Highlandtown Wine Festival, April 27th

What could be better than wine and feathers! Come see me this weekend at the 11th Annual Highlandtown Wine Festival.

Drink some wine and help celebrate the tradition of home wine making. The wine festival features a homemade wine competition, wine tastings, children's activities, arts and crafts, food, and music.

When: Sunday, April 27, 2014
Time: 1 - 6 pm
Where: Corner of Conkling and Claremont Street

Pile of Craft this weekend!

Come see BEST members this weekend at the Charm City Craft Mafia's annual Spring Craft Show!

PILE OF CRAFT
June 22, 2013
10am - 5pm
2640 St Paul St, St John’s Church

Honfest this weekend!

Come visit BEST members this Saturday and Sunday at HonFest in Hampden. It's Bawlmer's Best Time!

When:
June 8: 11am to 10pm
June 9: Noon to 6pm

Where: located on the Avenue (36th Street) in Hampden

For more information visit the Honfest website.

Mom & Me Fairy Skirt Class this Sunday!

Join BEST member Kolleen from Design by Night and the ladies of Baltimore Threadquarters for a spring time Mom & Me no sew Fairy Skirt and Crown making workshop for ages 6-9. Fairy princess Kolleen will be sprinkling fairy dust and waiving her magic glue gun to help transform your little girl into a crafty fairy princess!

Create a custom made colorful whispy skirt using grosgrain ribbon and fluffy tulle. We'll make a matching fairy crown to top it off!


Where: Baltimore Threadquarters

518 South Conkling Street
Baltimore, MD 21224

443-759-9627

When: Sunday, April 14, 2013

Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

To sign up for the class, click here.

Big Night Baltimore New Year's Eve Celebration

It might be early but do you have your plans set for New Year’s Eve yet?  Check out Big Night Baltimore, MIX 106.5 New Year’s Eve Extravaganza!!!  It’s located at The Sheraton Baltimore City Center from 9pm – 2am on Monday, December 31^st.  http://www.bignightbaltimore.com/

There will be:

Nine amazing themed party areas

Open bars ALL NIGHT

Food buffets (included)

Multiple dance floors

Ten incredible bands & DJ’s

Party favors for all

Baltimore’s biggest midnight celebration with balloon drop, toast, etc…

Discounted hotel rooms

And two ticket options

Check it out and make it a new year’s to remember. 

Written by Abby Bohn from Abigail Leigh Handbags www.abigailleigh.etsy.com

Merry Mart Sunday!

Come see BEST members at this year's Merry Mart. Merry Mart is a craft show featuring a diverse mix of art and craft from Baltimore and beyond. This is a creative and festive indoor show that showcases local Baltimore talent with unique handmade work. Shoppers will find one of a kind gifts, clothing, handbags, plushies, felt accessories, ceramics, soaps, kids toys, mixed media, amazing jewelry, and great art!

Support artisans and get great gifts all in one day!

You can find the vendor list and preview of their work here: http://merrymartbaltimore.blogspot.com/

When: December 2nd, 2012
Time: 11am-5pm
Where: Creative Alliance at the Patterson
3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore MD 21224

Art With A Heart Staff Art Show

 

"You're invited!  Please join us this Saturday, October 13th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, as Art with a Heart hosts its third annual Staff Art Show.  We hold this event each year to honor and exhibit the extraordinary artwork of the individuals who compassionately share their talent with our students. The artwork will be for sale, with 25% of the proceeds benefiting Art with a Heart."

Participating artists include: 

Michelle Barattucci, Jo Brown, Theresa Columbus, Sue Concannon, Hillary Dempster, Clare Elliott, Sarah Forst, Kate Gomprecht, Katie Grauer, Audrey Hamilton, Jenny Hyle, Lorraine Imwold, Jaime Kauffman, Emily Kimak, Nichole Leavy, Leslie Maloff, Melissa Moore, Linda Orante, Steve Riddle, Nancy Smith, Ali Solonche and Edward Williams

Perry Hall Apple Festival

If you are in Baltimore County this weekend and like apples, visit the Perry Hall Apple Festival.

2012 Perry Hall Apple Festival
Saturday & Sunday, September 22–23, 2012
10am–5pm
Chapel Hills Farm and Nursery
4350 Chapel Road, Perry Hall, MD 21128
410-256-5335

Rain dates Septemember 29-30
Experience Perry Hall's “Spirit of Community” in a weekend of Fall Fun with Craft Vendors, Great Food, and tons of Family Activities!

