Explore Baltimore
Food Fridays: Common Ground Cafe
Friday, June 28th, 2013 by WLOY Staff
Hours: Monday – Sunday from 7AM to 5PM
The Avenue – 816 W. 36th Street
Now, I might be killed by fellow WLOY staffer, Nicki Doster, for sharing this secret cafe heaven, but everyone should check out Common Ground Cafe in Hampden. I recently discovered this cafe, cozily situated on the Ave while in Hampden for HonFest and immediately fell in love with it. With bagels, pastries, and other goodies made fresh daily, Common Ground is the perfect breakfast heaven. All products are made with fresh and high quality ingredients, and the cafe offers many gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options. On top of all that, they create their own spin on everyone’s favorite candy bars and often get a little quirky when mixing up muffins (the other day I had a peanut butter, banana, and Captain Crunch muffin). Perhaps my favorite part is the eclectic collection of delicious, New York style bagels. To top everything off, the cafe also displays works of many local artists and advertises them for sale! Common Ground Cafe is the perfect getaway for delicious food and great art!
For more information and a menu, check out Common Ground Cafe’s website.
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Theater Thursdays: Flicks from the Hill
Thursday, June 27th, 2013 by WLOY Staff
Thursdays from July 11-August 22
The American Visionary Arts Museum – 800 Key Highway
Every Thursday starting at 9pm, join the American Visionary Arts Museum for a free film on Fed. Hill. Grab a blanket, picnic under the stars, and watch a great film inspired by AVAM’s current exhibit The Art of Storytelling. Films include West Side Story, Rear Window, and Cry-Baby (A CLASSIC!). As if this event couldn’t get any more awesome, the museum is open and completely free from 5-9pm on Flick nights! If you can make it the 11th, be sure to purchase your tickets for the Flick’s opening night premiere party. There will also be tons of great pre-film happenings at AVAM so be sure to check those out as well!
For more information and a list of films, check out AVAM’s website.
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Wacky Wednesdays: Baltimore’s 4th of July Celebration
Wednesday, June 26th, 2013 by WLOY Staff
July 4th from 7 to 10PM
Baltimore Inner Harbor Amphitheater
Come celebrate the Fourth of July holiday in Baltimore’s historic Inner Harbor! From 7 to 10 PM on the Fourth, visitors will be able to listen to live music and view an incredible light show, all to celebrate this great holiday. Beginning at 7PM, the U.S. Naval Academy Band Electric Brigade will perform your favorite Top 40 tunes and beginning promptly at 9:30 PM, a beautiful and elaborate firework show will take place. The light show will go off from two barged docked in the harbor and will be choreographed to music. Entertainment takes place at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater, located at Pratt and Light Streets. The event itself is free and many restaurants and businesses will be open for visitors to patronize.
For more information, visit the events website.
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Tourism Tuesdays: Govanstowne Farmer’s Market
Tuesday, June 25th, 2013 by WLOY Staff
Wednesdays from 3-7PM through September 11th
Loyola’s Public Safety and Motorpool Parking Lot – 5104 York Rd
The Govanstowne Famer’s Market was created in 2011 in an effort to bring fresh produce and business to an area in great need of it – the York Road Corridor. The market, which is sponsored by Loyola University Maryland, the York Road Partnership, and the Govanstowne Business Association, seeks to provide the York Road Community of North Baltimore with produce that is affordable, fresh, and local. By accepting benefits from federal, state, and local programs, the market is able to accommodate the needs of the York Road community. In the past two years, this market has been so successful that it has even been chosen by the United Way in researching food access in low income areas. The farmer’s market has produce vendors that sell anything from fresh desserts to savory barbecue. They even have a vendor that sells Thai and Vietnamese goods! The market also hosts various vendors to accommodate your crafting needs. Make sure you head down on Wednesdays for some good food and to support a great cause.
For more information, visit the Govanstowne Farmer’s Market website.
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Museum Mondays: Visionary Pets on Parade
Monday, June 24th, 2013 by WLOY Staff
Thursday, July 4th at 10AM
American Visionary Art Museum – 800 Key Highway
Leave it to the American Visionary Arts Museum to think of the quirkiest way to celebrate the Fourth of July. Starting at 10am, the museum will hold a celebration of pets by having a pet parade! Think your pet has what it takes to walk away with some awards? Then dress them up and strut your stuff. Categories include Best Costume, Most Patriotic, Most Visionary Pet, Owner & Pet look-alikes, Least likely to succeed as a Pet, Visionary Pet Tricks and more! Friendly pets of all kind are welcomed so long as they’re kept leashed. There will also be a Pet Talent (or Not) Show and a rousing game of pet musical chairs. The event is completely free and completely open to the public, so be sure to head on down to the best dog-gone parade in town! Water and baggies will be provided and pet registration begins at 9:30AM.
For more information, visit the American Visionary Art Museum’s website.
