Black Box Blog

2012-01-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

See our FaceBook Event for Feb 17
Friday Feb 17, 2012
6-9pm
Waldorf Jaycees Center
$90 per couple, $400 per table of 10
Jennifer cooper and Retro Groove
For tickets call Evie at 301-743-7453 or
call the Indian Head Center for the Arts 301-743-3040
Flier here to print and share:

2009-11-15T08:01:00.001-08:00

Visit Us on Facebook
Visit us on Facebook by clicking here

July 31 - August 9, 2009

2009-07-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

Beginning July 31 and running for two weekends, join us for a Saltnote! production... "Catch You on the Flipside" ... a whimsical parody of a musical theater cabaret, featuring 15 talented and vibrant performers. Rated PG!

Order tickets here!

Laughing Daughter

2009-07-14T10:37:00.001-07:00

Laughing Daughter is predominantly a Country Rock Musical depicting the interwoven lives and loves of three very different couples.

Laughing Daughter, a 19 girl old Native American girl, bored with performing at local shows and possessing a beautiful voice, harbors a dream of being a star in the Nashville heavens. With her father’s reluctant blessing she leaves the reservation, her father Storm Heart, and James her long-time faithful boyfriend to seek fame.

Junior Johnson is a 45 year old singer/songwriter traveling the country performing at a variety of gigs, barely making enough to pay for his accommodation, meals and bar bill. The down-home Jolene, slightly younger, and a dedicated life-long fan, finally decides to declare herself.

Whilst trying to help the inconsolable James, the divorced Storm Heart, missing his estranged wife Shell Flower for many years, comes to terms with being separated from the two people he loves most.

Laughing Daughter weaves these three loves; their frustrations and their triumphs, into one braided whole, with the songs and melodies of the American Heartland.

warm, human and touching

Reservations 800--494-8497
or securely online by clicking here

Seating is limited ~ Reserve now to assure yourself a seat.

To read more about how this musical developed, click here for a 21 August 2008 article in the Richmond, Virginia "Henrico Citizen."

Contact info: CBFT, Inc, PO Box 1098, Indian Head, MD 20640 ph:301-743-3040, fax:301-743-5704

©CBFT, Inc 2009

Summer Camp press release

2009-06-20T18:58:00.001-07:00

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2009 (Indian Head, Maryland)

Indian Head Center for the Arts Summer Theatre Camp
Time is running out to register for this great opportunity for kids!

The Black Box Theatre in the Indian Head Center for the Arts will host its second anual theatre camp this July. Middle and High School students have a tremendous opportunity for personal growth by attending the summer theatre camp. The theatre is located at 4185 Indian Head Highway in Indian Head, Maryland. Classes run a full two weeks from July 13^th through the 25^th. The high school camp, for those entering grades 9-12, will run from 9am to 12pm and the middle school camp, for those entering grades 6-8, will run from 1pm to 4pm.

The camp culminates with student performances on July 25th, which will be open to all. On the 25^th, the middle school group will perform at 3pm and the high school group will perform at 8pm.

The cost of the 2-week camp is just 200 dollars per child which includes a 75 dollar, non-refundable deposit due at time of pre-registration. Registration is limited to 15 students per age group, so spaces are filling up fast for this incredible opportunity for young actors.

Classes will be taught by Helen Coy. Coy, a native of Charles County and graduate of Lackey High School, trained in film at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts School for Film and Television in Manhattan for one year and has performed in over 40 performances in various venues in Southern Maryland in the past 15 years. While in New York, Coy also modeled several times for various up-and-coming photography students from the School for Visual Arts. Currently, she is attending St. Mary's College of Maryland pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre, Film and Media Studies, with hopes of going on to earn a Master's Degree in performing arts and teaching Theatre at the college level.

For more information or to pre-register, call the theatre at 301-743-3040 or visit the website at http://www.indianheadblackbox.org/

About the Black Box Theatre in the Indian Head Center for the Arts: Chesapeake Bay Floating Theatre, Inc, a Maryland 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation, manages the Black Box Theatre at the Indian Head Center for the Arts, in Indian Head, MD. The Indian Head Center for the Arts is dedicated to cultural advancement of the region through education, arts and entertainment. Our Black Box Theatre is a forum for the arts in Southern Maryland, showcasing a wide variety of talented groups and individuals throughout the year. We consider ourselves an "arts incubator" for Southern Maryland. With outreach programming such as theater labs, apprenticeship programs and community-centered performances, CBFT can achieve its ultimate goal of recreating the experience of the James Adams Floating Theatre, a barge that traversed the Chesapeake Bay in the early 1900's.

stakeholders

2009-06-12T08:05:00.001-07:00

Laughing Daughter - AUDITION NOTICE

2009-05-25T22:53:00.000-07:00

Laughing Daughter

AUDITION NOTICE
Indian Head Center for the Arts, Indian Head, Southern Maryland (only 20 miles south of DC)

We are holding auditions for non-union actors/singers for the ‘WORLD PREMIER’ of:

LAUGHING DAUGHTER (The Musical)

Directed by: Bill Graves
Musical Director: James Watson
Written and Produced by: Roger Penycate and Rick Jones

The auditions and performances will be held at the theatre
(4185 Indian Head Hwy, Indian Head, MD 20640)

Audition Dates:
Tuesday, 2nd June - From 7:00pm
Sunday, 7th June – From 11.00am
Tuesday, 9th June – 7.00pm (Callbacks if necessary)

The audition will be in 2 parts:
a. Singing
b. Acting

Please be vocally ‘warmed up’ when you arrive
Be prepared to sing 16 – 32 bars of a song from the musical theatre repertoire.
Bring a copy of your sheet music for accompanist
Be prepared to be accompanied (no a capella or pre-recorded music)
Prepare a one minute dramatic monologue.
Either bring with you or email in advance a brief resume and headshot.

