Artscape 2015 draws big-name headliners for three-day event

Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Festival attendees look into an empty exhibit tent at Artscape.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Ariram Yeor spins around Shoshana Davidoff-Gore, as they dance to the music of the Screaming Js, a piano band from Asheville, N.C.
Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun
Salih Mahammed manipulates a cube during a performance of "Cirque du Charme" at Baltimore Theater Project during Artscape.
Lloyd Fox, The Baltimore Sun
Olivia Pope,4 and her brother, Bryce, 3, of Bel Air showing off the artwork they painted at Artscape.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Charlie Long, 28, Towson, Stillpointe Theatre Initiative, takes a moment to dance to music floating down N. Charles Street as he works on the troupe's set.
Baltimore Sun photo by Amy Davis
"Mother Artscape," a sculpture by Vincent Valerio, is hoisted above the grounds near the Mount Royal Station where it will stand 16 feet high. The face will light up at night, and people will be able to go under the sculpture which will have a skirt attached. Valerio is a graduate art student at Towson University.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Vilma Ortiz, Washington, D.C. enjoys the spray from a cooling station set up on E. Lanvale and N. Charles Streets as she takes a look at Artscape Friday afternoon.
Amy Davis, The Baltimore Sun
Robert Seven, of Ashville, N.C., entertained visitors who paused to admire his art car, called "Emerge-N-SeeArt Ambulance," at Artscape.
Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun
From left, James Donaldson, Salih Mahammed, and Hannah Yellak during a performance of "Cirque du Charme" at Baltimore Theater Project.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
"10,000 Brushes & The Baltimore Mural Experience" is an opportunity for Artscape visitors to experience the process and act of creating murals.
Colby Ware, The Baltimore Sun
Beth Miller and daughters Natalie (left), 8, and Katherine, 11, share a few laughs at the inflatable sculptures in the kiddie park at Artscape
Chris Detrick, The Baltimore Sun
Justina Prince performs a modern dance during Artscape.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Allison Morris, Pasadena, paints a section of a mural designed by Wilson Kemp, Baltimore.
Amy Davis, The Baltimore Sun
Many visitors snapped photos of the "World's Tallest John Waters," an 11 ft. 9 inch cut-out, on display in front of the Charles Theatre during Artscape.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Mab Just Mab, a member of the Circus of Wonders, shows the teeth of Jack-a-bun, her jackalope.
Baltimore Sun photo by Irving H. Phillips, Jr.
Festooned and beribboned, Brother Storyteller entertains at the city's second Artscape.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Mark Bank, also known as "Swizzy," jumps back onto his skates while performing with It's My Skate Night.
Amy Davis, The Baltimore Sun
One of several "Buoy Babies," made by Thomas "Tiki Tom" Bazinet of Lake Worth, Florida, from lobster buoys, on display next to his art car at Artscape.
Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun
Carl Washington of Laurel holds his son Carter Washington, 2, beneath a sea of multicolored balloons of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" installation at 2018 Artscape.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Mount Vernon residents Molly Benson, left, stands with her sister Emily Benson, right, in front of a large sunglasses sculpture.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Jason Franey plays drums using recycled plastics and metals on the Charles Street Bridge at Artscape.
Sun photo by Doug Kapustin
John Taylor, known to kids and parents as "The Kinderman," entertains the crowd at Artscape.
Nanine Hartzenbusch, The Baltimore Sun
Lisa Matthews of the children's music group "Milkshake" sings to children at Artscape.
Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron
Members of the Bethel AME Church Choir perform at Artscape.
Karl Merton Ferron, The Baltimore Sun
Eric Wilson, 10, plays the trumpet with the other members of Summer Activity Extraordinaire at Artscape.
Baltimore Sun photo by Patrick Sandor
Dancing in the streets on Mount Royal Avenue, Marcus Mackinnon of Baltimore dances with Annie Hickman of a street theater group from New York who's dressed as a red zebra.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gabe Dinsmoor
Devan Lawall, 7, from Baltimore, cools off in the misting tent at Artscape.
Caitlin Faw / Baltimore Sun
Anuj Malla, 21, also known as "Space Wizard," paints a spaceman on the wall near the "Crater!" erected in the Charles Street Theater Parking Lot. Malla, from Nepal, will be a junior at MICA this fall. Juansebastian Serrano, a recent MICA graduate, paints behind Malla. Baltimore hosted the nation's largest free outdoor arts festival this weekend. Artscape featured an outer-space theme complete with art installations, vendors, food, and musical acts. Caitlin Faw/Baltimore Sun staff
Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun
Lead singer Gene McBride of Gamble's Bride performs at 2018 Artscape.
Baltimore Sun file photo
Street performers entertained a crowd on the steps of Maryland Institute at Artscape.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Amanda Rife, Baltimore, Stillpointe Theatre Initiative, wipes away perspiration as she works on the group's exhibit on N. Charles St.
