Creative Arts

Now in its 10th year, the [The Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards](https://www.strathmore.org/nurturing-artists/bernardebb-songwriting-awards/ "Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards") showcases some of the most compelling emerging songwriters from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Finalists take the stage at Strathmore to perform their original work before judges select this year’s winners. The competition awards a $10,000 grand prize plus studio recording support, along with a $2,500 award to one talented songwriter under 17. All finalists in both the adult and youth categories receive additional cash prizes. Tickets are as low as $20 and include a dessert reception after which is very nice to socialize. **[Click here](https://www.strathmore.org/nurturing-artists/bernardebb-songwriting-awards/bernardebb-songwriting-awards-concert/)** to purchase tickets. Price goes up $5 the week of the event. The evening offers a rare chance to hear fresh, original music from artists on the rise and to celebrate the region’s vibrant songwriting community.

[Book Your Classes by Clicking This Link! ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Friday: Advanced Expression End the work week with high-energy **Advanced Rhythm** from **7:00 PM to 8:30 PM**. This session dives deep into the technicalities of Latin and Ballroom styles like Rumba, Samba, or Mambo, designed for dancers who value precision and artistic expression. For $25, you'll receive intensive instruction that pushes your physical boundaries and refines your competitive or performance edge in a high-vibe atmosphere. **When: Every Friday** **Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.** **1 Dances per month:** **\*Please check the flyer on the group class page for the dance of the month. Or contact us to find out.** **Cost:$25 per person for 90 min.**

***PLEASE*** be sure to RSVP if you plan to come so I can give the restaurant advance notice! Come on out and join us for a fun evening of conversation, laughs, friends (new and old), and delicious food. If you're looking for a chill, no-pressure event geared entirely toward meeting new furs in a low-key setting, look no further! Fursuiting is NOT allowed at this event, but tails and accessories are perfectly fine. These meets will be recurring every month at the IHOP in Fairfax. We might switch up locations in the future, but for now, this one seems to work great for us. We will begin to congregate at the benches out front around 6:30 PM, and heading inside at 7 PM. If you have any questions, or need any help locating us once you arrive, please message me on Telegram - @VelvetyFoxxo, or in the event chat on Meetup. Can't wait to see you all there!!

[Book Your Classes by Clicking This Link! ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Finish your week strong with a dance instruction that blends technical skill with pure social joy. This Friday session is a favorite for single moms and retirees to practice their new moves, and enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere before the weekend begins. We make it easy for every student to stroll across the dance floor with some American Smooth from **11 AM to 12 PM.** Price: $25 Drop-in / Membership **DOES NOT** include this class!

Hi All, I'm helping to put on a band night show at Crescendo Studio's in their Blackbox room. This is one of the first live band shows Crescendo has done since the pandemic. My band is playing this first one, but I'm hoping if people turnout and show interest, we can convince Crescendo to do more of these live band events with new bands and new themes each time (grunge night, 80's night, metal, tribute, originals, etc.). The Blackbox room can also host a mini bar now and there will likely be a food truck. For those unaware, the Blackbox room is a 300 standing capacity room with a full stage and sound engineer, that's twice the size of Jammin Java. If you practice at Crescendo, please let them or Beau Canlas (Crescendo's Events Person) you'd love to see more live music events! Date: Friday, April 24, 2026: Doors 7PM, Music 7:30PM Location: CRESCENDO STUDIOS, 8101a US-29, Falls Church, VA 22042 Ticket Purchase Link Below: Purchase early! [https://snrg.bigcartel.com/product/april-is-for-emo-crescendo-band-night](https://snrg.bigcartel.com/product/april-is-for-emo-crescendo-band-night) Get ready for a night of pure pop-punk, emo, and post-hardcore nostalgia. Four killer bands are hitting the stage to give tribute to the songs that defined a generation live at Crescendo Studio's Black Box concert hall! Scream along to the iconic hits of Paramore, sing your heart out to the anthems of Pierce the Veil, throw down with the heavy pop-punk energy of A Day to Remember, and relive the classics from Blink-182. From emotional breakdowns to crowd-jumping choruses, this show delivers the full Warped Tour-style experience. Expect big riffs, bigger sing-alongs, and a crowd that knows every word. Whether you grew up on these bands or just love high-energy live music, this is a night you don’t want to miss. Grab your friends, lace up your Vans, and get ready to party like it’s the mid-2000s again. Doors at 7PM, music at 7:30PM. **THERE IS NO PRINTED TICKET** ***IMPORTANT: PLEASE KEEP YOUR EMAIL CONFIRMATION OR TAKE A SCREENSHOT. THIS IS YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE AT THE VENUE FOR ENTRY.*** "When you take the time to WORK on your SOUL, your SOUL shall find you WORK." -BEAUcanLAST of [[[SNRGmusic.com](http://snrgmusic.com/)]([http://snrgmusic.com/](http://snrgmusic.com/))]([http://snrgmusic.com/](http://snrgmusic.com/)) YOUR SOUL SHALL NET WORK. YSSNW.COM Please visit Crescendo Studio's website for more information on the venue. [https://www.crescendoblackbox.com/](https://www.crescendoblackbox.com/)

