Sunday, June 29, 2008

Mingus Big Band to headline jazz fest - Silver Spring Penguin

By Jennifer Deseo on June 26, 2008

Jazz bassist Charles Mingus may have checked out of this existence in 1979, but his big band is on the books to perform at this year’s Silver Spring Jazz Festival.

The 14-piece cover band will take the stage on Saturday, Sep 13, regional director Gary Stith announced last Thursday at a meeting of the urban-district advisory committee. Concert promoter Live Nation, which will operate Silver Spring’s future Fillmore venue, helped sign the act, Stith added.

Managed by Mingus’s widow, the big band had a regular gig at New York’s Fez Under Time Cafe through the 1990s, then moved to the Iridium Jazz Club in 2004. The band tours throughout the country, and has six Grammy nominations under its belt.

Mingus himself was a front runner in avant-garde jazz, along with biggies like trumpeter Miles Davis and sax master Charlie Parker. He worked the circuit until 1977, when he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Also playing this year’s gig are local pianist Marcus Johnson, and New York sax man Yaron Elyashiv and his quartet.

Because of planned construction at downtown’s Turf, the one-day concert will be held on the Lee parking lot on Georgia Avenue.

Lead photo of the Mingus Big Band courtesy of Jimmy Katz/Jazz Workshop Inc.

Town Center, Inc. Board Members Appointed to new Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District Advisory Committee

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett announced that he has appointed Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. Board members Alan Bowser and Theresa Cameron to the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District Advisory Committee.

The full list of the County Executive's appointments to the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District Advisory Committee: Alan J. Friedman, Chair; Michael Diegel; Jose Dominguez; Marcus Johnson; Brad Stewart; Ida Ruben; Ray Barry; Barbara Henry; Theresa Cameron; Mary Amato; and Alan Bowser

Its first meeting is July 8, 2008.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

South Silver Spring Block Party, Sunday, June 8!

This Sunday is the South Silver Spring Block Party!Please bring your family, friends and pets.

They'll be featuring food from Olazzo, Pirates Tavern, Tiramisu, Moorenkos, Mayorga and more, along with 80 arts and craft vendors and 15 musical acts of all genres.

From 11am-5pmon Kennett Street (just off of East-West Highway near all the construction), the event will showcase the best of our community with festivities of interest for all ages and families including:

l Over 15 live music acts

l 80 arts and crafts vendors

l Children's activities including a moon bounce, street painting and a fire engine to play on!

l Food and drink including Vietnamese, Ethiopian,Italian, Middle Eastern, European deserts and Southern cooking

l Amazing raffle prizes including free dinners at local restaurants and groceries from Safeway, Giant and Trader Joes

l Food & clothing donation drive for Shepherds Table, a local non-profit providing social services for the homeless

l Pet adoptions by Washington Animal Rescue

l Featuring Acorn Market with a wide variety of local vendors selling wares in Acorn Park

To learn more about this year's event and see photos from last year, go to: http://blockparty.southsilverspring.org

Bring family andfriends to celebrate and build a strong community.