Jan. 14 Concert to Kick Off Local Celebrations Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King

CHESTERTOWN, MD––The life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be celebrated with a special concert on Saturday, January 14th, at 4 p.m. in Norman James Theatre at Washington College. The theater is located in William Smith Hall. Ample parking is available on the college campus and along Campus Avenue in Chestertown.

"Songs of the Civil Rights Movement" will feature local talent including Sombarkin, Pilgrim Travelers, New Gospelites, Bob and Pam Ortiz, Mt. Olive Mass Choir, Still Pond Coleman Mass Choir, Sylvia Frazier, Stask and El Piostrowski, Bob and Janet Kelley, Rev. Anthony Brown, and God’s Wealth. The concert is FREE and open to the public. Sponsors include the Chester Valley Ministers' Association, Kent County Arts Council, Washington College's Office of the President, Center for Environment & Society, CV Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, and Office of Multicultural Affairs.

The songfest is one of two events honoring the legacy of Dr. King. The other is the annual MLK Breakfast on Monday, January 16th, at 7 a.m. at the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company. Breakfast tickets cost $10 and are available at the door. Contact jtitus2@washcoll.edu or jfairchild2@washcoll.edu or call 410-778-7295 for information.

Washington College Riverside Players Present Comedy "Almost, Maine"

View photos from the dress rehearsal

CHESTERTOWN, MD—The Washington College Riverside Players will present David Cariani’s comedy Almost, Maine Thursday and Friday, April 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. in Norman James Theatre.

Founded in 1998 as an independent student-run group, Riverside Players allows students to propose, direct, act in, design, and produce plays without necessarily being involved with the drama department.

Almost, Maine is a comedy about love, loss, and love once again. The entire production takes place at 9 p.m. one cold winter night in the fictional town of Almost. “We journey through the characters’ lives and are given snapshots into what occurs in their lives that night,” says director Grace Holliday, a Washington College junior.

Holliday says she chose to produce and direct this play because of its universal theme. “Love is something every single person has experienced, or is experiencing, or will one day find they are experiencing. This is a comedy, yes, and it is romantic, but more than any of those things, it is real,” she adds.

The cast of Almost, Maine includes Tim Meren ’13, Katie Muldowney ’12, Mike Zurawski ’12, Emily Robart ’12, Mike Liberto ’14, Alyssa Velazquez ’12, James Julius Winn ’11, Antoine Jordan ’12, Sam Bitzelberger ’14 and Emily Broomell ’12. “Working with this incredibly strong cast is an absolute pleasure,” says Holliday. “They are full of ideas and enthusiasm for this show and it really comes across.”

Norman James Theatre is located in William Smith Hall on the College campus, 300 Washington Avenue. Admission to Almost, Maine is free and open to the public.

Photo: In a rehearsal, the character of Pete, played by Tim Meren ’13, hopefully awaits the return of his girlfriend.