Baltimore21201.Com - The Blog

You Can't Fly to Milan's Teatro alla Scala? Be There Here, in 21201!

Baltimore's Charles Theatre is offering up the last four screenings of their 2009 Spring/Summer Opera Ballet Season.

You don't have to go beyond 21201's 1700 Block of N Charles Street to see some truly great performances.

Il Viaggio a Reims - Sunday July 5, 2009

at 11:45 AM

Il Viaggio a Reims is Rossini's last opera in the Italian language (all of his later works were in French). Commissioned to celebrate the coronation of French King Charles X in Rheims in 1825, the work has been critically acclaimed as one of Rossini's finest compositions. It is a demanding work, requiring 14 soloists (three sopranos, one contralto, two tenors, four baritones, and four basses).  

The uniqueness and audacity of the opera is compounded by its plot, which concerns a group of people who plan excitedly for a viaggio (journey) to the city of Reims that at the end never happens.

Swan Lake - Sunday July 12,2009

at 11:45 AM

Swan Lake was the first ballet set to the score of a symphonic composer. From around the time of the turn of the 19th century until the beginning of the 1890s, scores for ballets were almost always written by composers known as "specialists" - composers who were highly skilled at scoring the light, decorative, melodious, and rhythmically clear music that was at that time in vogue for ballet. Tchaikovsky studied the music of these "specialists", such as the Italian Cesare Pugni and the Czechoslovakian Léon Minkus, before setting to work on Swan Lake

Aida - Sunday July 19,2009

at 11:45 AM

Aida met with great acclaim when it finally opened in Cairo on 24 December 1871. However, although Verdi did not attend, he was most dissatisfied with the fact that the audience consisted of invited dignitaries, politicians and critics, but no members of the general public. He therefore considered the Italian (and European) premiere, to be held at La Scala, Milan on 8 February the following year, and in which he was heavily involved at every stage, to be its real premiere.

Stravinsky and the Ballets Russes - Sunday July 26,2009

at 11:45 AM

Like the concept? Visit the Charles Theatre website to learn more about each screening. Tickets for this kind of special entertainment are as cheap as dirt in Baltimore 21201. Be there.

21201 - Baltimore Chinese Food Delivery

I'd forgotten I still had a post for the long-closed Eli's Chinese Restaurant on the blog until this morning when I was going through visitor logs and noticed the post was generating hits from folks looking for Chinese delivery downtown. I've deleted that post.

For the past couple of years when we want good, reliable, fast Chinese delivered we call Peking House.

When we go out for Chinese we go to Zongshan on Park Avenue. But sometimes, after a long day or when we're just feeling lazy, we call for delivery.

When you're looking for the kind of Chinese delivery that hasn't changed in decades, Peking House is the place to call. Chicken with Cashew, Shrimp with Lobster Sauce, Mongolian Beef, Hot and Sour Soup, all the standards. Their House Special Lo Mein is very good (and even better cold the next morning).

We've found that after you order from them a few times you start getting extra little surprises with your orders. A free entree, free sodas, stuff like that.

Peking House is at 11 E Baltimore Street between Charles and St. Paul. 410-539-8183 and 410-539-8184. 410-528-8898 Fax.

Just one thing: The phone order-takers usually have really intense Chinese accents. Go slow. The Sesame Chicken is worth cutting them some slack.

Our BSO Goes Psycho - 1 Night Only

Norman Bates: She just goes a little mad sometimes. We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?

Quick. Can you think of a way to make Hitchcock's film noir classic, Psycho, even more exciting, even more disturbing?

The Baltimore Symphony has. And they will present their answer...

...at the Meyerhoff on July 10th. Our BSO will screen the movie with the film's dialogue and effect tracks only. The orchestra will perform Bernard Herrmann's entire cinematic score live. I can feel those screeching, piercing violins giving me cutis anserina even now.

Tickets for the 7:30PM performance are going fast. If you've never seen a movie with an orchestra playing the score, you're in for a real treat. It's an experience like no other. It's big. Brash. It's bold. You'll never think of Physco again without the awesome memory of hearing the score played live.

Norman Bates: Hate the smell of dampness, don't you? It's such a, I don't know, creepy smell.

The Seminal Subway Movie is Back - On Friday in Baltimore 21201

When I saw the first - the original - version of The Taking of Pelham 123 back in the late 1970s I was amazed. I hadn't read the book and couldn't imagine how a movie about taking a NYC subway train and its passengers hostage could be made. Or, how it could possibly be believable. I lived in New York. I took subways every day. A subway and passengers hostage? Too crazy for words. And, the lobby cards and theatrical posters were much more fanciful back then. And in the late 70s, a million bucks in New York City was a truck-load of money.

There were a number of folks in the original cast that caught my eye: Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam... that was enough for me to buy a ticket. What a show. What a movie. Pelham 123 became one of my all time favorites.

I've watched Pelham 123 on cable a dozen times over the years. Actually many, many more times. Matthau is just perfect in the original.

Times have changed. Posters and lobby cards have changed. The fun and intrigue of this movie have not. It's a fun escapade. It's a fun escape, and a fun look back at another, earlier decade.

Head over to to our Inner Harbor Landmark Theatres on Friday to take a look at the new version of this movie. I promise it will be great fun.

If you havn't seen the 1970's original... I'd suggest renting it after you see the 2009 version.

The 2009 trailer is here.

Baltimore Restaurants, Need a Lift? Take a Clue from This.

With some restaurants around the Baltimore area closing and other 21201 restaurants looking for new ways to increase business during these tough economic times, I offer this...

Take a look at some of the top-tier industry leaders and learn from what those venues are doing. For example, New York's Russian Tea Room. 

Some background: The RTR was one of the first New York restaurants of Legend-and-History that I ever visited. And my first visit in 1970 made it one of my forever-favorites. I was 20 years old at the time.

The food - exceptional. The menu - exceptional. The wait-staff even better. Don't even ask about the bartender. When I first sat down at the front bar (Slightly to the Left of Carnegie Hall) and ordered a martini, he said, "Russian vodka, of course. Olives? Twist?"

I said, "Make it your way." (I'd read that phrase in the New Yorker Magazine and thought it sounded smart.)

He did make it his way. Ice cold; frozen cold. One olive. And, slightly dirty. He made me feel so special that I could never again walk down 57th Street and not go in and sit at the bar. It wasn't about the martinis - it was about the service. I could get a plain iced coffee at the bar or a cup of Russian Tea in amazing surroundings, have a wonderful time, leave a decent tip and still go home without breaking my minimal bank.

The Russian Tea Room's latest promotion is an extension of their High Tea. This time, for the younger set. For Children.

When restaurants are in that dead-time between lunch and dinner, does this menu make sense? I think so. I think this concept is worth a million bucks in PR.

---

CHILDREN'S TEA

Carousel of Tea Sandwiches and Blini

• PB&J on Blini
• Grilled Trio of Cheeses
• Little Pig-in-a-Blanket
• Miniature BLT
• Cucumber with Chive Cream Cheese
• Classic Tuna Fish
• Chopped Egg Salad

Desserts

• Traditional Warm Scone
• Crisp Apple Slices with Creamy Caramel
• Red Velvet Cupcake with Sprinkles
• Chocolate Mousse Topped with Mixed Berries 

Decaffinated Tea Selection

• Raspberry Zinger
• Raspberry with herbal hibiscus 
• Lotus Green Tea with subtle essence of lotus blossoms
• Mint Verbena
• Pure peppermint
• Ginger Tea Slightly spicy, fruity-citrus notes
• Rooibos Chai South African red bush with Indian spices
• Chamomile Delicate sweet notes or
• The Russian Tea Room's Signature Hot Chocolate Served with Whipped Cream & Marshmallows 

$25 per person

• For A True Russian Tea Room Experience: Add one blini with Paddlefish Caviar for $10

 ---
I'm telling you, it doesn't get much better than that. To bring this concept back to Baltimore, the last time that Jacob and I were at Gertrude's at BMA, we watched some of Baltimore's smartest youngsters order their food, ask questions about it, and critique the offering. Come on, Baltimore. We can do this. We can do more and get the all of the PR that goes with it.