**Advance ticket reservations required. Tickets/Info:** [https://www.internationalclubdc.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=2F499498-3E1B-498E-97BE-82EDA24E7AEB](https://www.internationalclubdc.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=2F499498-3E1B-498E-97BE-82EDA24E7AEB) Join us for a spectacular rooftop soirée under the stars with a live Latin band, salsa lessons, and sweeping views of the DC skyline at The Ven at Embassy Row! Whether you’re new to the area or a longtime member, don't miss this wonderful opportunity to meet International Club of DC members, make new friends, and enjoy an evening filled with music and dancing amidst the spectacular backdrop of the DC skyline. **Advance ticket reservations required. Tickets/Info:** [https://www.internationalclubdc.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=2F499498-3E1B-498E-97BE-82EDA24E7AEB](https://www.internationalclubdc.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=2F499498-3E1B-498E-97BE-82EDA24E7AEB) Enjoy cocktails and other drinks available for purchase as you enjoy a night of dancing and socializing under the stars. The evening starts with salsa lessons followed by dancing to a Latin band performing sounds of Havana. Reserve your tickets now, as space is limited. A partner or prior dance experience are not needed to attend! **Advance ticket reservations required. Tickets/Info:** [https://www.internationalclubdc.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=2F499498-3E1B-498E-97BE-82EDA24E7AEB](https://www.internationalclubdc.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=2F499498-3E1B-498E-97BE-82EDA24E7AEB)

ALMOST QUEEN Buy tickets here: https://freshtix.queue-it.net/?c=freshtix&e=43c3139ac2e85dacb2b&ver=v3-javascript-3.6.3&cver=334&man=Whole%20Site%20Safety%20Net&l=Custom%20Theme&t=https%3A%2F%2Fthestatetheatre.freshtix.com%2Fevents%2Falmostqueen424&kupver=cloudflare-1.2.0

Do you love to paint and are tired of doing the same thing over and over again? This workshop lets you explore a different style of painting. Don’t have any experience painting? We welcome all levels to experiment with paint. Register here: [https://brandywineartlounge.com/workshops/](https://brandywineartlounge.com/workshops/) Three timeslots available: 10 AM - 12 PM 1 PM - 3 PM 3 PM - 5 PM Registration fee: $30 *Pay $10 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. Remaining $20 due before workshop starts.*

Visit Artistic Artifacts on Saturday, April 25 from 1:00–4:00 pm for live demonstrations on our BERNINA sergers/overlock machines! Our BERNINA staff will be demonstrating on several of the machines, sharing lots of ideas of how useful these machines can be in your sewing room. April is **[BERNINA National Serger Month](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/promo)**, so **stop by and see how these machines have advanced from the sergers of yesteryear that we all loved to avoid!** This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and see what a serger can do for you. Not only do BERNINA Sergers trim, sew, and finish seams simultaneously, but they also come with built-in tutorials, so every change is effortless. Quilters can use the serger straight stitch with endless bobbin for piecing patchwork, perfect binding and more. Built-in features give you unexpected precision and creativity with innovative techniques and texture! (*Note*, if you are thinking about upgrading, Artistic Artifacts does accept trade-ins of your older model serger.)

