Park and Recreation - Prince Georges County MD

Black History Month Book Discussion
2027-02-02 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Join us on a journey through the rich history of African American poetry. A chorus of past voices from Phillis Wheatley Frances, Ellen Watkins Harper, Langston Hughes, Jean Toomer, and many more bring us through to more recent poets such as James Baldwin, Rita Dove, and Audre Lorde. Host and poet laureate Dr. Karen Arnold will also discuss local writers E. Ethelbert Miller and Lucille Clifton, both Maryland poets.

When it Rains, Flowers Grow by Brittnee Scott
2027-02-03 - 2027-05-05
Britnee Scott’s playful mixed media paintings affirm the enduring power of love over violence. Through vibrant compositions, she reveals how, even in spaces of conflict, the transformation of pain into creativity allows beauty and culture to not only endure but thrive.

Lunchtime Listening with Just the 2 of Us, Celebrating Black History Month
2027-02-03 11:00 - 13:00
Back by popular demand! Get ready to open Black History Month with a performance that sets the tone for a season of celebration and reflection. Sit back, relax, and let Ken and Sebrina Morris take you on an unforgettable journey through jazz, R&B, and gospel. With over 20 years of captivating performances, Sebrina’s powerful vocals and Ken’s soulful saxophone create a musical experience that moves and inspires. Backed by top-quality tracks and professional sound, their seamless blend of talent and energy will have you grooving all night. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic—catch Ken and Sebrina live and let the music take you away! Reserve your spot for this celebration of music, history, and community.

Message Session IX
2027-02-05 19:00
Message is no longer just a concert series—now entering its third season, it has evolved into a thoughtfully curated experience where intention and artistry lead the way. Each show is carefully selected, raising the bar for quality while remaining a sanctuary for local artists to share their voices and stories with purpose. Here, music moves beyond entertainment and becomes personal, intimate, and deeply human. The artists who take the stage aren’t chasing recognition; they are building connection, offering soulful ballads, introspective rap, and honest expression rooted in authenticity. Every Message event is designed with care and discernment, ensuring no two shows are ever the same—each one delivering a distinct atmosphere, elevated excellence, and a story meant to be felt as much as it is heard.

Message Session VII: Fri., Oct. 2, 2026, 7 pm

Message Session VIII: Fri., Dec. 4, 2026, 7 pm

Message Session IX: Fri., Feb 5, 2027, 7 pm

Message Session X: Fri., Apr. 2, 2027, 7 pm

Roots & Resonance: A Black History Month Celebration
2027-02-05 20:00 - 22:00
In honor of Black History Month, the First Fridays Listening Room presents Roots & Resonance, a special performance celebrating the profound legacy and future of Black musical innovation. This curated evening centers on the themes of resilience, identity, and the transformative power of African Diasporic sound.

Special Event: Black History Month with Kyaira, vocals
2027-02-06 14:00 - 15:30
Experience an unforgettable afternoon performance by one of the region’s most exciting rising voices as we usher in Black History Month. Kyaira is a dynamic soul singer songwriter based in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, known for powerhouse vocals and soothing undertones reminiscent of Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, and Ari Lennox. Her 2023 EP Almost 30 earned Best R&B Album at the 2024 Wammie Music Awards and surpassed 20,000 streams in its first year. In 2025, she went viral for “Believe,” her collaboration with Fulton Lee, reaching more than seven million views. Join us for an inspiring Black History Month event that showcases her rising artistry with depth and soul.

Film Screening: Ailey
2027-02-06 14:00 - 15:30
Join us for this extraordinary and immersive portrait of Alvin Ailey, American dancer, director, choreographer, and activist. This documentary follows the life and legend of the man who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, told in his own words and through a new dance that was inspired by his life.

Luther ReLives
2027-02-06 15:00, 2027-02-06 20:00
Luther ReLives is a powerful and heartfelt concert experience honoring the legendary music of Luther Vandross, starring the incomparable William “Smooth” Wardlaw. This highly requested performance brings Luther’s timeless catalog to life with passion, precision, and soul, capturing the romance and emotional depth that defined his music. Known for his remarkable vocal range and authentic delivery, Wardlaw channels the spirit of Luther in a way that resonates deeply with longtime fans and new listeners alike. From beloved ballads to iconic upbeat favorites, Luther ReLives is more than a concert—it is a celebration of a musical legacy that continues to inspire, uplift, and move audiences whenever it’s performed.

