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Arts Center Spruces Up
Marking its 10th anniversary, the Carroll Arts Center this year invested some $10,000 in sprucing up its headquarters on Westminster’s Main Street. Included in the project: a total repaint, new floors for its theater and stage, new gallery lighting, an updated sound system and repairs to its marquee and windows. The center will celebrate its anniversary and new look with a themed exhibit on April 18 in its refurbished gallery space.

Drama Depicts Women In Civil War
In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre will perform “Finally Heard: Feminine Heroes of an Uncivil War,” on Friday, May 3, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 4, at 2 p.m. at the Carroll Arts Center.
“Finally Heard” tells the story of six remarkable women who served their country in different capacities during the Civil War. The original script was written in 1997 by Angela D’Ambrosia, Sophie Arrick, Meg Coyle-Stanford, Gene Fouche, Rona Mensah and Wanda Schell. The production will be directed by Suzanne Beal.
The performances are sponsored by Carroll County Office of Tourism and is appropriate for ages 12 through adult. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for Carroll County Arts Center members, students 18 and under and seniors
60 and over. Groups of 20 or more can receive a 20 percent discount.

The Iron Ridge Bluegrass band returns to the Carroll Arts Center stage on Saturday evening, April 27, at 7 p.m. The five-piece traditional bluegrass ensemble comprises Denny Kopp on mandolin, Jay Mosley on banjo, Joey Mosley and Doug Sims on guitar and train whistle and Max Allison on upright bass. Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults and $13 for Arts Council members, seniors 60 and over and students 18 and under.

Memorial Day Parade
Local veterans’ organizations, war re-enactors, Scouts and civic groups will be among the marchers in Westminster’s Memorial Day Parade, starting May 27 at 10 a.m. on Monroe Street and ending with a 21-gun salute in a ceremony at the Westminster Cemetery on Church Street. The Westminster High School and Westminster City bands will provide parade music.

A mystery based on an Elvis impersonation contest gone wrong will be the theme of this year’s Carroll Lutheran Village Mystery Dinner Theatre on May 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. in the Lutheran Village’s Krug Chapel Auditorium. Attendees are asked (but not required) to come in Elvis or ’50s attire. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Carroll Lutheran Village Health Care Center. For information: 410-840-8812 or mleckron@clvillage.org.

Peepshow
The Carroll Arts Center’s sixth annual Peepshow, which has as its theme the yellow marshmallow chicks made by the Just Born Co. of Bethlehem, Pa., is under way at the center and runs until April 7, when winners of the most original peep creations will be announced. Last year, the center logged 190 entries in its competition for creative Peep-using artists and craftspeople.
The public can vote for their favorites by purchasing chips. Last year more than 13,000 votes were cast! Awards to those receiving the top six highest votes will be announced on Sunday, April 7. All proceeds will benefit the Carroll County Arts Council.
The PEEPshow is sponsored by local orthodontist Dr. Edward M. Goldman and New Windsor State Bank with support from Just Born. Admission to the event is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including Easter Sunday. Voting will end at 4 p.m. on the final day of the event.

“Paint Out Westminster”
The second annual Carroll County Arts Council’s “Paint Out Westminster,” event will be held on Saturday, May 11, in conjunction with Westminster’s Flower and Jazz Festival. Artists will be painting “plein air” (on-site) from 9:30 a.m. to
3:30 p.m. at various locations throughout downtown Westminster.
An exhibit and sale of the paintings created during the event will be held from May 13 to June 11 in the new Director’s Hall Gallery at the Carroll Arts Center.
Artists 18 years and older who are interested in participating can visit the Art Center’s web site, www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org or call Susan Williamson at 410-848-7272. Artists must pre-register by May 1. Admission to the exhibit is free.

More than 120 works of art, all measuring 10 by 10 inches, will be on exhibit at the Carroll Arts Center, running April 15 through June 7. The unique show commemorates the 10th anniversary of the center. All works will be on sale for $100, with 75 percent of the sale price going directly to the artist and the remaining 25 percent benefiting the Carroll County Arts Council. The exhibit is sponsored by Tevis Energy. Art Center members and participating artists are invited to a reception on April 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for the general public. Reservations can be obtained by calling 410-848-7272.

“Hello Dolly!” Trip
If you want to see the 1964 Tony Award-winning musical “Hello, Dolly!” in Washington’s Ford’s Theatre on April 12, sign up at the Carroll Arts Center. The $80 price ($75 for Arts Center members) includes bus transportation and gratuity for the driver, an orchestra seat, and a light snack. Lunch is on your own. Bus departs at 10 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m.