Baltimore21201.Com - The Blog

June - Thanks to Downtown Partnership

Print out the calendar and let's party. By the way, take special note of the Happy Hour with food from Midtown BBQ and Brew.

The Baltimore Sun likes Midtown BBQ as much as I do. The Sun's reviewer, Eric Maza, wrote:

…Midtown might just be poised to become Mount Vernon’s happy hour nerve center again, thanks to a successful face-lift and a farm-to-table menu that is unapologetically traditional, rich and charmingly displayed on the plate…

Photo courtesy Baltimore Sun, Algerina Perna

…I’ll be coming back, not for the beer, not for the TV, but for an enormous rack of ribs that’ll last me for a couple of days…

…beef is organic, free-range, bought from a Pennsylvania farm and butchered and smoked in-house. This farm-to-table approach, rare among casual restaurants, is one of the restaurant’s assets…

June looks like it will rate high on the BrockelMeter.

Enjoy!

Meet Betty White in NYC? Yes, You Can!

The Friars Club is involved. That means it's going to be a bawdy, no-holds-barred evening. Stevedores will blush like girls at their first prom. It'll cost you a few bucks, but it's for a great cause. (And think about it, face time with Betty White is priceless.) 

                          Betty White via CharityBuzz.Com

Here's the scoop from Charity Buzz:

Bid now on 2 tickets to the Friars Club Roast of Betty White on May 16, 2012 plus meet the funny lady herself. The event will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in NYC.

Terms: Valid for 2 people on May 16, 2012 only. Cannot be resold or re-auctioned. Travel and accommodations are not included.

Donated by: The Friars Club and the one-and-only Betty White

The proceeds for this item benefit The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights.
Learn more about 2012 RFK Center Spring Auction.

All of the details are available on the Charity Buzz website. If you bid, let me know and I'll follow you and cover your antics all the way to you meeting the gal who's Hot in Cleveland.

I've Said it Before—Time and Time Again—Baltimore's Entertaining!

Alternate title for this blog post:
A Boy and His Photog.

Looking out of our windows, we see ever-changing theatre. We see sky shows with helicopters, bi-planes, and blimps soaring around—sometimes at eye-level. We see, and listen to, concerts courtesy of the Downtown Partnership and the myriad of vocal and instrumental artists who arrive ready to entertain for just our smiles and applause. We have Street Fairs, Farmer's Markets, and Art Shows.

And day and night, we see hundreds of different people doing hundreds of different things in hundreds of different windows.

Now and then we are treated to a special, more intimate show.

A Boy and His Photog 1 - Sheraton, Baltimore

A Boy and His Photog 2 - Sheraton, Baltimore

A Boy and His Photog 3 - Sheraton, Baltimore

Nude photo shoots in hotels seem to be very innocent—often comically-funny-from-a-distance—events to catch a glimpse of. It can take a longtime for the photographer to get all of the "living props" where they should be. Photographing nude models makes photographing fresh cut flowers, raw seafood and meat, and ready-to-serve food seem like child's play.

By the way, if this post seems off topic, I assure you that some of the poses that these models construct truly qualify them to be designated: Performing Artist. Hey, their poses almost qualify them to be in Cirque Du Soleil.

Ok then, that's all on this topic. Well, until the Fireman's Convention arrives in Baltimore, later this year.

The Best Venue to Watch the Season 5 Premiere of AMC's 'Mad Men'?

Where to watch, you ask? I have the empirical answer: Mid-town Manhattan near New York's famed Madison Avenue, of course. And, you can be there for all the mid-century, Makers Mark-based cocktails, and for all of the fun, and for a great viewing party with some distinguished hosts.

You will be surrounded by some swanky New Yorker's who are fans of the show. But, hey you're from Baltimore, right? You can out-swank them. (If you're not sure how to get your big-city-swanky-game-on, check with Roswell Encina at the Enoch Pratt Library. The man knows fashion. And, he knows flashy socks, too.)

Here's the information:

Mad Men Season Premiere Viewing Party
Sunday, March 25, 2012
8:00 pm ET, New York

This viewing party is hosted by TV Guide Magazine's Matt Roush (Senior TV Critic) and Carol Dittbrenner (Features Director)
Doors open at 8:00 pm.

Enjoy a swanky cocktail party and some witty repartee before the season 5 premiere screening.

