Garfield Center - Chestertown Spy

Garfield Center to Open “Little Women” December 1

November 21, 2023 by Garfield Center Leave a Comment

Many of us know Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women.” It is the story of the March family, who live in a quiet Massachusetts town during the time of the Civil War. The March sisters

The GCA’s production of “Little Women” in rehearsal. Back group (left to right) is Maryann Shoge, Allison Jones, Minnie Maloney, Cassi Pinder and Rebekkah Napier. Front group (left to right) is K.T. Pagano, Sam Holdgreve and Macy Morris. Not pictured: Izzie Squire Southworth.

face many challenges. A once wealthy family, their father has been called to the front, and the girls must adjust to a new way of life at home with their mother. As they transition from childhood to adulthood, they face many challenges with each other and in the world outside of their home. The work is an American classic for a reason – it captures the complexities of life and womanhood, simultaneously raising prominent issues often overlooked. Kate Hammil’s adaptation brings the story to a modern audience, focusing on current relevant issues while maintaining a conscious understanding of the March family as we know them.

The Garfield Center’s production is directed by Hester Sachse, who has selected a wonderful local cast. Macy Morris will portray Jo March, Maryann Shoge appears as Meg, KT Pagano plays Beth, and Izzie Squires Southworth performs the role of Amy. Their mother, Marmee, will be played by Minnie Maloney. Sam Holdgreve plays the role of Laurie, Allison Jones appears as John Brooks and Parrot, Cassi Pinder plays Hannah and Mrs. Mingott, and Rebekkah Napier plays Mr. Laurence and Robert March.

The production is assisted by a well-experienced crew of artistic contributors. Costumes are by Connie Fallon. KT Pagano is Fight Captain. Props are by members of the cast and by Hester Sachse, who is also doing the sound and projection designs. GCA Theatre Manager Nic Carter is designing lights. Artist Emily Kalwaitis has contributed artwork to the production, and Natalie Hagan has provided choreography. Sam Howell is the Stage Manager.

The show opens Friday, December 1st and runs weekends through December 17th. Show times are 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays. Tickets are available on the Garfield Center website, at www.garfieldcenter.org, or by way of the Garfield Center Box Office at 410-810-2060 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM.

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Auditions Announced for 2024 Musical “Lucky Stiff”

November 5, 2023 by Garfield Center Leave a Comment

The Garfield Center has announced audition dates for the hilarious musical “Lucky Stiff.” Auditions begin Saturday, December 2nd, at 2 PM and continue on Tuesday and Thursday, December 5th and 7th, at 6:30 PM. It is not necessary to attend all audition dates. Directing the production is GCA’s Executive Director Steven Arnold, and the Music Director is JW Ruth. Performances begin February 9 and will run weekends through February 25th.

Interested performers should come with a prepared song and some form of accompaniment. An accompanist will not be provided but a keyboard will be made available for anyone who brings an accompanist. Singers may perform using a music track from their phones if their phone speaker can be heard from the audience, but a Bluetooth speaker will also be made available through the GCA’s WiFi. A CD player is available for use if pre-arranged with the Director. Do not bring accompaniment on a thumb drive as we cannot guarantee we will be able to access it. Singers should not sing along with recorded voices on their music track.

“Lucky Stiff” premiered Off Broadway in 1988 at New York’s Playwrights Horizons. It was the first successful collaboration between Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. The two later went on to collaborate on other successful and well-known musicals, including “Ragtime,” “Seussical” and “Once on This Island.”

Based on the novel “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” by Michael Butterworth, “Lucky Stiff” has a story reminiscent of the popular film “Weekend at Bernie’s.” London shoe salesman Harry Witherspoon’s distant uncle, Anthony Hendon, has been murdered. As Anthony’s only living relative, Harry will inherit $6,000,000, but only if he takes the embalmed, wheelchair-strapped body on his Uncle’s planned vacation to Monte Carlo. Harry must follow an activity-specific agenda with the body, or the money will go instead to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn, whose director, Annabel Glick, follows Harry in the hope that he’ll slip up. Add in a near-sighted and abrasive gangster’s girlfriend, a nervous optometrist, a boisterous and gregarious Italian playboy, a sexy French cabaret singer, and a variety of other over the top characters, and it all results in a story of mistaken identities, disguises, surprising love interests, plot twists and unexpected reveals. “Lucky Stiff” is an over-the-top farce that will keep the laughter coming!

A light rehearsal schedule during December, including a holiday break from rehearsing, is planned. The main rehearsal process will begin in early January. Character descriptions with vocal ranges and age information can be found on the Garfield Center’s website by clicking the Auditions page link at the top of the main page. If an answer to any additional question is not provided there, additional inquiries can be sent by email to the Director at [email protected].

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Garfield Center to Present a Modern Adaptation of “Little Women”

November 1, 2023 by Garfield Center Leave a Comment

Many of us know Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women.” It is the story of the March family, who live in a quiet Massachusetts town during the time of the Civil War. The March sisters face many challenges. A once wealthy family, their father has been called to the front, and the girls must adjust to a new way of life at home with their mother. As they transition from childhood to adulthood, they face many challenges with each other and in the world outside of their home. The work is an American classic for a reason – it captures the complexities of life and womanhood, simultaneously raising prominent issues often overlooked.

Kate Hammil’s adaptation of “Little Women’ brings the iconic 19th century story to a modern audience, focusing on current relevant issues while maintaining a conscious understanding of the March family as we know them. Hammil’s adaptation made its debut in 2019 at Cherry Lane Theater in New York City. Directed by Sarna Lapine, Hammil herself appeared in the production as Meg March.

Jo March, outspoken, hot-tempered, and caring, is the second eldest of the March sisters and takes the place of protagonist. Her older sister, Meg, is responsible, demure, and dutiful, longing for the wealth she used to know, and for a love and family of her own. Beth, the second to youngest sister is quiet, sweet, and unfailingly kind, and provides solace in times of need. The youngest, Amy, a beautiful young artist, is the closest thing to an antagonist in this story. As the spoiled youngest child, Amy often causes tension between the sisters. Guided gently by their mother, Margaret “Marmee” March, the sisters pave their own bold paths, navigating the complexities of life amid a country at war as they grow from little girls to little women.

The Garfield Center of the Arts’ production is directed by Hester Sachse, who has selected a wonderful local cast. Macy Morris will portray Jo March, Maryanna Shoge appears as Meg, KT Pagano plays Beth, and Izzie Squires Southworth performs the role of Amy. Their mother, Marmee, will be played by Minnie Maloney. Sam Holdgreve plays the role of Laurie, Allison Jones appears as John Brooks and Parrot, Cassi Pinder plays Hannah and Mrs. Mingott, and Rebekkah Napier plays Mr. Laurence and Robert March.

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___________________________________________________

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Steven Arnold

Executive Director

Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre

210 High Street, Chestertown, MD 21620

410-810-2060

[email protected]

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The Garfield Center Announces Auditions for “Little Women.”

September 1, 2023 by Garfield Center Leave a Comment

The Garfield Center for the Arts has announced audition dates for Kate Hamill’s adaptation of “Little Women.” Auditions will be held Saturday, September 23rd at 2:00 PM, and Monday and Thursday, September 25th and 28th, at 6:30 PM.

Hamill’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel is a lively retelling that is simultaneously true to the original while also reflecting modern mores and sensibilities. It tells the story of the March family as each of the four March sisters grow up in a time of strife and challenge – each rising to and rebelling against their own ambitions and society’s expectations. With a background of the Civil War, the story gives its audience a glimpse into the heartache, hope and enduring love of some of the most treasured characters ever created. The Garfield Center production will be directed by Hester Sachse.

It is the director and production’s goal to have the cast and audience see themselves reflected in the individuals and families on the stage. For that reason, the director encourages anyone to audition – casting will be inclusive. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script as well as some acting exercises.

For any additional questions, email the Director, Hester Sachse, at [email protected].

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Garfield Center Announces Cast and Creative Team for “Addams Family” Musical

August 15, 2023 by Garfield Center Leave a Comment

From the creators of “Jersey Boys,” Book writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, along with Drama Desk Award-winning Composer and Lyricist Andrew Lippa, “The Addams Family – A New Musical” is based on the morbidly witty Addams Family cartoon. Created by Charles Addams, the Addams stories typically find patriarch Gomez and his beloved wife Morticia guiding their clan through the perils of living singularly in a world of uninteresting “normal” people.

