Hello everyone,
I hope everything is well on your end. I am sending my prayers out to the sick and “shut-in” fans of my column. Keep the Faith!
This week and next week there’s a lot going on. First, I want to talk about one of my fun things to do on Sundays and that is going to the Baltimore Farmers’ Market. The Farmers’ Market has been a beloved gathering place for Baltimoreans since 1977, located at the intersection of the Jones Falls Expressway and Holliday and Saratoga Streets. If you have never been, Girlfriend, you don’t know what you have missed. Now, if you have been going every Sunday, you know what I am talking about. It is a lot of fun and it is very entertaining. Every Sunday from April 7 through December 22, 2024, you can indulge in a diverse range of fresh produce, artisanal meats, dairy, and seafood. They have booths of handcrafted goods, from clothing and home furnishings to bath products and unique artworks. You can immerse yourself in a vibrant community hub where you can shop for everything from nourishing essentials to one-of-a-kind treasures. The Market is open from 7 a.m. to noon, rain, or shine. Also, they have booths of hot food, so you can have your breakfast, as well, as your lunch there. I will see you there! Don’t forget to carry a couple of empty shopping bags.
B-More Extravaganza Old School Cabaret
Ladies and Gentlemen, there is not another one like it. Old School Cabaret is presented by the one and only Hassan Rasheed, my friend, and a Hell-La-Va promoter. Let me tell you something– when you hear the names Hassan Rasheed, Tee-Shirt Brian, and Carlos Hutchins and they are presenting a show– run and call for your tickets, because it will be the best. In my opinion, and I believe I am authorized to say this: they are the top promoters in the Baltimore-Washington area. Believe me! And you can take that to the bank! Alright, getting back to the cabaret, which will be Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 2-7 p.m. at the Palladium Building, located 2900 Liberty Heights Avenue. He is honoring three deserving people: Ray Rice, the football player, The Softones and Tessa Hill-Aston. The entertainment will include: The Spindles; J’KAR; Crosswind; Shades of Darkness; Christal F. Songbird; Style; Ten Karat Gold; and special guest, The Bossman doing a tribute to James Brown. And guess what? Yours truly, “Rambling Rose” will be the Mistress of Ceremony. There will be line dancing directed by the one and only Randy Dennis and music by one of my favorite Deejays, DJ Mike Jones. This show will be in memory of my adopted daughter, Pamela “Ms. Maybelle” Leake. Honey Child! I will see you there.
John Lamkin II & The Favorites JAZZ Quintet
Now, check this out, you know I don’t do reviews, especially on Jazz, but I did one last week and I am doing this one this week as a favor for a friend. The friend is John Lamkin II. He asked me to listen to his CD and give my opinion. First of all, for those of you who really know me, I am not a fan of “Straight-ahead jazz.” But for all my jazz musical sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters I support them. All they have to do is call. Now, I love me some “Be-Bop Jazz” that I can get up and dance to, but the straight-ahead jazz puts me to sleep. Okay, back to John Lamkin’s new CD, entitled “MOVIN’.” I listened to it in my car. The musicians who played with him are some of the top jazz musicians around: Bob Butta, on piano; Michael Hairston on tenor and soprano saxophone; Michael Graham Jr. on bass; Jesse Moody III on drums; Craig Alston on tenor saxophone; Blake Meister on bass; John R. Lamkin III on drums; and Philip Thomas on drums on track 8; and of course, John Lamkin II on trumpet and flugelhorn. To tell the truth, I really like the CD as a whole. Track 8 entitled, “Blues for The Cage” and Track 10, “Go Down Moses” both had a beat that I could pat my feet to and maybe want to get up and dance. Now, if you are a jazz lover, I suggest very strongly that you get this CD. You will not be disappointed. John, congratulations. I do wish you the best and much success.
Well my dear friends, I am out of space. I have got to go. I hope to see you somewhere. Remember, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I AM MUSICALLY YOURS.