The Other Side of Summer

Dance Troupe, 1972. Robert Breck Chapman Collection. Via flickr

When I decided last week to do a seasonal library display of items in Special Collections with a theme of “summertime leisure”, I couldn’t imagine a fluffier, less serious topic. I thought that-- aside from having multiple boxes across collections retrieved from storage-- the whole thing would be a breeze; just rainbows and kittens and glitter and sunshine all the way. Of course, mostly, it is:  selecting photographs taken by Robert Breck Chapman, former photographer for City Hall, is always an opportunity to gaze at beautifully composed images capturing city life during the 1970s. Also, poring through scenes from the Post Card Project-- featuring kitschy vintage paper and ephemera-- is pretty fun.

This Thursday: Langsdale on the Radio!

Langsdale’s own Angela Rodgers-Koukoui will be a guest on Thursday’s (July 14th) edition of Humanities Connection on WYPR, 88.1 at 4:45 p.m.  Angela, an archival technician in Special Collections, will talk about her lifelong involvement with Baltimore’s Cultural Arts Program, her enchantment with dance and performance, and how preserving and delving into the city’s cultural history can help reshape Baltimore’s future. Humanities Connection is a segment produced by Maryland Humanities, a nonprofit supporting  
lifelong learning.  Listen and learn!

It's Artscape Time Again

(Photo by Gavin St. Ours)

Midtown Baltimore prepares to welcome the 32nd year of Artscape, billed as "America's largest free arts festival."

The festival runs July 19-21, but street closures and parking restrictions have already begun to take effect.

Need to know how Artscape will impact you? Check the traffic modifications.

Wondering what Artscape events are being hosted by UB? Read the news release.

Artscape is coming! Artscape is coming!

When Artscape rises from the Baltimore streets, do you run to the hills, or go “downy oshun” to avoid it, or embrace its sights and sounds and aromas? Artscape is the biggest free open air art festival in the country. It usually falls on the hottest day of the summer and causes all kinds of traffic but also brings a smile to tens of thousands of participants’ faces. To enjoy Artscape you must also enjoy large, jostling crowds, festival food, hot tents with all kinds of surprises, like clothes, paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery and oh so much more – it may also be helpful to have an eclectic taste in music. This year twelve bands will be performing rock, reggae, alternative, hip hop, blues, and neo soul. You can experience an array of performing arts including theater, opera, film, and dance. There are visual art exhibits throughout the area, family events, children’s entertainers, and street theater.

Personally, I’m a runner. All of those experiences mentioned above? Too much sensory input for me, too large a venue. I tend toward biophilia. But I’m a curious runner. I don’t take my vacation at this time like some people do, to avoid the confusion. No, I like to come to work and watch the progression; from the extra wires being hung weeks before, to the port-o-potties being delivered, right up to the smell of the sausages being grilled. It’s like being the first one to arrive at a party when it’s quiet and a bit awkward then watching it grow into a throng of happy celebrants! But that’s it. Five o’clock Friday I’m outta here, if not before. All weekend I am aware that Artscape is happening. I usually make note of the weather and hope that people are not fainting in the streets and I’ll watch the crowds on the evening news.

After it’s over, it is always interesting to return to work and see the aftermath. You never know which streets will be reopened. Stacks of tent rigging and barricades lie scattered on sidewalks. One year when they created a food court on the old UB flat surface parking lot, the vendors had dumped their grease which made for a smelly, slick mess that the city had to clean several times before the lot could be used for parking again. On a positive note, I always look forward to the MICA students’ art along Mt. Royal Ave. Most installments and sculptures remain in place for months and create a whimsical/radical/art accessible atmosphere in the area. Over the years many installments have been interactive and child-friendly, and as they sit there inert, I can feel the residual energy and hear the phantom squeals of glee.

So, if you happen to attend Artscape, buy some jewelry, stay cool, and interact with the art, like pinch a street performers butt or something! They like that, don’t they? Probably not, but maybe I’ll see you on the news.

Carol A. Vaeth