GCA Addams Family portrait” – In rehearsal, the Addams and Bieneke Families pose for a portrait together. Pictured are (front) Natalie Hagan as Morticia, Dylan Lyles as Gomez, (middle) Stevie Lyles as Wednesday, Dominic Delcoco as Lucas, JW Ruth as Uncle Fester, Melissa McGlynn as Grandma, Russell Laing as Pugsley, (top) John Mann as Mal, Annie Sparks as Alice, and Todd Steffes as Lurch.

The original plot of the musical is every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before: keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

The musical captures the essence of the original cartoon — love and beauty are seamless, and stronger than anything opposing it. It opened on Broadway in April, 2010, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth, and it enjoyed a successful run of 722 shows followed by a national tour. The show garnered several Broadway’s accolades, including the Drama League Award for Nathan Lane for Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre.

In the Garfield Center production, Gomez and Morticia will be played by actors familiar to Garfield Center audiences. Dylan Lyles will inhabit the eccentric suave bravado of

“GCA Addams Family Tango” – Natalie Hagan and Dylan Lyles, as Morticia and Gomez Addams, rehearse the tango.

patriarch Gomez Addams. Lyles has been seen in many recent GCA productions, including “Shrek,” “The Laramie Project,” “The Good Doctor” and “Short Attention Span Theatre.” Bringing the sultry and elegant Morticia Addams to the stage will be Natalie Hagan, who has been seen on the GCA stage in “Prescription: Murder” and “Shrek,” in which she was also the choreographer.

Wednesday and Pugsley Addams will be performed by GCA newcomers Stevie Lyles and Russell Laing. Melissa McGlynn will play Grandma, and JW Ruth appears as Uncle

Fester. Rounding out the Addams household is Todd Steffes as Lurch and Olivia Coppage as Cousin Itt. Playing members of the “normal” family, the Bienekes, will be Annie Sparks and John Mann as the parents, Alice and Mal, and Dominic Delcoco as Lucas, Wednesday’s love interest.

The Addams ancestors will be performed by Alan Coppage, Averie Hitzges, Margaret Hitzges, Jim Johnson, Andrea Neiman, Steffi Ricketts, Heather Robuck, Izzie Squire Southworth, Ian Stotts, Mallory Wheatley, and Wendy Wiseman.

The production team, headed by its director Jennifer Kafka Smith, includes Assistant Director and Music Track Engineer Max Hagan, Music Director Michael Casey, Choreographer Natalie Hagan, and Stage Manager Jordan Dixon. The Scenic Designers are Nic Carter, Butch Clark and Jennifer Kafka Smith, the Set Painter is Beverly Hall Smith, the Lighting Designer is Nic Carter, Properties are by Samantha Branham and

Jennifer Kafka Smith, Costumes are by Barbi Bedell, and the Technical Director and Set Builder is Butch Clark. The production Photographer is Steven Arnold, the Program is by Francoise Sullivan, and Producing the show for the GCA are Steven Arnold and Nic Carter.

The production opens September 22nd and runs weekends through October 8th, with performances at 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:00 PM on Sundays. Tickets are available online at www.garfieldcenter.org, or via Eventbrite, or may be purchased by stopping in or calling during Box Office hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at 410-810-2060.

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Special Events at the Garfield Funded by The Hedgelawn Foundation

July 12, 2023 by Garfield Center Leave a Comment

During three of its Playmakers camp days next week, the Garfield Center will host special performances by Maryland arts educators/performers for the Playmakers camp kids to enjoy. The events are also open to the public for a small $5.00 admission fee. All proceeds from ticket sales goes back into the Garfield Center’s youth education programs, including Playmakers.

The Hedgelawn Foundation is the underwriter for the events, covering artists’ fees and travel costs to appear on the Garfield Stage. The Hedgelawn Foundation has long been a partner in funding youth education and other programming with the Garfield Center over the years.

While attendance for the Playmakers camp kids is free, each presentation will cost the general public only $5.00 per person. No advance ticket sales are available. To attend, just show up at the Garfield Center within 15 minutes prior to start time for any event of interest.

Appearing on Monday, July 17 at 11:00 AM is Beech Tree Puppet Theater. The group’s founders, Ole and Ingrid Hass, are critically acclaimed classical singers and actors and have performed together for almost 30 years. As vocal soloists and puppeteers, they have performed at the National Theater in DC, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Kennedy Center, National Cathedral, and Strathmore Hall and given hundreds of shows in schools, libraries and public spaces in the Washington-Baltimore area. They both hold graduate degrees in opera performance and are active as teachers and artists in residence. They are presenting their puppet theater play “The Hollow Stump.”