Lloyd Fox, The Baltimore Sun
Matthew Hylek the director of education for Baltimore Clayworks, turning a jug with the help of his daughter, Lily Hylek,3 at Artscape.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Dr. Bob Hieronimus shows off one of the panels on his biodiesel "We The People" Artcar which has an image of Benjamin Banneker, astronomer and surveyor of Washington, DC. This is the 20th anniversary of Artscape's art car show.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
A flash mob dances on Mount Royal Avenue.
Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun
Salih Mahammed, left, with puppeteer Sarah Olmsted Thomas during a performance of "Cirque du Charme" at Baltimore Theater Project during Artscape. The performers are from Charm CIty Movement Arts, an independent circus school based in Highlandtown.
Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun
Amy Longcrier, left, and Kelly Marburger, right, during a performance of "Cirque du Charme" at Baltimore Theater Project during Artscape. The performers are from Charm City Movement Arts, an independent circus school based in Highlandtown.
Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun
Visiting from the Czech Republic, Jitka Kasarova attaches a plastic cup beneath the tentacles of a sculpture of an octopus (made with 5,000 plastic bags) while National Aquarium intern Matthew Ogorzalek watches at 2018 Artscape.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Kelsey Augusti, 12, Baltimore, paints a section of a mural created by Kelly Bjorn Alm of Baltimore.
Amy Davis, The Baltimore Sun
Mary Hurson, age 2, standing in front of her mother, Abigal Hurson of Baltimore, paused with other visitors at Artscape to hear a band at the Piano House art car from Asheville, N.C.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Earl Buoughs, Washington, D.C., wipes perspiration from his face. He is outside The Fitzgerald at UB, where he works for a cleaning company.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
The 32nd Artscape is underway Friday afternoon.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Amy Longeriver stands on Kelly Marburger during a performance by the Swim Club Sandwich at Artscape.
Colby Ware, The Baltimore Sun
Drummers with the Sankofa Dance Company give a performance at its Artscape booth.
Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun
Jacob Bickely, of Frederick, wearing a rain poncho and swim goggles, is dressed for a rainy Saturday at Artscape.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
English poet John Milton is a hood ornament on Clarke Bedford's art car, Vanadu. Bedford lives in Hyattsville. This is the 20th anniversary of Artscape's art car show.
Amy Davis, The Baltimore Sun
Ben Reiffen of Columbia, MD played jazz and pop tunes on his alto sax on Mt. Royal Avenue.
Karl Merton Ferron, The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore City residents Linda Mason, Laverne Braxton, and Karen Rhodes-Alston enjoy the performance of jazz singer and fellow Baltimore native Maysa.
Amy Davis, The Baltimore Sun
Melody Fowler, 4, of Westminster, posed with the 11 ft. 9 inch John Waters cut-out, on display in front of the Charles Theatre. The final day of Artscape was rain-free with cooler than normal temperatures.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Children from the Young Audiences of Maryland summer program play with the inflatable tube trees located inside of the Charles Street Camp Site.
Karl Merton Ferron, The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore native Maysa performs, opening the first day of Baltimore's annual Artscape
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Cayden Leaf-Johnson, 9, middle, opens his mouth underneath a water sprinkler at Artscape
Lloyd Fox, The Baltimore Sun
Kelly Jo Stull, with Radiant Hoops, performs for guests of artscape.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Children from the Young Audiences of Maryland summer program play with the inflatable tube trees located inside of the Charles Street Camp Site.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Zach Pekor, from Baltimore, smiles as he has his picture taken in a mini art car display in the art cars area.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Artists display their work along Charles Street during Artscape. Artwork ranged from paintings to painted cars.
Robert K. Hamilton / Baltimore Sun
Workers set up the Ferris wheel next to Penn Station for the 2015 Artscape festival in Mount Royal.
Alyssa Cwanger, The Baltimore Sun
Jerry Brown and his trained monkey Django entertain families and children at Artscape.
Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun
Attendees walk at 2018 Artscape.
Caitlin Faw / Baltimore Sun
Patrick Brown, 7, of Pasadena, claps his hands sending "space foam" into the air at the Sink or Fly, The Loading Dock installation, created by Michael Metcalf. Baltimore hosted the nation's largest free outdoor arts festival this weekend. Artscape featured an outer-space theme complete with art installations, vendors, food, and musical acts. Caitlin Faw/Baltimore Sun staff
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Sarah Walker, 21, Fells Point, rides her lobster bike, Lucille, in the Bike Party Parade sponsored by SHA. Cyclists follow the art cars in a parade during the 32nd annual Artscape.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gabe Dinsmoor
Dominic Cerquetti, rocks out to some metal with the Baltimore Rock Opera Society at Artscape.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gabe Dinsmoor
Melissa O'Brien, 31, member of Baltimore Rock Opera Society, poses for the camera.
Baltimore Sun photo by Irving H. Phillips, Jr.
