The 2022-2023 season of Montgomery County Community College’s Lively Arts Series is about to kick off with a lineup of incredible artistry from jazz legend and Grammy Award Winner, “Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band,” to “The Brubeck Brothers Quartet: Celebrating Dave Brubeck’s Centennial,” to the Dali Quartet,” and Blues Legend “Guy Davis Trio.”  These diverse main stage concerts and more will make up just one facet of the 39th season of MCCC’s Lively Arts Series that includes 26 events in total.   

“I’m excited about presenting Charlotte Blake Alston with Diane Monroe for a revival of ‘Fiddlin’ with Stories,’ a program created by her late brother and jazz violinist, John Blake, Jr.,” said Brent Woods, MCCC’s Senior Director of Arts and Culture who curates and programs the Lively Arts Series.   

“I’m also excited to present Samara Joy, an up-and-coming jazz violinist who made her debut at the Newport Jazz Festival in July. We are presenting this wonderful artist on her climb to stardom.”  

“Over our 38-year history, MCCC’s Lively Arts Series has presented a broad range of classical, jazz, blues, folk, country, and world music, in addition to a diverse palette of dance, classic and contemporary theater, speakers and authors. MCCC serves as a cultural and recreational destination, presenting opportunities for students and area residents to attend activities that feature stimulating and popular entertainment and ideas.”  - Brent Woods, MCCC’s Senior Director of Arts and Culture

MCCC’s Gallery program, curated by Patrick Rodgers, started with the “Out of The Whirlwind: Reflections & Forecasts on Global Warming and Climate Change,” a group exhibition with artists of the Temple Judea Museum's Artist's Collaborative. Other exhibitions include the works of award-winning journalist, Ada Trillo, and Armando Veve, one of Philadelphia's most imaginative illustrators. Veve’s solo exhibition will take place from Oct. 13 through Jan. 27, 2023, at MCCC’s Blue Bell Campus.  Ada Trillo’s exhibition is on display now at MCCC’s Pottstown Gallery through Oct. 28.  

The College’s Young Arts Explorers & Family Series features Charlotte Blake Alston with Diane Monroe, which is funded in part through the Mid Atlantic Arts Tours program. The series also includes the TheaterWorks production of the “Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System” and “Jazzy Ash and the Leaping Lizards” with a special appearance by WXPN’s “Kids Corner” Radio Host Kathy O’Connell.  

Lastly, MCCC’s Distinguished Lecture Series, the “Richard K. Bennett Distinguished Lectureship for Social Peace and Justice,” will present Racism in America: The Intersectionality of Race, Class, and Gender as Weapons of Oppression.”  

Through a historical context, the series will delve deep into the concept of race, gain a better understanding of the ways that culture and ethnicity more accurately determine one’s identity, and explore the concept of social mobility.  

Through MCCC’s celebrated Lively Arts Series and Galleries Program, MCCC endeavors to fulfill a cultural mission. Each season the Lively Arts Series aims to deliver a diverse palette of entertainment that reaches the broader community and their tastes.   

“As a destination for arts and culture in Montgomery County, our goal is to expose, educate and challenge individuals and communities through arts experiences,” Woods said. “We purposefully curate impact through the arts by presenting relevant works, providing context for that work, and creating anticipation and discussion in the community.”  

This season while MCCC’s theater is under renovation, several main stage performances will be held in three beautiful venues throughout Montgomery County: the Normandy Farm Hotel & Convention Center in Blue Bell, The Hill School in Pottstown, and the Community Music School in Trappe.   

“We feel it is important to do what we can to reach as many people as possible through developing regional partnerships with arts and cultural organizations,” Woods said.   

MCCC contributes significantly to this region’s cultural life and vitality.  

“Over our 38-year history, MCCC’s Lively Arts Series has presented a broad range of classical, jazz, blues, folk, country, and world music, in addition to a diverse palette of dance, classic and contemporary theater, speakers and authors,” Woods said. “MCCC serves as a cultural and recreational destination, presenting opportunities for students and area residents to attend activities that feature stimulating and popular entertainment and ideas.”  

Visit the Lively Arts page to purchase tickets. All events are open to the public and parking is free.