Tosca is Puccini's operatic masterpiece of treachery and deception. An amoral policeman preys on a woman whose lover is be executed, and makes the original "indecent proposal." Starring as the evil Scarpia is Baltimore's own, James Morris. He trained with Rosa Ponselle, and today's interview takes place at the former Ponselle estate, Villa Pace. Tosca has two more performances by the Baltimore Opera Company at the Lyric on May 11th at 8:15 pm and on May 13th at 3:00 pm.

The Baltimore Opera Company

Meditations on African Art: Color is the second in the three part exhibit that is currently on view at The Baltimore Museum of Art through August 19. This examination of the influence of color in African art follows this past winter/spring's study of the influence of light. (This winter the BMA will conclude the tour with an exploration of "pattern".) The BMA's excellent African arts collection is the perfect textbook for these studies and Nate had the opportunity to speak with Associate Curator of African Art, Dr. Karen Milbourne for her insights as well. Featured in the Color exhibit is also the contemporary work of Tunisian born Swiss artist Fatma Charfi who uses the colors of the countries which most influence her as a person and as an artist: red, white and black. Meditations on African Art:Color is on view at The Baltimore Museum of Art through August 19.

The Baltimore Museum of Art

Baltimore's all-girl garage rock n' roll stomp and shout band comes to Artworks! With Rahne Degenerette on guitar, Kristen Degenerette on drums and Becky Degenerette on bass, The Degenerettes are Baltimore's all-grrrl underground garage party band! These gals have been rocking the basements and bowling alleys of Baltimore and beyond with raw primitive r&r, and now they're coming for you!

The Degenerettes home page
The Degenerettes on MySpace

Nathaniel Kahn has twice been nominated for an Academy Award. His first nomination came with My Architect, a film about his journey to understand his famous and neglectful father, architect Louis I. Kahn. His second nomination features a very Baltimore connection, the 30-year struggle of pianist Leon Fleisher to regain the use of his left hand. It's this short film about Fleisher that was shown opening night at the Maryland Film Festival. ArtWorks This Week talked with Kahn about his work and the new public interest in documentary film.

Maryland Film Festival

This week's Salon Artist is Amanda Engels, a featured artist at this May's Bethesda Fine Arts Festival. Her work is a mix of unplanned moments and calming retreats. Most recently, her inspiration came from a trip to Tuscany and the magic of its landscape.

The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival is a celebration of original fine art and craft created by 140 of the nation's best artists. Shop for painting, jewelry, photography, fiber, turned wood, pottery, blown glass and more. The festival is this weekend, May 12 & 13 at Auburn and Norfolk Avenues in the Woodmont Triangle. The event is located six blocks from the Bethesda Metro station.

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival