NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK STORYTELLERS CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

Well, hello my dear friends,

I hope everything is going well for you and your family. We had a very busy weekend. I covered a couple of events, and I must say that the ones we attended ranged from good to not so good. Both events were held at places that I had never been to in my life. I thought I had been in every new and old bar, club, and hall in this town, but two places proved me wrong. I never knew these halls existed in Baltimore.

First, we attended a breakfast that was in an area on a hidden street with lots of warehouses and garages with a parking lot on hills and dips. We sat in the car for 30 minutes after finding the address (2035 N. Broadway) to see which warehouse we should enter. We were the first to arrive, then after about another 10 minutes, we saw other cars arriving and circling the parking lot. They were also trying to see if they were in the right place for the event. Then, people start getting out of their cars to walk toward the row of warehouses. A little door opened, and people started going inside. Shorty and I looked at each other in a state of shock. We got out car and followed the other folks inside. The interior of the hall was beautiful. Crystal chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling in this fantastic banquet hall like a small version of the Forum Caterers. I was pleasantly surprised. The event was okay. Also, we found out that the owner of this event hall was owned by the former owners of Gentlemen Ten on Edmondson Ave.

The second event was located at 851 Hollins Street. This was a place I will never ever go back to again, ever in life. It was a terrible, terrible place to have any kind of event. There was no parking whatsoever in a densely packed residential area. Then, if you were lucky enough to find a space to park, then you had to walk two to four blocks to reach the building. Plus, we had to walk up a staircase to get to the hall. It was a terrible situation! Let me tell you my dear friends; just believe what I say. This event was not worth it.

Okay, now that I have vented and released my frustration, let’s talk about what going on the rest of this month. The National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS) is having their Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference event coming up during the week of November nine – 13. NABS is celebrating 40 years. The co-hosts are the Griots’ Circle of Maryland. The co-founders are Mary Carter Smith and Linda Gross. It will be a four-day event. Workshops; storytelling concerts; a hilarious world-renowned liar’s contest; youth storytellers; and a scholars’ panel is included. The event will be held at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, located at 300 S. Charles St. in Baltimore, Maryland.

Folks! Mark your calendar for the Young Timer’s Old School Cabaret. It is a pre-Christmas social event, so they want you to wear your holiday colors and bring your dancing shoes. It is cabaret style, so BYOB and BYOF on Saturday, November 26, 2022, from 2-7 p.m. at The Lodge, located at 2832 Nine Mile Circle in Baltimore, Maryland.

Tee-Shirt Brian, Ms. Maybelle, and DJ Mike Jones are holding old school Fridays with free admission and free entertainment from 6-10 p.m. at the City View, located at 6700 Security Blvd. On Friday, November 11, 2022, the KB Project Band will be there. On Friday, November 18, 2022, Lady G & Company will be featured. Oh! Speaking of Tee-Shirt Brian and Ms. Maybelle, my two children from another mother are having their annual turkey giveaway at the Arena Players, located at 801 N. McCulloh St. on Friday, November 18, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 443-226-8895.

Heart-warming condolences go out to the family and friends of Gail “Muffy” Baily Phillips for their loss. Her tribute will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 2-6 p.m. at the American Legion, located at 4424 Painters Mill Rd. in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Check out the last day of the Baltimore City Health Department and Zeta Center for Healthy & Aging 4501 Reisterstown Road Farmer’s Market on Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

The Music of O’Dell’s (1974-1988), and the Paradox (1991-2017), will be held at the Checker Spot Brewing Company, located at 1399 S. Sharp St. in Baltimore on Saturday, November 22, 2022, from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Well, my dear friends, I think I outdid myself this week. I think I vented too long, so I am out of space and time. Remember, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474. You may email me at roapryor@aol.com. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.