Cirque de la Symphonie

This week we saw the most astounding performance we’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing at The Meyerhoff as the BSO continued their inspired, month-long circus extravaganza; we were willing participants in a charmingly (and openly) corrupt dance contest when Moveable Feasts hosted their fundraiser, aptly dubbed Moveable Feets, at the Metro Gallery; we got down as Tommy Tucker and the SuperNaturals literally tried to tear the roof off of the Ottobar; we made new friends at The Annual Mustache and Miniskirt party at Joe Squared and we found a gem on Oliver Street when we were invited to a hell of a soiree at Area 405. Did I forget anything? Why yes. I did. By the time you read this… we’ll be on the road headed to Austin, Texas where SXSW beckons and insanity awaits. Godspeed.

This isn’t Roscoe P. Coltrane and Boss Hogg caught in a compromising position people, this is What Weekly.

The Big Picture

You’d have to see this to believe it. Since flash photography was prohibited for obvious reasons (shame on us if our big ol’ flash threw off Jarek and Derek’s balance), The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra kindly provided us with these amazing photos of performers with Cirque de la Symphonie.

The BSO has been undergoing a renaissance of its own that coincides with the city’s cultural reawakening. With the addition of internationally acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop and a willingness to provide more accessible, collaborative performances, like the ones with Cirque de la Symphonie and other acts during the month of ‘BSO Under the Big Top,’ the BSO is reaffirming its irreplaceable role as one of Baltimore’s most important cultural institutions.

In the big picture above strongmen Jarek and Derek left audiences spellbound during their performances at The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall with feats of strength that challenged our notions of physical reality. Photo courtesy of the BSO.

Content and photographs created by Justin Allen and Brooke Hall of What Weekly. Featuring photography by BSO and Scott Mason. Videos by Tommy Tucker and BSO.

March 17, 2010 | Issue 9

The Good Word.

Bmore Fiber

Ask Google to Invest Billions in Baltimore’s Future. Google is looking for trial cities for their new high-speed fiber optic network.

We think Google Fiber has the potential to change the face of Baltimore’s economy. This could be one of the most important investments in Baltimore ever. Thanks to Bmore Fiber.

If you want to help get Google fiber optic trial in your community, nominate Baltimore now.

Cirque de la Symphonie provides an adaptation of unique and stunning cirque performances tailored to complement the symphony experience. The production is filled with contortionists, aerial flyers, dancers, jugglers, acrobats, strongmen and more to keep the audience on the edge of their seats for the entire length of the performance. Pictured above is contortionist Elena Tsarkov.
Photo courtesy of the BSO.

The audience at The Meyerhoff gave a well-deserved standing ovation to the orchestra and members of Cirque de la Symphonie who gave all in attendance an afternoon of delight that sparked the imagination and filled spectators with awe. Arial performers such as Alexander Streltsov and Christine Van Loo soared above the music as if their brilliantly executed dance took little effort at all. Photo courtesy of the BSO.

Humble Tripe kicked off Moveable Feets at The Metro Gallery Saturday night with their sweet, soulful sort of folk that has the same kind of universal appeal as wading in a cool creek on a hot summer day. Later in the evening The Motorettes, The Degenerettes and DJ John Eaton cranked up the BPM, but this opening band was a nice surprise and an excellent way to start the evening.

Judges for the dance contest included Flo Shizzle from the Charm City Roller Girls, Bret McCabe, City Paper Arts Editor, and artist Laure Drogoul (not pictured). The judges awarded prizes for unusual categories such as ‘most disaffected dancer,’ ‘best rhythmic sipper’ and ‘biggest bribe,’ which undoubtedly took far less effort than the award for ‘awesomest dancer.’ Being involved in a dance contest that doesn’t actually require any dancing takes the pressure off and turns the extortion on. Never before has corruption felt so good. Thanks to the judges for helping Moveable Feasts raise funds.

Rahne Alexander and candidate to represent the 43rd District in the Maryland House of Delegates, Mary Washington. Rahne helped organize this event which raises awareness for Moveable Feasts, Team Bike Curious and Ride for The Feast. Rahne later joined her band The Degenerettes for a rousing round of power punk with a wee bit of angst for good measure.

Moveable Feets was a fundraiser to benefit Team Bike Curious and Moveable Feasts, a non-profit that provides food to people living with HIV/AIDS and breast cancer.

‘Ride for the Feast’ is a two day, 140 mile bike trek from Rehoboth Beach, Deleware to Baltimore City that benefits people in poverty with life-challenging conditions. Contact Moveable Feasts to find out how to participate as a bike rider, crew member or donor.

