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NEWS IN BRIEF
Star-Studded Performers Added to Line-Up
Star-Spangled 200, Inc. (SS200), Maryland Public Television (MPT) and dick clark productions (dcp) announced that additional star-power for the Star-Spangled Concert will include: Grammy Award-winner singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, Kenny Rogers, and Train. Multi-platinum recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks will join John Lithgow to co-host Star-Spangled Spectacular: Bicentennial of our National Anthem at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The performers will join singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson; Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth; Grammy Award-winning country group Little Big Town; mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves-Montgomery; vocal sensations Pentatonix; and the Grammy Award-winning Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Marin Alsop.
This diverse star-studded line up of entertainers will pay tribute to our nation in a thrilling and inspiring concert. The patriotic special will also include ceremonial activities at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, historical highlights and an extraordinary fireworks crescendo.
Tickets for Star-Spangled Spectacular: Bicentennial of Our National Anthem can be purchased online at www.piersixpavilion.com, over the phone by calling 410-244-1131, or in person by visiting the Rams Head Live (Baltimore) or Rams Head On Stage (Annapolis) box offices.
Sing-off winner performs for legislators
 Rolando Sanz, recent winner of the Maryland State Arts Council’s Star-Spangled Sing-Off contest, performed the National Anthem before hundreds at the 54th Annual Meeting & Regional Policy Forum of The Council of State Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference in Baltimore.
Sanz, a professional opera singer based in Montgomery County, received the most votes in the Arts Council’s singing contest. He will perform the National Anthem on September 14 – the song’s 200th anniversary – during Star-Spangled Spectacular in Baltimore.
First Half 2014 Lodging Monitor now available
The latest issue of the Maryland Lodging Monitor – the Office of Tourism’s biannual report on Maryland lodging data supplied by Smith Travel Research, Inc. (STR), is now available online. Maryland’s lodging performance accelerated in the first half of 2014, with room demand statewide increasing 4.7 percent compared to the same six-month period in 2013. Maryland’s demand grew more than the region’s 3.2 percent and the nation’s 4.1 percent.
Total room revenue for the state increased 5 percent, twice the pace of regional growth. Occupancy rates, which reflect changes in supply and demand for rooms, averaged 62.1 percent, 4.5 percent more than last year.
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New Historic Marker for Brigadier General Leonard Covington
 Maryland Senate President Mike Miller was joined by Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III to honor Aquasco native and War of 1812 hero Brigadier General Leonard Covington by unveiling a new historic marker. Mortally wounded at the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, Ontario, this Marylander has more than 21 American cities, towns and counties named for him, but until now did not have a monument in his home state.
Also as part of the commemoration, the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission announced the donation of the book In Full Glory Reflected: Discovering the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake to 2,500 public and private school in the state, thanks to a generous contribution by the George S. Rich Family Foundation.
Pictured: Senator Mike Miller, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, Maryland Historical Trust representative Nancy Kurtz, President of the Ella Virginia Houck Holloway Chapter Daughters of the War of 1812 Connie Uy, and War of 1812 Historian Ralph Eshelman. Photograph by Michael Yourishin.
Baltimore Welcomes Horseshoe Casino
On Aug. 26, downtown Baltimore will become home to a full-service casino, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. The $442 million development will be the second largest casino in the state when it opens with a 122,000 sq. ft. gaming floor. The casino features 2,500 video lottery terminals, more than 100 table games, and a 25-table World Series of Poker-branded poker room.
A “Baltimore Marketplace” featuring authentic Charm City food outlets, three premier restaurants, and several bars and lounges will round out the food and beverage options. Among the dining options are restaurant venues led by celebrity chefs John “Johnny” Besh, Aaron Sanchez and Guy Fieri.
The casino is designed to maximize connectivity with existing hospitality operators, neighboring sports venues M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards, and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
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Gallagher Named MCA Chair
Matthew D. Gallagher, President and CEO of The Goldseker Foundation, has recently been named chair of the Maryland Citizen for the Arts (MCA). Mr. Gallagher, the former Chief of Staff to Governor Martin O’Malley, succeeds Douglas R. Mann, Vice President and CFO at Maryland Institute College of Art, who has led the organization for six years. “I couldn’t be more pleased that Matt is taking over as chair of the MCA board,” said Mann. “He’ll be a strong and credible advocate for the arts with our elected officials in Annapolis and across the entire state. He’ll also provide great leadership to not only MCA, but to the entire arts community.”
Maryland Minute
On CBS radio stations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. plus WBAL-AM, Margot Amelia is featured in the weekly Maryland Minute. This week’s version highlights events for this upcoming weekend.
