The Baltimore Times

Hello everyone! Oops, I know if you were looking for my column last week, and it was missing, don’t worry, it was a slight oversight and it won’t happen again. I really hoped that the Pasha Grand Temple (A.A.O.N.M.S.) F & A.A.Y.M PHO NC Oasis of Baltimore Desert of Maryland Annual Potentate Ball was a success. Just know that this Masonic organization gave a ball and it was one hell-la-VA party.  

The Annie S. Banks Chapter No. 42 hosted a Country Western Dance cabaret style last week. This event was held at the Masonic Temple, 1307 Eutaw Place. I heard it was YA-----HOOOOOOOOOOO!

Larry Washington, lifetime member of the Arch Social Club hosted a dinner dance with live entertainment featuring Phill Butt & the Sunset Band last week. Donna T. Hollie reported back to me saying it was a sellout and the event was very, very nice.

Now, if you have some quick cash in the bank you can join Winky and Peaches Camphor for their Coppin State Alumni Cruise that is leaving from Baltimore on May 24-31, 2013 on the Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas. I believe they have a few cabins left. Give them a call at 410-521-3439 or email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 410-363-3111 ext. 2405.

Last week I was honored to be able to take part in a panel discussion and screening of a John Lewis documentary about the Globe Poster Printing Corp. called “Say it Loud!” The panel consisted of John Lewis, Bob and Frank Cicero, former owners of Globe Poster, and yours truly, Rosa “Rambling Rose” Pryor, entertainment columnist. It was so much fun! It was held at the Creative Alliance located at 3134 Eastern Avenue. The guests had a chance to hear the Globe story straight from the source. Afterwards, Globe had an opening exhibit reception. Following that, it was a “Globe Tribute Dance Party.” Mannnnnnnnn, I tell you, this was the BOMB! I felt very proud to have been a part of this historic event.

Let me tell you just a little about Globe Poster. First of all, do you remember all the colorful posters that were placed on trees, lampposts and vacant buildings in and around Baltimore, Washington, DC and the Metropolitan area announcing the upcoming shows and concerts at local venues? Do you remember the bright and unique posters that were stuck to buildings up and down Pennsylvania Avenue back in the days of the Royal Theatre? Well, it was the one and only Globe Poster Printing Corp. that designed those posters. Globe Poster was founded in Baltimore in 1929 and was a family owned and operated company. Globe printed posters for a wide range of clients, from political campaigns to traveling circuses, but their most iconic posters were for popular music. When Globe closed its doors in 2010 the company’s collection of posters and printing tools was purchased by the Maryland Institute College of Art where it lives on as a working collection, accessible and used by students, artists, educators and historians. Yes, it was an honor for me to be invited to participate in such an event; due to the fact that the owners, Bob, Frank and their father, Frank Sr. Cicero are friends of mine and I spent a lot of time in their printing shop back in the early 1970’s to the 1980’s getting posters made up for my groups when I was a promoter and booking agent.

Oops! I almost forgot. My dear friends James & Brenda Hamlin, the owners of “The Avenue Bakery” are hosting a music series at “The Avenue Bakery” located 2229 Pennsylvania Avenue. The first event will be “A Taste of Jazz @ The Avenue Bakery” featuring the Dunbar Jazz Ensemble, on Saturday May 4th from 2-6 p.m. It is free! Ladies and gentlemen, please take my word for it; you cannot leave this place until you take home a dozen of their home made rolls made by James the baker right on the premises. I’ll see you there.

Before I go, I want you to promise to get your subscription for the Baltimore Times, by calling 410-366-3900 if you don’t have a computer. If you have a computer, you can read me on line at www.baltimoretimes.com. And leave a comment. I would love to know what you think. Joy Bramble, my boss, would love it too.

Well, my dear friends, I am out of space. So in the mean time, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.

Hello everyone! How are you all doing? I am doing wonderfully, thanks for asking. I took a couple of days rest after my brother, William’s funeral last week and I am back to normal.  I have so many people to thank for the outpouring of support. Thanks to all of you who are too many to name. It meant a lot to me you cared. The cards, the calls, the plants and flowers were all appreciated from the bottom of my heart. My brother is now in a better place. Now, I am ready to get back to work.

First we got to tell you again about this dynamite event coming up. Viola Griffin, the producer and CEO of AAT Productions is making a name for herself. She is honoring Baltimore’s own renowned Doo-Wop and R&B Groups from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s with an Awards Banquet on Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Waxter Senior Center located at 1000 Cathedral Street in Baltimore City. Patrons will get a chance to meet and greet 

original artists from back in the day. The banquet includes live entertainment by Ol-Skool Band and the master of ceremony will be the one and only WEAA 88.9 FM radio personality “Big Jim” and alongside of him as mistress of ceremony will be yours truly “Rambling Rose.” Now you haven't heard about the rest of the program and you know already this going to be one hell-lu-va show.

