A sparkling string of eclectic parties offering entrée to some of the most amazing spaces in Baltimore. Whether it’s a gospel brunch, a croquet cocktail party, or hors d’ouevres at the edge of an industrial building, these intimate events held in private homes, lofts, studios and galleries create exciting synergy between guests and some of Baltimore’s most fascinating artists. Hosts include internationally known photographer Connie Imboden, collectors Wendy and Steve
Rosen, sculptor Al Zaruba, and Charm City Kitties Jody Andrade and Rahne Alexander.

Wed Oct 6 * 5:30-7pm
Top Collector
Hors d’oeuvres * Business
40 guests * $75
Connie Caplan has been hailed by ARTnews at one of the world’s top 200 collectors for her superb assembling of contemporary and modern art. Graciously helping what she describes as “an exceptionally worthy cause” she opens her home and tours the collection.

Fri Oct 8 * 7-10pm
Gallery in the Valley
Seated Dinner * Dressy Casual
13 guests * $100
Mary Jo Gordon hosts a private preview tour with artist James von Minor of his painted wood constructions at Gordon’s Gallerie Francoise in Greenspring Valley. After wine in the gallery, dine in the private dining room of the delicious City Crab restaurant across the art filled courtyard.

Sun Oct 10 * 11am-3pm
Bagels and Bloodies at the Barn
Light Fare * Casual
50 guests * $45
David Hess’s witty monumental metal designs define public spaces from BWI Airport to the Industrial Museum to AVAM. David hosts a lox and bagel brunch in his home built around a 250 year old log cabin! Sip bloodies in his converted 160 year old timber frame barn, now a studio/gallery. Enjoy the fresh nouvelle delights of Helen’s Garden Restaurant.

Thu Oct 28 * 7-10pm
Artful Dining
Seated Dinner
Festive Casual
16 guests * $100
John Meyerhoff and Lenel Srochi-Meyerhoff graciously open their home for a visual feast of crafts and art. The evening is guaranteed to appeal to all the senses.

Fri Oct 15 * 8-11
Ruth Pettus’ Oxtail Stew Party
Supper * Casual
8 guests * $60
Chef John Sheilds was so enamored of virtuoso painter Ruth Pettus’ recipe, he included it in his latest cookbook! Enjoy! Ruth welcomes a lively dinner party to her Charles Village home and studio creating a delicious, unique meal spiced with brilliant conversation.

Sat Oct 16 * 6-9PM
Water and Mirrors
Seated Dinner
Evening Casual
10 guests * $100
Internationally renowned photographer Connie Imboden and CA Board member Cheryl Casciani host a tour and elegant dinner in Imboden’s studio/home in Ruxton with its dramatic black pool and distressed mirrors - settings for her ground breaking, multi-refracted images.

Sun Oct 17 * 1-5pm
The Tuscan Palace
Buffet
Festive Casual
75 guests * $60
Vince Peranio and Dolores Deluxe host a fantasy Tuscan autumn garden party in their lush courtyard surrounded by the five alley row-houses known as The Palace. Props from Vince’s works as art director for John Waters, Barry Levinson, and David Simon add a piquancy matched only by the lusty cuisine catered by co-host Chef Nancy Longo.

Tue Oct 19 7:30pm
Shame n’ Trash in Highlandtown Beer & Hotdogs
Casual * 100 guests * $25
As John Waters’ new film Dirty Shame takes theaters by storm, Steve Yeager hosts a screening of his documentary Divine Trash - the film Waters said would be great to show at his funeral! Many of Waters’ ensemble join us tonight for beer, popcorn, hotdogs and talkin’ trash.

Fri. Oct. 22 * 7-1Opm
Provencal In Pigtown
Buffet * Festive Casual
30 guests * $60
Rodney and Narda Carroll open their fascinating studio and gallery space in a former 1830 blacksmith shop. Rodney will share progress of his major commissions for public sculptures including the Firebird Sculpture (inspired by Stravinsky’s composition) that will stand fifty feet tall at Symphony Center Plaza.

Sat Oct 23 * 7-11pm
Flora and Fauna in Fells Point
Buffet * Festive Casual
14 guests * $60
Claudia Bismark and Wade Wilson open their beautifully renovated Fells Point home and gallery for an evening of art and conversation stimulated by exquisite nature study watercolors by Meg Page, and further enlivened by a creative menu, liberal libations and the effervescent David Ashton.

