Baltimore celebrates Black History Month
Black History Month — created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a renowned African American historian, scholar, educator and publisher — began as “Negro History Week.” It became a month-long celebration in 1976, and the month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Baltimore actually began its Black History Month... READ MORE
A titanic, yet intimate triumph at Signature
Signature Theatre has packed a big experience into a small space with their stunning production of Titanic, in performance at their 330-seat MAX Theatre through Jan. 29. The effect is to concentrate the impact of the familiar encounter with historic tragedy, to make it richer and dazzlingly vibrant.The focus here is on the human dimension of this tale of hubris, hope and heartbreak. The... READ MORE
Still smokin’ after all these years
When William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr. was a young boy, his godfather Claude nicknamed him “Smokey Joe” since they both loved cowboy films. In his early teens, he shortened it to “Smokey.” Though his dreams of the Wild West had faded, he still loved the nickname.Now 76, the singer, songwriter and producer was recently in Washington, D.C. to receive the... READ MORE
Photographers get creative with images
“Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art.” — Ansel AdamsThose words of the great American photographer seem to be the motivating force behind the exhibition of some 40 photographs by the Creative Imaging Workshop, a group of eight local photo-artists, which opens Jan. 5 ... READ MORE
Area comics live for the laughter
Stand-up comedian Jeff Hysen is at D.C. Improv performing a short routine on an open mic night. “I’m the oldest comedian of the evening,” begins the 58-year-old attorney from Silver Spring, Md. “I had a show recently, and before it began the other comics were asking each other about the effects of drug use on comedy. They asked me my opinion, and I said, ‘Lipitor has no... READ MORE
An artistic exploration of the Deep South
“Laying-by time” is the term used in rural agricultural communities to describe the summer period when farmers have completed their preparation of the crops and anxiously await the harvest.It is also the name of the current exhibit at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), “Laying-by Time: Revisiting the Works of William Christenberry,” a survey of work by the ... READ MORE
City Choir and director celebrate 10 years
Almost 50 years since he started conducting, Robert Shafer is still waving his baton. The former Washington Chorus director, 70, is now leading the City Choir of Washington into its 10th anniversary season.Shafer’s 35 years of work with the Washington Chorus included more than 400 concerts that he conducted or helped prepare for the Kennedy Center. During that time he had six... READ MORE
Signature’s holiday musical with bells on
The promotional material for Silver Belles, onstage at Signature Theatre through Christmas Eve, describes this world premiere production as “Golden Girls meets Designing Women with a heaping helping of well-known Christmas tunes and clever new ditties.”Well, that’s it. My work is pretty much done here, and I’ve got Christmas shopping to do, so... READ MORE
New children’s book celebrates avian pal
The “autobiography” of Pete the pigeon — who fluttered around Baltimore for a possible longevity record of 25 years before his burial in the Rosa Bonheur Memorial Park in Elkridge, Md. — is captured in a just-published children’s picture book. Pete tells his tale in The Autobiography of a Pigeon Named Pete, which notes that the pigeon’s narrative... READ MORE
Baltimore holiday merry-making begins
Charm City becomes especially charming this time of year as it brings on the holiday festivities. Put on your party shoes (or boots, depending on the weather) and join in the merriment.Nov. 11 to Jan. 16 Pandora Ice Rink at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Harborplace AmphitheaterBreak the ice at the Pandora Ice Rink at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, complete with a skate shack, rentals,... READ MORE
Arts 2024
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