Urban Discoveries Baltimore

Open your heart and your heartburn medication, Baltimore; Thanksgiving is here again. The national day-of-gratitude-cum-eating-contest happens only once a year, but the feelings of warmth and nebulous goodwill can last for months, or at least until the Christmas decorations go up. Whether you’re skipping town this week or sticking with the Greatest, we wish you a pleasant day of naps and football. Here are some ways to keep busy in the meantime:

1. The University of Baltimore in Mount Vernon (1420 N. Charles Street) holds a book talk Monday night with Taylor Branch, author of The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President. According to the radio interview I heard a couple weeks ago, he basically had incomparable access to Clinton during the years of the administration, throughout prosperous times as well as those stained by scandal. Despite his difficulty managing the transitive property of a certain subtitular verb, he’s an insightful and entertaining speaker. The talk starts Monday at 6:00 p.m. in the School of Law’s moot court room. A cocktail reception and book signing will follow. Admission is free, but you should register here.

2. The Single Carrot Theatre in Station North (120 W. North Avenue) presents their original play, Illuminoctem, starting Wednesday. Having seen a few plays at the Single Carrot (named for a flamboyant Cezanne quotation), I’m looking forward to this one, although/because (a.) it’s never been performed before, (b.) the title is in Latin, and (c.) there’s no dialogue. Besides, they give you a discount just for being an artist (or a student or a senior). The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and the preview night Wednesday. 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $20. No show on Thanksgiving.

3. School 33 Art Center in Federal Hill (1427 Light Street) has new exhibit opening tonight. Functionless Form, Functional Décor –– contrived name and all –– should offer plenty of art that’s both playful and pleasing to look at. Yes, a neighbor of mine who recently showed at Nudashank will have work there, as will three other celebrated artists from Maryland, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Free wine, pretty things, hipsters passing judgment on each other.

What have you given thanks for lately?

Posted in: Things To Do This WeekendNo Comments