Patrons of the Ottobar last Saturday night were witnesses to the resurrection of old school rock and roll as Tommy Tucker and the SuperNaturals tore through a blistering set that left Tommy sweatin’ like a streetwalker during Sunday service and gave the audience more than enough reason to cut a rug if there had been one there to cut.

If you think you’ve seen this back up band before, you’re right. The SuperNaturals are none other than Baltimore’s favorite throw back, The Bellevederes. When they go out to back Tommy Tucker, they also take on super powers to help withstand the high levels of energy radiating from Tommy when he gets near a microphone (hence the alternate name).

SuperNatural trombone player Micah Huerta gets the award for best photo of the week.

You may remember Tiffany DeFoe from such bands as The Multiphonic Choir, Gunwife Gone, Lafayette Gilchrist, Alvin and The Chimpmunks, Abba, The Fredrick Douglas High School marching band and Styx. Okay, so I’m not positive about all of those, but I’ll let you discern which are accurate.

The Mustache and Miniskirt Party is yet another reason to love Joe Squared. Each year the party goers sport their most fashionable mustaches and take to the dance floor for what is shaping up to be one of the year’s best dance parties. Also part of the tradition is a performance by hip hop innovators Clair Hux. Photo by Scott Mason.

Okan Arabacioglu, Gavin Heck, Kerra Holtgren and Andy Rubin, owner of Cyclops bookstore. Okan plays a big role in what makes the Mustache Party such a special event. Is it the way that he expertly hosts the drunken spelling bee? Is it his fabulous mustache that started this fast growing trend? We’re not sure but we’re keeping an eye on Okan. We expect more great things. Photo by Scott Mason.

Kyle Holtgren is shown here embodying two very necessary components for a successful Mustache and Miniskirt Part. The mustache and the DJ. Apparently the miniskirt is not essential. Photo by Scott Mason.

We caught up with Max and Julie Bent of LOT 201 at a cocktail reception at Area 405 in the Station North Arts District. Julie has a studio space in the building where she designs her unique line of custom clothing.

This was our first chance to explore the Area 405 gallery and studios. The artists that share the space are an eclectic group who are as engaging as they are accomplished. We look forward to returning to Area 405 for future events and would like to extend a thanks to our gracious hosts for inviting us to partake in their generosity.

Just what The Block needed… Tommy Tucker, Keep Good Time.

And now for those of you who may have missed it, Cirque de la Symphonie.

Once again, let’s spread the goodness.

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Wednesday, March 17

Mobtown Modern Presents: High Art at The Contemporary Art Museum 8 pm
Flautists Katayoon Hodjati and Marcia Kamper and clarinetist Jennifer Everhart scrape the other end of the tonal range with a recital of high-pitched pieces by Philip Glass, Brian Ferneyhough, Kaija Saariaho, and Pierre Boulez.

Lafayette Gilchrist at Joe Squared 10 pm
Live jazz.

For more details, directions and events click here.

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Thursday, March 18

Acoustic Thursdays: at Peace & a Cup of Joe 7 pm
The Sound of Baltimore hosted by Marc Evans.

500 Clown Macbeth at The Patterson Theater 7:30 pm
Chicago’s premiere physical theater company 500 Clown explodes Shakespeare’s classic. Q&A follows.

Moog: Lovesongs at Red Maple 9 pm
Featuring: DJ JP Rigaud (Nikki Beach // Miami, FL), Terry Thompson (Defected // UK) and Soulgiver (Deep Sugar // Baltimore, MD).

Danny Gouker’s Misfit Toys at The Windup Space 9:30 pm
Live jazz.

Michael Raitzyk at Joe Squared 10 pm
For the last 20 years , Michael Raitzyk has been one of Baltimore’s preimer jazz guitarists.

For more details, directions and events click here.

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Friday, March 19

Sahffi & Her Band at Tealove 8 pm
Sahffi & her band return to one of their favorite Baltimore venues, Teavolve, on Friday, March 19th, with special guest mOsno

Circus Maximus at The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall 8 pm
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop perform David T. Little’s Screamer, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 3 ‘Circus Maximus.’

Soul Full Party with Higher Hands at The 8×10 8 pm
Do you like funky soul fusion with a twist of rhyme? Then, you may want to check out the Higher Hands, influenced by the likes of Mos Def. The other groups are sure to bring the soul as well.

