The College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) Twilight Performance Series returns this summer with a new line-up to include history, music and theater. The free, family-friendly, outdoor performance series will feature artists performing a variety of entertainment from jazz, rock, pop, classic rock and alternative music to kid-friendly and historical theatrical performances at campuses in La Plata, Leonardtown and Prince Frederick.
This year CSM will host Chautauqua at the La Plata Campus July 10, 11 and 12. Twilight performances will continue at the Leonardtown Campus on Tuesdays, July 17, 24 and 31; at the La Plata Campus on Wednesdays, July 18, 25 and Aug. 1; and at the Prince Frederick Campus on Thursdays, July 19, 26 and Aug. 2. All performances will begin at 6:45 p.m.
The annual Chautauqua program will kick off its series July 10-12 in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Chautauqua is an educational program of the Maryland Humanities Council, presented in partnership with CSM and includes opening musical acts at 6:45 p.m., followed by performances from Chautauquan actors who portray historical figures. This year will feature British Major General Robert Ross; President James Madison; and Rosalie Stier Calvert, member of a wealthy Maryland family whose extensive correspondence illuminated life on the Calvert plantation leading up to and during the War of 1812. For a sample of this year’s program visit http://www.csmd.edu/Arts/TwilightSeries/index.html.
Twilight performances continue the subsequent weeks with local rock bands No Green JellyBeenz and Pet the Monster; theatrical productions of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),” “Schoolhouse Rock Live!;” and local jazz ensemble, Solid Brass.
Hailing from Mechanicsville, No Green JellyBeenz is a cover band with sounds ranging from modern rock, pop, hip hop, alternative, 1970s, ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s, performing July 17 at the Leonardtown Campus. Preview their sound at www.ngjbband.com or on their facebook fanpage at http://www.facebook.com/nogreenjellybeenz.
Pet the Monster emerged on the local music scene as an energetic, alternative, rock, ska, classic, indie cover band. With a song list that fans rave about, the band has been steadily adding original material to its repertoire. Pet the Monster will perform July 31 for the fifteenth birthday celebration at the Leonardtown Campus. Listen to a performance at www.petthemonster.com or on the facebook fanpage at http://www.facebook.com/petthemonster.
CSM introduced “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” during the fall 2011 Arts season and is reviving it at this year’s Twilight. Based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” presented by special arrangement with Tams-Whitmark Music Library, Inc., takes the audience through a day in the life of Charlie Brown. Musical numbers include “My Blanket and Me,” “The Kite,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,”and “Suppertime and Happiness.” The show will be performed July 18 at the La Plata Campus and July 19 at the Prince Frederick Campus.
“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), ” presented by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing, Inc., is not your typical Shakespeare. Witness a fast-paced, irreverent interpretation of Shakespeare’s 37 plays in only 97 minutes. The performance will take place July 24 at the Leonardtown Campus, July 25 at the La Plata Campus and July 26 at the Prince Frederick Campus.
Based on the ABC educational animated series which aired in the 1970s-80s, “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” is a pop-culture phenomenon brought to the musical stage. Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), the Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever tuneful songs will light up the stage in this production. Some of the beloved songs will include “Just A Bill,” “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly” and “Conjunction Junction.” The performance will take place Aug.1 at the La Plata Campus.
Under the direction of Randy Runyon, Solid Brass is comprised of members of the community, professional musicians, and high school and college students. It has been entertaining the Southern Maryland community for years. The concert will be Aug. 2 at the Prince Frederick Campus.
The series will take place outdoors on the La Plata Campus Fine Arts Building Lawn, the Leonardtown Campus Great Lawn, and on the Prince Frederick Patio. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic, or purchase food on site. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. In the event of inclement weather, performances will move indoors. On the La Plata Campus performances will move to the Fine Arts Center, on the Leonardtown Campus to Building A, Auditorium, and on the Prince Frederick Campus to Room 119.
Gold, silver and bronze sponsorship levels are available for this year’s Twilight Performance Series. For information on sponsorships call 301-934-7649 or 301-870-2309, 240-725-5499 or 443-550-6169, Ext. 7649 or visit www.csmd.edu/Foundation. Current support for the series is made possible through a sponsorship with Old Line Bank, BB&T, Donald and Mary Smolinski and Sue and Frank Taylor; and partnerships with the Maryland Humanities Council, the Leonardtown Business Association, The Good Earth Natural Foods Company and Bella Music School; and grant funding from the Charles County Arts Alliance, the Arts Council of Calvert County, the St. Mary’s County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council.
For information on the Twilight Performance Series call 301-934-7828 or 301-870-2309, 240-725-5499, or 443-550-6169, Ext. 7828 or visit www.csmd.edu/Arts.
Chautauqua is a program of the Maryland Humanities Council presented in partnership with the College of Southern Maryland. The Maryland Humanities Council, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization which receives support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Maryland Division of Historical and Cultural Programs, corporations, foundations and individuals.
CSM’s campuses are accessible to patrons with disabilities. Audio description for the visually impaired and sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired are available with a minimum two-week advanced notice. Contact the academic support/ADA coordinator at 301-934-7614.