About.com Baltimore

Charles Street: Let's Eat

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:26:20 +0000

As readers of this site know, I love food. Granted, I'm hungry as I write this (on Thursday evening), but I can't think of a single food item I won't eat. Cold borscht comes the closest.

That's why Charles Street: Let's Eat, an event happening tomorrow, caught my eye. From noon to 6 p.m. on Read Street between Charles and Cathedral streets, 10 Mount Vernon restaurants will be offering up samples of their cuisine. Drinks, live music, and even belly dancing are on the schedule.

Admission is free, and food and drink prices vary. Scanning the restaurants that will be there, I can tell you that there is certain to be some delicious food on the menu (Saschas 527�Restaurant and the Helmand are personal favorites).

Charles Street: Let's Eat originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 07:26:20.

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Weekend Roundup

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:23:36 +0000

It's a relatively quiet weekend around town, so it might be a good weekend to check out a museum, go to a farmers' market, or try a new restaurant (like this one in Canton).

Thursday

Leonardo Da Vinci's Science, Technology, and Art - Noted Da Vinci scholar and Discovery Channel personality Dr. Jonathan Pevsner offers insight into the genius of Da Vinci. The lecture is free with RSVP to 410-545- 5980. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Maryland Science Center, and after guests can tour the Da Vinci exhibit at the museum.

Friday-Saturday-Sunday

Greek Heritage Festival - The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation sponsors its 38th annual festival at 24 W. Preston St. downtown. Food, drink, and music from Greece take center stage during the three-day festival, which is free to attend. Hours are 11-11 Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Weekend Roundup originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 11:23:36.

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Another ESPN 30 For 30 Documentary Focuses on Maryland

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:34:14 +0000

Tonight at 8 p.m., ESPN presents Without Bias, a documentary on the life and death of University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias.

The film, directed by Kirk Fraser, a Washington resident, is part of the sports network's 30 For 30 series. Last month, Barry Levinson's The Band That Wouldn't Die, the story of the Baltimore Colts marching band, proved to be wildly popular here in Charm City.

I was 10 years old when Bias died, yet I still remember that day vividly. I was, and still am, a huge Terps fan, and Bias was one of the best basketball players I have ever seen. When the local D.C. affiliate I was watching cut into its regularly programming to announce that Bias, who just two days earlier was chosen second overall by the Boston Celtics in the NBA draft, had died, I was absolutely shocked. I called my dad at work to tell him the news, which he didn't believe.

At the time, the speculation was Bias had an enlarged heart. As the true cause of death - cocaine overdose - came out over the next few days, the entire state remained riveted. Bias' death led to the departure of legendary Terps coach Lefty Driesell and the precipitous decline of Maryland's basketball program.

If Without Bias is half as good as The Band That Wouldn't Die, or the rest of ESPN's 30 For 30 series, for that matter (I caught Muhammad and Larry last night, the story of the 1980 Ali-Holmes boxing match - outstanding), it should be terrific TV.

Here's the schedule of when it will air after tonight:

Nov 5, 10 p.m. - ESPN Classic
Nov. 5, 11:30 p.m. - ESPN2
Nov. 8, 9 p.m. - ESPN Classic
Nov. 9, 7 p.m. - ESPN2
Dec. 6, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Dec. 25, 8 p.m. - ESPN Classic

Photo: Len Bias was one of the greatest basketball players in Atlantic Coast Conference history. (Focus On Sport/Getty Images)

Another ESPN 30 For 30 Documentary Focuses on Maryland originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 10:34:14.

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Facebook Movie Filming at Johns Hopkins Today and Tomorrow

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:23:46 +0000

Johns Hopkins as Harvard? It's happening today and tomorrow as the Homewood campus stands in for the Cambridge (near Boston) institution during the filming of The Social Network, a movie about the Web site Facebook.

The film stars Jesse Eisenberg (of Zombieland) and Justin Timberlake, who won't be in Baltimore for the two days of shooting. It's a much-anticipated film, written by West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin.

"Maryland has the best film commission in the business, that's for sure," location manager Bill Doyle told The Sun.

Debbie Dorsey, director of the Baltimore Film Office, said that some shooting will take place on Charles Street at night, but no re-routing is expected.

So if you're interested in the inner workings of Hollywood - or Homewood, in this case - head up to Charles Village and sneak a peak.

Photo: Jesse Eisenberg will be in Baltimore today and tomorrow shooting scenes for The Social Network, his new movie about Facebook. He plays the social Web site's founder, Mark Zuckerberg. (Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Facebook Movie Filming at Johns Hopkins Today and Tomorrow originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 12:23:46.

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Weekend Roundup

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:46:33 +0000

Welcome to your Weekend Roundup: Halloween Edition.

Friday-Saturday

Rocky Horror Picture Show on stage at the Mobtown Theater - This is the premiere production of Factory Edge Theatre Works, and it's perfect for Halloween. Music, book, and lyrics by Richard O'Brian. Performances at 8 and 11:59 p.m. on Friday and 1:59 a.m. Saturday morning (Friday night). Saturday's performance is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available online.

Saturday

Halloween tour of Westminster Burying Grounds and Catacombs - This sounds like a great Halloween evening activity. Take a a tour of Westminster Hall and enjoy a tribute to Edgar Allan Poe (he's buried there). There will be live music, ghost hunting, and other performances.� Begins at 6 p.m. at the corner of Fayette and Greene streets. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children.

