Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Art of Conversation, Unknown Artist

Here is some poetry from an unknown artist at the Art of Conversation:




Art of Conversation, Guest Guitarist

The Art of Conversation is a poetry event that occurs at The Yabba Pot on Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Hosted by E the Poet Emcee, the event begins with an open mic followed by a featured artist for the evening, and ends with an open mic (open mic includes music, poetry, dance, and other art forms). The Yabba Pot serves hot, fresh vegan food to tickle your taste buds, and the artists that attend this event serve up some inspirational and sometimes controversial poetry that is open for discussion and debate.

Check out a clip from one of the musicians that attended the night I decided to drop in:


North Avenue Art











It reads: However Far The Stream Flows It Never Forgets Its Source.

MICA Art



Many art exhibitions are held at MICA and you can also find a lot of really cool art around the building. According to the website:

MICA has become the leader in the education of artists and designers by fostering a community of talented, creative individuals committed to redefining the boundaries of art and design and to expanding their own vision and perspective through rigorous study.
Here's a view of the Howard Street Bridge from behind the school:



Found this brilliant phrase spray painted in the wall separating the school from the rail road:





And I found this guy chilling in the back of the school as well:




What's he doing there?

Monroe and Fayette: Art of Harmony Series, Part 1

Oh the beautiful art that we find on the sides of convenience stores and houses:

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Public Art: Ramsay and Monroe Streets






Art Beyond Baltimore






Agnes Welch at James Mosher Little League Parade, Part 2

Here is more of the parade! In the first clip, Baltimore City Councilwoman Agnes Welch greets the community in a cute black convertible.





In this last clip you can see the rest of the wonderful marching bands that grace the city with it's talent during the parades.


Monday, May 4, 2009

50th Annual James Mosher Little League Parade (Part 1)

Happy Cinco de Mayo! For the holiday, I thought that I would leave you all with video of some festivities going on in the Baltimore community. The video features my niece, Mayor Sheila Dixon and Commissioner Bealefeld (who I would have recognized better if I spent more time watching the news rather than blogging :). Both show love to the crowd that has come together to support our youth.

Disclaimer: Please excuse my loud cheering (mark 3:37) as I show love for the little league myself!





The James Mosher Little League Opening Day Parade is celebrated every year in honor of James Mosher Elementary School's baseball season. According to their website:

"Founded in 1960 by the James Mosher Associates, a 501(c)(3) organization, James Mosher Baseball is believed to be the oldest continuously operating African-American youth baseball league in the country."
The organization serves boys and girls ages 4 through 15 throughout Baltimore and has an active roster of over 45 adult volunteers who dedicate their time to making sure that the league serves it's purpose to the community. The overwhelming crowd that accompanied the parade shows the level of commitment that the community has to the youth, schools, and the arts.

Check out Mayor Dixon's passionate speech to the community and how she addresses James Mosher's Opening Day on Bmorenews.com

Super Soaker Whip Wash: Part 2

Here is part two of my interview- including more of my conversation with Ty and another employee of two months, Black. The conversation reminded me of the types that occur in barbershops. These guys talked about everything from Michael Jackson to the movie Green Mile. Ty and Black also give us some information about upcoming construction to be done at the property.






SIDEBAR: The railroad featured in the video is just one of many that Baltimore is known for. The Western Maryland main line isn't as historically known as the B&O railroad, but it contributed significantly the transportation of coal and freight early in the 20th century. The WM line also operated with a schedule that included 19 routes in and out of Baltimore, which made it made its passenger trains a preference amongst commuters.

Super Soaker Whip Wash: Scrubin', Washin', and Talkin'!




I get a great laugh out of reading the tall "Super Soaker Whip Wash" sign on Fulton Avenue when I pass it. So I knew that I had to stroll in and get my whip washed to see if there were more laughs awaiting me on this large, vacant-looking lot.



I wasn't disappointed. I began talking to Ty, 22, who has been an employee there for about a month now. I never thought of this location as a functioning business because of how deserted it looked, but I was pleased with the reasonable prices and polite employees that I met upon my arrival. However, in the following interview I learned that the sign I'd become so amused by did not represent the business after all!



When Ty suggests for visitors to check out the car wash when they come to Baltimore (at the :57 mark), he calls the business "Peachtree". I personally like the name Whip Wash better, but with these great prices, they can call this business Pimp My Ride for all I care!