Grandmother Project: Featuring Vincent E. Thomas and VT Dance at The Theatre Project 8 pm
This work investigates the essence, role, and commonalities of grandmothers from a personal and global perspective. This project captures reflections and memories of loved ones through spoken text, movement, music, video and projected images.

Unite: Celebrate the Equinox at Sonar 8 pm
Performances by Soohan, Marmoset, Katastatik, Hypnotic Buddha, Voodoo Pharmacology, Pablo Fiasco, Mikie Love, DJ Negro and the Megadrives.

For more details, directions and events click here.

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Saturday, March 20

The Collective Presents: Amercian Modernism at The Baltimore Museum of Art at 2 pm & 8 pm
The Collective presents a concert of modern dance works that draw inspiration from the Baltimore Museum of Art’s current exhibit Paul Cezanne and American Modernism. The 4th Annual Community Project will premiere at this concert.

510 Series at Minas Gallery 5 pm
Minas presents Todd Whaley, Molly Gaudry, Jamie Iredell, and Ashlie Kauffman in this fiction reading. Jen Michalski and Michael Kimball host.

Circus Maximus at The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall 8 pm
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop perform David T. Little’s Screamer, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 3 ‘Circus Maximus.’

Grandmother Project: Featuring Vincent E. Thomas and VT Dance at The Theatre Project 8 pm
This work investigates the essence, role, and commonalities of grandmothers from a personal and global perspective. This project captures reflections and memories of loved ones through spoken text, movement, music, video and projected images.

Height with Friends at The Windup Space 9:30 pm
Featuring: Snails, Dope Body and King Rhythm.

For more details, directions and events click here.

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Sunday, March 21

Grandmother Project: Featuring Vincent E. Thomas and VT Dance at The Theatre Project 3 pm
This work investigates the essence, role, and commonalities of grandmothers from a personal and global perspective. This project captures reflections and memories of loved ones through spoken text, movement, music, video and projected images.

Circus Maximus at The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall 3 pm
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop perform David T. Little’s Screamer, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 3 ‘Circus Maximus.’

Ladies Verse X: Mothers, Sisters & Superheroes at The Baltimore Museum of Art 6:30 pm
Annual whole soul event presented by Poetry for the People Baltimore with all-star all-lady lineup of poets, vocalists, dancers, musicians, emcees. Voted “Best Poetry Come Theater” by the City Paper.

Man Man at Sonar 8 pm
Viking, vaudville, manic gypsy jazz.

Professional Soul at The Red Maple 9 pm
The best in modern hip-hop, R & B, reggae and neo soul.

For more details, directions and events click here.

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Monday, March 22

No Rule: Sammy Slice (Philly) w/Cullen Stalin & Scottie B at The Metro Gallery 10 pm

Dance Party.

For more details, directions and events click here.

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Tuesday, March 23

Out of Your Head Collective at The Windup Space 9:30 pm

The Out of Your Head Collective is an improvised music collective in Baltimore. Each Tuesday night at The Windup Space a new group is formed from the collective’s 30+ members to perform sets of never-before-heard improvised music.

DIG Dance Party at Joe Squared 10 pm

Funk dance party featuring: Landis Expandis and DJ Napspace.

For more details, directions and events click here.

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Ongoing

Hive: An exhibition of Oliver Street Studio artists and Area 405 volunteers
HIVE showcases the energy and talent of 35 resident artists and volunteers that daily circulate the halls and studios of the 160 year-old, 66,000 square foot, artist-owned warehouse space.

Wasteland at C. Grimaldis Gallery

Photographs by Lynn Cazabon, Christopher Myers, Leslie Furlong, Leland Rice, Dimitra Lazaridou, and Sofia Silver. An essay by Cara Ober will accompany the exhibition. March 3 – April 3.

Personal Effects: The Photography of Jack Radcliffe at Gallery 1448

Features intimate portraits of family and friends of Jack Radcliffe.
March 5 – March 21st.

Adornamental at The Silber Gallery at Goucher College

Adornamental features the work of seven artists who are breaking new ground in the decorative and ornamental arts. February 16- March 28.

Videopolis: Call For Submissions by The Metro Gallery

The Metro Gallery of Baltimore is currently accepting submissions for VIDEOPOLIS to be held on May 6th – 8th 2010. In an effort to further the appreciation of film in Baltimore and the surrounding areas the Metro Gallery will be presenting chosen works for free across the street from the Charles Theater during the Maryland Film Festival. Ends April 10.

For more details, directions and events click here.

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