Tourism News
Find out what’s going on in Caroline County!
For a detailed events calendar, check out our Upcoming Events page.
Denton Community Demonstration Garden Meeting
The Denton Community Demonstration Garden Initiative, a grassroots endeavor that seeks to create a demonstration garden in downtown Denton, will be holding an informational meeting on Thursday, February 23rd at 6:30 pm at the Caroline Central Library in Denton. Anyone who is interested in getting involved or learning about the project is invited to attend the meeting.
The demonstration garden will be a community public space that showcases edible plantings, sustainable agricultural techniques, and garden ecology. Located by the municipal parking lot at 4th and Gay Streets in downtown Denton, the garden will be a part of Denton’s Arts and Entertainment District’s plan to connect the Artsway with exterior pathways and other outdoor amenities. The garden will include interpretive components that will enable it to serve as an outdoor classroom, offering educational opportunities for learning about green horticultural practices such as crop rotation, soil health, water storage & use and composting. The garden will also offer a venue for social and cultural exchanges through learning opportunities about food security, nutrition, and cooking.
School groups, clubs, organizations and individuals will be able to participate in the seasonal planting, maintenance, harvesting, food processing and distribution necessary to sustain a productive garden. Community partnerships including those with the Farmer’s Market, local food pantries, schools, garden-related groups and other organizations are currently being coordinated. Like the surrounding Artsway Pathways, this community demonstration garden will be accessible to all abilities, and provide aesthetic improvements through the addition of garden ornaments, furniture, and new plantings. For more information on the Denton Community Demonstration Garden or to RSVP to the meeting, please call 410.479.1009.
Friday Nites in Caroline: UMES Jazz Ensemble
Friday Nites in Caroline presents the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Jazz Ensemble, Friday, February 17, 2012, 7:00 p.m. at Colonel Richardson High School Auditorium in Federalsburg.
Back by popular demand, the UMES Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. John R. Lamkin II consists of 20 members that include five saxophones, four trombones, five trumpets, two bass players, two percussionists, a piano player and a vocalist. The ensemble has distinguished itself by performing several concerts for area schools as well as for various community functions. In 2007 the band performed during the Inaugural Ball for Governor-Elect Martin O’Malley at the Convention Center in Baltimore. Locally, they have entertained the Cambridge Elks Club during their Veterans Day Ceremony and for the Salisbury VFW Post 10159. The ensemble has also toured St. Thomas, Virgin Islands in the spring of 2004 and 2008, Ghana in the spring of 2005, and has also played in Chicago, Florida and New York.
The UMES Jazz Ensemble has also been honored to have performed with several legendary jazz musicians. Most notable have been organist, Shirley Scott; trombonist, Steve Turre; trumpeter, Nicholas Patton; saxophonist, Benny Golson; bassist, Larry Ridley; pianist, Onaje Allan Gumbs; trumpeter, Dr. Donald Byrd; saxophonist, Stanley Turrentine; trombonist, Wycliffe Gordon; vocalist, Bilal; and trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis.
“Many of the members of the Ensemble have gone on to become highly successful music educators and sought after professional musicians,” said Lamkin. “There are also a few members of the band who are community musicians who donate their time and talent to the Jazz Ensemble because they love to play their instruments and they love jazz. They are truly an inspiration to the students in the band.”
Most of the students in the band are music education majors, who are preparing to spread the knowledge they are gaining about the jazz idiom once they graduate and become educators. They also play regularly in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and for area schools and community functions.
For more information contact the Library at 410-479-1343, info@carolib.org
Friday Nites in Caroline is presented by the Caroline County Council of Arts and the Caroline County Public Library; is sponsored by Tri Gas & Oil, Best Western Denton Inn and the Maryland States Arts Council and is FREE for all attendees.
Raise the Roof Bluegrass & Irish Music Festival
The Riv
erside Country Inn will be celebrating their 100th birthday with a good ole’ fashioned Bluegrass & Irish Music Festival from Friday, April 13th – Saturday, April 14th. This 3 day celebration will feature an Open Mic Night on Friday, live musical performances and a BBQ on Saturday, and Brunch followed by an afternoon of Gospel music on Sunday. Proceeds from this centennial celebration will go towards putting a new roof on the Riverside Country Inn. Admission is $5 for Friday, $10 for Saturday and a Free Will Offering on Sunday. Attendees may also choose to become a “Friend of the Riverside” for $35, and will receive 3 day admission and 1 meal. For more information, contact 410.482.6550.
Riverside Country Inn
204 N. Main Street
Greensboro, MD
410.482.6550
www.riversidecountryinn.com
Rio Carnival Masqued Ball to be held March 3rd 2012
Save the date for the Caroline County Council of Art’s Rio Carnival Masqued Ball on Saturday, March 3, 2011 at the Fretterd Center in Denton. This promises to be a fun and unique social event, with proceeds benefitting the CCCA’s programs and arts center. Highlights include live entertainment by Big Joe’s Samba Dance Party band, catered Brazilian-inspired cuisine, dance demonstration andinstruction, as well as a silent auction, mask contest, and more.
Let the fun begin with Big Joe Maher, WAMMIE Award Winner for Male Blues Vocalist in 2005 and 2009. One of the most versatile music performers in the business today, Big Joe brings down the house with his swinging brand of Rhythm and Blues. For this special event, he has put together a special “Samba Dance Party” band that will include some of the best area musicians, www.bigjoem.com.
Dine on a Brazilian-inspired menu. Then, get out on the dance floor and learn some moves from the Dancing on the Shore instructors, and watch them in action as they perform a special dance demonstration.
Dress from semi-formal to formal/black tie attire or wear a costume. Whatever you prefer, but don’t forget your mask! Masks will be available for sale at the door and one-of-a-kind hand-painted masks by Foundry artists are now available at The Foundry for the event. Foundry artists are also contributing to the event’s art auction.
Tickets are now on sale for $50. This event is for those 21 years and older. Tables of 8 are available for $400. Tickets can be purchased at The Foundry, CCCA’s community art gallery, at 401 Market Street, Denton or by calling 410-479-1009. Proceeds will support CCCA programs and projects. www.carolinearts.org
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Tour Certification Program Returns!
The Dorchester and Caroline Offices of Tourism, in partnership with the Maryland Office of Tourism and the National Association for Interpretation, will be hosting the second session of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Tour Certification Training Program. The training session, which will consist of a series of seven workshops, will occur on Saturdays during the months of February and March, 2012, and will focus on interpretation and communication skills to prepare students to professionally deliver meaningful and compelling tours and programs.
The training covers the basics of interpretation, its definition and principles, knowing your audience, knowing your resource, program development using a thematic approach, writing measurable performance objectives, and program delivery techniques. Participants will prepare a program outline, and deliver a 10-minute presentation on the final day.
Additionally, two field trips will provide an opportunity to see effective programs in action. Participants will have an opportunity to observe and discuss techniques and issues involved in interpreting the sensitive subjects of slavery and the Underground Railroad.
The training is being presented in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), a professional organization that is an international leader in advancing the profession of heritage interpretation. The training also offers participants the opportunity to become certified as an Interpretive Guide through NAI for an additional fee.
If you lead or wish to lead talks or tours, interact with visitors to help them understand exhibits, or present educational programs, then this training is for you. The cost of the program is $95 and includes a textbook and workbook, which you will receive at the training. Registration deadline is Friday, January 27, 2012.
Lunch and transportation from Easton is included on field trip days. Particulars about the field trip meeting locations will be provided in class.
Space is limited to 15 students and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested in participating in the program, please contact Amanda Fenstermaker at (410) 228-1000 or Kathy Mackel at (410) 479-2730 for a registration form or download it by clicking on the Tour Guide Training Registration Form. It will be necessary to mail in the completed registration form and $95.00 class fee by Friday, January 27, 2012.
For questions on the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Tour Certification Training Program, please contact Anne Kyle at (410) 767-0696, Amanda Fenstermaker at (410) 228-1000 or Kathy Mackel at (410) 479-2730.
Friday Nites in Caroline presents the soulful Irish bluegrass of The Hedge Band
Friday Nites in Caroline presents the soulful Irish bluegrass of The Hedge Band on Friday, February 3, 7:00 pm at Caroline County Public Library in Denton.
Formed in 2005 by four of Maryland‘s pre-eminent Irish traditional musicians, The Hedge Band consists of Billy McComiskey, Laura Byrne Egan, Donna Long and Pat Egan. All perform, teach and are recognized and respected in Maryland, nationally and worldwide.
Donna Long has traveled the world playing the piano and fiddle and entertaining audiences with Cherish the Ladies. She continues to foster an impressive music studio in Baltimore, where she teaches both fiddle and piano.
Regarded as one of the world‘s greatest button accordion players, Billy McComiskey is one of only two American-born musicians to win the senior All Ireland Championship. Billy is credited along with Brendan Mulvihill and Andy O‘Brien for bringing Irish traditional music to the Maryland/ Virginia area by way of their trio The Irish Tradition. He also recorded and toured with fiddler Liz Carroll and guitarist Daithi Sproule in their group Trian.
Pat Egan is from County Tipperary, Ireland. He spent years performing in Ireland before moving to the U.S. to join the band Chulrua. Also known for his work on the great recording — Music at Matt Molloys, Pat still tours internationally with Chulrua.
Laura Byrne Egan is one of only a handful of musicians to successfully cross over to Irish traditional music from another discipline. She graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in 1995 and is highly regarded on both sides of the Atlantic for her proficiency in the Irish traditional style. She founded and directs the Baltimore Irish Arts Center. Laura, Billy and Pat are recipients of Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Awards.
For more information contact the Library at 410-479-1343, info@carolib.org
Friday Nites in Caroline is presented by the Caroline County Council of Arts and the Caroline County Public Library; is sponsored by Tri Gas & Oil, Best Western Denton Inn, Eastern Shore Regional Library and the Maryland States Arts Council and is FREE for all attendees.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom March
Support and celebrate freedom at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom March on Monday, January 16th at 9:00 am. The parade will depart from the Caroline County Courthouse, located at 109 Market Street in Denton. From there, the parade will continue to the General James F. Fretterd Community Center, where there will be FREE service learning activities & educational opportunities. For more information, contact Robin Brown at 410.479.8120 or Wanda Morlock at 410.754.9922.
Find out more by clicking on Freedom March
Celebrating the Life & Works of J.R.R. Tolkien
The Caroline County Council of Arts is hosting their annual Literary Supper on Saturday, January 21st at 6:00 p.m. at the Caroline Country Club in Denton, MD. This year’s supper will celebrate the life & works of J.R.R. Tolkien and will feature a four course menu inspired by the works of Tolkein. Tickets are $35 and space is limited. For reservations and information, please call the CCCA office at 410.479.1009 or email ccartscouncil@verizon.net.
January Events at the Riverside Country Inn
The Riverside Country Inn in historic Greensboro has a full lineup of great upcoming events! Visit www.riversidecountryinn.com for more information!
Upcoming Events at the Riverside Country Inn
Bluegrass, Celtic & Original Music with Steve Quillen
Every Wednesday 7:30 pm
Live Bluegrass with Free Range
Friday, January 6th 7:30 pm
Basket Weaving Class with Sandy Hayman
Saturday, January 14th 10:00 am
Saturday, January 21st 6:00 pm
Ladies Night Out featuring Dove Chocolate, Facials with Mary Kay,
Chair Massages, Tarot Card Readings & a late night Chick Flick
Live music by Jeff Washington
Saturday, January 21st 8:00 pm
Irish Music Session
Friday, January 27th 7:00 pm
Live Bluegrass with Stony Run String Band
Friday, January 28th 7:30 pm
Riverside Country Inn
204 N. Main Street, Greensboro MD
www.riversidecountryinn.com
410.482.6550
The Eagle Line Railroad Model Railroad Display
Enjoy one of Caroline County’s finest holiday traditions at this model railroad & train display! The display, located at 12169 Ober Lane in Ridgely, is open Tuesdays & Thursdays evenings through January 13th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm. For more information, contact 410-634-2785 or click HERE
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10219 River Landing Road | Denton, MD 21629
Voice: (410) 479-0655 Fax: (410) 479-5563
Email: info@tourcaroline.com
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