Come dressed in your best retro-styled finery and receive a Season 5 Mad Men poster, courtesy of AMC.

There will be a Mad Men trivia contest, with some tough questions from Basket of Kisses' Roberta & Deborah Lipp. Following will be the screening of the Mad Men 5th season premiere LIVE from 9:00 to 11:00 pm.

From The Paley Center:

Oh how we have missed Mad Men…the style, the cigarettes and alcohol, and, above all else, the mesmerizing personal and professional machinations of conflicted ad man Don Draper. The Paley Center is delighted to host a live presentation of Mad Men’s fifth season premiere on the big screen—all the better to soak up that gorgeous period detail.

Adding to the ambience will be era-appropriate cocktails and a selection of “retro-mercials” (actual ads from the early sixties) screened during the program’s breaks—look for familiar Sterling Cooper clients including London Fog and Lucky Strike. Best of all, you are encouraged to attend in your finest vintage or retro-styled finery! Let’s turn back the clock to more stylish times and break out the sharp suits, pocket squares, and kicky frocks to make the Paley Center New York’s most fashionable location on this special occasion.

Countdown to Mad Men Trivia

Starting March 15: Follow The Paley Center on Twitter @paleycenter.org for a trivia question-a-day.

Tickets for the viewing party on sale to Members now!
On sale to the general public:
Monday, March 12 at noon.

Members: $20
General Public: $30

Weathermen at War: Justin Berk and Gene Norman Go Toe-to-Toe

 

WMAR TV's Justin Berk and Gene Norman, chief meteorologist at KHOU in Houston, are going at it this weekend as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans in the second round of the NFL playoffs.

The terms of the bet: Berk’s crab cakes against Norman’s barbeque sauce, which the loser must eat on the air in the opposing team’s gear.

Norman noted that barbeque sauce “goes real good on dead bird.”
“Have you met Ray Rice? Do you know what he can do to you?” Berk shot back.

Awards Season 2012: So Many Movies. So Little Time. So Many Great Cocktails!

I love January.

I'm in the thick of the 2012 entertainment awards season and the screening copies of DVDs have been arriving from Screen Actors Guild in big, padded envelopes. And, I love it.

Here's my blog post on the awards season from last year, 2011.

This year's motion picture award line-up is wonderfully diverse in terms of story-line, era, location, costume...

Because there is such an interesting mix of movies to view, I'm thinking that making a different cocktail for each movie screening would enhance the experience just a tad. Here's what I'm planning.

My Week with Marilyn - I can't find—nor could I ever afford—Monroe's favorite libation: Dom Pérignon 1953. So, a French 75 seems appropriate.

• 2 ounces London dry gin
• 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 5 ounces Brut champagne

J Edgar - What could be better than a Pink Lady? Not only delicious, but outrageous, pink, smooth, and creamy.

• 1 1/2 oz gin
• 3/4 oz applejack
• 1/4 oz lemon juice
• 1-2 dashes grenadine
• 1 egg white
• maraschino cherry for garnish
• Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the cherry.

The Artist - Perfect for this film would be one of my favorites. The classic Sidecar.

• Shake well with cracked ice:
• 1 1/4 oz cognac
• 1/2 oz Cointreau
• 3/4 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• Strain into chilled, sugar-rimmed cocktail glass  

The Descendants - No question, Piña Coladas.

• 4 oz. fresh pineapple juice
• 3 oz. rum
• 2 oz. coconut cream
• 2 cups crushed ice
• Pour all of the ingredients into a blender. Blend briefly at high speed. Strain into a glass and serve. Garnish with a slice of fresh pineapple and a cherry.

Iron Lady - Pimms Cup No. 1

• with soda and a big squeeze of lime in a tall glass filled with ice. I learned about Pimms Cup at Joe Allen restaurant in Los Angeles in the 1970s. (Gary was one hell of a bartender.)

Midnight in Paris - Absinthe.

• I have it, I have the slotted spoons, I have the sugar cubes. Enough said.

The Help - A Highball.

• Any highball made with bourbon or corn whisky.

Moneyball - Beer.

• Any cheap beer.

A Better Life - Tequila.

• Una botella grande de Tequila por favor.

You can take it from there, film fans. Let me know what you'd mix-up for the movie, Bridesmaids. I just cannot go there. (Ok, ok, I can. Fuzzy Navels all around.)

