Arts Organizations Announce Diverse, Exciting Summer Schedule

County Executive Calvin Ball and leaders of local organizations previewed the upcoming summer schedule of arts and cultural events in Downtown Columbia on Thursday at a joint announcement at Cured restaurant in the Merriweather District.

“Downtown Columbia continues to bolster its reputation as a top arts destination for all with an incredible schedule of events this summer,” said Howard County Executive Ball. “We have ensured Howard County will be an inclusive cultural center for our region by revitalizing Merriweather Post Pavilion, founding Soulful Symphony, building the Chrysalis, and hosting amazing festivals.”

The diverse programs announced by organizers include popular standbys and some surprising new additions to summer entertainment.

“Columbia’s Arts Summer of 2019 will be the most exciting ever,” says Columbia Festival of the Arts Director David Phillips. “It’s a great time to live in or visit Howard County!”

Among the highlights is the third annual Books in Bloom book festival, presented by the Downtown Columbia Partnership and The Howard Hughes Corporation on June 2, at the Merriweather Post Pavilion.

“We expect readers and followers of current social issues to be very happy with this year’s Books in Bloom,” enthused Downtown Columbia Partnership Executive Director Phillip Dodge. “We have lined up critically acclaimed and best-selling authors to participate in readings, panel discussions and other activities for all ages,” he noted, adding, “We promise unique and thoughtful perspectives on immigration, the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, feminism, and other topics.”

On the heels of Books in Bloom is the annual Columbia Festival of the Arts free LakeFest weekend June 14-16 at the Columbia Lakefront. According to Phillips, LakeFest will feature more than 45 visual artists, 16 different bands, 8 shows by a dance company in a truck, and festive food and drink.

“The two weeks following LakeFest includes four days of a one-man circus in the Merriweather District, jazz artists René Marie and Experiment in Truth at the Horowitz Performing Arts Center, and more than 40 films at the Horowitz Center and other locations,” the Festival director added.

The annual Lakefront Summer Festival, presented by Columbia Association, returns this year with free entertainment nearly every day from June 17 through September. This year's schedule includes more than 50 afternoon and evening concerts, 25 family-friendly films — including popular Disney and superhero movies — plus Teen Open Mic Nights and weekly Dancin' Under the People Tree sessions.

"This will be a summer unlike any other at Merriweather Post Pavilion and in Downtown Columbia," said Ian Kennedy, Executive Director of the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission (DCACC), which owns the pavilion.

"This will be the first season of Soulful Symphony's new residency and we're looking forward to their premier performance on June 29,” Kennedy said, adding, “We are also bringing back our popular Merriweather Movie Nights series, staring with a very special Sing-a-long Sound of Music on May 25."

"We are thrilled to provide another summer full of amazing events in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods" said Nina Basu, President & CEO of the Inner Arbor Trust. "Our events include the incredibly popular free Chrysalis Kids Series, co-presented with Howard County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Columbia Association, and sponsored by ReThink Water, a local boxed water company,” she added.

“We are also thrilled to expand the Community Concert Series of free concerts, including the Columbia Orchestra Summer Pops Concert and a concert by the Maryland Arts Council Heritage Award winning Cultura Plenera celebrating Puerto Rican music traditions,” Basu continued, adding, “The Trust is also hosting the Chrysalis Cabaret series, in partnership with Columbia Orchestra and Columbia Jazz Band, including renowned and diverse local artists such as Lavenia Nesmith. Finally, the Trust is also hosting the three-day FantasyWood festival along with ManneqART over Memorial Day Weekend."

The Howard Hughes Corporation (HHC) serves as a partner, collaborator and funder for several 2019 summer projects and initiatives, including Books in Bloom, the Columbia Festival of the Arts’ one-man circus, and Soulful Symphony’s residency at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

In collaboration with the Howard County Arts Council, HHC will also host the second annual Merriweather District Artist-in-Residence program May 13-June 29. Three selected artists will be provided a $10,000 stipend, studio space and housing during their residency.

“The artists selected from this year’s pool of applicants each display a high level of creativity, curiosity and a sense of activism, which allows for an exchange and collaborative relationships to develop within the community,” said Coleen West, Executive Director of the Howard County Arts Council. “We are pleased to continue this partnership with The Howard Hughes Corporation and provide a pathway to empowering more artists through a combination of financial and artistic support.”

“The 2019 MD AIR program is designed to nurture the creative inspiration of artists and ensure the health of the cultural ecosystem within Downtown Columbia,” said Vanessa Rodriguez, HHC’s Vice President of Marketing for Columbia. “The residency will conclude with an exhibition and a week of community-focused programming including artist talks, interactive workshops and panel discussions,” she added.

“There is always something exciting happening when it comes to arts and cultural events in Howard County!” remarked Amanda Hof, Executive Director of Visit Howard County.

“We are delighted that the organizations in Downtown Columbia have come together to host an astounding assortment of new events and activities for the 2019 festival season,” Hof said, noting, “These and other events across Howard County are being promoted under Visit Howard County’s all-new FestivALL campaign. No matter where in the county, there is always something for visitors and residents alike to get excited about. A complete listing of events can be found on our website at www.visithowardcounty.com/festivall/.”

For a current schedule of activities in Downtown Columbia, visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/ColumbiaMD/events

ORGANIZATIONS HOSTING AND PROMOTING 2019 SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA

The Columbia Association (CA) is a non-profit organization that provides programs and services paid for by Columbia property owners. CA operates the outdoor pools, the swim and tennis centers, athletic clubs and the ice and roller rinks among others. It also maintains the open space, pathways and tot lots located throughout Columbia. It owns Symphony Woods and Lake Kittamaqundi in Downtown Columbia. http://www.columbiaassociation...

Columbia Festival of the Arts presents an annual celebration of the arts that includes free and ticketed events at local venues during the summer. https://columbiafestival.org/

The Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission is a non-profit organization created by the legislation that approved the Downtown Columbia Plan to own and oversee operation of Merriweather Post Pavilion and other arts and cultural activities in Downtown. 1http://dcacc.info/

The Downtown Columbia Partnership (DTCP) is the non-profit organization responsible for marketing and promoting Downtown and its businesses, supporting transportation initiatives, implementing beautification and maintenance projects, and initiating and sponsoring cultural arts and sustainability programs. http://www.downtowncolumbiamd....

The Inner Arbor Trust is a non-profit organization that operates and oversees Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods through an easement by CA, the property owner. It operates the Chrysalis amphitheater. http://inartrust.org/about-us/

Merriweather Post Pavilion is a nationally recognized concert venue located in Downtown Columbia. It is owned by the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission and is undergoing a $60 million renovation and expansion. http://www.merriweathermusic.c...

Visit Howard County serves as the lead organization to market and develop the county as a premier leisure and business travel destination. https://www.visithowardcounty....