BlackRock Center Announces 2017-2018 Film Season

From BlackRock Center: BlackRock Center for the Arts has officially announced their 2017-2018 season which marks the 15th anniversary of its inception. The season features a mix of debuting and returning national and international talent to the BlackRock stage. The season line-up reflects the growing, diverse population of Upper Montgomery County and will kick off with a performance by the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 8pm. Tickets for BlackRock’s 2017-18 Performance Season are currently on presale for members. Tickets will go on sale to the general public at midnight on Monday, July 10. BlackRock Membership starts at $65 Members and the perks of membership include discounts on single tickets.

The upcoming season also features the return of the On Screen/In Person documentary film series, a program of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation designed to bring some of the best independent American films and their filmmakers to communities across the mid-Atlantic. The full 2017-18 Season line-up can be found below with more to be added throughout the season. More information can be found at BlackRockCenter.org.

9/24/17 |4:00 PM |DEEJ - Film
A nonspeaking young man dreams of autistic civil rights. The documentary film Deej, with its insider view of autism, challenges us all to live inclusion.

10/6/17|8:00 PM |Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Brass, Funk, Soul
BlackRock proudly debuts Hypnotic Brass Ensemble for its 2017-18 season opener. Comprised of the Seven Sons Of Jazz Great Phil Cohran, These Blood Brothers Come From An Extraordinary Musical Family.

10/8/17 |7:00 PM |Sweet Honey in the Rock - A cappella
Making their BlackRock debut, Sweet Honey In The Rock® a cappella ensemble remains among the most vibrant, versatile and ever relevant musical collectives in music today; as a performance ensemble and as an ambassadorial African American organization founded on the triumvirate missions of empowerment, education and entertainment.

10/15/17 | 4:00 PM | Oil & Water - Film
OIL & WATER follows two boys coming of age in the middle of one of the world’s worst toxic disasters. Hugo fights for the survival of his Amazonian tribe, while David attempts to revolutionize the oil industry. Their journeys lead them to explore a more just future for people around the world born with oil beneath their feet.

10/21/17 | 8:00 PM | Julie Fowlis - Celtic
Celtic music, always a favorite at BlackRock, reaches new heights in the hands of Julie Fowlis. She is a multi-award winning Gaelic singer who is deeply influenced by her early upbringing in the Outer Hebridean island of North Uist.

10/28/17 | 8:00 PM | Etienne Charles - Jazz
“A daring improviser who delivers with heart wrenching lyricism.” -Jazz Times. Well-versed as a recording artist, composer, arranger, Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, Etienne Charles is a multi-faceted jazz artist who speaks a vast variety of musical dialects in an improvisation-fueled setting with the expertise and knowledge to match.

11/4/17| 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM |The Amazing Max - Magic
A funny and awe-inspiring magic show for the whole family. While the show is recommended for ages 3 and up, adult audiences will find themselves pleasantly surprised and equally entertained!

11/5/17 |7:00 PM |ETHEL - Classical, Chamber
Based in New York City, ETHEL is comprised of Ralph Farris (viola), Dorothy Lawson (cello), Kip Jones (violin), and Corin Lee (violin). For almost 20 years, this acclaimed New York City-based contemporary music quartet has conceived, commissioned, produced, and performed rich multimedia concert works and released several acclaimed albums.

11/12/17 | 4:00 PM | Mind/Game -Film
A 3-time NCAA champ and Number One draft pick in the WNBA, Chamique Holdsclaw seemed destined for a spectacular professional career—until her long-suppressed battle with mental disorders emerged to derail her career and threaten her life. Mind/Game intimately chronicles Holdsclaw’s athletic accomplishments and personal setbacks, and her decision, despite public stigma, to become an outspoken mental health advocate.

11/17/17 | 8:00 PM | Upright Citizens Brigade - Improv Comedy
Hand-picked from the best improv comedians in New York City and Los Angeles, the Upright Citizen Brigade cast consists of the “next wave” of comedy superstars from the theatre that brought you Amy Poehler (SNL), Horatio Sanz, Rob Corddry (The Daily Show), Ed Helms (The Daily Show, The Office), Rob Riggle (SNL, Daily Show), Paul Scheer & Rob Huebel (Best Week Ever), and many, many more.

11/18/17 | 8:00 PM | Sammy Miller and the Congregation- Jazz
A BlackRock debut of "joyful jazz" that is sure to warm your heart and fill the room. A culmination of serious talent, artistry and experience led by one passionate and thoughtful bandleader, Sammy Miller and The Congregation is sure to pull you in and take you back all in one soulful performance.

12/3/17 | 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM | Cherish the Ladies - Celtic
With their unique spectacular blend of virtuosi instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing, this powerhouse group combines all the facets of Irish traditional culture and puts it forth in an immensely humorous and entertaining package

2/2/18 | 8:00 PM | Ivy League of Comedy- Standup
The Ivy League of Comedy is the premier group of stand-up comedians touring America. Known for their elite brand of clever comedy, you’ve heard Ivy League’s comics’ brilliant voices on late-night TV and Comedy Central. Now come see them live on stage!