Here's cheers to the nominees and the future winners. Clink, clink. I'm having a Manhattan.

There's Gumbo! in Baltimore this Weekend

            Gumbo graphic courtesy Theatre Project, Baltimore

Hot Gumbo!

Don't forget! Generous Company and Theatre Project are serving up Gumbo this weekend; theatre, music, visual art, and food to warm your insides and chase away the winter blues:

We're kicking off with Baltimore resident David M. White's Last Chance, a series of plays by about life in the Ozarks. Be a part of the development of this new work. Stick around following each performance to discuss the plays with the playwright and performers. Refreshments and Gumbo will be served. (Provided by Mike Vandercook and Soups On) 

January 6 & 7 @ 7pm
January 8 @ 4pm
Tickets are free for all shows.

Join us for an opening night reception at 6pm on January 6 in our gallery. On display will be the works of Ozark photographer, Bob White. Bob is a very talented artist who also happens to be legally blind, and will be on hand to discuss his work.

—The January 6 performance is also a "Pass the Hat" Fundraiser for the recovery effort of Joplin High School's Drama Program in Joplin, Missouri. On hand to perform will be local bluegrass artists, The Bald Mountain Band—

Here's your link to the festivities: Gumbo, Theatre Project - Baltimore

Baltimore City Paper has a wonderful story about Gumbo and Theatre Project: Theatre Project Celebrates 40 Years of Flouting Convention.

Invitation to Watch the 2012 SAG Awards at the Croatian Embassy in Washington DC

Sounds fun, doesn't it? Not so fast, my friends. I'm not going to save the date for this one.

                     The Embassy of Croatia, Washington DC

I've always been drawn to events that cause me to pull my tuxedo out of the closet, dust off my formal shoes, put a silk in my breast pocket, and walk out the front door—with a song in my heart—feeling like I'm in a Busby Berkley movie. Black tie events are fun. Walking down the street, I hum songs like Puttin' on the Ritz or Breezin' Along with the Breeze. Sadly, I can't carry a tune; Jacob can. After a a minute or two of my torturing his sense of song, he gives me the look that says, "How about we just talk?"

                                       Gold Diggers of 1933

I received an invitation via Screen Actors Guild email and I'm passing it along. It's an invitation to watch the 2012 SAG Awards Broadcast on Washington DC's Embassy Row. You don't have to be a SAG member to attend and you may bring a friend, or many friends. And, the event tickets are offered at a price that everyone can afford.

That all seemed more than a little odd to me, but still...

This year I won't be in the actual broadcast audience at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 29, 2012, but this viewing location looked like, at first blush, a sure bet for a mini-gala and a reason to spend a couple of days in Baltimore's southern suburb. Here's the actual invitation text:

You Are Invited to a Viewing Party and Art Reception

Join host Bruce Olvin McBarnette and other local actors as they watch the live broadcast of the SAG Awards, view artwork, win prizes and meet diplomats.

Enjoy wine, refreshments and the art of physiognomy (face reading) performed by Gail Romiti.

When:
    6-10:30 p.m., Sunday January 29, 2012
Where:
    The Embassy of Croatia
    2343 Massachusetts Ave, NW
    Washington, DC 20008

Suggested Attire:
    Dress for this event is black tie for men and gowns for women.

Cost:
    Tickets are $29 in advance or $39 at the door if space is available.A portion of all art sales will be donated to Sukyo Mahikari, a Japanese spiritual organization funding disaster relief. Voluntary donations are welcome.

Noted in the email from SAG: Please be advised that this is not a SAG-sponsored event. Questions should be directed to event liaison Anne Rosenblatt at arosenblatt@AFTRA.com.

Seeing the $29 per ticket price was the first thing that brought up a red flag. Especially for a Black tie event in DC. The open availability of tickets seemed really strange, I went to the website link in the email and was able to order 10 tickets, 20 tickets, it seemed that any quantity of tickets were available. Hey, just bring a bus-load of folks.

So my friends, if you are tempted to experience this awards show at the Croatian Embassy, I just remind you of the phrase 'due diligence'. Take a look around the internet. Do some online research.

And then you can make an informed decision and even think about hosting your own SAG Awards Party. 

