Bethesda Actually

Another interesting Strathmore event:

The National Philharmonic Chorale, led by Chorale Artistic Conductor Stan Engebretson, will perform Verdi’s Requiem on May 21 at 8 pm at the Music Center at Strathmore. In addition to featuring the 200 voice all-volunteer Chorale, the concert will showcase soprano Arianna Zukerman (mezzo-soprano); Patricia Miller (tenor); Don Bernardini (tenor); and Kevin Deas (bass).

The Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane
North Bethesda, MD  20852
T 301.493.9283
F 301.493.9284

Friends, I participated in a private briefing for a client at Symphony Park and have to say that I am even more excited about this project than I was before. As discussed previously, it is a wonderful integrated arts and living community in a strategically important area between downtown Bethesda and White Flint.

If you are interested in learning more about Symphony Park give me a call at (240)486-3921. I’m happy to answer your questions. I’ll be writing more in the days ahead. Cheers! Raj

The site from the Mansion.

Raj Purohit

Weichert Realtors

7200 Wisconsin Ave

Bethesda, MD 20814

(240)486-3921  (direct)

(301)656-2500 (main)

Friends, a Bethesda Actually reader just let us know about her terrific new Jewelry business with a local twist. Take a look at the site and the products featured and if you have purchased anything let us know what you think!

Friends, just wanted to share this release:

NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC SINGERS

PRESENT SPRING CONCERT

North Bethesda, MD, March 4, 2011 – National Philharmonic Singers, under the direction of conductors Stan Engebretson and Victoria Gau, will present a free concert of music from a variety of periods, ranging from early madrigals to contemporary, on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 8 pm at Christ Episcopal Church, 107 South Washington Street, Rockville, Maryland. The accompanist will beTheodore M. Guerrant.

Music will include several madrigals by Renaissance composer and organist Thomas Morley;Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52, for voices and four-hand piano; and Liebeslieder Polkas by the colorful P.D.Q. Bach (alias Prof. Peter Schickele) for singers and five-hand piano. Other highlights include a contemporary setting of Shakespeare texts by the late jazz great George Shearing entitled “Music to Hear.”

National Philharmonic Singers is a chamber choir and one of several performing ensembles of the National Philharmonic. As such, it promotes works suited for smaller ensembles, whether with accompaniment or a cappella. Its repertoire ranges from 15^th to 21^st Centuries, and it often premiers new compositions by local composers. The group performs throughout the area but most often at Christ Episcopal Church.

For more information, please visit nationalphilharmonic.org for call 301-493-9283, ext. 116.

I took a trip into DC on Saturday evening to see two fantastic plays presented by the Ambassador Theater at the Mead Theatre Lab (916 G St. NW), about three blocks from Metro Center station and only a two block walk to Gallery Place/Chinatown on the Red Line.

I had a really enjoyable evening and without giving anything away, the plays, by Rabindranath Tagore and Maurice Maeterlinck, are mysterious and highly symbolic, leaving the audience room for personal interpretation and contemplation.  After the second play finished the audience was able to engage in a Q&A with the actors – a terrific opportunity to chat about the broader meaning of the stories and the different ways that people had interpreted them.  It was great fun, the acting was excellent and the intimate nature of the theater added to the atmosphere.

The plays are performed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday (8pm) and Sunday at 7:30pm (with a 3pm performance Saturday and Sunday also) between now and February 12th.  More information here.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

We get email:

I’ve been a frequent reader of the blog, so I wanted to share the news about my new Bethesda-based business. CurryCo Creative Enterprises specializes in quirky greeting cards and other photo-stationery products. The 2010 holiday card collection is nearly complete and we expect to have more calendars and some stocking stuffers (magnets, bookmarks, etc.) available in the near future.
 
Our current inventory is available at www.zazzle.com/CurryCo. We are also happy to create custom products – queries should be sent to CurryCreative@gmail.com

Folks — if you haven’t been to the arts festival be sure to check it out this weekend — should be terrific!

Friends,

As you know we have featured the PeriPoint building and the Gallery Neptune on several occasions. We love the building and believe it to be a true Bethesda landmark – perhaps even the most unique and original building in town.  The values of its owners have been infused into this Green building, and we’re very proud to be able to keep you informed of the next stage in PeriPoint’s evolution.

Gallery Neptune has now concluded seven years of finely produced exhibitions featuring the superb talent of artists in the mid Atlantic region. Moving ahead, the education program at Studio Neptune is expanding beyond ages 6-14 by offering select classes for high school students and adults.

Elyse (who co-owns the building with her husband Michael) will continue teaching and is excited by the prospect of identifying the right tenants to build on their work and take PeriPoint to the next level.

In this special three part series, we will showcase the opportunities available for the right tenants at PeriPoint.  We firmly believe this landmark building is a must-see for restauranteurs and others seeking a stunning space in Bethesda.  Just follow the coming articles then pay a visit to PeriPoint.  Here’s a visual taste of what you can expect from the coming series, and what you will discover when you visit the real thing.

PeriPoint is located at 5001 Wilson Lane Bethesda, MD 20814-2455 (corner of Old Georgetown Road).  See map below:

For more info drop Raj an email at rajlaw@yahoo.com

My full contact info:
Raj Purohit

Weichert Realtors 7200 Wisconsin Ave Bethesda

Direct 240-486-3921

Work 301 656 2500

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

This fantastic collection of photographs was taken by 23-year-old self-taught photographer Verónica Magán on a recent visit to Bethesda.  Each picture captures the “common things” around our streets, from brick walls to sidewalks and doors, framing these objects that we so often take for granted, or simply don’t notice, in a new light.

Verónica, from Venezuela, got to know Bethesda’s streetscene while visiting her boyfriend who works here.  In true DC fashion, most days were spent shopping and visiting museums.  But after a tiring tourist trek they decided to spend the last weekend in Bethesda, which inspired Verónica to create this album.

“While getting to know the colorful streets and restaurants, I noticed the beauty hidden in the “common” things, the things you take for granted when you go by the streets of Bethesda,” she said.

“Every feature of the city has a beautiful detail: the sidewalks, the walls, the benches, the corners, drains… they are all made of different materials and colors that bring Bethesda to life. I guess I could say I felt Bethesda through its textures, so I decided to photograph it.”

And the results are fantastic!  All the pictures were taken using a 30-year-old Pentax KC 1000 with a 35mm ASA400 film.  “I couldn’t think of a better camera to capture the mixture of modern and traditional spirit I found in Bethesda. I’ll be back next Christmas to find new inspiration on a new season,” she added.

Thanks very much to Verónica for allowing us to publish her work.  To see her full set, click here.

Folks — this Tuesday you can watch the classic film “Some Like it Hot” at Bethesda Row (across from the Apple Store) — another super free movie night in Bethesda!