Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race

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Kinetic Sculptures are amphibious, human powered works of art custom built for the race. Each May, the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) hosts the East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Race Championship on the shore of Baltimore's Inner Harbor in central Maryland. The eight-hour race covers 15 miles-mostly on pavement, but also including a trip into the Chesapeake Bay and through mud and sand.

The 2011 Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race will be Saturday, May 7. Preparations begin at AVAM at 8am; the race starts at 9:30am and continues all day through the city until finishing at AVAM roughly 3:30pm-5:00pm. See you there! For an idea what to expect, see last year's Spectator's Guide.

via baltimore.org

Fell's Point Ghost Walk

This award-winning haunted walking tour guarantees thrills and chills if you're looking for things to do in Baltimore.

"Picture Fell's Point, in Baltimore, Maryland, as it was, a rowdy seaport town, the birthplace of the sleek and dangerous clipper ship. Its streets full of sailors from foreign lands spilling off ships, immigrants anxious to start a new life, ladies of the night looking to make ends meet, and all the characters looking to make a living off the maritime industry. Given this explosive combination, is it any wonder that many spirits remained behind? Join us under the cover of night to explore the many haunted pubs, shops, and residences. But don't stray too far from the group because you never know when you'll find yourself face to face with the unknown."

TICKET INFORMATION

SEE JERSEY BOYS IN BALTIMORE

Jersey Boys

February 2, 2011 - February 27, 2011 | 12:00pm - 12:00pm

Hippodrome Theatre at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center
12 N. Eutaw Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

"Too Good To Be True!?" raves the New York Post for JERSEY BOYS, the 2006 Tony® Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, The Four Seasons. 

This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide-all before they were 30! 

JERSEY BOYS, is the winner of the 2006 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show album most recently, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, features their hit songs, Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Rag Doll, Oh What a Night and Can't Take My Eyes Off You. 

Come See the show while it's here!!!

TICKETS

ONE OF GREEKTOWN'S BEST

Located in the part of Baltimore affectionately called “Greektown”, Ikaros Restaurant has served exceptional Greek fare from the same location and under the same management and head chef since 1969 Ikaros is a family-run restaurant serving hearty portions of classic Greek cuisine in an atmosphere that is family-oriented, relaxing and down-to-earth.  We have been going to Ikaros for years, and the kitchen consistently turns out tasty meals.   

On a recent visit, we started off with Taramasalad (a mixture of mashed potatoes, fish roe and olive oil) and the traditional spinach and feta pie. Both were perfect renditions of the classic dishes. For an entrée, I picked the Hellenic Surf-and-Turf.  This dish really should be called Surf-and-Surf-and-Turf because it included a generous portion of tender fried squid, a crab cake full of large lumps of crabmeat, and 2 perfectly cooked small lamb chops.  This delicious dish was an amazing value.  

When you go to Ikaros, be sure to look at the pictures and paintings. Most of them were done by the multi-talented Xanos Kohilas, one of the owners of Ikaros.  The restaurant is located at 805 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224.  They are open from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm daily, but  closed on Tuesdays.  

                

Ikaros exemplifies what the locals like best about Baltimore restaurants – nothing flashy, just great food at reasonable prices.   

www.ikarosrestaurant.com/

GREAT MEXICAN FOOD IN HIGHLANDTOWN?!?!

For many years the Baltimore community of Highlandtown was a center for the Greek Community. There are still excellent Greek restaurants there (like Ikaros) which have offered consistently good food for years. However, recently there have been some Hispanic restaurants opening in the area, and one of them was voted Baltimore’s Best in 2010. The name is Mi Viejo Pueblito, and recently we decided to bypass our usual Greek hangouts and give it a try. We found the restaurant to be a very pleasant space with lacey cut-outs hanging from the ceiling and a small fountain – giving you the feel of a Mexican courtyard.   It would be fun to take a large group there, couples may find it hard to talk on a night it is crowded. On the night we went (early), there were few diners, so we enjoyed ourselves. Our waitress was extremely pleasant. 

