News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2022

Program Contact: Dr. Dennis Doster, 240-264-3415

Media Contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311

Juneteenth Festival Announced by M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, 

Prince George’s County

Riverdale, MD – The Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, part of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is pleased to announce its 2022 Festival for Juneteenth: the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Marking the date that the last enslaved people learned of their freedom, the month of June and the nineteenth day were combined to form the word Juneteenth.

As a part of the Department’s ongoing mission to provide exciting and unique cultural programming to county residents, the Juneteenth Festival is a must-attend event for the young and young at heart. The festival takes place Saturday, June 18^th at Watkins Regional Park from 12 – 5pm and includes:

• Live entertainment – Kindred the Family Soul, EU featuring Sugar Bear, Coyoba Dance Theater, Prince George’s Police Department Band, A Tribute to Maze Featuring the BRENCORE Allstars
• Visual art exhibition – Stained Glass by Arvid Lee
• Arts activities – Arts on a Roll, Words Beats and Life, Taratibu Youth Association Dancers
• History activities – Freedom cabin, History scavenger hunt
• Food and merchandise vendors
• Non-profit exhibitors

The 2022 Juneteenth festival is a FREE event. To learn more, visit http://www.pgparks.com/Juneteenth.

About the Department

The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, PhotoShelter, and Instagram. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2022

Media contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311

Program Contact: Marcus Seisay, 301-377-7807

M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation Prince George’s County Announces 

June Events at Montpelier Arts Center 

Riverdale, Md. – The Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, part of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), is proud to announce its new events at Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel, Md. Available to the public throughout June, they include:

June 4 – July 7

Public Reception June 4, 2-4 pm 

Melissa Burley: Behind Closed Doors

“Behind Closed Doors”, started as a curiosity fueled by the thought of “What is the mystery of the people behind these doors?” In an effort to give a glimpse, Melissa Burley combined and illuminated relics from people’s past. By using refurbished furniture parts, housewares, glass, antiques, and other found objects, Burley shows what could be the answer to her curious mystery.

June 10, 7-9 pm

Elaine Weiner-Reed: Masks and Mirrors – Beautiful Reflections Ekphrastic Poetry Event

Following an abbreviated Gallery Talk, Elaine will be joined by professional writers and authors from EC Poetry and Prose and Prince Georges County, hosted by Spoken Word Artist and Author, Patti Ross. Join Elaine in listening to the original poetry come alive in the presence of the artwork that inspired it. Masks and Mirrors: Beautiful Reflections will be open to the public June 4 – July 31, with initial public reception on June 4.

June 11 – August 7

Public Reception: June 18, 2–4 pm

Black Is …

This collection, curated by the artists, is a photo exhibition that shines light on the Black experience. It includes works of four renowned photographers: Cheriss May, Dee Dwyer, Tone Mobley, and André Chung. This collection exudes power with its compelling visual storytelling of what it means to be unapologetically Black. This is an encore exhibition from Black History Month 2022 to coincide with Maryland National- Capital Park and Planning Commission Juneteenth 2022 Celebrations.

Montpelier Arts Center is open Monday through Saturday to the public from 10 am to 5 pm. Learn more about these and other upcoming events at https://pgparks.com/facilities/montpelier-arts-center.

About Montpelier Arts Center

Montpelier Arts Center is a facility of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks & Recreation, Prince George’s County, Arts & Cultural Heritage Division. The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. The Department of Parks & Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation.

About the Department

The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2022

Media Contact: Angel Waldron, 301-446-3311

Program contact: Megan Merchant, 301-277-0015

Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Announces Historical Film Drama

“The Bell Affair” at Publick Playhouse

Riverdale, MD – The Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, part of The M-NCPPC, is proud to announce the Premiere of The Bell Affair at The Publick Playhouse. An animated documentary, the historical film drama tells the true story about the legal fight for freedom from enslavement by the Bell family. It will premiere on Thursday, June 2, 2002, at 7pm at The Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd, Cheverly, MD 20784.

The Bell Family was enslaved in Prince George’s County and Washington, DC during the early 19^th century. Their story is just one example of the courage displayed by thousands of enslaved Black individuals who fought for emancipation. The story is brought to life by a cast and crew across the U.S. as a response to the national reckoning with race and the need for stories of truth. The film is based on a true story from the book A Question of Freedom: The Families Who Challenged Slavery from the Nation’s Founding to the Civil War by William G. Thomas, III, which is the 2021-2022 Prince George’s County Reads featured book.

In the summer of 1835, a strike at the Washington Navy Yard fueled a citywide race riot. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Francis Scott Key, set out to prosecute abolitionist Reuben Crandall for libelous sedition and the intent to incite a slave revolt. Amid this political turmoil, Daniel Bell convinced Mary’s dying slaveholder, Robert Armstead, to emancipate Mary and the children. Two days later, Armstead died. His widow Susan Armstead refused to honor the Bells’ freedom, leading them to seize their own freedom on the Pearl.

This event is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. The premiere is free, but a reservation is required. For tickets, visit www.joesmovement.org/the-bell-affair.

About the Department

The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation delivers an award-winning park system through progressive, innovative leadership and a commitment to the community and the environment in Prince George’s County. For more on the Department of Parks and Recreation, visit www.pgparks.com and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, PhotoShelter, and Instagram. The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. 

About The Publick Playhouse

Known for its comfortable, inviting space and great acoustics, the Publick Playhouse is one of the best performing arts venues in the greater Washington, DC area. Since 1947, the richly historic Playhouse continues to serve as a popular venue for music and modern dance, musical theater, historical drama, educational programs, and monthly events for seniors. With its ornate sky scene and plush seating for 494, the theatre is one of the two surviving Art Deco theatres in Prince George’s County. https://pgparks.com/facilities/prince-georges-publick-playhouse.