Sat Oct 23 * 7-9pm
Kitties With Cocktails
Light Fare
Literate Dress
20 guests * $45
The Charm City Kitty Club - producers of CA’s quarterly queer cabaret - host a literary salon for Bawlmer. Kitty Club bartendrix Clyde whips up Kitty Cocktails. Jody Andrade and Rahne Alexander pass yummy appetizers and razor-sharp quips. Guest appearances by local luminaries Dorothy Parker, Billie Holiday and of course Gertrude Stein! Dress as a literary character or author! As at all Kitty events – rockin’ tunes!

Fri Oct 29 * 7-9pm
A Crafty Halloween
Buffet * Artsy Costume
30 guests * $75
Artful ghosts and goblins feast on a buffet dinner while savoring the home and collection of American Style publisher Wendy Rosen and husband Steve. Dress as an artist or your favorite piece of art for your appearance amidst this major collection of precious, exquisite one-of-a-kind craft pieces.

Fri Oct 29 * 7-10PM
Kal’s Kabaret
Light Fare
Festive Casual
100 guests * $45
Internationally published political
cartoonist, Baltimore bon vivant and just plain fun guy Kevin Kallaugher hosts a riotous night of pre-election antics jumpin’ on stage to lead the audience in interactive cartooning. Dion Thompson, Tom Chalkely and other guests do the blues and political shenanigans! CA Board Members Susan Gould and Patty Bond co-host.

Sat Nov 6 * 6-9pm
Southern Accents on the Hill
Light Fare
Festive Casual
30 guests * $45
Enjoy southern cooking and hospitality with South Carolinian Mary Roby and her husband Clint in their historic 1890 Butcher’s Hill house. Brought back from condemnation, their home now sports a peppy rhubarb red living room and collection of local fine art, folk art and crafts.

Sat Nov. 6 * 7-10pm
Forge and Gorge II
Buffet * Casual
50 guests * $50
Hard core foodies Larry Schwartz and Cindy Mikin will indulge your art and food cravings in an evening of cocktails and delicacies, featuring metal sculptor Scott Cawood.

Sun Nov 7 * 11am-2pm
Baroque Brunch
Tableau Vivant
Buffet * Sunday Best
25 guests * $60
Internationally exhibited and traveled artists Cornel Rubino and Linda Gravina Ridings create and direct a decadent Tableau Vivant, a “Living Painting”, in Timothy Hartlove’s opulent, turn-of-the-century Reservoir Hill manse. All guests, in true beaux-arts spirit, are invited to be draped and posed in this living installation. A photo souvenir will be your parting gift. Timothy and CA Development Director Christopher Godwin host.

Sat Nov 13 * 6-9pm
Grids, Grills and Gems
Buffet * Comfortable w/ Attitude * 30 guests * $60
Artists Jose J. Mapily and Leslie King-Hammond (beloved Dean of Graduate Studies at MICA) share their art work in Mapily’s Lanham home and studio. A vegetarian friendly grilled menu with accents of Leslie’s home country of Barbados includes the Badian Death Salad! Leslie’s prints, Jose’s architectonic grid influenced paintings and their jewelry are handsomely displayed.

Nov 13 * 8-11pm
The Before Party
Light Fare * Industrial Chic (no heels)
60 guests * $45
Join the architects and developers of one of Baltimore harbor’s largest industrial conversions for a party at this iconic, 1920’s waterfront grain elevator before it’s converted into a modern urban complex - Silo Point. Pat and Jeanine Turner host! Jeanine’s photographs showcase the Point’s gritty, soaring beauty.

Sat Nov 20 * 7-10PM
Cafe Society
Light Fare
Evening Dress or 1930’s Costume
30 guests * $45
Lorraine L. and Markell Whittlesey transform their spacious Canton waterfront loft into an elegant cabaret. Rogers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, and Gershwin tunes accent an elegant 1930’s nightclub ambiance with sultry performances by Lorraine and her partner in music Joyce J. Scott.

Sun Nov 21 * 2-5pm
Power Shopping at Parkdale!
Special Casual
100 guests * $25
This former canvas sail factory with gorgeous soaring windows houses some of the most accomplished creative talents in Baltimore. Shop studio to studio for your holiday giving! Artists include sculptor and CA Education Director Linda DePalma, painters Ellen Burchenal and Oletha Devane, jeweler Clara Ines Arana and many other talents.

Sun Nov 21 * 4:30-8pm
Sunset Graze
Light Fare
Casual and art dress
30 guests * $45
A breath-taking sun-set view of Baltimore from an historic penthouse studio made all the richer by the singular art work of painter Nancy Linden and sculptor Alzaruba, recently returned from his Fulbright trip to Korea. Extra warmth from Texan Lou Linden’s famous fajitas and George Maris’ pies!