6.06.2009

Don't miss the Soweboposter Auction - Tomorrow at the UM BioPark!

WHAT: The Soweboposter Auction
WHEN: Sunday, June 7 -
Viewing begins at 2 pm, Auction begins at 4 pm
WHERE: University of Maryland Biotech Park, 801 W. Baltimore Street, Building 2, Baltimore, MD 21223

Enjoy live music, beer, wine and light fare as you preview the work of Baltimore’s artist community.
Radio Personality Sam Gallant will serve
as the auctioneer. Please note that cash or check only accepted payment for posters.

View the posters online at: www.soweboarts.org/posters.html
What's it all about?
Once again the brave artists of Baltimore have brought their game to one of our city’s most unique art shows & auctions. For 24 years, Sowebo Arts has offered these decorative bordered posters to our art community. We ask only that they donate them back with their original art on them. As always, this is not juried and has no theme. We encourage diverse content and materials. These posters are exhibited and auctioned with the proceeds going to support Sowebo Arts, Inc.
This year’s border design is by Minás Konsolas.

Bid on a poster. Take home a piece of affordable art and support Sowebo Arts, Inc.’s efforts to promote economic growth through the arts in southwest Baltimore.

5.25.2009

Thank you!

Sowebofest 2009 was a success - thanks to all the volunteers, neighbors, vendors and the like who drew the awesome crowd to Hollins Market. Read about the festival in the Baltimore Sun here.

Only 364 days until Sowebofest turns 25!

5.23.2009

Represent Sowebo is a 2009 Sowebofest T-shirt!

T-shirts will be for sale at the festival.

Last year's T-shirt sold out so come early and get them while they last!

5.22.2009

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

Just ONE more day until Sowebofest 2009!

Visit our first ever Cafe Alley - the bohemian performance schedule includes:
12:00-1:30 • Pan Majestic Steel Drum Orchestra
12:00-2:00 • Street Buskers - The Dahlia Flute Duo
1:00-4:00 • Conceptual Performance Artists The Matka Sisters
1:30 & 3:30 • A Puppet Performance by Black Cherry Puppet Theater
1:30 & 3:30 • Baltizons and Stilt walking Performers
2:00-6:00 • Street Buskers - Peter & Alex, Guitar Duets
3:00-6:00 • Conceptual Portrait Artists Theresa Colombo
4:00-6:00 • Musical Performance by 40 West
4:30-5:30 • Improvisational Marching Band, the Barrage Band Orchestra

A big THANKS to: B daily paper, Urban Discoveries Living Blog, Baltimore by hand, Charm City Craft Mafia and all our friends on Twitter for the mentions - we can't wait to see you all there!

5.20.2009

Are you ready?

Just three days until the Hollins Market neighborhood is transformed into a Sowebohemian street fair. The weather forecast predicts it will be a warm so come join us for a day of fun in the sun!

Here are some tips for the day:
• Come hungry - sample good eats from the local restaurants and festival vendors
• Wear your dancing shoes - enjoy three stages of FREE live music all day long!
• Bring your kids and creativity - create DIY bohemian hats and capes for a kids art fashion parade
• Lend a hand - it is not too late to volunteer as a sowebohemian helper for an hour or two
• Don't forget your sunscreen!

Need directions?
The festivities will take place in the Hollins Market neighborhood - 26 S. Arlington Ave., Baltimore, MD 21223
(Corner of South Arlington Avenue and Hollins Street, between West Baltimore Street and West Pratt Street)


View Larger Map


A big THANK YOU to the Baltimore Etsy Street Team for highlighting the Sowebo festival in your blog!

5.19.2009

Sowebo Food Vendors

Just five more days until the festivities begin!

Stop by on Sunday to sample food from some of Sowebo's great restaurants and our fabulous festival food vendors:

• Asian Grille
• Rita's Concessions
• Constantine's Greek Kitchen
• Lin-Mar Accessories
• Taste of International Food
• Always Smokin Food Vendors
• South Carolina BBQ & Catering
Michele's Granola
Lunch By Nature - Natural Life Cafe

Zella's Pizzeria
Baltimore Pho
• Charm City Cafe
Frosty's Shaved Ice
• New Life Covenant Ministries
• The New Fayette Street Market and Deli
• Little Hollins Crabcakes
North Station Café


P.S. Check out our Sowebo Festival ad in the City Paper's Summer Sizzler!

