About this column:
Dave Morgan writes about Towson's eclectic arts and culture scene.This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. Take a minute and realize that the Towson we know looked very different during this conflict. Though the layout and the struggles were different, it was (as it is today) beset by challenges yet populated by those who strove to overcome them. Visiting the Hampton National Historic Site just off Dulaney Valley Road provides a glimpse into Towson history. Similarly, a small but informative exhibit on the mansion's second floor provides some information on how the war between North and South affected Hampton and its …
There are good things and bad things about being a writer. Seeing your words in print, hearing that someone was moved by your thoughts and ideas, and knowing you can organize the jumbled mess that is your mind into a coherent set of words and phrases are just some of the perks. However, I have come to discover -- as I'm sure every other writer has — that finding something to write about is if often the most difficult part. Inspiration is a girl that likes playing hard to get. She comes and goes as she pleases with no regard for your motives. When she's there, you get butterflies in your …
Driving up and down the York Road corridor in downtown Towson is not something I really enjoy doing. It's not that I don't appreciate its certain aesthetic appeal, mind you. Rather, it's too busy and I get too claustrophobic; I prefer the bypass. When I do drive straight through, I keep my eyes on the road, my mind on the destination and I try to make eye contact with no one and nothing. To give you an idea of how rarely I frequent this section of Towson, consider this: It wasn't until just the other day that I noticed the new construction in the old Hudson Trail Outfitters building. Upon a …
Do you ever get that urge to go see an art exhibit—to just wander aimlessly by yourself through open spaces dotted with pure beauty and hard work? Yeah, me neither. However, after happening upon a few exhibits in the past couple of days, I'm kicking myself for not taking the initiative before now. They were really nice. Even nicer is the fact that you don't have to go all the way downtown to the Walters or the BMA to experience them. This art is free to see and located here in Towson, and all three exhibits are part of the Artscape celebration in Baltimore this weekend. The first of the three…
Greg Hood is, by my count, easily one of the most charismatic individuals I have ever met. As the assistant producer of the 98 Rock Morning Show, countless listeners hear this inherent quality on their morning commutes every weekday. Along with personalities Mickey, Amelia, Spiegel and Scott, Hood has become a vital piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is Maryland's number-one radio show. I work with him at a Towson restaurant and have heard stories of his on-air and off-air exploits. He's "in his element" everywhere he goes, but I had a feeling that his true self shines brightest behind the …
There can be no doubt that this time we are living in—the here and now—is anything but easy. Economies crumble, violence abounds, and it seems as though a new natural disaster occurs every week. Amidst all this clutter, it is vital that each of us find time to reflect, to ask questions, and to listen. Whether we listen to others, or to ourselves, the benefits can be immensely nurturing and beneficial. Turns out 7600 York Road in Towson is home to a place that offers the perfect antidote for these troubled times, and is a place where the aforementioned practices flourish. Well for the Journey…
There's nothing quite like having a good drink every now and again. Whether you have had a tremendously stressful day at work or a tremendously mundane day at home, a cold beer or a bourbon on the rocks (if you're like me) can be a nice way to wind down—provided you exercise restraint and are of age. Being a college town, Towson is not devoid of a nightlife scene. If you are so inclined to get an “adult beverage,” chances are you won't have a difficult time finding some place to do so. I've been legally able to drink for two years now and one of those years has been spent right here in Towson…
For those of you that have read some of my past pieces, it comes as no secret that I am a full-fledged, die-hard supporter of live music. Yes, listening to the record is always a good start, but you cannot experience the true power of music—the raw energy that accompanies it—unless you witness the performer first hand. Looking back over the last ten or so years, I can safely say that some of my best memories are of me standing in a crowd, eyes closed, listening to a live performance. And, since the majority of those ten years have been spent in Towson, a lot of those special moments have …
I will be the first to tell you that, by all reasonable measures, I can't really dance. On occasion, some divine energy will intervene in such away that something I do on the dance floor seems kind of cool. Let me be clear, these circumstances are purely happenstance. There are probably many reasons for this lack of ability of mine. Being raised as a run-of-the-mill suburban, white kid probably had something to do with it. Another possibility was told to me by a dance instructor, as a matter of fact (I had a few brief lessons so as not to completely embarrass myself at my sister's wedding …
It's no secret that the method by which we consume music is a non-static, ever-evolving thing. At one time, gramophones were the staple. Then came the Victrola, vinyl records, 8-tracks, cassette tapes, and compact discs—I may be missing one or two in there somewhere. Nowadays, most people listen to their music as digital files through a computer or MP3 player. I'm not an elitist when it comes to this sort of thing. As long as I can hear music that I like, it doesn't really matter how it gets into my ears. However, there is something to be said for having something tangible when it comes to …
