Thursday, September 26, 2013

Free Fall Baltimore



PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP THEATRE 

St. Nicholas

Performance Workshop Theatre’s 2013-2014 season begins with the extraordinary one-man play, St. Nicholas by Conor McPherson, the award-winning author of The Weir. McPherson, in the tradition of great Irish storytelling, creates a humorous, moving and gripping story of an Irish theatre critic.

Marc Horwitz stars in a solo performance, as the Irish theatre critic on a macabre and sensual journey involving a beautiful actress and a genteel crew of vampires.

Sat Oct 26 & Thurs Oct 31 8 pm 

Performance Workshop Theatre – 5426 Harford Road 

Make reservation through the box office by calling 410-659-7830. 

http://www.freefallbaltimore.org/events.cfm?start=1&categoryID=7&page=2


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The Cellar Stage


THE CELLAR STAGE™
Faith Community United Methodist Church of Hamilton
5315 Harford Road * Baltimore, MD 21214
Concert information: 410-521-9099
Cell phone for info on day of show: 443-540-0226
uptownconcerts@gmail.com


OCTOBER 2013
Showtime 8:00 P.M.  Doors open 7:00 P.M.


The Kennedyshttp://uptownconcerts.com/cellar-stage/shows/
THE KENNEDYS
Friday, October 18th 

Midway Fair opens
Tickets $21.00 – Showtime 8:00 pm
     “Unafraid to mix philosophy, spirituality, love and artistry with a folk-rock back beat is what makes this duo a positive force on all things human." ~ Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange.  Inspiration is where you find it – and where it finds you. Open to every moment, the much-traveled married duo of Pete and Maura Kennedy have spun their personal experiences, musical influences and philosophical beliefs into nine previous albums of winsome original songs, frequently seasoned with exquisitely-performed cover tunes, that blend acoustic-based folk, rock, country, pop and secular gospel into an inclusively delightful sound that’s all their own. The Kennedys use their full palette of vocal and instrumental colors to bring their songs to glowing life. Maura’s lead vocals range from comforting to yearning, from girlish to womanly, from exuberant to delicate, sometimes bolstered by her own sweet harmonies and those of Pete and sometimes several guests. As usual, multi-instrumentalist Pete provides a vibrant tapestry of chiming, jangling and twanging guitars, as well as mandolin, interwoven with Maura’s sturdy acoustic rhythm guitar, harmonica and glockenspiel.  The body of work The Kennedys have created since their 1994 wedding is a reflection of their musical and philosophical influences and experiences separately and as a couple. Their live show and CD’s encompass their favorite musical styles while incorporating the naturalistic, transcendental and mythological teachings of Joseph Campbell, Eckhart Tolle, Walt Whitman, and various Eastern-oriented philosophers into their songs and lives. Their goal is to live in the moment, appreciating every second of sensation, which imbues their music with a constant sense of wonder and freshness.  With the release of their tenth CD as The Kennedys and recent CDs by their Strangelings and Stringbusters side projects added to their discography, Pete and Maura remain the Energizer bunnies of the folk/rock world. (www.kennedysmusic.com)


Midway Fair

     Midway Fair plays "Pretty music about ugly things," and their folk rock sound and songwriting are a seamless synthesis of British and American traditional styles with indie rock. Artists like Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler, Richard Thompson, Tom Waits, and The Waterboys are big influences. Although many of their songs are crafted to be lighthearted and fun, they tackle serious subjects like war, poverty, and (of course) love with poetic grace and intelligence. “Reminds me a lot of Fairport Convention [...] The playing and craft are exquisite.“ ~Jon Worley, Aid & Abet April 2011.



      

Friday, October 25th 
ANNE HILLS 
& MICHAEL SMITH

Tickets $21.00 – Showtime 8:00 pm
     ANNE HILLS“Anne Hills is such an exquisite singer that it’s understandable that people might be swept up in the pure beauty of her voice and thereby overlook her writing. That would be a mistake. For me, Anne’s writing, in songs like ‘Follow That Road’ and many others, is as direct, melodic and deep as any work being done today. She is quite simply one of my absolute favorite songwriters.” ~ Tom Paxton.  As a singer, actress, writer, and musician Anne Hills has continuously built a reputation of merit. During her career, she has received numerous honors including, the Pennsylvania Partner’s in the Arts Project Stream grant award (for the 2007 premiere of An Evening of James Whitcomb Riley). Her poetic work won her Second Place in the Atlanta Review’s International Poetry Contest  and her work as lyricist with jazz-artist Peter Erskine was featured in a performance by choirs from around the world at a Hilliard Ensemble workshop in Germany. In 2001 she reunited with long-time friend Tom Paxton to release a long-awaited duet recording Under American Skies for Appleseed Recordings, which won a WAMMIE (Washington Area Music Award) for “best traditional folk recording.” This was soon followed by many collaborative projects including Fourtold with Michael Smith, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen. Though collaborative work is the keystone in Anne’s career, it is her singing and interpretive gifts that have received the most attention. 1998 saw the release of Anne’s performances on two of the most talked about compilations of the year, placing her voice along side Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, The Roches, Ani DiFranco and The Indigo Girls on Where Have All the Flowers Gone? (The Songs of Pete Seeger) and What’s That I Hear? (The Songs of Phil Ochs). Other projects include the occasional tour with Priscilla Herdman and Cindy Mangsen (Voices of Winter in 1998, and Turning of the Year in 2000), which was featured in the arts section of the January 1998 Sunday New York Times, and her performances with the legendary songwriter Michael Smith. Anne continues to touch the heart with a poet’s evocative palette and a singer’s love of melody. Anne’s aesthetic voice & songwriting have continued to win her new and ardent fans. Her song “Follow That Road” was chosen as the title cut for the 2nd Annual Martha’s Vineyard Songwriter’s Gathering recording on Rounder Records (produced by Christine Lavin). “One of the most glorious voices in all of contemporary folk music.” ~ Chicago Tribune. (www.annehills.com)