5.18.2009

Sowebo Posters are online and on display

Check out the 2009 Soweboposters, a highlight of the festival featuring original art by local artists. See them in person at the venues below or view them at the online gallery here - then purchase one Soweboposter auction!

Soweboposter Show
May 16 - June 6 at:
Sowebo Arts Gallery @ Zellas Pizzeria (Map)
Sweet Tooth Dessert Shop (Map)
• The Charles Theater (Map)

Soweboposter Auction
June 7, Preview art from 2 - 4 p.m. Auction begins at 4 p.m. at:
University of Maryland Biopark, Building #2 (Ground floor) (Map)
With special guest auctioneer Sam Gallant

Don't forget: there is still time to submit your own Soweboposter - please return posters to the location you got them from. The final deadline for the auction is June 5th!

5.17.2009

Sowebo Street Art for all ages!

Join us one week from today for some sowebohemian arts & crafts, food, tunes and street art including:

• I’d Rather Be Sail Painting - A communal painting tsunami of sea worthy proportions. Grab a brush, roller, mop and jump overboard!
• Hat Making - We supply the materials, you supply the chrome dome!
• Cape Making
• Face Painting

Photo courtesy of Gino Molfino via flickr

Just bring your creativity and we'll provide the supplies!

5.15.2009

Be a part of Sowebofest 2009 - Volunteer!

There are only nine days left until the big event, but it is not too late to volunteer.

Volunteers are need to serve in many positions before, during and after the festival. As a volunteer you may be asked to serve as a:
• Neighborhood flier distributor
• Parking assistant
• Kid's craft helper
• Orange cone distributor
Maître d' or concierge in the Café Alley
• Conga-line director
Walkie-talkie carrier
• Rubbish collector
... etc.

Please contact volunteer coordinator Patricia Dane via email or at 410-271-0732 and let her know your availability.

Come enjoy the sights and sounds of the festival while helping to make it a success!

5.14.2009

22 More Sowebo Arts & Craft vendors announced

Ed & Machelle Frantz of T.M. Enterprises - Fashion eye wear, hats, sunbrellas, beef jerky
Linda Synder of Lin-Mar - Sand bottles
Cynthia Angelini & Jes Porro / Jewelry & phone cases
Lawrence Kendall of The Spiral Dance Bookstore - Pottery, fabrics, figurines & [paintings
Bianca Bingaman & Kristy Wandle / Paintings and Handmade tiles
Joseph Laney of In & Out Boutique - Clothing & photos
Amanda McDaniel of Nature Rules - Handmade cosmetics & floral arrangements
Kathryn Dorsey & Patrice Gentile of Hashbury Designs, Prettyparynoid & Aliceanna Designs - "Art You Can Use." Mixed media collage on household goods and custom designed rockin jewelry and women's fashions
Karen Brand of Offbead Jewelry - Wire & beaded jewelry
Betsey Waters of In the Garden - Plants, herbs & containers
Canese Hutchinson - Jewelry & handbags
Yvonne Marie - Clothes, shoes & bags
Carl & Matt Achhammer - Photography and Bonsai trees
Lori Yanke & Jake Warford - Hand knit bags & goods, photography
Patricia Smith of Class Cuts - Hair goods
William Commander - The Mythbuster, Wordwise
Jerilyn Paladino of The Alpaca Girl, LLC - 100% natural fiber garments, accessories, handmade in Peru (Baby Alpaca, silk & Cotton)
Emily White LMT - Healing essence of touch therapeutic massage
James Craig - Tooth and nail art, paintings, shirts, painting replications
Albert Prater of Bella Donna Fashions LLC, Handbags & jewelry
Shawn & Erienne Sutherell of Barbara Sue Designs, Handmade jewelry, semi precious stones & silver
Carrie Brazell - Canvas, clothing, & jewelry


5.13.2009

Introducing the first ever Sowebo festival Café Alley!

