Upcoming Events:  March 5 - 12, 2010

Tuesday, March 9, 11 am
Ira Blount: The Common Threads That Bind
Publick Playhouse
You’re invited to attend a screening and discussion with Ira Blount, an extraordinary, 91 year-old artisan who has mastered nearly a dozen handcrafts. These include quilting, basket weaving, wood carving, calligraphy, Japanese origami, painting, beading, tin punching, needle point, and hand bell ringing. 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly.  For more information: http://www.pgparks.com

Wednesday, March 10 & Thursday, March 11, 10:15 am & 12 noon
The Little Engine That Could
Publick Playhouse
Powered by the well-known refrain “I think I can, I think I can” and YOUR help, the Little Engine overcomes seemingly impossible odds to carry a train full of toys over a steep mountain.  Colorful trains and life-sized toys come alive onstage to teach children about the power of optimism in this entertaining production by the Omaha Theatre Company. 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly.  For more information: http://www.pgparks.com

Wednesday, March 10 - Friday, March 12, 8:00 pm
Farfar Oasis and Low Tide Hotel
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
FarFar Oasis uses poetry, image and song to contrast  the twentieth century Western world's charmed perceptions with the realities that popular culture glossed over. The evening’s companion piece, Low Tide Hotel, is a theatrical scrapbook that Washington Post writer Celia Wren called “an enchantingly whimsical montage of maritime-themed songs and literary excerpts.” Happenstance Theater, College Park.  For details: http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu

Friday, March 12, 8:00 pm
Ethel Ennis with Trio
Montpelier Arts Center
A favorite at Montpelier, the incomparable Ennis has sung to critical acclaim all over the world. With Stef Scagiarri on Piano, Ryan Diehl, Drums and Mark Russel on Bass.  9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel. For more information: 301-377-7800 phone, 301-490-2329 TTY / http://www.pgparks.com

Saturday and Sunday, March 13 and 14, 10 am to Noon
Hands-On History Days – Be a Woodturner’s Apprentice
Montpelier Mansion
Work in a woodturner’s shop and help make chairs the old-fashioned way. You’ll learn how the legs and spindles were turned on a lathe, then you’ll get to sand and polish them, and even weave even the seats! When you’re done, you’ll get your very own apprentice’s contract, that you’ll fill out yourself with a quill pen and ink!

Sunday, March 14,  1:00 pm
Hollywood Flyers Film Series
College Park Aviation Museum
We will be showing Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag. It was originally made for IMAX this film follows a young American pilot as he makes his way through Red Flag-the world’s most intense simulated air combat training event. Lemonade and popcorn are included. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD.  For more information 301-864-6029 /
http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com

Ongoing Events:

Through Friday, March 12, Times vary
UM Department of Theatre: The Bluest Eye
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Pecola Breedlove, an 11-year-old African-American girl in 1940's Ohio, wants nothing more than to be loved by her family and community. Instead, she faces persistent teasing and hatred. She blames her dark skin and prays for blue eyes, believing that love will come if she looks “right.” Pecola’s quest to be seen, to belong and to be loved unspools amidst the shocking weaknesses and surprising strength of the people who surround her.  Adapted  from the novel by Toni Morrison and directed by Walter Dallas, join us for a post-performance Talk Back  following the March 9th performance.  Ina and Jack Kay Theatre, College Park.  For details: http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu

Thursday March 4-Friday, March 26
Sahomi Naka,Resident Artist Gallery
Montpelier Arts Center
New prints by experimental printmaker and Montpelier resident artist. 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel. For more information: 301-377-7800 phone, 301-490-2329 TTY / http://www.pgparks.com

Monthly, every 2nd and 4th Thursday, 10:30 pm
Peter Pan Club
College Park Aviation Museum
Come for some pre-school fun at the Peter Pan Club. Ideal for little learners up to five years old, the club includes storytime and hands on craft activities. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD.  For more information 301-864-6029 / http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com

Extended Hours the First Friday of Every Month!
Museum Open Until 9 pm!
College Park Aviation Museum
Extended Hours the First Friday of Every Month! 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD.  For more information 301-864-6029 / http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com

Fridays, January-June, 2 - 4:30 pm
Afternoon Aviators
College Park Aviation Museum
This weekly series offers hands-on aviation themed activities. For children ages 5 & up. FREE with museum admission.  1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD.  For more information 301-864-6029 / http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com

Through June 11, 10 am-5 pm, daily
In Plane View
College Park Aviation Museum
Large-format photographs showcasing the aesthetic qualities of some of the iconic aircraft at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum.  Close-up views, sculptural forms, and life-like elements direct the viewer’s attention to the oft-overlooked elegance of aircraft design.  Colors, shapes and textures of aircraft are transformed into photographic art.  This exhibit is organized by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.  1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD.  For more information 301-864-6029 /
http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com

Through Friday, April 30
College Park Aviation Museum Art Contest
College Park Aviation Museum
This art contest is open to grades K-12 and college students. All forms of artwork are accepted. The top entries will be on display at the museum and a prize will be awarded to the winner of each category. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD.  For more information 301-864-6029 /
http://www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com

Sundays,  1:00 pm
Greenbelt Museum
Museum Tour
Free walk-in tour. The Greenbelt Museum’s house is restored and furnished with objects from the period of 1936-1952.  The historic house is located at 10-B Crescent Road, Greenbelt. For additional information: 301-507-6582 / http://www.greenbeltmuseum.org

Tuesday, February 16 – Monday, March 29
Allen Linder: Drawings and Prints
Publick Playhouse
When creating his intricate etchings and ink drawings, Linder works on the paper from all sides. “I don’t want to know what up or down is until content and space begin to reveal themselves,” he says. Instead he remains focused on purely formal elements of vocabulary, composition, value and space without any intent to create a narrative. The titles of his works and the form and narrative implied by them are born out of what he’s come to see in the density of marks and form on the page.  5445 Landover Road, Cheverly.  For more information: http://www.pgparks.com

Friday February 5-Friday, March 26
Marcella Morgese, Library Gallery
Montpelier Arts Center
Mixed media works by Maryland sculptor.  Reception to be held on Friday, February 26, 7-9 pm.  For more information: 301-377-7800 phone, 301-490-2329 TTY / http://www.pgparks.com

Through December 17, 2010.
Snapshots in Time: Our Community in 1910 and 2010
Laurel Historical Society
This exhibit focuses on community and its many meanings using photos from the Museum’s historic Sadler Collection taken in the early 1900s and contemporary photos from the Laurel community. It challenges visitors to examine their own ideas of “What is Community?” by comparing and contrasting how these are the same or have changed in the past 100 years. For additional information: http://www.laurelhistory.org/