The honorees are: Bobby Star, The Persians, Jimmy Brisco & The Little Beavers, First Class, Frankie & The Spindles, Kenny Hamber, The Softones, The Whatnauts, The Royalettes, Winfield Parker, The Shalimares, and The Ravenettes, just to name a few. Dinner will be served and it is BYOB. For ticket information, call 410-526-5062 or 443-769-7962.

WEAA 88.9 FM needs your help. As you know, WEAA is a public radio station, which means that they depend heavily on the contributions made by their listeners during their pledge drives. Their spring pledge drive began April 6 and ends Sunday, April 14, so if you are just reading this, we don’t have much time. They are asking that groups of 4-6 from your respective organizations volunteer their time answering phones during the drive. Your organization can sign up for as much or as little time as you like and they would recognize your organization on-air. They also offer the volunteers a continental breakfast, lunch and dinner at different shifts during the day. If you have any questions or would like to sign up your organization, contact Kassandra Monsanto at 443-885-4527 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We can do this folks! So call them, and if you would like to volunteer as an individual, you can visit the station any time during the drive at Morgan State University.

Many of you read my column a couple of weeks ago and were interested in supporting Phill’s Big Band on the 3rd Thursday of every month at Blob’s Park, but didn’t get the location. Well, here it is. Blob’s Park is located at 8024 Max Blob’s Park Road, in Jessup, Maryland. That’s right; it is a building, not a park. Their next performance is Thursday, April 18. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the band plays until 11 p.m. The featured vocalists are Julie Hall and Steve Flynn “Flynnatra”, who is their male vocalist who performs as Frank Sinatra. For more information, call 443-994-3506.  I’ll see you there!

Well, my dear friends, it is about that time. I am out of space. If you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALL YOURS.

Hello everyone! HONEY CHILD, HONEY CHILD! I have a smile on my face, I have been catching up with some of my blues musicians and GIRLFRIEND! It is so grand. Give me some live blues and oldies but goodies music and some fried chicken and greens, my lands of mercy, I am in heaven. I want you to feel that too, so I am going to tell you all about it.

First of all, I went to Big Jim’s first Thursday for a “Live Broadcast Launch Party Blues Night” at Chef’s Mac’s last Thursday and it was the BOMB! Not only Charles “Big Daddy” Stallings and his band performed, but members of the Bleu Lights and Milton Dugger grabbed a mike and did their thing, then Big Jim sang some down home blues.  Then “Swamp Dog” pulled out his harmonica and played a couple of tunes with blues singer Nadine Rae that took the roof off the place. If that wasn't enough, Lord have mercy, renowned blues singer, Lou Jerome put the icing on the cake when he did his thing.   

 All I got to say is, "you should have been there." Just about the whole staff of WEAA was there including: Sandy Mallory and her husband Joe, Beverly Burke, John Tegler and his wife, “The Bassman,” even Gary Ellerbe was there, looking like a black Santa Claus. The Baltimore Blues Society was also well represented. Big Jim decided he wants to do a live broadcast of blues at least twice a month from the club, but in the mean time you can listen to him Saturday mornings from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on WEAA 88.9FM with his specialty oldies and every Thursday he will be playing the blues.

 What’s coming up? Well, more music and more blues. Mary Shaver, a blues singer has been singing all her life. She is first and foremost a blues artist. Her influences were Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks and Bonnie Raitt. The Mary Shaver Band is a powerful mix of blues, rhythm and blues, and soul. See them live on stage at Chef Mac’s on Harford Road, March 30th.

There is a new kid on the block. It is the new Identity Lounge, 8521 Liberty Road in Randallstown, Maryland. Hum, sound familiar? It should, because it is the former Sista’s Place under new management. The grand opening was last weekend. The word is our friend and yours, Carlos Hutchins is the host. I will check it out!

Now, let’s talk about some gospel. I believe this show will make you jump up and down and say hallelujah. It is the anniversary of Serenity Gospel Group on Sunday, April 7 at 4 p.m. at St. John Christian Community Church, 1208 E. Lanvale Street; the Pastor is Tommie L. Jenkins, Jr. The program will include, Eric Waddell & the Abundant Life Singers, One Accord, About My Fathers Business, The Anointed Boyd Sisters, Mark and the Men of Glory and others. The gospel diva, Doresa Harvey of Heaven 600 will be the MC. For more information, call 410-376-3684 or 410-500-0047.

I understand that Tiny Tim Harris is still at Duck Wallace Club 2300, 2300 W. Baltimore Street, on the first Sunday of every month from 5-9 p.m. So, make sure you support him.

FYI: The Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland provides avenues of support and networking to Maryland’s African American writers. They are having a general meeting that is open to the public on Saturday, April 6 at the Enoch Pratt Library, Pennsylvania Avenue Branch; 1531 W. North Avenue. The author and playwright, C. Hines Early, I understand will make a presentation.

 

Before I leave you, I want to know if you or if  anyone you knew  graduated from Edmondson High School in 1963, if so, contact me. We are planning our 50th Class Reunion and we need to locate all of our classmates because we are going to have a class reunion

 that will blow your socks off, especially with me being the chairman of the committee. So pass the word that we have a “Meet and Greet Happy Hour” every first Friday at the Hilton DoubleTree, Baltimore North-Pikesville, 1726 Reisterstown Road, from 4-7 p.m. All of Edmondson High School Alumnus and friends are invited.  Call Vera Abrams-Newton at 410-496-3881, Rosa at 410-833-9474 or Virginia Blount-Jones at 410-496-2657 for all the details.

Well, my dear friends, I am out of time and space. Remember, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.

 

 

Hello my dear friends, the top of the day to you! We had a very busy week last week, but a fun one. My Boo-Boo and I were invited to a Chili Cook-Off where 12 different churches in Baltimore County participated in an annual fundraiser to benefit Bridges, an organization that supports the homeless in

Baltimore County. I found the event quite educational, fun, and most of all tasty. The objective was to taste each congregation’s chili and generously tip your favorite. The churches that participated in this unusual fundraiser were: Bethany United Methodist Church; Bridgeway Community Church; Catonsville Presbyterian; Christ United Methodist Church; Columbia Jewish Congregation; First Presbyterian Church of Howard Count; Glen Mar Methodist Church; Liberty Grove United Methodist; Lisbon United Methodist Church; and St. Andrews Episcopal Church. They raised almost $10,000.00 in  two-and-a-half hours. Absolutely amazing!  The winner was my doctor’s group; Dr. Albuerne and his Boy Scout troop raised $1,500 with their beef chili.

This weekend, check out the Oyster & Bull Roast given by the Cardinal Shehan of Baltimore Council No. 205 at the Heritage Parkville Gardens, 7631 Harford Road. It is cabaret style, so BYOB and music is by DJ Derrick White. This event will be Sunday, March 17, 3-8 p.m. For tickets, call 410-298-0168 or 410-493-7620.

Another “This and That”! A gospel program celebration on Sunday, March 17, at 4 p.m. at the Anointed Temple of God, 1701 W. Baltimore Street; Elder Kathy Evans is Pastor and Apostle William Evans, founder. The program will feature Geniece Williams, God Worshipers, Chosen Vessel, Shepherd Voices, Wings of Praise and from North Carolina, Pat Crawford and One Spirit. For ticket information, call 443-898-2022.

The Coppin State University Department of Social Work presents their “4th Annual Jazz Luncheon and Fundraiser” featuring Tracey Curbeam and Da’Fellas on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Coppin State University, 250 W. North Avenue in the Talon Center from 12-3 p.m. For ticket information, call 410-951-3541.

Now it is time for me to make you laugh a little bit. This joke was sent to me and now I want to share it with you.

A Virginia State trooper pulled a car over on 1-64 about 2 miles south of the Virginia/West Virginia State line.

When the trooper asked the driver why he was speeding, the driver said he was a magician and juggler and was on his way to Beckley, WV to do a show at the Shrine Circus. He didn't want to be late.

The trooper told the driver he was fascinated by juggling and said if the driver would do a little juggling for him then he wouldn't give him a ticket. He told the trooper he had sent his equipment ahead and didn't have anything to juggle.

The trooper said he had some flares in the trunk and asked if he could juggle them. The juggler said he could, so the trooper got five flares, lit them and handed them to him.

While the man was juggling, a car pulled in behind the patrol car. A drunken good old boy from West Virginia got out, watched the performance, then went over to the patrol car, opened the rear door and got in. The trooper observed him and went over to the patrol car, opened the door asking the drunk what he thought he was doing.

The drunk replied, “You might as well take my butt to jail, cause there ain’t no way I can pass that test.

 Hey, did you like that? I thought it was pretty funny.

Okay, let’s get back to the “This and That”! Now if you are reading my column on the morning of Friday, March 15, you got time to pick out that sharp outfit and go to the Maurette Brown Clark concert with special guest Gerald Scott & Co. at the Shiloh Baptist Church on Saturday, March 16, 1401 Jamieson Street in Alexandria, VA. It is a nice little ride, not that far. For more information, call 703-683-4573.

One other thing, this has nothing to do with entertainment, but I realize this is tax time and many of you may not have filed yet. So I have a tip for you. It is about FREE TAX return preparation. The VITE program offers free tax help to people who earned $50,000 or less in 2012 at the Mount Calvary AME Church, 300 Eudowood Lane in Towson, Maryland on Saturdays now thru March 30 from 1 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Okay, what can I say, it is about that time. I am out of space and out of time. If you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY