Community Events
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland Western Maryland Chapter
The Western Maryland chapter of the National Federation of the Blind is seeking new members as it starts its local membership drive! Are you blind, visually impaired or know someone who is or maybe you work with the visually impaired? Consider joining the state's fastest growing chapter here in Western Maryland. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles betwen blind people and our dreams. For more information about the Western Maryland chapter and the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland please call 443-426-4110 or email at info@nfbmd.org.
Woman's Civic Club
The Woman's Civic Club located at 515 Washington Street, is now open for events. Plan your wedding, bridal shower, birthday parties, baby showers, business meeting, and community events at the beautiful 1855 Victorian house in the historic heritage district. New members are invited to join them on the third Thursday of each month for brunch, interesting speakers, social fellowship, and participate in community service activites. Help them continue to celebrate years of community service and dedication of Women sharing their talents, time, and civic pride for the future women of the area.
Resources for Independence
Resources for Independence is excited to announce an additional program that Western Maryland community members with disabilities can now benefit from. Through the current pandemic, the staff at RFI are dedicated to making resources available for individuals with disabilities during emergencies, or when their consumer's normal routines are disrupted. With this mission in mind, they have collaborated with local food banks and other agencies to create and dispense emergency preparedness kits to help families feel more secure when facing the unknown. Kits provided by the Emergency Preparedness Program from Resources for Independence include: First aid-basic antiseptic, bandages, gloves, and masks, Water, Non-perishable food, Manual can opener, Flashlight batteries, Soap, toilet paper, toothpaste & toothbrush. These kits filled with home essentials can be delivered directly to individuals with disabilities and their families upon request. If you would like to inquire about the Emergency Preparedness Program and would like to sign your family up to receive a kit, please reach out to Resources for Independence by calling 301-784-1774, or by filling out the contact page at http://www.rficil.org/. Resources for Independence (RFI) is a Center for Independent Living (CIL). Centers for Independent Living are grassroots, advocacy driven organizations run by and for people with disabilities. They focus on civil rights, the indenpendent living philosophy, and inclusion. If you would like to learn more about the services RFI provides to the community, and how you can get involved, visit hhtp://www.rficil.org/, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin.
Hounds Around Town
Looking for a day filled with furry friends and fun? Then look no further than the Allegany County Animal Shelter's "Hounds Around Town" program, which allows individuals to sign a shelter dog out for the day. The most important thing is you are giving an adoptable shelter dog a much-needed break from the kennels and providing enrichment and socialization. For more information on the "Hounds Around Town" program, contact the shelter at 301-777-5930
NOVEMBER
Friday, November 26-Thursday, December 23, 2021
The Polar Express Train Ride
The Magic Returns! The Polar Express Train Ride will be their largest annual event for 2021 at the Western Maryland Senic Railroad (WMSR). The nonprofit's Christmas train has become a holiday tradition drawing over 10,000 passengers in 2019. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad considers this year extraordinary and wants to ensure that this Allegany County holiday tradition continues, with departures from both Cumberland & Frostburg to the North Pole. The Polar Express runs from Friday, November 26th to Thursday, December 23rd. TIckets available at www.wmsr.com
DECEMBER
Friday, December 10 – Sunday, December 12, 2021
A Wicked Christmas Carol
The Embassy Theatre presents A Wicked Christmas Carol, a delightful and fun, family-friendly mash-up of Charls Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" and L Frank Baum's "Wizard of Oz". Beginning Friday, December 10th and Saturday, December 11th at 8:00PM and Sunday, December 12th at 2:00PM. The classic characters from Oz live out Dickens' hauntingly beautiful story of redemption and love. Tickets available at www.eventbrite.com/e/a-wicked-christmas-carol-tickets-195499071987.
Friday, December 10, 2021
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Allegany Arts Council is pleased to announce tickets are available for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" featuring The Eric Byrd Trio to take place Friday, December 10 at 6:30PM, on the second floor of 9 N. Centre Street in Cumberland. The evening performance will include watching the classic 23-minute "A Charlie Brown Christmas" film followed by a live performance of the complete soundtrack by the Eric Byrd Trio. The ticket price includes VIP admission to the Allegany Arts Council's 2021 Artist Holiday Market, which will be available exclusively to ticket holders from 5:00PM-6:00PM on Friday, December 10th. Tikets are $12 per person and are limited.
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Loft 129 Christmas Gala Fundraiser
The Concert Event of the Season! An exceptional concert to support the area's newest cultural event. Loft 129 Christmas Gala Fundraiser, Saturday, December 11th, doors open at 6:30PM, show starts at 7:30PM. Celebrate the season with a special concert to support the area's most talented group of musicians and vocalists performing Christmas classics by artists such as Nat King Cole, Donny Hathaway, Mariah Carey, Brenda Lee, Stevie Wonder, and more. The group will feature Barry Gurley, Beau Hartman, Jim Roderick, Mark Gauthier, Brian Plitnik, Rich Norwood, and Tom Simpson. Tickets are $20 in advance, $24 at the door. Purchase soon the show will sell out fast. They respectfully ask that attendees be masked or fully vaccinated (or both). Purchase tickets at https://loft129.org.
Saturday, December 11 – Snday, December 12, 2021
Women's Civic Club
The Women's Civic Club of Cumberland, 515 Washington Street is holding a Victorian Festival of Trees. There will be self-guided tours featuring over 20 decorated trees throughout the house. In addition to their decorated trees, they will have one specially decorated by the Garden CLub of Cumberland. Tours are Saturday, December 11th and Sunday, December 12th, 12:00PM – 4:00PM. There will be hot chocolate and their signature mints for sale, plus Christmas face masks and hand sanitizer will be provided. Tickets are $5.00 for anyone over the age of 12 and free for children. A raffle will be held during these events for a private catered for 8, scheduled for December 29th at 7:00PM. This will include soup, salad, entree and sides plus desset. Raffle tickets are $20 a piece for the dinner and valued at $1200. Tickets may be purchased through any civic club member or during tour hours. The winner of the raffle will be announced and contacted after the close of the tour on December 12th.
Embassy Theatre Audition: "Damn Yankees"
The Embassy Theatre will be holding auditions for their 2022 production of "Damn Yankees", directed by Brian Tucker with book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, DC, during a time when the New York Yankees dominated Major League Baseball. It is based on Wallop's 1954 novel "The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant". Auditions will take place at the Embassy Theatre, 49 Baltimore Street, Cumberland, Saturday, December 11th from 10:00AM to 3:00PM. Auditions will take place in groups starting at 10:00AM, 10:45AM, 11:30AM, 12:15PM, 1:00PM, 1:45PM, and 2:30PM. Callbacks will be held on Sunday, December 12th from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. Please prepare 18 bars of a song that shows your vocal range. They will have a bluetooth speaker available for pairing at the auditions. There will be some dance and movement as well so please dress in appropriate attire. Performance dates are April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, and 10th 2022. One role has been cast but there are multiple roles available for men and women in a range of ages. All available roles and details are available on the Facebook link https://fb.me/e/1KGuv3IJZ. For more information, contact Embassy Theatre at 240-362-7183, or visit Embassy on Facebook at embassytheatrecumberland.
Saturday, December 11-Friday, December 31, 2021
2021 Artist Holiday Market
The Allegany Arts Council's galleries will become an artist gift extravaganza during their 2021 Artist Holiday Market, to take place Saturday, December 11-Friday, December 31. The Artist Market has become one of the retail highlights of the gift-giving season as local artists, makers, and craftspeople create beautiful and original handmade gifts perfect for people of all ages. The market will feature various handcrafted items, which often include hats and mittens, postcards, small works of art, wood-turned items, jewlery, and so much more. Shop local and support artists by giving handmade treasures to your loved ones and friends this holiday season.
Friday, December 17 – Sunday, December 19, 2021
A Wicked Christmas Carol
The Embassy Theatre presents A Wicked Christmas Carol, a delightful and fun, family-friendly mash-up of Charls Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" and L Frank Baum's "Wizard of Oz". Beginning Friday, December 17th and Saturday, December 18th at 8:00PM and Sunday, December 19th at 2:00PM. The classic characters from Oz live out Dickens' hauntingly beautiful story of redemption and love. Tickets available at www.eventbrite.com/e/a-wicked-christmas-carol-tickets-195499071987.
Saturday, December 18 – Sunday, December 19, 2021
Holiday Model Railroad Open House
Come out for the Holiday Model Railroad Open House with the Mon Valley Railroad Historical Society, Inc. Saturday, December 18th, 10:00AM til 4:00PM and Sunday, December 19th 1:00PM til 4:00PM. Located at 5000 Green Bag Road, Morgantown (Mountaineer Mall) Admission is free. Enjoy Christmas music and there will be used trains for sale, plus lots of Model Railroading. For more information call 304-276-1046 or visit their website www.MVRRHS.org or on their facebook page www.facebook.com/MVRRHS.
Sunday, December 19, 2021
"Mary Did You Know" Christmas Cantata
The Choir of First Congretational Church of Frostburg will present the Christmas cantata "Mary Did YouKnow?" on Sunday, December 19th during the 10:45AM worship service. This cantata take us back to God's silence being ended by the simple statement of an angel to a young Jewish maiden, "You are highly favored. You wil have a Son. You are to call Him Jesus" Please join them at First Congregational Church, 103 Bowery Street, Frostburg, MD as they raise their voices in song to celebrate the joy of Christmas and the hope of the world, Jesus.