Maryland Tourism Professionals attended the Educational Seminars for Travel Organizations (ESTO) Conference
 Maryland professionals have been at educational, and networking events that help elevate the state as a leisure destination. Six county tourism professionals and staff from the Maryland Office of Tourism went to the Educational Seminars for Travel Organizations (ESTO) in Louisville. Additionally, ten Maryland tourism partners joined with other Capital Region USA destination marketing professionals from Washington, D.C. and Virginia at the 2015 International Marketing Summit at National Harbor.
(Pictured Left to Right: Marci Ross and Liz Fitzsimmons, Maryland Office of Tourism; John Fieseler, Tourism Council of Frederick County, Inc.; Margot Amelia, executive director, Maryland Office of Tourism; Becky Bickerton, Tourism Council of Frederick County, Inc. and Rachelina Bonacci, Howard County Tourism and Promotion)
Battle of Caulk's Field and Capital for Day
.jpg) Maryland’s Chesapeake Campaign continues this weekend with United States Capital for a Day in Brookeville and Battle of Caulk’s Field in Fairlee. In 1814, as the British burned the capital, refugees from Washington and Georgetown poured into Brookeville. As President James Madison and members of his Cabinet came to Brookeville, the town became known as the “U.S. Capital for a Day.” The Battle of Caulk’s Field commemorates a battle that was a clear militia victory at a time when Americans, and particularly Marylanders, needed a morale boost.
The Chesapeake Campaign is a traveling festival celebrating Maryland’s fight for the nation during the War of 1812. The festivals feature re-enactors, hands on educational activities, performances, and other interactive fun along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.
The World is Here--Are You? (Deep Creek Promo Video)
 Deep Creek 2014 Set to Host the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in McHenry Maryland September 17-21, 2014. The Adventure Sports Center International is the prestigious venue for the event and is the Only Mountaintop re-circulating whitewater course in the World.
Olympic Level Athletes from more than 35 Countries competing for the Gold. The ICF World Championships represent much more than a simple competition. It is a gathering of nations from around the globe joining together in sport and camaraderie. This is the 25 year anniversary of the 1989 World Championship held right here in Garrett County Maryland and only the second time in history this prestigious event has graced the United States.
Now accepting ad reservations for Destination Maryland - Official 2015 Visitors Guide
 The all-new official Destination Maryland Guide presents our tourism partners with a unique, powerful platform. There is no comparable opportunity available that is 100% focused on visitation to Maryland—and there is no better time to speak to its large audience than when they are actively planning their visit to the state. The Destination Maryland Visitors Guide is sent by request directly to highly qualified travelers who are actively planning a Maryland vacation—most often a long one. In addition to 250,000 printed copies distributed, the Visitors Guide will also be available in both an interactive E-book and I-pad versions which click through to advertiser landing pages.
Contact Carly Stedman for rates and details: carly.stedman@milespartnership.com / 202-681-8169. Deadline to reserve space is September 12, 2014
Submit nominations for Maryland Tourism Awards
Nominations for the 2014 Maryland Tourism Awards — as selected by the Office of Tourism and the Maryland Tourism Development Board — will be accepted until September 15, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. Award categories are: Green/Sustainable Tourism; Visit Maryland (promotion of the state as a travel destination); Cultural/Heritage Tourism; and Economic Engine. A program overview and a nomination form are available online.
The awards pay tribute to individuals, organizations, businesses or governmental agencies that have significantly contributed to the efforts of the tourism office and board to boost jobs and economic impact in Maryland's tourism industry, and enhance the state's image to travelers. Winners will be announced at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit, November 13, 2014. For more information, call or e-mail Jennifer Jones, 410-767-6296.
Performing Arts Japan touring and collaborations grants now available for application
The Japan Foundation is accepting project proposals for Performing Arts Japan (PAJ) touring and collaboration grants. The program provides financial assistance for non-profit organizations in the US and Canada that aim to introduce Japanese performing arts to local audiences. The deadline for applications is October 27, 2014.
Call for artist submissions for Nature & Art Exhibition
The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks is calling for artist submissions for its Nature & Art Exhibition at Robert E. Lee Park. The project proposal deadline for committee review is October 6, 2014. For more information, email ArtOnTheTrail@relpnc.org.
Submit concept proposals for environmental art installation at Little Bennett Regional Park
The Hyattstown Mill Arts Project in collaboration with the Park Development Division of Montgomery County Parks is seeking concept proposals for an environmental art installation for the Little Bennett Regional Park in Clarksburg. The deadline to submit concept proposals is August 22, 2014, with the site specific artwork to be completed by October 18, 2014. The selected artist will receive $3,000 for the commissioned artwork. Semi-finalists will receive $250. For more details visit www.hyattstownmill.org.
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