Everyman Theatre's Winter Concert Cast will Perform at George Washington Monument Lighting

 

Celebrate the season with a performance from the cast of On the Sunny Side of the Street at the Washington Monument Lighting this Thursday night at 6:30 PM!

About the Monument Lighting:

An Evening of Choir Performances, Strolling Entertainment, and More!
Mount Vernon Place celebrates the holiday season with the 40th annual lighting of the Washington Monument.

A Monumental Occasion takes place Thursday, December 1, 2011 with pre-event festivities hosted by MIX 106.5 at 5:30pm in Mount Vernon. The official ceremony begins at 7pm with the official lighting at approximately 7:45pm.

The evening includes musical performers by area choirs and refreshments for purchase by local vendors.  The event ends with a colorful fireworks and laser finale choreographed to music. 

Mount Vernon Place is located in the 600-700 block of North Charles Street.

A Monumental Occasion is coordinated by Downtown Partnership of Baltimore in conjunction with the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts and the Department of Recreation and Parks.

For more information on A Monumental Occasion, call 1-877-BALTIMORE or visit http://www.godowntownbaltimore.com.

About Everyman's Winter Concert:

A Tribute to Dorothy Fields - Everyman’s winter concerts have become a staple of the holiday season in Baltimore.  Join Howard Breitbart and his dazzling lineup of top-notch singers in a concert you won’t want to miss. 

This year we celebrate the music of Dorothy Fields, the lyricist whose decades-long career included over 400 songs for Broadway musicals and films.  Join us for this festive concert and celebrate the season with Everyman.

Some of Dorothy Fields’ most memorable hits include:

• The Way you Look Tonight
• On the Sunny Side of the Street
• I’m In The Mood For Love
• I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby
• Big Spender
• If My Friends Could See Me Now
• A Fine Romance

Visit the Everyman Theatre website for tickets.

A Big Hug and a Sincere Thanks to Everyone for Sending Me Birthday Greetings.

The day didn't go exactly like this (we left our tuxes in the closet)... but, Jacob and I were certainly on this track.

 

Thanks again, everyone. Having good friends is the best gift that I could ever hope for. When I look at each of you one-by-one, and when I look at all of you as a group, I realize that the diversity of my friends makes my world a more magnificent, magical place.

I learn from all of you. I enjoy all of you. I respect all of you.

You all make my world sparkle.

And, what a swell present that is!

Grab a Seat on the Red Carpet for the 18th Annual SAG Awards

Seats are available to you. Yes, you. Any telvision or film fan (or photographer or bllogger) may bid on bleacher seats right on the Red Carpet.

 
               SAG Awards Coverage courtesy AP 

The Screen Actors Guild Awards online auction to benefit the SAG Foundation is offering Red Carpet Fan Bleacher Seats at www.sagawards.org/auction through Nov. 28th.

The first auction in this year’s series, features 70 seats from which fans can see their favorite stars walk the SAG Awards red carpet, take pictures and request autographs.

New to this year’s Bleacher Seat Auction is the combination of bleacher seat sets with hotel stays, dinners, makeovers, SAG Awards Backstage Tours and more.

Proceeds from the Screen Actors Guild Awards Auctions will benefit the SAG Foundation to help sustain their award winning children's literacy programs: BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools), reading to over 600,000 children monthly in classrooms and hospitals nationwide, and Storyline Online, reaching an average of 2 million views globally each month.

The auction also supports the Foundation's Catastrophic Health Fund and emergency services, the Actors Center, and the video preservation of the creative legacy of professional actors. For additional information, please visit http://www.sagfoundation.org.

About SAG:

Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century.

With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents more than 125,000 actors who work in film and digital theatrical motion pictures and television programs, commercials, video games, industrials, Internet and all new media formats.  The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

Screen Actors Guild Awards Embrace Social Media - Name King Ambassador

                          Actor Stauette © Sreen Actors Guild

Regina King, Star of TNT’s Acclaimed Series “Southland,”
to Serve as SAG Awards® Social Media Ambassador

Social media ambassador has been named for the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® airing live on TNT and TBS Sunday, Jan. 29. Through posts on Twitter and Facebook, King will serve as the online face for the awards, giving viewers unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes moments during the weeks building up to the show, as well as from the red carpet.