Performing on Tuesday, July 18 at 10:30 AM is music and spoken word artist Baba Bomani. For 20 years, Bomani has used his experience as a producer and MC to teach arts-integrated workshops, residencies, assemblies, and professional development with his curriculum, BARS. He uses his life experiences, mixed with musical and poetic skills, to paint lyrical pictures of life as he sees it and the future as he envisions it. His videos have been featured on BET and MTV2, and he has hosted and performed everywhere from the Washington National Cathedral to the Fillmore in New York City. Bomani is a Kennedy Center for the Arts teaching artist and a roster artist with Young Audiences of Maryland, Young Audiences of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania, United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County North Carolina, and Arlington County Virginia. He is presenting his piece, “The Frederick Douglass Writing Club Assembly”

Performing on Friday, July 21 at 10 AM is Kalanidhi Dance and their “Dancing Stories.” Founded in 1991 as a dance school, Kalanidhi Dance’s commitment to sharing dance with young people is at the forefront of everything they do. They say, “the impact our education program makes on our students is quite deep and lasts many years. Our hope is for these programs to spark curiosity and inspire children to approach the world with open minds and open hearts.” Join Kalanidhi Dance on an exciting journey to India through the South Indian classical dance form of Kuchipudi. Discover how dancers use rhythms, hand gestures, and facial expressions to tell stories, and watch an Indian fable come to life through dance in this fun and interactive assembly!

There are no advance tickets sold for these presentations. Interested attendees should plan to arrive at the Garfield Center, at 210 High Street around 15 minutes prior to the start of the presentation. Admission for the general public is $5.00 per person.

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The Garfield Center Calls for Director and Title Submissions for the 2024 Season

March 29, 2023 by Garfield Center Leave a Comment

The Garfield Center for the Arts has opened its annual call for play and musical titles for production consideration. Suggestions and proposals can be made by Directors who would like to present a play or musical in the 2024 season, as well as by interested community members, patrons of the Garfield Center and arts participants. All proposals must be received by the Garfield Center by midnight on Sunday, April 30, 2023.

For submissions from directors, the Garfield Center Programming Committee asks for specific information. Directors should submit a list containing multiple titles, preferably at least 3 but no more than 10. For each proposed title in the list, the Director should provide the name of the playwright(s) or author(s), its casting requirements and a synopsis. Directors should also give an estimate on the number of rehearsal weeks necessary to put the show together. If the royalty company that owns the rights for submitted titles is known, directors can include that information. Directors may also explain, per title, why the play or musical would make for a successful production at the Garfield Center and for the Eastern Shore community.

Accompanying their list of title submissions, directors must also submit their bio and a resume of past theatrical experience along with their 2024 calendar year availability to direct a title, if chosen.

The GCA Programming Committee also continues to develop an institutional list of titles that do not have current directorial interest but may be considered for future production. Community members, patrons and participants who would like to suggest titles for the institutional list are encouraged to do so. For institutional list submissions, multiple title suggestions are welcome, but there is no requirement to give more than one title and it is not necessary to provide playwright, casting and rehearsal information. However, addressing why a title would be a good fit for the GCA and how it would engage the Eastern Shore community is helpful.

Detailed information on submitting a proposal is also available on the GCA web site at https://garfieldcenter.org/directors/.

To submit a proposal, compile the required information and email it to [email protected]. Once received, submissions will be acknowledged with a response email. Directors will be informed of the final selections once the Programming Committee has chosen the 2024 season.

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The Garfield Center’s Gala Features Broadway Stars

February 28, 2023 by Garfield Center Leave a Comment

The Garfield Center for the Arts is extremely excited to announce that its 2023 Gala Fundraiser, Broadway by the River: From the Bay to Broadway, will feature the return of Matt Wood to his area roots for a spectacular night of Broadway classic and contemporary song performances. Joining Matt are two Broadway friends and associates, Amanda Rose and Daniel Quadrino. The Garfield Center’s Gala will be held March 11, 2023 and tickets can be purchased via their website at www.garfieldcenter.org or through the box office at 410-810-2060.

