Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation

Past Events and Performances

Celebrate National Fitness Month Friday, May 25, 7 pm
Yoga & Jazz

Breathe in…breathe out! Relax and find your center at a yoga class with live jazz music. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat.
Ages 18 & up; FREE



The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, May 20, 2018, 3 pm
Ava Oaxaca & Bora Lee

Ava Oaxaca & Bora LeeAmerican saxophonist Ava Oaxaca, an “accomplished soloist” and praised for her “sweetly mournful melodies” by The Washington Post, aims to bring enjoyable music of all time-periods to her audiences. Accompanist Dr. Bora Lee performs in and around the D.C. area as a concert pianist and maintains a private piano studio in Falls Church, Virginia.
Free, $5 donation is appreciated


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 18, 2018, 8 pm
Chieli Minucci & Special EFX

Chieli Minucci & Special EFXGuitarist, composer, and arranger Chieli Minucci is the longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group Special EFX. Chieli Minucci, a major force in the jazz and world music scene for the past 35 years, has won three Emmy Awards and has been nominated ten times for his eclectic compositional work. His music can also be heard on the soundtracks of the films Bowfinger, Legally Blonde, and Panic.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



Celebrate National Fitness Month Saturday, May 12, 11 am
The Art of Yoga

Enjoy an hour-long yoga class in the beautiful galleries of Montpelier Arts Center. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Following the class, explore the art exhibitions in the galleries and discover the gorgeous grounds of Montpelier.
Ages 18 & up; FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 11, 2018, 8 pm
Sharón Clark

Sharón ClarkWashington, D.C. standout Sharón Clark has brought festival and concert audiences to their feet across the U.S. and Europe. Described by The New York Times as having a sound that evokes “a less operatic Sarah Vaughan fused with the more animated side of Shirley Horn. Ms. Clark’s voice is rich, her phrasing unfussy, her jazz embellishments minimal.” Ms. Clark appears regularly in DC at Blues Alley and Loews Madison Hotel and with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony, and the Baltimore Symphony.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, May 10, 2018, 12PM
Akua Allrich

Akua AllrichJazz vocalist and DC-native, Akua Allrich’s musical roots run deeply into blues and soul, with a clear grounding in jazz and pan-African music. She sings in many languages including Portuguese, French, Spanish, English, Xhosa, and Twi. Given her ability to capture the essence of a broad range of musical genres, Allrich is often likened to legendary artists such as Oscar Brown, Jr., Miriam Makeba, and Nina Simone.
Tickets: $12/person

Saturday, May 5, 2018, 11 am
Pen & Pose: A Workshop in Yoga and Writing

Pen & Pose: A Workshop in Yoga and Writing
In this workshop, we will use breath work, poses, mindfulness techniques, and writing exercises to connect with our bodies, mind, and spirit. Bring a yoga mat, pen, and your favorite notebook. Wear comfortable clothing.
Ages 18 & up; FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 4, 2018, 8 pm
Warren Wolf and Wolfpack

Warren Wolf and WolfpackWarren Wolf performs with his band, Wolfpack, at Montpelier Arts Center this spring! Warren is a Baltimore native and multi-instrument musician who attended the Peabody Conservatory and played with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra before pursuing his main goal of becoming a full time performing musician. As a percussionist and pianist, Warren landed the piano duties performing, recording, and touring in the Rachael Price Group, drumming with alto saxophonist Tia Fuller, and performing with the Donal Fox Group.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Saturday, April 28, 2018, 1 pm
Jeff Stern

Jeff SternPercussionist Jeff Stern is emerging as an exciting new voice in today’s contemporary music scene. As a performer, Stern has performed at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, the Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. Jeff holds degrees from UMass Amherst, the Peabody Conservatory, and an Artist Diploma from the Yale School of Music.
Free, $5 donation is appreciated



Saturday, April 28, 2018, 10AM - 4PM
Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts

Hosted by Montpelier Arts Center and Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site, celebrate spring at this fun festival for the entire family! Visit the resident artists’ studios, watch art demonstrations, paint the Montpelier bird, and create spring themed crafts. Stroll the Arts Center’s galleries and view the exhibition, as well as art by Linda Bernard, Roslyn Logsdon, Bonnie Crawford Kotula, and Mike McConnell. At 1 pm, join us in the Main Gallery for a classical recital featuring percussionist Jeff Stern and at 3 pm, join us in the Library Gallery for an artist talk with Bonnie Crawford Kotula.
Adjacent to the Arts Center is Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site. Visit the Mansion and stroll the beautiful grounds where you can purchase art, crafts, food, herbs, plants, and more. Self-guided tours are available year-round from
11 am-3 pm (Thursdays-Tuesdays).
FREE; held rain or shine


Sunday, April 22, 2018, 1PM- 2PM
Celebrate Earth Day at Montpelier!

Appreciate the beauty of Montpelier’s grounds while participating in a fun and educational Earth Day activity for the whole family.
FREE


Saturday, April 21, 2018, 11AM -6PM
Spring 2018 Anime Film Festival

Montpelier Cultural Arts Center presents a showcase of great works in Anime, a look at the cross-cultural influence of the art and animation style native to Japan.
FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 20, 2018, 8 pm
Cissa Paz

Cissa PazBrazilian singer-song writer Cissa Paz shares her diverse cultural experiences with every audience she encounters. She composes and arranges songs that are filled with the rich traditions of Afro-Brazilian and Luso-African concepts. Cissa’s captivating stage presence and soulful voice bring music that is fresh, fun, and rhythmic.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 7 pm
Citizen Democracy: How average citizens influence national public policies

Presented by Steve Frantzich
Learn how you can take a larger role in developing public policy with Steve Frantzich. Steve Frantzich is Professor of Political Science at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was selected as the outstanding professor in 1990, runner-up as outstanding researcher in 2001, and as one of the first USNA Teaching Fellows in 2002. He is the author of over a dozen books, most recently Citizen Democracy: Citizen Activists in a Cynical Age (Rowman and Littlefield, 2004) and Cyberage Politics 101: Mobility, Technology and Democracy (Peter Lang Publishers, 2002). He has won awards from the American Political Science Association, C-SPAN, and a variety of publishers for the use of computers and video in teaching. He is the co-author of two interactive texts: Congress and American Government.
FREE


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, April 15, 2018, 3 pm
Thomas Hunter

Thomas HunterNoted for his “riveting, emotional complexity,” (Washington Times) award
winning American pianist, Thomas Hunter has toured in England, the USA, Italy, and Serbia at a variety of noteworthy venues. He holds an Artist Diploma from the Royal College of Music, London.
Free, $5 donation is appreciated


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 13, 2018, 8 pm
Melissa Aldana

Melissa AldanaSaxophonist Melissa Aldana has been performing all of her life, as her father Marcos Aldana was her first teacher. After attending Berklee College of Music, Melissa moved to New York to pursue her dreams of performing. Melissa has successfully released multiple CDs, unveiling powerful music individually and with her illustrious bandmates.
This engagement of Melissa Aldana is funded through the Mid Atlantic Tours program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, April 12, 2018, 12PM
Avon Dews

Avon DewsAvon Dews is a Washington, D.C. native who started playing the harmonica at a young age. His style is classic, cool, and jazzy with a little old school and a touch of funk and blues. A professional harmonica player, Avon has played at venues including the Kennedy Center, the American Market at the National Harbor, the 2015 Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club.
Tickets: $12/person


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 6, 2018, 8 pm
Lena Seikaly

Lena SeikalyLena Seikaly is a fresh voice on the national jazz scene from
Washington, D.C. Named “one of Washington’s preeminent jazz singers" and “brightest voices in jazz" (The Washington Post), Lena is already making her mark as both a revivalist of traditional jazz vocals, as well as an innovator of contemporary vocal jazz styles.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 23, 2018, 8 pm
Winfield Parker

Winfield ParkerHailing from Cooksville, Maryland, Winfield Parker toured with Little Richard and his band as a saxophone player before embarking on his own international tour.
Always in demand for live concert appearances, Winfield Parker delivered his unique style of soulful R&B to sell-out crowds in every major city. Over the past 59 years, Winfield has traveled, performed, and played with legends such as Mary Love and the Flirtations, Tommy Hunt, and Maxine Brown.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



Sunday, March 18, 2018, 2 pm
Women in Jazz with Amy Bormet and Jen Krupa

Women in Jazz with Amy Bormet and Jen KrupaCurrently living in Los Angeles, Amy K. Bormet is an in-demand pianist, vocalist, and composer. The quintet from her debut album, Striking, was featured as part of the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center. As an advocate for women in music, Amy created the Washington Women in Jazz Festival in 2011 and continues to serve as executive director.
California native Jennifer Krupa is an active trombonist in the Washington, D.C. area. A member of the United States Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble since 2004, Jen also performs regularly with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra; Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra; and her own group, Jen Krupa – Leigh Pilzer Quintet. In this Jazz Talks series, Bormet and Krupa will discuss the challenges and rewards of building community and generating support for the Washington Women in Jazz Festival. They will address the challenges of recruiting local artists, securing venues, creating concerts, workshops, and jam sessions, and the importance of bridging different ages and demographics as audience members, participants, and presenting artists.
FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 16, 2018, 8 pm
Tongue in Cheek

Tongue in CheekTongue in Cheek is one of Maryland's most popular gigging bands, focusing on traditional New Orleans jazz. Traditional, old time swing has become extremely popular in this region. Headed by bassist/banjo player Zach Serleth and vocalist Bridget Cimino, the band has helped create a scene, which sometimes includes dancing and always includes loads of fun. Many of the region’s finest musicians enjoy performing with this group. Whether they perform for a sitting or hoofing audience, all are thoroughly entertained. Often arriving in period costume, the musicians offer delightful listening music, mostly written between 1910 and the mid-1930s. Audience members find themselves singing along to songs they heard from grandma and grandpa and the old time movies.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, March 15, 12 PM
The Jewels: The Divas of DC Doo-Wop

Enjoy a 30-minute documentary on The Jewels (producer, Beverly Lindsay-Johnson) - a popular 1960s female singing group from Washington, D.C. who toured with James Brown and recorded Billboard Hot 100 hits such as “Opportunity.” Enjoy a 10-15-minute Q & A session after the film, followed by a 15-minute performance by The Jewels.
Tickets: $12/person


Special Events at Montpelier
Tuesdays, March 13, April 10 & May 8, 2018, 6:30 PM
Veterans Book Group

Beginning in March 2018, Montpelier Arts Center will offer a Veterans Book
Group, a free, facilitated small-group reading and discussion series for active service members and veterans of all eras. Refreshments and all reading materials are provided; registration is required. The Veterans Book Group was created to offer veterans an opportunity to connect with one another over the course of three monthly discussions centered on their military experiences. Each Veterans Book Group has its own unique set of readings. The readings can be a mix of classics, fiction, memoirs, poetry, short stories, and essays, all of which relate in some way to military experiences or offer a veteran’s perspective. Veterans Book Group is coordinated statewide by Maryland Humanities and presented locally in partnership with Montpelier Arts Center. Call 301-377-7800 for more information and to register. Spaces are limited.
FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 9, 8 PM
Clarence Ward III All Stars

Clarence H. Ward III began studying flute then saxophone at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School under the guidance of Baltimore musician and educator trombonist Charles Funn. Under Funn’s tutelage, Clarence Ward III won best soloist awards at three jazz festivals while in high school and received a music scholarship to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. After a couple years of college, Clarence joined the U.S. Army as a full-time saxophonist. Since he left the army in 2001, he has been busy touring and recording with a number of great artists, including jazz artists Stanley Turrentine, Benny Golson, Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincon, Gary Thomas, Gary Bartz, and Antonio Hart. Clarence currently leads a popular weekly jam session at The Sign of the Times in Baltimore. Come out and enjoy a mix of jazz standards and originals.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Sunday, March 4, 2018, 2PM
Allyn Johnson

Allyn JohnsonPerformer, composer, arranger, and educator, Allyn Johnson, will discuss a variety of jazz topics at Montpelier Arts Center. He was specifically chosen by jazz legend Calvin Jones to succeed him as Director of the Jazz Studies program and jazz ensembles at the University of the District of Columbia. Join us for an engaging dialogue about jazz and its relevancy in the world.
FREE


The Montpelier Film Series
Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 7pm
Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer (2017)

Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer (2017)As minority communities face the daily stranglehold of racial profiling and police officers face relentless scrutiny by an anxious public, tensions mount as lines are drawn in the sand. This documentary shows that this conflict may be solved by finding common ground with each other.
FREE


Sunday, February 18, 2018, 3PM
Voices from the Past: Juanita Hall

Voices from the Past: Juanita HallDelve into the life and music of little known Black Classical Musician soprano Juanita Hall, remembered for her role as Bloody Mary who sang “Bali Hai” from the movie South Pacific. Hear soprano Angela R. Simpson bring her to life during this moving recital with historic narration and visuals.
FREE


Wednesdays, February 7, 21, 28, AND March 7, 2018, 7 PM
Celebrate Black History Month:Toni Morrison

Celebrate Black History Month:Toni MorrisonJoin us for a four-week series exploring the life and works of Nobel laureate,
Toni Morrison. Her trilogy: Beloved, Jazz, and Paradise, gathers time from the 1800s to the 1970s. In these novels, Morrison's characters translate history into personal detail, exploring the complicated mix of race, personality, and national identity in American life. These discussions will be led by Dr. Karen Arnold, former poet-in-residence at Montpelier Arts Center and discussion moderator for multiple literature groups in Baltimore. Read with us and view the film Beloved; add your voice to the conversation!

About the meetings:
Each session will include introductory comments followed by an in-depth discussion of the Morrison books. Viewing of the film Beloved will be part of the first two sessions.
FREE


Saturday, February 3, 2018, 1 pm
Blacks in Classical Music Panel

In honor of Black History Month, music experts will help clarify, solidify and highlight the strong role Blacks have had in the world of classical music—past, present and future—as well as the popular idea of adapting a variety of genres into classical music including jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and gospel.
Suitable for all ages; FREE


The Montpelier Film Series
Thursday, January 18, 12 pm
Packed in a Trunk:The Lost Art of Edith Lake Wilkinson (2015)

Like a fast-paced detective story, Packed in a Trunk celebrates the life of Edith Lake Wilkinson, a gifted and prolific lesbian artist who, in 1924, was committed to an asylum. All of Edith’s worldly possessions were packed into trunks and she was never heard from again. Edith’s great-niece, Jane Anderson (Emmy Award-winning writer & director) grew up surrounded by Edith’s paintings after her mother discovered the trunks in their relative’s attic and rescued the work. This delightful film follows Jane and her spouse Tess in their efforts to find answers to the mystery of Edith’s buried life, return her art to Provincetown where she once lived and thrived, and have Edith’s contributions recognized by the art world.
FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Sunday, December 17, 2017, 4 pm
Divas Deck the Halls

Divas Deck the HallsThe holidays come to life during an afternoon of carols, yuletide songs, and festive fa, la, la, la, la la la la la tunes, performed by Washington National Opera sopranos. Tis’ the season to be jolly with the entire family!
Tickets: $15/person

LIVE at Montpelier!
Sunday, December 10, 2017, 3 pm & 6 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas with The Eric Byrd Trio

A Charlie Brown Christmas with The Eric Byrd TrioBack by popular demand, The Eric Byrd Trio returns to celebrate the music from the Peanuts’ A Charlie Brown Christmas show. By bringing fresh arrangements to these familiar songs, it gets everyone in the holiday mood. Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!
Tickets: $15/person

Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, December 9, 2017, 1 pm
The Nutcracker Tea Party

The Nutcracker Tea PartyThe season would not be complete without enjoying an afternoon of elegant tea and goodies while dressed in your fanciest, as this classic holiday ballet comes to you on screen. Delight in family-friendly sugarplum music, photo ops, Nutcracker crafts, and more.
Tickets: $25/person


Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, December 7, 2017, 12 pm
A Very Green Christmas with Chelsey Green

A Very Green Christmas with Chelsey GreenBillboard charting recording artists Chelsey Green and The Green Project perform the Christmas Classics in a special narrated audience-involved show as she trounces stereotypes of the violin. The Green Project melds classical technique and themes with modern idioms. R&B, pop, soul, funk, jazz, alternative, hip-hop, and gospel are all part of this afternoon of fun!
Tickets: $12/person


Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, December 3, 2017, 1 pm
Annual Holiday Open House

Montpelier Arts Center invites families to a fun holiday celebration! Tour resident artists’ studios, attend exhibition receptions, shop the pottery sale, enjoy holiday music, and become inspired by art demonstrations.
FREE


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, November 19, 2017, 3 pm
C I R C E Ensemble

C I R C E EnsembleLaura Kay (soprano), Isabel Fairbanks (cellist), and Zach Mo (pianist) have made a name for themselves as one of the most versatile soprano-cello-piano trios in New York City. Formed in 2012 as a resident ensemble of the Turtle Bay Music School, C I R C E has performed with influential musicians at concerts and festivals.
FREE; $5 donation is appreciated


Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, November 9, 2017, 12 pm
Carly Harvey

Carly HarveyProclaimed as “DC’s Queen of the Blues” by WPFW radio, singer Carly Harvey has a sound like Etta James with influences from Bonnie Raitt to Ella Fitzgerald. Her contemporary blues sound combines blues, jazz, soul, Americana, roots, and rock styles and is sure to entertain!
Tickets: $12/person


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, November 3, 2017, 8 pm
Shannon Gunn Sextet

Shannon Gunn SextetThe Montpelier audience is invited to a CD release concert presenting talented trombonist and composer, Shannon Gunn. Her latest album reflects her pursuit of the groove and free jazz expression. Hear “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder and “But Beautiful” by Jimmy Van Heusen along with “What It Takes,” (an ode to Obama) and “In Walked Allyn,” written for her husband.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, October 28, 2017, 6 pm
STOOP STORYTELLING

STOOP STORYTELLINGCrossing Cultures: Stories of Immigration, Home, and Belonging
Stoop shows are intimate and surprising, wonderful and weird, hilarious and heartbreaking. Join Stoop Storytelling co-founders, Laura Wexler, Jessica Henkin and seven storytellers, as they bring to life stories of immigrating to America. Stoop stories are not memorized, performed, or read. They’re shared.
Tickets: $15/person

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 27, 2017, 8 pm
Bill Charlap Trio

Bill Charlap TrioTwo-time Grammy Award nominated pianist Bill Charlap, along with drummer
Kenny Washington and bassist Peter Washington, are recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz. Time magazine wrote, “Bill Charlap approaches a song the way a lover approaches his beloved…no matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence.”
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 22, 2017, 3 pm
Laura Whittenberger/Jacqueline Pollauf

Laura Whittenberger/Jacqueline PollaufDuo Laura Whittenberger (soprano) and Jacqueline Pollauf (harpist) complement each other to create a majestic musical experience. Praised in the Baltimore Sun for her “impressive voice,” Laura Whittenberger is a versatile singer and theater performer. Harpist, Jacqueline Pollauf a performer, composer, and teacher is based in Baltimore, Maryland.
FREE; $5 donation is appreciated

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 20, 2017, 8 pm
Cheikh Ndoye & Friends featuring Karen Briggs, Raul Pineda & Nachito Herrera

Cheikh Ndoye & Friends featuring Karen Briggs, Raul Pineda & Nachito HerreraCheikh Ndoye & Friends has an all-star cast of violinist Karen Briggs, Cuban drummer Raul Pineda, Cuban pianist Nachito Herrera, and of course, bassist, composer, and arranger, Cheikh Ndoye. Cheikh’s West African heritage and his love for classic and contemporary jazz combine to create diverse, rich sounds enjoyable to all listeners!
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 7 pm
Disabilities and the Inclusive Society (Presented by Michael Franch)

Join Michael Franch in a conversation about what it means to be an inclusive society in today’s world. In 2007, Michael Franch retired from his day job as a health policy analyst in the Medicaid Program of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Mike earned his Ph.D. in history at the University of Maryland. His articles on Baltimore history have appeared in the Maryland Historical Magazine, The Sun Magazine, and in the book, Maryland: Unity in Diversity. He also speaks on historical and cultural issues for the Maryland Humanities Council and is active in the Baltimore Folk Music Society.
FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 13, 2017, 8 pm
Bohemian Caverns All Star Band

The Bohemian Caverns All Star Band is back by popular demand! For the past 90 years, Bohemian Caverns was DC’s “sole home of soul jazz.” Return “home” to the
Caverns with this all-star performance by Allyn Johnson (piano), Kris Funn (bass),
Quincy Phillips (drums), Donvonte McCoy (trumpet), and Tedd Baker (saxophone).
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, October 12, 2017, 12 am
Rose Moraes (CANCELLED)

Rose Moraes (CANCELLED)Hailing from south of São Paulo, charismatic vocalist Rose Moraes has entertained thousands of music lovers with her “Roots of Brazil” concerts. She has performed widely in Switzerland, Poland, Brazil, and the U.S., where she now resides. Help her celebrate 100 Years of Samba as she pays tribute to the beloved music of Antonio Carlos Jobim with songs such as “Corcovado,” “Wave,” and “Dindi.”
Tickets: $12/person


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, October 7, 2017, 2 pm
One Maryland One Book Discussion: Purple Hibiscus by Ngozi Adichie

Purple Hibiscus is an exquisite novel about the emotional turmoil of adolescence, the powerful bonds of family, and the bright promise of freedom. One Maryland One Book is affiliated with Maryland Humanities, where all Maryland residents are encouraged to read Purple Hibiscus in the year 2017. Join in the conversation!
FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 6, 2017, 8 pm
Dani Cortaza (CANCELLED)

Dani Cortaza (CANCELLED)Masterful Argentine guitarist, Dani Cortaza, performs Argentine Folk Music seasoned with elements of jazz. The colorful music includes styles like the urban born tango and chacarera, zamba, and malambo rhythms. Cortaza has over three decades of performing in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. This performer, composer, and arranger is now a Maryland resident and has played at the Kennedy Center and U.S. Department of State.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Special Events at Montpelier
Tuesday, September 26, 2017, 11 am
Active Aging Week: Drum Circle

Come out, make beautiful music, and celebrate community and life through rhythm and music. People of all levels of musical expertise will come together and share their rhythmic spirit. Drums will be provided; please bring water. In the event of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled for a different date. Space is limited; register early.
FREE; SMARTlink # 1684872

Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, May 27, 2017, 11 am
The Art of Yoga

Enjoy an hour-long yoga class in the beautiful galleries of Montpelier Arts Center. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Following the class, explore the art exhibitions in the galleries and discover the gorgeous grounds of Montpelier.

