As planning for what to do with the vacant lot in the heart of Charles Village (that grassy expanse between 32nd and 33rd Streets, along St. Paul Street) began to develop, there was some talk of bringing in a grocery store to anchor the space. But that won’t be happening, according to Armada Hoffler, the developer of the site, because Charles Village residents are afraid that a larger grocery store would run beloved local market Eddie’s out of business.
Read More →

As the weather gets warmer, a young Baltimorean’s thoughts turn to frosty pints, or spiked lemonade, or minty mojitos, or crisp glasses of Vino Verde. There’s something extra-refreshing about having a drink outside on a balmy night; here are some of our favorite places to do just that. Add your own favorites in the comments! Read More →

If you’re feeling a little blue that Barnum and Bailey have bounced from Baltimore, do not fear.  While clowns and acrobats continued on their tour, and the elephants paraded onward, we were left with a circus-tent-shaped hole in our hearts. Charm City Movement Arts has come to the rescue, offering weekly circus and dance classes in Charles Village for those of us that may not be able to make it all the way down to their Clinton Street location by Patterson Park.  

This Thursday at 2640, Red Emma’s collective arts venue location, Charm City Movement Arts is hosting Acro-Yoga and Moden/Jazz Dance classes for only $15.  Step off that treadmill and try multitasking while you exercise; get fit and prep for your upcoming circus days.  Who needs Barnum and Bailey when you can be your own greatest show on earth?

When:
Thursday, April 11th, 2013
6:00-7:30p Acro Yoga
7:30-9:00p Modern/Jazz Dance

Where:
2640 St Paul St.
Baltimore, MD

Why:
Because exercising while training to be an acrobat is far better than going for a jog.

Cost:
$15 – drop ins welcome.

Moveable Feast is a phenomenal organization.  They provide healthy meals for Maryland residents with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other severe illnesses.  A variety of local organizations have come together to raise money and find food to help further Moveable Feast’s mission, from Gather Baltimore to Fierce Chicks ROCK.  Fierce Chicks is a group of determined women who fundraise throughout the year for Moveable Feast.  Each May, they bike over 140 miles from Ocean City to Baltimore in two days, with each woman raising $1,300 – the cost of feeding one client at Moveable Feast for an entire year.

Tomorrow they are throwing their annual yard sale, with all proceeds to benefit their fundraising goal.  From 7:00a to 1:00 pm they can be found at the corner of Barclay and 31st in Charles Village, just a few steps away from the Waverly Market.  Stop on by to see what goods they’ve found, what deals abound, and help these incredible women reach their worthy goal.
Read More →

We live in an economically-segregated world, so much so that it’s sometimes difficult to get a wider view and see things as they really are. That’s why I’m a fan of websites like Rich Blocks, Poor Blocks, where a savvy data journalist has combined U.S. census data with Google Maps technology to create a stark visual representation of who lives where — and how much it costs. Read More →

The BMA’s newly renovated contemporary wing has been open for a while now. But unless you really keep up with these things or regularly walk/drive/skateboard past the giant banners hanging outside the museum declaring “NEW” and “CONTEMPORARY,” you might have missed all the hullaballoo. And it’s hull worth ballooing over, if that’s a thing. Sure, sure, the renovated contemporary wing features works from the 20^th century artists you’d expect—Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Franz West, et al. But remember the Guerrilla Girls poster campaign that asked, “Do women have to be naked to get into the Metropolitan Museum of Art?” It cited the statistics that women represented less than five percent of the artists in the modern art wing, but more than three-fourths of the nudes. The last time they did this count was last year. Nothing has changed. So here’s another reason to love Baltimore: The newly renovated contemporary wing visibly includes works by women, artists of color, and artists whose work actually makes social statements that respond to today’s issues. Now that’s a contemporary art collection.

Some of the new acquisitions include work from 21st-century artists such as Guyton\Walker, Josephine Meckseper, Sarah Sze, and Rirkrit Tiravanija. One of the latest additions to the collection is a dramatic site-specific installation by award-winning artist Sarah Oppenheimer. There’s so much to take in at the the newly renovated BMA that we can’t possibly describe it all here. But find a day when the weather is lousy, walk right in (it’s free, after all) and soak it up.

For hours and information about specific exhibitions, visit www.artbma.org.

Photo by Bruce Willen

For eighty percent of the year, Charles Village is a wonderful place to live. Those painted ladies! That civic spirit! The street fair! But for at least two months every year, the charming neighborhood morphs into a disgusting place caked with — forgive me! — bird shit. Yes, it’s crow season in Charles Village once again — and we may as well admit that the birds are winning.
Read More →

So, it’s confession time. Here at Catch of the Day, we don’t actually think of this as the Holiday Season. We think of it as the Craft Fair Season. Specifically, we think of it as the finally-I-can-buy-myself-all-the-cool-handmade-stuff-I-want-while-pretending-to-be-shopping-for-gifts season. Because that’s what it is! Those of us who just aren’t naturally inclined toward Martha Stewart-esque meticulous crafting have to wait all year for those who are so inclined to set up shop and hawk their wares. We’ve been waiting all year for a new crocheted hat, a faux-taxidermy dear head made of felt, and a wooden iPhone stand! And no, we are not joking…

If your personal wish list reads like ours, be sure to make it to the Charm City Craft Mafia’s Holiday Heap—a  bazaar of super talented local and out-of-town artists and artisans. Beware: it’s one day only, so mark your calendars! The heap will have everything from handmade clothing to artists’ prints, to pottery, and yes, felt faux taxidermy.  This promises to be a really good one, as far as holiday craft markets go, so gear up and bring the wish list.

Holiday Heap takes place Saturday, December 1st from 10am to 5pm at 2640 St. Paul Street in St. John’s Church in Baltimore.

For far the past two years, Baltimore has had a void.  While we’ve been able to enjoy a good landscape or religious portrait, or even the Kinetic Sculpture Race, we’ve been forced to travel to far-off museums in DC or Philly for a solidly curated contemporary collection.  Come Sunday, the void will be filled.

Artist: Melissa Webb

The BaltimoreMuseum of Art (BMA) is reopening its contemporary wing this Sunday, November 18 after a two-year renovation project.  The new wing has three new exhibitions, two interactive galleries, sound and moving image works, a black box gallery,  and the new BMA Go Mobile interactive art guide app. The installations include a wide range of artists from masters such as Warhol and Rauschenberg, to newer emerging artists on the contemporary scene.

The Grand Opening takes place on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and includes various performances and activities for the entire family.  If you prefer something for a date night, consider coming Saturday night, November 17 to the BMA Late Night at 9:00 p.m.  White Life and Tim Nohe will be providing music, there will be collaborative art-making projects designed by renowned sculptor Maren Hassinger, and discussions led by BMA staff to give you fresh perspectives on new exhibits.  Light fare and a cash bar will be on the premises, so come celebrate in style this momentous occasion for the Baltimore arts scene.

Where?
The Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive
Baltimore, MD

When?
Saturday, November 17, 2012
9:00pm – Midnight

Sunday, November 18, 2012
11:00am – 5:00pm

Why?
To celebrate contemporary art making a comeback in Baltimore!

John Shields

Courtesy of Citybizlist – John Shields, recognized as “The Culinary Ambassador of the Chesapeake Bay,” has authored four  cookbooks (and is currently working on his fifth) and hosts a show on public television entitled “Chesapeake Bay Cooking.” Beginning in 1996 (and in his “spare” time), John is the owner and operator of Gertrude’s –  his restaurant at The Baltimore Museum of Art (www.gertrudesbaltimore.com). Read More →