9th Annual African American Heritage Festival

It's another hot summer Baltimore! Time for the FREE festivities to begin. What better way to start than with the African American Heritage Festival (AAHF)?

The 9th Annual African American Heritage Festival is a 3-day event that brings together a diverse group of people to experience the history, culture, heritage, and arts of African Americans. The festival includes divine dining from multiple food vendors, local and mainstream talent showcasing their skills, and countless pavilions with educators set up to serve the community information about issues such as Health, Wellness, and Finances.

According to the AAHF website, the festival "attracts 500,000 people from Baltimore, Washington, and other neighboring states."

Check out the flyer above for more details! Hope to see you there!

*A little tip for all those wondering: The AAHF is a TOTALLY different event from the AFRAM, as so many of us old schoolers used to call it. I, too, thought that the title "AFRAM" had just been retired. Howeverm the acronym is used for other festivals such as the one being held in Norfolk, VA this summer.

IT'S TIME FOR CRABS!

O yes Baltimore, the time has come.

Time to break out the newspapers, mallets, and beers. Time to crack those legs and get moving towards your favorite crab shack in town. Time to snap open your wallets and count those nickels and dimes for an order of a dozen of your favorite sea creature. (or one BUSHEL, if you're really hungry). Time to dig deep through the guts, the mush, the dead man, and mustard, and find the hidden treasure that reminds you every time of why you risk the smell of your hands to have this one thing when summer hits:

CRABS!!!










Everyone knows that Baltimore is notorious for it's wonderful crab addiction. So if you plan to visit this the city known for getting it's fix from the bay, or if you are already conveniently located here for the summer, here are a few tips that I found from the website of one Baltimore's most superb crab shacks, O'brycki's (and a few comments of my own in bold):

1. Break off the claws. (good for soup!)
   
2. Lift apron and grip shell. (there's a name for that sharp thing in the middle?!)
3. Peel off shell. (here comes the good part!!!)
4. Clean out "mustard" (yellow fat which can be eaten) and "devil" (cellulose-like gills, don't eat. (Contrary to popular belief, you will not die if you eat the dead-man (or devil). However, the yellow fat (or mustard) is the devil...don't eat it, it's GROSS!!)

You can find more of O'brycki's instructions here. Warning: they get a little proper towards the end. My edited version: dig those fingers in that shell and FEAST!!!



I also found this fun video of a Marylander who has their own special way of eating crabs. ENJOY!!!

Artscape Visual Coordinator Gary Kachadourian Resigns

Goodbye and good luck Kachadourian, Mr. Artscape himself.

Gary Kachadourian, 52, has managed visual installations at Artscape for 22 years. According to the Baltimore Sun, Kachadourian is now stepping down from his position at the Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts in order to pursue some of his own creative endeavours. Those include enrolling in the masters degree program at UMBC, studying digital imaging, teaching, and devoting time to his own artwork.

Art lovers in Baltimore have Kachadourian to thank for the huge success that is Artscape. The aura that fills Mount Royal and Charles streets in mid-July is one that no museum can replace. Thousands of people gather to view Baltimore's most passionate artists showcase their talents. From custom made jewelry and contemporary art exhibits, to modern dance in the Lyric, to spoken word artists slamming under a tent, there is always something at Artscape that would make the event impossible to miss.

Google Image

Bill Gilmore, executive director of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts, said

Gary has been a terriffic asset...He's helped to raise the profile of Baltimore as a serious place for artists to live and work.

One of Kachadourian's greatest achievements was the establishment of the Walter and Janet Sondheim Award, which rewards $25,000 to the top regional artist selected by a national jury.

According to the Sun, The Sondheim Award has generated interest in Artscape nationally, attracts more than 300 entrants, and results in two annual shows each summer: an exhibit of the finalists at the Baltimore Museum of Art and a show of the semifinalists at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Man, I would LOVE to enter that competition with an award like that!

Special thanks to Kachadourian for all his hard work and best wishes to him and his family in the future.

Check out the full Baltimore Sun article to get details on Kacadourian's two upcoming art projects.

What will be the future of artscape now? We can only hope it retains some of its popularity and awesomeness with whoever walks in Kachadourian's footsteps!

Baltimore Public Art: Archie Veale

Photo Credit for all photos: Janae Griffin

I drive pass this image everyday but have never stopped for a minute to take it in. Unfortunately, I think that I am one in thousands of Baltimorians who do the same thing.


On 400 Pulaski Street at Route 40 (or Franklin Street) there is a block long mural of a giant African American male planting trees barefoot. The image of the male is centered. The beginning of the mural is beautifully covered in bright colors emphasizing day time/summer. However, night time/winter begins just over the male's back with a deep royal blue and white stars lingering over bare trees painted towards the end.

"Untitled", was created by Archie Veale in 1994 for the Pulaski Street Project and the Baltimore Mural Project. According to Veale's website,

"The mural... marks the end of the construction of the Route 40 expressway. Construction was halted during that time due to financial problems and protests from several community organizations. The expressway would have cut right through Leakin park. The image is meant to recognize the need for community growth and individual effort."

In his artistic statement, Veale explains that his art is "...a narrative exploring the themes of self-examination, personal knowledge, choice, destiny, and escape."

You can visit the Baltimore Mural Project's website to check out several other amazing murals that Baltimore city has been blessed with.

Drugs in the Streets, Final Part of Day's Interview

In the final part of this interview, Day discusses how drugs have effected the Lafayette communicate, and what the secret is to drug trafficking in the streets.

EMERGENCY

I called the police at 9:49 p.m. to a report a theft.

I told them the thief was still in the house (which he was).

