ROCKVILLE, MD – Rockville Little Theatre performed a 45-minute selection from their recent production of PRIDE@PREJUDICE by Daniel Elihu Kramer at the Maryland Community Theatre Festival (mctfa.org) held in La Plata on February 11 – 12. PRIDE@PREJUDICE was originally performed at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville, MD from January 28 – February 5.
RLT competed against six other productions: Kentland’s Community Players, Port Tobacco Players, Raging Hag Productions, Newtowne Players, New Direction Community Theatre and The British Players.
PRIDE@PREJUDICE was directed by Laura W. Andrusk and produced by Teresa Gillcrist. The Assistant Director/Technical Director was Aaron Skolnik. The cast included Niranjali Amerasinghe, Lena Winter, Meghan Williams Elkins, Ian Swank and Joseph Coracle.
PRIDE@PREJUDICE garnered the following accolades:
Outstanding Stage Manager to Aaron Skolnik,
Outstanding Ensemble Performance,
Outstanding Achievement in Acting to John Coracle,
Ed-Ro-Char Award for Technical Excellence, and
Outstanding Production.
The win for Outstanding Production allows Rockville Little Theatre the opportunity to take their production to the Eastern States Theatre Festival (estafestival.org/) in Wilmington, DE on April 14 – 16.
Rockville Little Theater (RLT) was founded in 1948 and is the oldest continuously operating 501(c)3 nonprofit live theatre in the Rockville area. RLT provides high quality performances at reasonable prices. We strive to entertain, enlighten and educate all who attend our theatrical events. RLT offers an opportunity for community members to step out of their everyday lives and to assume new roles as playwrights, actors, directors, costume designers, set designers, and audiences. Join us at rlt-online.org.
Awards Photo L to R: David Gross, President-MCFTA; Teresa Gillcrist, P@P Producer, RLT, Laura W. Andruski, P@P Director, RLT; Scott loom, VP-MCTFA. Photo credit by Vanessa Bisbee Markowitz
Explore Black history in Rockville with the interactive African-American Heritage walking tour map developed by the City of Rockville’s Department of Community Planning and Development Services.
As one of Maryland’s oldest towns, Rockville’s history stretches back to colonial times. With its long history, Rockville is the location of several people and places that played a significant role in Black history from the 18th century through the 20th. Downtown Rockville contains over a dozen locations (both existing and demolished) that set the stage for the fight for rights of African Americans in the area.
The walking tour touches on the historic themes common to the African American experience, such as slavery, emancipation, religion, education, commerce, and civil rights. Use the interactive map to locate and learn about specific sites like Adam Robb’s Tavern, Beall-Dawnson House, and the Red Brick Courthouse.
A local artist in a program for young adults with disabilities has just accomplished something few artists have ever achieved. Her work was chosen to promote a new show about young people on the autism spectrum.
7News talked to Sarah Davie about this thrilling honor, her artwork, and her message to others with learning challenges.
You may have seen the bold, brightly colored promotional material for the new show on Amazon Prime about young adults with autism, called As We See It. The rainbow of geometric shapes on the backdrop artwork was created by Rockville artist Sarah Davie.
“Honestly it feels great to show the art and to let others know who is on the spectrum it sends a message that you can do it,” Davie said.
Davie did the piece as an artist in Rockville, Md. at Visarts, an art program for young adults with disabilities. Her message is inclusivity.
The title is called “The vision of pride.”
“The artwork is based on all colors, like skin colors, gender identities, all colors for everybody just to let everybody know everybody is welcome with all colors, different colors.”
Davie said living with disabilities left her struggling to adjust and find purpose and joy. But, when she discovered art, her life changed for the better.
“It feels great it’s like therapy. It calms me down and keeps me busy. I feel so much confidence, like when I do artwork.”
And it’s allowed her to thrive in other areas of her life too. Davie is also the goalie for the Montgomery Cheetahs, a special hockey team for kids with developmental disabilities. Her artwork will show she’s also a huge fan of the Washington Capitals.
