Hello, everyone! This is my time of the year. This is the time of the year when traveling to the best outdoors festivals is at its peak and crab feasts are jumping.
First of all, B.B. King is coming to Baltimore at the Pier Six Concert Pavilion on July 15. Gates open at 6 p.m.
The B.B. King reign as King of the Blues has been as long as that of any monarch on Earth. Yet, he continues to wear his crown well. At age 76, this man is still playing the blues with relentless passion.
B.B.’s first big break came in 1948 when he performed on Sonny Boy Williamson’s radio program on KWEM out of West Memphis. This led to steady performance engagements at the Sixteenth Avenue Grill in West Memphis and later to a 10- minute spot on the Black staffed and managed radio station WDIA. Soon B.B. needed a catch radio name. What started out as Beale Street Blues Boy was shortened to Blues Boy King, and eventually B.B. King. Incidentally, King’s middle initial “B” is just that, it is not an abbreviation. The rest is history.
Grand opening for the McLoone’s Pier House Restaurant at the National Harbor is this week. Just in time to enjoy the summer festivities at National Harbor, a premier waterfront destination. With a breathtaking sunset view, and located right on the Potomac, McLoone’s Pier House plans to celebrate nature’s daily ritual with music, drink and food both inside and outside on their patio. It is located at 141 National Plaza. General Manager, Dana Noto states, “Specialty cocktails and distinctive dishes will be offered and our guests while enjoy watching the spectacular sunsets with synchronized music.” For more information, call Dottie Cooper at 732-212-9910.
Thursdays at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum are HOT! July 15, 5-9 p.m. is “Caribbean Night” featuring Image. The Caribbean islands meet downtown Baltimore with the popular D.C.-based Caribbean Band “Image.” The menu is Caribbean mango shrimp, curried chicken skewers, fried crispy plantains and much more. It will take place on the museum’s fourth floor with access to the outdoor terrace. There is a small admission. For more information, call Cherrie Woods at 443-263-1812.
Coming up is the Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship Fund 14th Annual Deluxe Oldies but Goodies crab feast fundraiser on July 17, 1-5 p.m. at Tiffany East Catering, located 4116 E. Lombard St. Your donation of $45 will include all the crabs you can eat, free draft beer, dancing, door prizes, B.Y.O.B and cash bar. The music will be provided by DJ “Sugar Chris.” The menu includes crab soup, corn on the cob, Swedish meatballs, fried chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes, salads, turkey breast, macaroni and cheese, beef, barbecue, potato salad, coleslaw, imported ham, salami, assorted cheeses, deserts and sodas. For more information and tickets, call 410-833-9474.
The Baltimore Area Alumni of Alpha Phi Omega Annual Crab Feast is July 11, at Martin’s West, 6821 Dogwood Road, 2-6 p.m. The tickets include free beer and setups and a scrumptious buffet. For more information, call Thursday evenings at 410-466-4806.
The Caribbean Carnival Festival, with a traditional island costumed parade down Park Heights Avenue and soca, reggae, and steel drum bands; live international entertainment, elaborate costumes, and authentic Caribbean cuisine, will be at Druid Hill Park July 9-11. On Friday the time is 5-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon until 9 p.m. There will be many vendors selling food, jewelry, art, clothes, and much more. For more information, call 410-230-2969.
The DipNic 2010 Festival will be held on July 10 at Elks Camp Barrett located 1001 Chesterfield Road in Crownsville, Md. It is an awesome place to go for adults only, no children allowed. It is for grown folks only. The pool is huge and beautiful and flotation devices are permitted. The pool house is close, modern, convenient and there’s excellent parking on the premises, two large pavilions with tables, a hooded barbecue pit with exhaust fans, an open raw bar with farm- raised oysters, manicured lawns and 200 acres with hiking trails. You can bring your own blankets, tents, folding tables, chairs, coolers, drinks and food. DJ Tony ‘T’ will spin records and there will be space to do the line dancing. Live entertainment featuring the Spindles 11-piece band. For tickets or information, call Faison at 443-801-1100 or get in touch with Jim ‘Magic’ Johnson, Lloyd ‘LB’ Johnson, Millie Battle, Donald Brown or Carlos Hutchins.
James “Winky” Camphor is celebrating his 5th Sunday Jazz Series on July 11, 3-7 p.m. at the Forum Caterers featuring international recording artists the Greg Hatza Quartet. For tickets and more information, call “Winky” at 410-521-3439 or 443-850-4587.
Artscape will take place July 16 and July 17 from noon until 10 p.m. and July 18 from noon until 8 p.m. on Mt. Royal Ave. and N. Charles St.
Well, my dear friends, I am out of space. If you need me, call 410-833-9474 or e-mail me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS. I’LL SEE YOU AT THE NEWSSTAND.