Rockville Celebrates Black History Month with 'A Change Gon' Come'
The Finest! Performance Troupe presents its 17th annual African-American Heritage Production, “A Change Gon’ Come” at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre at the Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive.

A creative telling of the life and struggle of Harriet Tubman, the show will entertain and educate.

Through music, dance and poetry “A Change Gon’ Come” explores the history of African Americans in our nation.

Kashi-Tara, an Actors’ Equity Association professional, has written this original scripted work and provides artistic direction and original choreography for the performance.

The Finest! Performance Troupe includes 40 members ranging in age from 5 through adult. The troupe, founded in 1989, is comprised of students from Rockville and surrounding areas and performs shows throughout the year. This show features a cast of 25.

Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors 60 and older and children 12 and younger. Group rates are available for groups of 20 or more.

To purchase tickets, call the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre Box Office at 240-314-8690 or visit in person 2-7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets are also available online at www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre or from performers in the show.

Take a Walking Tour of Rockville's African American Heritage
The City’s African American Heritage Walking Tour documents some of the many the people and places in town center that played significant roles in black history from the 18th century through the 20th.

The tour includes 18 sites and buildings marked by full-color exhibit panels, which highlight the geography
of this culture and tell stories of struggles and achievements in the face of oppression and segregation.
Since Rockville’s foundation, African Americans have figured prominently in the history of this city, the seat of Montgomery County. From the earliest tobacco plantations, farmed by hundreds of African men,women, and children to today’s multicultural suburban families, African American citizens are part of the continuing growth and success of the Rockville community.

The City’s Historic District Commission established the tour in 2003 and published a brochure that includes a map and description of each location. The location markers were unveiled in 2009.

For more information about the tour, including a complete list of locations and a map, visit the City’s website at www.rockvillemd.gov/historic and select Rockville’s History, or pick up a brochure at City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue.

Rockville Recognizes the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Youth Award Winner
At the 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. community celebration in January, Jessica T. Smith, a senior at Rockville High School, was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award.

The City’s Human Rights Commission bestows the award each year to recognize the outstanding efforts of a high school student who has helped advance the goals and dreams of Dr. King, either in an academic setting or in the community.

Smith was selected as the 2012 honoree because she exhibits personal qualities that reflect the teachings of Dr. King and is always looking for ways to unify people.

One of the projects that Smith took leadership in promoting was the “Save Darfur” project where she raised money and public awareness of the genocide in Sudan.

Smith is currently hosting an event at her school that partners with Tom’s Shoes to give shoes to less fortunate children and youth around the world. Her involvement with these projects reflects her passion for people of all races.

Eight additional Rockville students were nominated for the award.

The nominees were:

• Michelle Barrett, senior at Richard Montgomery High School
• Rahyem Henry, senior at Richard Montgomery High School
• Felitsa Katsani, senior at Rockville High School
• Chengyu Liu, junior at Thomas S. Wootton High School
• Gaelle Njampou, senior at Rockville High School
• Andrea Okeke, senior at Richard Montgomery High School
• Genesis Porquin, senior at Richard Montgomery High School
• Ashley M. Troutman, junior at Thomas S. Wootton High School

Exhibit at Rockville Memorial Library Showcases Community's History
During February the Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave., will showcase an historic exhibit “Lorenzo Dow Turner: Lincoln Park to Leading Scholar.”

Turner grew up in Rockville’s Lincoln Park neighborhood during the early 1900’s and became a nationally recognized scholar. Photos of Turner and items that belonged to him will be showcased to shed light on the history of African Americans in Rockville.

The exhibit will be displayed in the lobby of the library and open to the public during normal business hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

    
Rockville’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Viewable Online
The City of Rockville, on Jan. 16, honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with a program and community reception. This was the 40th year the City has recognized Dr. King’s birthday.

More than 500 people attended the event at Richard Montgomery High School.

If you missed the program or want to view it again, visit the channel 11 YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/cityofrockville.

The guest speaker was JC Hayward, news broadcaster and anchor for WUSA 9. The following artists performed:

• Kendra Holt, pianist
• Hadjira Ishaq, cellist
• Kalinka
• Syri Parker
• Reverb
• Richard Montgomery High School Jazz Band
• Rock Terrace School Chorus
• Soulfuldisiac
• Soul in Motion and Body Moves
• Contemporary Dance Company

For more information about the annual program visit www.rockvillemd.gov/events/MLKday.htm.