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| May 26-27, 2012 Memorial Day Parade: Monday, May 28, 2012 Thank you for supporting us in 2011. Details from the 2011 Hometown Holidays and Memorial Day Parade can be found below. | ||
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 Entertainment Schedule • Site Map • All Concerts are FREE |
| Main Stage |
 Kelly Bell Band6:30 p.m. Named “Best Band in the Mid-Atlantic Region” for the past 11 years (blues category); the Kelly Bell Band's deeply rooted style is capable of stepping across several musical genres from one moment to the next. Selling more than 100,000 units and gaining rabid fans for more than a decade, the Kelly Bell Band has shared the stage with some of the industry’s best: James Brown, The Black Crowes, Ziggy Marley, Buddy Guy, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Matchbox 20, Robert Cray, G. Love & Special Sauce, Better than Ezra, Cheap Trick, Bo Diddley and many more. The band's live show is a musical marathon second to none. |
Taj Mahal won a Grammy in 1997 for his album, “Senor Blues,” which featured “Having a Real Bad Day” and “Irresistible Blues.” Taj Mahal is also known for such hits as “Statesboro Blues” and “John the Revelator” from The Blues Brothers movie. Born Henry St. Claire Fredericks in Harlem on May 17, 1942, Taj Mahal grew up in Springfield, Mass. His father was a jazz pianist, composer and arranger of Caribbean descent, and his mother was a gospel singing schoolteacher from South Carolina. Both parents encouraged their children to take pride in their diverse ethnic and cultural roots. His father had an extensive record collection and a shortwave radio that brought sounds from near and far into the home. His parents also started him on classical piano lessons, but after only two weeks, young Henry already had other plans about what and how he wanted to play. Henry studied agriculture at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in the early 1960s. Inspired by a dream, he adopted the musical alias of Taj Mahal and formed the popular U. Mass party band, the Elektras. After graduating, he headed west in 1964 to Los Angeles, where he formed the Rising Sons, a six-piece outfit that included guitarist Ry Cooder. The band opened for numerous high-profile touring artists of the ‘60s, including Otis Redding, the Temptations and Martha and the Vandellas. Around this same time, Taj also mingled with various blues legends, including Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Lightnin' Hopkins and Sleepy John Estes. |
| Maryland Stage |
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 The Finest! 4-5 p.m. Composed of youth from Rockville and the surrounding areas, The Finest! is an award-winning performance troupe. Since 1989, The Finest! membership has come to include writers, choreographers, steppers, praise/liturgical and hip-hop dancers, singers, actors, models, marching drills, pom-poms, drummers and more. |
 ABADA Capoiera5:30-6 p.m. ABADÁ-Capoiera is a nonprofit group whose main objective is to promote Capoeira and Brazilian culture, and to use it as an important vehicle and example for social integration and individual growth. Capoiera (pronounced ka-poo-eyh-rah) is an Afro-Brazilian martial art and self-defense discipline that brings together fighting techniques, acrobatics, dance, percussion and songs, in a rhythmic dialogue of body, mind and spirit. Capoeira helps people to approach conflict, fear and uncertainty with greater confidence, determination and humor. It also helps to develop physical, mental and social skills. |
| Kids Activities |
 Kids Activities1-10 p.m. Enjoy activities for children of all ages in the Middle Lane parking lot, including a Triple Threat Moonbounce, Safari Experience, Finding Nemo, Cars Speedway, Turbo Tubs, Dixie Twister Swing, Rock n Roll Tumbler, Whirley Bird, Double Lane Slide and Kiddie Swings. Kids activities are provided by Rockville-based Talk of the Town, www.tottevents.com. Please note: Fee for activities. |
| Plaza Stage |
 Crowded Streets11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Crowded Streets, the Nation's #1 Dave Matthews Band Tribute started as a project of lead singer Gabe Matthews. He began auditioning musicians in the Washington D.C., metro area to create the best sonic reproduction of the world renowned Dave Matthews Band. |
 Blaggards2-3:30 p.m. Blaggards formed in July 2004 in Houston, Texas, playing Stout Irish Rock, traditional Irish music mixed with rock n’ roll, informed by everything from Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. Blaggards are vocalists Patrick Devlin (guitar) and Chad Smalley (bass), plus fiddler Brandi Belle Clarke and drummer Michael McAloon. Blaggards maintain a rigorous schedule, playing throughout Texas and touring nationally several times a year. The band's latest CD, Live in Texas, was released in July 2010. |
 Superland4:30-6:30 p.m. Formed in 2004 at the University of Maryland, Superland quickly became College Park’s favorite band. Superland featues a raucous horn section playing funk classics from the ‘60s and '70s. On the way, Superland has played shows with local favorites Chuck Brown, the Bridge and the Pietasters, as well as Papa Grows Funk and Sam Kininger. In 2008, Superland backed up guitar legend Tom Principato in a reunion with vocalist George Leh. Later that year Superland released its first studio recording, “Taste the Mangos.” |
| Acoustic Stage |
 Joshua Bayer1:30-2 p.m. Washington, D.C., jazz guitarist, bassist and composer Joshua Bayer has performed at venues such as The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Detroit Opera House, Blues Alley, The Harlem Renaissance Festival, The World Jazz Festival, The Phillips Collection, The Contemporary Theater Festival, The One Step Down, New York Museum Of Modern Art, National Public Radio and Philadelphia's Chris's Jazz Café. A teacher, conductor and clinician, Bayer is a Musician-In-Residence at American University in Washington, D.C., where he directs the American University Jazz Orchestra. |
 Janine Wilson and Kevin Dudley3:30-4:30 p.m. Janine Wilson is a singer/songwriter and front woman of her own band that produces a brand of roots rock music. Her music will speak to fans of rock, alt country and all sounds that resonate within the fabric of American music. She has been honored with six Washington Area Music Awards, national songwriting accolades and released two critically acclaimed albums. Wilson has just released her third project, Wakin’ Up, of all original material, at Engine Company Records in New York with co-writer/guitarist Max Evans.