Sarah’s mom’s advice to parents out there.
“Find what makes your child shine,” said Lisa Davie. “She [Sarah] does art that helps her through tough situations, to celebrate nature, the eagles and the capitals, she does art to get her through all of that, the good and the bad and it’s really wonderful to see her blossom.”
Like the moment she saw her artwork displayed in the middle of Times Square New York.
“Honestly, at first my reaction, my mom showed me the photo and I said ‘is this real,’ she said ‘yes it’s real,’ I was in shock with happiness!”
Sarah told 7News she has now had several pieces of her art commissioned, so she is proud to report she is a working artist doing what she loves as a career.
Whether it’s for work, for play or for life – Rockville’s vibrant residents, neighborhoods and businesses make it one of the nation’s best cities – all just outside Washington, D.C.!
There are so many fun things to do when visiting Rockville it’s hard to keep count! Here are THE 5 MUST STOPS that you just can’t miss when taking your own ZIP TRIP!
OLD RED BRICK COURTHOUSE: Come visit one of the most historic buildings in Rockville! See the iconic brickwork laid in 1891. Learn about the many cases about African-American legal rights that were tried here.
ROCK CREEK REGIONAL PARK: Explore eighteen hundred acres of preserved nature! Engage with the natural and cultural history of the park with the Meadowside Nature Center. Take out a boat and fish on Lake Needlewood.
COFFEE REPUBLIC: Taste delicious coffee made from local roasters in Rockville! Take a break to enjoy a snack and relax in the ambient atmosphere of the cafe. Refresh yourself with a variety of drinks and pastries.
TRUE RESPITE BREWING COMPANY: Come taste their phenomenal selection of beers and drinks! Schedule a private tasting or event with a group of friends. Experience true respite in their unique tap room.
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD THEATRE: Witness a variety of performing arts shows at this fun local theater! Immerse yourself in countless stories through different artistic mediums. Connect with other theater goers as you watch epic tales unfold right in front of you!
A long-standing tradition in Rockville – Hometown Holidays is an annual Memorial Day weekend festival preceding the City’s Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade. While the parade and ceremony continued at its traditional downtown location, Hometown Holidays was hosted in a new location – Redgate Park, in the city’s Rock East District.
With acres of park, two entertainment stages, two sand dunes, a giant selfie station, Cornhole, giant Connect Four, a kids craft tent and amusement rides there was no shortage of entertainment for both adults and children alike. The free festival at Redgate, Rockville’s newest park, welcomed hundreds of residents, families and visitors who enjoyed local and national musical acts, including performances by The Nighthawks, Capital Effect, Jah Works, Moosejaw Bluegrass, the Common Good, Daryl Davis, Hayley Fahey, and more.
Besides two entertainment stages, Hometown Holidays included “A Taste of Rockville”, a collection of Rockville’s eclectic restaurants and cuisine which included the likes of El Mercat Bar de Tapas, the Big Greek Café, Kusshi, The Crepe Shoppe, Kona Ice and Bibibop.
Rockville’s Mayor and Council welcomed patrons of Hometown Holidays on Saturday May 28, followed by a special announcement from Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI). REDI in collaboration with Visit Montgomery and the City of Rockville announced the launched of the city’s tourism website – ExploreRockville.org . The website includes an events calendar, suggested itineraries and a searchable directory of restaurants, things to do, parks and recreation facilities and more. Explore Rockville was also an exhibitor at Hometown Holidays, promoting the new website through public engagement and the distribution of branded giveaways and t-shirts.
Check out the photos of Hometown Holidays and the Explore Rockville launch video:
Spring is here, and that means the cherry trees are in bloom! With their peak around mid-March to late April, you can experience the beauty of these spring blossoms at the formal gardens at Glenview Mansion in Rockville Civic Center Park.
As you make your way to Glenview mansion, you’ll be greeted by a Kwanzan cherry tree lined road – a hint at the dozens of trees in bloom across the formal garden. According to the City of Rockville’s horticulturalist, Kwanzan trees bloom a week or two after their Yoshino cousins that are found in abundance in the garden.
