Call for Vendors—Merry Mart 2013

Creative Alliance, a non-profit multi-purpose arts center located in Highlandtown, is pleased to announce that vendor applications are now open for its annual holiday craft show, Merry Mart. Merry Mart will take place Sunday, December 1 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will be held at the Creative Alliance, located at 3134 Eastern Avenue, right in the heart of Highlandtown.

Merry Mart is an annual juried holiday craft show that is looking for high-quality handmade arts and crafts from indie crafters.  Applications can be found online at:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEhZWWtrb0tDalIwMVRJNUVFS0VkVXc6MA#gid=0

The application process must be completed and submitted no later than 11:59 PM on Tuesday, September 13th, 2013. Vendors will be notified of acceptance by Friday, October 4th. 

For more information visit our facebook page at:

www.facebook.com/MerryMartBaltimore

Or email us at MerryMart@creativealliance.org.

August Coupon Code!

Looking for a little something for that one last trip to the beach this summer? Throughout this month, participating BEST shops will be offering 10% off on everything in their shops when you enter the coupon code BESTAUGUST2013 at checkout! Stay tuned next month for a new code with a different deal!  Follow this link or put  "baltimoreetsyteam" in the Etsy search bar to find items from all of our talented members!

Seaborne Reliquary Pendant by Sihaya Designs

Recipe: Mango-Black Bean Dip

An easy recipe for black bean dip with mango; super simple to pull together, perfect for the hot summer months

Mango Black Bean Dip (makes 4 servings)

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 red onion, chopped

1/2 mango, cubed

balsamic vinegar
olive oil

1 tbsp orange, lime, or grapefruit juice

1 tsp cumin

salt & pepper to taste

fresh cilantro (optional)

Add all ingredients to your food processor, and puree until well blended.  Taste to see if you need to add more salt.  Finish blending and place dip into a bowl.  Garnish with fresh cilantro and chopped red onion.  Serve with chips, pita, crackers, or cut vegetables.  Also makes a great spread for sandwiches.

Subtract the mango from the this recipe and you have a basic bean dip base that blends well with hot peppers for a spicy dip (try jalapeños), or avocado for a creamy dip.  A clove of garlic can also be added to boost the flavor.

All photos by Open Eyes Press.

Random Baltimore Photo

Cambodian dancers at the Maryland Folklife Traditions Festival, held at the Creative Alliance.

Photo by Open Eyes Press.

July 4th - Did you know...?

As everyone knows July 4th is Independence Day in the U.S.A. but did you know...?

1. After a month of debate on whether or not to declare independence from Britain, the Continental Congress voted in favor on July 2nd.

2. On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that the day "will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival" and that the celebration should include "Pomp and Parade...Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations."Of course, he was talking about July 2nd.

3. Three presidents died on Independence Day: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826. James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.

4. The Continental Navy raised this flag, known as the Continental Colors, during the War for Independence and it remained the flag of the rebellion until June 14, 1777 when the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution which defined the United States flag as having 13 stripes and 13 stars

 5. Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest started in 1916 and has been held every year since then except two.

6. This year Joey "Jaws" Chestnut won by eating 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes. It was his 7th year winning. Sonya Thomas won the women's championship with 37 hotdogs.

7. The earliest documentation of fireworks dates back to 7th century China.

8. On November 10, 2012 Kuwait celebrated the 50th anniversary of its constitution by launching 77,282 firework projectiles in the largest firework display of all time.

9. The origin for the word 'barbecue' is uncertain but may be from the Caribbean word 'barbacoa', the method of slow-cooking meat over a wooden platform OR from the French 'barb a queue', which means 'from whiskers to tail' referring to cooking a whole animal on a spit over an open fire OR from the Romanian work for roast mutton 'barbec'.