Activities
Blue Grass Band • Pie Baking Contest • Pie Eating Contest • Sack Races • Bobbing for Apples
Pony Rides • Tractor Drawn Hay Rides • Train Rides • Gator Wagon Train
Petting Zoo • Mini Hay Maze • Pedal Tractors • Face Painting

Food
Pit Beef & Turkey • Hamburgers & Hot Dogs • Fries • Soda
Apple Cider • Funnel Cakes • Caramel & Candy Apples • Baked Goods

Found Footage Festival

Hey, whatever happened to that VHS tape?... Sunday, September 9th, the Creative Alliance hosts Found Footage Festival, an "acclaimed showcase of odd and hilarious VHS videos scrounged from thrift stores and garage sales across North America" (creativealliance.org). Hosted by veterans of The Onion and Late Show with David Letterman, this show is packin' some seriously professional funny. Check out their webpage for clips, info, and, of course, found footage. : ) 

Found Footage Festival
Sunday, Sept. 9th
7:30pm
Creative Alliance 3
134 Eastern Ave $10/$5 mbrs

 Written by Rachael of Open Eyes Press.
 Photo courtesy Found Footage Festival.

Knitting and Kneedlework Circle at the Woman's Industrial Exchange

The Woman's Industrial Exchange, located at 333 North Charles Street, was originally created after the Civil War to allow women in need a way to earn a living from their crafts. Today the Exchange is Baltimore's headquarters for all things crafty with an active craft shop, newly re-opened tearoom, apartment and space rentals, and full offering of craft classes and other activities. Every Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. you can bring your knitting, needlework, or anything else you might be working on and enjoy tea and refreshments plus a comfy place to sit, chat, and share. The Exchange is located at 333 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, 21201 For more information visit their website at womansindustrialexchange.orgor catch them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/womansindustrialexchange 

 Written by Baltimore Soaps and More Baltimoresoaps.etsy.com

PA Burlesque Festival

Greetings, Ladies and Gents!

Join BEST member and Burlesque festival vendor  Design by Night at the PA Burlesque Festival!

The festival includes Burlesque classes, workshops, and lectures presented by professional, knowledgable performers. And no Glamazon is complete until she's found the right accoutrements! Shop our BURLESQUE BAZAAR for everything you need to stand out in the crowd.

When: June 29 - July 1, 2012
Where: 334 South Street, Philadelphia PA

"The Burlesque Gala" Friday, June 29
"The Big Reveal" Saturday, June 30
Classes and the Bazaar will be held on Saturday, June 30th and Sunday, July 1st

For more information visit www.paburlesque.com.

Featured Performer Jacqueline Hyde

Pile of Craft

The Charm City Craft Mafia’s Pile of Craft, an indie and alternative craft fair, will take place on Saturday, June 16th from 10 AM to 5 PM at St. John’s Church, located at 2640 St. Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218. The event is FREE and open to the public.

 Shoppers at Pile of Craft will delight in finding one-of-a-kind gifts, home goods, apparel, jewelry, accessories, ceramics, paper goods and so much more! Over 45 vendors from across the nation will come together for an amazing day of artistic talent. You'll see local BEST favorites like The Littlest Bean, TigerLilly Shop, Yummy & Company, Namoo, Found Studio, The Broken Plate Pendant Co, and Sugar Paperie, as well as new indie craft talent from Baltimore and beyond. Keep your eyes open for Hannah’s Ideas in Woods, Julia E. Dean Pottery, Planted, Transient Bag Co., A Fiber Circus, Horrible Adorables, and Metamorphosis Metals!

In addition to having the quirkiest, most exciting art shopping experience of the summer, shoppers will be able to enjoy treats from roaming snack-vendor Kinderhook Snacks, lunch from Baltimore's Gypsy Queen food truck and a coffee from Red Emma's coffeehouse.

As with every show - Craft mafia will be raffling off a charity basket of handmade treasures donated by the craft mafia's talented vendors and spectacular sponsors!! This year, all proceeds will go to local non-profit "Great Kids Farm" – providing opportunities for Baltimore City Public School students to understand and participate in every aspect of food preparation from seed to fork. Raffle tickets will be $1 at the door, and one lucky shopper will win a huge basket filled with a collection of handmade goods from many of our super talented vendors!


For a full list of vendors, information on the fair and more information on the Charm City Craft Mafia and our fairs, please visit pileofcraft2012.wordpress.com.

Written by:Kacey Stafford from Found Studios

Sailabration

In honor of Baltimore's Star Spangled 200, the celebration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, forty tall ships will be coming to Baltimore. The ships will be docked at the Inner Harbor and Fells Point. There will be lots of fun activities like the family fun zone, and you can even tour the ships.

The ships will begin arriving on June 13th, so keep an eye out in the harbor for these beautiful ships coming to us from around the world.

