Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Washington D.C. music scene lost a titan today. How did Brown's music impact your life?
Update: 6:30 p.m. - Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker has issued a press release expressing his condolences over the passing of local music legend Chuck Brown. The statement reads in full: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and countless fans of Chuck Brown. It is a sad day for so many in Prince George’s County, the Washington region, and throughout the world. Chuck Brown left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds with his very distinctive voice and incredible genre of music that he created, Go-Go. He was an icon whose music inspired so many and become the sound that defined modern-day Washington, DC and Prince George’s County. He will be missed, but we are so fortunate that his music will be with …
Sunday, May 13, 2012
The organizers behind the eighth annual Gateway Open Studio Tour estimate record turnout for event.
Art aficionados from near and far could not have asked for a better day to hold the eighth annual Gateway Arts District Open Studio Tour. Amid clear skies and warm weather, organizers estimated that more than 400 people toured local arts venues scattered between Hyattsville, North Brentwood, Brentwood and Mount Rainier to check out the works of about 120 local artists. Kristus Ratliff, one of the organizers of the event, said she was pleased with the turnout for the open studio tour. "I feel like it went really well," said Ratliff in an interview. "We found that there were a lot of people who came from out of the neighborhood, and that's huge." Laura Rogers, president of the Gateway Community Development Corporation Board, estimated that …
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Hundreds gather in downtown Hyattsville for first Summer Jam of the season.
The sounds of classic rock tunes mixed with grill smoke wafting through downtown Hyattsville yesterday, as area residents gathered for the season's first Outback Steakhouse Summer Jam in front of the Hyattsville Municipal Building on Gallatin Street. Providing entertainment for the evening was the Fairfax, Va. based Magic Band, which entertained the crowd with a mix of classic rock tunes. Concert goers could also munch on burgers and imbibe on wine and beer. Angela Moran, sister of one of the band members, said she was surprised to see how many youngsters were singing along to the music. For Moran, a baby boomer and longtime rock and roll fan, the displays of kids dancing to classic rock demonstrated the enduring nature of the genre. "…
Friday, May 11, 2012
The arts come alive in the Gateway Arts District this Saturday.
This Saturday, lace up your best walking shoes and be sure to be in the mood for some art. Why? Because if you live anywhere near Hyattsville, Mount Rainier, Brentwood or North Brentwood you'll be up to your ears in it. That's right, it's the eighth Gateway Arts District Open Studio Tour. The event will feature more than 120 artist studios open for public perusal. You can plan your trip with the map above as well as download and print out a map to take with you as you explore the Gateway corridor arts scene. The multi-city event runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 12. Highlights on this year's tour include the 39th Street Gallery in Brentwood. That gallery will be hosting the reception for Love, Loss and Lipstick, a collaboration …
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A contentious debate about the merits of the Gateway Community Development Corporation has taken root in Brentwood.
Concerns over communication and the pace of development along Brentwood's blighted US Route 1 corridor have a majority of its city council questioning how the Gateway Community Development Corporation works with the town. Brentwood's elected leaders are now embroiled in a contentious debate over the role of the Gateway CDC and have asked representatives of the group to come before the city council to discuss its plans for the area. "Since I've been here in December, they have not come into the town," said Councilor Ann Wells in an interview. Wells was appointed to a vacant council seat back in December. "So, we need to define what that relationship, what that partnership is, and our expectations of each other." The Gateway CDC is a …
Thursday, April 26, 2012
All of DeMatha's music ensembles win first place recognition at Virginia Beach Music Festival except for one, which came in second place to another DeMatha music ensemble.
DeMatha Catholic High School's bands and choruses returned triumphant from the Virginia Beach Music Festival, held last weekend. In what has become almost routine for the music program, every single DeMatha ensemble which participated in the competition came away with first place awards in their divisions. The only group which didn't claim first place was Percussion Ensemble II, which came in second in the Percession Ensemble Open Division, losing first place to DeMatha's Advanced Percussion Ensemble. In all, the school was competing against 38 different performing groups split between seven different schools from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Georgia. "The kids have stepped up, and as usual, lived up to the tradition of the …
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
New art studio offers classes teaching beginners how to paint.
For those of us who never got past drawing glorified stick figures, learning how to paint can seem a daunting task. But at Wet Your Palettes, even those with the most limited of artistic skills can take a class and walk out with a masterpiece. The new art studio, which opened on Feb. 1, offers evening classes Wednesday through Saturday every week that cater to beginning artists. Each class features a different painting that artists work to replicate with the help of an instructor. “It was just an idea that I had for a social setting for people in their late twenties and up,” said owner and Hyattsville native Keisha Gilchrest. Alcohol is permitted in the studio, so patrons must be over 21 to attend. However, classes open to children and …
Radio station WMZQ, 98.7 FM, is hosting a battle of the bands. To be a contestant submit your band's video by noon on Friday.
The country music station WMZQ, 98.7 FM, is hosting a Battle of the Bands contest that ends at noon on Friday. To enter, submit a YouTube link to a video of your band to the contest site that is no longer than four minutes. Be sure to read the rules. "Six bands will be chosen to perform on May 3rd or May 17th at Growler's in Gaithersburg and compete for the chance to open the day at WMZQ Fest on June 3rd!" according to the contest's website. Read more, including the contest rules at the WMZQ contest page. From the looks of the Facebook comments, a Maryland band called The Sam Grow Band, which frequents such establishments as The Whiskey in Annapolis, seems to be a popular contestant so far. The accompanying video features the 2011 Battle…
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Four day fanfare features festivities, fireworks, and family fun at Magruder Park.
Hyattsville turns 126 this year, and to mark that special occasion the city's Recreation and Arts Department will be holding an expanded anniversary parade and carnival. Last week, city officials released the schedule for the festivities. The carnival kicks off on Thursday, April 12 from 4-9 p.m. This is the first time the anniversary carnival has opened on a Thursday, giving attendees an extra day to check out the rides. Special preview coupons for $5 off unlimited ride wristbands will be available. Friday April 13, the carnival will be open from 5-10 p.m. At 8 p.m. there will be a Freaky Friday the 13th Teen Dance Party with music by DJ Kurt of Spin City Productions. There will also be door prizes and a photo booth on hand for people …
Monday, March 26, 2012
Route 1 Ride Collaborative seeks local artist to create bus wrap to help increase ridership.
Local artists looking for public exposure have a second chance to get their work seen by hundreds of people everyday. The Route 1 Ride Collaborative has extended the deadline in the search for an artist to create an original bus wrap to reflect the charms of working, playing, and living along the Route 1 corridor. The new deadline for submissions is Friday, May 2. Formerly TheBus route 17, the Route 1 Ride travels between Mt. Rainier and north College Park, and stops at each of its 45 stops every 30 minutes. Three contest finalists will each receive a $500 honorarium for their design. The winning designer will receive a $3,000 honorarium and their design will be featured on three Route 1 Ride buses for at least three years, beginning this …
Reggie Smith
12:36 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Big Reg May god bless his family and relatives, for what Chuck has done over the years with his music he could never be replaced. (you wiil truly be missed)!!!!! more ›