Be swept away to a Parisian street scene at this year's festival. Cafe Alley activities include musical performances, street performers and arts & crafts activities for children and adults. Seating at cafe tables will be provided for "Sowebohemians" enjoying entertainment, arts activities, refreshments or just a good conversation.

Features include:

Bohemian Stilt Walkers

Musical performances by a Steel Drum Orchestra and 40 West
Street Buskers: Mezzo soprano w/violin accompaniment, Guitar Duets and The Dahlia Flute Duo
A Russian Tea room with conceptual performance artists The Matka Sisters
Self-conscious Portraits
Appearances by the Black Cherry Puppet Theater
AND a Conga Line Parade - It's the hokey-pokey on steroids, a musical topsy-turvy forced march around the bulls eye of Sowebo. Hat or no hat, cut in line!

Just TEN DAYS until the festival - hope to see YOU there!!

Promote the Sowebo Festival on your Website!

Save a copy of your favorite banner and use it on your website or blog to link to http://www.sowebofest.com.

468 x 60

200 x 40

88 x 31

5.11.2009

Nine more Sowebo Arts & Crafts vendors announced!

Only 13 days until the 2009 Sowebo festival!

Check out these recently confirmed Arts & Craft vendors:

SpeakEasy Home Brewed Gear - Growing local company using Eco friendly methods to produce our apparel line
Nura Fardan & Freedom Colbert of SephiaButterfly and Works of Freedom - Original Art Work and Art Prints
Bia Riaz & Heather Elliott of Gypsy Junque - Henna & Bindi Bodyart, Beaded Jewelry, Various Crafts
Sarah Davenport of Glass Happiness - Fused Glass & Stone/Crystal Jewelry unique & whimsical
John Starling and Jack Ratchet of Smith Growth Partners - Political, Esoteric & Humorous Hand screen Printed, Artist Designed T-Shirts and stickers
Juliet Muhwezi of Jinja Boutique - Handmade quilts & crafts from India, Caribbean, Africa and South America
Aaron Yealdhall of Speakeasy - Original t-shirt designs, stickers, independent art and contest with prizes
Hillary Scholten - Handmade Ceramics and Functional Pottery
Lindsay Benedict - Art photography focusing on architecture and cityscapes in Italy

5.08.2009

Official 2009 Sowebohemian Arts and Music Festival Poster and Flyers!

Keep your eyes peeled for Sowebohemian Festival posters around town!

Click the images above to download your own to share with family, friends and co-workers!

5.07.2009

Sowebo Festival in the press: bthesite.com

Jordan Bartel, assistant editor of the b, has highlighted the Sowebo Festival in his article, Save the date: The best of Md.'s summer fests, saying:

"Go bohemian this summer. With eclectic street art and live performances, Hollins Market serves as a creative playground during the family-friendly Sowebohemian Festival. As you stroll the streets of Southwest Baltimore, you can check out local bands, munch on some funnel cake and, of course, see plenty of works by local artists."

5.06.2009

Check out some of this year's Sowebo Festival vendors at SquidFire's 2009 Spring Art Mart

The Spring Art Mart will feature three vendors scheduled to attend the Sowebo Festival later this month: Charm City Soaps, Fisticuffs Leather and Stephney Wallace!

Join over 50 local and regional crafters and artists as they display their handmade wares in Mount Vernon Square this Saturday.

SquidFire's 2009 Spring Art Mart
Saturday May 9, 11-6pm

Mt. Vernon Square (Between Charles and Cathedral Streets)
Baltimore, MD 21201 (Map)

The event goes on rain or shine. See you there!



5.05.2009

Sowebo Festival in the press: The Retriever Weekly

Staff writer Becky Hunter of UMBC's student newspaper, the Retriever Weekly, has recommended our own Sowebo Festival [along with several other great local community events] in the article Baltimore summer festivals to beat the heat, saying:

"One of the best neighborhood festivals would have to be the Sowebo Arts Festival in southwest Baltimore. The event, which will be taking place on May 24th outside of the Hollins Market (which is only about 10 minutes from the UMBC campus), showcases everything that makes southwest Baltimore so awesome. Local art, food, music and people all displayed against a backdrop of rickety row houses and the old marketplace really is a quintessential Baltimore experience."