The menu had some of the usual items that you expect at a Mexican restaurant, but it also had some less common items. We found the Mole sauce to be exceptional - a rich blend of spices with the required chocolate base. We had it both as an appetizer (one of a trio of enchiladas, each with a different filling and sauce) and as an entree (over a chicken leg and thigh). We actually preferred the enchilada, only because the chicken was messier to eat, but the mole is definitely a standout.   The Tacos Arabes was a flour wrap with a rich slow-cooked Chipotle pork filling. Other unusual items on their menu included grilled cactus and cactus salad,  Parrilladas (a twist on the more common fajitas) and Tortas (Mexican-style sandwiches). I understand why Mi Viejo was voted Baltimore's Best Mexican restaurant, and we will be returning there again soon.  

miviejopueblito.net/

I'LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO HOWL ABOUT...

Howl at the Moon is a chain with bars in 14 locations stretching across the US.  Not having been in any of the others, I had nothing to compare the Baltimore version to other than typical chain establishments.  Where Howl At The Moon differs is in the entertainment they provide, dueling pianos.  It isn’t just a bar, it is more like a nightly show. 

I can safely say I have never seen a show like this one before at a bar.  They had 2 piano players on stage along with a drummer.   These guys played all kinds of music from the 70’s through today’s hits, and took requests all night without being stumped once. The piano players made all feel welcome and had a great repertoire. Unlike many bars, there was a wide range of ages in the audience, partly because the piano players cover so many musical eras.  The crowd really got into the songs, and it was much more interactive than your standard bar.  There were also a lot of large groups there, bachelorette and birthday parties .  This is something the management encourages and they hold drawings for large group Happy Hour give-aways. 

The only negative to report is the watered-down drinks.  If you are drinking mixed drinks expect to shell out some cash if you want to feel the alcohol.  Stick with beer or shots and you will save some money. 

The experience was not exactly the most refined, but if you are looking for some loud tacky fun that will appeal to a wide range of ages, I can’t think of a better place to party.

www.HowlAtTheMoon.com       

THE CHARM CITY CIRCULATOR

That all changed recently with the introduction of the Charm City Circulator (the CCC).  The totally free shuttle service was a part of former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon’s vision of a cleaner, greener Baltimore and the service is an innovative addition to the transportation options in Baltimore. 

The designers of the shuttle service were interested in doing it in the cleanest way possible. It is intended to reduce congestion and greenhouse gas pollution by offering a convenient, reliable and eco-friendly form of public transportation.   The fleet consists of 21 shuttles which continuously travel along 3 routes that link the CCC to other transportation systems and that stop at most Baltimore attractions.  All of the shuttle buses are Hybrid Electric vehicles. It is the first fleet of this type in a major metropolitan area.  Taking advantage of the latest innovations in communications technology, the CCC offers a service which combines GPS data with predictive software to give arrival times for the next few vehicles. You can get Mobile Alerts with updates from a live-time Bus Tracker and Service Updates about each of the three routes. With accessibility being of the utmost importance, the CCC website offers information on the parking options located right near the CCC routes.  They have also taken bikers into consideration and offer information on where bike lids are available for secure storage.

Baltimore residents, students and visitors are all encouraged to try the new service.  It can be used as a connector to a commuter train, commuter parking lot or subway stop.  Visitors can use it to get from attraction to attraction.  As an added bonus, CCC riders can get a free transfer to take the Baltimore Water Taxi from 2 different CCC stops to the Tide Point development.  On a beautiful day, this is a fun way to see the Inner Harbor on the way to dining at one of the new restaurants in the Tide Point development.   The Charm City Circulator is a great addition to the transportation options in Baltimore and has taken the challenge out of getting around the city.      

www.charmcitycirculator.com  

McCABE'S RETURNS!

But in 2005 reports are that it started to decline and the restaurant finally closed in 2008.

This year, McCabes reopened under new ownership.  Chef Ito decided to bring back the menu standards that had put the original McCabes on the list of must-experience Baltimore restaurants.  On a recent lunch visit we are happy to report that the rumors of it rising from the ashes are true.  The Shrimp Salad sandwich was full of plump perfectly cooked shrimp and the brisket smothered with carmelized onions was tender and delicious.  The homemade potato chips were a bonus.  The other customers seemed to be enjoying the cool comfortable atmosphere as well as the hamburgers just like the old days.  The best news is that the crab cakes are better than ever.

These days good local haunts are being replaced by large chain restaurants at an alarming rate.  It is good to know that McCabes is back and will probably continue to be a Baltimore institution for a long time.

 mccabes-restaurant.com/

A DIFFERENT KIND OF DATE

How about creating a one-of-a-kind glass flower for your date while sipping wine and watching skilled artisans create artworks? The McFadden Art Glass Studio is the place to go for this unique experience.