Matt Wood is originally from Queen Anne’s County, where he graduated from QACHS. Most recently seen onstage touring the country as husky kid icon Augustus Gloop in the 1st National Tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matt made his Broadway debut in Spongebob Squarepants. His favorite regional credits include Roger in Grease (Paper Mill Playhouse) and Luther Billis in South Pacific (Engeman Theatre). Fans of TV’s “Law & Order: SVU” may remember him as Officer Kenneth Parker in 2013 and 2014. Matt earned his BFA from NYU/Tisch. Having appeared in multiple local productions before heading off to New York for school and Broadway success, Matt is thrilled to be returning home and performing for a local Eastern Shore audience once again.

Amanda Rose was most recently seen Off-Broadway in Merrily We Roll Along starring Daniel Radcliffe and Johnathon Groff. She will continue with that production as it heads to Broadway this fall. Previous to that she was seen on Broadway and touring the country in shows like Holiday Inn (Linda u/s), Wicked (Nessarose), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mrs. Bucket), Dr. Dolittle starring Tommy Tune, and Oklahoma! (Laurey). Her most recent Off-Broadway and regional theatre credits include Dear Jane, A Play (Jane) at NYC’s Theatre Row, Gypsy (Louise) at Pittsburgh’s CLO, 9 to 5 (Judy) at Philadelphia’s Walnut St. Theatre, A Chorus Line (Kristine) and Curtains (Nikki) at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse, Sunset Boulevard (Betty) at Pittsburgh’s CLO and Pennsylvania’s Fulton Theatre, and Miss Saigon (Ellen) at Maine’s Ogunquit Playhouse.

Daniel Quadrino is a singer-songwriter. His latest release, “Feel Your Love,” can be found on iTunes, Spotify and other music streaming platforms. He has appeared on Broadway in Wicked, Newsies and Bye Bye Birdie. National Tour credits include Waitress and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. On TV, he appeared in NBC’s Peter Pan Live! Regional credits include Crutchie in Newsies (The Muny/PCLO), Sam + 39 others in Fully Committed (TWN) and Toodles in FLY (La Jolla Playhouse). Find him on social media at @dannyquadrino.

VIP ticket holders will enjoy a sampling of hors d’oeuvres from Happy Chicken, chocolates from Bespoke Chocolates, and an open bar. Doors open for VIP ticket buyers at 6:30 PM. Show-only tickets, which will allow attendees to enjoy the show from the balcony, are also available. Doors open for show-only ticket buyers at 7:30 PM. Cocktail attire is encouraged for all attendees.

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GCA’s Playmakers is Back with Winnie The Pooh this Weekend

July 26, 2022 by Garfield Center

The Garfield Center for the Arts’ Playmakers has returned! The GCA’s annual summer youth education camp for children ages 8-15 has a long and successful history of teaching skills in theatre craft and performance. The camp had been suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic but has finally returned after its hiatus. This summer’s Playmakers will present “The Adventures of Winnie The Pooh” this weekend, starting at 7 PM on Friday and Saturday, July 29, 30, and 2 PM on Sunday, July 31.

The camp divided participants into two age groups, ages 8 to 11 and ages 12 to 15, for age-specific activities. The remaining camp time was spent with all participants working together to produce and perform their “Winnie the Pooh” production. Campers have also enjoyed the performances of professional cultural artists, presented by The Hedgelawn Foundation, on select camp days, including historical instrumentalist Stephen Christoff, storyteller Debra Mims, and dancer, drummer, singer and storyteller Ssuun.

Leading Playmakers has been its Director Amanda Mickle and Assistant Director Patrick Pearce. Originally from Smyrna Delaware, Amanda spent 13 years with The School of Delaware Ballet and Delaware Ballet where she danced in various supporting and lead roles in multiple productions, including “The Nutcracker” for seven years. Amanda attended Washington College, where she studied English and Education. Currently, she is the 7th and 8th grade Language Arts teacher at Kent School where she has directed and choreographed the 8th Grade Musical for two years with last year’s “Frozen Jr.” and this year’s “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” Patrick recently appeared in the Garfield Center’s hit production of “The Play That Goes Wrong.” Last year, he appeared in “Clue” and Short Attention Span Theatre. Patrick received his BA in Drama from Washington College in 2000 and now teaches US History at the Kent School in Chestertown.