Ages 18 & up; FREE

Special Events at Montpelier
Friday, May 26, 2017, 7 pm
Yoga & Jazz

Breathe in… breathe out! Breathing connects yoga, jazz, and life to achieve the perfect balance between hard and soft, the firm and flexible, and the give and take. Get some relaxation and find your center this evening at a yoga class with live jazz music. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat.

Ages 18 & up; FREE

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, May 21, 2017, 3 pm
Venteux Quintet

Venteux QuintetVenteux Quintet includes exemplary musicians based in Maryland. Flutist Ann Luther has extensive experience in a variety of performance and educational settings, establishing herself as a gifted educator and sensitive performer. Heidi Dewally performed extensively with the Milwaukee Ballet and Symphony Orchestra before moving to Maryland to teach oboe to students ages 10 to 80. Clarinetist Donna Noyes enjoys a successful teaching and performing career using her expertise in attaining high-performance awards to educate her students on how to do the same. Monica Schwartz owns and operates Orchard Music, a private bassoon studio instructing students, who are regularly selected for Maryland All-State, youth orchestras, and substantial to full college scholarships. Rich Roberts is an active free-lance performer and conductor whose post-doctoral studies with Dr. Harlan Parker of the Peabody Institute focus on the exploration of exemplary music for wind-band and chamber groups.

Free; $5 donation appreciated

Following the recital, please join us for a reception sponsored by CAAPA: Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 19, 2017, 8 pm
Cyrus Chestnut Trio

Cyrus Chestnut TrioVirtuosic and playful, pianist Cyrus Chestnut’s hard swinging, soulful sounds have become a staple in the jazz community. Blending contemporary jazz, traditional jazz, and gospel, plus the occasional seasonings of Latin and samba, Chestnut gives himself plenty of freedom to explore different emotions, while keeping his music in recognizable form. Chestnut has recorded and performed with many leaders in the music scene including Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Branford Marsalis, Chick Corea, Dizzy Gillespie, Jon Hendricks, and Betty Carter. An extremely versatile pianist, Chestnut has also collaborated with Vanessa Williams, Brian McKnight, Kathleen Battle, Freddy Cole, Bette Midler, Jimmy Scott, Isaac Hayes, and Kevin Mahogany.

"His brand of crisp articulation and blues-inflected harmony evokes another era...multifaceted and dynamic...Mr. Chestnut was the evening’s star and he brought charisma to the role..."- The New York Times

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 12, 2017, 8 pm
Sherry Winston

Sherry WinstonContemporary jazz flutist Sherry Winston has performed at The White House for President and Mrs. Clinton, and for former President George H.W. Bush. She has appeared on "The Today Show,” “Emeril Live,” BET TV, Live at Five, VH1, and many other national TV shows. Winston performed with Stevie Wonder in NYC and opened for Sinbad, Fourplay, Patti Austin, Jonathan Butler, Denise Williams, Ramsey Lewis, Chaka Kahn, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, and Grover Washington, Jr. As a businesswoman, she worked as national director of jazz promotion at Columbia, Arista, GRP, and Elektra-Asylum Records. She also ran her own promotion company and represented Uniworld Advertising Group in Japan. This multi-faceted musician recently released "For Lovers Only: A Cookbook and More," a how-to book on entertaining that special someone from the moment they enter your home until the second they leave.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, May 11, 2017, 12 am
DC's Finest

DCD.C.’s Finest aka “The Doo Wop Cops” are five active and retired law enforcement officers from Washington, DC, who have gone from walking their beats to keeping the beat. All members of the group attended local schools and sang with a doo-wop group in the 50s and 60s. Those years are revisited each time the group takes the stage with their a cappella nostalgic renditions of songs of the past as well as some of the current hits. Entertaining several U.S. Presidents and performing with such stars of the music world as Chuck Berry, the Dells, the Persuasions, Stevie Wonder, and the Drifters, they have appeared on FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, as well as in People Magazine, The Washingtonian, Wall Street Journal, Southern Living, and more. Their legacy doesn't stop there however, they are most known for their dedication to the kids in America. They have visited many schools throughout the United States with an anti-drug, anti-handgun program that has proven to be very effective.

Tickets: $12/person

Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, May 6, 2017, 11 am
Pen & Pose: A Workshop in Yoga and Writing

Yoga and writing both use literal and metaphorical vehicles to discover parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, illuminating pathways to feelings, memories, images, and stories embedded within our tissues, and helping us reflect, heal, and build community. In this workshop, we’ll get in touch with our bodies through breath work and poses; mindfulness techniques will slow the mind and create a sense of the sacred; and writing exercises will help excavate what gets buried inside. Wear comfortable clothing, and bring a yoga mat and your favorite notebook and pen.

Ages 18 & up; FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 5, 2017, 8 pm
Hot Club of Baltimore

Hot Club of BaltimoreThe Hot Club of Baltimore performs the finest gypsy swing this side of the Atlantic inspired by the legendary French guitarist Django Reinhardt. Michael Joseph Harris is guitarist and artistic director of the group, which consists of a collective of top jazz musicians. The ensemble boasts a variety of configurations including an instrumental trio of two guitars and a bass; a classic quintet with violin; the late 40's “Django in Rome” sessions on piano, drums, and horns; and the big band sound of the early 50's when Reinhardt performed with Duke Ellington. Featuring the captivating voice of Alexis Tantau, the group performs gypsy jazz renditions of Occitan folk songs, Edith Piaf, Eartha Kitt, Maxine Sullivan, Charles Trenet, Jacques Dutronc, Ella Fitzgerald, and Henri Salvador.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Saturday, April 29, 2017, 1 pm
Stefan Scaggiari Performs “April in Paris”

Stefan Scaggiari Performs “April in Paris”Travel to Paris this April with pianist/singer Stef Scaggiari as he presents the music of Debussy, Chopin, and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, plus songs of Cole Porter, Leslie Bricusse, Duke Ellington, Sting, and Stevie Wonder. Stef’s career has taken him to Italy (Saluzzo Festival), Turkey (International Music Festival), the Netherlands (Rotterdam Music Festival), and Japan (Concord/Fujitsu Festival Tour). He has toured with the Carol Sloane group, the Modern Jazz Quartet, the Count Basie All-Stars, Mel Torme, and Tim Eyermann’s East Coast Offering under the auspices of “Partners of the Americas” and the great Felix Grant. As a soloist with the Kansas City Symphony, the Evansville Philharmonic, and the Calgary Philharmonic, he also performs in crossover classical/jazz concerts with his trio at the Shriver Hall Concert Series. With such an impressive resume, it is no wonder that National Public Radio exclaimed, “Stef’s musical contributions are major, sometimes miraculous.”

Free; $5 donation appreciated

Following the recital, enjoy a reception sponsored by CAAPA: Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.

Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and The Arts
Saturday, April 29, 2017, 10 am
Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts

Hosted by Montpelier Arts Center and Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site, celebrate spring at this fun festival for the entire family! Visit the resident artists’ studios, watch art demonstrations, paint the Montpelier bird, and create spring-themed crafts. Stroll the Arts Center’s galleries and view the Substrates exhibition as well as art by Ellen Cornett and Barbara Talbott. At 1 pm, enjoy a classical recital by renowned pianist Stefan Scaggiari. Adjacent to the Arts Center is Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site. Visit the Mansion and stroll the beautiful grounds where you can purchase art, crafts, food, herbs, plants, and more. Self-guided tours are available year-round from 11 am – 3 pm (Thursdays – Tuesdays).

FREE
Held rain or shine


Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, April 23, 2017, 2 pm
Jazz Talk: Allyn Johnson

Jazz Talk: Allyn JohnsonPerformer, composer/arranger and educator, Allyn Johnson was specially chosen by jazz legend Calvin Jones to succeed him as director of the jazz studies program and jazz ensembles at the University of the District of Columbia.

FREE


Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, April 22, 2017, 1 pm
Celebrate Earth Day at Montpelier!

Appreciate the beauty of Montpelier’s grounds while creating a fun and educational Earth Day activity for the whole family.

FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 21, 2017, 8 pm
B's Bees

BMontreal group B's Bees is a hard swinging jazz outfit known for writing compelling original music and playing high energy interpretations of the music of past masters such as The Jazz Messengers, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Haden. When bandleader Brandon Goodwin won a scholarship to play at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2012, he formed B’s Bees with a lineup of some of the young star players in the city and never looked back. Since then, B's Bees have been in demand at prominent clubs around Montreal and the surrounding area. They are currently on the roster at two locations of Montreal’s House of Jazz. For this performance, enjoy classics by Charlie Haden including "Silence," "Chairman Mao," "Song for Che" and "Els Segador" as well as the group's own "Kanata Suite." This tour takes them from the Mid-Atlantic to New Orleans, where they will work with Delfeayo Marsalis before their next recording.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 14, 2017, 8 pm
Allyn Johnson

Allyn JohnsonNative Washingtonian, Allyn Johnson, is a multi-talented musician, composer, arranger, and producer whose trademark sound gives brilliance and fortitude to the art of jazz improvisation. As one of the nation's most sought after jazz musicians, he is revered by musical giants and the "young lions" of his generation. Chosen for the highly competitive Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program in 2001, he returned to teach in the program in 2002. Mentored by the late great jazz legend Calvin Jones, Johnson assumed his role as director of the jazz studies program at the University of the District of Columbia. In this capacity, he hopes to continue Jones’s rich legacy of service, musicianship, and academic excellence. Starting both the Divine Order and Sonic Sanctuary ensembles, Johnson explores combinations of gospel, classical music, acoustic straight ahead jazz, jazz fusion, and funk. No matter what configuration he may be heard in, you can best believe it will be just "good music for the soul.”

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, April 13, 2017, 12 am
Denyse Pearson and her Gentlemen of Distinction

Denyse Pearson and her Gentlemen of DistinctionA native of Washington, DC, Denyse Pearson studied at the University of District of Columbia (UDC) with renowned trombonist and director of the UDC jazz ensemble, Calvin Jones, who aptly nicknamed her "Ms. Finewine" for her smooth and sweet vocal style. Notable career highlights include performing with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra at President Bush's Inaugural Ball and being invited to the stage at Catalina's Bar & Grill in Los Angeles by jazz icon, Joe Williams. Denyse relishes performing with jazz ancestors such as Nap Turner, Mary Jefferson, Keter Betts, and Major Holley. Carrying on the jazz tradition, Denyse continues performing the great jazz standards and composing original songs. Joining her on the Montpelier stage are her “Gentlemen of Distinction,” an ensemble of longtime friends and performers who have contributed to the world of jazz music at home and abroad for three decades.

Tickets: $12/person

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 7, 2017, 8 pm
The Eastern Standard Time Jazz Quartet featuring Chris Vadala

The Eastern Standard Time Jazz Quartet featuring Chris VadalaOne of the country's foremost woodwind artists, Chris Vadala is in demand as a jazz/classical performer and educator. His performing credits include five gold and two platinum albums, two Grammys, two Emmys, and one Golden Globe award. In addition, he has performed and/or recorded with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Chick Corea, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Placido Domingo, Sarah Vaughn, Natalie Cole, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, New York Voices, Frankie Valli, and many others. In 2009, he became a member of the award-winning Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and has been the first call saxophonist with National Symphony Orchestra for many years. As director of jazz studies and saxophone professor at the University of Maryland, Vadala is recognized as a distinguished scholar-teacher. Enjoy jazz standards and original compositions from his recent album "Eastern Standard Time" during this performance.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 31, 2017, 8 pm
Todd Marcus

Todd MarcusBass clarinetist and composer, Todd Marcus, returns to the Montpelier stage to present his new quintet with guitar, piano, bass, and drums. The performance will feature compositions written by Marcus that capture elements of his west Baltimore neighborhood where the death of community member Freddie Grey in April 2015 led to the city's subsequent civil unrest. As a musician who has also worked as a community activist in his neighborhood for 20 years (at his nonprofit Intersection of Change), Marcus's new compositions seek to portray both the challenges and strengths of his community and find beauty in each. “Marcus…is clearly what the jazz polls call a “rising star”…In Marcus’s hands, the bass clarinet is no longer a specialty instrument. Its unique timbral richness becomes incisive, fully capable of forceful expression.” ---JazzTimes

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, March 26, 2017, 2 pm
Women in Jazz: From Classrooms to Careers

In celebration of Women's History Month, this talk explores the unique path of girls and women who aspire to attain careers in jazz music. We will examine their challenges, attainable careers, and what it takes to succeed. Panel moderator Candy Shannon teaches audio classes at Howard University and directs the Tech Center in the School of Communications. As host and producer of WPFW’s “The Morning Brew–Friday Edition,” she will share her vast experience in television and radio. The panel includes Shannon Gunn, leader of Shannon Gunn and the Bullettes, an all-women jazz orchestra based in the D.C. area. Gunn’s studies reveal the different patterns in the jazz profession between girls and boys. Panelist Laura Dreyer is a world traveled saxophonist/flutist and composer, performing extensively with the famed Diva Jazz Orchestra and is often the only female in popular Latin jazz bands and in her own Brazilian jazz band. Join them for an informative and occasionally humorous program.

FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 24, 2017, 8 pm
Laura Dreyer: Manhattan-Rio Connection

Laura Dreyer: Manhattan-Rio ConnectionNew York saxophonist Laura Dreyer leads a top-flight quartet of international recording and performing artists in a program demonstrating the special sound Brazilian jazz has developed in the New York jazz scene. Born and raised on the west coast, Dreyer is known widely as a saxophonist, flutist, and composer. She has pursued her passion for Brazilian music for over 20 years, while also cutting a strong career path in American jazz. Performing widely in the United States and Brazil, her band features incomparable pianist Tim Murphy and rhythm players Leonardo and Alejandro Lucini from Rio de Janiero. Enjoy beloved Brazilian jazz classics and original contemporary Brazilian jazz by Dreyer, an artist known for her authentic renditions and catchy, lyrical melodies.

"The Portuguese idiom of Brasil comes so naturally to her that she could almost fool even the most astute listener into believing that she is Brasilian."—Raul de Gama, Latin Jazz Network

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, March 19, 2017, 3 pm
Jooyoung Kim

Jooyoung KimPianist Jooyoung Kim, a native of South Korea, is critically acclaimed on international stages for her dazzling technique, superb musicianship, and exquisite artistry. Since making her debut at the age of twelve as a soloist with the Korean Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Kim has presented numerous solo and chamber recitals in Korea, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Russia, and the United States. She has appeared as a soloist with many orchestras including the Korean Symphony Orchestra, Yonsei Sinfonietta, Yale University Symphony Orchestra, and the Ball State Symphony Orchestra, and others. She has given solo and chamber recitals in guest artist series in colleges and universities including Anderson University, Taylor University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Ball State University, to name a few. Currently, Dr. Kim is an adjunct piano professor at Indiana Wesleyan University as well as a founding member of Trio Harmonia and Ensemble ENLACE.

Free; $5 donation appreciated

Following the recital, please join us for a reception sponsored by CAAPA: Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 17, 2017, 8 pm
Thad Wilson Quartet featuring Vocalist Kristin Callahan

Thad Wilson Quartet featuring Vocalist Kristin Callahan Everyone who has heard Kristin Callahan agrees that her voice is fresh and vibrant; a vocalist to watch for years to come. From her tender ballads to her flawless execution of even the most challenging pieces, Callahan exudes charm and elegance, delivering traditional jazz in great style. Performing throughout the east coast, she attracts many of the finest recording and touring artists to join her onstage. Her third album, "A Burning Kiss," is slated for release in 2017. She appears with incredible trumpeter and bandleader Thad Wilson, who has played with many renowned jazz artists and toured the world, performing in numerous jazz festivals. Building his career in his native New Jersey, then NYC and Atlanta, he landed in DC, where he formed the Thad Wilson Jazz Orchestra and teaches at George Washington University. He has become a major figure in the DC jazz community, known as an innovative artist, educator, composer, and bandleader.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 10, 2017, 8 pm
Davey Yarborough and Esther Williams

Davey Yarborough and Esther WilliamsAudience favorites husband-and-wife duo Davey Yarborough and Esther Williams bring their soulful blend of jazz and original songwriting to the Montpelier stage. As a performer, bandleader, composer, and arranger, Davey has worked with Sir Roland Hanna, Keter Betts, Billy Eckstine, Buck Hill, Shirley Horn, Lena Horne, and Joe Williams. From 1988 to 1991, Davey’s sax was part of the memorable background music for The Cosby Show. Esther is a diverse performer with an extensive repertoire in jazz, R&B, pop, spiritual, gospel, and musical theater. She has opened for the Temptations and Peaches and Herb as well as produced and directed three successful musical variety shows. Together, in 1998, Davey and Esther created the Washington Jazz Arts Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and mentoring young and aspiring musicians. They have performed up and down the east coast, including the Kennedy Center, the Savoy in New York, and the East Coast Jazz Festival.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, March 9, 2017, 12 am
Ethel Ennis

Ethel EnnisBorn in Baltimore, Ennis began playing piano at age seven and soon performed in her church. Upon graduating high school in 1950, Ennis toured the U.S. and London with a number of jazz and R&B artists. In 1958, Benny Goodman selected Ennis as the female vocalist for his "all-star band" that toured Western Europe. Ennis has performed with a number of accomplished jazz and R&B artists such as Louis Armstrong, Count Basic, Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis, and Ray Brown. Nevertheless, Ennis’s solo performances hold the most significance in her career. Many have claimed that she "set a precedent" with her a cappella version of the national anthem at Richard Nixon's inauguration. In addition to her international jazz career, Ennis is also a woman minority entrepreneur, a band leader, a cultural ambassador, and a civic activist. Ennis believes music is not only a medium to be used for entertainment, but contains a “Soft Power” that "informs and inspires" others to bring about social change.

Tickets: $12/person

Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, February 19, 2017, 3 pm
Past Voices Black History Month Concert: Valentine Pringle

Past Voices Black History Month Concert: Valentine Pringle The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA)’s Past Voices series delves into the lives and music of little known black classical musicians, featuring Valentine Pringle. Born in the US, he is best remembered for his leading role in the British science fiction television series Sapphire and Steele (1979–1982). He also appeared in the films Shoot It Black, Shoot It Blue (1974), The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977), Ragtime (1981), and Brittania Hospital (1982) as President Ngami. As a songwriter, he wrote “Louise” for Harry Belafonte as well as many other classics. Friend of Richard Pryor and Lou Gossett Jr., he also worked with musicians Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, and actress/singer Eartha Kitt. In the 1980s, Pringle and his wife moved to South Africa. Sadly, in 1999, two intruders burglarizing his home tragically slew Pringle. Through this performance, he will be remembered for his rich, Paul Robeson-like voice.

FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Sunday, December 11, 2016, 3 pm & 6 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Byrd Trio

A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Byrd TrioFor almost two decades, The Eric Byrd Trio (pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd, bassist Bhagwan Khalsa, and drummer Alphonso Young, Jr.) have traveled the world as enthusiastic ambassadors of jazz. Rooted in swing and be-bop, the trio also embraces gospel and the blues as core elements of their expansive performance style. Their body of work spans seven unique studio and live recordings on which they take a rigorous, modern approach to standards as well as original compositions, playing with great acuity within the broad and rich jazz tradition. In this special holiday concert, The Eric Byrd Trio celebrates the music from the Peanuts’ Charlie Brown Christmas show—songs we all grew up with and loved. By bringing fresh arrangements to these familiar songs, it gets everyone in the holiday mood. Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Tickets: $15/person

Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, December 4, 2016, 1 pm
Annual Holiday Open House

Montpelier Arts Center invites families to a fun holiday celebration! Tour resident artists’ studios, attend exhibition receptions, shop the pottery sale, enjoy holiday music, and be inspired by art demonstrations.

FREE

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, November 13, 2016, 3 pm
Washington Saxophone Quartet

Washington Saxophone QuartetFormed in 1976, WSaxQ is the most widely heard saxophone quartet in the United States. Since 1997, recorded arrangements by the Washington Saxophone Quartet have aired daily throughout the United States on NPR’s broadcasts of “All Things Considered.” Concert audiences enjoy their connection to WSaxQ when they discover they’ve been listening to the quartet’s music during afternoon “drive-time.” And it often comes as a surprise that they’ve been hearing four saxophones! The instruments evoke the refined sounds of a string quartet, the rich harmonies of an organ prelude, and the excitement of a jazz sax section. The ensemble taps into a rich repertoire, from early music to newly commissioned works, and draws on a wealth of experience to reach listeners of every age and background. WSaxQ has performed recitals, informal concerts, and master classes in the United States, the Caribbean, and China, and on radio and television worldwide.

Free; $5 donation appreciated

Following the recital, please join us for a reception sponsored by CAAPA: Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, November 10, 2016, 12 am
Akua Allrich

Akua AllrichJazz vocalist and DC-native Akua Allrich has proven herself to be a musician of extraordinary talent and crowd-moving passion. With finesse and charisma, this vocalist, composer, and teacher has successfully etched out a place for her unique musical expression, electrifying audiences in and around the nation’s capital with sold-out performances. Born into a musical family (her father, Agyei Akoto, was a founding member of the jazz group, Nation, and recorded two albums during Allrich’s youth), her home held a wealth of cherished recordings. In fact, she did not buy any albums until her second year in college because her parents had such an amazing collection of jazz records. She will perform songs from her album Uniquely Standard, which she describes as a “conglomeration of my personal musical experience, which is jazz, soul, blues, and pan-African music. I guess the best way to describe the album is a soulful approach to standard jazz tunes.”

Tickets: $12/person
Ages: 60 & better

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 28, 2016, 8 pm
Cyrille Aimeé

Cyrille AimeéVocalist Cyrille Aimeé is a winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival’s International Vocal Competition, the Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, and the 2015 DownBeat Critic’s Poll for "Rising Star—Female Vocalist.” Raised primarily in France, she would sneak out her bedroom window to wander into the nearby gypsy encampments filled with those attending the annual Django Reinhardt Festival. Aimée quickly fell in love with gypsy music and their way of life; years later she would sing on street corners with friends, busking across the continent. Winning first prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival afforded her the opportunity to release her first album. Aimée's talents recently caught the attention of Stephen Sondheim, who cast her in an Encores Special Presentation at New York City's City Center.

This engagement of Cyrille Aimeé is funded through the Mid Atlantic Tours program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Photo: Ariane Rousselier

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 21, 2016, 8 pm
Terry Marshall & Bridges

Terry Marshall & BridgesTerry Marshall has performed in clubs and concert halls as far north as Toronto, Canada and as far south as Rio de Janeiro. With Terry Marshall & Bridges, he offers a tantalizing straight ahead program for jazz lovers. Aided by three formidable vocalists and a solid rhythm section, the pianist and composer will deliver a top shelf brand of jazz featuring plenty of harmony and groove, while seasoned lightly with rhythm and blues. Listeners will enjoy his arrangements of standards like Gershwin’s “Embraceable You” and Hoagie Carmichael’s “Skylark,” complemented by his own acclaimed compositions. Marshall’s 2014 debut recording, "Arrival," reached No. 25 on the CMJ jazz charts and received rave reviews from critics. His shows routinely produce a great deal of positive audience response. Listeners of all ages can’t help tapping their toes and humming along.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, October 16, 2016, 2 pm
Jazz Talk: “The Sounds of Brazil” with Michel Nirenberg

Jazz Talk: “The Sounds of Brazil” with Michel NirenbergBorn and raised in Rio de Janeiro, multi-instrumentalist and composer Michel Nirenberg is an award-winning musician with extensive experience playing the popular music of Brazil. An accomplished performer in both the northern and southern hemispheres, he is on a mission to introduce American music lovers to the fascinating range of Brazilian styles. There is so much more than bossa nova! With a percussionist at his side, he’ll demonstrate the mood elevating choro, forró, and maracatu rhythms coming from different states of Brazil. The duo will convey the irresistible excitement found in the dance halls and streets of Brazil, where Nirenberg has played in many Carnival parades.
FREE

Join Nirenberg and his Quartet for a live performance on Friday, October 14, 8 pm.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 14, 2016, 8 pm
Michel Nirenberg Quartet

Michel Nirenberg QuartetSaxophonist and composer Michel Nirenberg builds bridges between the classical, samba, and choro music he grew up playing in Brazil and the jazz music he explored more deeply in the United States. His compositions celebrate and build on the common roots found in the music of both hemispheres—a place where African and European influences combine to create a rich and inviting sound. Surrounded by equally accomplished and charismatic musicians, the audience will delight in a new experience of Brazilian music. In reviewing Nirenberg’s 2015 album, "Retrato/Portrait," Dan Bilawski of All About Jazz wrote, “In terms of style, substance, and execution, Nirenberg ranks high. This is some brilliant Brazilian jazz." Raul da Gama of the Latin Jazz Network, exclaimed, “Here is a player who uses virtuosity not for self-¬aggrandizement but to glorify the music.” The CD soared on the American CMJ radio charts peaking at No. 6.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Thursday, October 13, 2016, 12 am
Smooth Sounds for Seniors: Carly Harvey

Smooth Sounds for Seniors: Carly HarveyBased out of Washington, DC, Carly Harvey is an off-the-hook contemporary blues singer who combines blues, jazz, soul, Americana, roots, and rock styles with influences from Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi to Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. With an Etta James sound, Carly performs both as a soloist and with her other projects, including blues band Kiss and Ride and jazz duo Les Deux. In addition to recently releasing her US single “Love Me like a Man,” Carly has also released an international crossover album titled "Among The Stars" and EP "Y.A.M.W.A.O." with Italian producer/composer Taste of Dream.

Tickets: $12/person


Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, October 8, 2016, 11 am – 2 pm
¡Celebración Hispana!

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Montpelier this fall! Create your own Guatemalan worry doll and decorate sugar cubes to make a necklace inspired by Cuba.

All ages; FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 7, 2016, 8 pm
Curtis Brothers

Curtis BrothersFrom Hartford, Connecticut, pianist Zaccai Curtis and Grammy Award-winning bassist Luques Curtis follow a rich family tradition of jazz. Together they have recorded with such notables as Gary Burton, Brian Lynch, Eddie Palmieri, and John Santos, and their individual discographies are similarly impressive. They released "Blood–Spirit–Land–Water–Freedom" in 2010, followed by the hard-bop recording "Completion of Proof" in 2012. A third album is in the works. Zaccai graduated from the New England Conservatory and Luques attended Berklee College of Music. Their quartet features dynamic musicians Reinaldo De Jesus on congas and Richie Barshay on drums. Their music affirms the root sources of jazz and its African-Caribbean-New Orleans lineage. Rife with blues and swing rhythms, it retains the core elements of a spicy, hard bop melting pot.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Special Events at Montpelier
Friday, October 7, 2016, 7 pm
Pre-show Talk with The Curtis Brothers

Pre-show Talk with The Curtis BrothersThe Curtis Brothers Quartet includes four highly sought performing and recording artists in the worlds of jazz and Latin jazz. Brothers Zaccai and Luques Curtis are founders of the major independent label Truth Revolution Records and their quartet features Reinaldo De Jesus on congas and Richie Barshay on drums. In a pre-concert talk, the brothers will discuss how they integrate Afro-Caribbean music into jazz and what distinguishes that music from straight ahead jazz. Through demonstrations of some important rhythms, they will explain key elements (clave, 6/8 time, Puerto Rican, and South American styles, to name a few). Learn about some of the most important figures in Latin jazz and find out how these young and vibrant performers are contributing to the genre as artists and heads of a respected and novel label.

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 2, 2016, 3 pm
Peter Pakhomkin

Peter PakhomkinHailed by the "Baltimore Sun" as an artist of “formidable talents,” Russian-American guitarist, Piotr Pakhomkin, is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after concert guitarists of his generation. Piotr has been a featured performer at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater and Millenium Stage in Washington, DC, Strathmore Music Center, the Phillips Collection, Jordan Hall in Boston, Baltimore Modern Art Museum for the Baltimore Guitar Society, Maryland Hall in Annapolis, Teatro Pablo de Villavicencio in Mexico, D.B. Clarke Theatre in Montreal, and the National Theater of Panama City. As a concerto soloist, Piotr has appeared with the McLean Orchestra (USA), Annapolis Chamber Orchestra (USA), and Orquesta Sinfónica Sinaloa de las Artes (Mexico). He is an alumni of the prestigious Strathmore Artist-in-Residence program (2013-2014 season) and has stayed on as a faculty member mentoring rising young artists for Strathmore's Institute for Artistic and Professional Development.

Free; $5 donation appreciated

Following the recitals, please join us for a reception sponsored by CAAPA: Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 30, 2016, 8 pm
Bohemian Caverns All Star Band

Bohemian Caverns All Star BandFor the past 90 years, Bohemian Caverns has been DC’s “sole home of soul jazz.” Return “home” to the Caverns with this special performance featuring some of Bohemian Caverns’ All Stars. On piano, Allyn Johnson is a multi-talented musician, composer, arranger, and producer whose trademark sound gives brilliance and fortitude to the art of jazz improvisation. On bass, Michael Bowie trained with greats Keter Betts and Calvin Jones and has performed with Betty Carter, Sarah Vaughan, and The Harper Brothers. On drums, Carroll Dashiell III (CV) has worked with Wallace Ronney, Benny Golson, The National Symphony Orchestra, Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra, Patti Label, and Debbie Allen. On trumpet, Kenny Rittenhouse has led his own jazz quartet for the past 20 years, performing in and around the Washington, DC area. On saxophone, Tedd Baker has performed and/or recorded with New York Voices, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and the Washington Jazz Orchestra.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Documentaries at Montpelier
Sunday, September 25, 2016, 2 pm
"Calle 54" (2000, Rated: G)

"Calle 54" (2000, Rated: G)With only minimal introductory voiceovers, this film by Spanish director Fernando Trueba consists of studio performances by a wide array of Latin jazz musicians including Chucho Valdés, Bebo Valdés, Cachao, Eliane Elias, Gato Barbieri, Tito Puente, Paquito D'Rivera, Chano Domínguez, Jerry Gonzalez, Dave Valentin, Aquíles Báez, and Michel Camilo.

“'Calle 54' is my way of repaying a debt of gratitude to Latin jazz, music that made me enjoy myself and has helped me like no other. For me, the film is a musical. It’s a musical about music, about how it’s created and about how it emerges. Its plot or its script are the musical pieces chosen. Its protagonists, the musicians.” --- Fernando Trueba, Director

FREE

Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, September 24, 2016, 2 pm
One Maryland, One Book Discussion: "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

One Maryland, One Book Discussion: "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely What would you do if you witnessed something you never would have believed? And how do you know you’re doing the right thing? "All American Boys" is the unforgettable new novel written in tandem by award-winning authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. Two teens—one black, one white—grapple with the repercussions of a single violent act that leaves their school, their community, and, ultimately, the country bitterly divided by racial tension. This tour de force shares the alternating perspectives of Rashad and Quinn as the complications from that single violent moment, the type taken from the headlines, unfold and reverberate to highlight an unwelcome truth. Join us for this powerful and inspirational book discussion.

FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 23, 2016, 8 pm
Cristian Perez Quintet

Cristian Perez QuintetDefying all musical labels, Argentine guitarist/composer/teacher Cristian Perez weaves together genres from around the world to reveal the universality of music. With a strong foundation in classical, jazz, and South American music, he crafts a singular voice rich in sensitivity that freely explores the possibilities of the art form. Hear tunes such as the beloved “Libertango” by Argentine icon Astor Piazolla and “El Condor Pasa,” a folk song from the Andes area. His arrangement of “Moon River” is played in 6/8 using a traditional Argentine rhythm called zamba, while his original composition “The Persistent Elephant,” exhibits an Indian influence. The latter is a popular cut from his 2016 debut album, "Anima Mundi." The quintet includes flutist Yana Hristova, drummer Joe McCarthy, bassist Daniel Brown, and Emmanuel Trifilio on bandoneon.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Photo credit: Michele Egan

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 16, 2016, 8 pm
Tizer Quartet featuring Karen Briggs

Tizer Quartet featuring Karen BriggsThis acclaimed world jazz fusion powerhouse group features an all-star lineup of musicians. Led by pianist, keyboardist, composer, and former “Best New Jazz Artist” nominee, Lao Tizer (Down To The Bone, Special EFX), the group also features violinist extraordinaire Karen Briggs (Yanni, Stanley Clarke, Diana Ross), Chicago native drum phenom Gene Coye (Larry Carlton, Stanley Clarke), and Senegalese bassist Cheikh N’Doye (Baaba Maal, Mike Stern). TIZER has been proclaimed, “A torchbearer for a new generation of Contemporary Jazz” and has appeared at many premier venues around the world, including Blues Alley, Pasadena Jazz Fest, Playboy Jazz, Rams Head, Artscape, Dubai Jazz Fest, Martinique Jazz Fest, Jarasum International Jazz Fest in South Korea, and Newport Beach Jazz Fest to name a few. TIZER will bring their unique blend of original, high-energy jazz to this wonderfully intimate venue for a memorable evening of live jazz not to be missed!

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, May 28, 2016, 11 am
The Art of Yoga

Enjoy an hour-long yoga class in the beautiful galleries of Montpelier Arts Center. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Following the class, explore the art exhibitions in the galleries and discover the gorgeous grounds of Montpelier.

Ages 18 & up; FREE

Special Events at Montpelier
Friday, May 20, 2016, 7 pm
Yoga & Jazz

Breathe in… breathe out! Breathing connects yoga, jazz, and life to achieve the perfect balance between hard and soft, the firm and flexible, and the give and take. Get some relaxation and find your center this evening at a yoga class with live jazz music. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat.

Ages 18 & up; FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Saturday, May 14, 2016, 5 pm
René Marie

René MarieStarting her music career at age 42, René Marie experienced a whirlwind of success rarely seen in the jazz world. Winning over critics, receiving awards such as “Best International Jazz Vocal CD,” gracing the Billboard charts multiple times, and headlining major international festivals, her most recent achievement was the nomination of her album, I Want to Be Evil: With Love to Eartha Kitt for the 2015 Grammy Awards. A woman of great strength and humor, Marie specializes in writing her own music that shines attention on important issues in America, including race relations.

“[René Marie’s] delivery is so honest, so personable, so intimate […] that it is impossible to resist her charms. Her vocal agility, pitch-perfect musical sensibility, collaborative spirit and charisma give her the ability to deliver a tune like no one else.” ---Adam Parker, Arts & Culture Writer, The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 13, 2016, 8 pm
René Marie

Starting her music career at age 42, René Marie experienced a whirlwind of success rarely seen in the jazz world. Winning over critics, receiving awards such as “Best International Jazz Vocal CD,” gracing the Billboard charts multiple times, and headlining major international festivals, her most recent achievement was the nomination of her album, I Want to Be Evil: With Love to Eartha Kitt for the 2015 Grammy Awards. A woman of great strength and humor, Marie specializes in writing her own music that shines attention on important issues in America, including race relations.

“[René Marie’s] delivery is so honest, so personable, so intimate […] that it is impossible to resist her charms. Her vocal agility, pitch-perfect musical sensibility, collaborative spirit and charisma give her the ability to deliver a tune like no one else.” ---Adam Parker, Arts & Culture Writer, The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, May 12, 2016, 12 am
DC’s Finest aka “The Doo Wop Cops”

DC’s Finest aka “The Doo Wop Cops”DC's Finest is an a cappella group consisting of active and retired DC police officers who are often referred to as "The Doo Wop Cops." All members are Washingtonians who attended local high schools and sang at some point in their lives with a doo-wop group in the 50's and 60's.

Those years are revisited by many each time the group takes the stage with their a cappella nostalgic renditions of songs of the past as well as some of the current hits.

Tickets: $12/person


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, May 7, 2016, 11 am
Pen & Pose: A Workshop in Yoga and Writing

Yoga and writing both use literal and metaphorical vehicles to discover parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, illuminating pathways to feelings, memories, images, and stories embedded within our tissues, and helping us reflect, heal, and build community.

In this workshop, we’ll get in touch with our bodies through breath work and poses; mindfulness techniques will slow the mind and create a sense of the sacred; and writing exercises will help excavate what gets buried inside.

Wear comfortable clothing, bring a yoga mat, and your favorite notebook and pen.

Ages 18 & up; FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 6, 2016, 8 pm
Bumper Jacksons

Bumper JacksonsThe Bumper Jacksons are hot and sweet, painting America's story from New Orleans' brothels to Appalachian hollers. Unafraid to scrap together new sounds from forgotten 78's, the Bumper Jacksons boldly and elegantly balance paying homage to the traditions while fashioning their own unique, DIY style.

Recognized as the region's "Best Traditional Folk Band" at the 2013 and 2014 Washington Area Music Awards, the Bumper Jacksons are playfully creative with their originals and re-imagining roots music with both power and tenderness.

Bursting at the seams with some of the richest threads of old America, Bumper Jacksons bring you into the center of a party where everyone's invited and the dance floor never sleeps.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Saturday, April 30, 2016, 1 pm
Fortunata Trio, Flute/Clarinet/Bassoon

Fortunata Trio, Flute/Clarinet/BassoonThe Fortunata Trio includes Alicia Kosack on flute, Laura Armstrong on clarinet, and Kimberly Buchar Nolet on bassoon. Celebrating the joy and good fortune of performing chamber music as friends, they present unique programs that have recently featured works by women, Latin American, and a variety of 20th century and classical composers.

Free; $5 donation appreciated

Following the recitals, please join us for a reception sponsored by CAAPA: Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.


Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and The Arts
Saturday, April 30, 2016, 10 am
Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts

Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts FREE
Held rain or shine

Hosted by Montpelier Arts Center and Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site, celebrate spring at this fun festival for the entire family!

Visit the resident artists’ studios, watch art demonstrations, paint the Montpelier bird, and create spring-themed crafts. Stroll the Arts Center’s galleries and view exhibitions by Cianne Fragione & Seth Aldesberger and Dominie Nash.

At 1 pm, enjoy a classical recital by the Fortunata Trio (flute, clarinet, and bassoon).

Adjacent to the Arts Center is Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site. Visit the Mansion and stroll the beautiful grounds where you can purchase art, crafts, food, herbs, plants, and more. Self-guided tours are available year-round from
11 am – 3 pm (Thursdays–Tuesdays).

Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, April 23, 2016, 1 pm
Celebrate Earth Day at Montpelier!

Celebrate Earth Day at Montpelier! Enjoy the beauty of Montpelier’s grounds as flowers blossom while creating a fun and educational Earth Day activity for the whole family.
FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 15, 2016, 8 pm
Nasar Abaday and SUPERNOVA®

Nasar Abaday and SUPERNOVA®SUPERNOVA® performs music from the threshold of jazz to beyond space and time. Known for their innovative explorations of various jazz elements, SUPERNOVA® fuses African rhythms, bebop, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, and free form. The result are colors, textures, groove, and swing!

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, April 14, 2016, 12 am
Integriti Reeves: Billie Holiday Tribute

Integriti Reeves: Billie Holiday TributeBillie Holiday's contribution to American music is unprecedented and her legacy and influence on musicians and audience members around the world echoes across generations.

Vocalist Integriti Reeves and her ensemble pay homage to the incomparable "Lady Day,” on the heels of her centennial birth year! Integriti will present some of Billie Holiday's most famous repertoire, as well as some lesser known favorites. Some of the musical material will be re-imagined and presented through Integriti's modern vintage perspective.

Tickets: $12/person

Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, April 10, 2016, 2 pm
“The Art of Listening to Jazz” with Nasar Abaday

“The Art of Listening to Jazz” with Nasar AbadayDo you like listening to Jazz? If so, why? If not, why not?

Most of the popular music we hear today is commercialized and dominates the overall music scene both visually and audibly. Through this presentational journey, you will learn to appreciate the significance and artistry of jazz, its history and culture, as well as understand its complex harmonies, creative arrangements, and compositional strategies.

