Motown – Baltimore Magazine

The Launch: April 2018

Jess Mayhugh — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 08:30:00 +0000

Light City
April 6-21. Locations & times vary. Free. 410-752-8632. Since the inaugural event in 2016, this bright and bold arts festival has become a cherished citywide tradition. Now, Light City’s organizers are taking this year’s theme of “More Love! More Lights!” to heart by expanding the festival to include as many people and installations as possible. Head to the Inner Harbor or one of 14 participating neighborhoods to see awe-inspiring illuminations that are sure to elicit ooohs, ahhhs, and about a million Instagrams.

Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
April 6-7. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium. Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat. 12-6 p.m. $29-99. 410-252-0200. Picture this: two days of unlimited sampling of more than 40 bourbons, 60 beers, and all-you-can-eat barbecue with all the fixins. In between local brews from Flying Dog, Jailbreak, and Heavy Seas, or Maryland-distilled whiskey from Sagamore Spirit, enjoy live rock and bluegrass music, participate in bacon-eating or stein-holding contests, or take in a tasting seminar. If that doesn’t describe your dream weekend, then we can’t help you.

Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts

Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar
April 8-Dec. 23. Underneath the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday & Saratoga Sts. Sun. 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. 410-752-8632. For more than 40 years, locals have dragged themselves out of bed on Sundays to fill their stomachs and totes with the best locally grown and handmade products that Maryland has to offer. From typical farmers’ market fare like fresh produce and flowers to made-to-order eats such as mushroom fritters and falafel, this is an event worth setting an alarm for. Reward yourself for getting up early with a breakfast sandwich from Blacksauce Kitchen.

Motown The Musical
April 13-15. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. $49-117. 410-837-7400. For one weekend only, flashback to the groovy glory days of 1960s and ’70s Detroit with this behind-the-scenes look at the iconic record company that launched the star careers of Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and many more. From Broadway, the story of Motown Records comes alive on the Hippodrome stage in this smash-hit jukebox musical, featuring hit songs such as “ABC” and “Dancing in the Street.”

Victor G. Jeffreys II

CityLit Festival
April 14. University of Baltimore, William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center, 11 W. Mount Royal Avenue. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 410-271-8793. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the CityLit Festival, the signature event from CityLit Project that celebrates reading, writing, and creativity. To tie into this year’s focus on poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, The New Yorker writer Philip Gourevitch will keynote the event with conversations about his book We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda. Make time in between editorial and speaker sessions to participate in guided discussions about motherhood, the #MeToo movement, and local funding for literary artists.

Ian Johnston

Under Armour Sole of the City 10K
April 14. Charm City Run, 1713 Whetstone Way. 9 a.m. $50-75. 410-645-8266. Spring has officially sprung, so lace up your sneakers, breathe in some fresh air, and get moving during this annual 10K. Start your Saturday early and dash through the streets with more than 4,500 other runners at this race that starts and ends in Locust Point. While the mileage might sound intimidating (10K = 6.2 miles), it’s a prime opportunity to embrace our city, especially with the route’s stellar views of the city skyline and the Inner Harbor.

Peter Max

Peter Max Retrospective
April 20-29. Y:ART Gallery & Fine Gifts, 3402 Gough St. Wed.-Thurs. 12-5 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 443-928-2272. Peter Max was practically born to be an artist. He was raised in Germany, China, Tibet, Israel, and France, gaining inspiration from vibrant societies and shifting art movements along the way. As a young art student in Manhattan during the late 1950s, he worked diligently under the American painter Frank Reilly before being swept up in the counter-cultural revolution of the ’60s. The budding artist would go on to create bright, radical posters and psychedelic art—the style he’s mostly recognized for today. The abstract expressionist has been called the United States’ “Painter Laureate,” painted portraits of six presidents, and crafted posters for major events like the Grammys, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics. Despite his global fame, his art remains immediate and accessible. This month, catch his remarkable collection of major works in Highlandtown, carefully curated to include pieces that span his five-decade career. View never-before-seen celebrity portraits, iconic pop art like the above “Cosmic Runner,” and even a special tribute to Charm City.

Brady Cooling

Charm City Bluegrass Festival
April 27-28. Druid Hill Park, 3100 Swann Dr. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Free-$55. This year’s two-day party is slated to be bigger and better than ever with three stages, 21 bands, plenty of local food, and homegrown brews from Union Craft Brewing. With national acts like The Devil Makes Three and The Travelin’ McCourys and local talent such as Caleb Stine and The Honey Dewdrops, the dynamic lineup promises to be a little slice of Americana heaven for all music lovers.