All wages for actors/crew/orchestra will be equal, $250 for the duration (including rehearsals). We appreciate that this is not a lot of money however we do have a ‘payroll’ of 20+ ??? There may be a bonus dependent upon the ticket sales, however we cannot guarantee that.

Performance dates: 3rd - 6th, 10th - 13th, and 17th – 20th September 2009

Rehearsals will be held during the summer.

Plot Synopsis:

Laughing Daughter is a Country Rock/Americana Musical depicting the interwoven lives and loves of three very different couples.

Laughing Daughter, a 19 year old Native American girl, bored with performing at local shows and possessing a beautiful voice, harbors a dream of being a star in the Nashville heavens. With her father’s reluctant blessing she leaves the reservation, her father Storm Heart, and James her long-time faithful boyfriend to seek her fame.

Junior Johnson is a singer/songwriter traveling the country performing at a variety of gigs, barely making enough to pay for his accommodation, meals and bar bills.

The down-home Jolene, slightly younger, and a dedicated life-long fan, has a secret and finally decides to declare herself.

Whilst trying to help the inconsolable James, the divorced Storm Heart, missing his estranged wife, Shell Flower, comes to terms with being separated from the two people he loves most.

Laughing Daughter weaves these three loves; their frustrations and their triumphs, into one braided whole, with the songs and melodies of the American Heartland, the story is warm,
human and touching.

Cast Breakdown:

Laughing Daughter: Late teens/early 20’s (Ideally although not essential also a guitar player)
Junior Johnson: White/Caucasian traveling Country music singer/songwriter
(Ideally also a guitar player... Guitar playing for JJ and LD is preferable but not essential, and will be ‘uncomplicated’ as there will be a five-piece ‘orchestra’)
Storm Heart: Modern Indian Chief (40-60)
James: Late teens/early 20’s Jolene:heart of gold country girl (30-45)
Shell Flower: Storms Hearts estranged wife. (40-60)
Kachina: Male - A ‘puck-type’ the 4th wall - comical character.

Additional roles for an ensemble cast of four, who must be able to dance and sing/harmonize to include: Lenny Black (agent) Bubbalou Burns (country singer) Bartender, Musical Agent, Old Woman, Street Walkers, Agents Assistants, Tourists, etc.

Please only apply if you live in Maryland/DC or Virginia.

If you have any questions or would like to send your resume/headshot in advance,
please contact…. Roger Penycate at rogerpenycate@hotmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/wwwlinkedinrogerpenycate

Grace Griffith and Lynn Hollyfield

2009-05-25T21:58:00.001-07:00

Lynn Hollyfield and Grace Griffith - submitted photo

Grace Griffith
and
Lynn Hollyfield

June 6, 2009

8:00 pm

Grace Griffith and Lynn Hollyfield are both gifted musicians.

Grace, a veteran performer and recording artist has won multiple WAMMIEs (Washington Area Music Awards)-- named "Best Traditional Folk Vocalist" in February 2009. She was raised in Bryans Road and resides in Accokeek with her husband. Her noteworthy performing career has taken her to the U.S. West Coast, Scotland and Canada, and her recordings on the Blix Street Record label are played on radio stations as nearby as 105.9 (Smooth Jazz) and as far away as Taiwan. Grace is a respected interpreter of contemporary songwriters’ works and a collector of traditional Appalachian, Irish and Scottish repertory. In more recent years Grace’s performing career has been limited by the effects of Parkinson’s Disease, so this concert is a bit of a rarity.

Lynn hails originally from New York but migrated to settle in Accokeek with her husband and two daughters. She is a talented and prolific songwriter in addition to being a fine guitarist and mandolin player. Lynn will be known to some as half of the ersatz duo Hollyfield & Spruill, who released 2 CDs and with whom Lynn honed her distinctive singing style and, in particular, her remarkable ear for harmony. Lynn’s self-penned songs stand up well if compared to the best among current folk songwriters, with an emotional intensity reminiscent of Sarah McLacllan or Roseanne Cash, set in melodies that easily catch a listener’s attention and hold it in one’s ear long after the song is done. Lynn is currently working on her first solo recording project.

Together Grace and Lynn create a sweet acoustic sound with repertoire that runs the gamut from traditional British Isles ballads to original songs of experience, with just enough humor to top it off.

Reservations 800--494-8497
or securely online by clicking here

Seating is limited ~ Reserve now to ensure a seat.

Contact info: CBFT, Inc, PO Box 1098, Indian Head, MD 20640 ph:301-743-3040, fax:301-743-5704

©CBFT, Inc 2009

A Comedy Fun Show... Family Fun on a Sunday Afternoon...

2009-03-04T05:52:00.000-08:00

Bob “Bunky the Clown” Gretton

“Bunky” along with his cohort, “Blondi”, will perform their

Comedy Fun Show

filled with magic, comedy,

and lots of audience interaction…

Wholesome entertainment for the entire family!

