Artscape 2010

Ah yes, the biggest event of the year to strike the art scene in Baltimore the East Coast America. This is the nation's largest free arts festival, and it gathers crowds of over 300,000 annually. Sure, to the average Mount Vernon local, the festival is a massive headache of constant music, clogged streets, funnel cakes, and hipsters, but step back for a moment and examine what this means for Baltimore. We are on the cusp of national recognition for being the most productive incubator for musicians, artists, performers and film makers. Smalltimore is like a cultural organism; all genres feeding off one another, spurring others on to progress. Look at venues like the Wind Up Space and Joe Squared, typical watering holes that have become a venue for experimental, electronic, and jazz, and they also curate regular exhibitions. We have communal style art factories like the Copy Cat and the H&H. We've got one of the most recognized art institutes in the country. Artscape is our chance to share these gems with the outside world (who, incidentally, will be pouring their money into our economy as they gobble up $9 corn dogs. Think about it when you complain about opera house parking this weekend. 300,000 tourist dollars. Think of the potholes we could fill! Think of the subsidizing! The gift cards for the mayor!)


If you live within two hours of Baltimore, I HIGHLY suggest you go to this event. You might even run into John Waters! Or Joan Jett! Or me!

Oh, did I mention, it's TOTALLY FREE. Jump on the lightrail, and don't worry about parking.

Click the map to view larger. Print it out, mark it up.

There is a plethora of events and activities to experience this year- far too many to describe here. So, here’s the short list:

MUST SEE:
Art Cars -Charles Street
Exotic Hypnotic -Experimental Music BU Student Center
DIY Artscape -Crafters unite! Get every your every desire knitted, printed, and sewn!
Sondheim Semifinalist show -MICA Fox Building
Maryland Film Festival "Shorts" -The Charles Theatre
McFadden Art Glass -Booth 57!! Glassblowing!!! (shameless self plug)


Friday 7/16:
*2:00pm-9:00pm Exotic Hypnotic -University of Baltimore Student Center
*4:00pm Nana Projects Parade -Charles Street
*6:30pm Maysa -Wachovia Stage
*7:00pm-1:00am Open house at McFadden Art Glass -6802 Eastern Ave
*8:30pm Musiq Soulchild -Wachovia Stage
*9:00pm+ Go to Station North Arts. Anything at Joe2, Windup Space, Load of Fun, and Metro Gallery will be good. Many places are open till 4. (mostly 21+)
 
Saturday 7/17:
*2:00pm-9:00pm Exotic Hypnotic -University of Baltimore Student Center
*4:00pm Billie Holiday Tribute Concert -Meyerhoff Hall
*6:00pm Nana Projects Parade -Charles Street
*6:30pm Cold War Kids -Wachovia Stage
*7:30pm Fashion Design Competition -UB Plaza
*8:00pm Gov't Mule (Allman Brothers side project) -Wachovia Stage
*8:00pm LOL@Artscape -The LOF/t
*9:00pm Mambo Combo -Festival Stage
*9:00pm+ Station North!! Windup Space!! Joe2!! Metro!!
 
Sunday 7/18
This is the best day to bring kids. There are puppet shows, street theatre, magicians, and parades all day long! Check the official list for more
 
 

 
*A note for you out-of-towners:
If you order a "Boh," you will get a cheap, delicious, (kinda)local beer.
If you see an abandoned hula hoop, you're basically required to twirl it.
If you see men in pink beehive wigs, do not be alarmed. Take their picture!
If you see a large group of hipsters, you're probably very near to Dan Deacon.
You are much safer than you think you are, but...
If you end up in Druid Hill, RUN back the way you came.
 
HAVE FUN