They didn't show up until 11 p.m.

MVA MANIA

I love that Baltimore never has a dull moment.

I was waiting in the long line that had already developed outside the MVA near Mondawmin Mall at 8 a.m. in the morning. Some drunk guy stumbled up the steps ahead of the line, and of course everybody started cussing him out.

Once I got inside and gave my license to the Information Clerk for renewal, he looked at the old one and said,

"Wow this wasn't one of your best hair days on here was it?"

I took my number from him and rolled my eyes. Then I proceeded to sit down in the waiting area.






...where I checked myself in the mirror multiple times until they called me to the counter for a new photo.

Really Though?

My number was 359. The Circuit Court called jurors 001-750. I was hoping the Water Main Break on Calvert St. would've shut down some action in the courtroom today. But of course not.


I was standing on St.Paul in front of the Clarence M Mitchell Jr. Courthouse at 8:15 a.m. My sister had dropped me off because I would be damned if I was catching the crazy MTA after driving for almost 3 years. I brought all of my text books with me like a dummy, thinking that I would get some homework done at least.

Upon entry I managed to set off the metal detector alarm approximately five times.

When I went into the jury assembly room for orientation I sat next to the one person with the "gift of gab". No matter how much I stared at my text book, the conversation never ceased. Then entered the token angry man who is never pleased that he was summoned to jury duty.

"Man look at all these people in here man it's too early in the got damn morning for this shit!" he said.

I was finally relieved when I received my 15 bucks.

Since my number was so low of course I was amongst the second batch of jurors to be selected for a case. About 80 of us scrambled into a court room that made us sit too close for comfort. We were assisted by court room clerks who made us count off to assure that everyone was present (which made me realize that a lot of people in Baltimore can't count, including myself).

The judge began to ask questions to see who qualified for striking, and I realized there is always one individual who must stand up for everything. This person has been a victim of a crime, is bias toward the nature of the case, has a financial, physical, AND mental hardship, and works for the attorney serving the defendant. Really though?

Well I only had one hardship...I'm a full time student.

"Writing For New Media can be missed for this 3-day trial, in fact you can blog about this as an experience." said the judge.

Not a bad idea actually.

Once I convinced the judge that I couldn't be imprisoned for the next 3 days, I realized I had missed 30 minutes of lunch. I quickly walked to the Subway down the street only to be greeted with a long line of hungry jurors on the hunt for a munch just as I was.

After finally receiving and eating my overly toasted sandwich, extra salty chips, and air dry cookies, I returned to the Courthouse only to be harassed by the security officer.

"What is all this stuff that you have in this bag?" he said with a grunt as he searched my purse.
"Our ancestors back in the slavery era paid the price so we didn't have to carry all of these things..." then he turned to the woman who had just been checked and decided to include her in the conversation. "If people were smart they would know that." he said with a laugh.

"Are you calling me stupid?" I asked.

"No young lady, that is NOT what I said" he explained with an irritated tone. Then he proceeded to repeat himself but I cut that short and walked away with my things.

After returning to the assembly room at 1:45 p.m., I finally gave up on any hopes of getting homework done and took a nap. I was awakened by the sound of chains clanking in the hallway. I looked up to see hand cuffed men being guided by police officers, staring me straight in the eyes. I immediately put my head back down and prayed to be called for another case in a courtroom far away from wherever those men were going.

After two long hours and never being called for another case, one of the clerks finally announced in a monotone that we were dismissed.

Next time the City of Baltimore wants me to show my face Downtown, they better be offering 20 bucks...

3 Shootings Raise Death Toll to 26...Thats Almost A Life A Day...

Look at this: Baltimore Homicides Map

Ridiculous.

According to the Baltimore Sun, 3 shootings found yesterday in separate locations in the city raised the death toll to 26 since the start of 2009.

The names of these people are being withheld and the police have yet to make any arrests. (figures)

The first shooting occurred on Washington Street in the Broadway East neighborhood where a 22-year-old man was shot in the head at 3 a.m. in the morning. He was taken to Johns Hopkins where he died not long after.

The second was on the 4500 black of Franklintown Road. The police noticed the door of a stone front building with two separate bathrooms cracked open and a man's feet hanging out. Police say the man had been shot in the back and was pronounced dead on the scene.

The third shooting happened around 4 p.m. on the 1600 block of Gorsuch Road. where a man was shot in the head. He died soon after.

My brother was shot three times in the chest last year around this time, when is the madness gonna end?

Check out the story.

Baltimore...No Sugar No Sweet

Finally...I am here. My name is Janae Griffin and I am a Towson University student, born and raised in Baltimore City, Maryland. I found a lot of perspectives on Baltimore interesting when I first arrived on Towson's, for example:

"Ew...Baltimore!"
"Baltimore?...You mean Bamma-more?"
"Hey...do you watch the Wire? Is Baltimore like that?"
"Baltimore is dirty!"
"I love the Inner Harbor! Have you been?"

While most of these things were true, a lot of them were hurtful. I mean my city isn't all that but it does have some uh...CHARACTER to it! I know you may hear about the crime and controversy of Charm City on blogs such as Baltimore Crime or you may get all the latest up to date news on blogs such as InsideCharmCity, but I am here to show you around the city MY WAY.

The purpose of this blog is simply to reveal the REAL Baltimore. I am going to comment on some of the current events in the city, true, but my main goal is to post live photos daily of the things I see around here and some of the events you all may be missing out on. Some of it will be artsy, and some of it will just be real. So if you catch a photo of a couple of dudes hanging on the corner doing nothing, well, THATS BALTIMORE!

This is your Insider Baltimore blog-STRAIGHT.