Black Box Theatre

Sunday, March 8^th ~ Show time: 3:00 pm

Tickets: Only $5.00 each

For Reservations & Ticket Information: call 888-276-2767

50% of the proceeds will benefit

the Southern Maryland Red Cross

Dancin' on Broadway

2008-11-14T05:07:00.001-08:00

Saturday, December 6, 2008 @ 4 pm & 8 pm
Dancin’ on Broadway
A Song & Dance Revue
(Holiday Edition)
Off Broadway - In Indian Head Maryland - At the Black Box Theater
4185 Indian Head Hwy, Indian Head, MD 20640
42nd Street Guys & Dolls Cabaret
Chorus Line Crazy for You Chicago
* Professional singers & dancers * Holiday entertainment for the whole family
* Innovative choreography * Produced by Dancin’ Unlimited Jazz Dance Company
* Awesome performances * “Jazz Dance with Class” since 1973
A celebration of classic Broadway shows!
Signature numbers from many shows including:
Tickets: $13.50
Online at www.indianheadblackbox.org or call 1-800-494-8497

Kid Stuff

2008-11-08T10:16:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Children's shows

Tuesday, Nov 11, 2008 ~ 11am Blue Sky Puppet Theatre presents: The Three (not so) little Pigs
admission ~ $8/$7

"The Three (not so) little Pigs was originally produced in 1988 as a 4th birthday party celebration for Judith and Michael's son Tristan. A that time he was having squabbles with his two sisters which frustrated his parents. He was also afraid
of wolves, although he loved the story of the Three Little Pigs. We decided to write a story that reflected a parent's frustration at sibling problems and which made the wolf non threatening, a vegetarian uninterested in pigs. Our friends loved the show and suggested we produce it for public viewing. It has since become one of our most popular shows, filled with audience participation and humor aimed at all ages"

Click here to buy tickets now!
or call 800-494-8497

_______________________________________________________________

Tuesday 12/09/08 ~3:30pm Maryland traveling Science Center Presents:
What's the Matter? Chemistry with Fizz, Foam & Flash
admission ~ $8/$7

How can you tell when chemistry is happening? What's the difference between matter and energy? This show explores the states of matter, physical changes, and chemical reactions through loud, bright, and

visually thrilling experiments. Watch as flash dazzles, foam oozes, and fizz flows.
SCIENCE is FUN!!

Click here to buy tickets now! or call 800-494-8497

Thursday 12/11/08 ~ 7pm Port Tobacco Encore Kids present:
The Town Hall Christmas Tree

admission ~ $5 ~ tickets sold at the door only

download a flyer here

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

2008-10-31T06:09:00.000-07:00

House Concert! Saturday, Nov 1, 2008 ~ 6pm

Reservations 301-246-4961 ~ Seating is limited

A special performance featuring Michael and Carrie Kline in the intimate setting of a House Concert. We are offering this special event at the home of Norman and Peggy Palmer in Nanjemoy, MD. Reserve now to assure yourself a seat.

more info and directions here.....

Get $3 off Tickets for Oct 3 Cabaret if you buy before Oct 2

2008-09-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

Saltnote! (Lisa Kay Morton, Artistic Director) is pleased to present the dynamic musical duo "Alpha Jazz" (Anna Turner, Vocals & Jarrett Morton, Piano) in a cabaret evening featuring sultry songs & sophisticated stylings of old and new standards from the jazz, pop & musical theater repertoire.

Buy your tickets online or by phone before 10pm Oct 2 and we'll take $3 off the price.
Call 800-494-8497 or log onto
our secure server to purchase here..... DO IT NOW

Sep 20 International Folk Fusion Festival

2008-09-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

Its finally here! Join us 4pm to midnight Saturday Sep 20 at the Indian Head Pavilion for the first annual Folk Fusion Festival. more....

come to the Monday Meetup

2008-08-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

Are you someone trying to break in to the "scene", so to speak. Or do you prefer to be behind the scenes. There's a place for you at our theatre.

Please don't sit home and watch TV when you can come to the Monday Meetup! We need you to bring your special personality and share it with us!!

We also love for new performers to show us their stuff. Tonight is open mic night and anything goes. Comedy, vocals, whatever. Can you yodel? We have a piano (a little out of tune) but playable. If you don't come, it's gonna be me singing, and I'm not sure the world is ready for that.

Email us (info@indianheadblackbox.org) if you want to be on stage at a meetup

We meet from 7-9pm every Monday.

This is also a great way to "give back". The theatre needs you. In addition to the entertainment, there are volunteer opportunities. It takes a village...

Mostly its about meeting others who care about the theatre.
You can read about our meetup group
click here to -> see who belongs

We still need volunteers for the big Blue Balkony Festival Sep 20 4pm to midnight

We also have weekly Wednesday Acoustic Blues Jam sessions, which are inspired works of art! Musicians free, others only $5

One last note, be sure to put Rounding Third on your calendar, Sep 4-28. A great comedy about two little league coaches who have opposite philosophies about coaching. Lots of fun!

Aug 21,5-8pm Madam's Organ Happy Hour!

2008-08-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

On Thursday August 21 it's Happy Hour at Madam's Organ for a very special cause!
Help raising money for the Blue Balkony Festival, a night of Blues and Gypsy music to be held on Sept. 20.

From 5 to 8pm, come enjoy good music, drinks and food at Madam's Organ in Adams Morgan.

Special guests for the evening: The Balkanics www.balkanics.com

All benefits will go to funding the Blue Balkony Festival, a unique and original festival dedicated to cultural dialogue between African-Americans and Gypsy people through music.

Don't miss an occasion to listen to awesome music in one of the best venues in DC, network with artists and music lovers, participate in our raffle and enjoy cheap drinks!

Please forward to all your friends, collegues, friends of friends.. everyone!!

For info, do not hesitate to contact Melina Nardi at 571-265-9642!

Can't wait to see you there!

from:
Melina Nardi
Program Manager & Admin. Assistant
Indian Head Center for the Arts
4185, Indian Head Hwy
Indian Head, MD 20640

Blue Balkony Festival - sponsors sought

2008-08-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

The new and unique Southern Maryland Blue Balkony Festival cannot happen without you...