There is no intimidation in Jazz, only that you like it or you don't understand it, and you can come to realize that it is an individual interpretation and appreciation, through the proper Art of Listening...

FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 8, 2016, 8 pm
Fred Hersch

Fred HerschA jazz pianist and composer, Fred Hersch was the first person to play week-long engagements as a solo pianist at New York's Village Vanguard. He has recorded more than 70 of his jazz compositions and has been nominated for several Grammy Awards.

“Hersch may be one of the most lyrical pianists in jazz today but he avoids the ostentatious and the obvious, eschewing grand gestures and extravagant emotional outbursts in favor of a measured approach as much intellectual and musically referential as emotional.”---George Kanzler, The New York City Jazz Record

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 1, 2016, 8 pm
Phil Wiggins

Phil WigginsBorn in Washington, D.C., Phil Wiggins began his musical career playing harmonica with some of Washington’s leading blues artists, including the locally noted slide guitarist and gospel singer Flora Molton.

Phil is most well-known for his partnership with legendary guitarist & vocalist John Cephas. The WC Handy award-winning duo toured the world as ‘Cephas & Wiggins’ playing every continent except Antarctica for over 30 years.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 18, 2016, 8 pm
Akua Allrich: A Tribute to Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba

Akua Allrich: A Tribute to Nina Simone and Miriam MakebaIn her “Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba” tribute concerts, rising young vocalist and composer Akua Allrich pays homage to these two powerhouse artists, who have inspired her and millions of other jazz and music lovers around the globe.

The tribute will feature the songs that Simone and Makeba made their own.
"[These] women were mainstays in my development as a child," explained Allrich, whose own musical genesis comprises the blues, jazz, R&B and pan-African music. "My parents came out of the civil rights movement, and these two were musicians who made music based on freedom and self-expression, and particularly African expression."

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, March 13, 2016, 3 pm
Ward-Kong Duo, Piano/Cello

Ward-Kong Duo, Piano/Cello The range of emotion, color, and tone that cello and piano can produce is infinite; and, this duo demonstrates that fact.

Cellist Alicia Ward—a 2010-2011 season Strathmore Artist in Residence—has performed around the world, in such legendary venues as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and the Mariinsky Theatre. While, pianist Kimberly Kong has been praised for her “lyricism, delicacy of touch, and wide vocabulary of textures” (The Washington Post).

Free; $5 donation appreciated

Following the recitals, please join us for a reception sponsored by CAAPA: Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 11, 2016, 8 pm
The Sweater Set

The Sweater SetSince their early years as teens in a Washington, D.C. church choir, Maureen Andary and Sara Curtin have developed a unique musical relationship. Intricate harmonies soar over multi-instrumental arrangements of the ukulele, guitar, flute, hand percussion, accordion, banjo, glockenspiel, and the occasional kazoo/mouth trumpet solo. Listeners are invited into their joyful friendship as their songs play out like musically elaborate gossip about the perils of courtship, lust, and heartbreak.

“The Sweater Set will pluck at your heartstrings.” - The Washington Post

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, March 10, 2016, 12 am
Ethel Ennis

Ethel EnnisSinging to a sold-out crowd the past two years at Montpelier Arts Center, Ethel Ennis returns for the third annual Smooth Sounds for Seniors series! The outstanding Baltimore-based artist has sung to critical acclaim all over the world. Ennis’ voice possesses a smooth, buttery tone heavily vested in swing, and versatile enough to deliver from the classic songbook, original material, and the occasional rarity.

Tickets: $12/person

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 4, 2016, 8 pm
Chaise Lounge Band

Chaise Lounge BandChaise Lounge performs a blend of music that sounds like it was recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in 1962 and somehow found its way to today’s pop charts. You might call it “Early Stereo.” Or, perhaps Lounge with a capital “L.” Or, maybe it’s just plain enjoyable. This combination of five of the Washington area’s top jazz musicians will play sparkling arrangements of standards and original tunes, featuring the soft, luminous vocals of Marilyn Older.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Sunday, February 28, 2016, 3 pm
Deep River: Celebration of Black Classical Composers

In a musical tribute to Black History Month, enjoy an afternoon of narration and classical music honoring the works of Black Classical Composers including; Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, H.T. Burleigh, Hall Johnson and others.

FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Sunday, December 13, 2015, 3 pm & 7 pm
A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Byrd Trio

A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Byrd TrioThe Eric Byrd Trio celebrates the music from the Peanuts’ Charlie Brown Christmas show—songs we all grew up with and loved. By bringing fresh arrangements to these familiar songs, it gets everyone in the holiday mood. Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Tickets: $15/person

Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, December 6, 2015, 1 pm
Annual Holiday Open House

Montpelier Arts Center invites families to a fun holiday celebration! Resident artists open their studios for tours and offer works priced specially for holiday giving. Attend the opening reception for local artists in "Gratitude: All Hung Open Exhibition" and Montpelier resident artists. Stop by for a special pottery sale, holiday music, art demonstrations, and refreshments.
FREE

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, November 15, 2015, 3 pm
Yulia Petrochuk, Vocals

Yulia Petrochuk, VocalsBorn in Tula, Russia, Yulia Petrachuk began musical studies and performing from an early age of 5. Accepted into the prestigious Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow, she has since received a series of artistic honors and recognition at both the national and international level, as well as performing in numerous operas throughout Italy, Lithuania, Switzerland, Russia, and the U.S. east coast.

Free; $5 donation is appreciated

Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, October 31, 2015, 11 am
"Frankenweenie" (2012, Rated: PG)

"Frankenweenie" (2012, Rated: PG)Young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.

All ages; FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 30, 2015, 8 pm
Remembering Ronnie Wells and Ron Elliston

Remembering Ronnie Wells and Ron EllistonFor over 30 years Ronnie Wells and Ron Elliston performed and taught jazz in the Washington, DC area, and beyond. Many of the local jazz artists that now grace Washington’s music scene can credit this couple, at least in part, for contributing to their careers, and the musicians listed below are no exception. The passing of Ronnie in 2007, and Ron in 2015, has touched us all. We would like to honor memory, and present to those whose lives were, and continue to be, touched by Ron & Ronnie an evening of music that showcases the lasting contributions that they made to jazz. The evening will feature some of their original compositions, some of which were included on their 1992 “Live at Montpelier” CD, and a slideshow/video of Ron & Ronnie. After gracing the stage of Montpelier for years, the last performance of this wonderful duo was in 2006 at Montpelier – a fitting place for them to be remembered.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, October 25, 2015, 2 pm
“Baltimore Jazz: The Legacy of the Left Bank Jazz Society” with Willard Jenkins

“Baltimore Jazz: The Legacy of the Left Bank Jazz Society” with Willard JenkinsAward winning jazz journalist and popular WPFW show host Willard Jenkins delivered an enormously popular presentation in the first season of Montpelier Art Center’s “Jazz Talks.” He returns to focus on the history and state of jazz in “Charm City.” Get ready to learn new facts that will surely lead to another lively discussion.
FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 23, 2015, 8 pm
Juanito Pascual New Flamenco Trio

Juanito Pascual New Flamenco TrioJuanito Pascual is recognized in Spain and the U.S. as a unique and creative musical voice appealing to jazz, classical, and pop music fans. His compositions blend traditional and contemporary flamenco with influences ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Miles Davis and J.S. Bach. A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Pascual has performed at Lincoln Center, the Blue Note Jazz Club, Tanglewood Jazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival, and Madrid's renowned Casa Patas.

“One of the hottest Flamenco guitarists to emerge in recent years.”- National Public Radio

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 18, 2015, 3 pm
Mary Bowden, Trumpet

Mary Bowden, TrumpetClassical trumpeter and Yamaha Performing Artist, Mary Elizabeth Bowden has emerged as a brilliant, young soloist and is highly regarded for her artistry and virtuosity, as well as the clarity, purity and power of her sound. Bowden released her debut album Radiance on Summit Records in April 2015 featuring new American works and is a founding member of Chrysalis Chamber Players, a recipient of a Yale Alumni Grant, and Seraph Brass.

Free; $5 donation is appreciated

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 16, 2015, 8 pm
David Boothman and CAJE

David Boothman and CAJEBeing one of the catalysts for the Caribbean Jazz Renaissance in America, CAJE (Caribbean Art Jazz Ensemble) is an eloquent blend of international musicians whose World-Beat Jazz fuses calypso, salsa, and reggae in a smooth, sensuous, but fiery expression. Directed by Trinidad born artist/musician/composer David Boothman, this Maryland-based eclectic ensemble will take over your spirit – you can taste d’ music – a CAJE (pronounced "kah-jay") expression.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, October 10, 2015, 11 am
Montpelier Fall Festival

Montpelier Fall FestivalCelebrate fall at the third annual Montpelier Fall Festival! Paint pumpkins, create autumn-themed crafts, have your face painted, skate in the skate mobile, and have loads of family fun! Bring a large paper shopping bag and carry it with you as you create fun art projects at different stations throughout the arts center. You’ll go home with a bag full of souvenirs to remember this day of art!

All ages; FREE; bring your own pumpkin and large brown paper bag to decorate and carry projects.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 9, 2015, 8 pm
Elijah Jamal Balbed Quintet featuring Paul Bollenback

Elijah Jamal Balbed Quintet featuring Paul BollenbackSaxophonist and composer Elijah Jamal Balbed is an award-winning musician in the Washington, DC area. Balbed was named “Best New Jazz Musician” (2010) & “Best Tenor Saxophonist” (2013) by the "Washington City Paper," and has been a resident artist at the legendary jazz club, Bohemian Caverns and part of the 2013-2014 Strathmore Artist-in-Residence class. His quintet will be joined by special guest, Paul Bollenback on guitar.

“Elijah brings with him a deep sense of tradition, but one also hears a kaleidoscope of free flowing ideas, delivered on a golden platter, replete with a burly, and easy sound” - Craig Handy, Saxophonist/Educator

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, October 8, 2015, 12 pm
Chuck Holden

Chuck HoldenInternational jazz vocalist Chuck Holden has performed across the east coast from Connecticut to North Carolina to New York City to Philadelphia. Headlining the Jazz Festival at the Ritz-Carlton in the Grand Cayman Island, he also has performed at the East Coast Jazz Festival and most of the well-known jazz festivals and venues in the Baltimore and Washington area. Chuck currently performs with a ten piece band called the NinJazz in the Washington, DC area.

“[Holden’s] vocals have the kind of crystal clear articulation and interpretation that is reminiscent of Nat King Cole.” ---Dave Segal, Jazz Accordion

Tickets: $12/person


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 2, 2015, 8 pm
Marianne Matheny-Katz

Marianne Matheny-KatzBaltimore’s beloved singer, two-time award winner of the Billie Holiday Competition, released her CD "Somewhere in Paradise" to rave reviews, national airplay, and sold out concerts. Music critic John Murphy says, “She possesses a quintessential jazz voice, which she enlivens with lissome, conversational phrasing. Her Baltimore band features some of the biggest names in jazz today. She has built a substantial set list for the sophisticated ear, dressing beloved jazz tunes in new and noteworthy arrangements.”

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, September 27, 2015, 2 pm
Jazz Talk with César Orozco

Jazz Talk with César OrozcoHow does music education differ in Cuba, Venezuela, and the United States? Cuban born pianist, composer, and arranger César Orozco will help answer that question. He appears on dozens of albums, performs internationally, and is now writing music for his second theatrical production. Orozco earned a degree in violin performance and ensemble conducting from the National School of Arts in Havana, Cuba and worked extensively in Venezuela before earning a Graduate Performance Diploma (GPD) in jazz piano from Peabody Institute. Bring your curiosity and questions to this fascinating discussion!
FREE

This talk follows his performance with his band on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 8 pm.


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, September 26, 2015, 2 pm
One Maryland One Book Discussion: "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown

One Maryland One Book Discussion: "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown In its eighth year, One Maryland One Book is designed to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. The 2015 One Maryland One Book selection is "The Boys in the Boat," a dramatic story by Daniel James Brown about the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler's 1936 Berlin Olympics. Join us for this inspirational book discussion.
FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 25, 2015, 8 pm
César Orozco

César OrozcoCubadisco Award winning pianist César Orozco sets the stage on fire with exuberant Latin rhythms. Join him in celebrating his newest recording "No Limits for Tumbao" released on the international label Alfi Records. Orozco fuses jazz with Cuban and Venezuelan musical styles in unexpected ways that fans in North and South America find irresistible. Return on Sunday, September 27th at 2 pm for his Jazz Talk on music and music education in Cuba, Venezuela, and the U.S. from his experience.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 18, 2015, 8 pm
Rogerio Souza Quartet

Rogerio Souza QuartetInternationally known seven-string guitarist Rogerio Souza brings the engaging sounds of Brazilian choro to Montpelier Arts Center on one of his most exciting American tours to date. His group features world class musicians: bassist Leonardo Lucini and Andrew Connell on saxophone and clarinet. This concert celebrates the international release of the group's CD Brasil-Choro featuring the historic, enduring and ever popular music of great Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth (1863-1934). It has a lively, lyrical uplifting quality that chases the dark clouds away. Brazilians LOVE this music and American audiences will soon understand why.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Special Events at Montpelier
Thursday, September 10, 2015, 7 pm
Ripped from the Headlines: Reporting on the Integration of Laurel's Schools

Join the Laurel Historical Society and facilitator Lindsey Baker to discuss integration at Laurel’s schools.
FREE

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, September 10, 2015, 12 pm
Night & Day

Night & DayOne of the Washington area’s most popular swing bands, Night and Day’s core members have been performing together for the last fifteen years. Michael Suser, the band leader and D.C. native, studied jazz piano for many years and has performed both piano and jazz vocals at One Step Down as part of the Ron Elliston-Ronnie Wells workshops.

Tickets: $12/person

Movies at Montpelier
Wednesday, August 12, 2015, 8 pm
Summer Outdoor Movies: "Big Hero 6" (2014, Rated: PG)

Summer Outdoor Movies: "Big Hero 6" (2014, Rated: PG)When a criminal plot threatens the hi-tech metropolis of San Fransokyo, brilliant young robotics whiz Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter) leaps into action with his tech-savvy friends, and his robot companion Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit) in Disney Animation's adaptation of the popular Marvel Comics series.

Free

Movies at Montpelier
Wednesday, July 29, 2015, 8 pm
Summer Outdoor Movies: "The Book of Life" (2014, Rated: PG)

Summer Outdoor Movies: "The Book of Life" (2014, Rated: PG)Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.

Free


Movies at Montpelier
Wednesday, July 15, 2015, 8 pm
Summer Outdoor Movies: "Grease" (1978, Rated: PG)

Summer Outdoor Movies: "Grease" (1978, Rated: PG)"Grease," said the poster and the Barry Gibb song, "is the word." Set in the 1950s, teens Danny (John Travolta) and Australian transfer Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) spend their "Summer Nights" falling in love. Once fall comes, it's back to Rydell High and its cliques. As one of the bad-boy T-Birds, Danny has to act cool around his leather-clad classmates, while Sandy, as the new girl, doesn’t quite fit in with the rebellious Pink Ladies. Belt out tunes such as "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Beauty School Drop-out” as you watch Sandy and Danny’s tumultuous romance unfold amidst pep rallies, dances, and drive-ins.

Free


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, May 23, 2015, 11 am
The Art of Yoga

Enjoy an hour-long yoga class in the beautiful galleries of Montpelier Arts Center. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Following the class, explore the art exhibitions in the galleries and discover the gorgeous grounds of Montpelier.

Ages 18 & up; FREE

Special Events at Montpelier
Friday, May 15, 2015, 7 pm
Yoga & Jazz

Breathe in… breathe out! Breathing connects yoga, jazz, and life to achieve the perfect balance between hard and soft, the firm and flexible, and the give and take. Get some relaxation and find your center this evening at a yoga class with live jazz music. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat.

Ages 18 & up; FREE

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, May 14, 2015, 12 am
Karen Lovejoy and the Lovejoy Group-Jazz and the American Songbook

Karen Lovejoy and the Lovejoy Group-Jazz and the American SongbookThe Lovejoy Group is an east coast aggregate that brings experience and soulfulness to the jazz arena. Their songbook concert of sweet saxophone and sultry vocals is a loose historical sketch of how jazz met Broadway, creating musical magic. This concert is a tribute to that era — a time of elegance, glamour, and all things refined! But “it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing,” and this performance does!

Tickets: $12/person

Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, May 9, 2015, 11 am
Pen & Pose: A Workshop in Yoga and Writing

Yoga and writing both use literal and metaphorical vehicles to discover parts of ourselves that have lain dormant, illuminating pathways to feelings, memories, images, and stories embedded within our tissues, and helping us reflect, heal, and build community. In this workshop, we’ll get in touch with our bodies through breath work and poses; mindfulness techniques will slow the mind and create a sense of the sacred; and writing exercises will help excavate what gets buried inside. Wear comfortable clothing, and bring a yoga mat and your favorite notebook and pen.

Ages 18 & up; FREE

LIVE at Montpelier!
Saturday, May 2, 2015, 8 pm
Ewan Dobson

Ewan DobsonAs a classical and fingerstyle guitarist, Ewan Dobson has established himself as one of Canada’s most brilliant and exhilarating young guitarists. He has won numerous awards at local, national, and international competitions, including
the Kiwanis Music Festival, the International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, and the Montreal Guitar Grand Prix. Dobson is noted for the intensity and virtuosity of his fingerstyle playing, and his music is influenced by video game music, extended technique, bluegrass, classical, folk, techno, heavy metal, and trance.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 1, 2015, 8 pm
Albert Castiglia

Albert CastigliaAlbert Castiglia is an artist who sings from the gut, shoots guitar licks from the hip, and writes songs that articulate one’s hopes, fears, and heartaches. Having opened for ZZ Top, Elvin Bishop, and The Radiators, Castiglia’s colorful history includes touring the U.S. and Europe as the legendary Junior Wells’ lead guitar player before Wells’ death in 1998, and then joining Atlanta vocalist Sandra
Hall for national tours. His unique style of modern day blues with a traditional core has made him a favorite high-energy performer at festivals across the country.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Saturday, April 25, 2015, 1 pm
Keesun Kwon

Keesun KwonHaving performed in many regional and national venues in the U.S., soprano
Keesun Kwon has appeared as Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Gilda in Rigoletto, and
Madame Heart in Der Schauspieldirektor. Dr. Kwon has sung oratorios from
Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Bach’s Christmas
Oratorio, and Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessore with various ensembles.

Free, but a $5 donation is appreciated

Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and The Arts
Saturday, April 25, 2015, 10 am
Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts

Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts FREE
Held rain or shine

Listen to live music, visit the resident artists’ studios, watch art demonstrations, paint the Montpelier bird, and enjoy other creative, family-friendly activities.

Hosted by Montpelier Arts Center and Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site, celebrate spring at this fun festival for the entire family! Listen to live music, visit the resident artists’ studios, watch art demonstrations, paint the Montpelier bird, and enjoy other creative activities. Stroll the Arts Center’s galleries and view exhibitions by Ellyn Weiss, Wayson R. Jones, and Patrick Cromwell. At 1 pm, enjoy a classical recital given by soprano Keesun Kwon.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 24, 2015, 8 pm
Ian Walters

Ian WaltersIan B. Walters plays spirited, updated blues and standards, as well as contemporary tunes and is known for his unique piano sound, dripping
with soul vocals and all-around good vibes. Classically trained and influenced by the likes of Jelly Roll Morton, James Booker, Memphis Slim, and Mississippi John Hurt, Walters’ inventive interpretations refresh great old songs. One of the
most sought-after performers in the Washington, D.C. area, he can often be spotted playing blues festivals and clubs solo or with his backup band, The SwampKeepers.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, April 19, 2015, 3 pm
Stefan Scaggiari presents and "I Love Paris" Concert on Piano

Stefan Scaggiari presents and "I Love Paris" Concert on PianoStefan Scaggiari puts together an assemblage of Frédéric Chopin, Maurice Ravel, and George Gershwin, all of whom studied, lived, or worked in Paris. Delighting audiences with dazzling versatility, Scaggiari is at home with Ellington, Gershwin, Mozart, and Rachmaninoff alike. He has performed as both a jazz and classical pianist at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Concord Pavilion, and Baltimore Artscape. Scaggiari has collaborated as a soloist with the Kansas City Symphony, the Evansville Philharmonic, the Florida Orchestra, and the Calgary Philharmonic, and also in crossover classical/jazz concerts with his trio at the Shriver Hall Concert Series.

Free, but a $5 donation is appreciated

Movies at Montpelier
Saturday, April 18, 2015, 6 pm
Dinner and a Movie: Life is Beautiful (1997, Rated: PG-13)

Dinner and a Movie:  Life is Beautiful (1997, Rated: PG-13)Roberto Benigni directs and stars as Guido in this extraordinary Academy Award-winning tale about the power of humor and imagination set against the stark reality of World War II Europe. Guido, a charming but bumbling Jewish-Italian waiter with an imagination and an irresistible sense of humor, arrives in the Tuscan town of Arrezzo, wins the heart of the woman he loves, and creates a beautiful life for his family. But when World War II threatens that life, Guido must rely on that very same humor and imagination to save his beloved and his son from an unthinkable fate.

Enjoy the annual gastronomic and cinematic Dinner and a movie film series! Dinner is served at 6 pm and matched with some aspect of the evening’s film, which is shown immediately after dinner. Tickets for both dinner and film are $30/person, and must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.

Film only tickets are available for $10/person on the day of the screening. Seating is limited and film only tickets may not always be available.

Tickets may be purchased with a Visa or MasterCard by calling the Arts Center at 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664; TTY 301-490-2329.


Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, April 18, 2015, 1 pm
Celebrate Earth Day at Montpelier!

Celebrate Earth Day at Montpelier! Show the earth some love! Upcycle your plastic bottles into a terrarium, bird feeder, or piggy bank and enjoy the beautiful grounds of Montpelier.

Free

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 17, 2015, 8 pm
Tony DeSare

Tony DeSareNamed a “Rising Star” Male Vocalist in Down Beat magazine’s 2009 Critics Poll, DeSare has lived up to the distinction by winning critical and popular acclaim for his concerts throughout the U.S., Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. “Two parts Sinatra to one part Billy Joel” (New York Times), Tony DeSare performs with infectious joy, wry playfulness, and robust musicality, bringing his old-school class from jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to headlining with Don Rickles in Las Vegas. With three Top Ten Billboard jazz albums and features on the CBS Early Show, NPR, and the Today Show, Tony is also an award-winning composer; his compositions range widely between romantic, funny, and soulful.

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 10, 8 pm Saturday, April 11, 5 pm
The Freddy Cole Quartet featuring Freddy Cole

The Freddy Cole Quartet featuring Freddy ColeWith a career spanning over 50 years, Freddy Cole sounds a lot like his legendary brother Nat King Cole, yet has his own vocal personality that is darker, smokier, and jazzier. He debuted in 1952 with the single “The Joke’s on Me” and has since recorded and performed prolifically, gaining him a broad homegrown and international following. Cole was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and nominated for a Grammy for Best Vocal Jazz
Album in 2010. He leads the Freddy Cole Quartet, which regularly tours throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, April 9, 2015, 12 am
Indigo Sings Sarah Vaughan

Indigo Sings Sarah VaughanClassy, sophisticated, and nostalgically beautiful "Indigo Sings Sarah" is a walk down memory lane for those who remember Sarah "Sassy" Vaughan, and an enlightening experience for those meeting her for the first time. Complete with music, photography, Indigo Love's poignant delivery of many of the songs synonymous with Sarah Vaughan is sure to please even the most discriminating audience!

Tickets: $12/person

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 27, 2015, 8 pm
The Sweater Set

The Sweater SetPLEASE NOTE: THIS PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO A FAMILY EMERGENCY.

Since their early years as teens in a Washington, D.C. church choir, Maureen Andary and Sara Curtin have developed a unique musical relationship. Intricate harmonies soar over multi-instrumental arrangements of ukelele, guitar, flute, hand percussion, accordion, banjo, glockenspiel, and the occasional kazoo/mouth trumpet solo. The Sweater Set was awarded 2013, 2012, and 2011 WAMMIES for Best Contemporary Folk Duo and in 2011, they were Artists-in-Residence at the Strathmore Center for the Performing Arts. Listeners are invited into their joyful friendship as their songs play out like musically elaborate gossip about the perils of courtship, lust, and heartbreak.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, March 22, 2015, 3 pm
Gemini Piano Trio

Gemini Piano TrioThis trio of violin, cello, and piano has been praised as “mind readers, anticipating each other’s every move,” and “epitomized the idiom of chamber
music” by the Taipei Times. They have performed at prestigious venues in the United States and abroad, including sold-out debut concerts at the Taipei
National Recital Hall in 2008 and Carnegie/Weill Recital Hall in 2010 to rave reviews. This year, the Gemini Piano Trio celebrates its 20th anniversary
of making music together as a family, with a special 2014-2015 celebration season.

Free, but a $5 donation is appreciated

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 20, 2015, 8 pm
Ron Kearns Quintet

Ron Kearns QuintetThe Ron Kearns Quintet has been a favorite at jazz festivals and venues all over the United States. Led by veteran recording artist, producer, and educator Ron Kearns on saxophone, with Paul Wingo on guitar, Kent Miller on bass, Mark Prince on drums, and Michael Thomas on trumpet/fluegelhorn, the Washington,
D.C.-based group performs acoustic jazz in the style of the Old Blue Note Records recordings of Be Bop and Hard Bop. The Ron Kearns Quintet has delighted audiences at the Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, and London’s 100 Club, to name a few, with their own style of elegant, lyrical, and often playful melody.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

LIVE at Montpelier!
Tuesday, March 17, 2015, 8 pm
St. Patrick's Day Concert: RUNA

Most recently recognized in the 2013 Irish Music Awards and the 12th Annual
Independent Music Awards, RUNA draws on the diverse musical backgrounds of its band members and offers a contemporary and refreshing approach to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material. Their repertoire of highly energetic and graceful acoustic melodies, along with their fusion of
music from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the U.S., gives their arrangements of traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Documentaries at Montpelier
Sunday, March 15, 2015, 1 pm
The Girls in the Band (2011)

Celebrate Women's History Month

They wiggled and jiggled, wore low-cut gowns and short shorts, they kowtowed
to club owners, and smiled at the customers. In the thirties and forties, these women did it all, just to play the music they loved. Yet, by the mid-fifties, female jazz musicians had literally disappeared from the workplace, their names and contributions to music completely forgotten. The Girls in the Band tells the poignant, untold stories of female jazz and Big Band instrumentalists and their fascinating, groundbreaking journeys from the late-thirties to present day. These talented women endured sexism, racism, and diminished opportunities for decades, yet continued to persevere in a field that seldom welcomed them. Today, there is a new breed of gifted young women taking their rightful place in the jazz world, which can no longer deny their talents.

Tickets: $5/person and includes snacks & beverages

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 13, 2015, 8 pm
Sharón Clark

Standout Washington, D.C. jazz vocalist Sharón Clark has brought festival and concert audiences to their feet across the U.S. and Europe. A winner of the Gold Medal and $10,000 top prize in the Savannah Music Festival’s American Traditions Competition, Ms. Clark has headlined the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, the historic Lincoln Theater, and the Cape May Jazz Festival. She has appeared with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and has performed by invitation for President William Jefferson Clinton.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, March 12, 2015, 12 am
Ethel Ennis

A favorite at Montpelier, Ethel Ennis returns to open the second annual Smooth Sounds for Seniors series! The incomparable Baltimore-based artist has sung
to critical acclaim all over the world. Ennis’ voice possesses a smooth, buttery tone heavily vested in swing, and versatile enough to deliver from the classic
songbook, original material, and the occasional rarity.

Tickets: $12/person

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, February 27, 2015, 8 pm
James Cotton

Blues harmonica player, singer, and songwriter James Cotton has performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time. Although he played drums early in his career, Cotton is most famous for his work on the harmonica. In 1965 he formed the James Cotton Blues Quartet, and in the
1970s, Cotton played harmonica on Muddy Waters’ Grammy winning 1977 album Hard Again, produced by Johnny Winter. After battling throat cancer in the 1990s, Cotton released two studio albums and continued to tour with his band. He won a Grammy in 1996 for Best Traditional Blues Album for his album Deep in the Blues, and was nominated in 2014 for a Blues Music Award as Best Instrumentalist in the Harmonica category.

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

Documentaries at Montpelier
Sunday, February 22, 2015, 1 pm
A Band Called Death (2012)

Before there was punk, there was a band called Death. In the early ‘70s,
three teenage brothers formed a band in their spare bedroom and began playing
a few local gigs, and even pressed a single in the hopes of getting signed. But this was the era of Motown and the emerging disco. Record companies found Death’s music–and band name–too intimidating, and the group was never given a fair shot, disbanding before they even completed one album. Equal parts electrifying rockumentary and epic family love story, A Band Called Death chronicles the incredible fairy-tale journey of what happened almost three decades later, when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of the attic and found an audience several generations younger. Playing music impossibly ahead of its time, Death is now being credited as the first black punk band (or the first punk band), and are finally receiving their long overdue recognition as true rock pioneers.

Tickets: $5/person and includes snacks & beverages

Movies at Montpelier
Saturday, February 21, 2015, 6 pm
Dinner and a Movie: Bird (1988)

Academy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood, a well-known, long-standing jazz aficionado, delivers a compassionate portrait of jazz visionary Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. Eastwood, who also won a Golden Globe for Best Director for this film, paints a vivid portrait of the jazz world in all its complexity. As Parker, Forest Whitaker paints a multi-faceted performance
that facilitates an understanding of the man’s genius and tragedy. This music-driven film was an Academy Award winner for Best Sound.

Enjoy the annual gastronomic and cinematic Dinner and a Movie film series! Dinner is served at 6 pm and matched with some aspect of the evening’s film, which is shown immediately after dinner. Tickets for both dinner and film are $30/person, and must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.

Film only tickets are available for $10/person on the day of the screening.
Seating is limited and film only tickets may not always be available.

Tickets may be purchased with a Visa or MasterCard by calling the Arts Center at
301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664; TTY 301-490-2329.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Sunday, December 14, 2014, 4 pm
An A Cappella Holiday with The Capital Hearings

Since 2010, the lush a cappella harmonies of The Capital Hearings have delighted Washington audiences, large and small. With repertoire ranging from Renaissance motets to modern hits, this dynamic ensemble is praised for its versatility. The Capital Hearings will be making spirits bright with a festive, family-friendly program of seasonal favorites, vocal jazz, and contemporary arrangements. The perfect holiday concert!
“Once again, The Capital Hearings had stolen the show.” —Roll Call

Tickets: $15/person


Movies at Montpelier
Saturday, December 13, 2014, 11 am
Frozen Sing-A-Long

Fearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf in an epic journey, braving Everest-like conditions to find and save her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter. Elsa, haunted by the moment her magic nearly killed her sister Anna, has isolated herself, spending every waking moment trying to suppress her powers, but fears she’s becoming a monster and that no one, not even Anna, can help her.

Free

Special Events at Montpelier
December 7, 2014, 1-4 pm
Annual Holiday Open House

Montpelier Arts Center invites families to a fun holiday celebration! Resident artists open their studios for tours and offer works priced specially for holiday giving in the Gallery Shop. Attend the opening reception for the annual exhibitions featuring the Patuxent Art League and Montpelier resident artists, and stop by for a pottery sale, holiday music, art demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and refreshments.
FREE

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, November 23, 2014, 3 pm
La Vita Duo

New York-based classical guitar and soprano duo Jeanai and Giacomo La Vita have performed in concert series throughout the U.S. and Europe, with concerts in New York, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, where they gave a concert at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, at the invitation of the United Nations. Individually, they have active careers as soloists, having performed with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and the Ravinia Festival. With the assistance of a Creative Grant from the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, La Vita Duo released their new album Nightfall in 2012.

The annual recital series of classical music is a juried competition open to all classical musicians in the United States. All recitalists are winners of the 2014-2015 Classical Recital Competition, chosen this year by Mr. Stefan Scaggiari, renowned classical and jazz pianist. Recitals take place in the Main Gallery at Montpelier. Classical recitals are free, but a $5 donation is appreciated.




Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, November 9, 2014, 2 pm
Jazz Talk: “Jazz Giants of Washington, D.C.” with Rusty Hassan

Washington, D.C. has a rich jazz history. It is the birthplace of Duke Ellington, but many other prominent musicians have called D.C. their home. Billy Taylor and Charlie Rouse grew up in the District before moving on and numerous others had notable careers while maintaining their ties to D.C. This session will touch upon the Duke and examine the music of Washingtonians Shirley Horn, Buck Hill, Andrew White, Keter Betts, and Rick Henderson. We’ll view excerpts from two documentaries: Oxygen For The Ears: Living Jazz and Seventh and T. We’ll also reminisce about Bohemian Caverns, the One Step Down, Blues Alley, Twins, and Harold’s Rogue and Jar, among others, and talk about where to hear jazz now in D.C.

Join us at Montpelier Arts Center for a new series of interactive, educational artist talks about jazz, music, and life, followed by a Q&A session.

Movies at Montpelier
Saturday, November 8, 2014, 11 am
Steamboy

Steamboy
From the leader in anime Katsuhiro Otomo, Steamboy is the most expensive Japanese anime film production ever. Go on an epic adventure with inventor prodigy Ray Steam in Victorian England as he realizes his dream to build a steam castle, overcome obstacles, fighting evil, and saving London along the way. An open discussion about anime will follow the screening of Steamboy, led by Montpelier instructors George Kochell and Joe Holliman.

All ages; FREE

Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, October 26, 2014, 2 pm
Jazz Talk: “The Evolution of Modern Jazz” with Willard Jenkins

Sunday, October 26, 2014, 2 pm
“The Evolution of Modern Jazz” with Willard Jenkins
Beginning in the 1940s, a core of restless musicians became weary at the creative restrictions of performing in the style of the big bands. In that large ensemble context—otherwise known as the Swing Era—even the greatest soloists were restricted in improvisational expression, sometimes to just one feature spot per show. After their big band shows in downtown venues, certain forward-thinking musicians began jamming, creating, and expanding their sense of the music at late-night after-hours sessions in Minton’s Playhouse and Monroe’s Uptown House in Harlem. This resulting evolution eventually shifted the music called jazz from dance halls to listening environments, into what became known under the general rubric as Modern Jazz, which is the essence of the art of the improvisers, a broad universe of expression that extends to today.

Join us at Montpelier Arts Center for a new series of interactive, educational artist talks about jazz, music, and life, followed by a Q&A session.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 24, 2014, 8 pm
Veronneau

VeronneauInternational band Veronneau has captivated festival, concert, and club audiences across North America and Europe with their unique world jazz sound, deliciously blending bossa nova, gypsy jazz, samba, and swing, performed in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Based in Washington, D.C., Veronneau attracts large crowds to venues like the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, and Blues Alley, and their two CD releases have earned rave reviews and made local and regional top 10 charts in scores of North American cities. Come take a listen, and you’ll hear why both Veronneau albums have earned extensive airplay.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 19, 2014, 3 pm
Beau Soir Ensemble

The Beau Soir Ensemble is a flute, viola, and harp trio dedicated to the performance of standard and contemporary repertoire spanning a variety of genres. In recent years they have performed at the Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage, An die Musik LIVE! in Baltimore, MD, the Arts Club of Washington, Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, MD, and the Mid-Atlantic Harp Conference in 2011.

The annual recital series of classical music is a juried competition open to all classical musicians in the United States. All recitalists are winners of the 2014-2015 Classical Recital Competition, chosen this year by Mr. Stefan Scaggiari, renowned classical and jazz pianist. Recitals take place in the Main Gallery at Montpelier Arts Center.

Classical recitals are free, but a $5 donation is appreciated.


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 17, 2014, 8 pm
Bill Charlap Trio

Bill Charlap Trio One of the world’s premier jazz pianists, Bill Charlap has performed and recorded with many leading artists of our time, ranging from jazz masters Phil Woods and Wynton Marsalis to singers Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand. Time magazine wrote, “Bill Charlap approaches a song the way a lover approaches his beloved… no matter how imaginative or surprising his take on a song is, he invariably zeroes in on its essence.” Since 1997, he has led Bill Charlap Trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, now recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz.

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Special Events at Montpelier
October 11, 11 am-2 pm
Montpelier Fall Festival

Celebrate fall at the second annual Montpelier Fall Festival! Paint pumpkins, create autumn-themed crafts, have your face painted, skate in the skate mobile, and have loads of family fun! Bring a large paper shopping bag to Montpelier, and carry it with you as you create fun art projects at different stations throughout the arts center. You’ll go home with a bag full of souvenirs to remember this day of art!

FREE; bring your own pumpkin and large brown paper bag to decorate and carry projects


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 10, 2014, 8 pm
Davey Yarborough and Esther Williams

Davey Yarborough and Esther WilliamsAudience favorites husband-and-wife duo Davey Yarborough and Esther Williams bring their soulful blend of jazz and original songwriting to the Montpelier stage. Davey is a music studies teacher at Duke Ellington School for the Arts, and Esther is a long time musical stage actress. They have performed up and down the East Coast, including the Kennedy Center, the Savoy in New York, and the East Coast Jazz Festival.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Saturday, October 4, 2014, 7 pm
Harold López-Nussa Trio

Harold López-Nussa Trio Cuban-born pianist Harold López-Nussa began piano studies at age eight at the Manuel Saumell Conservatory. In 2005, Harold gained international attention by taking first place in the Solo Piano Competition at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and in 2011, the French Music Association awarded him “Jazz Talent 2011.” As a film composer, Harold received the award for Best Original Soundtrack at the 9th New Filmmakers Exhibit for his music in the Cuban documentary Salvador de Cojímar, by director Ernesto Sánchez. López-Nussa fuses his classical training and love of jazz with his Cuban roots, playing with dazzling technique and an abundance of soul.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, September 27, 2014, 2 pm
One Maryland One Book Discussion: The Distance Between Us

One Maryland One Book Discussion:  The Distance Between UsIn its seventh year, One Maryland One Book is designed to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. The 2014 One Maryland One Book selection is The Distance Between Us: A Memoir by Reyna Grande, a poignant memoir of life before and after entering the U.S. from Mexico as an undocumented immigrant. Come to Montpelier Arts Center and join this lively book discussion.
FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 26, 2014, 8 pm
Brazil Project featuring Leonardo Lucini

Brazil Project featuring Leonardo Lucini It has been 52 years since Americans first fell in love with Samba and Bossa Nova, and the love affair continues. Brazil Project marries authentic and compelling Brazilian rhythms with contemporary jazz in a memorable way. This performance features virtuoso seven-string bassist and composer Leonardo Lucini from Rio de Janeiro and Canadian saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk, known for his mastery of West African rhythms that fuel the music of both continents. Expect ensemble playing and out-of-sight solos.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 19, 2014, 8 pm
The Cheikh Ndoye Group

The Cheikh Ndoye GroupAn accomplished musical artist whose music is a rich fusion of jazz and world music, bassist Cheik Ndoye’s musical influences stem from his Senegalese heritage combined with his love for classic and contemporary American jazz. Ndoye will also be performing with violinist Karen Briggs, guitarist Dan Leonard, drummer Tosin, saxophonist Ted Baker, and pianist Ei Staples.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 12, 2014, 8 pm
Dick Morgan Reunion Band

Dick Morgan Reunion BandDick Morgan was a favorite at Montpelier, delighting fans of all ages with his pianistic virtuosity. Since Dick’s passing, his group has remained together to honor his memory by playing the music Dick was known for. For this special performance, Japanese pianist Tadataka Unno joins them onstage.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Movies at Montpelier
Wednesday, August 6, 2014, 8:30 pm
Where the Wild Things Are

Join us on the lawn of beautiful Montpelier for a free outdoor movie featuring the film adaptation of the beloved children's book.



Movies at Montpelier
Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 8:30 pm
Steamboy

Join us on the lawn of beautiful Montpelier for a free outdoor movie featuring the anime film Steamboy. Anime fans of all ages will enjoy this movie.

Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, June 5, 2014, 12 am
Chuck Fisher Performs Country

Chuck Fisher Performs CountryVisit Montpelier this spring for a fun, new series of special programs just for seniors ages 60 & better!

Hee haw in your cowboy hat while you listen to the smooth sounds of Chuck Fisher singing a variety of traditional and contemporary country western selections.
Tickets: $12/person


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, May 31, 2014, 5 pm
Resonance of South Asia with Sitar

Enjoy a sitar concert in honor of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. This program features a display of traditional tapestries and saris/fabrics from South Asia and connects the music and traditions of Indian classical music with raag-mala paintings, a Saari exhibition and cuisine of the land.
Tickets: $20/person


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, May 24, 2014, 11 am
Celebrate National Fitness Month / The Art of Yoga

Enjoy an hour-long yoga class in the beautiful galleries of Montpelier Arts Center. Bring a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. Following the class, explore the art exhibitions in the galleries or discover the gorgeous grounds of Montpelier.
Ages 18 & up; FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 16, 2014, 8 pm
Cyrus Chestnut, Jazz Piano

Cyrus Chestnut, Jazz PianoCyrus Chestnut constructs melodies that tell stories on the black and white keys of the piano, based on experiences he’s seen, felt and heard. Chestnut’s brand of crisp articulation and blues-influenced harmony evokes another era, skillfully blending sounds while unabashedly bringing gospel into his club performances.
Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 9, 2014, 8 pm
Walt Michael, Folk/Bluegrass/Celtic

Walt Michael, Folk/Bluegrass/CelticIn his forty years as a performer, musician, vocalist, recording artist, composter, band leader, educator and artistic director, Walt Michael has established himself as an expressive performer of the hammered dulcimer. Walt Michael and his band continue to cross barriers, tastefully and successfully blending tradition with innovation.
This performance is supported by a Maryland State Arts Council Maryland Touring Grants Program.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, May 8, 2014, 12 pm
Sounds Like Etta

Visit Montpelier this spring for a fun, new series of special programs just for seniors ages 60 & better!