P.S. Do you Twitter? We do!

5.01.2009

Support Sowebo's own Black Cherry Puppet Theater this weekend!

Maestro Sensation Presents: MS3 The Resurrection

Please join Sowebo Festival participants Black Cherry Puppet theater for an evening of puppets, music and shenanigans for grown-ups*!

Witness the rebirth of vaudeville with host and giant-sock extraordinaire Maestro Sensational and his loyal ragtag gang of Sockophants! Your charming host will present a veritable uprising of comic bits and slapstick revival. See him unveil the talents of Baltimore's paradigms of puppetry! Enliven your heart with the toe-tapping tunes of host-band Walker and Jay!

Guest puppet performers include Owen Brightman, Kevin Sherry of Squidfire fame, April Wood, Justin Lucas, and Black Cherry's own Michael Lamason.

Three Shows!!!
Friday May 1, doors open @ 8pm show @ 8:30pm
Saturday May 2, doors open @ 8pm, show @ 8:30pm
Saturday May 2, doors open @ 10pm, show @ 10:30pm

Black Cherry Puppet Theater
1115 Hollins St. (right next to Sweet Tooth Dessert Shop!)
Baltimore, MD 21223
410-752-7272
Website: blackcherry.org

Tickets $5
Advanced tickets available 4/16/09 at brownpapertickets.com

*this show is for Grown-ups!!!

4.29.2009

Featured Artist: The Meathooks

Watch and listen to the Meathooks play their song "Voice Inside".



Catch them live on the Bohemian stage, Sunday May 24th!

4.25.2009

Featured Artist: Chopteeth

Check out the Afrofunk Big Band Chopteeth play their original tune "Herky Jerk" at College of Wooster (Ohio, USA) in April 2008.



Catch them at the Sowebo Festival on the Bohemian Stage!

4.21.2009

Be a Sowebo Festival volunteer!

We could really use volunteers for things like: helping with street art activities, (bubble blowing, face painting, a really cool big paint-by-number project, painting on sailboat sails stretched across the street, a recycled bottles sculpture, conga line management, conga line hat-making helpers), beer pouring, clean-up, set-up and take-down.

If you are interested please email or call (
410-271-0732) Volunteer Coordinator Patricia Dane today!

Flashback: Pasadena at 2008 Sowebo Art Festival

check out this video of Pasadena performing at last year's festival..

4.20.2009

2009 Participating Arts & Crafts vendors

This year's festival will feature 30 uniquely bohemian arts & craft vendors. With booths specializing in everything from fine and funky jewelry to handmade clothing and beauty products, there will be something for everyone.

