The Sound Garden – Baltimore Magazine

Making Space

Lauren Cohen — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 10:51:00 +0000

Since 2016, Baby’s on Fire, the cozy coffee spot/record store in Mt. Vernon, has been a haven for vinyl lovers and chai latte-sippers alike.

So when it was announced that owners David and Shirlé Koslowski were partnering with Michael Bowen (formerly of the Ottobar) to bring their musical minds and cafe fare to Fells Point in November, there was plenty of local buzz. Combine that with a location in the former vinyl room of seminal record store The Sound Garden and a new bar program, and you’ve got a recipe for an irresistible all-day hangout. In a neighborhood with plenty of options for beer, wings, and a raucous evening crowd, Baby’s offers a calmer, more conversational atmosphere.

The Sound Garden’s records have been cleared out (not to worry, they still fill the back half of the store) to reveal a large space filled with comfy window seats, a tall communal table, and a custom bar. Local art hangs on the walls, and a chalkboard calendar gives a run-down of the week’s events: karaoke, a free art opening, industry night. It’s a small sampling of what the Koslowskis and Bowen want to do with the space.

In December, The Sound Garden hosted alt-rockers Silversun Pickups ahead of their Rams Head Live! stop, bringing fans into the cafe for a sort of intimate pregame with the band, including a performance and record signing. Events like that—as well as singer- songwriter performances and residencies, art openings, and trivia nights—are fun additions to the everyday vibe of Baby’s Fells Point, which has managed to mimic what makes its big sister spot so good: It’s for everybody.

“We want to get back to that sense of community,” says David. “It’s been really rewarding for us, and it sort of like feels like we can give back to our city by feeding them, keeping them caffeinated, or giving them a safe space to hang out and meet people.”

Affordable quality was top of mind when David and Bowen developed the new bar program, which is unique to the Fells Point location. Old world wines and local beers dominate the bar menu, but no glass will set you back more than $12. When it comes to breakfast and lunch, omnivores have plenty of options, but vegetarians and vegans will welcome Shirlé’s menu of plant-forward sandwiches, salads, and even a rotating twist on vegan mac and cheese.

“There’s a few things that Baby’s has wanted to do from the get go, and we’re continu- ing to do them here. One is to have a really friendly staff, two is to deliver quality food and drink, and three is to do it in an unpretentious way,” David says. “Everybody can enjoy good things.”

Source

Culture Club: Fluid Movement, Surf Music Showcase, and Art/Sound/Now

Lauren LaRocca — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 16:39:00 +0000

Visual Art

First Fridays Free Curatorial Tour: Meleko Mokgosi: Acts of Resistance
As part of a free series at the Baltimore Museum of Art, curators give tours of exhibitions they curated and explain the shows in further detail, providing rich insight into the artists and their work. This month, senior curator of contemporary art and department head Kristen Hileman will lead a group through the much-talked-about show Meleko Mokgosi: Acts of Resistance. Mokgosi explores race and gender through intimate yet larger-than-life portraits and paintings of domestic environments. Curatorial tour from 2-3 p.m. Aug. 3; the show remains up through Nov. 11. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive.

We Are Everywhere: Travels of the African Diaspora
Photographer Schaun Champion will show images from Baltimore and around the world that represent the African diaspora in her exhibit We Are Everywhere: Travels of the African Diaspora at Ida B’s Table, a beloved Southern soul food restaurant in downtown. The show is part of the monthly series Necessary Tomorrows, created by resident curator Sharayna Christmas to feature work that complements the visit and mission of the restaurant. Opening reception and artist talk, 5-8 p.m. Aug. 7. Ida B’s Table, 235 Holliday St.

Counterweight
Sera Boeno, Cevahir Özdoğan, and Noa Heyne examine concrete as a material and as a gender—its cultural and sociological implications and history—in the show Counterweight. Artist talks, a printmaking/archiving workshop with Lebanese archivist and artist Celia Shaheenon (Sept. 9), and an exhibition catalogue release on Sept. 21 will accompany the show. Aug. 10-Sept. 21, opening reception from 7-10 p.m. Aug. 10. The Menial Collection, 243 W. Read St.