Glenview Mansion is often booked for private events like weddings during the peak of cherry blossom season, so planning a visit during the weekday is best for capturing photos or a quiet, relaxing day at the gardens.
Rockville – located in Montgomery County, Maryland – is an easy day trip from both Baltimore and Washington DC, and its vibrant arts scene and rich history will make you want to spend the whole weekend!
Rockville is home to several historical sites, including the famed St. Mary’s Church, the final resting place of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda.
The arts scene in Rockville is thriving. VisArts believes that the arts should be accessible to everyone, and offers classes and opportunities for every age and ability. VisArts also strives for equality and inclusivity within the arts community, and the VisAbility Art Lab is open to artists with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
If you’d like to plan a trip to Rockville, be sure to check the Rockville Arts Festival in Spring!
A true reflection of Rockville’s multiculturalism, these 10 local restaurants will transport you around the globe through their unique, delicious and authentic dishes. Here are 10 restaurants from countries you can ‘visit’ in Rockville!
Mexico – Plaza Oaxaca
“We are a restaurant focused on promoting traditional Mexican food, our main focus being Oaxacan gastronomy, we are an authentic cuisine, an exquisite combination of pre-Hispanic and contemporary ingredients…”
“We make all of our Jamaican food from scratch with traditional cooking methods. The result is popular favorites such as curry chicken made in a way that brings out all the natural flavors.”
“The food we offer is a combination of authentic Peruvian cuisine and old family recipes. We wish to offer a small taste of our beloved Peru and we hope to be an accurate representation of our country.”
Address: 141 Gibbs Street, Rockville, MD 20850 Website: https://lacanelaperu.com/ Be sure to try: Ceviche de Pescado
La Canela
Ethiopia – Sheba
“Here at Sheba we try to bring the diverse mix of ethnic backgrounds of Ethiopia through our rich menu which consists of popular meat based dishes, as well as renowned vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.”
“Mykonos Grill welcomes you and invites you to experience the Aegean, the tranquility of our island, our beautiful colors and our rich heritage. We bring it all together, put it on a plate and serve it to our guests.”
Address: 121 Congressional Lane, Rockville, MD 20852 Website: https://mykonosgrill.com/ Be sure to try: Mousaka Smyrna
Mykonos Grill
Italy – Fontina Grille
“Fontina Grille offers a delightful Italian fare prepared fresh daily using the highest quality ingredients. Whether you are in the mood for something new or just want to enjoy some old favorites, our friendly staff will make your next dining experience a pleasant one.”
Address: 801 Pleasant Drive, Rockville, MD 20850 Website: https://fontinagrille.com/ Be sure to try: Saltimbocca
Lebanon – Lebanese Taverna Café
“Lebanese Taverna brings a little piece of Lebanon back to us, and in turn, the customers experience Lebanese food and culture. The mood is always festive and, as is the Lebanese tradition, dishes are served with sharing in mind.”
“Om Fine Indian Cuisine is a cornerstone in the Rockville community and has become recognized for its outstanding Indian cuisine, excellent service and friendly staff. We are known for our modern interpretation of classic dishes and our insistence on only using high quality, fresh ingredients.”
“We have been awarded recognition by the Washingtonian Restaurant Guide, the Washington Post, Yelp and Zagat survey. Our menu favorites have been the pork soup dumlpings and the crab pork dumplings.”
Address: 305 N. Washington Street, Rockville, MD 20850 Website: https://www.bobsshanghai66.com/ Be sure to try: Leek & Pork Dumplings
Japan – Gyuzo Japanese BBQ
“We are an authentic Japanese yakiniku restaurant. At Gyuzo, we offer delicious grilled meat with a focus on imported beef. Our A5 Japanese Wagyu beef is hand cut by our chef and is characterized by the original taste of the meat and the sweetness of the marbling fat content.”