2/3/18| 8:00 PM| Steel Wheels - Folk, Americana
The Steel Wheels return to BlackRock after a sold-out performance in 2014! This dynamic four-piece string band has captured audiences across the country with their heady brew of original soulful mountain music and their deep commitment to roots and community. Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the band marries old-time musical traditions with their own innovative sound and powerful original songwriting, generating a truly magnetic revival.

2/10/18 | 11:00 AM | Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny – Children’s Theater
2/11/18 | 3:00 PM | Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny

Based on the classic children’s books by Margaret Wise Brown, Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny feature the endearing animal puppets, stunning scenic effects and evocative music that have earned international recognition for The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia.

2/10/18 | 8:00 PM |globalFEST on the Road: Golden Age of Latin Music - World
The New Golden Age of Latin Music is being created right here in the United States. The Mexican-American communities of Arizona and California have emerged as hotbeds of musical creativity, merging styles that reflect the changing borders and shared cultural identities between Mexico and the United States. Orkesta Mendoza and Las Cafeteras are two of today’s most exciting bands, forging inspired new paths for the fabled Latin sound.

2/11/18| 4:00 PM | Little Stones - Film
LITTLE STONES weaves together the personal stories of four women artists, from across the world, who dedicate their lives to empowering women and survivors of gender based violence. They use their unique art forms to express and help eradicate the atrocities of domestic violence, human trafficking, extreme poverty, and female genital mutilation.

3/3/18 | 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM | Pinkalicious - Musical
Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents, and eventually develops Pinkititis—an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe! When her hue goes too far, Pinkalicious must find a way out of this predicament.

3/9/18 | 8:00 PM | Ivy League of Comedy - Standup
The Ivy League of Comedy is the premier group of stand-up comedians touring America. Known for their elite brand of clever comedy, you’ve heard Ivy League’s comics’ brilliant voices on late-night TV and Comedy Central. Now come see them live on stage!

3/11/18 |7:00 PM |Dervish - Irish, Celtic
Dervish is a high-energy Irish band that is just plain hot. Anticipate phenomenal, virtuosic drumming and vocals from Cathy Jordan and some awesome accordion, fiddle and flute playing. This performance will surely start your St. Patty's day celebrations off right.

3/24/18| 4:00 PM |Big Sonia- Film
“National treasure”, local celebrity, Holocaust Survivor – Sonia (90) has just been served an eviction notice for the last (and most popular) shop left in a dying suburban mall. Following Sonia on the motivational speaker circuit (even as she navigates her own struggles) BIG SONIA explores what it means to be a survivor. Will you let your trauma define you? Or will your past make you stronger?

4/7/18 | 8:00 PM | Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds - Blues, Rock
This nine-piece powerhouse group puts a modern spin on classic soul. The band is led by Arleigh Kincheloe (Sister Sparrow), whose astoundingly powerful voice and sly demeanor make for a spellbinding presence onstage. She is backed by the mighty force of The Dirty Birds, a flock of eight men who masterfully lay down thundering grooves and soaring melodies. While each of the Birds is capable of lighting up the stage with jaw-dropping displays of musicianship, it’s clear they’re focused on delivering the band’s infectious music as a single entity.

4/8/18 | 4:00 PM | Beau Soir Ensemble - Classical
The Beau Soir Ensemble is a flute, viola, and harp trio from the Washington, DC area dedicated to the performance of standard and contemporary repertoire spanning a variety of musical genres. Known for their exciting performance style and diverse programming, this ensemble continues to attract a strong fan base through its acclaimed performances.

4/14/18 |8:00 PM |Fatoumata Diawara & Elikeh - World
A joyous mix of the vibrant and understated, combining songs and rhythms about love, global themes and empowerment with arresting melodies soaring over intricate guitar and drum arrangements. Music inspired by Wassoulou tradition, Togolese rhythms, jazz, rock and blues producing a unique contemporary folk sound, with a distinctly African spin.

4/15/18| 4:00 PM | Ghost Town to Havana - Film
Ghost Town to Havana is a street level story of mentorship in tough circumstances. Two youth baseball coaches, Nicolas from Havana and Roscoe from Oakland, meet on video and decide they want to play each other. When they meet in Cuba, it's joy and baseball versus murder and poverty.

5/5/18 | 8:00 PM | Hot Club of Cowtown - Western Swing
A BlackRock Debut - the Hot Club has always woven a combination of seemingly disparate styles together to its own magical effect, setting up camp “at that crossroads where country meets jazz and chases the blues away.”

PARKING IS FREE & RIDE ON OFFERS 15-MINUTE EXPRESS BUS SERVICE FROM SHADY GROVE METRO (RED LINE): BlackRock Center for the Arts is centrally located in the heart of Germantown, next to the Germantown Branch Montgomery County Public Library, at 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD 20874. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to our building. Ride Metrorail to Shady Grove Station (Red Line) and transfer to Ride On Bus Route 100 (15-minute Express Bus Service from Metro Shady Grove Station to the Germantown Transit Center [GTC] on Aircraft Drive). From GTC, walk four blocks following Century Boulevard to our front door, or transfer to Ride On Bus Route 97 which stops in front of BlackRock. Check schedules by calling 240-777-7433 or visiting: www.rideonbus.com and www.metroopensdoors.com

Image Courtesy of BlackRock Center