Music

Summer in the Squares: Symphony Number One
Pull up a chair (or blanket) for the finale of this season’s Summer in the Squares. Symphony Number One will perform at Mount Vernon Place for the free series of shows that bring the work of emerging composers to the stage alongside beloved pieces by classical greats. During this show, the Baltimore-based chamber orchestra will feature the Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” alongside new works and pop favorites. 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 29, Mount Vernon Place, 699 Washington Place

Baltimore International Surf Music Showcase
Four instrumental surf acts from around the world will take the Ottobar stage this month for a totally tubular night. Headlining the show will be Surfer Joe, based in Italy and often called the “international surf ambassador.” The legendary California surf band The Volcanics, and Les Agamemnoz (France) will also perform alongside local surf rockers the Flying Faders. 8 p.m. Aug. 15. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St.

Art/Sound/Now: Suldano Abdiruhman and The Compositions
In collaboration with the High Zero Foundation, The Walters Art Museum will present its annual ART/SOUND/NOW, featuring artists creating soundscapes throughout the museum’s various gallery spaces. This year’s event highlights work by interdisciplinary artist Suldano Abdiruhman, a member of the artist collective BALTI GURLS and cofounder of 4c Gallery. 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 23. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St.

Film

High Fidelity / Empire Records Double Feature
When a beloved music shop in Baltimore turns 25, a nostalgic screening of two cults classics is in order. The Sound Garden was born in 1993, and shortly thereafter, the films Empire Records and High Fidelity were released—in 1995 and 2000, respectively—both set amid the backdrop of record stores. And if watching these back-to-back on the big screen weren’t nostalgic enough, please note they’ll be screened on 35mm. 7-11 p.m. Aug. 30. The SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Ave.

Theater

Variations on Sacrifice
Rapid Lemon Productions will present its annual Variations Project this summer with Variations on Sacrifice. Eleven 10-minute plays by local authors will premiere during two weeks, followed by a third week (new this year) of staged readings of eight additional plays. Audiences of 2017’s Variations on Magic voted to select this year’s theme, Sacrifice. Plays, Aug. 3-12; staged readings, Aug. 16-19. Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St.

Literary Arts

‘Sentiments’ by Press Press: Baltimore Book Launch
What could be better than a summertime potluck? A summertime potluck hosted by Press Press, with readings to satiate your palate. The launch of “Sentiments: Expressions of Cultural Passage,” the latest publication by Press Press, will feature readings about creating sanctuary, by Bilphena Yahwon, Rami Karim, and others, beginning at 5 p.m., plus a reading of “Manifesto for Sanctuary-Building & Sanctuary-Keeping.” Bring along a snack or something to grill at this community potluck of Baltimore creatives. 3-7 p.m. Aug. 11. Press Press, 427 N. Eutaw St.

Miscellanea

Comedy, Music and Poetry Showcase with Heda Rose and Guests
A lineup of Baltimore talent will take the Motor House stage for an evening of poetry, standup comedy, and music, headlined by vocalist, songwriter, actress, model, activist, and film producer Heda Rose. The remaining lineup includes comedian Larry Lancaster, comedian Ebony “Miz Jaxxxn” Jackson, comedian Ray Diva, and poet Gradalove. Heda will perform a comedy set and music set with a live band. 8-11 p.m. Aug. 31. The Motor House, 120 W. North Ave.

Fluid Movement’s ‘The Water Ballet’
The Baltimore-based performance art group Fluid Movement channels the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock for its latest production, “The Water Ballet” at Patterson Park. Take a deep dive into all that horrifies you. Day and night shows, Aug. 3-5. Patterson Park.

Source

For the Record

Jess Mayhugh — Mon, 07 May 2018 08:30:00 +0000

By John Lewis
Photography by Matt Roth

Arts & Culture

For the Record

The resurgence of vinyl culture is on full view at the Arbutus Record Show.

By John Lewis. Photography by Matt Roth.

Chris Armbruster steers his 2011 RAV4 into the parking lot of the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department and pulls to a stop near a set of double doors at the back of the building. It’s 6:30 on a cold and dark Sunday morning, but the early hour doesn’t faze him. Armbruster has been making this pre-dawn pilgrimage to Arbutus from his White Hall home for more than 20 years. The RAV4’s wheel-cover gives a clue as to why.

The customized cover’s meticulously rendered text is designed to catch the eyes of jazz aficionados. It looks startlingly similar to the front cover of Cannonball Adderley’s classic 1958 album Somethin’ Else, with the same color scheme, font, and background. It reads: “We pay cash for records and CDs. Jazz rock soul more. Call today. 410-627-6017.”

TALL STACK OF VINYL

A tiny line of text, near the bottom, signals just how serious Armbruster is about records. “Flat edge with gakubushi cover” will not mean much to most people, but to record collectors it indicates that this is a representation of a major find: these are markings—on the vinyl and jacket, respectively—that identify original, 1950s albums on the Blue Note jazz label, some of the rarest and most sought-after records in the world.

A U-Haul trailer hitched to the RAV4 is stuffed with some 3,000 records, which Armbruster begins unloading. Other vehicles packed with albums have arrived, and a small army of record-toting men and women stream in and out of the fire hall. The Arbutus Record Show, held the third Sunday of each month, opens to the public at 9 a.m. (Note: This month’s show is scheduled for May 27, the fourth Sunday.)

The dealers set out crates and boxes of records—with some CDs and assorted memorabilia in the mix—on tables arranged in rows stretching the length of the spacious room. Dealers pay $30 a table. Armbruster, who operated the Mount Vernon record shop Musical Exchange in the late ’90s and early-2000s, reserves four tables. He also sets up a display rack featuring a dozen of his priciest pieces, such as a test pressing of Tom Petty’s first album ($600) and a mint copy of The Velvet Underground and Nico with Andy Warhol’s iconic banana cover art intact ($500). He brought the Velvet Underground record hoping it might catch the eye of a particular customer he had in mind.

Armbruster says the most expensive record he’s ever sold at Arbutus was an original mono pressing of Sonny Rollins’ Saxophone Colossus—for $1,500. When asked if it’s difficult to part with such a rarity, Armbruster doesn’t hesitate: “As a dealer, it’s actually harder to look at a thousand-dollar record on your shelf and say, ‘I’ll keep that.’ No, you gotta pay your bills.”

Soon after the doors open, collectors flood the aisles. The customers skew male, but the wide range of ages is an indicator that vinyl’s resurgence may not be a fleeting trend. Armbruster sees evidence of exactly that, as millennials turn up looking for old records. “It’s almost like they’re curating a collection,” he says. “They’ll want a copy of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, along with jazz and soul and even classic country like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash.”

Armbruster pushes back the Notre Dame baseball cap he’s wearing and scans the crowded room. “Looking around, it seems like vinyl has definitely come back,” he says, “but for many people here, it never went away.”

The Armbruster's van. VELVET UNDERGROUND LPs. OLD 45 RECORD PLAYER.

Sales of new vinyl LPs grew for the 12th consecutive year in 2017. According to Nielsen, which tracks music and TV purchases, vinyl sales were up 9 percent last year to 14.3 million units sold. Legacy titles such as The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Bob Marley’s Legend sold particularly well, alongside more recent releases like Ed Sheeran’s (Divide).

In an era when consumers can stream all the music they want on pocket-sized devices, the resurgence of records, along with the old-school equipment needed to play them, may seem baffling. It makes sense to Armbruster: “Some people will opt for more of a high-quality experience over convenience.”

Cat Keyes is one of those people and attends the Arbutus show when her schedule allows. The 25-year-old Catonsville hairdresser doesn’t download or stream music on her phone, but she does have three turntables at home and a record collection heavy on 1980s New Wave and obscure film soundtracks. A lavishly packaged reissue of the Creepshow soundtrack—on colored vinyl with a comic book insert and extensive liner notes—is a particular favorite. “Albums like that are more immersive and interactive,” she says. “I have friends over for dinner parties, and they love going through my records and choosing something to play.”

David Koslowski, another Arbutus customer, concurs. “Vinyl is tangible and tactile, which can be particularly appealing to young people who’ve grown up listening to nothing but digital files,” he says. “Their world is so sped up, and putting on a record is also a good way to slow down and relax.”

Koslowski co-owns Baby’s On Fire (named after a Brian Eno song), a Mount Vernon café and record shop, with his wife, Shirlé Koslowski. When the couple opened the café two years ago, they figured that stocking records would add ambiance and allow customers to flip through bins of LPs while waiting for their orders. As it turns out, the vinyl has provided a bona fide revenue stream. “It’s even inspired some of our customers to buy turntables,” says David. “Now, they come in for coffee, a sandwich, and maybe a couple records.”

Besides indie music shops like Towson’s Record & Tape Traders, Catonsville’s Trax on Wax, The Sound Garden in Fells Point, and Normal’s in Waverly, records are now sold at Urban Outfitters, Barnes & Noble, and Target and online through Amazon, eBay, Popsike, Discogs, and other sites. A few vinyl delivery services have popped up around the country, like the Colorado-based Vinyl Me, Please, which mails select records to more than 30,000 subscribers who pay a monthly fee.

