And a Nightingale Sang is the current offering by Everyman Theatre. This play, written by C.P.Taylor and directed by Vincent M. Lancisi, is a mellow portrait of a British family during the span of World War II. The words tender, funny, bittersweet farce and lovely all apply to this play. Rhea welcomes Beth Hylton, one of the romantic leads in this production. And a Nightingale Sang runs at Everyman Theatre through April 29.

Everyman Theatre

You knew An Die Musik LIVE! was the place to go for great live jazz, but did you know there's a new series of jazz-related films? Once a month, curator Stuart Hudgins shows a rare, fascinating film about jazz—animated shorts, obscure live performances, and an assortment of related themes—to the culture vultures in attendance. He joins us this week to discuss why he chooses the films he screens, and why everyone should pay a visit.

The next film in the series is Film Portrait of Duke Ellington, a documentary about one of the most prolific composers of the Twentieth Century. Duke Ellington wrote approximately three thousand original works, including film music for Otto Preminger, the Paris Symphony and Toscanini, while contributing to scores of movies and television programs too numerous to mention here. He was born Edward Kennedy Ellington in Washington D.C., but to the world, he was known as Duke. In his own estimation, his series of Sacred Concerts were among his most important works. This program offers a glimpse into his world: his award winning Sacred Concert shown just once on public television in 1965; numerous short films made for visual juke boxes; various television clips and his extended work; Symphony in Black that introduced twenty year-old Billie Holiday to film audiences for the first time.

Film Portrait of Duke Ellington screens April 17th at 7 pm at An Die Musik LIVE!, located on the second floor of 409 N Charles Street in Baltimore. All seats are $8. For more information call 410.385.2638.

An Die Musik LIVE!

For years now Bob Wolf has enjoyed going to work every morning because his hobby is his job. Wolf Cycles is the place to go if you have a classic motorcycle that you want restored to its original pristine condition or customized to fulfill your fantasy. Bob's specialty, his special love, is working on the classic British Triumph motorbikes. These classic machines are lovingly returned to museum condition at Wolf Cycles. We followed Bob to work one day to his shop in lovely downtown Arbutus to see why he's having such a great time at work. (Special note: thanks to noted photographer and motorcyle collector Vince Lupo of Direction One, Inc. for sharing some spectacular bike shots!)

Marella Torsella is a 17-year old Baltimore City native. A graduate from St. Anthony of Padua elementary school and a senior at The Catholic High School of Baltimore, this is Marella's third Celebration of the Arts. She is a member of the A Capella Choir at Catholic High, under the direction of Mr. Edward Shipley. In addition to being a staple in the annual musical production, she has performed leading roles in the Wizard of Oz and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In addition, Marella is extremely involved at school, filling various roles including Senior Class President, National Honor Society member, Ambassador, Varsity Cheerleader, and Spanish Honor Society member. As a member of the St. Anthony of Padua/Most Precious Blood Parish, Marella is a dedicated volunteer, serving as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and sacristan. She is a long-time member of the Contemporary Music Ensemble, lending her voice in song every Sunday at mass, as well as a member of the Pastor's Leadership Council. Marella is involved in the St. Joseph Youth Group, and a parish representative on the Archdiocesan Youth Advisory Council. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, reading, cooking, and spending time with large extended family. Upon graduation, Marella plans to attend Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ, majoring in Nursing.

This week's Salon Art is by Andy Koltz. The Baltimore Shakespeare Festival exposes audiences into the world of visual art. Painter Andy Klotz examines, through line, color and form, a unique perspective of the physical world. “I look at things I see everyday: like where a hill meets a valley or how roads intersect, and then, represent those physical structures abstractly by throwing them on a canvas to stimulate the viewer,” says Klotz. “I am really interested in transforming the hectic 3-dimensional world that we live into a layered, flattened 2-dimensonial world on a canvas.”

Andy Klotz is from Hudson, Massachusetts and a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. In addition, he was awarded a painting residency at The International School of Art in Umbria, Italy and the prestigious John Burton award for visual art. His work has hung in various galleries in Baltimore and his native Massachusetts.

Shape, Form, Lines: Observed runs in conjunction with Baltimore Shakespeare Festival production All’s Well That Ends Well, by William Shakespeare (opens on March 30th and runs through April 22nd). All’s Well That Ends Well, one of William Shakespeare’s most infrequently produced plays, explores Count Bertram, a braggart solider who dreams of greatness and Helena, an opportunist who wants to elevate her social standing. The exhibition is located at the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival's indoor location, St. Mary's Church at 3900 Roland Avenue in Baltimore. For more information call 410-366-8594.

Baltimore Shakespeare Festival

On ArtChat This Week, Nate and Rhea discuss the new horror adventure Grindhouse and the role of Baltimorean Traci Thoms. And The Baltimore Museum of Art has launched a new website and we'll tell you how to find it.

Baltimore Museum of Art