Sponsor now! Call 301-743-3040 ext 5 Today

The Indian Head Center for the Arts, in cooperation with the Town of Indian Head, requests your Sponsorship of our Southern Maryland Folk Fusion Festival: the Blue Balkony Festival. This unique festival is first in a series of annual festivals to be held at the Pavilion in Indian Head, MD as part of the comprehensive revitalization of the region.

Sponsorship Opportunities for the Blue Balkony Festival:

$5,001 and up! – VIP sponsor

$1,001 to $5,000 – International sponsor

$501 to $1,000 – Official sponsor

$150 to $500 – Community sponsor

All sponsors receive recognition on our web site, news releases, on-site signage, on-site program guide, electronic newsletter and radio.

WHY SPONSOR the Blue Balkony Festival?

Increase visibility for your business by having your name and logo on all Festival’s programs and flyers, including newsletter to be distributed internationally and to all Embassies in DC (for sponsors over $1,000).

Show your employees and clients your dedication to the region and society in which they live and are dedicated to their well-being and education. Add attractive benefits to your positions.

Keep your clients entertained and get an opportunity to meet representatives of other sponsoring organizations and network in a fun, enjoyable environment.

Boost your sales by getting the attendees of the festival interested in your company and take an occasion to showcase your products, services and projects (for sponsors over $500).

Get new clients and recruit new employees.

Give your employees an occasion to be involved in Art programs, express their creativity and increase their imaginative potential. This will allow your employees to keep connected with the community and maintain a high level of satisfaction in their living and working place.

Enhance the spirit of initiative of your audiences and their willingness to invest in original projects and products.

Get free tickets to the festival for you or your employees (2 tickets for Community Sponsors, 5 for Official Sponsors, 10 for International Sponsors, 20 for VIP sponsors)

Get free access to the Black Box Theatre for galas, VIP meetings, conferences, inaugurations of new products or projects, and parties or networking events (for VIP sponsors).

The Southern Maryland Blue Balkony Festival is to be held on September 20, 2008 at the Village Green and Pavilion in Indian Head, MD. It was born from our desire to address local minorities and to create an opportunity for musical dialogue between African-American Blues artists from Southern Maryland and Roma (Gypsy) artists from Washington DC, NY and Serbia. It aims at providing citizens of Maryland, Virginia and DC with a fun and original approach to Blues and Gypsy music and dances and culture.

African-Americans and Roma (Gypsies) have in common a similar history of discrimination and oppression. Roma are considered the black people of Eastern Europe and have limited access to education, work and health system. Slavery in the U.S. and in Romania both ended in the late 19th century. It is in that period that the first Roma emigrated from Romania to the United States, importing their culture and their music. In parallel, African-Americans were developing their own original American music and slowly winning recognition among the white majority, leading on the path to emancipation. Today, Blues is an integral part of the American cultural heritage and Blues bands are flourishing around the country, both among African-American people and the white population. Gypsy music keeps fascinating more and more people, including stars such as Madonna who has invited to perform as first act for its upcoming Hard Candy tour our dear friend and amazing 8-string guitar master, Vadim Kolpakov, who would otherwise be participating in the Blue Balkony Festival. Nonetheless, we have the extreme pleasure to be receiving on our stage the Serbian Gypsy group “KAL” (“black” in Serbian), who will come especially from Serbia to perform at our Festival. We will collaborate on this project with Voice of Roma, the major Roma organization in the U.S., with the Serbian Embassy in Washington D.C., which will provide us with the publicity for the event, and with Madam’s Organ Blues Bar, which will host our fundraising night on August 21. Yet, we are still looking for further donations and sponsorships in order to make this event possible and to ensure the appearance of the KAL, the Balkanics, Petra Gelbart, ACME Blues Company, Little Bit a Blues Band and Blue Smoke Band.

The Blue Balkony Festival provides:

high-quality artistic innovation and educational experience for all ages and all social groups.
a forum for attendants to meet, discuss and reflect upon their community and their participation in the preservation of their heritage.
a platform for local businesses to inform current and potential clients on their business, products and projects.

Giving the region international visibility, this Festival will mark the apogee of our efforts toward the social and economic development of Indian Head. By offering international high-quality Art events, the region is increasing its potential for businesses and tourism. Besides empowering local artists, we are working on building strong and skilled new generations by improving their creative potential and spirit of initiative. Through entertainment, the Indian Head Center for the Arts is quickly becoming the cornerstone of artistic, social and economic development for all generations and all ethnic groups in Southern Maryland.

We need your support to bring this exciting festival to Indian Head! Please consider a generous position on the ladder of contributors.

The Performers

KAL, coming from Serbia

Musicians: Dragan Ristic - vocals, guitar, shargjia Dragan Mitrovic - accordion Vladan Mitrovic - accordion, backing vocals Djordje Belkic - violin Dragan Runic - double bass Neat Junuzi - percussions

A Serbian-based Roma music group, KAL, has become an important new voice in the fight for Roma rights, with their eponymous debut album (Tango Records, 2006). KAL blends an unlikely combination of Middle Eastern, Argentinian, Turkish, Indian, and even Jamaican influences, musical genres that the band has absorbed into its repertoire.

KAL were formed by the Ristic brothers, Dushan and Dragan, to confront the prejudices and clichés the Roma face. The Ristics grew up in Central Serbia where they lead, every summer, the Amala Summer School (www.amala.com), a two week gathering at their home village in Valjevo where students from across the world come to learn Roma language, music and history.

Petra Gelbart

Originally from Czech Republic, Petra Gelbart is in the final stages of an ethnomusicology Ph.D. at Harvard University, where she has assistant-taught music history, Czech conversation, and led a tutorial in Romani. She is a member of the Russian-Romani ensemble VIA Romen and has volunteered for several Romani NGOs.

