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
BMA exhibit pairs Matisse and Diebenkorn
The influence of French artist Henri Matisse on the work of American Richard Diebenkorn is the focus of a new exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art. “Reclining Model with a Flowered Robe,” drawn by Matisse in 1923, is paired in the exhibit with Diebenkorn’s “Woman Seated in Chair,” drawn 40 years later.©2016 Succession H. Matisse / ARS NYThe first major... READ MORE
Broadway hits come to National Theatre
Love Broadway musicals but can’t make it to New York as often as you’d like? National Theatre will feature traveling versions of four hits, including two Washington premieres, this season.The downtown Washington theater first hosts a production of Once, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, from Nov. 25 to 27.Once tells the tale of a Dublin street musician... READ MORE
Turner’s powerful performance at Arena
When it came time for Joan Didion to give away the clothes of her deceased husband of 40 years, fellow writer John Gregory Donne, she couldn’t part with his shoes. John would need them when he came back, she told herself.Just after John’s death in New York, where it is three hours later than in Los Angeles, she wondered whether they could go back to their home there and... READ MORE
Center forges friendships for 50+ years
If you are 50-plus, have time on your hands, and are looking to make new friends, take part in more activities, and/or travel (whether to nearby Baltimore, or to faraway Fiji), the Laurel Senior Friendship Club (LSFC) may be just what you need. The club, which earlier this year celebrated its 50th anniversary, is still going strong, having grown from an idea by its six founding mothers,... READ MORE
Local author pens a Baltimore bucket list
Judy Colbert, who has lived in Maryland virtually all her life, is also an accomplished travel writer, making her the ideal go-to source for visitors and residents alike who want to know what there is to do and see in Baltimore.That’s just what she does in her recently published book, aptly named, 100 Things to Do in Baltimore Before You... READ MORE