You’ll be mesmerized by the rich and amazing sounds of Etta Duren, a fantastic vocalist who’ll perform popular R&B and jazz selections made famous by Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight and of course, Etta James.
Tickets: $12/person


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, May 3, 2014, 11 am
Celebrate National Fitness Month / Pen & Pose: A Workshop in Yoga and Writing

Our stories often lie hidden not just in our grey matter, but in our muscles, glands, guts and breath. The creative work of both yoga and writing can illuminate pathways into feelings, memories and images stored deep within our bodies. In this unique workshop, poet and yoga teacher Yael Flusberg will lead you through yoga practices interspersed with writing exercises to help you mine your inner riches. Wear comfortable clothes, bring a mat and your favorite notebook and pen.
Ages 18 & up; FREE



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 2, 2014, 8 pm
Margot MacDonald, Indie-Pop Rock Vocalist

Margot MacDonald, Indie-Pop Rock VocalistSongwriter, vocalist, live looper and one-woman band Margot MacDonald gives haunting and powerful performances that make you forget about technology as you lose yourself in layers of lush vocals and striking melodies. She is the current Washington Area Music Association “Artist of the Year,” a recipient of D.C.’s Power 30 Under 30 award, an Artist-in-Residence alumna at the Music Center at Strathmore and has been featured at TEDx.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Documentaries at Montpelier
Sunday, April 27, 2014, 1 pm
Celebrate International Dance Day: Ballets Russes

Celebrate International Dance Day: Ballets RussesUsing a treasure trove of archival footage, filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine have fashioned a dazzlingly entrancing ode to the revolutionary twentieth-century dance troupe of Russian refugees who consumed London society before World War II. Starting from the company’s beginnings in turn-of-the-century Paris, to its halcyon days in the 1930s and ‘40s, to its disintegration in the 1960s, Ballets Russes paints an intimate portrait of a group of pioneering artists who gave birth to modern ballet.
Tickets: $5/person


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Saturday, April 26, 2014, 12 pm
Woobin Park, piano

Woobin Park, pianoPraised for her commanding stage presence and elegant musicianship, pianist Woobin Park has performed throughout the U.S and Korea. She recently held concerts at Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall in New York, the Strathmore Mansion and Steinway Gallery in Maryland, and Seoul Arts Center in Korea. Dr. Park has collaborated as a soloist with the University of Minnesota Orchestra, the Linden Hills Chamber Orchestra in Minnesota and the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea.

All recitalists are winners of the 2013-2014 Classical Recital Competition. This year’s winners were chosen by a committee comprised of members of the U.S. Army Field Band, out of Fort Meade, MD. Please call the Arts Center at 301-377-7800 to make a reservation. Concerts are free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, April 26, 10 am-4 pm (Held rain or shine)
Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts

Hosted by Montpelier Arts Center and Montpelier Mansion/Historic Site, celebrate spring at this fun festival for the entire family! Listen to live music, visit the resident artists’ studios, watch art demonstrations, paint the bird and enjoy other creative activities. Stroll the Arts Center’s galleries and view exhibits by Katherine Mann, Janet Matthews and Carolyn Romano. At 12 noon, enjoy a concert by Woobin Park.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 25, 2014, 8 pm
Big Daddy Stallings, Blues Vocalist

Big Daddy Stallings, Blues VocalistSince 2004 “Big Daddy” Stallings has been delivering his “Good Time Bluez with a Twist” to audiences from the mid-Atlantic to Melbourne, Australia via radio and live performances. Raised in North Carolina with ten siblings, he lived the blues every day, turning to music for his escape. He’s shared the stage with many artists, including Michael Burks, Pinetop Perkins, Bernard Allison, Magic Slim, the Holmes Brothers and Mark Hummel.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, April 19, 2014, 1 pm
Earth Day Celebration / The Man Who Planted Trees

Earth Day Celebration / The Man Who Planted TreesEnjoy a FREE screening of the Oscar winning animated short film, The Man Who Planted Trees, by master animator Frédéric Back, and then, join us for a fun and educational Earth Day activity for the whole family!

In 1910, a young man hikes alone through Provence, France, and into the Alps, enjoying the relatively unspoiled wilderness. He runs out of water in a treeless, dried-up area where only wild lavender grows, but is saved by a middle-aged shepherd, Elzéard Bouffier, who brings him to a spring. Over four decades of time, the man finds himself returning again and again, each time rediscovering the landscape as it transforms from a desolate valley into a magnificent sylvan paradise as the shepherd Bouffier plants trees, one by one.
This event is FREE, and includes snacks and soft drinks.


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 11, 2014, 8 pm
Sherry Winston, Contemporary Jazz Flute

Sherry Winston, Contemporary Jazz FluteWith her jazz flute, Sherry Winston’s instrumentation is both classical and innovative. Winston has performed with music icon Stevie Wonder, and for former Presidents Clinton and Bush. A multi-Grammy nominee, educator, and performer, Winston crafts her contemporary jazz stylings with delicate balance. She has received critical acclaim from around the world.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, April 10, 2014, 12 am
Chelsey Green and The Green Project

Chelsey Green and The Green ProjectVisit Montpelier this spring for a fun, new series of special programs just for seniors ages 60 & better!

Violinist Chelsey Green, a Peabody Conservatory alumna and former Strathmore Artist-in-Residence, fuses classical music with popular and original songs in R&B/soul, jazz, Latin, gospel, and other genres. Green’s arrangements allow for a new appreciation of strings as they relate to daily life.
Tickets: $12/person


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 4, 2014, 8 pm
Cécile McLorin Salvant, Jazz Vocalist

Cécile McLorin Salvant, Jazz VocalistThe 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition winner, Cécile McLorin Salvant, performs unique interpretations of unknown and scarcely recorded jazz and blues compositions. She focuses on a theatrical portrayal of the jazz standard and composes and performs music and lyrics in French and Spanish. Salvant draws out the story hidden inside the song, traverses a range from pronounced low register to full and distinct high notes, and calls upon a full gamut of emotional stances—from the darkly troubling to the richly comic—in bringing lyrics to life.
Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 28, 2014, 8 pm
Todd Marcus, Jazz/Bass Clarinet

Todd Marcus, Jazz/Bass ClarinetBaltimore-based bass clarinetist and composer Todd Marcus is one of the few jazz artists worldwide to focus exclusively on the use of the bass clarinet as a primary solo instrument. His music swings hard with both fiery and introspective intensity but also maintains a strong yet lyrical sensibility, presenting the instrument with a modern, straight-ahead jazz approach.

The performance will feature Marcus’ quartet along with clarinetist Don Byron who has redefined the voice of clarinet in modern jazz.

This performance is supported by a Maryland State Arts Council Maryland Touring Grants Program.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, March 23, 2014, 3 pm
Joshua Brown, baritone and Caitlin Budny, soprano

Joshua Brown, baritone and Caitlin Budny, sopranoRecognized as “a fine baritone” by the Washington Post, Joshua Brown frequently performs in the metropolitan area, in venues such as the Kennedy Center, Washington National Cathedral, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. His opera roles include Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Guglielmo in Cosí fan tutte, Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Valentin in Faust. Collaborating with Brown is soprano Caitlin Budny, who, at the age of sixteen, was called “a star… with a major career ahead of her” by national theatre critic Chris Jackson. She has since performed in over sixty opera, musical theatre, and theatre productions, in venues such as the Kennedy Center, Opera Maerica, Arts Club of Washington, Fenway Park, and Don’t Tell Mama in New York City. Her recent credits include Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Fiordiligi in Cosí fan tutte.

All recitalists are winners of the 2013-2014 Classical Recital Competition. This year’s winners were chosen by a committee comprised of members of the U.S. Army Field Band, out of Fort Meade, MD. Please call the Arts Center at 301-377-7800 to make a reservation. Concerts are free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 21, 2014, 8 pm
Phil Wiggins and the Chesapeake Sheiks, Blues

Phil Wiggins and the Chesapeake Sheiks, BluesPhil Wiggins is arguably America’s foremost blues harmonica virtuoso. While rooted in the melodic Piedmont or “Tidewater” blues of the Chesapeake region, his mastery of the instrument now transcends stylistic boundaries. Born in Washington, D.C. in 1954, Wiggins achieved worldwide acclaim over three decades as one half of the premier Piedmont blues duo Cephas & Wiggins. Since the passing of guitarist and singer John Cephas in 2009, Phil has brought his harmonica wizardry to bear in a variety of musical collaborations.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Movies at Montpelier
Saturday, March 15, 2014, 6 pm
Dinner and Movie: The Counterfeiters

Dinner and Movie: The CounterfeitersBased on a memoir written by Adolf Burger, this film centers on a Jewish counterfeiter, Salomon “Sally” Sorowitsch, who is imprisoned and interned at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp during World War II and coerced into assisting Operation Bernhard, a secret plan by Nazi Germany seeking to destabilize the United Kingdom by flooding its economy with forged Bank of England pound notes. The film won the 2007 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar at the 80th Academy Awards.

Enjoy the annual dinner and a movie film series! Dinner is served at 6 pm, immediately followed by the film. To make the night even more memorable, dinner is matched with some aspect of the film. Tickets for both dinner and film are $30/person, and must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.

Film only tickets are available for $15/person on the day of the screening. Seating is limited and film only tickets may not always be available.

Tickets may be purchased with a Visa or MasterCard by calling the Arts Center at 301-377-7800, 410-792-0664; TTY 301-490-2329.


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 14, 2014, 8 pm
Rory Block, Blues Guitarist/Singer

Rory Block, Blues Guitarist/SingerMulti-award-winning blues singer/guitarist Rory Block, a national treasure in the form of an uncompromising blues artist, is one of the world’s most important preservers of the roots of American music. Block is the most celebrated living female acoustic blues artist. Her playing is perfect, her songwriting soulful, and her singing otherworldly, as she presents music steeped in tradition and genuine feeling.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Smooth Sounds for Seniors at Montpelier
Thursday, March 13, 2014, 12 am
Ethel Ennis

Visit Montpelier this spring for a fun, new series of special programs just for seniors ages 60 & better!

A favorite at Montpelier, the incomparable Baltimore-based Ethel Ennis has sung to critical acclaim all over the world. Ethel Ennis’ voice possesses a smooth, buttery tone heavily vested in swing, and versatile enough to deliver from the classic songbook, original material and the occasional rarity.
Tickets: $12/person


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 7, 2014, 8 pm
Kristin Callahan, Jazz Vocalist

Kristin Callahan, Jazz VocalistVocalist Kristin Callahan has that rare ability to coax listeners into the anticipation of each note and bring people into the very soul of music. Callahan has a stage presence that catches everyone off guard and then keeps them there until the very last note. She has recorded and performed with several accomplished musicians, including Warren Wolf and the well-known D.C. pianist Vince Evans, who is featured on Kristin's album, "A New Love."
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, February 16, 2014, 2 pm
Let's Sing Gospel 101!

LetLet’s Sing Gospel! with Rosita Mathews is an interactive, musical performance in which the audience becomes an impromptu gospel choir and learns to sing gospel music. Singing from their seats and the stage to Rosita’s foot stomping, heart stirring piano, audience member clap, move and sing to the beat of gospel music. Rosita weaves traditional and original music with inspirational stories. Let’s Sing Gospel! is for people of all ages, races, singing levels and faiths. The only necessity is enthusiasm!
FREE


Movies at Montpelier
Saturday, February 15, 2014, 6 pm
Dinner and a Movie: Bird

Dinner and a Movie: BirdAcademy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood, a well-known, long-standing jazz aficionado, delivers a compassionate portrait of jazz visionary Charlie "Yardbird" Parker. Eastwood, who won a Golden Globe for Best Director for this film, also paints a vivid portrait of the jazz world in all its complexity. As Parker, Forest Whitaker provides a multifaceted performance that helps provide an understanding of the man's genius and tragedy. This music-driven film was an Academy Award-winner for Best Sound.

Enjoy the annual dinner and a movie film series! Dinner is served at 6 pm, immediately followed by the film. To make the night even more memorable, dinner is matched with some aspect of the film. Tickets for both dinner and film are $30/person, and must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.

Film only tickets are available for $15/person on the day of the screening. Seating is limited and film only tickets may not always be available.

Tickets may be purchased with a Visa or MasterCard by calling the Arts Center at 301-377-7800, 410-792-0664; TTY 301-490-2329.


Documentaries at Montpelier
Sunday, January 19, 2014, 1 pm
Ai Wei Wei: Never Sorry

Ai Wei Wei: Never Sorry This compelling documentary chronicles internationally renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who expresses himself and organizes people through art and social media. Journalist and filmmaker Alison Klayman documented Ai’s creative process, his intimate exchanges with family members and his increasingly public clashes with the Chinese government. Klayman’s detailed portrait of Ai provides a nuanced exploration of contemporary China and one of its most compelling public figures.
Tickets: $5/person


Movies at Montpelier
Saturday, December 14, 2013, 6 pm
Dinner and a Movie: Monsoon Wedding

This is a story set in the modern, upper middle class of India, where telecommunications and a western lifestyle mix with old traditions, like the enormous, chaotic, and expensive wedding that Lalit Verma is planning for his daughter Aditi. The groom is an Indian living in Texas, and relatives from both families converge in New Delhi during monsoon season to attend the wedding. The four day nuptial celebrations will see clumsy organization, family gatherings, emotional baggage and drama and possibly jeopardize the happy ending of the wedding.

Enjoy the annual dinner and a movie film series! Dinner is served at 6 pm, immediately followed by the film. To make the night even more memorable, dinner is matched with some aspect of the film. Tickets for both dinner and film are $30/person, and must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.

Film only tickets are available for $15/person on the day of the screening. Seating is limited and film only tickets may not always be available.

Tickets may be purchased with a Visa or MasterCard by calling the Arts Center at 301-377-7800, 410-792-0664; TTY 301-490-2329.


Movies at Montpelier
Saturday, December 14, 2013, 11 am
The Year Without A Santa Claus

The Year Without A Santa Claus In this 1974 animated classic, Santa wakes up with a bad cold and believing that everyone has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas, announces plans to take the year off. Loyal elves, Jingle and Jangle Bells make it their mission to prove Santa wrong. Saving Christmas is no easy task. In order to show Santa that the spirit of Christmas is alive and well, Jingle and Jangle will first have to settle a longstanding feud between Mother Nature’s tempestuous sons, Heat Miser and Snow Miser. With a little help from them, Jingle and Jangle may be able to lift Santa’s spirits in time to take his sleigh out by the end of Christmas.
All ages; FREE and includes snacks and soft drinks.


Special Events at Montpelier
Sunday, December 8, 1-4 pm
Annual Holiday Open House

Montpelier Arts Center invites families to a fun, holiday celebration. Resident artists of Montpelier Arts Center open their studios for tours and offer works in the Gallery Shop which are specially priced for holiday gift giving. Attend the art gallery opening reception for the annual Patuxent Art League Open Juried Exhibition and the annual Resident Artist Group Show. Other events include a pottery sale, holiday music, demonstrations and workshops for holiday art making, and refreshments.
FREE


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, December 7, 2013, 5 pm
Divas Deck the Halls

Two Washington National Opera sopranos, Samantha McElhaney and Pamela Simonson, share a variety of moving classical selections along with holiday duets and solos to help usher in the Yuletide season...’tis the season to be jolly!
Tickets: $20/person


Documentaries at Montpelier
Sunday, November 24, 2013, 1 pm
Pictures from a Hiroshima Schoolyard

Pictures from a Hiroshima SchoolyardDirected by Bryan Reichhardt, Pictures from a Hiroshima Schoolyard highlights extraordinary stories of war-ravaged children who faced the truly unbelievable tragedy of World War II with unfaltering optimism. These schoolchildren created images of their community including self-portraits, festival flags and kites against a bright blue sky, children on a playground, cherry blossoms in bloom, a girl in a beautiful kimono, but nothing that reflected the horror they endured when the atomic bomb was dropped on their hometown Hiroshima. By following the journey of these pictures back to Honkawa Elementary School in Hiroshima, this film tells a story about hope in the face of horror, the possibility of reconciliation between bitter enemies, and the unwavering optimism of children.
Tickets: $5/person


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, November 17, 2013, 3 pm
Sharon Cheng, soprano

With an exciting and securely produced voice, soprano Sharon Cheng made her U.S. professional debut in 2009 with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Cheng recently starred in two sold-out performances of Lucia di Lammermoor for Baltimore Concert Opera, and has also successfully portrayed a wide variety of operatic roles, garnering praise for her “comic talent and dazzling high notes” (Taminophile, 2011).

All recitalists are winners of the 2013-2014 Classical Recital Competition. This year’s winners were chosen by a committee comprised of members of the U.S. Army Field Band, out of Fort Meade, MD. Please call the Arts Center at 301-377-7800 to make a reservation. Concerts are free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 27, 2013, 3 pm
Atlantic Reed Consort

A quintet comprised of all reed instruments, the Atlantic Reed Consort's cutting edge sound and style embraces the experimental, and adds a new twist to the likes of Bach, Vivaldi and Debussy. The Atlantic Reed Consort's instrumentation of Kevin Darrow on oboe, Brooke Emery on clarinet, John Romano on bass clarinet, Jeremy Koch on saxophone, and Eddie Sanders on bassoon is redefining chamber music in the Washington, D.C. area.

All recitalists are winners of the 2013-2014 Classical Recital Competition. This year’s winners were chosen by a committee comprised of members of the U.S. Army Field Band, out of Fort Meade, MD. Please call the Arts Center at 301-377-7800 to make a reservation. Concerts are free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

Movies at Montpelier
Friday, October 25, 2013, 10 pm
Fright Night at Montpelier! The Devil’s Backbone

Fright Night at Montpelier! The Devil’s BackboneCesares and Carmen operate a small home for orphans in a remote part of Spain in 1939, during the final year of the Spanish Civil War. Aligned with the Republican loyalists, they are hiding a large cache of gold used to back the Republican treasury. Perhaps not coincidentally, the orphanage has also been subject to attacks from Franco’s troops, and an unexploded bomb sits in the home’s courtyard, waiting to be defused. One day, Carlos finds shelter at the home after being left behind by his parents. Cesares and Carmen take him in, and the boy soon strikes up an unlikely friendship with Jaime, a boy with a reputation for tormenting other kids. Carlos soon begins having visions of a mysterious apparition he can't identify and hears strange stories about a child named Santi who went missing the day the bomb appeared near the orphanage.
Rated: R / Ages 21 & up
Tickets: $10/person and includes popcorn, soft drinks and beer provided by Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company


Special Events at Montpelier
Friday, October 25, 2013, 7 pm
Historic Haunt

Participate in a spooky, scavenger hunt in and around Laurel led by staff from the Laurel Historical Society and Snow Hill Manor. Sample food and cocktails along the way and learn about historical facts, ghostly activity and spooky tales. Check-in begins at 7 pm at Montpelier Arts Center. Pre-registration is suggested. Seating is limited. Registration is available online at www.pgparks.com > About Parks & Recreation > E-Store or by calling Snow Hill Manor staff at 301-725-6037 or 301-249-2004, TTY 301-446-6802.
Ages 21 &up
Tickets: Resident $15/person; Non-Resident $18/person


Special Events at Montpelier
Saturday, October 19, 2013, 2 pm
One Maryland One Book Discussion

In its sixth year, One Maryland One Book is designed to bring together diverse people in communities across the state through the shared experience of reading the same book. Come to the Arts Center and join this lively book discussion.

The 2013 One Maryland One Book Selection is King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African Village, written by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman. Alexander McCall Smith (author of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series) has called King Peggy “An astonishing and wonderful book about a real-life MmaRamotswe. An utter joy.”

