Champions
Baker Artist Awards 2010
BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART
There's much we love about the Baltimore arts community, especially how diverse artists support one another. That's the reason we enjoy the Baker Artist Awards, honoring — and financially supporting — local artists from a wide range of genres. Proof? There were three $25,000 winners this year — clay sculptor and MICA grad Richard Cleaver; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra violinist Peter Minkler; and animation artist Karen Yasinsky. See what we mean? We're also loving how the inaugural Nancy Haragan Award winner is the beatboxer/vocal percussionist with one name — Shodekeh. Kind of makes you love living in Baltimore, no? On view now through June 27. 10 Art Museum Drive, Charles Village. Free. Check out all the Baker Artists at
Arachnophobia
'...the itsy bitsy spider'
BALTIMORE THEATRE PROJECT
Chances are, unless you were a literature major or own a musty library and smoke a pipe, you haven't read Fyodor Dostoevsky lately. Get a refresher (or introductory) course on the Russian novelist with this work, an original adaptation of Dostoevsky's controversial "The Possessed" (it was censored for decades in Russia, so it has that dangerous factor going for it.) The Moscow Art Theater-trained Studio Six Theater Company gets a stateside showcase with this story of a man with a shady past seeking redemption, complete with original choreography and music. Vodka, sadly, not included. Runs Thursday through Sunday. 45 W. Preston St., Mount Vernon. $10-$20. studosixnyc.org
How the other half lives
'19.6%...26.2%...?: An Exhibit About Poverty and Homelessness'
BALTIMORE CITY HALL ROTUNDA
MICA students get timely with this thought-provoking — and very thorough — look at economic marginalization, with art reflecting research based on growing poverty problems around the country. On view Friday though May 14 (opening reception 7-9 p.m. Friday). 100 N. Holliday St., Downtown. Free. mica.edu
Raised voices
Baltimore Sings!
HARBORPLACE
Waiting impatiently for "Glee" to return? Baltimore Sings! is Harborplace's first a cappella music celebration. Expect lots of doo-wop, barbershop and collegiate groups getting ultra harmonious. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday. Harborplace Amphitheater, Constellation Dock and West Shore Park, Inner Harbor. Free. harborplace.com
DIY art
'Out of Order'
MARYLAND ART PLACE
This week, participating artists spent 24 hours working on this do-it-yourself installation. It's now your reward. At MAP's annual spring benefit exhibition, art lovers can snag works at silent auction prices (minimum bids are set from $1-$800 and proceeds are split 50/50 between MAP and the artist). Plus, you'll likely get to meet and talk with the artist who created the work. 8-11 p.m. Saturday. 8 Market Place, Suite 100, Harbor. $40. mdartplace.org
Jordan Bartel is assistant editor at b. E-mail him at jordan@bthesite.com