     MICHAEL SMITH“Hearing the songs of Michael Smith in this day and age is like reading an anthology of Hemingway’s short stories after decades of only comic books. It’s a realization that songs can hold a whole lot more than they’re usually expected to hold, they can possess a genuine sense of place and time as evocative and magical as the finest literature.” ~Paul Zollo.  Michael Peter Smith was born in South Orange, New Jersey in September of 1941 and raised in the area, attending Catholic schools later referenced in a few of his songs. He bought his first guitar at age fifteen (for $5) and was soon playing in a group called The Kalypso Kids, whose first and only recording is lost in antiquity. College in Florida brought a quartet dubbed the Wanderers, with gigs on the beach and at local coffeehouses, then touring in The Talismen, a duet. It was Folk Music, and Folk Music was happening. Three years at The Flick in Miami followed. There he met his wife, Barbara Barrow, and they traveled with a quartet called the Baker Street Irregulars, signed a contract with Decca under the group name Juarez, and produced an eponymous vinyl recording that you can still sometimes find in the ‘used’ bins of obscure record stores. Steve Goodman recorded “The Dutchman,” and Chicago music lovers were discovering other Smith’s songs. Michael and Barbara relocated to the windy city and became regulars at venues such as The Earl of Old Town, Somebody Else’s Troubles, Holstein’s, No Exit and Orphan’s. They played the Philadelphia Folk Festival, worked with Corky Siegel and John Prine, taught at the Old Town School of Folk Music, organized a benefit in commemoration of their friend Gamble Rogers, and separately and together continued to record. Michael began to record for Flying Fish, initially produced by Anne Hills, whom he had met when he was playing bass for Bob Gibson. He began to tour more frequently doing exclusively his own material and continued to write songs, now increasingly being recorded by other artists. Michael Smith, the lyricist, composer and performer of renown, is a voracious reader and never at a loss for material. “Michael Smith stands out as one of the few undisputed geniuses among singer-songwriters.” ~ Sing Out! Magazine. Michael continues to travel, playing concert halls house concerts, clubs and festivals, and his prolific songwriting has never waned, with now close to 500 original tunes in his impressive catalog. (www.michaelpetersmith.com)

 LOOKING AHEAD
NOVEMBER: 15th John Flynn / 22nd The Ocean Quartet, 
DECEMBER: 6th Robin Bullock, Ken Kolodner, Elke Baker Celtic Christmas / TriBeCaStan.
JANUARY: 24th A Showcase - Neptunes Car, Jessica Smucker, Lynn Hollyfield +,
FEBRUARY: 28th Ken Kolodner & Brad Kolodner.


Monday, September 16, 2013

Grand Opening - Business Incubator Celebrates the First New Business - ReNew Botanicals

Ribbon Cutting for ReNew Botanicals 

in Hamilton-Lauraville



                 1239435_4757097744564_1866314168_n

Thank you to Christine Bivens, from the Mayor's Office
of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development, with scissors in
hand to help launch the new incubator business, ReNew Botanicals!
Shelley Birnbaum, the owner of the new business, left of Ms Bivens, 
conducted tours of the retail space during a special opening!
As part of First Friday, artwork by Mattye Hamilton will remain on display
during the month of September.

Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street invites you!

Dear Neighbor,

Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street (HLMS) is a non-profit 501(c)3 commercial revitalization organization working to strengthen and improve the Harford Road business corridor.  Our mission is to bring a diverse community of businesses and residents together to create a thriving shopping and dining destination.

HLMS has identified the Baltimore City-owned property at 4500 Harford Road as an important parcel for the benefit of the community.  HLMS has requested a long term lease with the City of Baltimore to develop and use this property in a manner that coincides with our mission statement.

At this time, we are asking for your support.  HLMS will hold a public meeting on Monday, September 23, 2013 from 6:00 - 8:30pm at the Church of the Messiah, 5801 Harford Road.  A detailed explanation of our plans for this parcel will be shared with the community.  We need your help and your support to turn this vacant property into a space that is beneficial to the commercial corridor and a positive use for the community.

Interested in learning more?  Please join us.

Thank you,
Regina Lansinger, Director

Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, Inc.


Volunteers help to clean the empty building and lot at 4500 Harford Road.  2009






Repairs to the roof and another coat of paint spruce up the building.




4500 Harford Road has been used for many community projects.

Earth Day
City Neighbors High School students pitch in to help
prepare the garden bed.

The Hoop house takes form.


4500 Harford Road evolves a little more each year.

Baltimore Police Community Survey

Do you have 5 minutes to complete a survey?

The Baltimore Police Department is in the process of developing a strategic plan. To be effective, this plan must be based on the needs and concerns of the Baltimore Community. 

Please take a few minutes to share your perspectives including your perceptions of safety, the importance and your satisfaction with current police services, and your perceptions of the Police Department. 

The information will be used to guide and focus the strategic plan on what is most important to the Community. The survey is anonymous, and your individual response will not be shared with the Police Department.

Thank you for your help.

Anthony W. Batts
Commissioner of Police

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BPDCommunitySurvey

Thursday, September 5, 2013