King Peggy chronicles the journey of an American secretary, Peggielene Bartels, who suddenly finds herself king to a town of 7,000 people on Ghana's central coast, half a world away. Peggy's first two years as king of Otuam unfold in a way that is stranger than fiction. In the end, a deeply traditional African town is uplifted by the ambitions of its decidedly modern female king, and Peggy is herself transformed, from an ordinary secretary to the heart and hope of her community.
FREE


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 18, 2013, 8 pm
Jason Marsalis, Percussion/Vibes

Jason Marsalis, Percussion/VibesJason Marsalis, the youngest of the Marsalis brothers, is well known for his prodigal drumming. Listeners are now also recognizing Jason for his unique sound on the vibraphones. Since 2000, Jason has been a mainstay on the New Orleans scene as a bandleader from the vibraphone chair, performing at Snug Harbor, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The Jazz Playhouse, The Satchmo Summerfest and internationally. Drawing from a wide range of influences, Marsalis performs original music as well as many hidden gems in the jazz literature and beyond.
Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


Documentaries at Montpelier
Sunday, October 13, 2013, 1 pm
Dance Party: The Teenarama Story

Dance Party: The Teenarama StoryNarrated by Motown recording artist Martha Reeves of Martha and The Vandellas, this Emmy-award winning documentary examines television's teen dance phenomenon of the 1950s and '60s. During that time, African American teens often were excluded or given ‘separate but unequal’ treatment by shows like American Bandstand. That all changed in 1963 when a small television station in Washington, D.C. launched a dance program geared specifically to black teenagers. Often called the precursor of Soul Train, the Teenarama Dance Party ran six days a week for seven years, and became the longest running African American teen dance show of the 1960s. Dance Party captures the Teenarama era through archival footage, photography, period re-enactments and interviews with series regulars and performers, including James Brown.

Following the screening, there will be a discussion with the filmmaker.

Tickets: $5/person


Family Fun at Montpelier!
11 am-2 pm
Montpelier Fall Festival

Celebrate fall at Montpelier! Paint pumpkins, create autumn-themed crafts, have your face painted, skate in the skate mobile and have loads of family fun!
FREE admission; $5/pumpkin
All ages



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 11, 2013, 8 pm
Ron Holloway, Jazz Saxophonist

Ron Holloway, Jazz SaxophonistRon Holloway is one of the busiest tenor saxophonists on today's music scene in any genre! He has been touring internationally as a member of Susan Tedeschi's Band but still finds time to appear as a frequent special guest of the Allman Brothers Band, Warren Haynes & Gov't Mule, the Derek Trucks Band, Taj Mahal and Little Feat. Most recently Ron performed with Peter Frampton, Bruce Hornsby, Bernie Worrell and Col. Bruce Hampton at the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, October 4, 2013, 8 pm
Tamara Wellons, Jazz-Infused R&B Vocalist

Tamara Wellons, Jazz-Infused R&B VocalistFollow the voice and you will be led to an artist that has the will –and the power—to influence a generation. Tamara Wellons is more than a triple threat entertainer. Tamara is a singer, songwriter, performer, and educator who truly sings from her heart as she mesmerizes audiences with her unyielding yet commanding vocals and hypnotic blend of soul, jazz and soulful house varieties.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 27, 2013, 8 pm
Chaise Lounge, Big Band/Lounge

Chaise Lounge, Big Band/LoungeChaise Lounge performs a blend of music that sounds like it was recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in 1962 and somehow found its way to today’s pop charts. You might call it ‘early stereo,’ or perhaps lounge with a capital ‘L,’ or maybe just plain enjoyable. It’s the combination of five of the Washington area’s top jazz musicians playing sparkling arrangements of standards and original tunes and featuring the soft, luminous vocals of Marilyn Older. Her voice is truly an American original. An evening spent with her is an evening spent in the warm, inviting glow of one of the most wonderful voices singing in America right now.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 20, 2013, 8 pm
Rumba Club, Latin Jazz

Rumba Club, Latin JazzThis 25-year-old east coast ensemble "has joined the pantheon of great Latin jazz groups" says the 52nd Street Review. Veteran members have performed, recorded and toured extensively with jazz and Latin greats of the past and future: Lionel Hampton, Monguito Santamaria, Manny Oquendo, Miles Davis sideman Gary Thomas, Avishai Cohen's International Vamp Band and Lonnie Plaxico to name a few. Each of the group’s recordings on the prestigious Palmetto record label was produced by Latin jazz luminary Andy Gonzalez of Fort Apache Band fame.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 13, 2013, 8 pm
Tizer Quartet, World/Jazz Fusion

Tizer Quartet, World/Jazz Fusion2011 "Jazz Group of the Year" nominee TIZER, is an all-original world, jazz, fusion group from Los Angeles, led by keyboardist, composer and former "Best New Jazz Artist" nominee, Lao Tizer. The group draws on diverse musical flavors to create its distinct, exciting sound. They've toured extensively both internationally and domestically giving performances at Dubai Jazz Fest, Java Jazz Fest in Jakarta, Barbados Jazz Fest, Playboy Jazz Fest and locally at the legendary Blues Alley in DC, to name a few.
Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, September 6, 2013, 8 pm
Joseph Arthur, Alternative Rock

Joseph Arthur, Alternative RockCombining poetic lyrics with a layered, sonic palette, American singer-songwriter and artist Joseph Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically-acclaimed releases and touring. His unique, solo live performances incorporate the use of a number of distortion and loop pedals. His latest album, ‘The Ballad of Boogie Christ,’ was released in June 2013.
Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, June 7, 2013, 8 pm
Jonny Grave

Jonny GraveJonny Grave is a guitarist, songwriter, singer, bandleader, busker, teacher, musical historian, and Bluesman from Washington D.C. A student of the Hill Country blues tradition, he has been performing professionally since the age of 15. Pulling from the playing of R.L. Burnside, Kenny Brown and Mississippi Fred McDowell, Grave plays a grooving, rhythmic blend of traditional blues and primitive rock ‘n’ roll.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & senior



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 31, 2013, 8 pm
Dukes of Bluegrass

Bluegrass has its roots in celtic folk music, but has become a musical genre that covers a vastly diverse pool of musicians. The Dukes of Bluegrass are a high energy bluegrass band that’s a must see for bluegrass lovers. Their powerful stage presence and mastery of instruments will be a delight for the entire audience.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 17, 2013, 8 pm
Andy McKee

Andy McKeeAndy McKee is one of the world’s finest acoustic guitar soloists. Having shot to worldwide prominence with his technically astounding Drifting, he has since received over 200 million plays on YouTube alone. At one point he held the number 1, 2 and 3 position for their “Top-Rated Videos of All Time” category. However, McKee’s online success is no gimmick; as a live musician he performs over 200 shows a year worldwide, has independently released five studio albums, and has been awarded the Acoustic Guitar Magazine worldwide silver medal award for fingerstyle.

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 10, 2013, 8 pm
Guy Davis

Guy DavisHe’s a musician, composer, actor, director, and writer. But most importantly, Guy Davis is a bluesman. The blues permeates every corner of Davis’ creativity. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to reviving the traditions of acoustic blues and bringing them to as many ears as possible through the material of the great blues masters, African American stories, and his own original works. Davis, the son of actors/writers Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis, has recorded nine studio albums with Red House Records and has appeared as a guest artist on numerous albums, videos, films and television shows.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, May 4, 2013, 11 am
Simple Gifts

Simple GiftsEnjoy a family oriented folk music concert presented by Simple Gifts.

Tickets: $5/person

LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, May 3, 2013, 8 pm
Simple Gifts

Simple GiftsThere’s always a good time to be had when Simple Gifts takes the stage. Drawing on an impressive variety of ethnic folk styles, this award-winning group plays everything from lively Irish jigs and down-home American reels to hard-driving Klezmer frailachs and haunting Gypsy melodies, spicing the mix with the distinctive rhythms of Balkan dance
music, the lush sounds of Scandinavian twin fiddling, and original compositions written in a traditional style. This is an evening not to be missed!

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



May 3, 26, 2013
Instructors Show

Library Gallery
Public Reception: Saturday, May 4, 2-4 pm

Montpelier Arts Center class instructors will show off their own artistic talents.

Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and The Arts
Saturday, April 27, 2013, 10 am
Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea & the Arts

Celebrate spring at this fun festival for the entire family! Listen to music, visit the resident artists’ studios, watch demonstrations, paint the bird, and enjoy other children’s activities. Visit the Mansion and stroll the beautiful grounds where you can purchase art, crafts, plants, and more.



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 26, 2013, 8 pm
Dick Morgan

Dick MorganFeatured in the JazzMont series, pianist Morgan and his group once again bring their distinctive style to Montpelier.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 19, 2013, 8 pm
Caribbean Art Jazz Ensemble

Instrumental music featuring steel drums, keyboards, marimba, sax, bass, drums, and congas produces an exciting blend of calypso, salsa, samba, and reggae—smooth, sensuous and fiery—call it world beat jazz!

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



The Montpelier Film Series
Saturday, April 13, 2013, 6 pm
Dinner and a Movie: Miss Austen Regrets

Dinner and a Movie:  Miss Austen RegretsAn outwardly confident but unmarried woman on the verge of her fortieth birthday reflects on her past suitors, and the choices she once made, while attempting to help her marriage-minded niece choose between a number of potential suitors in this tale inspired by the life and letters of Jane Austen. In this speculative tale, director Jeremy Lovering and screenwriter Gwyneth Hughes ponder the potential reasons why the real Jane Austen never found her own Mr. Darcy. — Jason Buchanan, Rovi

This movie requires dinner tickets only for $15/person. The movie is free courtesy of PBS. Tickets must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.

Seating is limited and free film only tickets may not be available.


LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, April 12, 2013, 8 pm
Odean Pope

Odean PopePhiladelphia saxophone legend Odean Pope integrates several musical influences — including the church choir of his youth, Philadelphia jazz and R&B of the 1950s, and classical woodwind chamber music—to create a sound all his own. Famed for the husky sounds he produces on the sax, Pope spent more than two decades as a member of the Max Roach Quartet and has received acclaim around the globe, including Best Tenor Saxophone Player at the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 22, 2013, 8 pm
Ethel Ennis

Ethel EnnisA favorite at Montpelier, the incomparable Baltimore-based Ennis has sung to critical acclaim all over the world. Ethel Ennis’ voice possesses a smooth, buttery tone heavily vested in swing, and versatile enough to deliver from the classic songbook, original material, and the occasional rarity.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



The Montpelier Film Series
Saturday, March 16, 2013, 6 pm
Dinner and a Movie: Sense and Sensibility

Dinner and a Movie:  Sense and SensibilityThe recipient of seven Oscar® nominations, this film version of Jane Austen’s classic 1811 novel stars Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwoord. This tale of 19th-century etiquette and ethics chronicles the troubles and triumphs of the marriage-minded Dashwood sisters—sensible, oldest sibling Elinor and her romantic, younger sister Marianne (Kate Winslet). While Marianne deftly charms two suitors (Alan Rickman and Greg Wise), Elinor must weather a circuitous courtship with an aspiring clergyman (Hugh Grant) of considerable reserve.

This movie requires dinner tickets only for $15/person. The movie is free courtesy of PBS. Tickets must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.

Seating is limited and free film only tickets may not be available.


Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, March 16, 2013, 11 am
Rhythms and Rhymes for Wise Young Minds

David Foreman, aka ‘Jali-D,’ is an accomplished percussionist and spoken word artist who simultaneously combines his talents into an art form he calls “Rappercussions.” His intelligent and creative rhymes have entertained and educated both children and adults nationwide. Along with his work in schools, Jali-D has recorded an educational music CD called “Mind Rhymes,” and has written a score for an FDA/Cartoon Network health campaign.

Tickets: $5/person



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 15, 2013, 8 pm
Jim Cullum Septet

Jim Cullum SeptetThe Jim Cullum Jazz Band has been swingin’ away on the Riverwalk since 1963. They have played prestigious jazz festivals across the United States and have toured Europe, Latin America, and Australia. The band has played at Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center, and has also appeared on 45 record albums. The Jim Cullum Jazz Band’s Public Radio series, Riverwalk, Live from the Landing, is produced at the Landing Jazz Club and airs on over 200 stations in the United States.

Tickets: $30/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 8, 2013, 8 pm
Warren Wolf

Warren WolfWarren Wolf and his quartet are back for a special encore performance at Montpelier. Wolf has played vibes, drums and piano with musicians ranging from Wynton Marsalis to Cyrus Chestnut. Come and hear this vibes master for a concert you won’t soon forget.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



LIVE at Montpelier!
Friday, March 1, 2013, 8 pm
Coniece Washington

Coniece WashingtonFans describe Coniece Washington as a vocalist who
sings from her heart. One can hear the passion and
emotion of the song’s lyrics in her singing. Her musical
style is influenced by Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald,
Nancy Wilson, Billy Holiday, Carmen McRae and
numerous gospel artists. She currently performs at
various venues in the DC Metropolitan area including
Blues Alley, Twins Jazz and the Carlyle Club.

Tickets: $25/person; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



The Montpelier Film Series
Saturday, February 16, 2013, 6 pm
Dinner and a Movie: To Kill a Mockingbird

Dinner and a Movie:  To Kill a MockingbirdSix-year-old Jean Louise “Scout” Finch (Mary Badham) is growing up in the Depression era of the early 1930s in a small Southern town in this highly acclaimed motion picture based on Harper Lee’s semi-autobiographical novel. Jean’s father (Gregory Peck), the town lawyer, is a wise, quiet man with a great sense of justice who defends a poor, black man accused of rape.

❚ Tickets for both dinner and the film are $30/person, and must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.
❚ Film only tickets are available for $15/person on the day of the screening.

Seating is limited and film only tickets may not always be available.


The Montpelier Film Series
Saturday, January 12, 2013, 6:30 pm
Dinner and a Movie: Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird

Dinner and a Movie:  Hey, Boo:  Harper Lee & To Kill a MockingbirdThis documentary illuminates the phenomenon behind Lee’s first and only novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and the 1962 film version. Offering an unprecedented look into Lee’s mysterious life, Emmy®-winning filmmaker Mary McDonagh Murphy interviews Lee’s friends and family, who share intimate recollections, anecdotes and biographical details for the first time: her rise from small-town Alabama girl to famous author, her tumultuous friendship with Truman Capote, and the origin of her most memorable characters. It also explores the context and history of the novel’s Deep South setting and the social changes it inspired after publication and through the film starring Gregory Peck.

❚ Tickets for both dinner and the film are $30/person, and must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.
❚ Film only tickets are available for $15/person on the day of the screening.

Seating is limited and film only tickets may not always be available.


Family Fun at Montpelier!
Sunday, December 9, 2012, 12 am
Holiday Open House

Montpelier Arts Center invites families to join us for an afternoon of fun in celebration of the holidays.

Events will include:
Gallery Shop for holiday shopping, featuring work by Montpelier's resident artists
Tours of resident artists studios
Pottery Sale
Holiday Music by the All Children's Choir of Annapolis
Demonstrations & Workshops for Holiday-Art Making Projects
Art Gallery Opening for the Patuxent Art League Juried Exhibition and the Resident Artist Group Show
Refreshments


The Montpelier Film Series
Saturday, December 8, 2012, 6 pm
Dinner and a Movie: Love in the Time of Cholera

Dinner and a Movie:  Love in the Time of CholeraYoung Florentino and Fermina fall passionately in love. When Fermina eventually chooses to marry a wealthy, well-born doctor, Florentino is devastated and throws himself into hundreds of romances over the years all while his heart is reserved for her. When Fermina’s husband dies, Florentino attends the funeral with the intention of winning his true love back after all these years.

❚ Tickets for both dinner and the film are $30/person, and must be purchased by 12 noon on the Friday immediately preceding the Saturday screening.
❚ Film only tickets are available for $15/person on the day of the screening.
Seating is limited and film only tickets may not always be available.


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 28, 2012, 3 pm
The Mendelssohn Piano Trio

Currently Ensemble-in-Residence for Washington DC's Embassy Series, the Mendelssohn Piano Trio is one of the most exciting ensembles on the national and international music scene. Pianist, Ya-Ting Chang is from Taiwan; violinist, Peter Sirotin is from Russia; and cellist, Fiona Thompson is from England. The Washington Post has described the group's Brahms cycle of piano trios and piano quartets presented by the Embassy Series as "unfathomably beautiful", "transcendent" and "electrifying".
Concert is free but a $5 donation is suggested.

The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, October 26, 2012, 8 pm
Larry Willis Quartet

Larry Willis is an American jazz pianist and composer. He has performed in a wide range of styles, including jazz fusion and rock music, bebop and avant-garde. Throughout his career he has performed with a wide range of musicians, including a stint of seven years as keyboardist for Blood, Sweat & Tears (beginning in 1972). He spent several years as pianist for Nat Adderley, as well as Roy Hargrove. He received the Don Redman award in 2011, and the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award at Howard University in 2012.

Tickets: $25; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 21, 2012, 3 pm
Brett Miller, French Horn

Brett Miller, who plays French horn for the Apollo, has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, as well as the US Air Force Band for eight years. He frequently performs with his brass quintet, Brass Mosaic. A review by the International Horn Society calls him "a highly creative soul" and a "joy to hear." Brett received his doctor of musical arts in horn performance from the University of Maryland. He earned his master of music degree in horn performance from Indiana University and a bachelor of music degree in horn performance from Youngstown State University.
Concert is free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, October 20, 2012, 11 am
Ghost Stories

Ghost StoriesSpellbinding! Chilling! Enjoy ghost stories through poetry, pictures, and songs from olden times. This exceptional program of ancient legends is thrilling for the young and old alike.

Tickets: $5/person



The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, October 19, 2012, 8 am
Davey and Esther

Davey and EstherAudience favorites Davey Yarborough and wife Esther Williams bring their soulful blend of jazz and original song writing to the Montpelier stage. Davey is a music studies teacher at Duke Ellington School for the Arts and Esther is a long time musical stage actress. They have performed up and down the east coast including the Kennedy Center, the Savoy in New York, and the East Coast Jazz Festival.

Tickets: $25; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 14, 2012, 3 pm
Chia-Jui Lee, Flute

Chia-Jui Lee, a native of Taiwan, was a first-prize winner of the Taipei Young Artist Competition for two consecutive years, and also the winner of the National Wind Quintet Competition in Taiwan. As a freelancer now, she performed Piazzolla’s Tango Etude for Flute and Piano in this year’s National Flute Association Convention in New York, NY. She holds two master’s degrees in flute performance and computer music from Peabody Conservatory, and a doctoral degree in flute performance from the University of Maryland.
Concert is free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, October 12, 2012, 8 pm
Paul Bollenback

Paul BollenbackGeorge Benson described Paul Bollenback’s style of jazz guitar as “. . bona-fide playing, unambiguous, up-front and powerful," and called him “a versatile dynamo on guitar.” He has played with everyone from Mel Torme to Herb Ellis to Stanley Turrentine. He began a long time career on television bands appearing on the Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight, and the Today Show. He is a highly sought after guitar teacher in New York and tours regularly with jazz organ great Joey de Francesco.

Tickets: $25; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, October 5, 2012, 8 pm
Broto Roy Ensemble

Broto Roy EnsembleBroto Roy has been exploring Indian classical music and jazz. With stalwart appearances with local and national jazz luminaries such as Paul Bollenback, organist Joey DeFrancesco, and saxophonist Ron Holloway, he has been developing a unique brand of Indian influenced jazz fusion. Broto Roy is an EMI-India recording artist. He was born into a prominent musical family in Calcutta, India and is a highly regarded tabla player and percussionist. Broto Roy has performed all over the world and on recordings with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead and Jeff Watts of Branford Marsalis fame, among others. Mr. Roy is also a two time NEA grant recipient and his original music has appeared on CNN and the NASA Channel.

Tickets: $25; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors



Family Fun at Montpelier!
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 11 am
¡Mucha Música! - A musical journey to Latin America

¡Mucha Música! - A musical journey to Latin AmericaAudiences are transported to Latin America to experience the many rhythms and unique instruments from different regions, while learning about the three cultures that shaped Latin music: Indigenous, European and African. The audience will be able to sing, play instruments and dance salsa.
Tickets: $5/person


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, September 28, 2012, 8 pm
Dixieland Direct Jazz Band

Dixieland Direct Jazz BandFashioned after the Swing and Dixieland styles of Benny Goodman and Pete Fountain, DIXIELAND DIRECT features Henning Hoehne on clarinet, with Bob Boguslaw on piano, Dallas Smith on bass and Mike Flaherty on drums. The members of the group come from the United States military band traditions. Dixieland Direct has been performing together for almost two decades. Along with being featured on numerous recordings, members of DIXIELAND DIRECT have been featured at major jazz festivals and have toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad.

Tickets: $25; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, September 21, 2012, 8 pm
Charles Covington Trio

Charles Covington TrioCharles Covington is an American jazz bebop pianist and one of the finest jazz bop pianists on the east coast. He currently is a professor of jazz piano at Howard University in Washington, D.C and at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. He has been a featured performer for President Carter at the White House and with George Benson on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Covington's career includes celebrity performances with the likes of Sammy Davis, Jr., Eartha Kitt, and Larry King among others. He has also been in concert with Sonny Stitt, Milt Jackson, Herbie Hancock, Shirley Horn, and Chuck Berry.

