James Hamlin and his Avenue Bakery and Museum.

Hello, everyone! I hope everyone reading my column this week is feeling well. I have so much to tell you this week, I just might not have room to tell it all. Before I go any further, I want to extend my condolences to two of my cousins who lost their loved ones last week. My cousin, Kim Thomas lost her friend, and my cousin, Valerie Barnette-Pryor lost her husband while on their cruise. You are both in our prayers.

Songbird, renowned Baltimore’s R&B singer, is heating up this month with her entertainment shows. On Saturday, November 15 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. she is having a Christmas Gala, featuring dinner and live entertainment at Post 22, 125 York Road and A Winter Wonderland Gala on Saturday, November 22 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. with dinner and a show with Crosswinds, also at the American Legion Hall Post #22. For more information, call 443-536-5990.

Now, for some good news. My dearest friend, James Hamlin, owner of the Avenue Bakery, which is now labelled the “Avenue Bakery and Museum,” and it is well deserved. Hamlin is not only the baddest baker on this side of the Mississippi, but he is also a historian of Baltimore. He has proved this by turning his bakery into a lifetime museum. Inside and outside of the building’s walls,you will see pictures and paintings that tell stories about the historic Pennsylvania Avenue in its heyday. Hamlin is a historian, activist, author and baker and has been featured on radio and TV, and in several magazines and newspapers in Maryland. He says he wants to help pave the way for young people to improve their lives.

Lou Fields, President, Baltimore African American Tourism Council of MD. Inc. is looking for event sponsors, program book advertisers, donors, registrants, speakers, presenters, exhibitors, and attendees for his travel and tourism program. His “2025 Maryland Heritage Tourism Summit & Exposition,” a multi-day travel and tourism event will take place November 13-16. For more information, call 443-983-7974.

Hamlin held a grand opening of the Avenue Bakery on August 15, 2011. Community residents, family and friends, elected officials, and the media attended. He bakes all his specialty rolls, cakes, pies and other pastries from scratch every morning right on the premises. His photos, artwork, posters and paintings add to the flavor of this one-of-a-kind establishment.

Donna Ann Ward, the owner of “Beautiful Baltimore Tours,” in partnership with Keystone Korner Jazz Club, is creating a tour of Baltimore’s Jazz history, past and present. While touring on her modern coach bus, you will see all of Pennsylvania Avenue, The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center, and jazz neighborhoods in Baltimore, as well as listening to the music and stories of jazz legends and much more. Call Donna on 410-210-2363 for more information and take the tour.

Contact the Avenue Bakery and Museum, located at 2229 Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore. Book a tour, and go pick up your homemade rolls, pies, cakes and pastries. I promise, you won’t be sorry. Also, he has live entertainment, the best local groups and bands in concert in the courtyard of the Avenue Bakery and Museum every summer from May through September, produced by yours truly, Rosa “Rambling Rose” Pryor. For more information and to book your tour, email him at hamlinbakery@gmail.com or call 410-225-3881.

Derrick Thompson is the Director of Music at Macedonia Baptist Church, part-time music teacher, keyboardist, co-founder of Majestic Notes, and a freelance jazz keyboardist. I met him for the first time at one of my favorite spots, Who Knowz Lounge recently, and was impressed. You will hear more about this young man, I promise.

Okay, my dear friends, I have to go, I am out of space. But remember, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or you can email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.   

Rosa Pryor
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