The Past Month - Pigtown in the news

We're all well aware that Pigtown makes the news.  For better or for worse, we are news-worthy.  But with a name like that and our strong diversity, how can we not be? 

Here are a few articles over the past month where we got a positive the mention:
Baltimore Magazine - Off the Wall
Article about Pigtown native, Frank Arthur.




Washington Post - Baltimore integrity trumps D.C. importance
"Baltimore is Charm City because its neighborhoods exude a grubby kind of charm. You’d never find a Pigtown, a Dickeyville or even a Hampden in Washington."
Are you glad that we ditched "Washington Village" yet?  Pretty sure we wouldn't have been mentioned.



Baltimore Sun - Concert news: Ziggy Marley, Pigtown Festival, Crooked Fingers
"The date and line-up for the 10th Pigtown Festival was announced Sunday. Erin McKeown ("Slung-Lo"), Baltimore's Soul Cannon, Karter Jaymes and Margot MacDonald will perform September 17 at the free festival, which takes place between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the 700-900 blocks of Washington Boulevard.
McKeown is a folk musician in the vein of Ani DiFranco; Soul Cannon is a hip hop quartet; Jaymes is a Baltimore two-time Grammy nominee and MacDonald is a 19-year-old Washington D.C. pop vocalist.
In addition to live music, there will also be food, arts and crafts vendors and the annual Running of the Pigs event."
Wanna know more about the Pigtown Festival?  Visit www.pigtownfestival.com and like Pigtown Main Street on Facebook.

Upcoming Events at 788 - July 2011

This Thursday, July 7th (tonight) check out Gallery 788's latest opening!  A new inventory of artists' work is displayed every month. The first Thursday of every month, Pigtown's Gallery 788 celebrates the reveal of that month's works by inviting artists, residents, and visitors!  Go by 788 Washington Blvd ... make some new friends, check out the art and hang awhile!

Image by Gallery 788

Then there is an Artists' Flee Market held outside of the gallery this Saturday.  The flea market has become a regular monthly occasion.  I've noticed that neighboring residents have caught on, and have started putting stuff out on their front steps as well.   I think it's a great idea if you have some goods you'd like to sell.  It brings people out to the main street, and socializing.  I love meeting more people in the neighborhood, so these events warm my heart.  

Image by Gallery 788

Then, on Tuesday, the events continue with open mic night!  So if you can't make either of the above events in the coming week, there's a third opportunity!  Open mic night is at Pigtown's Gallery 788 every second Tuesday.

Image by Gallery 788

Carroll Park Events and others: Saturday June 4, 2011

Rebuilding Day Recap
Check out the great job that was done on Carroll Park's skatepark on Rebuilding Day!   I was super impressed!  The Skatepark of Baltimore teamed up with volunteers from Rebuilding Together Baltimore, the Department of Recreation and Parks, Americorps, Cricket Wireless, and 92Q.com to paint Carroll Park on April 30^th 2011.

Photo courtesy of Skatepark of Baltimore

Next, I wanted to share the exciting news:
FoCP received two grants from the Parks & People Foundation.  The Community Greening Grant was awarded to Ms. Edith Nelson for planting and beautification of the Tot Lot located at Carroll and Archer Streets.  The award was for $546.00.  Planting day was Saturday, May 14th.



The Partnership for Parks Grant was awarded to FoCP for Art and Fitness in Carroll Park.
This monies ($1,798) will help paint a mural on the west side of the PAL Center located near the Skate Park in Carroll Park, a Free Concert in the park on Saturday, July 30th with other games and t-shirt decorating starting at 6:00 pm. and the making of a new sign for the Fitness Trail in Carroll Park.  Recreation and Parks has waived the permit fee and is supplying portable restrooms free of charge.  Thanks Department of Recreation and Parks!
(Thank you Gloria for that news!)



The following are all events going on this Saturday, June 4th 2011
National Trails Day
Baltimore’s First Citywide
National Trails Day

Attend one or more of 20 free family friendly events on any Baltimore trail in parks, along streams, the harbor and reservoirs. Bike, run, walk, learn how to row, or improve a trail: Discover birds, nature and history, explore a stream, or find a treasure:

• Ashburton Reservoir/ Hanlon Park
• Carroll Park
• Cylburn Arboretum
• Druid Hill Park, Reservoir and Jones Falls Trail
• Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park and Gwynns Falls Trail
• Inner Harbor and Mt. Vernon
• Herring Run Park
• Middle Branch Park
• Montebello Reservoir
• Patterson Park
• Solo Gibbs Park
• Stony Run Trail
• Wyman Park Dell