In all honesty, I didn't think that after Snowpocalypse 2010, we would ever see so much snow again. By comparison we have been most spared from Mother Nature's wrath this winter, aside from last week's "Thundersnow." With that in mind, I think the amount of snow already received, and the snow we probably still have yet to see, this year will rival—if not trump—last year. But I'm not here to harp on how many inches of snow Towson receives. Rather, I would like to point out snow's effects on us all. It can be a rather polarizing occurrence. For children, the response is obvious. Snow is a gift …
I'm gonna go ahead and make it clear that I usually don't delve into the world of social commentary. The reason is two-fold. First, it's not in my nature to offend (on purpose) and that is something that often comes with the territory. Second, I wouldn't consider myself an “authority” on too many things so I usually keep opinions to myself so as not to risk coming off foolish. However, what's the point in living if you don't take a chance every now and again? With that said, I'd like to take a bit and talk about something that I've noticed going on in Towson (and nearly everywhere else) that …
Okay, did I miss something? When did Towson become a hub for jazz? I know I've wrote quite a bit about this particular musical genre, but sometimes it seems that the subject is being thrust upon me. When most pair jazz with places, the usual associations are with New York, New Orleans, and Chicago. To my knowledge, Baltimore has never been at the forefront of the movement. But, perhaps Towson's trying to change that. Last week I had the distinct pleasure of seeing one of my favorite groups perform down in Annapolis. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (a mouthful, I know) started to achieve a presence …
Serendipity. This is what happens when you come across something favorable while looking for something else. I will be the first to tell you that this sort of thing doesn't happen to me all that often. However, the fates aligned in my favor today and that would not have happened were I not in Towson. I had a pretty killer case of writer's block this morning. Nothing I did could shake the words from my head down to my fingers. So, in an effort to lure something resembling coherent thought out with caffeine, I headed to Bread and Circuses, of which I wrote a couple weeks back. As soon as I …
I remember I went to the Towson Library with the full intention of writing one of my normal pieces. I had never used that particular spot to write much before; I assumed that my proximity to the great words of our time would, by some form of osmosis, inspire me. As I set up my computer in the cafe just outside the library entrance, honey macchiato by my side, fingers stretched and ready, I noticed the gentleman sitting at the table across from me. I continued to pound away at the keys for about an hour or so, taking intermittent breaks to gather my thoughts and sip my beverage, but every time…
There are few things more organic, more desirable, and more human than a true artistic flare. I can't begin to fathom how many people crave this quality every day. Just imagine how many people, if they could, would simply drop everything to become lost in a chaotic mess of paint, and clay, and charcoal; I know I would. It reminds me of that iconic scene in the movie "Ghost" where, struck by some sort of inspiration—some sort of inherent desire to create—Demi Moore's character (flanked by the spectre of her deceased boyfriend, Patrick Swayze) begins using the potter's wheel. Now, I highly …
When you get right down to it, the celebration of the new year has a lot of funky traditions attached to it. For example, watching a giant bedazzled ball drop slowly down a pole in New York City's Times Square, consuming enough alcohol to make that first morning a blur if not disappear all together, or kissing somebody square on the lips—I guess in case that's the only one you get in the next 365 days. Of all the traditions, the one that I've never really gotten all wrapped up in is the declaration of a "New Year's resolution." Most of us have a hard enough time getting things done on a day …
Smoking hookah is the practice of consuming filtered, flavored tobacco through a water pipe. The practice is pretty common in the Middle East, and through my own experience, you're likely to come across it on college campuses every now and again. Regardless, when you think of hookah, Towson's probably not the first thing that comes to mind, unless you're a college student. The other night, after nursing a few drinks with a good friend, we landed in a place neither of us had ever been to at 20 Allegheny Avenue in downtown Towson: Towson Nights Hookah Lounge. It's one of two similar spots …
This is for all of you out there that are so lazy that you've put your Christmas shopping on hold until now. It's for all of you who thrive on the thrill of the chase, the last minute scramble, and seeing the finish line just out of reach. I would know; this year, I was one of you. Granted, for those of you who are still looking for a nice table cloth for Grandma, or the latest and greatest video game for little Johnny (or Joannie, no double standards here), this won't be of much help. I've done a lot of pieces about the local musicians of Towson and can only surmise that there are plenty out…
I'm going to start off by saying that I am a huge fan of the holiday season, and winter in general. That aside, there are times when I feel like a Grinch because there are, indeed, many things about this time of year to hate. Well, hate is a pretty strong word—strongly dislike. I'll note that much of my distaste is heightened for the following things when I am tired or hungry, which I am both at the moment. Here goes: Wind chill: Winter weather can be bad enough as it is as temperatures drop below freezing. However, it seems as though Mother Nature likes to kick us while we're down with the …