BAROCOCO with Happenstance Theater
2027-02-06 19:30 - 21:00
Hailed by The New York Times as “…outrageous feats of physical comedy,” BAROCOCO is a collaborative-decided ensemble work in which Happenstance Theater portrays oblivious entitlement on the brink of extinction. This timely reflection on history is a physical comedy dive into the late Baroque and flaunts 18th-century finery, wigs, panniers, gestural styling, elaborate ornamentation, and the excesses of Rococo. The characters navigate dangerous curves of manners and the Age of Enlightenment from the exquisite to the revolting. Happenstance has great fun puncturing one percent pomposity and presents the poignant possibility of change.

Please Note: All Publick Playhouse ticket sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.

Jammin’ Through the Jazz Age with Discovery Theater
2027-02-09
This performance is part of our Education on Stage/Field Trip Series and is recommended for children in grades 1-6. Celebrate Black History Month with Jammin’ Through the Jazz Age: Discover the story of jazz in America, guided by some of the genre’s biggest stars and brightest luminaries such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and, of course, Ella Fitzgerald. This new Discovery Theater original play highlights the central role of the musical theory and techniques which make jazz an indelible part of the American sound. Exploding with story, history, and sound, young audiences will leave with appreciation for jazz’s past, excitement about its present, and empowerment to carry this music into the future.

Please note, everyone must have a ticket to enter, regardless of age. Groups of 20+ can call 301-277-1710 for Group Sales or fill out the online request form.

Tue., Feb. 9, 10 am Tickets

Tue., Feb. 9, 11:15 am Tickets

Spring Screening Series: Bottle Rocket
2027-02-11 19:00 - 21:00
Wes Anderson’s Bottle Rocket follows best friends Anthony Adams and Dignan, two aimless young men who dream of becoming successful criminals. After Anthony leaves a voluntary stay at a mental health facility, Dignan convinces him to join a small-time robbery crew led by the dubious Mr. Henry. Their poorly executed heists and Anthony’s budding romance with a motel housekeeper complicate their plans. The film is a quirky, low-key comedy about friendship, ambition, and delusional optimism.

Sharon Hart Sefton: Awen
2027-02-13 - 2027-03-14
Awen is deep inspiration that comes to us when we slow down and step away from the noise of daily life to make room to receive it. Working in mixed media, Sharon Hart Sefton embodies Awen through visual expression in hopes of sparking thoughtfulness and creativity in her viewers.

Unshrink My Heart
2027-02-13 13:00 - 15:00
Design miniature charms, jewelry, and keepsakes using Shrinky Dinks and other fun materials. Watch your creations transform into wearable and giftable art.

Music City D.C.: Black Music of D.C.
2027-02-13 14:00
Ken Avis’ lecture Black Music History of D.C. surveys music from jazz to soul, telling the incredible story of the D.C. area and its powerful influence on the history of Black popular music.

Music City D.C. is a four-part lecture series with music historian and performing musician Ken Avis, featuring four entertaining audio-visual sessions to surprise and delight.

Integriti Reeves Trio
2027-02-17 14:00
Integriti Reeves leads a dynamic jazz trio blending soulful vocals, rich storytelling, and sophisticated musical interplay. Rooted in jazz tradition and infused with folk warmth and global influences, the ensemble offers an inviting and expressive concert experience. Their program weaves together classic standards, original works, and selections inspired by Brazilian jazz, creating a sound that is both timeless and refreshingly personal.

Film Screening: Woman in Motion (2019)
2027-02-18 11:00 - 12:45
The inspiring documentary that tells the story of Nichelle Nichols’ mission to recruit the next generation of trailblazing astronauts. In 1977, NASA struggled to recruit scientists, engineers, and astronauts for their new Space Shuttle Program. That’s when Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek’s Lt. Uhura) challenged NASA by asking the question: “Where are my people?” and embarked on a four-month campaign to recruit the first Black, Latino, and Asian men and women to fly in space. Not Rated | Run time: 1h 35m Please Note: All Publick Playhouse ticket sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.

An Exhibition in Celebration of Black History - Public Reception
2027-02-19 19:00 - 21:00
Celebrate Black History Month with Montpelier Arts Center! This annual exhibition shows the diverse talents of regional artists. Featured artwork will highlight African Americans’ lives, stories, and experiences through painting, drawing, photography, and more.

John T. Allen: The Virtual Flesh - Public Reception
2027-02-19 19:00 - 21:00
Created within a single day, each work in The Virtual Flesh is an exercise in immediacy, memory, and transformation. Each piece begins as a carefully arranged composition of personal ephemera—cyanotypes, feathers, and misprints from earlier work—which Allen photographs and then digitally manipulates. Through this layering of physical and virtual materials, his work reflects on the passage of time, using fragments of personal history to summon memories, moments, and the quiet accumulation of lived experience.

