koch presents a Saxophone Master Class

 

James Martin presents Working with the Collaborative Artist: tips for recital preparation

 

Dr. Simon Wildman presents The Low Down on Low Brass

 

Friday, October 30 at 3:00pm

Dr. Yu-Hsuan Liao presents a Piano Master Class

 

Dr. Candice Mowbray presents The Art of Classical Guitar

 

Richard Hopkins presents The Rise of the Jamaican Recording Industry and the Myth of Bob Marley

 

Join the Washington County Historical Society and the Hagerstown Aviation Museum on Sunday, September 27, 2020 from 2-4 PM as it explores Hagerstown’s rich aviation history at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum, 14211 Bascore Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742. The museum features over 23 airplanes. It includes the Flying Boxcar, the PT-26 Trainer, the C-82, the C-119, the A-10 Thunderbolt, and the Kreider Reisner KR-31 biplane.

Museum Director John Seburn will be the guide. He will share the history of Fairchild Aircraft, whose main facility, located in Hagerstown, produced military aircraft to support the World War II effort. In its heyday, Fairchild employed over 10,000 workers and developed the “Hagerstown System” which subcontracted work to twenty-five local business. Many of our family members either worked at Fairchild or participated in this “System” as it built these historic and important aircraft.

The Hagerstown Aviation Museum is moving forward to preserve Washington County’s aviation history. Learn about the plans to use two large hangars at the airport for a museum and event center. The largest hanger is about 80,000 square feet, while the dome hangar is about 35,000 square feet. Wander around one of these cavernous buildings and see an exhilarating video detailing the future plans for these facilities.

Tickets are $15 and are available for purchase online, the day of the event at the Aviation Museum site or by calling the offices of the Washington County Historical Society. Every $15.00 ticket purchased will be entered into a raffle to ride in a Fairchild PT19 monoplane! Participants under the age of 18 will be admitted free, this is a family friendly event. Social distancing will be observed. Participants are required to wear masks.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Washington County Historical Society, 135 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD, 21740.

Phone: 301-797-8782

Email: info@washcohistory.org

Web: www.washcohistory.org                                             

Time Travelers Alight  to be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020 beginning at 3:00 pm. This original performance by MAD Dance takes place in three outdoor locations in Hagerstown, MD:

The music for this piece (composed by Cam Millar) will be livestreamed on the MAD Dance YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxGs70h-RgGVvx5RWHAnmSQ). For the best experience, please bring a smart device and earbuds.

The performance is free, and has been supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org).

The World of Jan Brett, opens on Sunday, September 13, 2020. Over 70 original paintings from bestselling books set the theme of the exhibit and take you on a journey around the world to learn about the places and cultures from which Jan Brett gets her inspiration. From tropical rainforests to Arctic igloos, your imagination will fly away into The World of Jan Brett. The World of Jan Brett is organized by the Oshkosh Public Museum (WI) in partnership with Jan Brett. Visit us online at http://wcmfa.org/.

401 Museum Drive

Hagerstown, MD 21741

301-739-5727

Tickets for Authentic Community Theatre’s performance of Footloose ae now on sale! Make sure you get yours before they're gone!

October 22nd: 7:30pm (100 Live Tickets)

October 23rd: 7:30pm (100 Live Tickets, Unlimited Live Stream)

October 24th: 11am (100 Live Tickets) 6pm (100 Live Tickets, Unlimited Live Stream) 9pm (100 Live Tickets)

Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 4 PM – 6 PM

Hosted by Discovery Station

Authentic Community Theatre Inc. (ACT) in Hagerstown Maryland has announced that Broadway Star, Major Attaway, will be conducting 2 Masterclasses for their theatre October 25, 2020

"If anyone out there thought Covid was going to stop us from bringing our theatre and our community amazing opportunities, they were wrong" said Robbie Soto, President of Authentic Community Theatre.

Major Attaway, Best known for his portrayal of The Genie in Broadway's Aladdin, will be making his way down the east coast to Hagerstown MD for two masterclasses on October 25. 10 people will get the opportunity to work with Major and get feedback from him while 60 people will get to sit back, watch, and take notes while Attaway works with individuals.

