The Working Artist Forum is pleased to invite the public for a live talk and demonstration with Danni Dawson.

Danni Dawson received her BA and MFA degrees from George Washington University and apprenticed with Nelson Shanks.  A professional artist and teacher for over 25 years, Danni has exhibited her paintings nationally and internationally, and has received many awards including the Allied Artist Award, the Salmagundi Painting Prize, the Audubon Award, and an award for painting from the National Academy of Art and Design.  Her work has also been featured in American Artist.

With over 300 portraits to her credit, Danni Dawson has painted heads of state, dignitaries, and university officials as well as senior members oof the military and medical communities.  Her portraits ad still lifes are displayed in collections throughout the world.

The Academy Art Museum is located at 106 South Street, Easton, Maryland 21601. Please enter the museum via Harrison Street and go the Performing Arts Room on the 1st Floor

On Friday, May 2, Joe Holt, the host and accompanist for the Mainstay’s First Friday series, has come up with another intriguing gathering of talent for his monthly show. Joe will share the stage with jazz/ Klezmer clarinetist Seth Kibel and bluegrass fiddler Nate Grower.

Nate Grower is perhaps best known as the fiddle player for superstar David Bromberg’s band. He has played with the late Allen Toussaint, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, John Oates (of Hall and Oates), KebMo, and Arlo Guthrie.

Seth Kibel is highly regarded as a jazz and ethnic Klezmer music sax and clarinet player. He is the winner of 28 Washington Area Music Awards (Best World Music Instrumentalist and Best Jazz Instrumentalist).

The evening celebrates what Klezmer, bluegrass, and jazz have in common – improvisation.

Showtime for the Mainstay concert event is 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling (410) 639-9133 (tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door). The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall,

On Friday, April 25 the Mainstay is excited to present the legendary blues and “roots rock” band The Nighthawks. The group was founded in Washington, D.C. more than 40 years ago by Little Walter-disciple Mark Wenner.  The musical product of AM radio in D.C., Werner did not know there were rules against mixing blues, R&B, honky-tonk country, doo-wop, gospel and rockabilly into one delicious stew. The result was a work-every-night band based on American roots music. The Nighthawks subsequently survived all the professional and personal struggles of keeping a band afloat for more than four decades. But they soldiered-on for four decades, along the way playing with the great blues masters, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Gregg Allman, Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, and John Lee Hooker. And despite their notoriety, awards, and international acclaim they remain a roll-up-your-sleeves/ drive to the next gig/ carry your own gear up the steps and make people happy kind of band. After all these years, they still maintain an incredible touring schedule and continue to add to their growing repertoire.

Today, the band’s lineup consists of Mark Wenner on vocals and harmonica; Johnny Castle on vocals and bass; Paul Bell on guitar; Mark Stutso on drums and vocals.

Showtime for the Mainstay concert event is 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling (410) 639-9133 (tickets

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The Mainstay Presents Its Next Free Singer/ Songwriter showcase

On Sunday, April 27, the Mainstay in Rock Hall is pleased to host another Singer/ Songwriter Showcase concert event. The idea for the Showcase is the brainchild of The Mainstay’s ongoing Delmarva Singer/Songwriter Association that meets monthly. The Showcase features an afternoon of original music written and performed by over a dozen local singer/ songwriters who share the stage in small groups in a Nashville-style “round” format and then take turns performing selections of their original music.

The show will feature award-winning songwriters as well as up and coming local and regional artists.  The list of performers includes Ashley Chapa, Stephanie Aston Jones, Tom Chirip, Julie Derrick, Don Clark, Jerry DiAngelo, Mark Einstein, Frank Hogans, Jimmy Jimmy, Barbara Parker, Nick Ray, Dave Simmons, and Scott Wells

The showcase starts at 4 PM and there is no charge for admission, but donations are appreciated. The Mainstay is located at 5753 N Main Street in Rock Hall.

The programs of the Mainstay are supported with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Kent Cultural Alliance.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is pleased to announce that Music Director Michael Repper has signed a three-year contract extension, securing his leadership through the 2027-2028 season. This agreement underscores Repper’s pivotal role in shaping the Orchestra’s future and maintaining its standard of musical excellence.

The announcement was made at the Elizabeth Loker International Concerto Competition Preview Evening at the Academy Art Museum on Saturday night, where supporters and patrons gathered to celebrate the MSO’s continued growth and impact under Repper’s leadership along with this season’s competition finalists.

As part of the extended contract, the MSO and Repper will embark on a studio recording project, marking a significant milestone for the Orchestra. The album, planned for release during the contract’s term, will highlight the Orchestra’s diverse and innovative repertoire, further expanding its reach and reputation in the classical music world.

