Film
Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates’ 2015 book, Between The World And Me, was written as a letter from father to son, telling the story of growing up in Baltimore and in a society that enables white supremacy. It is required reading, but whether you have made your way through the lessons in those pages or not, this new HBO special based on a 2018 adaptation and staging of the work at the Apollo Theater is worth a watch. The author is joined by an all-star cast that includes Angela Bassett, Oprah Winfrey, Phylicia Rashad, Angela Davis, and Mahershala Ali, among many others, for readings from the book, often paired with personal and archival documentary footage and beautiful, collage-style animations. It is a stunning audiovisual companion piece to Coates’ National Book Award-winner. Check local HBO listings, on-demand through Dec. 27.
Visual Art
Cody Pryseski
Inspired by prolific artists such as Willem de Kooning, Chuck Close, and Lucien Freud, Fells Point-based painter Cody Pryseski has pursued portraits with an eye toward the internal character, as well as the external. Take the rare opportunity for an in-person viewing by booking one of several time slots available for small groups to wander through The Alchemy of Art. Dec. 3, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Reservation required. The Alchemy of Art, 1637 Eastern Ave.
Music
BSO Sessions: Holiday Pops with Jack Everly
Gather the family and ring in the holidays from home with this latest episode of BSO Sessions, which will feature a 2020 rendition of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” from new artistic partner Wordsmith, in addition to a whole slew seasonal songs and carols from Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly. Premiere Dec. 16, 8 p.m., on-demand through June 2021. BSO Offstage.
Theater
The Stoop Virtual Holiday Hoo-Ha
It isn’t quite the same when you’re not packed in, laughing, or sniffling along with the crowd as people tell their tales at another Stoop Storytelling night. But, like everything else this holiday season, you can join in virtually to try to capture some of the neighborly magic broadcast live from Creative Alliance. WYPR’s Aaron Henkin hosts the Maryland Improv Collective and the Hot Club of Baltimore for what will likely be a holly jolly evening, even from home. Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Online.
News
Mayor-Elect Brandon Scott Names His Transition Team Arts & Culture Committee
On Dec. 1, Mayor-Elect Brandon Scott announced the members of his 10 transition team committees, including the committee for arts and culture, which will be co-chaired by Graham Projects founder Graham Coreil-Allen and Art in Praxis founder Jessica Solomon. The team’s priority is “valuing creative hubs and cultural institutions” and includes members that represent both longtime leadership and newer voices across the city’s art spaces. The committee members are:
Graham Coreil-Allen: Founder, Graham Projects
Jessica Solomon: Founder, Art in Praxis
Elissa Blount Moorhead: Artist, curator, producer
Lady Brion: Spoken word artist; Cultural Curator, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle
Derrick Chase: Poet, educator, community activist
Nicholas Cohen: Executive Director, Maryland Citizens for the Arts
Navasha Daya: Soul artist
Quanice Floyd: Executive Director, Arts Education in Maryland Schools Alliance
Krista Green: Chief Administrative Officer, The Peale Center
Denise Griffin Johnson: Director, Arch Social Community Network
Arianna Hawthorne-Cox: Singer, dancer
Adam Holofcener: Sound artist, composer
Eze Jackson: Hip hop artist
Jeffrey Johnson: CEO, JIJ Impact
Vincent Lancisi: Founder and Artistic Director, Everyman Theatre
Julia Marciari-Alexander: Executive Director and CEO, Walters Art Museum
Joanne Martin: Founder, The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
Aaron Maybin: Artist, author
Sheena Morrison: Baltimore Arts Education Initiative Manager, Arts Every Day
Asma Naeem: Chief Curator, Baltimore Museum of Art
DJ QuickSilva: DJ, radio host
John Racanelli: CEO, National Aquarium; Host, “A Blue View”
Susan Schuster: Educator
Ernest Shaw Jr.: Artist
Savannah Wood: Robert W. Deutsch Foundation Fellow; Archives Director, The AFRO-American Newspapers
Maggie Villegas: Executive Director, Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network
Stephanie Ybarra: Artistic Director, Baltimore Center Stage
Clair Zamoiski Segal: Chair of the Board of Trustees, Baltimore Museum of Art