Tomorrow, June 5, at Maryland Art Place, GBCA will be continuing to build upon the Baker Artist Ten Year Retrospective with an evening of performances. Hear live readings by literary artists Jen Grow and Dora Malech and enjoy musical performances by Susan Alcorn and Peter Minkler (with special guest Mary Woehr). Doors open at 7:30. A second evening will take place next week on Friday, June 14 the amazing Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra, featuring Greg Tardy (tenor saxophone), Russell Kirk (alto saxophone), Brent Birckhead (flute & alto saxophone), Alex Norris (trumpet), Alan Ferber (trombone),Luis Perdomo (piano), Jeff Reed (bass), and Eric Kennedy (drums). Doors open at 7:00 PM.

It’s that time of year for Dads and Grads and at GBCA we are no exception. On June 27, we hope you will join us for the graduation ceremony the 2019 Urban Arts Leadership class. Not only are the graduates themselves impressive, but we’ll also be celebrating our 5th graduating class. I hope you can join us for this inspiring evening.

Have you started your summer reading, yet? We wanted to share some of the eclectic titles on the lists of GBCA staff.

• White Fragility: Why it’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
• The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
• Frequency: The Power of Personal Vibration by Penney Peirce
• Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires by Shomari Wills
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
• Undisputed Truth by Mike Tyson, Larry Sloman
• Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World by Paul Stamets
• A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
• Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

I hope to see you on Friday at the Maryland Arts Summit. It will be the first of its kind for the arts sector in Maryland, highlighting the work that is being done through our communities. Dialogue, learning and networking opportunities will focus on the growth of Maryland arts. Thank you to Maryland Citizens for the Arts for making this great idea a reality.

Best,

Jeannie

P.S. It's June which means it is LGBTQIA+ pride month! Celebrations are going on all over the world and in Baltimore on June 15-16.

"As we enter 2019, our transgender community members have been hit with harming legislation and ongoing difficulties in maintaining safe spaces. This Pride, our mission is to support, protect, and value the many identities and viewpoints within our community. We will NOT stand with those who attempt to divide, demean or threaten these values." — The Pride Center of Maryland Board of Directors

If you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, now more than ever is the time to proudly stand up for what you believe in. Wish your fellow humans a happy LGBTQIA+ pride month!