Tim McFadden opened up his Baltimore production studio and gallery in 2006.  A few years later, his parents opened a restaurant nearby called the Glass Café.  Tim started offering his Date Nights www.mcfaddenartglass.com at the studio and they caught on quickly. Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, Tim hosts these evening events during which you can watch skilled glass artisans create functional or sculptural glass forms. Then for a small fee, you can try your hand at creating necklace pendants, flowers or ornaments.  During the event, the Glass Grill offers food and drink specials.  While there, you and your date can also check out Tim’s gallery of glass sculpture and fountains.

And if your interest extends beyond Date Night, the glass studio offers all kinds of beginning classes ranging from bead making to glassblowing.  If you are only in town for a short visit, you and your family can book a private studio session with Tim.  For an hourly fee, he will guide you all in making your own glass creations.

THIS IS YOUR BAG, BABY......

Head down to 1131 Baltimore St. and look for the sign that says Back Alley Jazz. Walk inside and immediately become a hip cat or kitten.

The owners of Back Alley Jazz have worked for the past two years to completely renovate an existing 200 year-old building into a 3-story jazz and blues club straight our of Roaring 20’s Baltimore. This motif isn’t just limited to the décor. Back Alley Jazz has honest to goodness live music just about every night they are open including an Open Mic/Jam Session every Wednesday night.

Despite the old-time feel, Back Alley Jazz is an upscale dining establishment. The menu includes some delectable – and somewhat pricey all things considered – items that promise to melt under your fork.    This writer will be making a special reservation to dine on the lamb chop entrée.

Back Alley Jazz has a full service bar that enables the barkeeps to make just about anything you want whether it’s a Grasshopper or a Sidecar. Another cute touch is the addition of non-alcoholic “Prohibition Specials” such as Shirley Temples and Vanilla Ales.

Back Alley Jazz is open Wednesday through Sunday 5 pm-2 am

www.backalleyjazz.com

RIDIN' THE RAILS

You’re going to  see more restaurants and high-end (and low-end Baltimore kitsch for that matter) boutiques than you can throw a crab cake at. You’ll even have the chance to gaze your eyes upon the majestic mansions of Mt. Vernon.

But you’ll still be a $15 cab far away from one of the most important locations in American history… The B&O Railroad Museum is located at 901 West Pratt St and has been at that spot since 1829. It was within the walls of the B&O Railroad museum that a small group of pioneers sketched out the design for the first long distance American railroad system making it the birthplace of American railroading offering roundtrip rides on the first mile of track laid down all those years ago.  These rides are offered now through December and are dirt cheap. Kids 2-12 ride for $1.00. Above 12? $2.00. Times are subject to change, so I’d suggest calling the museum ahead of time to make sure you can catch a lift. After your ride, stop in and check out the rest of the museum. There are about 200 pieces of different railroad artifacts to be seen. Admission for adults is $14. Seniors get in for $12, and kids can ride the rails of wonder for $8.

www.borail.org

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN BALTIMORE

1. National Aquarium in Baltimore

Come visit one of the best aquarium's in the country!

2. Inner Harbor 

With it's beautiful views, great shops, fine dining and great hotels, Baltimore's Inner Harbor is a must-visit on your trip to baltimore.

3. Fells Point

With over 120 pubs, Fells Point is also home to a variety of specialty stores, restaurants and coffee shops.

4. American Visionary Art Museum

Located in the federal Hill neighborhood, the museum boasts some of the most unique art in the country, with a variety of excellent themed exhibitions. 

5. Power Plant Live

Located next to Inner Harbor, Power Plant Live is your one stop destination for great food, shopping and entertainment while you're in the city.

6. Fort McHenry

This National Monument and Historic Shrine pays tribute to our nation's history and the War of 1812.

7. Maryland Crabs

Maryland is known for it's Soft-Shell Crabs. Have a taste and see why.

8. Maryland Science Center

The Maryland Science Center is a three-level museum filled with a variety unique exhibits, a planetarium and an observatory. 

9. USS Constellation

The Inner Harbor's crown jewel in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay!

10. Baltimore Museum of Art

Home to over 90th pieces of art, ranging from 19th century, modern and contemporary art.