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Sports Saturdays: Baltimore Police Explorer Night at Camden Yards
Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 by WLOY Staff
Thursday June, 27th 7:05PM
Camden Yards
The Baltimore Police Explorer’s Program, which pairs youth with Police officers to expose them to different alternatives and opportunities, will be having a special night at Camden Yards, Thursday June, 27th. Members of the Explorer Scouts, Buddies Program, and the Baltimore Police Department will participate in an on-field ceremony and then cheer the O’s to victory over the Cleveland Indians. Tickets can be purchased for the Upper Reserve, Lower Reserve, Left Field Upper Reserve, Eutaw Street Bleachers, and the Left Field Lower Box. To celebrate the special night, the first 10,000 fans ages 15 and over will receive an Orioles giveaway beach towel.
Tickets can be purchased at the game or online. For more information, please email gmoniodis@cbmove.com or bayviewenterprises@msn.com
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Food Fridays: The Gathering
Friday, June 21st, 2013 by WLOY Staff
Fridays 5-10 PM
Various Locations
What’s better than a food truck? How about 15 food trucks?! The Gathering is a weekly coming together of the best food trucks in all of Baltimore for all to sample some delicious food. I can personally attest to the greatness of this weekly event, as I always make it a part of my routine. In the mood for Tacos and Indian? The Gathering will be sure to satisfy both of these cravings. Plus, for those of you who are 21, you can also get an all you can drink wrist band that’s good for the entire night. Not only does The Gathering have great food, but there’s often live music and art, clothing, and jewelery vendors too. Some vendors include Miss Shirley’s, Wheyich, Iced Gems, and Gypsy Queen Cafe (recently voted Baltimore’s Best Food Truck)! The Gathering also gives parents a chance to wind down by providing children with a fun play-area. The Gathering is the ultimate way to get together with friends and enjoy some great food at a relatively inexpensive price.
For a list of vendors and schedule of locations, visit The Gathering’s website.
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Theater Thursdays: Cinema al Fresco
Thursday, June 20th, 2013 by WLOY Staff
Friday evenings through July and August beginning at 7:00 PM
Little Italy at the corner of High St. and Stiles St.
Every Friday night of July and August, enjoy a free film presented in Little Italy. The Open Air Film Festival has been a hit since 1999 and continues to thrive this year. This festival features classics, like The Godfather II and La Dolce Vita, to recent hits like Eat, Pray, Love and To Rome with Love. The films are projected onto the outside wall of Ciao Bella Restaurant in the Da Mimmo Ristorante parking lot, so be sure to bring a comfortable lawn chair. You want to get there early too to ensure you get the best spot for the viewing of the film. The event is free and open to all members of the public. Plus, you can get free popcorn as you watch the film! Starting at 7pm, there will be live music playing and then promptly at 9pm the film will begin. For the perfect Friday night on the town, you should head down to Little Italy for a delicious meal, then live music and a free film!
To see a schedule of films and more information visit the festival’s website.
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Wacky Wednesdays: Summer Sounds at the Square
Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 by WLOY Staff
Every Friday through August 30th from 6:00 – 9:00PM
Belvedere Square at the corner of York Rd. and Belvedere Ave
Being able to just hang out and listen to free music is pretty awesome. But free music at one of the coolest hangouts in Baltimore, Belvedere Square, is even better. Every Friday through August 30th, Summer Sounds at the Square will be live in Belvedere Square, featuring some of the most awesome local artists. The genres of music range from Classic Rock to Reggae and there’s even a Beetles cover band added into the mix. From 6-9pm be sure to head on down to Belvedere Square, on the corner of York Road and Belvedere Avenue for this great event that is in-part sponsored by Loyola University! Plus, Belvedere Square has tons of great shops and restaurants that will for sure keep you entertained. I mean, Atwaters in the Market at Belvedere has milkshakes that you could die for – so obviously even more reason to go.
For more information, visit Belvedere Square’s website.
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Tourism Tuesdays: Latino Fest
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 by WLOY Staff
Saturday June 22nd and Sunday June 23rd
Patterson Park
Everyone go to Latino Fest! This is not a drill. This event basically combines all my favorite things in life. Latin Music, Latin Food, and dancing. Yeah, I said it, dancing. EBLO (Education Based Latino Outreach) presents this two day festival filled with food, fun, music, and more. This event will also be featuring several local artists. Music and entertainment includes Toby Love, Los Hijos e’ Plena y El Sonero de la Plena, Frankie Vazquez y Los Soneros del Barrio, Herman Olivera, Spanglish, La Firma, DJ Andy and DJ Cacique. The event will also feature a salsa dancing class, dance performances, and an awards ceremony honoring members of the Latino community in Baltimore. Be sure to come celebrate the Latin culture in Baltimore at this exciting event.
For a detailed line up and more information, visit Latino Fest’s website.
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