Baltimore’s art scene encompasses so many amazing genres and niches that just slip through the cracks in other cities. Elsewhere, a museum dedicated to works by outsider artists might be a sort of underground, marginal attraction—here, AVAM is a glass-mosaic jewel in the Charm City’s crown. Likewise, if we’re going to take time out of our day to enjoy and celebrate some virtuosic vocalists, it’s not going to be all Placido Domingo all the time. No. We’d much rather attend EMBODY, a festival of the vocal arts founded by local beatboxer Shodekeh and dedicated to vocal art traditions of Baltimore and the world. EMBODY’s latest offering is scheduled for tomorrow, April 6^th at the Creative Alliance. Read More →

Back in the late 90′s, there was a wonderful show called “Whose Line Is It Anyways?”  I spent many an evening enjoying the improvisational stylings of the cast, crew and musical team.  A few years ago, I was lucky enough to catch Wayne Brady at a show in Virginia, and my dreams from 1999 came true.  Imagine my elation, joy and surprise at discovering that Laura Hall, the improvisational pianist from Whose Line was coming to the Creative Alliance this weekend. Read More →

Sometimes you hear about a story, and the only reaction you can honestly have is to go, “Oh man! That is so cool!” And then to keep saying that over and over and over again– sometimes to another person, and sometimes just to yourself. So it is with the film Deaf Jam, which will be screening tomorrow night (March 14th) at the Creative Alliance. Deaf Jam follows the story of Aneta Brodski, a deaf teen, who seizes the day when she’s introduced to American Sign Language (ASL) Poetry and boldly enters the spoken word slam scene.This would probably be interesting enough to most viewers, but the story becomes even more amazing when Aneta, an Israeli immigrant living in Queens, meets Tahani, a hearing Palestinian slam poet. The two women embark on a collaboration and perform a duet, creating a new form of slam poetry that speaks to both the hearing and the Deaf.  Need we say, “wow?” Read More →

Creative Alliance is known around town for their incredibly thought-provoking, creative, eclectic events.  They find the hidden artistic gems in our city and generously put them on display for us.  Baltimore-based filmmaker, Gregory Marsh, brings us the story of Victory for Change, a documentary about two Indian women fighting for the rights of the marginalized in Indian society.  The untouchables, women and children are often neglected, and Marsh felt compelled to bring light to those who work for the betterment of others. This Thursday, check out a screening of this powerful film, followed by a panel discussion with Elizabeth Alex from Casa Maryland, Aida Pinto-Baquero from Mis Raices, Sawsan Al Sayyab of International Rescue Committee, and members of Baltimore Women’s Forum, a monthly dialogue group of refugee women, including Mary Kinyoli of Kenya, and Nidaa Haseeb of Iraq. Read More →

Ever considered what the Mick Jagger of educational children’s music would be like? Or who might deserve the title of The Boss of songs about recycling? The King of Pop(ular education about biodiversity)? Check out these lyrics from Billy B—the man who jams at 300 shows a year while helping spread the word about such poetic subjects as pollination:

Yo, I’m a flower, here comes the bee,
she wants to get, nectar from me.
My dusty pollen, she will also carry,
it will stick to her body,
because her body is hairy!

I think we’ve found our man. And you can catch him up close and personal this Saturday at the Creative Alliance. We don’t expect there’ll be screaming fans throwing their unmentionables at the guy (this crowd tends more toward throwing Cheerios and bouncy balls), but nonetheless, get ready for a rock star-caliber performance. Read More →

I had my first introduction to the Baltimore Improv Group, affectionately known as BIG, this past Saturday at their second performance of 2013 at the Mobtown Theater.  They were an absolute delight and oh how I envied the unadulterated joy on all the performers’ faces as they were in their complete element.  Every joke, every movement, every slight change in intonation was noted by fellow performers, and executed masterfully, right on the spot.

