You won't be able to find Frederick Wiseman's documentary Basic Training (1971) on video, but thanks to the Baltimore Museum of Art's Free First Thursdays Film Series, fascinating, obscure, and difficult-to-find films like that are finding an audience—thanks to founder, programmer and host Eric Allen Hatch, who joins us to talk about what great gem he's uncovered next.

Eric Allen Hatch graduated from St. Mary's College of Maryland in 1996 with a degree in History and has contributed film, music, and literature reviews to Baltimore’s City Paper since 1997. He founded, programs and hosts the Baltimore Museum of Art's Free First Thursdays Film Series, which champions visionary international cinema of the 1960s and 70s. Eric was also a frequent member of the MicroCineFest (R.I.P.) screening committee. A former manager of Video Americain and founding member of the Red Room Collective, he has written numerous short stories. Unlike his vegetarian diet, his taste in film is absolutely omnivorous, although lifelong favorites include Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Frederick Wiseman, and Claire Denis.

Films at the BMA
Eric Allen Hatch's film reviews at City Paper

The Awkward Sounds of Scott and Skizz is, as they describe it, "two guys playing little music on little instruments." Scott (Wallace Brown) plays the melodica and Skizz (Cyzyk) plays the ukelele, and together they make totally unique music.

Awkward Sounds of Scott and Skizz:

Myspace page
Webpage

Jennifer Ouellette is a recovering English major who stumbled into science writing quite by accident as a struggling freelance writer in New York City. She has been avidly exploring her inner geek ever since. Now based in Los Angeles, California, she is the author of Black Bodies and Quantum Cats: Tales From the Annals of Physics (2006) and The Physics of the Buffyverse (2007), both published by Penguin.

Jennifer Ouellette

This week's salon art is by Sam Robinson. Sam's earliest art education was in the technique of Asian brush painting. Several years of study culminated in a year of work with Kim Ke Chang, one of Korea's recognized masters. He went on to art school at the Maryland Institute College of Art, majoring in painting and graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1978.

After graduation, Sam continued his studio work and founded The Valley Craftsmen Ltd. The company, which provides decorative painting and murals to the architecture and interior design markets, has grown into a staff of 30 employees, and is recognized as one of the leading firms regionally and in Naples, FL where a sister company is located.

Sam Robinson is represented by the Steven Scott Gallery in Owings Mills. For more information, call 410-902-9300.

Steven Scott Gallery
Valley Craftsmen, Ltd.

On ArtChat This Week, Nate and Rhea discuss the book Michael's Mom, about the challenges and experiences of a family confronted with attention deficit disorder. The author, Terry Nolan is scheduled to have a book signing this weekend at Barnes and Noble College Edition in Baltimore between 2-4pm on Saturday, March 31st at 3400 North Charles Street. And Joseph Sheppard, the internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor will present an exhibition of more than 50 drawings, paintings and sculpture at the University of Maryland’s University College from March 25 through June 18th.