For detailed information and contacts: See our websites after May 29th: http://www.americanhiking.org/NTDSearchResult.aspx?sId=21
http://baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/RecreationandParks/Events.aspx
www.gwynnsfallstrail.org
A partnership project with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, the Baltimore Trail Collaborative (BTC) and the American Hiking Society
With thanks to PNC Bank and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts and REI

National Trails Day Events in Carroll Park
1-3 PM  
Friends of Maryland Olmsted Parks and Landscapes take a guided walk and explore the history of Carroll Park with an emphasis on the effect the Olmsted Brothers landscape designers had on the park. The Tour will be led by member, Myra Brosius, who, through her expert work as a former City planner and developer of the Carroll Park Master Plan, is intimately familiar with the history of Carroll Park.

The Carroll Mansion, this National Register Historic Landmark, was built in the 1770's as a summer home and plantation. It is the oldest building in the City. Loving care has been given by the Colonial Dames of America to restore it's inside to the looks of its early days.
Here is an excerpt from the Museum's web site about the estate's more recent history as it relates to the Olmsted influence::.." In 1890 the Carroll heirs sold the house and 20 acres to the City of Baltimore Park Commission for use as a public park. The Park Commission pursued more acreage expanding the park to 36 acres. In 1903, the firm of Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects was hired to make improvements to Baltimore's park lands. Work began in Carroll Park in 1904 and today many of the Olmsted features are still in existence."
Carroll Park is maintained by the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Reservation required, contributions suggested.
Contact hgrundot@aol.com,410 945 0586.
www.olmstedmaryland.org
rain or shine

Noon-1PM  

Attend a Civil War lecture in the stable sponsored by Mount Claire Museum House from 12
 Visit the mansion before or after the walk.
Reservation and fees required see website: www.mountclare.org

call for availability /registration 410.837.3262  info@mountclare.org
Tour the mansion  (about 1 hour) before or after the walk. Open until 4 PM,  discounted  admission fee available for tour attendees or on their web site: www.mountclare.org)
 


Events with Friends of Carroll Park

8 AM-12 Noon
Carroll Park Tot Lot Walk-a-Thon, at 1500 Washington Blvd., Gwynns FallsTrail.

Noon

Community Picnic at noon at 700 Archer Street Tot Lot.
Contact: Edith Nelson, 410 752-6342, contributions suggested
www.friendsofcarrollpark.blogspot.com
Raindate:  Saturday  June11 same place and time.


Other Attractions
 10AM-4PM
Visit the nearby B&O Rail Road Museum
http://www.borail.org


6pm-12am
Gallery 21g (782 Washington Blvd)
Closing Reception featuring work by Stefan Ways, Dan Everett, and Rob Schachter.
Music/Booz/Chaos/Violence
Check facebook event for details

"Artfisch: The Work of Erica Hinson Denny" Opening at Gallery 788

This Thursday, Gallery 788 will once again be the hottest spot in Pigtown  with the opening of their June show, "Artfisch: The Art of Erica Hinson Denny." Of course, 788 has been mentioned here previously.

Courtesy of Gallery 788

Unlike most shows there, this month will be dedicated entirely to the works of a single artist, Erica Hinson Denny, aka "Artfisch" who passed away last November. Erica was an extremely popular and influential nightlife photographer in DC and Maryland who was published extensively throughout the region. If you've been to 788 before, you've likely seen her work, which captures the energy and motion of those up-all-night hours when you feel most alive.


788 has made its reputation as an egalitarian co-op offering a mix of styles (and admittedly, a wide range of talent levels) at affordable prices for any start-up collector. Whats great about this gallery is the welcoming nature and lack of pretension. Its a great gathering place for the community and shows off an unexpected (at least to outsiders) side of Pigtown. In fact, the presence of 788 and its partner gallery, 21G, were one of the things that attracted me to move here. So if you're looking for something to do and a friendly crowd, head to Washington Blvd tomorrow and celebrate the work of one of Baltimore's unique artistic voices.

 Every first Thursday in Pigtown, Gallery 788 opens their doors with a new set of art on the walls, and a party to celebrate it all.  Be sure to join us!

Tree of Wishes

Ok, if you haven't seen this... it's pretty freakin' cute. The tree has a little holder with blank tags on it. You write your wish or dream on the tag, and then hang it from a branch!


It's pretty simple, but it's a welcome bit of optimism. I love things that turn a routine walk down the street into an interactive experience that brightens your day! Just because you're running an errand or walking the dog, doesn't mean your daily experience has to been mundane. Shake it up! Slow down. Hang out and enjoy life a little :)

Also, this has been up since at least March 19th. The weather has not gotten in its way.