Record shows are thriving. Frank and Janet Ruehl, organizers of the Arbutus event, say the show often sells out vendor spaces, with dealers snapping up all of the hall’s 100-plus tables. Frank, now retired after 31 years working for Verizon, rents six tables for himself and four for his daughter, who also sells snappy T-shirts with “I found it! At the Arbutus Record Show” emblazoned across the back. “The shows have been good to us,” says Frank, noting that some dealers make the trip from New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and customers have come from as far as Japan. “We really enjoy the one-on-one relationships we’ve developed.”

Selling and buying online pales by comparison. At least, he imagines it does. “I’ve never sold one record on the internet, nor have I bought a record on the internet,” he says. “It wouldn’t be fun sitting in front of a computer screen, hitting a button, and it just comes in the mail. No, it’s all about the hunt, discovering the music, and meeting good people.”

Scenes from the Arbutus Record Show.

MISS FREDDIE

Freddie Quickley strolls the aisles of the fire hall, searching for jazz, soul, and doo-wop records on her want list, which is penciled into the spiral notebook she carries. Known affectionately as “Miss Freddie” to Arbutus regulars, she wears a vibrant red blouse and radiates infectious enthusiasm. For years, she worked the counter at Brooklyn’s Roadhouse Oldies on Ritchie Highway, and she’s been coming to this show since it started in the early 1990s.

Quickley banters with dealers and customers, telling back-in-the-day stories about the likes of James Brown. As a teenager just out of high school, Quickley frequented the Royal Theatre, where she saw Brown, the Flamingos, the Drifters, and many other greats. On the night Brown recorded his live album Pure Dynamite at the Royal, Quickley was in the second row. “You can hear me screaming on that record.”

She often met the stars, got autographs, and ran errands for them. She’d dash across Pennsylvania Avenue to Mom’s restaurant and return with plates of food for performers, many of whom kept tabs at the restaurant. “I’d head out the door and Mom would be hollering, ‘You tell that James Brown to bring me my money,’” recalls Quickley, who can also dish on lesser-known personalities like “Cheese” Martin (Brown’s guitarist) and “Fat Daddy” Johnson (a popular DJ in the 1950s and ’60s).

Quickley will share her stories with anyone who’s interested. “Some people come here for more than records,” she explains, “because it’s also about history and passing on what we know.”

Joe Vaccarino, also browsing at the show, literally wrote the book on Baltimore music. Vaccarino’s Baltimore Sounds is a history of local pop music from the 1950s to the 2000s, and he’s always hunting for regional rarities. He pulls a pair of choice 45s out of his bag and notes their significance: B.B. and the Oscars’ “Hold Me Tight” on Guilford Records (“issued by a recording studio that was located on Guilford Avenue”) and “You Bring Me Down” by The Royalettes (“a vocal group named after the Royal Theatre”).

“it’s all about the hunt, discovering the music, and meeting good people.”

Catherine Bailey rents a table every few months and sells mostly jazz, soul, and political speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. It’s an idiosyncratic collection, one that would seem to have a story behind it. Sure enough, they were collected by Bailey’s deceased brother, Jan, who worked as a civil rights activist in the late 1960s, and she’s happy to reminisce about the era. “I come to talk and socialize more than anything else,” she says.

It’s an important aspect of the show, demonstrating how the LPs exert a near-totemic pull that bends toward recognition, acceptance, and, ultimately, camaraderie. They spark conversations and get total strangers swapping stories about concerts, record stores, and favorite tunes. Walking through the hall and overhearing snippets of chatter is like listening to an oral history mixtape of music memories.

“Man, I miss the Record Bar in Glen Burnie.”

“I just spotted a copy of Shaun Cassidy’s Da Doo Ron Ron, the first record I ever owned.”

“I saw The Supremes at the ballroom on the steel pier in Atlantic City. They wore those green-ish formal dresses, which made them look like bridesmaids, with gloves.”

SHOW ORGANIZERS Frank and Janet Ruehl.

Jack Skutnick, a dealer from Binghamton, New York, views the scene through something of an egalitarian lens. “Nobody looks down on anyone here,” says Skutnick. “If you want to listen to Lawrence Welk, that’s great. We aren’t snobs. I used to sell antiques, and that attracts snobby people, which wasn’t any fun. This is fun.

“Look around this show and what do you see? You see happy people.”

For hours, they mingle and meander. While some folks come early to strike deals or nab the rarest of rarities, others consider potential purchases for hours. Roger Priode, who made the drive from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, had his eye on a $22 Molly Hatchet Flirtin’ with Disaster picture disc for most of the day and eventually got it for $15. Someone has offered to buy the Ozzy Osbourne T-shirt right off Priode’s back, which, he says, “wouldn’t be the first time.” If he can get $30 for the shirt, he hopes to buy another picture disc.

As morning gives way to afternoon and the crowd thins, Armbruster is pleased. Business has been brisk, and the customer he had in mind for the Velvet Underground record did, indeed, buy it. “Some people who come here might spend a good portion of their paychecks,” says Armbruster, “while others spend just a few dollars. But everybody leaves with something that makes them feel good.”

Kings of the Road

Future Islands makes it big but sticks to its Baltimore roots.

Variations on a Theme

Local institutions make classical music accessbile—and relevant—in the 21st century.

50 Artists to Know

We've rounded up the 50 best local artists to know right now.

Source

Mug Life

Jess Mayhugh — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 08:30:00 +0000

Printed and punny mugs have taken over the shelves of our favorite boutiques and gift shops. If these don’t make you want to purge your overcrowded kitchen cabinet, nothing will.

David Colwell

Clockwise from top left: Where the Wild Things Are mug ($9.99) at The Sound Garden. Ban.do BFF mug ($14) at Brightside Boutique. “Too Legit to Quit” coffee mug ($18) at Becket Hitch. Jac Vanek Personally Victimized mug ($19) at Brightside Boutique. Seltzer Goods cacti mug ($16) at Brightside Boutique. “Just Add Coffee” mug ($14) at Brightside Boutique. Rainbow mug ($9.99) at The Sound Garden. Laura Zindel raven mug ($45) at Mud and Metal.

Source

Road Tripper

Jess Mayhugh — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:30:00 +0000

Marvey Le Pen ($2) at Trohv

South and West by Joan Didion ($21) at The Ivy Bookshop

Designworks Ink cactus journal ($14) at Poppy and Stella.

Treason the Biddle backpack ($125) at Treason Toting Co.

Bronze water bottle ($24) at Su Casa.

Bettye Ace sling back pompom slides ($69) at South Moon Under.

Heart shaped sunglasses ($20) at Brightside Boutique.

Marvey license plate key chain ($9) at Trohv.

Ursa Major traveler’s skin care kit ($48) at Trohv.

Auto Bingo ($2/each) at Shananigans Toy Shop.

The 3rd Dimension ($7) at Shananigans Toy Shop

Free Play Magnatab ($25) at aMuse Toys.

Instax Mini 8 ($70) at Service Photo.

Through the Past Darkly by The Rolling Stones ($20) at The Sound Garden.

Bobino cord wrap ($6) at Su Casa.

Source

Where to Shop This Father’s Day

Lauren Bell — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Father’s Day is right around the corner, which means it’s time to show your favorite fella what he means to you. Ditch the standard dress shirt and tie (I mean seriously, how many ties can one person own?) and celebrate dad with a creative gift from some of our favorite local stores.

Under Armour Brand House
Whether your dad is a gym rat or a fashion fanatic who understands what the word “athleisure” means, you are sure to find something great from Baltimore’s claim to athletic wear fame. Our pick: UA Street Encounter III Shoes ($59.99) at Under Armour. 700 S President St., 410-528-5304

REI
This is THE one-stop shop for the dad whose ideal day is spent outdoors, meaning everything from trails and national parks, to hanging out in your backyard. Our pick: Eno DoubleNest Hammock ($69.95) at REI. 63 W Aylesbury Road, 410-252-5920

Capitol Mac
For the Apple product enthusiast, this is the place to go. Not only are they the only certified Apple specialists in Baltimore, but they sell phone accessories and do authorized repairs—looking at you Dad with the cracked phone screen. Our pick: 32 GB Apple TV ($149) at Capital Mac. 714 S Broadway, 410-657-8000

Earth Treks
Sometimes the best gifts are experiences. Share some climb time with your old man at this indoor climbing center with locations in Timonium, Columbia, and soon to be Hampden. Our pick: Three-month membership ($207) at Earth Treks. 1930 Greenspring Dr., 410-560-5665

Nepenthe Homebrew
For the pop who loves hops, Nepenthe Homebrew has the best gift options for you. This home-brew shop in Hampden has kits and ingredients for making beer, wine, and cheese in your very own home. Our pick: Brewers Best Equipment Kit ($83.95) at Nepenthe Homebrew. 3626 Falls Road, 443-438-4846

Atomic Books
What better way for dad to relax this Father’s Day than with a new book. This shop specializes in the newest releases, comics, graphic novels, and zines, plus has a great selection of games and art toys. Our pick: Ready Player One: A Novel ($16) at Atomic Books. 3620 Falls Road, 410-662-4444

The Sound Garden
For the cinephile or music nerd, The Sound Garden is like a mystical wonderland. Stocked wall to wall with new and used CDs, vinyl, DVDs, and Blu-rays, there are countless gift ideas to keep your dad’s collection current. Our pick: The Bob’s Burgers Music Album Box Set ($64.99) at The Sound Garden. 1616 Thames St.,410-563-9011

Williams-Sonoma
Turn your dad into the grill master with any of the great kits, rubs, or marinades from Williams-Sonoma. Not only is this a gift for dad, but it will be a gift to yourself if he shares. Our pick: Ultimate Burger Essentials ($43.95) at Williams-Sonoma. 70 Village Square, 410-435-6020

Ceremony Coffee
The selection at Ceremony is impressive even to the most devoted coffee drinker. Take advantage of their unique blends and workshops at their Mt. Vernon or Harbor Point locations. Our Pick: 12oz El Faldón ($22) at Ceremony Coffee. 1312 Point St., 410-601-3561

Source

Weekend Lineup: June 10-12

Lydia Woolever — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 16:44:00 +0000

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

EAT

June 11: The Remington Chop

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 12-5 p.m.
$25-45.

Remington is all the rage these days, what with eateries like Parts & Labor and Clavel, drinkeries like W.C. Harlan and Ottobar, and up-and-coming attractions like the food-hall mecca R. House. This weekend, at the latter, get to know the burgeoning neighborhood and Baltimore’s booming food scene during the second annual Remington Chop. If you’re ready to learn, participate in food workshops like sausage making with Maggie’s Farm, oyster shucking with Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, and broth brewing with Ejji Ramen, as well as drink workshops like beer tasting with Union Craft and juice pressing with Urban Pastoral. If you’re feeling lazy, on the other hand (we’re not ones to judge), lounge in the beer garden with bibimbap by Bebim, small bites by Charmington’s, and brick-oven slices by Pizza di Joey. All the while, listen to live music by rock-and-soul quartet The Lushpockets, psych-rockers Hollywood Blanks, and new Baltimore favorite, Surf Harp.

DRINK

June 10: Pints in the Park

Center Plaza, 120 W. Fayette St. 5-8 p.m.
Free

It’s been a
beautiful week, leading to long walks along the waterfront, lots of outdoor
grilling, and one-too-many rosés. But Friday is finally upon us, so start the
weekend early with an al
fresco happy hour in the heart of downtown. At this monthly event, bring
friends, coworkers, and significant others for beers by Calvert Brewing Company,
wine by Linganore Winecellars, pizza by Brick N Fire, live music by reggae-rock
fusion group Fiction 20 Down, and lawn games like corn hole and ping pong.
Watch the sunset with Wye Ryes and Route 4 IPAs and then scramble off into city
to make the most of your summer night.

SEE

June 11-12: HonFest

The Avenue in Hampden, 36th Street. Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m. Free.

’Tis the weekend to don your cat’s-eye glasses, douse your mane in hairspray, and decorate your elbows with feather boas for the 23rd annual HonFest. For two days, the streets of Hampden will celebrate the city’s historic workingwomen in true Bawlmer fashion with a colorful block party full of food and festivities. See the Boys of Hampden centerfolds get dropped into a dunk tank. Watch our local oyster aficionados go at it in a shucking competition. Admire all the beehives at the annual “Best Hon” pageant. And best of all, wander the neighborhood and revel in this Charm City tradition, however wonderful and weird.

HEAR

June 10: Beyoncé

M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St. 7:30 p.m. $45-305. 410-261-7283.