Luckily, BIG looks out for all of us who may wish to test the improvisational waters.  Their introductory improv classes begin tonight at the Creative Alliance and take place every Tuesday night from 7-9pm through February 19th.  Advance registration is $170, $150 for Creative Alliance members. Walk-ins are $190, $170 for members.  The final show is a culmination of all things learned in the weeks prior, in a showcase for your friends, family, and any nemeses to which you may want to rudely show off your newfound talent.  Follow in the footsteps of such improv geniuses as Tina Fey, Steve Carrell, Amy Poehler, Bill Murray and Amy Sedaris.

When:
Tuesdays from 7:00p – 9:00p

Where:
The Creative Alliance
3134 Eastern Ave
Baltimore, MD

Why:
To loosen up a bit and learn just how capable you may be to make others laugh.

Cost:
Tomorrow?  $190.  Which comes out to $27/week if you don’t miss a week.  Skip happy hour a few times, and you’re golden.  No excises!

TGIFF2013! Know what we mean? On the first Friday of every month, various happenings occur around the city—stores stay open late and galleries host openings and receptions. And this is the first Friday not only of the month, but of the year. So after last month’s non-stop shopping and rushing around, why not enjoy an evening of simply taking in some local culture at the Creative Alliance and grabbing a drink at Clementine’s bar while you’re there. Read More →

Stop me if you’ve heard this one.  A grasshopper walks into a bar. The bartender says, “Hey, we’ve got a drink named after you.” The grasshopper says, “Really? You’ve got a drink named Lenny?” [insert rim shot here]. But in all seriousness,  the invention of the perfect cocktail is no mean feat. There’s a reason we’ll travel the extra distance for the bartender (sorry, mixologist) who knows how to muddle the mint leaves just right, or where they infuse the vodka in house with single-source cocoa or local cucumber. When a drink is made just right, it’s the sort of thing you can linger over and enjoy for as long as the company and conversation will allow. And the better the drink, the more likely the company and conversation will stay for another. Want to be able to work this magic yourself? Walk right in to Clementine at the Creative Alliance for a mixology workshop. Read More →

Bob Parsons, founder and executive chairman of Go Daddy, has made a $1 million donation to the University of Baltimore to establish a new professorship specializing in digital communication — a burgeoning field that brings together computer science, graphic design, entrepreneurship and related skills.

In addition to the professorship, Parsons, a member of the Class of 1975 who grew up in Highlandtown, will give lectures, either on campus or in a virtual environment, to share his expertise on  digital life, online marketing and entrepreneurship. Parsons is credited with providing leadership for Go Daddy’s marketing strategies, including its well- known Super Bowl ad campaigns that helped put Go Daddy in its leading position with Web hosting and domain names. The first lecture is set to occur at UB in the fall.

(Parsons continues to break new ground on the Internet with his highly-touted video blog, www.BobParsons.me, above, which has become popular with entrepreneurs. His one-of-a-kind personality — and his authentic Baltimore accent — really come through!)

Read More →

Citybizlist continues its Pictorial Tour feature spotlighting  a local company’s office through pictures, with Baltimore design and marketing boutique Vitamin.

Founded in 2002, Vitamin provides brand strategy, print design, web design, and public relations services.

Its studio is located in Highlandtown among row houses filled with locally owned businesses, including the Creative Alliance at the Patterson Theatre. The studio was built out in 2005 to create a space that inspires a culture that is current, intelligent, relaxed, and goal-orientated.

Vitamin is led and owned by president and CEO Amanda Karfakis and COO Mike Karfakis (husband and wife team).

Its client roster includes Saint Agnes Hospital, Hamilton Bank, and 1st Mariner Arena, among others.

Without further ado, enjoy the digital tour through Vitamin’s Highlandtown office.

About Vitamin
Vitamin® is the Cure for the Common Brand. The firm is a rare boutique that integrates brand strategy, print design, web design, and public relations all under one roof. Vitamin’s studio is located in the heart of Highlandtown, among row houses filled with locally owned businesses, including coffee shops, restaurants, and the Creative Alliance at the Patterson Theatre. Vitamin will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. The studio was built out in 2005 to create a space that inspires a culture that is current, intelligent, relaxed, and goal-orientated. Vitamin is owned by Amanda and Mike Karfakis (husband and wife team); the firm employs 8, including a security officer, Alaz (Mike and Amanda’s German Shepherd). Read More →