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| Free Style Stage |
 Free Style Dance 1-6 p.m. All are welcome to use the free style dance stage located on the corner of Maryland Avenue and Middle Lane to show your friends and family your dance moves. |
| Kids Stage |
 Here Comes Trouble1-2 p.m. Here Comes Trouble founding members are husband/wife duo Jon Babu and Kelly Donohue. They moved to Rockville and had a son, Jack. Donohue, who had been writing and performing her own music for years, poured over the entertainment options for her son’s party and thought, "I can write kids’ music!" So Babu and Donohue combined their conservatory training with their love of all things wacky and silly, and Here Comes Trouble has been rocking the Washington, D.C., area ever since. They are lucky to have a talented cast of characters as they stomp and chomp their way through their repertoire, featuring Matt Wise (guitar), Teo Lee (bass), Cindy Huang (vocals) and Jennifer Jones (vocals). |
 Kaydee Puppets 3-4 p.m. Kaydee Puppets has been entertaining children across the region since 1972. Kaydee Puppets updates traditional tales, giving them a "now" approach and occasionally does an original story (Noddaberry Good Day). Join them as they represent the many great stories that we all learned to love as youngsters! |
 John Hadfield 5-5:30 p.m. Science is a unique, visual presentation of science, using comedy, music, balancing, magic and juggling to prove that science is indeed everywhere. With international performer John Hadfield as "The Professor," this wacky and educational program will reinforce the notion that science is fun and is all around us. He has performed at Disneyland, The White House, The National Theater, the World Cafe Live, the Royal Lichtenstein Circus, the Philadelphia International Children's Festival, the China International Children's Festival and Magic Land in Bangkok Thailand. |
| Red Brick Stage |
 Jason Masi Band 2-3 p.m. Jason Masi is a Virginia-based singer-songwriter currently residing in the Northern Virginia area. Jason's songwriting approach is truly versatile and eclectic and has been described as "Willie Nelson on a picnic with Dave Matthews Band playing songs by John Mayer." He has released three studio albums and is currently working on the fourth. He performs over 200 shows per year. |
 Wes Tucker & The Skillets4-5 p.m. Wes Tucker & The Skillets return to the Washington, D.C., music scene with the release of a third full-length album, The Scorpion and the Dove, which was produced by their own WAMMIE-nominated multi-instrumentalist, Arch Alcantara. Their previous albums, Beauty in the Broken (2006) and Tradition (2004), have been praised by critics and fans for thoughtful songwriting and exceptional composition. Wes Tucker & The Skillets have played more than 300 shows since their start in 2005. The band has performed at venues such as IOTA, the Evening Muse, the Velvet Lounge, DC9, Jammin’ Java, the House of Blues and the State Theatre. |
 A+ Dropouts5:30-6 p.m. These kids spend their weekdays filling their report cards with A+s, but when the school bell rings, they rock the stage with their high-energy shows. Even though they're only in middle school, they are veterans of the stage, performing with artists like Public Enemy, Forever the Sickest Kids and Sister Hazel in venues such as the National Harbor, National Sylvan Theater, Jammin Java, the 930 Club, the Quarter Baltimore and JAXX. Formed in 2009, the A+ Dropouts toured throughout Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin while working on a self-titled EP featuring their incredible hit single "On Your Own". |
| Montgomery Stage |
 Project Natale 1-2 p.m. Project Natale is a band of brothers playing music that has gained world respect as jazz players infusing the old and new to creating a sonafication of their own. Joe and Lou Natale formed the group upon arriving to the Washington, D.C., area in 1998. The group has currently released its new CD, “Links”. It displays hard hitting passionate players that can create, converse and swing in, out and around the quintessential with arrangements written by Joe Natale. |
 Chris Collat Band3-4:30 p.m. Chris Collat Band consists of five musicians who can hold their own musically, but together, it’s a magical experience that is apparent at shows. The energy, chemistry, groove and percussive rhythms are part of what makes this band so fun. The group formed a few months ago and in this time have opened for a national act, performed on their own and won the Guinness Battle of the Bands. This is just the beginning! |
 Melodime5-6 p.m. A trio from Northern Virginia, Melodime has been entertaining crowds big and small since 2006. With a broadly appealing sound and great songs to their name, the group has emerged as one of the top bands in the Washington, D.C., area. |
| Art and Craft Demo Stage |
| Jason Swain - woodcarving 1-3:45 p.m. Wood carver Jason Swain returns to Hometown Holidays to create a large-scale intricate carving from a basic block of wood. Tamara Embrey - thrifting 4-4:45 p.m. Tamara discusses the secrets of thrifting while creating new fashionable clothing pieces out of typical thrifted items. Edward Faine - How to Cowboy Kids Show 5-6 p.m. An interactive joke show for kids that teaches them the ins and outs of being a cowboy. |
| Real Maryland FC |
 Real Maryland is a professional soccer club competing in the United Soccer League. Meet the players, get autographs, play some soccer, win prizes, raffles and more. www.realmaryland.us |
| Additional Information |
Hometown Holidays is hosted by the Mayor and Council of Rockville,
If You Need Assistance Sign Language Interpreters at Concert and Parade |