Beyoncé is the queen bee of pop culture, with five platinum records, 20 Grammys, and her own HBO documentary, plus flawless fashion, kickass choreography, and once-in-a-lifetime concert tours. (Not to mention her much talked about marriage to hip-hop royalty, Jay Z.) Over the years, she has brought us such seminal smash-hits as “Say My Name,” “Drunk in Love,” and “Single Ladies,” and this past winter she released her first new single in three years, “Formation,” which instantly skyrocketed to the top of the charts. It also sparked BeyHive hysteria for her latest album, Lemonade, which set the internet on fire when it suddenly dropped this spring. For one Friday night, see what all the buzz is about as the living legend brings down the house on our very own Ravens turf.

DO

June 12: Tour Dem Parks, Hon!

Howard Peters
Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, 3100 Swann Drive. 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
$20-48.

For one Sunday in
June, get to know Baltimore better by biking through its beautiful parks. Now in its 14
year, this two-wheeled tour takes you through one of four routes, from a leisurely
5K around Druid Hill Park to a 56K that encompasses Patterson, Gwynn Falls,
Cold Spring, Clifton, and Herring Run. Whether you opt for a difficult trek or
family-friendly cruise, enjoy the ride and its afternoon after-party, with a
picnic lunch, live music, and lovable rescue puppies, all to benefit
Baltimore’s beautiful outdoor spaces.

Source

25 Days of Gift Giving: Dec. 1-7

Jess Mayhugh — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 16:00:00 +0000

Gift-giving season is upon us and with it comes hectic crowds, long lines, and crazy customers. To make it through with your sanity intact, go in with a game plan. Start here with our 25 days of gift giving and let these presents inspire your purchases. For our full and festive gift guide, check out the December issue on stands now.

Recycled record coaster set ($15.99) at Sweet Elizabeth Jane.
‘Tis the season for nostalgia and reminiscing, so add to the conversation with these recycled coasters—a gift any music lover will accept with gratitude.

Betty Cooke ‘Y’ necklace ($1,100) at The Store LTD.
This year, ditch the usual over-the-top bling and give your loved one something unique, like this 14-karat gold Betty Cooke original.

Dog command mug ($18) at Trohv.
One simply can never have enough coffee mugs. Give your puppy-loving pal something to sip from while they teach their unruly dog how to sit, speak, and stay.

Gran Sasso plaid sweater ($325) at Samuel Parker Clothier.
What’s cozier than snuggling up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa? Cozying up with your cocoa next to someone sporting this sweater. A gift for them that you can enjoy, too—that’s what they call a win-win.

“Spy” Blu-Ray ($19.99) at The Sound Garden.
For the comedy geek in your life who loves Melissa McCarthy, unlikely heroes, and just having a good chuckle.

Source

Outdoor flick

Jess Mayhugh — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Last night I decided to go catch Iron Man, this week’s “Film on the Pier” in Fells Point. Every Wednesday throughout the summer, the fine people at Su Casa and The Sound Garden present an outdoor movie on a 300 square-foot jumbo screen at the edge of Broadway Pier. Having lived in the area for a while, I was kind of ashamed that this was the first time I’ve gone to one of these movie screenings, because they really are a cool idea.

The movies start at 8:45 (have to wait until it’s dark enough outside) and I guess mistake number one that we made was not showing up early enough. The flyer advises you to “arrive early for the best seating” and they mean it. We got there about 10 minutes before the movie was scheduled to start and got seats pretty far back. Because you’re not in an amphitheater or anything, tons of people will block you if you’re not sitting close enough.

Waiting for the show to start, the ambiance was certainly nice: watching the sun go down over the water, seeing the Tide Point and Domino Sugar signs come into full glow, hearing the motor of the Water Taxi occasionally whiz by, watching the cotton candy and popcorn men sell their products, and taking in the truly diverse crowd.

Once the movie started, it was closer to 9:00 and the place had filled up. The picture was definitely decent (they show the Blu-ray version) but it was pretty hard to hear where we were sitting. All of the action scenes were crystal clear, but more intimate scenes (like Tony Stark and Pepper Potts’s flirty back-and-forth) was kind of a guessing game. Luckily I had seen Iron Man in the theaters so I was able to follow along.

The “Films on the Pier” are definitely a great idea in theory, just make sure you do it right: Show up early, I’d say at least half-an-hour before the movie starts; bring comfortable, high-seated chairs (camping chairs would be good); and definitely bring some wine and snacks to keep you content.

As far as the next couple of weeks, Quantum of Solace, Talladega Nights, and Slumdog Millionaire look like good highlights. But Twilight? Might want to stay away from that girl-crazy crowd.

Source