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Outdoor Guide To Artscape 2011: Music, Art And Moonwalking

Artscape

Mount Royal Avenue & Cathedral Street / Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
July 15, 16 & 17, 2011
Friday: 12-10pm
Saturday: 12-10pm
Sunday: 12-8pm
Free Admission

Taking place smack down in the middle of summer, this outdoor arts festival – one of the largest in the nation -- brings the excitement of the arts to life in exhibitions, dance, theatre performances, athletics, music, fashion, kid-fun and food, but don't expect to attend and observe. Artscape 2011 gets you moving.

Because this year is Artscape's 30th Anniversary, much of the festival honors the great 80s, specifically 1982 when the world was first exposed to Artscape, along with many popular 80s fashions and activities, like aerobics and breakdancing. Artscape takes place in Baltimore's art district of Mount Vernon centered on Mount Royal Avenue and North Charles Street and expands this year including 12 blocks jam-packed with entertainment and four outdoor stages with live music of virtually every genre.

Artscape: Friday and Saturday, July 15 &16 noon until 10 pm and Sunday July 17, noon until 8 pm.

80s Fun

Check out the Charles Street Bridge that extends over the rail tracks leading into Penn Station. Here the epicenter of the 80s celebration takes place. On the 1982 Stage, find it fully equipped with bust-a-move karaoke machines where you can resurrect your Roger Rabbit or take a stab at breakdancing. After singing your favorite 80s tune, robot-it through the art exhibits, installations, live music, makeovers (80s style, so beware) and fashions. Head-bands and leg-warmers suggested!

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Credit: Artscape 2011

 

Dance to Live Music

Getting your heart pumping and feet moving is an easy thing at Artscape. Four stages with national, local and themed acts will fill any music and dance lovers appetite. Expect to move to R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Rock, Ska, Blues, World, Funk, Jazz and 80s pop. Acts include, Miguel, Fantasia, Nikka Costa, G Love and Special Sauce and the Pietasters. Performances begin at noon on Friday with closing performances starting at 7 pm on Sunday.

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Credit: Artscape 2011

 

NANADU! – Be a Part of the Show

Watch a parade? NO…Star in one! With an 80s theme and Artscape's love of visuals, NANADU is inspired by a classic 80s flick, Xanadu. One of Baltimore's most innovative creators of parades and puppets, Nana Projects, produced multiple parades that will march through Artscape enticing on-lookers to join-in. Volunteers will be asked or may just find themselves a part of a moving exhibit with the roller skaters, eight-foot tall performers in costume and lots of music. Parades are marching all day – so don't be surprised if suddenly you are grand marshal!

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Credit: Artscape 2011

 

Need a Rest? Kids Tent Will Occupy Your Little Ones.

There is a place just for kids at Artscape. The festival's Target Make It At Artscape tent features storytelling, windsock making, jewelry design and how to put together a band using musical instruments found right in your own kitchen. Kids can also build puppets, create hats and get their hands on all kinds of art supplies to bring out their own artistic talents.

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David Greedy/ Getty Images

Gamescape

Free arcade games! In Gamescape you will find countless video games at your finger-tips including old-school arcade machines, new video game demos, art inspired by video games, and panel talks on the art of gaming development. This is a great space to dive into the art and technology of video game production by meeting the local artists who created them.

Grab a Bite: Food for All

Artscape is prepared to satisfy the appetite of all its festival goers by serving up a variety of food and drink. Local and ethnic food vendors will spice up your meals along with food trucks on Charles Street and some really convenient stands that allow for the purchase of all types of food and drink at one stand, that means your beer will be cold when your food is hot – can't beat that!

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Jacques Demarthon / Getty Images

Saddle Up and Ride your Bike

With over 350,000 people expected to visit Artscape over the weekend, organizers are going out of their way to promote the use of bikes by making you feel more comfortable and safe bringing your two- wheels to the festival. Valet parking and storage for your cycle is located in the University of Baltimore Plaza. Last year they parked over 700 bikes and for this big anniversary year organizers want to break that record!

Christian Kendzierski spends most of his time as a media specialist at Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland. He also works as a freelance writer and lives in Baltimore. See what's going in his world by following him at @ck1media.
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