Petra Gelbart, also a specialist in Gypsy traditional music, has performed traditional and original Roma songs vocally and on the accordion at venues such as the California Herdeljezi Festival, Hungarian House (NY) and the The Ida Kelarova International Festival at Svojanov Castle, Czech Republic.

The Balkanics

Varol Saatcioglu (keyboard, vocals, bagpipe) Tzvety Weiner (vocals) Jeff Suzda (saxophone, clarinet) Daniel Rozas (clarinet) Len Newman (bass, rhythm guitar, tambura) Bryndyn Weiner (drums, vocals)

The music of the Balkans they play is so interesting and challenging that they make everybody get on their feet. The instrumentation that they use is typical for most wedding bands popular today throughout the Balkans. The clarinet, the saxophone, the keyboard and the bass/rhythm guitar — all modern electric instruments of the West — give this music of odd modes a very peculiar sound. It is truly appealing to younger crowds because it’s loud, exciting and very driving, even somewhat hypnotic. They are the only band of its kind in the Washington, D.C. area.

Little Bit a Blues Band

A D.C. favorite, Little Bit A Blues, which combines Warner Williams' warm vocals and Piedmont guitar picking with Jay Summerour's harmonica. Warner is a native of Takoma Park, Md., and has been part of Washington's blues scene since the '50s. Jay is a veteran of the Starland Vocal Band and the Cambridge Harmonica Orchestra. The pair has played the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. They opened the American Roots 4th of July Festival on the Mall. --excerpt from dcblues.org

Williams and Summerour began playing together during the early 1990s, sometimes calling themselves “Little Bit of Blues.” They have been featured in concerts, on television and radio, and at festivals across the country, including appearances on the National Public Radio series Folk Masters, at the National and Lowell folk festivals and on the National Mall during the American Roots Fourth of July celebration.

Guitarist and songster Warner Williams of Takoma Park MD is one of the greatest unsung heroes of the Piedmont blues--an Eastern seaboard style that incorporates fiddle tunes, ballads, country and popular songs, ragtime, and gospel. With a jaunty rhythmic finger-picked guitar-style and an eclectic repertoire that ranges from blues to honky-tonk, jazz crooning to children’s songs, Warner Williams is an old-style community entertainer of national significance. He is joined by Maryland native Jay Summerour on harmonica and backing vocals. Together they conjure up an historic Piedmont duo like Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee as they make their own way on the blues highway. --Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Michael James "Blues" Baker and Blue Smoke Blues Band

Blue Smoke Blues Band originated in 1989 with the meeting of Mike Baker and Dan Milkman. Mike Baker was a folk guitarist and singer in the Laurel area. A mutual friend, Dominic Vigliotti had been counseling Mike through a tough time that he had been having since he had blinded in a swimming pool accident. Mr. Vigliotti suggested that Mike meet a colleague of his from Rosso Bros. Music named Dan Milkman. With lots of coaxing from both Dominic and Dan, Mike Baker and Dan Milkman formed a blues group named Blue Smoke Blues Band.

The band consisted of Mike, Dan and Bill Falk. Bill Falk had previously played with Dan in a local rock band called Bleeding Heart and the Delta Devils. They added a bass player by the name of Rob Cooper from the Next Step band. Their first performance was booked at a Laurel club called The Round Table. From that point, the next gig was at a local Laurel club called Delaney's Pub. The band was surprised by the supportive crowd that showed up at the gig. The owner, Gino, told the band at the end of the night, that he had the biggest night ever. For two years, the band performed weekly at Delaney’s Pub in Laurel. These were the Thursday Night Blues nights. Each Thursday night that Blue Smoke performed was packed. Within that period, the band gained high recognition throughout the Baltimore-Washington corridor. They performed at such clubs as: The Full Moon Saloon, Armadillo's, Jett's Vegas Lounge, The Grog and Tankard, Dead Eye Saloon, The Baltimore Blues Festival, Baltimore's Art Scape Festival, The Laurel Main Street Festival, Concerts in the Park for the City of Laurel, and Columbia, Md, 4th of July Festivities.

The band has now been together for sixteen years. Core members remain Mike Baker, Dan Milkman, Leo Aspiras and Bill Falk. The band utilizes a rotation of musicians including Pat Day on harmonica, Jimmy Orr on keyboards, bass players Barry Novacell and Steve Shaw and drummer, Kim Martin.

ACME Blues Company ACME Blues Company is a high-energy electric blues band from the Washington DC area. Their mix of traditional and contemporary blues music has an original sound that always fills the dance floor. This band has gained a reputation for delivering highly charged and memorable performances all around Virginia, Maryland and DC. The band features Waverly Milor on harp and lead vocals, Steve Remy on electric guitar and lead vocals, Steve “Wolf” Crescenze on bass, and Chris Ruckman on drums, and our newest addition, Zach Sweeney on electric guitar. Acme plays originals and covers going back through the history of blues music.

Multiple Wammie Award Nominees! 2007: Best Blues Band 2007: Best Blues Male Vocalist (Waverly Milor) 2006: Best Blues Recording ("I Think I Made It")

Waverly Milor -- Harp & Lead Vocals In addition to playing harp, Wave is the lyricist for ACME’s wide range of originals. Wave is an active member of the DC Blues Society and plays with bands such as Blues on Board, Daryl Davis Band and Tornado Alley. Wave has jammed in such cities as Pittsburgh, Asheville & Wilmington, NC, Portland (OR), Cookeville (TN) and in Copenhagen, Denmark. In Oct. 2005, Wave performed at the 25th Annual King Biscuit Blues Festival with Richard Johnston in West Helena, Arkansas.

