Kentlands Foundation Update

June 2022

Forging ahead to summer

By Elisabeth Monaco

Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed the great events the Kentlands Community Foundation sponsored in May.  The “Leonard Bernstein Celebration” organized by MUSICA VIVA KENTLANDS was a resounding success! The audience was a part of music history witnessing the second time Leonard Bernstein’s “Music for String Quartet” was performed for a live audience.  A special thanks to Lisa Pickett who made it possible through her family connections and to the entire Musica Viva Organizing Committee.

The KENTLANDS COMMUNITY PLAYERS’ return to the stage with their presentation of “Shakespeare in Love” was sensational.  The play was presented over two weekends to appreciative audiences.  The role of Spot, Shakespeare’s dog was played by Daisy, a favorite of the cast, crew and audience. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew and especially Meredith Fogle whose impressive efforts have made the Players a success.

ARTISTS ON MARKET has temporarily closed their doors at Downtown Crown for a summer hiatus. After five months at their storefront in Crown, the artists are taking a well-deserved break and will resume their storefront operations in the Fall. Until then, the Artists will be busy in their studios, creating beautiful new pieces and continue their online store at kentlands.org. In addition, their work may be seen in a mini gallery and the sample apartment located  at the new Discovery Center at Downtown Crown, for Kisco Senior Living’s new property under construction, The Carnegie.  Finally, they are planning to bring some art elements to Kentlands Under the Lights and will be working on the details for their return to the Arts Barn at the holidays for their Holiday Art Market exhibit.

We hope that everyone who took part in the KENTLANDS PHOTOGRAPHY ASSOCIATION’S pet portrait event enjoy their pet’s portrait taken with care by the members of the Association. Watch our website to find out about future events by the KPA.

This month on June 18 starting at 6 pm, KENTLANDS UNDER THE LIGHTS returns to Kentlands Market Square.  Join in the comradery of this popular community dinner.  Enjoy great food, great music and great local beer, wine, whiskey and mead.  Beverage tickets can be purchased early beginning on June 8^th.  Visit the KCF website at kentlands.org for the link to the ticket site. This community dinner grows in popularity each year. Come early and stay late!

The KENTLANDS/LAKELANDS 5K sign-ups are now open.  Sign up early to make sure you get your preferred shirt size.  Prices will increase starting July 1^st.  Not running?  Please consider volunteering.  We need 265 volunteers to make the race a reality.  Volunteers are needed not just day of the race but also before and after. Eligible students will receive SSL hours. Visit kentlands.org and open the 5K page for links on race sign up, the kids fun run sign up, and to volunteer.  Make sure you mark your calendar for Saturday, September 3. 

Looking further ahead mark your calendars for MUSICA VIVA KENTLANDS’ annual concert on the Kentlands Clubhouse Lawn on September 17. Bring your lawn chair and a blanket and enjoy a first-class classical concert under the stars.

To find out more about our events and programs, follow the Kentlands Community Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and check out our website at www.kentlands.org.  If you have a great idea for a program that involves volunteerism, the cultural arts or supports New Urbanism, we would love to hear from you!  All our programs are grassroots efforts that begin with you.  Feel free to drop us an email at kentlands@kentlands.org.

Kentlands Foundation Update

May 2022

A busy month of May ahead!

By Elisabeth Monaco

The Kentlands Community Foundation is ready for spring and summer with a calendar full of events. In addition to these special events, the Foundation sponsors a variety of programs that meet regularly. Throughout the year, KCF programs meet and engage many residents. If you are interested in bridge, joining a group of amateur musicians for an evening of music, cleaning up the neighborhood, or helping elderly residents get to appointments, check out our new website where you can explore our many programs. Fill out a contact form to find out more.

MUSICA VIVA KENTLANDS presents the “Leonard Bernstein Celebration” on May 7 at 7 pm.  The recently discovered piece, Music for String Quartet by Leonard Bernstein, will be performed. This is the second time ever this piece for quartet will be played. A big thank you to Lisa Pickett, a Kentlands resident, and the Bernstein Foundation for their generosity in allowing Musica Viva to present this unique and special work by such a titan of American music. Join us at the Kreeger Auditorium at the Bender JCC on Montrose Road. Because of the unique and historical nature of this performance, the concert is a fundraiser for the concert series and tickets are $125. Contact us at kentlands@kentlands.org to find out how to save $25 per ticket. Following the performance, there will be a reception to meet the musicians. To reserve your ticket and for more information about this exciting event, please go the Foundation’s website at www.kentlands.org. All money raised from this event will be used to continue to fund the concerts held each year on the Kentlands Clubhouse lawn. Please consider supporting this special musical event.

KENTLANDS COMMUNITY PLAYERS will present Shakespeare in Love at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, May 6th through the 8th and the 28th through the 29th. Friday and Saturday performances will be held at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. This hilarious, romantic stage play reimagines William Shakespeare’s creative process.  The Players are a community theater in its truest sense, with all volunteer casts and crews. This play is the return of the theater group to live performances.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through our website at Kentlands.org.

The Foundation will be at the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 21 at Bohrer Park. This year, the Foundation has local author and ARTISTS ON MARKET artist, Laurie J Hartman, reading her green-living books for children, Sea Rescue and Save the Sea, Too. To bring attention to the damage of plastic in the ocean, Laurie has created a special craft recycling plastic water bottles and turning them into colorful, friendly fish.  She will be signing books and 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these books will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. You will find us in the Children’s Village section of the Festival.

Save the date for KENTLANDS UNDER THE LIGHTS on June 18 in Kentlands Market Square.  And, the KENTLANDS/LAKELANDS 5K will be held on Saturday, September 3.

To find out more about our events and programs, follow the Kentlands Community Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and check out our website at www.kentlands.org.  If you have a great idea for a program that involves volunteerism, the cultural arts or supports New Urbanism, we would love to hear from you!  All our programs are grassroots efforts that begin with you.  Feel free to drop us an email at kentlands@kentlands.org.