 For more information visit: StarSpangled200.com 

 Written by Stacey Phinney

HonFest 2012 this weekend!

Bawlmer's Best Time! Come out and see Design by Night and Charms City Company of BEST at HonFest 2012.

June 9: 11am to 10pm
June 10: Noon to 6pm

This nationally recognized festival covers four city blocks on 36th Street (The Avenue) in the neighborhood of Hampden. Hampden is a revered old-style Baltimore neighborhood, filled with quirky shops, quaint restaurants and endearing residents. HonFest gives local storeowners the opportunity to spill-out onto the sidewalk and showcase their wares. HonFest is a favorite destination for young and old, tourist and resident. Check out the schedule and direction page for directions to Honfest!

Clover Market

The last Clover Market of the season is happening this Sunday, June 3rd, in Ardmore, PA. Just a short train ride from Center City, Philly (about an hour and a half ride from Baltimore), this event is chock full of vintage, antique, and handmade goods ready to be scooped up- just check out the photo above! I have seen everything from gigantic plaster busts of Elvis Presley, to dresses handmade from vintage fabrics. This show is always well put-together and full of variety- don't miss it! 

Clover Market 
June 3rd, 2012
10am-5pm
@ Schaufelle Plaza
12 E. Lancaster Ave, Ardmore PA

Maryland Film Festival

The Maryland Film Festival
May 3, 2012 - May 6, 2012 | All Day
The Charles Theater
Maryland Institute College of Art
1711 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201


Designed to advocate for films and filmmakers as they enter the marketplace, the Maryland Film Festival celebrates the art of film in the tradition of famous Baltimoreans like John Waters and Barry Levinson. Documentaries, short films and features are screened at several locations throughout the city as Baltimore goes Hollywood for the better part of a week. For more information visit the webstie at www.md-filmfest.com.

Check out the Charm City Roller Girls

Charm City Roller Girls 2012
April 14th | 5:30pm - 8:00pm
DuBurns Arena
1301 South Ellwood Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
For more information visit their website at www.charmcityrollergirls.com


Fresh off an exciting year that saw the Night Terrors win the Donaghy Cup and the CCRG All Stars make a repeat visit to the 2011 WFTDA Championships, the Charm City Roller Girls are proud to announce the dates for the 2012 home season:


April 14th
Donaghy Cup Championship Bout
CCRG All Stars Home Opener vs The Chicago Outfit

Tickets are on sale now via Mission Tix or at:

Atomic Books (Hampden)
Bad Decisions (Fells Point)
Collectors Corner (Parkville)
Patterson Perk (Patterson Park)
Baltimore Hostel (Mt. Vernon)
Flesh Tattoo Co. (Fallston)
Stale Fish Board Co. (Bel Air)
Wine Underground (Roland Park)
Charmington's (Remington)

Free Family Sundays at the BMA!- March

Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218

Every Sunday, visit the Baltimore Museum of Art for activities the entire family can enjoy! Express your inner artist in a hands-on art-making workshop or enjoy an interactive family gallery tour. 2-5pm. Free.

Visit the Print by Print exhibition before making your own prints!

March 4: Stencil Pattern Prints

March 11: Make 3-D Mechanical Creatures

March 18: Silk-Screened Scenery

March 26: Family Tour-- Lines, Shapes, and Patterns, 2-2:45pm.

Student Art Show in Hamilton

The Hamilton Arts Collective &

The Hamilton Gallery present the

6th Annual Student Art Show

First Friday! March 2, 2012 5:00-9:00

5502 Harford Road

Artwork from City Neighbors, City Neighbors Hamilton, Hamilton Elementary-Middle, Arts & Ideas Elementary, St. Francis of Assisi and Garrett Heights Elementary Middle will be displayed.

Support your local student artists!

It's a Waterfront Life…

If you’re looking for some holiday cheer, just visit the Baltimore Waterfront for many free and paid admission events. The Maryland Science Center and National Aquarium has discounted admission tickets Friday’s after 5pm Dec. 9, 16, 23, and 30 for $8.

The Power Plant Holiday Light Show Spectacular is going on until December 31st Thurdays: 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, Fridays-Saturdays: 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm. Stop by to see a display of lights, lasers and music which is sure to be fun for the whole family.


The 28th annual Merry Tuba Christmas is a funtime for the music lover. Come to hear unique styles and rhythms to get you in the holiday sprit. Or check out the Let It Snow Celebration, Sunday, December 18 (Noon – 5pm). All of Harbor East will be surrounded by iIce Carvings, Holiday Music and more. Go to www.itsawaterfrontlife.org to see all that is going on this holiday season on the Waterfront…

Written by Abigail Leigh