Harmony Arts Jamboree Set for Saturday and Sunday at Hawkwood Farm

 August 4-5, the Harmony Arts Jamboree will be held at Hawkwood Farm in Myersville, MD.  This arts and music festival will feature two full days of tunes, artistic talent, and workshops out the wazoo. The best part? While you're having a great time, you'll also be doing good as this event benefits the Frederick Memorial Hospital Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund! If you're thinking this location sounds slightly off the beaten path, in reality it's only a short distance from  I-70 near Frederick (roughly a 30 minute drive from the Panhandle).

Who's jamming at this jamboree? My latest obsession, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong*, the always lovely Lucas & The Lovelys, Hard Swimmin' Fish, The Zion Hearts, The Steel Wheels, and Cotton Jones to highlight a few. Here's the latest lineup as of post time (click to enlarge): 

And the workshops? Pretty wow-worthy! You can take in everything from Flying Yoga to Belly Dancing for Beginners to DIY Didgeridoo to name a few. For more information on the workshops, check out the official website: http://www.harts-jam.com
  
Tickets for the festival are $20 a day or $35 for the whole weekend (kids under 13 are free!). Like all great festivals, camping is available and costs a mere $10 per car.  Tickets are available HERE and be sure to check the "NO" list since neither camp fires nor furry friends are permitted.
  
NOTE: this is a BYOB event--alcohol will not be sold on site, so stock up on ice and pack your favorite party cooler with your canned (glass is a no-go) frosty beverage of choice. 

For the latest updates, check out the event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/413236708707561/

What

Harmony Arts Jamboree

   

When

August 4 -5

   

Where

Hawkwood Farm

10519 Highland School Road

 Myersville, MD  21773

           
Cost

$35 -- Weekend Pass

$20 -- One Day Pass

$10 -- Carload of Campers

Free -- Kiddos under 13

*Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will also be at the Shepherdstown Opera House on Friday night!!!

Knob Hall Winery Presents: Parrothead Beach Bash 2012!

I don't know about you pretty readers, but after the month I have had, I am ready for some sort of getaway. There will be fun in the sun this Saturday at  Knob Hall Winery in Clear Spring, MD, where they will be bringing the beach to you! 

"Imagine yourself sitting under swaying palm trees while you lounge close to home, no fighting Bay Bridge traffic jams, because the only jammin’ you’ll be doing is with a steel drum band and the incredible, nationally acclaimed Jimmy Buffett Tribute band Parrot Beach who will perform all of Buffett’s most loved island tunes and then some!"

I don't know if this did it for you, but I am already there! Get yourself out of the house and to this event before you let these long work weeks ruin your summer!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!

What
Parrothead Beach Bash
aka

Fun in the Sun, like going on a one day party to your ultimate vacation destination!!

When 

Saturday, July 28

Where

Knob Hall Winery
14108 St. Paul Road
Clear Spring, MD 21722

$$$

10-30

Come Stand Up for Mason at this Hidden Talent Show

On Saturday, July 28th the "Stand Up for Mason: Hidden Talent Show" will be held to raise funds for Shepherdstown's Mason Ellsworth. The show will feature a variety of performances from local kids and adults who hope to entertain and support the Ellsworth family's effort to raise funds for new medical equipment for Mason. Mason, who was left with very limited motor functions after a serious car accident caused traumatic brain injury, is said to making progress toward one day standing and walking again.

Refinement's Judi Platz has teamed up with Sylvia Ellsworth to showcase some of Shepherdstown's hidden talents in this two-day fundraising event. Saturday will feature adult performances and Sunday will showcase local children. Music, dance, comedy and magic acts will take to the stage! The performers will work to raise as much money as possible during their performances, so be sure to bring cash to donate to the fundraising basket! Local "celebrity judges" will be in attendance and top fundraisers will take home special hand-painted instruments, decorated by Mason.

If you're interested in an entertaining experience and supporting a good cause, come out on Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to the Shepherdstown Train Station!

What

Stand up for Mason Hidden Talent Show

When

Saturday, July 28th at 7 pm

and

Sunday the 29th at 4 pm

Where Shepherdstown Train Station

Cost

Free Admission, Cash Donations are welcome!

Image via www.sodahead.com 

Make Your List, Check it 2x: it's Christmas in July at PLUM!

All this week, PLUM in Shepherdstown, WV, will be offering holly jolly jewelry specials as part of their Christmas in July festivities!
        

My latest PLUM find :)

In addition to the daily deals outlined below, everyone who makes a purchase this week will be entered to win a one of Cari Aliveto Rosen's custom 1/2 inch disk tag necklaces (your choice of brass or silver) with personalized stamping on one side. The drawing will take place Saturday, July 28th and the winner will be posted on Plum's Facebook page!
     