John Davis of Fisticuffs Leather - Handmade recycled leather wrist cuffs and watch bands
Rick Miller of Zeskinds Hardware - Restoration Hardware & Handmade Products for Home Improvement
Frank Durantaye of Sunflower Trading Co. - Hats & Clothing from around the world
Mike Straight of Stained Glass Shadows - Stained Glass Jewelry
Michele Banks of ARTMONGER INC. - Original watercolor paintings and collages
Leslie Alvarez of Wind Over Water - Swarovski Crystal Jewelry, Feng Shui Crystals & Cures
Barbara Young & Misha Bright of Barbara Young & Misha Wright Jewelry - Jewelry & Accessories
Mu Viboonrattana to-sanguan of Lil Fishy - Handmade clothes & Accessories
Stephney Wallace of Stephney Wallace - Stained glass Inspired Jewelry
Cem Ozkok of Old World - Customize handset jewelry combining sterling silver & antique Venetian glass, semi-precious stones, stained glass, antique coins & Baltic amber
Tip Lee of T. P. Jewelry & Gifts - Hand Painted Ceramics miniatures and hand finished sterling silver jewelry, homemade yoyo balloons
Hope Shakya of Treasures from Nepal - Custom Made Clothes from Nepal, Tibet which I design while I am in each country
Roberta Ahmad of Hannan's Handcrafts - Crochet items & jewelry
Theresa Carrington of You & Me Soaps - Handmade soaps, body their butts, lotions, scrubs, bath items and shea butter
Faith Freeman of Things Hoped For - Handmade Jewelry
Mary Bulter of Maja Jewelry - Jewelry & Clothing
Shobha Ohal of Shobha Ohal - Sterling Silver Jewelry W 14K Gold, Semi-Precious Stones, Photo, text, sari material, sketches and prayer cards
Keith Nichols & Carlotta Fried of Keith-Illustrations - Pen&Ink, Carlotta-Kusadamu Origami, Hand painted Notes & Cards
Kate Blue of Blue Lizard Designs - Graphic Designs
Geralyn MacVittie of Charm City Soaps - Handcrafted Soaps and Related Body Products
Robin & Mike Lambert - Original Artwork (drawings, Paintings,Cat & Halloween Art), Old records, CD's, Books & unusual Craftart
John Nickerson of Gnarly Artly - Original Designed hand printed shirts, dresses & Kids clothes
Charles Hawkins of Oooh LaLa Tile - Art made with broken tile & glass
Jimi Fardan of Pencilmania - Print and original pencil & Acrylic drawings and silk screened original art on T-shirts. Live sketching!
Diana Sanlorenzo Campbell of Diana SanLorenzo
Jerald Morales of The Aroma Gypsy - Tie Dye T-Shirts, Novelties, Wooden Boxes, Colorful Flags & Tapestries
Kimberley L. Donoso of Kim's Spa Boutique - Bohemian Skirts, tie dye dresses, meditation items & handmade jewelry
Maria Cavacos of Cavacos Studio - Hand painted personalized note paper, cards, prints & original collage
Bart Schultz, The Masking Tape Guy - Contemporary Folk Art Masking Tape Sculptures, objects & paintings
Jessica Turner - Quilts, Jewelry, Purses and Fabric Arts



Photographer George Hagegeorge has a great collection of photos from the 2007 Sowebo festival - go check out the gallery here!

Sowebo Festival mentioned in Examiner article

Check out this Examiner article promoting FREE live shows in Baltimore - including the Sowebo Festival!

Flashback: 3Fifths at 2008 Sowebo Art Festival

Check out this video of 3Fifths performing for an enthusiastic crowd at last year's festival

4.17.2009

Just 37 days until the 2009 Sowebo Arts Festival!

Here are some photos from festivals past:













P.S. If you're feeling artistic, please don't forget to pick up your posters the for annual show and auction at:

The Creative Alliance
3134 Eastern Ave

MInás Gallery & Boutique

816 W. 36th Street

School 33 Art Center

1427 Light Street

Adler Gallery

100 S. Stricker Street


Please remember to return posters to the location you got them, back into the box, or contact us for an alternative. Please fill out the important name and address label that is on the back of all posters.

4.10.2009

Sowebo Arts Festival now on Facebook and Twitter!

Connect with Sowebo Arts festival on Facebook and Twitter to make sure you're up to speed on the latest event news and discussions!

4.07.2009

The 24 Annual Soweboposters Show & Auction

GET ONE, DO ONE, GIVE IT BACK!

Brave Artists:

Thank you for participating in one of Baltimore’s most unique art shows & auction. Sowebo Arts is offering decorative bordered posters to the fabulously generous artists of Baltimore. We ask only that you, “the artists,” donate them back to Sowebo Arts with your "original" art on it. As always, this is not juried and has no theme. We encourage diverse content and materials. The returned posters are exhibited and auctioned with the money going to support Sowebo Arts Inc.
This years border design is by: Minás Konsolas.

2009 Soweboposters are available at:

The Creative Alliance
3134 Eastern Ave

MInás Gallery & Boutique

816 W. 36th Street

School 33 Art Center

1427 Light Street

Adler Gallery

100 S. Stricker Street

Sowebo Arts Gallery @ Zellas Pizzeria
1145 Hollins Street


We have 2 Soweboposter return deadlines:

ATTENTION!
Info/signature label on the back of the posters has incorrect Show dates and Deadlines. Please use the instruct sheet and our website for the correct times, sorry.