Address: 33 Maryland Avenue, Suite B, Rockville, MD 20850 Website: https://www.gyuzobbq.com/ Be sure to try: Uni-Meets Wagyu
Spend the day at Rockville Civic Center Park, the city’s largest park, full of fun places to explore. Get close to nature at the Croydon Creek Nature Center, explore the gardens of Glenview Mansion, or catch a show at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.
The Croydon Creek Nature Center is a short distance from downtown Rockville. The center sits on 120 acres of forest preserve and presents a world of discovery through interpretive exhibits and seasonal programs. Take a hike along 3 miles of marked trails to discover historic relics and tributary of Rock Creek.
Glenview Mansion sits at the heart of the Civic Center overlooking 28 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Stroll through the six-room art gallery, featuring rotating exhibitions by local, national and international artists. Get lost in the magic of the formal gardens. The stone archway and flagstone walkways make for the perfect photo opp.
Experience a captivating musical by the Rockville Musical Theatre, feel moved by the Victorian Lyric Opera Company. Or lose yourself in the spellbinding Rockville Civic Ballet. The F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre is a vibrant, local theatre dedicated to the performing arts.
Rockville’s history stretches back to the 1770’s starting as one of the first settlements in Montgomery County slowly growing into a bustling city post-World War II. Some 250 years later, Rockville would be almost unrecognizable to its residents of the past except for these historic Rockville treasures
Presently the centerpiece of the Rockville Civic Center Park, Glenview Mansion’s history traces back to the 1830’s. Named for its view of the valley below, Glenview’s original two-story farmhouse overlooked the estate’s 500 acres was built in 1838 by the Bowie family.
Glenview remained in the Bowie family until 1904 until it was finally acquired by a wealthy and connected couple from Washington. The property underwent significant upgrades in 1923, transformed into a country estate designed for entertaining. The 30+ room property is included on the National Register of Historic Places and because of its significant architecture and formal gardens, and is free and open to the public during visiting hours
This historic path cuts through Rockville and was used as an organized escape system for slaves, uniting fugitives with volunteers who would assist slaves before conveying them across the border to states where they could live in freedom. According to historians, fugitives walked up the C&O Canal towpath, traveled north on what is now Rockville Pike/Frederick Road.
Dr. Frieda Fromm-Reichmann’s Cottage 19 Thomas Street, Rockville MD 20850
The cottage in the west end of Rockville is associated with Dr. Frieda Fromm-Reichmann, a leading figure in American psychiatry renowned for her pioneering contributions to the treatment of schizophrenia. Dr. Fromm-Reichmann served as director of psychotherapy at Chestnut Lodge in Rockville, then a premier center for the study and treatment of schizophrenia.
The cottage was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2021 and is preserved and maintained by Peerless Rockville. Look out for events hosted at the cottage by Peerless Rockville
Image copyright Peerless Rockville
Rockville B&O Railroad Station
98 Church Street, Rockville MD 20850
Built in 1873, the Rockville station was one of several stops along the route between Washington and Point of Rocks. The station is designed in a Victorian Gothic style with Eastlake detailing, emblematic of its age.
By the development of the Metro in the 1970’s, the Rockville B&O Station had been seldom used and fallen into disrepair. In 1981 Peerless Rockville acquired and facilitated the move of the 400-ton station to its present location on Church Street. The former B&O Station is now occupied by a local law firm committed to the preservation of the building.
Renowned for his modern classic, “The Great Gatsby”, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s remains rest at the historic St. Mary’s Church in the heart of Rockville. Fitzgerald was a descendant of prominent Maryland families (the Scotts, Keys, and Fitzgeralds) with his father, Edward Fitzgerald born in then pre-Civil war Rockville.
Fitzgerald’s remains were originally interred at Rockville Cemetery, but was relocated along with his wife’s remains to St. Mary’s Catholic church by their daughter in 1975 upon the Women’s Club of Rockville’s suggestion. Today 15 member of the Fitzgerald and their extended family rest at St. Mary’s.