King’s duties as the SAG Awards® social media ambassador will kick off when she announces this year’s nominations on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 9 a.m. (ET)/6 a.m. (PT), telecast live on TNT and online at tnt.tv and tbs.com. During the six weeks leading up to the Jan. 29 simulcast of the award ceremony, King will continue to tweet and post about the SAG Awards, including updates on presenters and fashion. She will also post updates during rehearsals and provide her thoughts and insights from the red carpet on the big night.

                     Regina King photo © Glenn Francis

About the SAG Awards:

TNT and TBS’s live simulcast of the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will take place Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at 8 p.m. (ET), 5 p.m. (PT), 7 p.m. (CT) and 6 p.m. (MT). West Coast viewers who prefer to watch in primetime will be able to catch the encore presentation on TNT at 7 p.m. (PT) / 10 p.m. (ET).

Of the top industry honors presented to performers, only the Screen Actors Guild Awards are voted on solely by actors’ peers in the Screen Actors Guild. The SAG Awards was the first televised awards show created by a union to honor the work of actors and the first to present ensemble and cast awards. The SAG Awards nominees are chosen by separate film and television nominating committees, each consisting of 2,100 SAG members from around the country, randomly selected anew each year. All active members of Screen Actors Guild are eligible to vote for the final Actor® recipients.

The 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be produced by Jeff Margolis Productions in association with Screen Actors Guild Awards®, LLC. For more information about the SAG Awards, SAG, TNT and TBS, visit http://sagawards.org/about/, “like” SAG Awards at http://www.facebook.com/sagawardsofficialpage and follow SAG Awards at http://twitter.com/sagawards.

Update: Billy Crystal will Host the Oscars - the 83rd Annual Academy Awards

Page Six, The New York Post, is reporting...

                                         Image Courtesy ATAS

From Page Six:

Billy Crystal is coming back to host the Oscars.

The comedian, who has hosted the show nine times, tweeted the news this afternoon.

Crystal takes over after a string of incidents left the show without a host and producer.

Brett Ratner dramatically stepped down Tuesday as producer after saying “Rehearsal’s for fags” at a Q&A for “Tower Heist” last week, and then talking to Howard Stern about his eventful sex life.

His buddy Eddie Murphy then bailed as host.

Stay tuned for more...

[UPDATE]

Fully confirmed. Here's a clip from the Hollywood Reporter:

Billy Crystal tweeted that he will host the 84th Academy Awards telecast and the Academy has confirmed, making it official by re-tweeting Crystal's tweet.

He wrote Thursday, "Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show."

The gig would mark the actor-comedian's ninth turn as master of ceremonies. He previously hosted in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2004.

Crystal certainly wouldn't be my first, or 50th choice. But hey, he's reliable.

Here's the press release from the Academy:

Beverly Hills, CA (November 10, 2011) – Producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have announced that Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards. "I'm thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage," said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak. "He's a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs."

Commented Grazer, "Like so many others, I've been eager to see Billy host again. It's very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm."

Said Mischer, "With Billy, we're moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration."

This will mark Crystal's ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.

"Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions," said Crystal.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Opening Friday, The Little Dog Laughed

Friday, November 11th at the Fells Point Corner Theatre:

                   Graphics Courtesy Fells Point Corner Theatre

THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED follows the adventures of Mitchell Green, a movie star who could hit it big if it weren't for one teensy-weensy problem.

His agent, Diane, can't seem to keep him in the closet.

Trying to help him navigate Hollywood's choppy waters, the devilish Diane is doing all she can to keep Mitchell away from the cute rent boy who's caught his eye and the rent boy's girlfriend (wait, the rent boy has a girlfriend?). Will there be a happy ending as the final credits roll?

Note: The Little Dog Laughed contains strong language and some sexual content, and is therefore recommended for mature audiences.

Photo Credit: Ken Stanek

The Little Dog Laughed

a play by Douglas Carter Beane
directed by Steve Goldklang

Runs November 11 thru December 11, 2011

$12 all shows opening weekend!
$17 Friday and Saturday Nights
$15 Sunday Matinees
Thursday Nights Only $10!

Visit Fells Point Corner Theatre's website for more info and tickets.

From Toby's Dinner Theatre in Baltimore, The Christmas Show for the Whole Family

                  "Annie" at Toby's Dinner Theatre - 11/17 - 1/8

Two of my favorite things, Dinner Theatre and a fun Broadway Musical, are coming together on November 17th in Baltimore. And, they are coming together just in time for your Holiday Celebration.