• May 9

Posters returned by May 9 are first up in the May 16 - June 6
Soweboposter Shows at:

Sowebo Arts Gallery @ Zellas Pizzeria
1145 Hollins Street

Charles Theater
1711 Charles Street

• JUNE 5
Posters returned by June 5th make it into the Soweboposter Auction held June 7, Sunday at the:

Bio Park
Viewing begins at 3:00pm
Auction begins at 4:00pm

TIMELINE RECAP

• May 9: Participation in Soweboposter Show Deadline.
• May 16 - June 6: Soweboposter Show.
• May 24: Sowebohemian Arts Festival.
• June 5: Participation in Soweboposter Auction deadline.
• June 7: Soweboposter Auction Viewing:2:00-4:00 / Auction: 4:00pm.
Please return posters to the location you got them, back into the box, or contact us for an alternative. Please fill out the important name and address label that is on the back of all posters. Processing the returned Soweboposters is very labor intensive, all the posters are photographed, shrinkwrapped, and put up on our website. The sooner we get them back the less likely we will have a logjam at the very end. Thanks again. Please email us for more info.

4.04.2009

Featured bands: Get Down Stage

Click on the images or links below to learn more about the bands playing on the Get Down Stage at this year's festival:


WHISTLIN CHARLIE


MS SARA & THE HELP


BLOCK FUNKSION


LAWN CHAIR

POLY-WESTERN


SKRIBE

Also check out the performers on the Rise Up and Bohemian stages and the full schedule of performances.

Featured bands: Rise Up Stage

Click on the images or links below to learn more about the bands playing on the Rise Up Stage at this year's festival:


TIM KAYE


BOND & BENTLEY


KEEFE ROCKET


GIZMO


PASADENA


CHEATERS


FREEDOM ENTERPRISE

Featured bands: Bohemian Stage

Click on the images or links below to learn more about the bands playing on the Bohemian Stage at this year's festival:


GRACE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH


DANGERMAN


3 FIFTHS



SHOOK


CHOPTEETH

2009 Sowebohemian Music schedule

This year's festival will have three stages of music playing all day long:

Bohemian Stage

12:30-1:15 GRACE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH

1:45-2:30 DANGERMAN

3:00-3:45 3 FIFTHS

4:15-5:00 MEATHOOKS

5:30-6:15 SHOOK!
6:45-???? CHOPTEETH


Rise Up Stage

12:00-12:45 TIM KAYE
1:15-2:00 BOND & BENTLEY
2:30-3:15 KEEFE ROCKET
3:45-4:30 GIZMO

5:00-5:45 PASADENA
6:15-7:00 CHEATERS
7:30-???? FREEDOM ENTERPRISE

Get Down Stage

12:30-1:15 WHISTLIN CHARLIE
1:45-2:30 MS SARA & THE HELP

3:00-3:45 BLOCK FUNKSION

4:15-5:00 LAWN CHAIR
5:30-6:15 POLY-WESTERN

6:45-???? SKRIBE


... Check back soon for links to band Websites!

3.25.2009

Official 2009 Sowebohemian Arts and Music Festival Press Release

24th Annual Sowebohemian Festival Invites You to B’More Bohemian

Sowebohemian Arts and Music Festival
May 24, 2009 (Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend)
Noon – 9 p.m.

Hard economic times cramping your style? Take a trip ‘southwest of ordinary’ to this year’s Sowebohemian Arts and Music Festival. This FREE event, which draws thousands each year, transforms the historic Hollins Market neighborhood into a bustling bazaar, complete with a street café, performance artists and busking musicians.

With over 20 bands on three stages, dozens of food and artisan vendors, sail painting and puppet shows for kids of all ages, and of course, the famous Sowebo poster exhibition, there is something here for everyone.

Kick off your summer on the funky side of MLK – where Sowebohemians of all types celebrate art, music and life together.

Press contact: Cari Knowles, cari@soweboarts.org