Sharon Hart Sefton: Awen - Public Reception
2027-02-19 19:00 - 21:00

Marketing Without Burnout
2027-02-20 13:00 - 16:00
Learn sustainable marketing strategies using social media, newsletters, and storytelling without feeling overwhelmed or inauthentic. Hands-on component: Create a simple, realistic marketing plan.

Voices From the Past: From Black Print Culture to Digital Blackness
2027-02-21 16:00
This riveting discussion and performance explore how Black print culture, such as the Harlem Renaissance, shaped the development of classical music through poetry, literature, and artistic exchange. A pre-performance discussion includes historian Dr. Nevilla Ottley and ASALH President Dr. Kay Wise Whitehead. This will be followed by a voice and piano performance that examines the poetry preserved within Black print culture which has been interpreted through a concert repertoire performed by Black musicians. Produced by the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA).

Intermediate Acting, 6-week Class
2027-02-23 18:30 - 20:00
This multi-week class builds upon foundational acting skills, focusing on in-depth exploration of techniques, character development, and performance styles; often including scene work, improvisation, and analysis of dramatic texts. Participants should have a basic understanding of acting techniques and principles that the class will focus on refining and expanding.This in-person class takes place on Tuesday evenings, February 23-March 20, 2027, from 6:30pm-8pm. Registration will open in mid-November.

Vibrant Nature: Paintings and Illustrations by Jamie Downs
2027-02-26 - 2027-06-29
Jamie Downs’ art career spans more than 50 years, exploring themes of oneness and transcendence. Her recent series of non-objective works draws on floral archetypes, local birds, bees, and animals, interpreted through an abstract lens. Influenced by Color Field painting and Abstract Expressionism, her work blends luminous color and organic movement to create a deeply contemplative experience.

The String Queens (Platinum)
2027-02-26 11:00 - 12:00
Celebrate Black History Month with the beautiful sounds of The String Queens. This all-female string ensemble redefines classical performance with infectious energy, virtuosity, and a bold, modern edge. For this special concert, The String Queens honor Black excellence in music, performing works that highlight the contributions of Black composers and artists across genres. From soulful melodies to electrifying arrangements, their performance blends tradition, innovation, and storytelling, creating an unforgettable experience. Join us for a vibrant celebration of history, culture, and musical mastery that inspires, uplifts, and resonates with audiences of all ages. Please Note: All Publick Playhouse ticket sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.

The String Queens
2027-02-27 19:30 - 21:00

Men of Soul
2027-02-27 20:00
BRENCORE Entertainment presents a tribute to the men of soul—a musical tribute to Donny Hathaway, Bobby Womack, and Curtis Mayfield. National recording artist Jamar Dukes, along with the Brencore Allstars Band, will perform some of the greatest hits from these legendary artists, taking you on a nostalgic journey through their timeless music. Experience the soulful sounds of Donny Hathaway with classics like “Someday We’ll All Be Free,” “The Ghetto,” and “A Song for You.” Relive the magic of Bobby Womack with hits such as “If You Think You’re Lonely Now,” “Harry Hippy,” and “That’s the Way I Feel About Cha.” Feel the groove of Curtis Mayfield with iconic tracks like “Superfly,” “People Get Ready,” “Pusher Man,” “Move on Up,” and many more. Don’t miss this incredible tribute event honoring the music of these extraordinary artists.

Lunchtime Listening with Les Amorces, Celebrating Women’s History Month
2027-03-03 11:00 - 13:00
Join us for an uplifting Women’s History Month performance led by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II, a contemporary classical flutist, educator, and arts entrepreneur dedicated to celebrating underrepresented voices in music. Through his collective Les Amorces, he highlights the legacy and creativity of women composers, pairing their works with those of their male counterparts. Featuring the expressive blend of piano, flute, and soprano, the ensemble brings artistry, cultural depth, and refined musicianship to every performance. Experience this inspiring tribute to women in music and be part of a program that honors their lasting influence with beauty and purpose.

Bele Bele Rhythm Collective
2027-03-05 20:00 - 22:00
Experience the high-energy, soul-stirring rhythms of the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective, led by percussionist and educator Kristen Arant. This intergenerational women’s drum collective performs traditional West African rhythms from the Mandingue empire, blending them with contemporary arrangements to create a powerful wall of sound.