The dinner theatre is Toby's; the musical is Annie.

Based on the comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, and with lyrics by Martin Chamin, the songs are a gift to all:

[Daddy Warbucks sings]

The world was my oyster
But where was the pearl?
Who dreamed I could find it
In one little girl
Yes something was missing
But dreams can come true
That something is no one but you.

Who would need me for me
Need me for me alone
The world was my oyster
But where was the pearl
Who'd dream I would find it
In one little girl
Yes, something was missing
But dreams do come true
That something is no one but you!

It's a sweet musical and most everyone knows the tunes.

Annie opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on April 21, 1977. The show ran for 2,377 performances setting a record, longest-running-show, at the Alvin, the musical closed on January 2, 1983.

Take your family to Toby's in Balitmore this holiday season. Enjoy a great meal; enjoy a fun show.

The original Broadway production of Annie was nominated for to Tony Awards and won 6 including Best Musical.

On a personal note, I have the utmost respect for dinner theatre as an institution and as a performance venue. After graduating I worked in shows that played in dinner theatres all across the country.

We don't have nearly enough dinner theatres in the United States these days.

Dinner theatres are a great training ground for actors. Dinner theatres expose many families to their very first theatrical experience and, more often than not, create life-long fans of plays and musicals. Productions at dinner theatres are typically more intimate than at traditional venues, the audience may meet the actors, and with a full dinner included, are also highly affordable.

Many highly accomplished actors choose to work in dinner theatre for their entire professional career.

Visit Toby's website for details and tickets. And if a little girl, a dog named Sandy, and a bald rich man isn't your cup of tea, check out the offering at Toby's Columbia location: Irving Berlin's White Christmas, the Musical. 

Baltimore Casting News! 11/4/11

Just in, a non-union casting notice from Pat Moran's office:

We are shooting a large scene for HBO’s VEEP at the OttoBar in Baltimore on Fri Nov 11th.

We need 200 Non-Union music types, rockers (tattoos a plus), etc.

Pays $75.

Must be 18 and over. Email photo & phone # to Patmorantalent@gmail.com

Subject line to read “Ottobar-FB". See our website www.patmoranandassociates.com for submission instructions.

UPDATE: Halloween Fire Closes Hollywood's Famous Magic Castle on October 31, 2011

                Private Club, the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA

The home page of the Magic Castle's website reports:

The Magic Castle will be closed tonight,
October 31st, due to the fire that has just occured.

The Hollywood Reporter's first report about the incident read, "An early afternoon fire damaged the attic and walls of the Magic Castle, the famous private magicians club in the Hollywood Hills, on Monday.

The Los Angeles Times provided one of the first online images of the fire and quoted the Los Angeles Fire Department as saying, "The blaze was contained largely to the attic and walls of the historic venue but that there might be significant water damage."

The LA Times continued, "Magic Castle will be closed for Halloween as a result of the fire that struck the complex Monday, according to an update on the club's website. The site said details about reopening would be provided as soon as the damage could be assessed."

As a reminder that there is a whole lot of love in the performing arts community, The Comedy Store in Los Angeles offered to give its venue to the Magic Castle:

           Comedy Store Tweet to Magic Castle, screen capture

The Magic Castle's tagline is "the most unusual club in the World."

I've been fortunate to have been a guest at the Magic Castle twice and I can attest to that fact. A visit to the Magic Castle will make novice guests slightly crazy. The food and the drinks are all top shelf, but the physical and visual magic built into the venue will test your sense of reality every single minute of your stay.

I won't explain exactly why or how your senses are challenged at the Magic Castle. While I'm not a magician, I adhere to the magician's code: Don't Reveal How It's Done.

To the @magiccastle - We are all watching you, we are wishing you a speedy rebuild, and we are here to support you. On this night I believe that Harry Houdini is looking down and supporting you, also.

[UPDATE]

I just received this information from the Magic Castle:

The Academy of Magical Arts is delighted to announce that the Magic Castle will re-open (some of) its doors Friday night, November 4th. This "soft opening" will feature our Parlour showroom, special (unticketed, first-come-first-served) shows in the Palace of Mystery, and closeup magic in the Peller Theatre.