Jeffrey Parker, Chairman of the MSO Board of Directors, expressed his enthusiasm for the contract extension, saying, “We are absolutely thrilled to have Michael Repper leading the MSO for another three years. His exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in the Orchestra’s continued growth and success. Michael’s artistic vision has truly elevated the MSO, and we are excited about what the future holds. This contract extension, along with the upcoming recording project, is a testament to the exciting direction in which Repper and the MSO Board of Directors are taking the Orchestra. We look forward to continuing this incredible journey together.”

Repper has served as the MSO’s Music Director since 2020, leading the Orchestra through a period of artistic innovation, bold programming, and continued community engagement. Under his leadership, the Elizabeth Loker International Concerto Competition has been reimagined, and the Orchestra has expanded its commitment to presenting diverse and dynamic performances. His passion for music has resonated deeply with audiences, fostering strong connections with both musicians and listeners across the region.

ABOUT THE MID-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is the only professional symphony orchestra serving southern Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore with a full season of programs. The MSO is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, the Worcester County Arts Council, the Sussex County (Delaware) Council, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

A complete schedule of the 2024-2025 season’s Masterworks and Ensembles programs, including venues, times, and other details, is available at www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

Philip Dutton and Marc Quigley are producing a benefit music festival at Red Acres Farm in Worton, MD on Sunday afternoon, April 13, from 1 – 5 p.m. to benefit Hungry for Music (HfM), an organization that collects used musical instruments, repairs and reconditions them and then provides them to aspiring young musicians who cannot afford to purchase their own instruments. In 30 years now, Hungry for Music has put instruments in the hands of 22,000 young people in 50 states and 35 countries. For more information about HfM go to hungryformusic.org.

The festival on April 13 will showcase three local bands, Philip Dutton & the Alligators (Louisiana music), The Good Stuff (old time country and Americana), and The Stoneflies (Roots Rock), a band comprised of employees from Paul Reed Smith Guitars. Also performing will be two young local musicians, Sem Ortiz and Quinn Arnold. All the musicians at this event are donating their time and talent.

Food vendors for the festival include Phat Daddys Barbecue and La Cascada

Mexican. Crow Vineyards will be serving their wines.

Sponsors of the event include Rosin Creek Collaborative, Campbell & Furneisen, Owen Excavation, Twigs & Teacups, Torchio Architects and PRS Guitars. Supporters include The Mainstay, Skitch-O-Sonic Sound, MusicLife, WKHS Radio 90.7, Kent Cultural Alliance and United Rentals.

There is no entrance fee or ticket price for this event. The price of entry is a donated musical instrument or a free-will contribution to Hungry for Music. Sponsors will cover all the expenses of this benefit so every instrument and dollar donated will go toward putting an instrument in the hands of a young person. If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation to HfM, please scan the attached QR code and note “Harmony Music Fest.” If you have an instrument to donate but cannot attend the event, please contact Philip Dutton or Marc Quigley.

Joanne Scott is more widely known on a national scale for her visual art – watercolor, acrylics,  etchings and lithographs. She had many one woman shows and awards at the Corcoran,  Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Walters Art Museum. She is also a published poet.      

Joanne had a love of fiber and was an accomplished seamstress, sewing Vogue wool silk lined  suits. She was an embroiderer, and knitter. When she bought a summer cottage on Monhegan  Island in Maine, she took classes from Robert Semple, a world renown needlepoint artist. He  became mentor in needlepoint and colleague in art. 

This will be the first time that Joanne’s fiber art will be exhibited. A museum piece of Robert  Semple’s is also included. Many of Joanne’s fiber art pieces were inspired by her visual art  pieces. These are displayed side-by-side. Much of the art is done in a needlepoint stitch called  libra point which is a short-long stitch. Examples of Joanne’s watercolors, acrylics, etchings  and photographs serve as inspirations for her fiber art. They have also inspired her daughter,  Victoria, to join in the exhibit with quilting and felting to round out the fiber art experience for  the viewer. 

Joanne had a very full life. She attended the Boston Museum School, Nantucket School of Art,  Rhode Island School of Design, and the Maryland Institute of Art. She was widowed twice with  four children and many grand and great grand children. She was an expert sailor having lived  on boats and spent much time sailing open ocean. She was a leader whatever art community  she found herself in and worked to promote the arts, most notably in this area- she co-founded  Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis and Vice President of the Maryland Federation  of Art. 

It is hoped that the viewer will take inspiration from this exhibit to create their own fiber art from  the art and nature around them.  This exhibit is on display at the Fiber Arts Center of the Eastern Shore from May 21 through  August 2, 2025 and is free for all to enjoy. 

Artist Reception May 31, 2025 from 3:00-6:00pm – please join us! 

The Fiber Arts Center is located at 7 N. 4th St., Denton, MD. 21629.