Halloween for Adults: Fells Point and Federal Hill - Traditionally, the bars of Fells Point have been the place to be on Halloween. That it falls on a Saturday this year means the neighborhood will be even more hoppin' than usual. But this year Federal Hill is trying to get in on the act with Federal Hill-O-Ween. From 5 p.m. to midnight, bars will offer a host of drink specials. Tickets are $10, and registration is available online or in the parking lot of Mother's.

Sunday

Broncos vs Ravens - This is a huge match-up for the 3-3 Ravens, as the undefeated Denver Broncos come to M&T Bank Stadium. It's been an odd year for the Ravens, who won their first three and now have dropped three in a row. Finally they've seen young talent on offense blossom (hello Ray Rice), but unfortunately this has coincided with a decline on the defensive side of the ball. This game will be an excellent barometer of just how good this team really is. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Weekend Roundup originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 10:46:33.

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More Live Music Coming to Baltimore Bars?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:01:56 +0000

The city council yesterday passed a bill that could change the face of nightlife in Baltimore.

The measure overturns a decades-old prohibition on live music in most bars and restaurants, according to The Sun. It would allow restaurants and taverns to apply to the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals and liquor board for approval.

It still must be signed by Mayor Dixon before it becomes law, and she has some concerns. Several residents of neighborhoods where homes and bars co-exist closely are worried about noise and parking. We'll see what happens.

I just got back from Nashville, where live music in bars is a way of life. The honky tonks on Broadway feature live music from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year. But Broadway is downtown, it's doesn't have a residential feel like Federal Hill, Fells Point, or Canton.

That being said, I don't think there's a great risk of Baltimore turning into Nashville. I've always thought Baltimore needed more establishments with live music, and I think this is a good start in that direction. Hopefully it will mean bigger crowds for restaurant and bar owners, and be music to their customers' ears.

What do you think?

More Live Music Coming to Baltimore Bars? originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 10:01:56.

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A Really Scary Haunted House

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:49:43 +0000

Happy Halloween Week Baltimore. A little rain delayed the Lantern Parade but didn't ruin it. I've heard from lots of people who were at Patterson Park Sunday and said it was a stellar event.

The folks working at the House of Screams haunted house in Essex on Sunday probably didn't have quite as good a time. This Associated Press report details how a Baltimore city police officer was charged with assault and reckless endangerment for pointing his service handgun at the worker, who was dressed as Leatherface, the killer from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The officer, who has been suspended with pay, apparently didn't appreciate the work of employee Mike Morrison, who told police he followed the officer and several other people up a staircase to get "one last scream" out of them, police said.

When the group exited into a parking lot, the officer pulled his gun and pointed it at Morrison from less than 10 feet away, according to police and Morrison, who said he dropped the chain saw, put his hands up and backed away.

I loved this next line in the AP story: "The saw had no chain."

Maybe the officer, who according to charging documents "smelled of alcohol," wanted to give Morrison a dose of his own medicine.

"I started shaking pretty bad," he told The AP.

If after reading this you're still hankering for a scare in a haunted house, there are plenty of great ones all over the Baltimore area.

All I ask is that you please leave your firearm at home.

A Really Scary Haunted House originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 13:49:43.

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BSO Guest Artist Performing in State Prison

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:52:13 +0000

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra guest pianist Simone Dinnerstein plays an usual venue this morning at 11: The Maryland Correctional Institution for Women.

The world-renowned pianist, who has played Carneige Hall and the Kennedy Center, also will answer questions from inmates/audience members after she performs works by Bach and Schubert.

It should be quite a morning for the women in the Jessup facility. Classical music and the BSO need new audiences, but I never thought they'd reach this far.

Dinnerstein and the full orchestra perform tomorrow night at the Music Center at Strathmore in Rockville. Tickets are available online.

Photo: Simone Dinnerstein is performing at a prison in Jessup this morning.

BSO Guest Artist Performing in State Prison originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 09:52:13.

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Weekend Roundup

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:01:58 +0000

Looks like this weekend could be a washout weather-wise (especially Saturday), but there are still plenty of exciting events happening around town.

Friday-Saturday-Sunday

Zoo Boo at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore - Now in its 26th year, Zoo Boo features trick-or-treating, a costume contest, games, crafts, pumpkin painting, and of course, all the zoo's regular attractions. Held in the Waterfowl Lake Pavilion, regular admission prices apply.

Saturday

Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park - The 10th-annual event cosponsored by the Creative Alliance features a Haunted Hamlet Festival from 3 to 7 p.m., followed by the parade and lantern show at 7:30. Both are free. This year's festivities include the first-ever pre-Parade party-fest with hay rides, hot cider, last minute lantern making, spooky storytelling, great food and live music.

Shogun Fights - Mixed martial arts comes to Maryland for the first time. Tickets start at $25 for the 7 p.m. card at 1st Mariner Arena.

Sunday

Baltimore City Wine Festival - Rain or shine, enjoy samples from more than 100 wineries from around the world. Attend seminars on wine tasting, pairing wine with food, enjoy live music, food vendors - you get the idea. Held from noon to 7 p.m. at the intersection of S. Charles and Cross streets in Federal Hill. Tickets, which include 12 tastings and a "Historic Federal Hill" wine glass, are $30 at the door.

Weekend Roundup originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 10:01:58.

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International Day of Climate Action

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:57:10 +0000

Saturday is International Day of Climate Action, and Greenpeace is hosting an event in the Inner Harbor to draw attention to climate change.

Dubbed as the "Families March for the Climate," the event is a silent, peaceful march along the harbor. It begins at 6 p.m. at Port Discovery, and from there marchers will make their way to the harbor to hear speakers.

If you want to learn more, Greenpeace has posted a YouTube video about the event.

International Day of Climate Action originally appeared on About.com Baltimore on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 14:57:10.

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