Behind the Scenes Tours of Baltimore Landmarks. Baltimore Heritage.

Most Baltimore residents and fans of the city know the historic sites that we all visit because they are highly visible or heavily promoted in one way or another. The Shot Tower. The Lexington Market. The Washington Monument. And we all visit Little Italy and the Inner Harbor and Attman's Deli (Ohhh the corned beef).

Few of us ever get real behind-the-scenes-tours of the more extraordinary places that make Baltimore Baltimore.

Have you ever been to the woodwright shop of Thomas Brown in the Remington neighborhood? Or the Robyn and Travis Hardaway home in Bolton HIll -- it was a Synagogue that's now a private home? How about G. Krug and Sons' Ironworks -- Krug and Sons is our nations oldest ironworks facility and is still in the same location as it was in 1810.

As far as Jacob and I know, there's only one way to get true access (intimate access) to properties like these.

It's by being a member of Baltimore Heritage.

We've been members for some years now, and while it's one of the least expensive memberships in our city, it's one of the memberships with the most benefits.

The next members' tour from Baltimore Heritage is an extensive, insiders tour of the Basilica of the Assumption. Join Baltimore Heritage. And, be there. We will.

Now That the O's Are Winning Again...

Head over the the website of the Library of Congress for a super wonderful video presentation by Paul Dickson. He's the author of The Dickson Baseball Dictionary.

The DBD is an indispensable resource for hard-core fans as well as anyone newly interested in our national pastime.

It was 25 years in the making. Contains more than 10,000 terms with 18,000 individual entries. Was written with the help of 300 baseball and lexical experts. And the origins of many of the words and terms are remarkable.

This isn't just for baseball folks, though. If you love words, terms, dictionaries, research... you'll love this presentation. I did and I thought out of left field meant presenting a bad advertising concept.

Baltimore / Washington Screen Actors Guild Members

An important reminder. Your vote on SAG's tentative TV/Theatrical contract is important. And, your ballot must be received by the tabulators by 5PM (PDT) on June 9th 2009.

My Referendum Packet arrived today.

The packets contain four pieces: 1. A Summary Document and Voting Instructions Booklet, 2. A green coded Ballot, 3. A green secret Ballot envelope, and 4. A green, postage-paid, Business Reply envelope.

When you receive your packet -- and, if you're still unsure how to vote -- head to the District and learn more. May 28th 2009, 12:30PM. Details & Links.

Baltimore / Washington SAG Members: Heads Up

If you're undecided on the proposed SAG TV/Theatrical Agreement, here's a local meeting you must attend.

Washington, DC - Thursday, May 28th at 12:30P. City Club of Washington, 555 13th Street, NW, Washington 20004. No guests allowed. Parents or guardians of performers under 18 very welcome. SAG union card paid thru April 2009 required for admission.

YOUR SCREEN ACTORS GUILD
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

RECOMMENDS A YES VOTE ON THE
TV/THEATRICAL AGREEMENT

Details of the tenative agreement are posted here.

I'll be at the meeting in DC and then I will be voting YES. Will you?

(National TV/Theatrical Contracts Hotline (323) 549-6665)

Marketing Jelly Fish (and more) in Baltimore

This campaign is solid as a rock. And a joy to follow. The Baltimore Waterfront Partnership is pulling out all the stops and making announcements in really clever ways.

Check out Waterfront Invasion (the website) for a complete list of events, and to book your tickets to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, featuring the all new exhibit Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out Of Balance and the Maryland Science Center, featuring the all new exhibit Chinasaurs-Dinosaur Discoveries. In addition to the new exhibits themselves, the summer long promotion will also include family-friendly events and activities and exciting “invasion” décor elements around the Inner Harbor.

Follow the fun on Twitter, YouTube and the Inner Harbor near you! All summer long.