Artscape 2010 Baltimore
What a weekend I admit that when my Project Coordinator came to me with the idea of performing at Artscape it did not mean much to me at the time other than saying, go ahead and see what happens.
Being from the Baltimore area, she knew more than I when it came to events and festivals that where housed out of Baltimore. Later I found out that Artscape was the largest arts festival in the world. Then my mind began to play tricks on me and a thought ran across my mind in the form of “there is no way, a gdavisplays productions is going to be apart of this.”
Well a few weeks later, Carolyn sent me a text that stated “we are in Artscape” I was excited and honored at the thought of appearing in the most prestigious arts festival in the world.
Its been a week now and I am still processing the weekend that showcased my new show “Jessie & Lucy” at the Brown Center on the campus of Maryland Institute College of Art. This venue made an impression on me that I will never forget not for its unique architectural design but because it the only building in Baltimore that was named after an African American Family.
The Brown Center
I arrived in Baltimore Thursday to load in my set and the city was a buzz as early as 10am that morning with the anticipation of Artscape staring the next day.
In my former days as Program Director of Beasley Broadcasting I had plenty of experiences of working and with festivals such as the Dogwood Festival in Fayetteville and the Stone Cold Picnic that I started. However, I was not prepared for what I was about to see over the next days.
Getting back to the press about Artscape, I had heard of attendance reaching over 300,000 people over a 3 day period. I could not imagine that many people in downtown Baltimore.
The next day I got a chance to see first hand what I had only heard about in reference to Artscape. There seemed to be a vendor every 3 fee, there was plenty of food and all kinds of artwork. I was really impressed with what I had seen so far and I had only just begun to see all that was offered.
At 6:00pm I met the rest of the cast and crew to walk them down to the Brown Center. Normally the walk would have taken all of 10 minutes but due the fact that it was Saturday night and the biggest nigh of Artscape thee was easily 50,000 people already walking among the vendors and listening to various artist performing live on the Wachovia Main Stage. Well that walk took us 30 minutes.
I’ve been performing for over 16 years and I have never had the opportunity to perform in front of a predominately white audience. I have always wanted that opportunity and Artscsape gave me that opportunity. The show was great and I was very pleased at the response that we received.
After the show our cast and crew looked forward to getting back to our hotel that was across the street from the Inner Harbor. Remembe that walk that took us 30 minutes due to 50,000 people walking and enjoying artscape, well by the time we had packed up and finished striking the stage it was about 10pm I would learn later that there was over 100,000 people downtown at that time.
It seemed like we were the only ones walking in the direction towards our vehicle. It was amazing to see, the closest thing I had ever witnessed was having seats on the 50 yard line for a Monday Night Football Game that featured my Redskins at Fedex Field but that was only 90,000.
Back at the hotel the cast and crew felt like walking so we walked down to the Inner Harbor and took him some live Jazz and had fun at Hard Rock Cafe.
The next day Sunday my Aunt and I went to church with my cousin Anglea Foster White. Angela and graduated from Warren County together and she was a cheerleader while I was a basketball player. I went on to further my education at Fayetteville State while she attended UNC Chapel Hill.
We had not seen each other since graduation, so it was great to spend some quality time with her and her husband. Church service was great and I was impressed with the young adult choir and a young lady who worked for Morgan State Radio Station who had interviewed me earlier was there also man could she play the tambourine (please see video)
After church, we all went back down to the Inner Harbor to take in some good food, fun and laughs before we would head back to North Carolina. Well at least he cast and crew, Monty and I ended up going back to my Uncle house in Lanham, Maryland.
Uncle Norman & Gdavis
It was great spending time with Uncle Norman, Aunt Celster and my cousins Kim, Norman , Jr, Tony and Vincent. This was probably the best part of my trip, getting to meet and spend time with family.
I got a chance to hit some golf balls with Uncle Norman while enjoying the ride to the driving ranger in his 1971 Mercedes Benz. This was a very special weekend for me and I have been thinking about it ever since.
Over the last few weeks I have found a greater appreciation for family. I have learned to live in the now. I can’t change the pass nor can I feel too badly for what i have done or what others have done to me because its over and done with on so many account.
Uncle Norman's 1971 Benz
Kim & Gdavis
I have heard a saying that “Life is short, so live it” and until you experience things that make you take second look or a more serious look at life you never know what that really means.
Well I’m thankful that I know what it means and it was not too late for me to slow down from my busy life to take a minute to enjoy family.
Kim, Aunt Celester & Gdavis
Gdavis