The Tamesis
toast port bottomillustrated by Joanna Avilez
“They don’t have book parties like this anymore,” seemed to be the consensus at an evening celebrating the latest edition of Joseph Mitchell’s book. port bottom. The book was first published in 1959 and brings together 15 years of Mitchell’s creative experience. new yorker Articles documenting the dark and unknown side of New York City’s waterfront. Celebrating Joana Avillez’s illustrated edition of the book, the surroundings are decidedly fancier than the gritty world of Mitchell’s themes. Behind the velvet curtains in the sunroom of Chez Nous, FashionChloe Malle joined Jazmine Hughes, Doreen St. Felix, Thessaly La Force, Natasha Stagg, Josh Safdie, David Kuhn and Andy Ward to celebrate Avilez over rosé and watermelon margaritas. —Jenna Adrian Diaz
44th Annual Artscape—America’s largest free outdoor arts festival
Artscape is held annually in Baltimore and welcomes more than 100,000 attendees during Memorial Day weekend. Grammy winner Stephanie Mills and iconic hip-hop group The Roots headline the festival, while industry panels and talkback events called the In Conversation Series feature Emmy-nominated makeup artist Ngozi Olandu Young, NAACP award-winning actor and producer Tyler Lepley, activist and poet Lynae Vanee, YouTube winner George “Conscious” Lee, strategy consultant Amanda Hosted by Sabreah, influencer Jay Hill and comedian. DL Hughley. Other festival highlights include Beyond The Reel Film Festival, Artisan Market, Scout Art Fair and Sondheim Art Awards, The Flavor Lab and Kidscape (a branch dedicated to parents and children). At the end of each day, the festival continues with an after-party called Artscape: After Dark, which includes events at local nightclubs, square dancing and performances by Frenchie Davis, Buddy Red and Navasha Daya. Commenting on Artscape’s legacy and impact, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott said, “Baltimore has a vibrant festival season, and this year’s Artscape—featuring local and national talent on three different stages—is, simply put, incredible.” Create Baltimore CEO Robyn Murphy and Chief Marketing and Programs Officer Tia Goodson agreed. Murphy shared, “Maryland and Baltimore are exemplary in supporting and investing in arts and culture. Last year, the festival had an average of 60,000 attendees per day and generated an economic impact of $8.8 million.” Goodson agreed: “Each year, the team works hard to ensure the festival is filled with art that challenges the envelope of art and removes any barriers that might make art inaccessible.” ——Evan Dorsey