Tickets: $25; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, September 14, 2012, 8 pm
Sharon Clark Quintet

Sharon Clark QuintetWashington, D.C. jazz vocalist Sharon Clark has brought festival and concert audiences to their feet across the U.S. and Europe. Ms. Clark has won the Gold Medal and $10,000 top prize at the Savannah Music Festival's American Traditions Competition. Ms. Clark has headlined the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, the historic Lincoln Theater, and the Cape May Jazz Festival. She has appeared with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and performed by invitation for President William Jefferson Clinton.
"powerful yet supple...soulful, swinging... wonderfully nimble...dreamy"
– The Washington Post

Tickets: $25; 10% discount for Montpelier members & seniors


The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, June 1, 2012, 8 pm
Jeff Aug

Jeff Aug Laurel native, Jeff Aug is a cool underground guitarist who Plays a six string acoustic guitar with amazing speed and uses it as his percussion section as well “This is extreme acoustic guitar and extremely good.” From Tony Emmerson, Prague Jazz Online, 2008. Guitarist for Anne Clark since 2002, Aug has also toured with Allan Holdsworth, Soft Machine, Albert Lee, and done shows with Jawbox and Shudder To Think.
www.jeffaug.com


The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, May 25, 2012, 8 pm
Aaron Jones and Claire Mann of Old Blind Dogs featuring Run

Aaron Jones and Claire Mann of Old Blind Dogs featuring RunA world Celtic program featuring performers from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, USA, and Japan. British Isles roots music comes to life in a new, fresh take. Runa members have performed with Riverdance, M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Village' and include Dave Curley of Slide.
www.runamusic.com, www.oldblinddogs.co.uk


The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, May 18, 2012, 8 pm
Memphis Gold

Memphis GoldMemphis Gold is Chester Chandler a Blues musician from Tennessee who began his career on Beale Street at age eight and has played with many bluesmen over the years including B.B. King and Bobby Parker. For a sound bite, visit http://www.memphisgoldprod.net



The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, May 11, 2012, 8 pm
Cantare

CantareThese WAMMIE award winning musicians hail from Brazil and Argentina with Bolivian roots as well, and perform music from all of Latin America. Playing piano, accordion, guitar and a dazzling variety of wind and percussion instruments, this group introduces a Latin beat to the folk series. http://www.cantaremusic.com

The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, May 4, 2012, 8 pm
Deep River Rising David Holt, Bryan Sutton, and T. Michael Coleman

Deep River Rising David Holt, Bryan Sutton, and T. Michael ColemanThere is a deep river of traditional music running through North Carolina. Grammy Award winners David Holt, Bryan Sutton, and T. Michael Coleman explore the richness of that musical culture. Each has been inspired by and performed with Doc Watson over the years and honors his musical genius. http://www.davidholt.com
Please note tickets for this performance are $25.


The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, April 27, 2012, 8 pm
Al Petteway and Amy White

Al Petteway and Amy WhiteAward-winning, critically acclaimed, passionate and playful, Al & Amy offer an intoxicating blend of musical styles. Their repertoire includes original, traditional, contemporary Celtic- and Appalachian-influenced music with occasional nods to rock and jazz. Their performances feature acoustic guitar, mandolin, Celtic harp, piano, banjo, lap dulcimer, world percussion, and a touch of vocals. http://alandamy.com

The complete spring Folk and Blues (6 concerts) is $104
Montpelier Members and seniors 60+ receive a 10% discount.
Individual Concert Tickets are $20 unless otherwise noted.
For tickets please call the arts center at 301-377-7800. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

Montpelier Spring Jazz Series
Friday, April 20, 2012, 8 pm
Dave Ballou, trumpet trio

Dave Ballou, trumpet trioTrumpeter/Improviser/ Composer Dave Ballou has released nine internationally recognized CD's as a leader and co-leader. He has performed or recorded with ensembles led by Michael Formanek, Denman Maroney, Maria Schneider, Steely Dan and an extensive list of jazz personalities.
www.daveballou.com


Montpelier Spring Jazz Series
Friday, April 13, 2012, 8 pm
Gerald Clayton

Gerald ClaytonYoung jazz pianist Gerald Clayton has a dynamic and award-winning sound that has been praised in print by all from the Jazz Times to The New York Times for his “Oscar-Peterson like style” and “huge, authoritative presence.” Down Beat Magazine’s 2008 Readers’ Poll named him one of the top up-and-coming pianists to watch. www.geraldclayton.com
This tour engagement of Gerald Clayton Trio is funded through the American Masterpieces program of Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Maryland State Arts Council.


Montpelier Spring Jazz Series
Friday, March 30, 2012, 8 pm
Ron Kearns and Paul Wingo Quartet

Saxophonist Ron Kearns returns to Montpelier with the Guitarist PaulWingo and their quartet. Kearns and Wingo are world class instrumentalists and bring their swingin’ rhythms to the arts center.

Montpelier Spring Jazz Series
Friday, March 23, 2012, 8 pm
Dick Morgan

Dick MorganMorgan returns with his group for another fine evening of jazz standards impeccably played by this Virginia native and longtime Washingtonian. This concert sells out early, so don’t delay.

Saturday, March 17, 2012, 6 pm
Breaking Through the Clouds

Breaking Through the CloudsBreaking Through the Clouds United States, 2005 (G)
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Celebrate International Women’s Month with the final film of the
series: a documentary about the first all-female air race in the
1920s. This tribute to these pioneering pilots includes original
footage of the race, and the story of 20 gutsy ladies from ace pilot
Amelia Earhart to a preacher’s wife with a foul mouth. The banquet served in
the film at the beginning of the race will be served as the dinner for this film.
www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com
Tickets for both dinner and the film are $25 and must be bought by Friday noon preceding the Saturday screening. Tickets for the film only are available for $10 on the day of screening. Seated is limited and film only tickets may not always be available. Seniors (60+) and arts center members receive a 10% discount. Call the arts center to purchase tickets with either Visa or MasterCard.


Montpelier Spring Jazz Series
Friday, March 16, 2012, 8 pm
Ethel Ennis

Ethel EnnisA Montpelier favorite, the incomparable Ethel Ennis returns with her trio. The Baltimore-based Ennis has sung to critical acclaim all over the world, toured with the late great Benny Goodman and is recognized by audiences and peers alike as one of the best singers of her generation. Ennis Anyone? – Ethel Ennis Live at Montpelier was released to great acclaim and was voted best jazz album for 2005 by the Washington Area Music Association.

Montpelier Spring Jazz Series
Friday, March 9, 2012, 8 pm
Tony Martucci

Critically acclaimed drummer Tony Martucci will be leading his quartet into Montpelier in Spring 2012. Originally from Pittsburgh he has been delighting jazz audiences at concerts and festivals for over 25 years on four continents with his unique drumming style. He has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival and his recordings have been well received by jazz critics the world over. Currently a jazz professor at Virginia
Commonwealth University, he is an in-demand drummer who has worked with such jazz luminaries as Joe Henderson, Joshua Redman, Mose Allison, and Sonny Stitt.
www.jazzconnect.com/tonymartucci


Montpelier Spring Jazz Series
Friday, March 2, 2012, 8 pm
David Sánchez

David SánchezGrammy Award-winning saxophonist David Sánchez is one of the finest saxophonists of his generation. Born in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Sánchez brings his Latin heritage to some of the finest, most progressive playing on the contemporary scene. (davidsanchezmusic.com) This tour engagement of David Sánchez is funded through the American Masterpieces program of Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Maryland State Arts Council.

*Please note tickets for this performance are $25.

The complete spring jazz series (7 concerts) is $125 Montpelier Members and seniors 60+ receive a 10% discount.

Individual Concert Tickets are $20 unless otherwise noted.

For tickets please call the arts center at 301-377-7800. Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

The Montpelier Film Series
Saturday, February 18, 2012, 6 pm
Ella Fitzgerald Live at Montreux 1969

Ella Fitzgerald Live at Montreux 1969Ella Fitzgerald Live at Montreux 1969 United States, 2005 (G)
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Treat yourself to a concert by one of the greats. This concert video is from Ella Fitzgerald’s first appearance at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 1969. Captured in beautifully restored black and white footage, this concert features 14 tracks that exhibit Fitzgerald's wide range as an artist, with accompaniment by Ed Thigpen on drums, Frank de la Rosa on bass, and Tommy Flanagan on piano.
American cuisine will be served.

Tickets for both dinner and the film are $25 and must be bought by Friday noon preceding the Saturday screening. Tickets for the film only are available for $10 on the day of screening. Seated is limited and film only tickets may not always be available. Seniors (60+) and arts center members receive a 10% discount. Call the arts center to purchase tickets with either Visa or MasterCard.

The Montpelier Film Series
Saturday, January 21, 2012, 6 pm
Persepolis

Persepolis		Persepolis French, 2007 (G)
Persepolis is an animated autobiographical film by artist Marjane Satrapi. Based one her popular graphic novels the film depicts her experiences growing up in Iran “under several regimes and revolutions, the rise of the mullahs, and the imposition of the veil. It is a dark past, a hard story. But it is also a movie of surprises: there's the striking art work, but also the tempo, fantasy, and drama, and the young author's forceful point of view. The best thing is the sense of real lives - her parents, uncle, grandmother, friends and enemies - throbbing behind the images and voices.” (Joan Dupont, The New York Times)
Iranian cuisine will be served.
Tickets for both dinner and the film are $25 and must be bought by Friday noon preceding the Saturday screening. Tickets for the film only are available for $10 on the day of screening. Seated is limited and film only tickets may not always be available. Seniors (60+) and arts center members receive a 10% discount. Call the arts center to purchase tickets with either Visa or MasterCard.

The Montpelier Film Series
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 6 pm
The Dancer

The DancerThe Dancer Sweden, 2005 (G)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
For aspiring dancers and lovers of dance this documentary follows the young and gifted Katja Björner through years of intensive training at the Royal Swedish Ballet School as she develops into an international ballet star. Filmed with an eye toward conveying the physical aspects of dancing — the pain, sweat, and tears, as well as the exquisite beauty — The Dancer captures the fierce determination and struggle that goes into the desire to dance at the highest level. (firstrunfeatures.com)
Swedish cuisine will be served.

Tickets for both dinner and the film are $25 and must be bought by Friday noon preceding the Saturday screening. Tickets for the film only are available for $10 on the day of screening. Seated is limited and film only tickets may not always be available. Seniors (60+) and arts center members receive a 10% discount. Call the arts center to purchase tickets with either Visa or MasterCard.

Sunday, December 4, 2011, 12 am
Annual Studio Holiday Open House

Annual Studio Holiday Open HouseThe resident artists of Montpelier open their studios and offer works priced for holiday giving every year. Concurrently, examples of their work will be on view in the Resident Artist Gallery. Enjoy refreshments, music and an opportunity to meet the artist. The open house is 12pm-4pm on Sunday, December 4.


Wednesday, November 2, 2011, 7 pm
Lecture by Nate Larson

Lecture by Nate LarsonArtist and Photographer Nate Larson will give a talk about the works in the exhibition, "Geolocation" and about his collaborative process with artist Marni Shindelman.
The 7 pm lecture is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested. Please call the arts center at 301 377-7800.
"Geolocation" is on view in the Main Gallery November 2-27.

The Montpelier Film Series
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 6 pm
Art on Film: The Orphanage (El Orfanato)

Art on Film: The Orphanage (El Orfanato)The Orphanage (El Orfanato)
Spain, 2007 (R)
Get ready for Halloween with this Spanish ghost story about a mother returning with her family to run the orphanage where she grew up. All is well until her adopted son disappears. According to one reviewer, “The Orphanage is art. It mixes horror with heart.” (www.sgnewwave.com) The film stars actress Belén Rueda as the mother, Laura. Spanish cuisine will be served.

Tickets for both dinner and the film are $25 and must be bought by Friday noon preceding the Saturday screening.

Tickets for the film only are available for $10 on the day of screening. Seated is limited and film only tickets may not always be available.

Seniors (60+) and arts center members receive a 10% discount.

Call the arts center to purchase tickets with either Visa or MasterCard.

The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 23, 2011, 3 pm
Soohyun Yun, Piano

Soohyun Yun, PianoKorean born pianist, Soohyun Yun, has explored both solo and chamber music from baroque to contemporary and performed in venues throughout Germany, Korea and the US. New York Concert Review said "Yun unleashed much passion and color along the way.." at her solo debut recital at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, NY in 2008. Again, Yun was invited to perform at the same hall in April, 2009 upon her winning First Prize of 2009 American Protégé International Piano Competition. Her numerous awards include Artists International’s Special Presentation Award, 21st Century Piano Commission Award, NY Dorothy MacKenzie Award and prizes of Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition.

Gallery visitors, please note that the exhibition in the Main Gallery will be temporarily unavailable for viewing during the recital. (Approx. 3-4:30 pm.)

The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, October 21, 2011, 8 pm
Trio Caliente

Trio CalienteTrio Caliente is Deborah Benner, Michael Bard and Amilcar Cruz. The trio seamlessly fuses together elements of Bossa Nova, gypsy rumba and contemporary flamenco with soothing jazz vocals and musical arrangements.

On sale August 16, Jazz Series (7 concerts): $125/$112.50 members and seniors.

On sale August 23, individual tickets: $20/$18 members and seniors.

Call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664 for tickets.

Visa and MasterCard accepted.


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 16, 2011, 3 pm
Murray/King, Guitar Duo

Formed in 2000, this husband and wife duo has performed critically acclaimed concerts nationally and in England. The classical guitar is a beautiful enough instrument on its own; two instruments combined create a wealth of subtle tonalities and complex notations. www.kathrinmurray.com/murrayking-duo.html

Classical recitals are Sundays in October. All recitalists are winners of the 2010/11 Classical Recital Competition and chosen by Tom Hall, musical director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society.

Please call the arts center at 301-377-7800 to make a reservation. $5 donation is suggested.


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, October 14, 2011, 8 pm
Warren Wolf

Warren WolfWarren Wolf has played vibes, drums and piano with musicians ranging from Wynton Marsalis to Cyrus Chestnut. Come hear this vibes master with his quartet in their first concert at Montpelier.

Jazz Series (7 concerts) - $125

Tickets are $20/$18/ members and seniors

On sale August 16, Jazz Series (7 concerts): $125/$112.50 members and seniors.

On sale August 23, individual tickets: $20/$18 members and seniors.

Call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664 for tickets.

Visa and MasterCard accepted.


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Sunday, October 9, 2011, 3 pm
The Low End String Quartet

The Low End String Quartet, Violin, Electric Guitar, Cello and Bass
Not your father’s string quartet, this is an exciting young group that puts itself “at the intersection of the post-classical, avant- jazz and post-rock worlds.” (http://www.myspace.com/lesq)

Classical recitals are Sundays in October. All recitalists are winners of the 2010/11 Classical Recital Competition chosen by Tom Hall, musical director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society.
Please call the arts center at 301-377-7800 to make a reservation.
A $5 donation is suggested.


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, October 7, 2011, 8 pm
John Ozment, Organ Trio

John Ozment, Organ TrioJohn Ozment is known at Montpelier for his virtuosity on the piano. Come hear his organ trio play jazz with a decidedly funky beat.

On sale August 16, Jazz Series (7 concerts): $125/$112.50 members and seniors.

On sale August 23, individual tickets: $20/$18 members and seniors.

Call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664 for tickets.

Visa and MasterCard accepted.


The Montpelier Classical Recital Series
Sunday, October 2, 2011, 3 pm
Samia Mahbub Ahmad, Hindustani (North Indian) Classical Vocalist

Samia Mahbub Ahmad, Hindustani (North Indian) Classical VocalistSamia Mahbub Ahmad is a Hindustani (North Indian) classical vocalist. She apprenticed over the last two decades with Sri Tapan Kanti Baidya, a pioneer of this genre of music in Bangladesh and Vidushi Sumitra Guha (Padma Shri awardee), one of India's premier classical vocalists. Samia has leveraged her classical base to also specialize in Nazrul Sangeet, Bhajans, and global fusion, melding the Hindustani Classical sounds with the rhythms of South Africa and the West. (www.samiaclassicalmusic.com)

Classical recitals are Sundays in October. All recitalists are winners of the 2010/11 Classical Recital Competition chosen by Tom Hall, musical director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society.
Please call the arts center at 301-377-7800 to make a reservation.
A $5 donation is suggested.


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, September 30, 2011, 8 pm
Bruce Swaim Quartet

Bruce Swaim QuartetThe Bruce Swaim Quartet, consisting of Bruce Swaim on tenor sax, Paul Langosch on bass, Jay Cooley on piano and Dominic Smith on drums, are recognized as one of Washington, D.C.'s premier jazz ensembles.

On sale August 16, Jazz Series (7 concerts): $125/$112.50 members and seniors.

On sale August 23, individual tickets: $20/$18 members and seniors.

Call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664 for tickets.

Visa and MasterCard accepted.


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, September 23, 2011, 8 pm
Wycliffe Gordon Quartet

Wycliffe Gordon QuartetGordon tours the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz and brings his quartet to the center for the first time. A former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, he has also been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at the Kennedy Center” and has received great acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

On sale August 16, Jazz Series (7 concerts): $125/$112.50 members and seniors.

On sale August 23, individual tickets: $20/$18 members and seniors.

Call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664 for tickets.

Visa and MasterCard accepted.


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, September 16, 2011, 8 pm
Chris Vadala Quartet

Chris Vadala QuartetOne of the nation’s premiere woodwind artists, saxophonist Vadala toured for many years with Chuck Mangione and now heads the Jazz Studies program at the University of Maryland.

Jazz Series (7 concerts) - $125
Individual Tickets: $20/$18 members and seniors
Call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664 for tickets.
Visa and MasterCard are accepted.


The Montpelier Fall Jazz Series
Friday, September 9, 2011, 8 pm
Davey Yarborough & Esther Williams

Davey Yarborough & Esther WilliamsThe Montpelier Fall Jazz Series opens with the elegant vocals of Esther Williams and the cool sax of Davey Yarborough.

On sale August 16, Jazz Series (7 concerts): $125/$112.50 members and seniors.
On sale August 23, individual tickets: $20/$18 members and seniors.
Call Montpelier Arts Center at 301-377-7800 or 410-792-0664 for tickets.
Visa and MasterCard accepted.


Thursday, June 9, 2011, 12 am
Luncheon/Lecture For the 30th Annual Montpelier Sculpture Exhibition

Come learn about the art and artists in the Exhibition, "Inside/Out". Elsabe Dixon will give an overview of how she co-creates her works with the help of the silk worms she raises. Leah Frankel will discuss her current outdoor installation at the arts center and her process as an artist. The illustrated talks will be followed by a light lunch. Call the center at 301-377-7800 to make a reservation for this FREE event.

The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, June 3, 2011, 8 pm
Pavilion 3

Pavilion 3A cultural crossroads of European Belgian, Celtic and French with world beat percussion.

For more information about the musicians visit the following sites:


Music By Hand - link::http://www.musicbyhand.com/drum/perform/*
Karen Ashbrook - link::http://karenashbrook.com/performer/ensembles.html*

Individual tickets, $20/$18
Members and seniors (60 and older) receive a 10% discount.
Tickets may be purchased by phone, order form or walk-in with a Visa or MasterCard.

Call 301-377- 7800, 410-792-0664, TTY 301-490-2329

The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, May 27, 2011, 8 pm
Lea Morris

Lea MorrisGuitarist, singer-songwriter returns to Montpelier for a night of folk and blues. Check Lea's website for more on this up and coming musician.

Individual tickets, $20/$18
Members and seniors (60 and older) receive a 10% discount.
Tickets may be purchased by phone, order form or walk-in with a Visa or MasterCard.

Call 301-377- 7800, 410-792-0664, TTY 301-490-2329

The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, May 20, 2011, 8 pm
Phil Wiggins

Phil WigginsA master of the harmonica and the Piedmont style, come hear the Blues at its best! Phil will be playing with Rick Franklin (hokumblues.com) in this performance. For more about this legendary musician, visit Phil Wiggins.

Individual tickets, $20/$18
Members and seniors (60 and older) receive a 10% discount.
Tickets may be purchased by phone, order form or walk-in with a Visa or MasterCard.

Call 301-377- 7800, 410-792-0664, TTY 301-490-2329

The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, May 13, 2011, 8 pm
Buckwheat Zydeco (SOLD OUT*)

Buckwheat Zydeco (SOLD OUT*)Direct from Lafayette, Louisiana zydeco at its foot stompin’ best.
Please note tickets are $25 for this performance.

* Tickets are still available for the Buckwheat Zydeco concert on Saturday, May 14 at our sister facility, Harmony Hall.


The Folk & Blues Series
Friday, May 6, 2011, 8 pm
Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition

Annapolis Bluegrass CoalitionHear a unique blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass by master musicians. Visit the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition website to learn more.

Individual tickets, $20/$18
Members and seniors (60 and older) receive a 10% discount.
Tickets may be purchased by phone, order form or walk-in with a Visa or MasterCard.

Call 301-377- 7800, 410-792-0664, TTY 301-490-2329