The Columbia Festival of the Arts (CFA) has officially announced its Winter/Fall Festival line-up. Embracing the theme “Beyond The Blues,” CFA will present 10 dynamic events, which includes headliners Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour; the music of “’Trane, Miles & Mingus” with Vince di Mura and James Brandon Lewis; August Wilson’s play “Gem of the Ocean”; two Sundance award winning films, “Fruitvale Station” and “20 Feet From Stardom,” six short plays from New Theatre Movement, “Black Lives, Black Words”; an art gallery reception and blues concert with Samuel James; plus insightful lectures, including a conversation with Baltimore Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah, play readings and more. Tickets and information is available via www.columbiafestival.org.
Thursday, Feb. 4, 7–8:30 p.m.
Lecture on August Wilson
“The Ground on Which He Stood”
By University of Maryland doctoral candidate Khalid Yaya Long.
Oliver’s Carriage House, Kittamaqundi Community Church, free
Friday, Feb. 5, 7–10:30 p.m.
August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean”
A journey of truth, freedom and justice
by The Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, Mark Clayton Southers, founder and producing artistic director. Celebration Church, tickets $25
Saturday, Feb. 6, 6–8:30 p.m.
Samuel James | Art Opening and Blues Concert
Gallery exhibition private showing, followed by concert.
Columbia Art Center, tickets $15
Friday, Feb. 12, 7–9 p.m.
Conversation with Kwame Kwei-Armah, visionary artistic director
Oliver’s Carriage House, Kittamaqundi Community Church, tickets $10
Saturday, Feb. 13, 4–6 p.m.
An Afternoon of Jazz | The Music of ’Trane, Miles & Mingus
Monteabaro Recital Hall, Howard Community College, tickets $15
Saturday, Feb. 13, 7-9 p.m.
Film: “20 Feet From Stardom,” Sundance Film Festival winner
Monteabaro Recital Hall, Howard Community College, tickets $10
Sunday, Feb. 14, 6–8 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Jazz: Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour | Longest Consecutively-Running Jazz Festival in the World
Featuring Raul Midon, Ravi Coltrane, Nicholas Payton, Gerald Clayton, Joe Sanders and Gregory Hutchinson.
Jim Rouse Theatre, tickets $36–$51
Saturday, Feb. 20, 4–6 p.m.
Film: “Fruitvale Station,” Sundance Audience and Grand Jury Prize winner
Monteabaro Recital Hall, Howard Community College, tickets $10
Saturday, Feb. 20, 7–9 p.m.
Black Lives, Black Words | Six Short Plays From a New Theatre Movement
Monteabaro Recital Hall, Howard Community College, tickets $15
Sunday, Feb. 21, 4–6 p.m.
Columbia Voices | Staged Reading of Act One by Gwydion Suilebhan, Directed by Todd Olson.
Oliver’s Carriage House, Kittamaqundi Community Church
Partner & Special Events
Saturday, Feb. 6, 4–6 p.m.
Partner Event| HoCoPoLitSo presents “Poetry and Percussion,”
with Poet Steven Leyva.
Kittleman Room of Duncan Hall, Howard Community College, visit www.HoCoPoLitSo.org for more information/tickets
Tuesday, March 15, 7–9 p.m.
Postsecret: The Show | Trust Your Story
The Horowitz Center Smith Theatre, tickets $35–$45