Steve Remy -- Guitar & Vocals Steve is one of the founding members of ABC and has over 25 years experience playing guitar (both lead and rhythm) for several bands from Phoenix, Arizona to Washington DC to the Eastern Shore of Southern Delaware. Steve brings the blues alive with his fiery licks, and in his playing, you can hear influences of Freddie King, Albert Collins, Tommy Castro, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan just to name a few. Steve plays from his heart and soul.

Chris Ruckman -- Drums Chris, a.k.a. Topher, has performed with CMLC, the Velvet Alley Blues Band, the Red Brown and Blues and others. Topher knows how to sound good, and he ought to because he has a PhD in acoustical engineering. His influences include Vinnie Colaiuta, Chester Thompson and Billy Lee Lewis.

Steve "Wolf" Crescenze -- Bass Guitar & Vocals Steve started playing bass in the DC area in the 1960s, most notably touring with Sassafras Tea. His playing and love of the blues began in the late 60's with such influences as B.B.King, Paul Butterfield, John Mayall, Eric Clapton and Cream. Recently, Wolf has performed with Big Boy Little, Linwood Taylor, Clarence “The Bluesman” Turner, The Skyla Burrell Band, One Bad Jack and DrMove.

Organization details Name: Chesapeake Bay Floating Theatre t/a Indian Head Center for the Arts, Black Box Theatre Address: 4185 Indian Head Highway P.O. Box 1098 Indian Head, MD 20640 Tel. number: 301-743-3040 Contact: Peggy Palmer, Executive Director Contact number: 301-848-8267 Organization Mission

Chesapeake Bay Floating Theatre, Inc a Maryland 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation, manages the Black Box Theatre at the Indian Head Center for the Arts, in Indian Head, MD.

The Indian Head Center for the Arts is a forum for the grassroots development of artistic expression in Indian Head, Charles County and the surrounding areas.

The venue and its programs offer aspiring professional artists and arts organizations a bridge to the established cultural community of the Greater Washington Metropolitan area.

In addition to a full season of professional theatrical productions, the Center's programs include weekly blues jam sessions, held on Wednesdays all summer, the Stage Training Apprentice Mentor Program (STAMP) and summer theatre camp, and the Blue Balkony Festival.

CBFT’s objectives: CBFT’s primary mission is to promote the Arts in Southern Maryland and to encourage community development through education programs, and by performing and promoting Art events and theatre performances. Furthermore, the organization aims at giving international outreach and visibility to the Southern Maryland region by attracting arts and entertainment consumers to the area and by upholding a reputation for providing, innovative, high quality professional performances and education. The long term objective of CBFT is to develop the region as an arts friendly cultural community and tourist destination, comprised of a culturally sophisticated audience and professional productions. Children are the future consumers and producers of arts in the area, and their educational development is a focus of the IHCFTA. The children are given an active social role and are provided with the necessary tools to apprehend the world with critical eyes and with a creative mind able of resolving problems and moving towards the betterment of the region. CBFT is involved in creating dialog between generations and between cultures, ensuring the unity of the community around a common interest: a safe enjoyable place where children and adults alike can learn, create, share experiences, participate in the community life and enjoy international high-quality Art.

The Indian Head Center for the Arts is looking toward the future of Indian Head as an arts-friendly community flourishing in Southern Maryland. It will provide all generations and all ethnic groups in Indian Head with affordable high quality Art performances and events, including the Blue Balkony Festival. Because our children are fundamental instruments of this future, the Center has taken a role in the education of the youth of Charles County through Art-in-Education programs and theatre summer camps. Far beyond simple entertainment, the Indian Head Center for the Arts participates in stimulating vitality and interest in Indian Head. In time, the theatre will attract business and shops and will extend its reach to further audiences from Washington DC, Alexandria and beyond. The numerous volunteers, from all around the county, that help us at CBFT and the IHCFA show the shared desire of the local population to find its rebirth in Arts and Culture. CBFT’s Board of Directors Spike Parrish - President Evelyn Hungerford, Vice President Ed Rice, 2nd Vice President Rob Benson, Treasurer Jewell Bragunier Pearl "Sam" Ziesing Brenda Bush John Bloom Mary Kevin Welch Peggy Palmer (Executive Director)

Great Press -South Potomac Pilot

2008-07-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 3, 2008 - South Potomac Pilot

Scientists and engineers sought to help Black Box Project

By Doug Davant

Science, technology, engineering and math would seem to mesh with playtime like a Saturday bath.

But Indian Head’s children who will attend Smallwood Middle School this autumn are going to find that those STEM subjects do have fun attached when they are mixed in a ‘‘play”. And that’s what the town’s Black Box Theater group intends to do, along with looking for some science, technology, engineering and mathematics volunteers from Naval Support Facility Indian Head to help.

The Black Box Theatre Group recently was awarded some grant money from the Energetic Technological Center for such a project. Succinctly, a playwright will be hired to help Smallwood’s students write and produce a play based entirely upon science, technological, engineering and mathematical themes and this is where the base’s STEM community can help, according to Peggy Palmer who is the Black Box’s spokesperson as well as Indian Head’s economic developer.

‘‘We’re looking for scientists and engineers...people who want to work with children to help them understand about science and technology in helping create this play,” she said.

Palmer said the theater is working with the school to develop a ‘‘love for the arts” and to provide the school’s children with an outlet they ordinarily wouldn’t get in a small town environment.

‘‘Right now we’re committed to Smallwood Middle School to pilot our program until we perfect it. Then we hope to move out to the other elementary and middle schools in the local Charles County area,” she said.

