A Need for Speed

We’re all waiting for Labor Day weekend to see the unveiling of the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix. After more than two years of debating and planning, months and months of street closures and detours for the preparations and a scramble for sponsors, the all-important weekend is upon us.   

We’ll soon see how it all plays out (and if we look at the next four years of races as a blessing or a curse). In the meantime, we offer our own Style-ish take on the race. Meet Simona De Silvestro and Emerson Newton- John, two IndyCar drivers who will be in Baltimore for race weekend. We spent a day in July shooting some of fall’s newest looks on them, and had a great time doing it. (If Emerson’s name sounds familiar, it is— his aunt is Olivia Newton-John; his stepfather, the late Jeff Conaway.) Both drivers were great sports throughout a sometimes tough and tedious shoot.

Luckily, we had an actual Indy racecar at our disposal for the photo shoot as well, and nearly everyone (me included) took a turn squeezing into the tiny driver’s cockpit to try it out and pose for a snap. Trust me, it’s tight and uncomfortable in there— which makes it all the more amazing to think of how these drivers maintain control at speeds in excess of 200 mph for sustained periods. Thanks to our intrepid crew who pulled off this shoot (see it, beginning on page 94).

In other parts of the issue, we’re all about the kickoff of the annual fall arts scene. I personally interviewed Creative Alliance co-founder (and Style contributor) Megan Hamilton for our 14-page “life lessons” feature, where we talked to leaders in Baltimore’s arts and cultural communities about what being involved with the arts has taught them over the years. I was amazed when Megan mentioned that the CA is in its 16th year— I remember when it started upstairs in a small café in Fells Point!

Also in our arts coverage, we pay tribute to the volunteer groups who help support the arts and cultural institutions around town (page 112). I’ve personally been involved with several of these types of groups over the years— the Affiliates at the Baltimore Museum of Art, the board of Maryland Art Place and the 1844 Committee and the Francis Scott Key Society at the Maryland Historical Society. I can say from experience that participating in these groups is not only beneficial to supporting the arts in our city, it’s an extremely fulfilling and gratifying endeavor as well. I encourage you to find out more about them and their members, missions and events.

Brian Michael Lawrence
Editor-in-Chief
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.baltimorestyle.com