"This isn’t the first time that we have brought someone of this caliber to ACT. We have had masterclasses with Susan Egan and Wilson Jermaine Heredia. Wilson even came and did a full show with us. This isn’t the first and it's not going to be the last" said Soto.

Major Attaway, originally from Fort Worth Texas, got his call up to Broadway in 2016 to be the standeby for Tony Winner James Monroe Iglehart. In February 2017 with Iglehart moving over to Hamilton, Major got to call the role his own.

"Major coming to Hagerstown is an amazing opportunity" Soto continued. "People loved other classes we have put on and the one question we've gotten is when are we going to bring in someone who is on Broadway right now? It was never easy because they do 8 shows a week. With Covid and Broadway being shut down this gave us an opportunity." Soto took a group of about 50 to see Aladdin on Broadway in 2018 and got to meet Major. What he saw was everything he personally have ever dreamed of. "Seeing Major for me was like being a kid on Christmas. Everything he did on stage was stunning. He was hilarious, heartfelt, and I could have watched him over and over again. He commanded the stage the second he walked on to it". Major coming to Hagerstown makes the 3rd year in a row that ACT has presented a masterclass from Broadway talent and they don’t see themselves slowing down anytime soon. "As soon as I took over as president at ACT I saw that while we were educating our talent, they were hungry to learn from new people and wanted to hear from people who have made it to the big time. So that's what we have been doing. It is important that we continue our mission, more so now than ever before". Soto said.

You will have multiple opportunities to meet Major. He will be in attendance at Authentic Community Theatre's production of Footloose at the Historic Maryland Theatre for a meet and greet. Tickets can be purchased at www.mdtheatre.org. Tickets for the masterclass can be purchased at www.actforall.org. Tickets go on sale September 12, 2020. To participate the cost is $100.00 and to observe tickets are just $40. Participants will receive one on one training from Major and will receive pictures and can bring one item to have autographed. Autographed headshots may also be purchased for the event. Everyone in attendance will get a chance to meet and take a picture with Major.

For More information you can contact Robbie Soto, President at robbie@actforall.org or go to www.actforall.org

The City of Hagerstown is partnering with Manning Media this Halloween for a Drive Through Trick-or-Treat at Fairgrounds Park on Thursday, October 29th (5pm-9pm) and would welcome non-profits to participate with them!

In lieu of a fee we just ask you to provide at least 1,500 pre-packaged treats and giveaways for the event. There are only 15 spots available (first come, first serve) so grab your spot soon by filling out an application which is available by contacting Cassie Hershberger at CHershberger@hagerstownmd.org.

“A safe, fun trick or treat event! Grab the family and take a drive through Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown and visit our vendors who will be handing out treats to the kids. RAIN OR SHINE. Just $5 per carload (must be legally belted in the car). Proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life of Washington County. Gates open at 4:30pm. Please note: there are no restroom facilities available. Only 700 tickets will be sold.

It's BACK!

Don't miss The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the 

historic Maryland Theatre!

Tickets on sale to the general public Friday, September 18, 2020 at 11am

Tickets available via Ticketmaster, online only.

Let's do the Time Warp Again! Join us for this "fabulously freaky" cult classic on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31! Doors open one hour prior to showtime. Additional showtimes may be added based on demand.

Tickets are $35 and include a Prop Bag and (1) beer or wine.

21 S. Potomac St.

Hagerstown, MD 21740

Box Office 301-790-2000

Maryland Citizens for the Arts have revamped their Voter Engagement Guide.

The annual Treasure Sale returns in 2020 as an online auction beginning on November 6. The Museum is accepting donations now!

401 Museum Drive

Hagerstown, MD 21741

Tickets available soon through www.mdtheatre.org

Printable 2021 Membership Reply Card

The MSAC is seeking stories about women in the arts and making efforts to highlight these stories throughout the year. When sending your ideas, include "Year of the Woman" in the subject line. For more information, click here.

The MSAC is seeking stories about entrepreneurship in the arts and making efforts to highlight these stories throughout the year. When sending your ideas, include "Entrepreneurship in the Arts" in the subject line. For more information, click here.

Washington County Arts Council page on Facebook.

You may text WCAC to 22828 on your mobile device

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