The theater will also be collaborating with Naval Support Facility Indian Head and its Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division tenant on the annual ‘‘Autumnfest” program as it will bring the ‘‘Blue Balkony Festival” to the Village Green and Pavilion. The Blue Balkony Festival is featuring KAL, a touring group from Serbia which features gypsy, and will also feature blues music along with dance and ethnic food.

Palmer, who has Navy roots (she was born in Newfoundland when her father was stationed in the Navy there), describes herself as a ‘‘nexus person who connects the dots” and the town’s economic advocate for future development rather than the theater’s director.

‘‘I love theater and attend all the plays,” she said of Black Box. ‘‘I believe it’s important for small towns to have arts ... and programs which expose children to arts where they can learn about science and technology too.”

The Black Box Theater typically produces eight to 10 shows per year with a mix of drama and comedy themes for both adults and children. It is funded through grants from the Charles County government, the Maryland State Arts Council, Charles County Arts Council, the Chaney Foundation, Target Store Group, Mirant MidAtlantic, and other donors. (my additions in Blue)

Opening night for Stageworks Festival!!!

2008-06-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Jazz concert and Concert Highlights from Porgy and Bess opened last nights festivities at the Indian Head Village Center. We had a wonderful time, wonderful food and great wine from Solomon's Winery. Plan to bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Join me! Call your friends! Get on the phone right now. I mean it. call at least 5 people and invite them to come with you.

Only $10 for world-class Musical Theatre! Right here in Indian Head. No need to drive a long distance and use all that gas. Food, drinks!

See you there. Show starts at 8pm every night. I recommend getting there at 7:30.
Runs through June 29.
Peggy Palmer
Executive Director, Indian Head Center for the Arts
Chair, Indian Head Economic Development Council
301-743-3040

New time slot for Wednesday Blues Jam Sessions

2008-05-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

Our Wednesday Blues Jam Sessions are now 7-9pm (previously 8-10pm).
Dates:
Jun 4, then next one is July 2 then Jul 30.
Check the calendar as some dates are preempted by Stageworks Festival and the CSM Twilight Music Series.

Summer Camp - July 14-26

2008-05-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

Does your child want to become America’s next Superstar? ... name in lights? Or just want to have a great time, meet new people and learn something new this summer? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then the Summer Theatre Camp at the Indian Head Center for the Arts is a great place to start!

July 14-26 – 2 full weeks of theatre fun!
Grades 9-12 9:00am-12:00pm ~ Grades 6-8 1:00pm-4:00pm
July 26th – Performances before a live audience
in the Black Box Theatre

Click here for more information

Two great shows coming in May!

2008-04-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

Only 5 more chances to see the hilarious
Gutenberg! The Musical! Landless Theatre Co only has 5 more shows of its smash hit at the Indian Head Center for the Arts. Raves off-Broadway, sold out in DC, and now Indian Head is singing these snappy tunes!

Bud and Doug, a pair of aspiring playwrights, perform a backers’ audition for their new project - a big, splashy musical about printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg

With an unending supply of enthusiasm, Bud and Doug sing all the songs and play all the parts in their crass historical epic, with the hope that one of the producers in attendance will give them a Broadway contract – fulfilling their ill-advised dreams.

Gutenberg! The Musical! was recently nominated for the 2007 Lucille Lortel Award for “Outstanding Musical” and for "Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical" by the Outer Critics Circle.

Tickets $18/$15

Watch a cool video here

Also, May 10 and 24, Landless will present its original children's special in two 3pm matinees!

The Brothers Grimm Excellent Adventure
By Andrew Lloyd Baughman
Target Ages: Elementary and Middle School

SYNOPSIS: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm are washed up! After centuries of glory as the distinguished writers of Cinderella, Rumplestilskin and other fairy tale classics, they are now overshadowed by Harry Potter, Spongebob Squarepants, and Star Wars!
In a daring effort to reclaim their literary place in pop culture, the Brothers are coming to America to put on a show so spectacular… so amazing… so fantastic that the multitudes will stand up and cheer!
One problem: it hasn't been written yet!
Join Jacob and Wilhelm as they write a play about writing a story, featuring fabulous two-man re-enactments of Grimm classics "Little Red Riding Hood," "Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs," "The Frog Prince" and more. Young audiences learn about structure and elements of fiction writing, and get the opportunity to write a brand new fairy tale with the Brothers. Lots of audience interaction, music and fun! Every show is different!
The Brothers Grimm Excellent Adventure received a successful first workshop production by The Fun Company in Frederick, MD. The play features real life brothers Andrew and Matt Baughman.

Tickets $12/$9

Katrina Monologues March 27 to April 6 for 8 performances

2008-03-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Only one more weekend for accokeekcreek theatreco's presentation of
Color Blind: The Katrina Monologues, by Tom Flannery
at the Black Box Theatre March 27 to April 6 – running Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 3:00 PM.

The show is a fund-raiser for the Red Cross Southern Maryland Disaster Relief Fund and the Black Box Theatre.

This is a multimedia show featuring live performances by DC blues singer Michel Baytop
Tickets available NOW!

BUY TICKETS

(top to bottom) Jared Shamberger, Charmian Crawford, Rhonda Carter, Nicole Carter, and Jivon Jackson

read article at Maryland Independent

Thank you to "The Black Jew Dialogues"

2008-03-01T06:54:00.001-08:00

A HUGE thanks to Larry Jay Tish and Ron Jones of "The Black Jew Dialogues"! WE look forward to seeing you again. Maybe when you're in town for the Capital Fringe Fest?

Comments are welcome from those who saw the show.