Jay Grabiec

Women of the World Festival
April 28. Notre Dame of Maryland University, 4701 N. Charles St. 9 a.m. $20. 410-435-0100. The past year was defined by female voices—from speaking out against sexual harassment to becoming a tenacious political force. In April, the Women of the World Festival returns just in timeto explore women’s issues through panels, performances, and activities. Get inspired by keynote speakers Tarana Burke, the #MeToo founder who was named a Time magazine “Person of the Year,” and Roxane Gay, cultural critic and The New York Times best-selling author of Bad Feminist and Hunger.

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Weekend Lineup: Mar. 11-13

Lydia Woolever — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 12:45:00 +0000

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

EAT

Mar. 11: Rebels Keg Party Benefit

Gertrude’s Restaurant, 10 Art Museum Dr. 6:30-10 p.m. $25-60. facebook.com.

As if we need an excuse, there are few better ways to eat than doing so for a good cause. On Friday, Getrude’s Restaurant and the “Rebels With a Cause” charitable bike team will be throwing their fourth annual keg party at the BMA, featuring a bevy of bites to benefit Moveable Feast, which delivers healthy meals to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses. This year, the evening will feature area eateries like Aggio, Wit & Wisdom, Blue Pit BBQ, Shake Shack, as well as pairings from local breweries like Union Craft, Flying Dog, Monument City, and Diamondback Beer. All proceeds benefit the Rebels’ Ride for the Feast, an annual bike ride from Baltimore to Ocean City that helps raise money for the local nonprofit.

DRINK

Mar. 12: Millstone Cellars Cider & Cheese Pairing

Millstone Cellars, 2029 Monkton Rd., Monkton. 12-7 p.m. facebook.com.

When you think about it, cider and cheese is a perfect combo: Remember the awesome elementary school snack of apple slices and cheddar cubes? This weekend, you can indulge in the adult version of that childhood treat with Monkton’s Millstone Cellars and Charlottetown Farm. You might have tried the former at the JFX Farmers’ Market or the latter at local restaurants like Woodberry Kitchen and Maggie’s Farm, but on Saturday, the two local purveyors come together with sampled sips of Farmgate, Hopvine, and Gingerroot ciders alongside the likes of ricotta, feta, and chevre. Best of all, buy some of both to take home. We’re thinking a glass of bourbon barrel-aged Cobbler with a perfectly golden grilled cheese.

SEE

Mar. 13: Ira Glass

Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson. 7 p.m. $45-135. 410-235-1660. wypr.org.

You know his voice. It comes to you in your car, at work, before bedtime, every Saturday at noon, telling you stories of average and extraordinary people, from 9/11 survivors and long-lost friends to late-night diner workers and Santa Claus. As the creator and host of This American Life, Baltimore native Ira Glass can be heard on his 20-year-old show (as well as his captivating spinoff podcast, Serial) via more than 500 stations across the country. This month put a voice to the face when he comes to town to talk about the future of radio. (See our recent interview with Glass.)

HEAR

Mar. 11-13: Motown

Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Times vary. $48.50-213.50. 410-837-7400. france-merrickpac.com

It all started in Detroit, in a little white house with blue doors, and the words “Hitsville U.S.A.” There, Berry Gordy created an iconic record label that would go on to launch legends like Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Temptations, to name a few. Running through Sunday, it’s a don’t-miss show that makes it hard to stay in your seat. Without a doubt, you’ll be wiggling in it, especially as you hear iconic hits like “My Girl,” “ABC,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” and “Dancing in the Street.

DO

Mar. 13: St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Locations, times, & prices vary. irishparade.net. baltimorewaterfront.com.

During the month of March, Charm City turns into an Emerald Isle outpost as windows are riddled with shamrocks and taps overfloweth with green beer. This Sunday, start St. Patrick’s Day early with the Shamrock Shindig at Pierce’s Park on Pier IV. Bring the whole family for Celtic music, food trucks, beer and wine, games, and more beginning on the grassy knoll at 10:30 a.m. After you’ve indulged, hit the streets in the Shamrock 5K on the corner of Franklin and Charles, and then make your way to the Washington Monument by 2, for the city’s 61st annual parade. From there, celebrate Irish culture and heritage as you follow a bevy of bagpipes, marching bands, floats, and antique cars as they make their way to Market Place. But the fun doesn’t end there: There are tons of other celebrations this weekend and throughout the rest of the week.

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