This year’s Playmakers campers are Lizzy Assante, Lillian Babylon, Bailey Bortz, Sydney Bortz, Olivia Coppage, Ben Gilbert, Giosue Greenwell, Sam Holdgreve, Madelyn Hopwood, Emy Karlik, Clover King, Maggie Lindsay, Ava Potter, Mallory Reed, Natalie Ritchie, Will Ritchie, Amelia Ritchie, Lia Schut, Masun Sullivan, Stella Sullivan, Alex Wilson, and Vivian Young. Playmakers has had a terrific staff of counselors and interns this summer, including Allison Holdgreve, Devin Merton, Josie Merton, Clare Padula, Eva Veciana and Kendall Willis.

The performances are free to the public, but donations made at the performances toward production costs and next year’s Playmakers camp is encouraged and appreciated. Lobby doors open one hour prior to show time and the House doors open for general seating starting one half hour prior to show time. No advance reserved seating is allowed.

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Chestertown Jazz Festival 2022

June 21, 2022 by Garfield Center

The Chestertown Jazz Festival committee announced today that the 26th Chestertown Jazz Festival will be held September 8 -10, 2022, with the theme, “The Many Moods of New Orleans Music.”

The musical group Zydeco-a-Go-Go from Philadelphia, PA will kick off the three-day event at The Mainstay in Rock Hall on Thursday, September 8. This seasoned band is led by Pete Eshelman, who sings and plays accordion. Other featured band members include saxophonist Troy Corley, a native of Louisiana who has played with Gladys Knight and the Pips, Freda Payne, and Cab Calloway; veteran bass guitarist, Randy Lipincott, who worked for years with the late Johnny Clyde Copeland, and guitarist Jared Snyder; drummer Bob Holden; and the newest band member, percussionist Pamela Eshelman. The new Mainstay director, Matt Melnick, is delighted to showcase this talented group of musicians and tickets for this event can be purchased at www.mainstayrockhall.org or 410.639.9133.

An evening of entertainment and food will be offered Friday, September 9 under the tent at Wilmer Park, featuring Dave Robinson and The Conservatory Jazz Band. A recent transplant to the Chestertown area, Robinson made his debut at the Jazz Festival in 2018, directing the youth jazz group, ‘Capital Focus.’ The following spring, he brought his Conservatory Jazz Band to the Garfield Center for the Arts to perform in the ‘Blues Series.’ Robinson has also developed and hosts a local New Orleans Jazz Radio show, called ‘Gumbo,’ which airs Sunday evenings on WKHS. New Orleans cuisine will be served during the concert. Tickets for Friday night as well as Saturday’s ‘Jazz in the Park,’ can be obtained at www.garfieldcenter.org.

Following the practice of the Newport Jazz Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Saturday will begin with a gospel opening by vocalist Quiana Lynell, who performs with our headliner group, Don Vappie and the Creole Serenaders. Then, in the style of another exciting New Orleans tradition, a brass band will lead in a ‘Second Line’ to get audience members out of their seats.

Coming back to keep the feet tapping will be Dave Robinson and his youth group, Capital Focus.

Next up will be Philip Dutton and The Alligators, one of the most significant practitioners of New Orleans music and culture in the Chestertown area. A New Orleans native, Dutton has been inspired by famous artists such as The Meters, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Buckwheat Zydeco, and the Neville Brothers, while the Alligators have been influenced by such greats as Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong and Clifton Chenier, the famous zydeco accordion player. Dutton has spread the sounds of New Orleans throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore and beyond. About a decade ago, he started ‘The Chester-gras,’ which has become a local February tradition that runs simultaneously with the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans.

Our world-renowned headliner group, Don Vappie and the Creole Serenaders, will close the show in style, taking the audience through a musical combination of traditional jazz, soul-funk, blues, rhythm and blues, zydeco, and Dixieland. No strangers to Chestertown, they performed here during the National Music Festival in 2018. Vappie, who sings and plays guitar and banjo, received the “Steve Martin Banjo Prize” in 2021. In addition to Vappie and singer Lynell, the very talented group includes trumpeter Kevin Louis; clarinetist and saxophonist Tom Fischer; bassist Richard Moten; piano and keyboard player Mike Esnault; and drummer Brian Richburg.

The festival will again offer a wide variety of food and drink from local vendors. Patrons can find ticket and pricing information, as well as up to date COVID and health protocols, at www.garfieldcenter.org or 410.810.2060.

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULEZ!

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