Local photographers Jefferson Jackson Steele and Uli Loskot invited guests at the City Paper’s “Best of Baltimore” parties in 2004 and 2005 to bare their bodies — no-no private parts and all — for Metro Gallery’s newest exhibit, “Naked Baltimore.”
More than 75 people actually thought this was a smart idea. The exhibit will be on display at the gallery, 1700 N. Charles Street in Baltimore, from Sept. 13 through Oct. 10.
And if that wasn’t enough skin for you, Steele and Loskot will be shooting nude portraits at the opening reception on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Emily: Um, what if I see one of my friends on here? There isn’t anyone in my life that I have a desire to see naked. I don’t even think I have any friends who would actually do this in the first place. Does that make me boring? Actually, don’t answer that. Instead, answer my other burning question: Did the photogs who cooked this up join their subjects in getting naked as well? Cause if not, then … well, do it.
Jessica: All bodies are an eyeful. Many bodies are beautiful. But we’re all a bunch of Puritan prudes who can’t get past social stigmas and allow nudity in our lives, even when done tastefully. That said, I should admit, up on my hippie love soapbox, I’m fully clothed head to toe and will stay that way. Brave is an overused term, but “Naked Baltimore” subjects truly are brave or, at the very least, bold and hopefully not too hairy.
Palin’s 17th-century predecessor
In history, for every silly legend, such a testicle chair where popes sat to prove they were all man, is a surprising fact that will help you win an argument about a woman’s ability to lead. Enter the intelligent, shocking and rebellious Olimpia Maidalchini, the 17th-century secret female pope and focus of Baltimore native and New York Times best-selling author Eleanor Herman’s latest book, “Mistress of the Vatican: The True Story of Olimpia Maidalchini.” With her brother-in-law Pope Innocent X as her puppet, Maidalchini ruled the Vatican and papal states.
Vandals in Baltimore, across the street from the oldest Cathedral in the United States, recently smashed an Enoch Pratt Free Library window display including an 8-foot cover of Herman’s book, but that’s not stopping her from returning to her hometown, she said.
The Towson University grad will be at Enoch Pratt Free Library on Cathedral Street on Sept. 16. to talk about Maidalchini and show portraits of the book’s figures.
Oprah’s prodigy, Tyler Perry, on preying
“I don’t want to erase Barack,” joked writer, director and cross-dressing actor Tyler Perry about deciding not to switch on an absent radio host’s recorder during a news conference at the Harbor Court Hotel in Baltimore.
Perry recently returned to our city — the place that gave him numerous soldout shows early in his career — to promote his new film, “The Family That Preys Together,” opening Sept. 12.
The comedy follows an ensemble cast filled with new and familiar faces including the venerable Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates, who star as friends and matriarchs of working-class and upper-crust families respectively. Greed, scandal and their children’s extramarital affairs propel the plot.
Perry says around the time he was writing “The Family” that “all these people [were] preying on me and trying to get something from me. … I started writing this script after I heard this song by Lee Ann Womack, “I Hope You Dance” … Whatever life brings you, just enjoy it.”
40 wings in Munds’ stomach, 1K in his wallet
Sucking 40 chicken wings to the bone in 10 minutes paid off for Andrew Munds, the recent Towson University grad who earned $1,000 at Bill Bateman’s 1st Annual Wings Eating Contest Sunday. Munds, 22, says he kept the 2.05 pounds of chicken down and felt absolutely fine afterward.
I was shocked to learn a few Pan & Praise readers not only exist, but they were among the 24 wing-eating contestants who helped raise money for the American Red Cross.
Bateman’s contest inspired me to accept a challenge and set a date to woman-handle two of Magerk’s gigantic turkey clubs in the hopes of winning and then burning my boyfriend’s black T-shirt collection. Anyone with competitive eating tips please let me know. I need to get Mayberry Choppers, Kurt Cobain and “Dukes of Hazzard” tees out of my life.
The ’80s are alive and well … in 2008
I freely admit that I pretty much want to live in the 1980s. Acid-washed jeans, sweatbands, banana clips, Raybans and fingerless lace gloves are where it’s at. And apparently Baltimore shares my opinion. On Saturday night, Rams Head Live was sweatily packed to the gills with young and old, dressed to the max in ’80s gear, to see The Legwarmers, a D.C.-based ’80s cover band.
Girls in leotards and high tops grooved to the B-52’s “Loveshack.” Michael Jackson look-a-likes moonwalked to Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself.” And my friends and I scream-sang Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
If you missed your chance to break out your mom’s old stretch leggings or your dad’s high-top Chucks, Frankie says relax. The Legwarmers are coming back to Rams Head Live on Dec. 20.
