Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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Ethel Ennis
Jazz Singer
 No other living singer possess the talent or credentials of the extraordinary Ethel Ennis. Ms. Ennis has performed with an all-star Benny Goodman band in Europe, jammed with Louis Armstrong, sung on national television with Duke Ellington and was the first to perform the national anthem a cappella at a presidential inauguration. The late Ella Fitzgerald praised Ms. Ennis' as her favorite. Billie Holiday personally encouraged her. Frank Sinatra described her as "my kind of singer," and Joe Williams called her "little sister." In addition to past legends, she has also performed with such living icons as Wynton Marsalis, McCoy Tyner and Phil Woods. But she never became the star that she could have. Sallie Kravetz, author of the illustrated biography, 'Ethel Ennis, the Reluctant Jazz Star' wrote that when she refused to accept the advice of a New York manager, show business powers dismissed her as a "semi-star," someone not willing to sacrifice enough for full-blown stardom. Determined to advance at their own pace, Ethel remained in her native Baltimore and carved out an artistic career which has left little musical terrain uncharted. Ms. Ennis performs with her trio on March 14 at the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center in Laurel.
Related Links:
Montpelier Cultural Arts Center
"Can TV Really Teach Kids to Read?"
Jane Sundius from the Open Society Institute of Baltimore
 Jane Sundius of the Open Society Institute - Baltimore joins us to share an audacious idea: Can television actually be enlisted to teach disadvantaged children how to read? She has come up with an innovative idea that just might work. You can learn more about her concept at the "Audacious Ideas" blog, below.
Related Links:
The Open Society Institute - Baltimore: "Audacious Ideas" blog
Robert Cappelletti
Owner, Gallery RoCa
 Located in Havre de Grace, Maryland, Gallery RoCa offers works of fine art created by local, regional and international artists. Whether oil, watercolor, pastel, bronze, glass, or porcelain there is an original work of art you can add to your collection. Situated on the first floor of a traditional 1896 storefront, owner/artist Robert Cappelletti and his crew managed to transform the historic building-once antique mall into a 3,100-square-foot cosmopolitan gallery featuring an eclectic mix of original oils, water media, and other three dimensional works of fine art. "I recognize the importance of showing people that there is a heart and soul within the confines of an art gallery," Robert says. "After all, isn't it the artist that pours his/her heart and soul into the work they produce?" For more information, call 410-939-6182.
Related Links:
Gallery RoCa
Lynne Shpak
Custom Jewelry-Maker
 Lynne Shpak has been breeding, raising and training horses for a lifetime. So, it’s not surprising that her love for the equine creatures carried over into another facet of her life, jewelry-making. Ms. Shpak draws from her background as a master horse breeder to intricately form gold and silver pieces into the shapes of horses. While attending Oberlin College, she worked in the art restoration department and began her love of jewelry-making when first asked to repair fine jewelry there. Ms. Shpak is known for producing sporthorse type Morgan horses at her Statesman Farm and her distinctive, handmade jewelry often depicts the horses she raises on the farm. To view her one-of-a-kind jewelry or to find out more about this custom jewelry maker, visit her website listed below.
Related Links:
Lynne V. Shpak at Statesman Farm
This Week's Salon Art is by:
Phillip Snead, Painter
 The Salon Art this week is by Phillip Snead. Mr. Snead is a Baltimore-based artist with a penchant for vivid abstracts and Salvador Daliesque oil paintings. Phillip, a businessman and a self-taught artist, is persistent about his art and utilizes his business prowess to elevate any aspect of his artistic talents. If you would like to view more of Phillip Snead's artwork, you can visit his salon at 427 N. Eutaw Street in Baltimore, MD or call for a private appointment at 443-603-2009.
Related Links:
Rare Imaje Website
ArtChat
with Nate and Rhea
On ArtChat This Week, Nate and Rhea discuss the grand prize to be awarded to the winner of The Annapolis Arts Alliance and the First Sunday Arts Festival 2008 arts competition. The competition is open to performers in music, dance or theater. There is a $25-dollar fee and applications must be postmarked by April 14th. All CDs will be evaluated by a panel of performing artists. If selected, the performers will be invited to perform at the June 1st First Sunday Arts Festival. The winner will be announced May 5th. And we mentioned a few weeks ago about the plans to propose an arts district in Annapolis. Amid growing criticism, Annapolis officals have changed the boundaries of the proposed ıCapital City Arts and Entertainment Districtı to exclude outer West Street and incorporate inner West Street and Clay Street area. The city has also struck the word ıentertainmentı from the districtıs name to placate residents who argue it would bring unwanted business to the area requesting 2 a.m liquor licensees. It is now called the ıCapital City Cultural Arts Centerı. The council must still vote to form the district; the deadline to submit the application to the state is April 1, 2008.
Related Links:
First Sunday Arts Festival
ArtWorks This Week is made possible by the members of MPT. Thank you for your generous support!
Production Funders:
• The Henry & Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation
• SunTrust Mid-Atlantic Foundation
• James G. Robinson Foundation
• The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund
• The Baltimore Community Foundation
• The Cordish Family Fund
• Marjorie Wyman Charitable Annuity Trust
• The Harry L. Gladding Foundation, Inc.
• Witt/Hoey Foundation
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