Upcoming Shows

2008-02-13T09:48:00.000-08:00

What's next after the Odd Couple wraps up this weekend?

Come see two very hilarious guys in a multi-media stand up show that is sure to make you laugh while addressing the serious subject of racism. Award winning performers, Larry Tish and Ron Jones are on a comedy crusade, bringing their message to college campuses and high schools.

We are thrilled that Catholic University Pryzbyla Center in DC decided to invite them and that they can make an appearance at the Black Box while they are in town.

They are here for one weekend only - Feb 23 and 24, on the heels of Charles County's forum on Unity in Our Community (Saturday, Feb 16 at CSM), we are presenting the timely comedy hit which addresses racism and stereotyping in a humorous way.

It's Black History Month. Help us celebrate the contributions of African Americans by coming to a play which will be illuminating and inspiring.

Odd Couple Sold Out Saturday!

2008-02-03T17:57:00.001-08:00

Just some quick thoughts tonight.

This was a great problem to have. We had to bring out portable chairs to accommodate a few walk-in patrons this past Saturday. Lesson: make reservations.

The show is fabulous! The comic timing carries you away.

BTW, we dropped the smoking on stage for the sake of the town ordinance and that will please a few patrons.

Best part is all the changes we've made to the theatre. We took out those columns that were at the corners of the stage, obstructing some patrons' views. The space looks much larger.

And the new marquee out front is a positive symbol of change for the Town of Indian Head.

Thanks for your patronage and support!

New format starting in 2008 allows more use of the theatre

2008-01-07T14:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a question some have asked. “Why won't there be a resident company starting in 2008 at the Black Box Theatre in the Indian Head Center for the Arts?” What is the new format and what are the advantages?

The short answer is that the new theatre format is a venue for hire, allowing diverse programming across many disciplines – dance, drama, standup, poetry, music, and multi-media work – to be staged here. So a variety of performing companies, including our former resident company, as well as other local and traveling groups will be able to present exciting professional work using this new open format.

The longer answer explains why we are following best practices in the industry of the challenging business of performing arts by maintaining an open door policy.

The DC metro area has many companies and creative individuals who produce fantastic work across a range of disciplines without the infrastructure and/or personal desire to run a venue. One of the goals of our new format is to help performers overcome the difficulties they face that come from not having a consistent audience. We want to help companies grow from performing at smaller venues like ours – where they can establish and experiment, to the larger ones – where they can make a living and thrive.

We are in good company in the use of this format locally, modeling our approach after the DC Arts Center. Black box theatres around the country ranging in size from 50 to 200 seats are perfect for growing small performing companies, acting as “arts incubators”.

Our region is growing and becoming more diverse. This diversity demands variety. Something for everyone. The disadvantages of a long term resident company come from the huge challenge of remaining creative and fresh while dealing with increasingly diverse tastes. Not to mention the logistics of running the venue and program, year in and year out. By taking care of the house management, we help the companies stick to practicing their craft.

Finally, in order to be responsive to longer-term trends, the Indian Head Center for the Arts needs to build the right infrastructure now. Ideas about sustainability have been worked through ever since the idea of a black box theatre was born. This new format will not be reliant on a single idea or company. It will instead give audiences a wider variety of performances to come and enjoy. In this way it is more than just a venue for hire: it becomes a home for many, both audience and performer alike, reaching out to better serve the community.

Now accepting Show Proposals for 2008

2007-11-25T10:35:00.000-08:00

Visit our web site to see how to book a show for 2008.

Anybody out there want to discuss theatre?

2007-11-16T15:28:00.001-08:00

This is a new blog dedicated to discussion about the Black Box Theatre
Feel free to chime in any time

Can anyone identify this show?

News today in the Independent about our children's program

2007-11-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

"When traditional learning methods don’t work to inspire students, local educators are thinking big, they’re thinking innovative — they’re thinking the world of theater to spark student’s interest."

click here for more from Maryland Independent Nov 14 article...

And we have a challenge grant!!!!!
Every dollar you donate to STAMP from now to Dec 31 will be matched dollar for dollar by two generous donors. click here to donate online with a credit card via our secure server on Box Office Tickets or call 800-494-8497 to donate by phone
thanks

Almost the end of the year...

2007-11-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks.... I cannot fathom that it is Thanksgiving next week... next week!

I want to thank the leadership of NobleHeart, our resident company. They took on a wide range of subjects and risked a lot to bring great theatre to Indian Head. Thank you!
Thanks to Don who was with NobleHeart for over half a year. We miss you. ..you made a huge difference in the short time you were here
Thank you to the Board of Directors who worked to help make all our projects come together and made our fund raising a success.
Thanks to the Charles County Arts Council, a supporter of all the arts in Charles County, for funding us.
Thanks to Jodie and Mike ... and Draper and Craig, and some others helped also... for taking the light grid down and then putting it up and now having to take it down again. sorry and thanks...
Thanks again to NobleHeart actors, tech and crew who pitched in to cover our needs related to the facility... we know you want to just come and perform; it is wonderful that you are partners with us in a spirit of cooperation and that you were able to put up with all the construction and chaos and just did whatever it took and pitched in to help.
Thanks to Facchina Construction who is helping us renovate the theatre and get our new marquee sign up on the front of the building...maybe by year end ?...what a Christmas gift that could be for the Town of Indian Head!
Thanks to the everyone at the Town of Indian Head for supporting our efforts in all the ways you do.
Thanks to all our theatre patrons and donors who continue to believe in the work we do (even if they don't love every show, they support us)
Thanks to Bill and Marcello for working with children in our after-school program.

Thanks to all. The arts are what inspire us! Be inspired! Peggy