This is the perfect time to snag some back-to-school baubles, do a little early Christmas shopping, or just buy yourself a gorgeous little thing or two ;)
      
And for those of you stuck in the office during the week (like yours truly), a little birdie told me just there might be a special weekend SURPRISE announced later this week. To keep "in the know" be sure to follow PLUM on Facebook                      ( www.facebook.com/plumwv ).

Happy shopping and good luck in the drawing! 

Tuesday

20% off of ANY Cari Aliveto Rosen jewelry (INCLUDING CUSTOM WORK!)

Wednesday

Purchase a gift certificate for $30.00 or more and we'll issue you another FREE gift certificate valued at $25.00 (limit one per customer)
 

Thursday

FREE friendship bracelet with charm with ANY purchase
  

Friday

Any purchase earns you a $5.00 Plum buck voucher valid during the months of August-October 2012
   

Saturday

Drawing for FREE custom 1/2'' disk tag with stamping!

Top image courtesy of PLUM

Chic to Chic: Calling all Fashionista's for THE BIG SALE

Chic to Chic will be having a huge sale starting this Wednesday! 50% off ALL original priced clothing AND shoes. 20% off select designer handbags and 10% off Louis Vuitton, Chanel and fine jewelry. What more could a fashion addict as for? Come out and buy yourself a nice gift for making it halfway through this rough work week! 

Who

Chic to Chic

What 

Hugh fashion sale extravaganza 

Where 

15930 Luanne Dr, Gaithersburg, Maryland

When

Starts Wednesday, July 25

Some of Shepherdstown Street Fest's Pretty Things

Check out a few of the pretty things, sights and sounds Street Fest 2012 had to offer. Vendors from all over the area and thousands of fest-goers emerged from "derecho" and braved the heat to have some fun Saturday, June 30. A portion of proceeds from Street Fest 2012 will benefit the Eastern Panhandle Free Clinic AND Street Fest 2012 will donate new benches/bike racks to Shepherdstown in honor of its 250th Anniversary!

Check out the pretty items Square Peg Meg brought to share.

These Pretty little cacti also made an appearance. And of course the street was packed with fun and music!

 

*Photos by Kelly Cambrel

BMA to Host 1st Annual 'Grass & Grub on Saturday

Saturday, July 21, the local Bluegrass Music Alliance will host their first annual 'Grass & Grub Festival at Moose Acres in Martinsburg, WV.

Featured bands for this debut event include Drymill Road and Circa Blue (in case you missed them at The Bloomin' Bash last weekend) as well as The Shuey Brothers, Ernie Bradley & The Grassy Ridge, and The Back Creek Valley Boys. Guests are also encourage to BYOB (Bring Your Own Banjo) or other instrument to join in some jams throughout the day!

Tickets for this event are $20 and include admission and a BBQ platter for lunch. You can purchase tickets online HERE or at the Martinsburg-Berkeley County CVB located at 115 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg, WV.

What

'Grass & Grub Festival

When

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Gates open at 11AM

Where

Moose Acres

1063 Douglas Grove Road

Martinsburg, WV 

Cost

$20

4th Annual Hillbilly Daylilies Bloomin' Bash: Blugrass, BBQ, and Lots of Lilies!

Only a few more days 'til Hillbilly Daylilies in Bunker Hill, WV, throws their 4th Annual Bloom' Bash! This year's bash will be held Saturday, July 14, from 9AM to 3pm. In addition to featuring gardening workshops, live 'grass bands, and GORGEOUS blooms, this year's event will also benefit the Berkeley County Humane Society!

Tunes for Saturday will be provided by some of my favorite local bands, who have popped up on Pretty in the Panhandle quite a few times--Stoney Creek, Drymill Road, Circa Blue--sound familiar? Between Grass 'n Grub, Pickin' in the Panhandle, and Outer Banks Bluegrass Fest, this won't be the last time I post about them either :)

The workshop schedule for this year's Bloomin' Bash is posted below, and if you're interested be sure to pre-register!

10am Veggies for Small Spaces
11am The Modern Iris
12pm Plant This Not That
1pm Raising Cacti & Succulents
2pm Culinary Herbs & Edible Flowers

Tickets are $10 for Adults, $5 for kiddos 6-12, and Free for kiddos under 5 years old. For more information visit http://www.hillbillydaylilies.com/bloominbash.html and keep your fingers crossed for pretty weather!

What

4th Annual Bloomin' Bash

When

Saturday, July 14, 2012

9AM to 3pm

Where

Hillbilly Daylilies

1105 Giles Mill Road

Bunker Hill, WV  25413

Cost

$10 for Adults

$5 for Kids 6-12

Free for Kids 5 and Under

CATF: 22 Annual

It is that time of year, again! The 22nd annual CATF event! If you are a lover of theater and would enjoy a vacation to an artsy town feel then this is your safe haven! The Contemporary American Theater Festival is dedicated to producing and developing new American theater. Their goal is to: sustain an artistic process of innovation and daring, tell diverse stories, and to create a profound and ever evolving relationship between the audience and the work.

These plays are always truly phenomenal, each year they all truly take my breathe away. I truly didn't think any play would come close to the feeling I had after last years From Prague by Kyle Bradstreet. However, CATF did it again this year with Gidions Knot by Johnna Adams. It was truly a breathtaking play that left me at a loss for words it is without a doubt a must see. 

Five New American Plays in Rotating Repertory

CATF is located in the historic and beautiful town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, just an hour and a half from Washington, DC and Baltimore. CATF is in residence on the campus of Shepherd University. Shepherd University, a fully accredited public institution of higher education founded in 1871 and located in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

                                      

FACTS OF INTEREST
CATF is one of the most vital new play development centers in the country. Since 1991, CATF has produced 68 new plays, including 23 world premieres. Adventurous audiences from 32 states, the District of Columbia and Canada have attended the Theater Festival’s productions. The plays are professionally produced using Actors' Equity Association's LORT D contract; CATF operates under agreements from AEA, United Scenic Artists, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

What

22nd Annual CATF

Where

Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV

When

July 6-29 (More detailed schedule)

$$$

30-52$

Gidions Knot by Johnna Adams

The Exceptionals by Bob Clyman
In a Forest, Dark and Deep by Neil LaBute

Captors by Evan M. Wiener

Barcelona by Bess Wohl 

I will be tweeting my experience at CATF follow me at: @meghannambrose.

Sokel Makeup Miracle

          
After years of doing my own makeup with little instruction from anyone, I find that there is a better way of doing things, after all! Anna Sokel truly knows what she is talking about when if comes to makeup and skin. I learned more in one sitting with her than I have in my entire life. My favorite new tip is how to apply powder. There is a correct direction to apply it! It makes it easier when applying and it also causes less of a mess! For those of you who did not read my earlier post about Anna's classes here it is: Sokel Makeup Classes. 


I enjoyed learning how to properly apply my makeup as well as the importance of how to keep my skin healthy. There is so much propaganda out there right now! Be sure to check out these classes as well as Anna's awesome makeup line and services!

When

August 13

September 24

Class begins at 6:30 and lasts 2-3 hours

Where

123 N. Charles Street, Charles Town, WV 25414

Cost

$$ 25

                                                                               

Supplies

Bring any make up you have! Along with all of your brushes and sponges. However, if you are running low there will be supplies at the classes.



 

Shenandoah Riverside Festival 2012

Andrew Hendryx of Yarn

From the first notes by Drymill Road to Holy Ghost Tent Revival's final (final) encore, the 3rd Annual Shenandoah Riverside Festival, set a standard that's going to be tough for the rest of this summer's music fests to follow.

Held June 15 & 16 alongside the Shenandoah River at Watermelon Park Campground in Berryville, VA, this venue was beyond perfect as it not only provided picturesque views and a place to cool down, but it also allowed festival goers to appreciate why this music fest was founded. The Shenandoah Riverside Festival doubles as a fundraiser to raise money for Earth Korps to help clean up the Shenandoah River. This year's event raised over $3,000 that will be invested in maintaining this natural treasure.

So what made this festival SO fantastic (besides my new Taj maTent)?

First, let's talk tunes. This festival wasn't just about a headliner or two. Every single band on the two-day lineup, left you wanting to hear more. Yes, headliners Iron Horse and Rhonda Vincent definitely deserved their names in the big print, but wow, words can't describe the consistency in the quality of artists showcased at this event. Yarn, out of Brooklyn, New York, may have been one of my favorite "new" bands from the weekend, I think, maybe, but it's a really tough call. All of the bands were so captivating that the only time you retreated back to your campsite was during breaks--you just didn't want to miss out on any of the music!

Driftin' Westward

Since you really couldn't be bothered with too much campsite cooking, Jordan Springs Market was sort of a life-saver. This family-owned barbecue biz raises their own beef, uses as much local produce as possible, and makes all sides in-house. It may have been the best brisket and coleslaw that has ever passed my palate.

Last, but far from least, were the camping conditions. Prior to this fest, I had heard many great things about Watermelon Park , but I couldn't imagine what all the fuss was about; then I turned off Route 7, and it all made sense. As you wind back Lockes Mill Road, you start to catch a glimpse or two of the Shenandoah and quickly feel like you've been transported to a place much more than a few miles from civilization. While I camped right on the river, I don't think there are any "bad" spots. There's something for everyone whether you want waterfront, shade trees, or a combination of the two. As for the "facilities," they are spotless and there are SHOWERS! Say you have a friend that's a little afraid of camping and the concept of roughing it in the wild, Watermelon Park is where you want to take them. This was my first trip to Watermelon Park and I cannot wait to go back in September for the Watermelon Park Festival!
                     

Drymill Road

To keep up with Earth Korp's clean-up activities visit their blog at: http://earthkorps.webs.com/

For more pictures from Shenandoah Riverside Festival visit Pretty in the Panhandle on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/prettyinthepanhandle
                

Kevin Williams of Holy Ghost Tent Revival