We will go to Emissary Café DuPont next. We've been there before and it was wonderful. They have a great menu and I think we'll have a lot of fun. I look forward to drawing with you soon! [http://www.emissarydc.com/](http://www.emissarydc.com/)

Join our monthly writer meetup to share ideas, socialize, kick off your creativity, and write something! To find us, either take the stairs or elevator to the fourth floor, following the signs for the conference center. We'll be in room 401-A. All writer levels are welcome; we're all about building community and confidence. If you have any questions, please email us! (writingheptagon@gmail.com)

Come Craft with us at either the MLK Library or the Kogod atrium of the Portrait Gallery. There are generally knitters/crocheters/needle workers in both places. Our success has made us a fairly large group so we are meeting in both places on Saturdays. Don't let the lack of RSVPs stop you, they aren't required, nor is membership to our group. Bring your project and join a boisterous group of crafters in first floor of either building.

Nature Printing with Gelli Plate Thursday May 21, 2026 Join local artist Diana Andrews to explore the process of gelli plates. This hands-on, creative experience is suitable for all skill levels, focusing on creating unique monoprints without a traditional printing press. All materials will be provided, but participants are asked to bring additional leaves. Class Fee - $30 6PM - 8PM Location: James Bradley Center, Infirmary Mound Park Register and pay here: [https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/269/May-2026](https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/269/May-2026)

FREE event [https://www.ccad.edu/chroma](https://www.ccad.edu/chroma) Friday, May 16, 3–7 p.m. CCAD campus, 60 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH Join Columbus College of Art & Design for *2025* *Chroma: Best of CCAD*, our annual campuswide exhibition showcasing outstanding student work from across the college’s academic programs. This faculty-juried show features select work from CCAD students of all class years, and is a can’t-miss end-of-year campus celebration recognizing their tremendous achievements. It’ll be a night of fun and entertainment, with interactive games, animation and film screenings, art symposiums, poetry and prose readings, and more (along with some of the best local food trucks). *Chroma* is free and open to all. Many exhibitions including... **Game Art & Design:** **DSB, first floor, Welcome Center lobby and Room 115**

Art in the Park: DIY Garden Mosaic Stepping Stone Saturday, May 30, 2026 In this fun hands-on workshop, let your creativity flow as you design and craft your own mosaic stepping stone, perfect for adding a personal touch to your outdoor space! You will use concrete, colorful tiles, and your imagination to create a unique piece of garden art. No experience needed! We will provide the concrete, molds, tiles, and some inspiration patterns. If you have any ceramic pieces, glass, or stones of your own that you would like to add to your mosaic, feel free to bring them, but we will also have plenty on hand. Your mosaic stepping stone will need to set and dry, so we will create them on this day and you will pick yours up within the next week. * Ages 16+. * Registration required by May 26. * Yard ReWild discount applies. Class Fee: $20 1PM - 3PM Location: Shelter 6, Infirmary Mound Park Register here [https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/269/May-2026](https://www.lickingparkdistrict.com/269/May-2026)

**This month’s Creativity Circle is very timely. We will be making our own craft snowflakes out of paper, coffee filters, popsicle sticks, sparkles and more! Bring the snowy season inside without the wet and cold. All ages welcome, show up as you can, bring a friend or a few if you would like to! Excited to see you there! Seats Limited. Held at the Westerville Public Library Meeting Room B.**

Join us this Pride season to paint your own pride on rocks, paper, canvas, and yes- we are bringing back the bricks! Come create and paint with us. Seats and supplies limited! Come while you can for as long as you like! Westerville Public Library Meeting Room D.