10. Lexington, North Carolina calls itself the "Barbecue Capital of the World" and holds a one day festival in October (Barbecue Month). The North Carolina House had to call it the 'Official Food Festival of the Piedmont Triad Region of the State of North Carolina' because to call it the more tongue tripping name of 'Official Food Festival of North Carolina' would seem to take sides between the Lexington and Eastern style of barbecues.

Written by Susan Brandt.

July Coupon Code!

Looking for the perfect summer accessories? BEST has got you covered! Throughout this month, participating BEST shops will be offering free shipping off on everything in their shops when you enter the coupon code BESTSUMMER2013 at checkout! Stay tuned next month for a new code with a different deal!  Follow this link or put  "baltimoreetsyteam" in the Etsy search bar to find items from all of our talented members!

Aqua Chalcedony Necklace by Jersey Girl Design

Hot nights and cool jazz....

The BMA’s popular Jazz in the Sculpture Garden summer concert series returns! 

Beat the July heat with some cool jazz surrounded by a fabulous collection of modern art in the Museum’s Sculpture Garden.

 

Select Saturdays in July and August  7 p.m.

July 6 – Louis Hayes and the Cannonball Legacy Band featuring Vincent Herring and Jeremy Pelt

July 27 – Paul Carr Quintet

August 3 – Marcus Johnson Project

August 17 – Jackie Ryan
August 24 – Lao Tizer   

Tickets sell out fast, so pre-order now !  

Post by Janice Fowler of Doxallo Studio and Doxallo Designs

Call for Entries - Bazaart

Preview Party: Fri Nov. 29, 5:30pm-8pm, Marketplace: Sat Nov. 30, 10am - 5pm

Application Deadline: Must be postmarked no later than July 13, 2013
     Application Fee: None
     Exhibitor Fee: $200 for 10'x10' space

BAZAART, the American Visionary Art Museum's (AVAM's) annual holiday marketplace of original creations by over 50 regional artists and craftspeople, is back for the 2013 holiday season! Featuring the artsyiest artistrys & craftiest crafts, ranging from painting to sculpture to jewelry to handmade clothing and accessories, BAZAART has become a Baltimore tradition attracting thousands of holiday shoppers each year to AVAM for this one-of-a-kind show! The AVAM is located on the south side of the Inner Harbor at 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230

Check here for more information and here for the application.

Posted by Susan Brandt.

Music and Arts Festival - Lunar Bay

If you like music, or if you like art, or, well, if you like BOTH - then you may want to head out to the Lunar Bay Festival this coming weekend!

There are 48 bands slated to play on 4 stages. There will be food and art and other entertainment.

The festival takes place on the 500 acre property of the Susquehanna State Park.

http://www.lunarbayfestival.com/ of tickets and more information.

Post submitted by Janice Fowler of Doxallo Studio and Doxallo Designs

Call for entries - Hampdenfest

Show: September 14, 2013
(Saturday, 11am-7pm)
Application due: July 30 (by mail)
Recommended to apply early to reserve space.
     Application fee: none
     Booth fee: $150 for 10'x10' space, exhibitor must provide their own tent

If you didn't apply in time to get into HonFest, never fear, there is another festival in Hampden and this one has a reputation as being more successful for craft vendors.


Hampdenfest is a neighborhood arts festival that features 4 stages of music and art performances, an activity area for kids, an emerging artists exhibit and a film festival, as well as four blocks of arts and crafts vendors and other wares from a wide range of merchants and artists. Hampden itself has hundreds of local businesses which are consistently listed in Baltimore Magazine and the City Paper's Best of Baltimore.

For seekers of great food and an engaging atmosphere, HampdenFest offers an abundance of Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay and local Hampden cuisine, including pit beef, crab cakes, and locally brewed beer from The Brewer's Art. A mix of national and local independent rock, folk, punk, acoustic bands and DJs will perform throughout the day, live, at any of the festival's four stages.

And...a race of toilets! Of course.

Click here for more information and here for the application.

Posted by Susan Brandt.