The Castle will be open on a "member +1" basis; only members (with valid membership card in hand) will be admitted with a single guest. No unescorted "guest pass" guests will be admitted. 
Our normal dress code will be in effect.

Our regular valet service will be available. Members will check in at the front desk in the Castle lobby, where they may purchase tickets ($20, which includes tax) to a buffet offered from 6:00 to 10:00. Once they check in, they will enter the Glover Annex through the Inner Circle entrance, where they may enjoy access to all the theatres and bars throughout the Annex.

Donations for our "Inferno Fund" will be accepted at the front desk and throughout the Annex as well. 
These next few nights will be some of the most exciting in Magic Castle history. They'll also be some of the most challenging, though, so we ask your patience and your help in sharing in this unforgettable experience.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Watch the 2011 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in a Private Room with 19 Friends

Is this an off-topic post? Naw, Marching Bands and Street Singers are performing artists, too.

Here's the deal, and it's a pretty darn good one.

                         Photo courtesy CharityBuzz Auctions

From CharityBuzz:

Watch the 2011 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in a private party room for 19 of your best friends!

This absolutely stellar location is on the 6th floor of a NY building, overlooking both 6th avenue AND 34th street. Light breakfast, coffee, and orange juice will be served, including an option for heavier catering as well!

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade presented by Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit.

The three-hour event is held in New York City starting at 9:00 a.m. EST on Thanksgiving Day.

Visit CharityBuzz for terms and conditions.

The projected price for this auction is $5,000 for 20 people. Do the math, $250. per person is not a bad deal. And, don't forget that the package comes with a light breakfast. In New York a glass of orange juice can cost 5-bucks, 7.50 from room service.

Grab your friends and act early. Grab a Bolt Bus and make it a day-trip.

And, the auction sale supports Mercy College.

About Mercy:

Mercy College is dedicated to making a high-quality education attainable offering more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs within its five schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The New York metropolitan area college of nearly 10,000 students has five campus locations including: Dobbs Ferry, Bronx, Manhattan, White Plains, and Yorktown Heights and offers more than 25 degree programs online.

Hot patootie, bless my soul! I really love that rock n' roll!

       Baltimore Theatre Project's Rocky Horror Show

Baltimore Theatre Project has mounted a jewel of a production with their incarnation of the Rocky Horror Show. (Previewed, October 20th 2011)

The Rocky Horror Show
Music, Lyrics, and book by Richard O'Brien
Thu October 20 - Sun November 6
Directed by Biz Kopp

From Factory Edge Theatre Works, Richard O'Brien's musical cult classic comes vividly to life with an array of characters from Dr Frank-N-Furter, the not-so-sweet transvestite from Transylvania, to Brad and Janet, and a host of others.

The cast includes: Nurney Mason II as Dr. Frankenfurter, Drew Gaver as Brad, Nina Kauffman as Janet, Alex Cecchetti as Riff Raff, Lee Conderacci as Magenta, Seth Kallick as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Tegan Williams as Columbia, Brian Meise as Rocky, and is narrated by Siobhan Beckett.

Brent Englar from broadwayworld.com said of Factory Edge Theatre Works' debut production of The Rocky Horror Show, "The look of the production was first-rate...a design team that would be the envy of many longer established companies..."

"The costumes were gorgeous...and the actors' energy and enthusiasm were contagious..." wrote City Paper's Anne Ditkoff. She also claimed that "[Factory Edge] shows savvy...it will likely be a force to reckon with."

The Rocky Horror Show is directed by Biz Kopp, produced by Benjamin Greene, choreographed by Tegan Williams, and musical direction is by Stacey Antoine.

To purchase tickets call 410-537-1655 or visit BTP's Website.

About Baltimore Theatre Project:

Through the presentation of a diverse array of original and experimental theatre, music, and dance -- connects the artists and audiences of Baltimore with a global community of performers. We seek to nurture those artists who are actively experimenting with new forms of expression and support both performers of international reputation and emerging local companies creating new work. 

Baltimore Theatre Project
45 W Preston Street
Baltimore 21201 

Baltimore 21201. The Blog, The Swan Song

That's it for this blog. To quote my favorite broadcast journalist, Edward R Murrow, "Good night and good luck.

To my friends, Keep On Truckin'.