Hugh Harper tries a quick sketch of a performer - art on art at Artscape.
Barbara Haddock Taylor, Baltimore Sun
Singer/songwriter G. Love performs on the main stage at Artscape.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Children from the Young Audiences of Maryland summer program keep cool from the heat by running through water pouring from a firetruck.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
The crowd at Artscape, as seen from North Charles Street.
André F. Chung, The Baltimore Sun
Peter Quinn's papier-mache heads are on view on the opening day of Artscape.
Robert K. Hamilton / Baltimore Sun
An art exhibit called "Water Molecule" is set up on Charles Street for the 2015 Artscape festival in Mount Royal.
Rachel Woolf, Baltimore Sun photo
Kelly Doyle (left), of Baltimore, dances with Annette Horan, of Ellicott City, during the silent disco at Artscape.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Anthony Fuller, 11, stacks oversized dice as he prepares to roll them while playing Farkle, a dice game.
Caitlin Faw / Baltimore Sun
Won Woo Lee watches as her son Hawon Lee, 2, of Mount Washington, plays with "space foam" at the Sink or Fly, The Loading Dock installation, created by Michael Metcalf. Baltimore hosted the nation's largest free outdoor arts festival this weekend. Artscape featured an outer-space theme complete with art installations, vendors, food, and musical acts. Caitlin Faw/Baltimore Sun staff
Baltimore Sun photo by Gabe Dinsmoor
A member of the Baltimore Rock Opera Society plays the air guitar at the Urbanite Stage at Artscape.
Baltimore Sun photo by Bruce D. Smallwood
Amanda Ways is entertained by dragonfly Caroline Simonds, a street theater performer.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Caleb Arisman (front), from Baltimore, plays Pizza Party Twister with his friend Caleb Smith at Artscape 2014.
Chris Detrick, The Baltimore Sun
Isaac Hayes performs at Artscape.
Tasha Treadwell, The Baltimore Sun
Paige Shuttleworth, also know as DJ Woman, from Baltimore, and Jim Dier, also known as Small Change, from New York, take time before they DJ to enjoy the spirit of Artscape. The two improvised movements with hula hoops on a side street off of the Midway.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Left to right, Kelsey Augusti, 12, Baltimore, and artist Kelly Bjorn Alm, Baltimore, paint a section of a mural created by Alm.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Shirley Darnaby, from Brentwood, inspects one of the 28,551 pennies on a 1996 Geo Metro owned by Gayle Hoover, left, from Wendell, N.C. Gayle and her husband, Mike Morphy, spent two years putting the pennies on; the coins added an extra 190 pounds to the car.
Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun
Eileen Fleck, of Hampden, looks over pastel paintings by Richard D. Wilson Jr. at Artscape on a rainy Saturday.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gabe Dinsmoor
Kelly Jo Stull, aerial artist and street performer, swings numerous hula hoops at Artscape.
Lloyd Fox, The Baltimore Sun
Dave Nowak with Radiant Hoops performing at Artscape.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Vocalist Miele Isa, Yellow North, performs on the Station North Stage.
Andre F. Chung, The Baltimore Sun
Keith Manuel of Annapolis polishes his decorated '87 Acura Integra, nicknamed "The Wicked Mojo," at last year's Artscape festival.
Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun
Nicoletta Macris, marketing and PR director for The Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, carries an upturned umbrella as she walks along Charles Street at Artscape on a windy and rainy Saturday.
Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun
Hannah Yellak on the trapeze during a performance of "Cirque du Charme" at Baltimore Theater Project during Artscape.
Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun
Salih Mahammed juggles seven balls during a performance of "Cirque du Charme" at Baltimore Theater Project during Artscape. The performers are from Charm City Movement Art.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
-Bookman, aka Gregory Wishon, 24, Dundalk, passes out posters promoting literacy at the 32nd annual Artscape.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Becky Morris of Houston stands next to her car named "Opti CAR Lusion" at Artscape. The car features an optical illusion where onlookers view the red dot on the hood, to which the viewer will see the dot appear to "vibrate."
Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun
Performers in "Cirque du Charme" introduce a puppet character, center.
Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun
Artist LaToya Peoples of Baltimore, works on her art at Artscape. The first full day of Artscape begins as hundreds of vendors line the streets of Baltimore to sell their work.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
A chair made out of rear-view mirrors at the art cars area of Artscape.
John Makely, The Baltimore Sun
The legendary Ray Charles performs at Artscape.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Greg Bowen plays air guitar at the Baltimore Rock Opera Society Artscape exhibit on North Charles Street.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Artscape goers look at Hula Hoop Contest, an oil painting by Elginia McCrary, Chesapeake VA.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
The Ferris wheel at Artscape 2014.
Robert K. Hamilton / Baltimore Sun
Samantha Rausch of Bolton Hill, works on setting up her art display titled Colors of Colours Fountain: Ode to the Birth of Venus, which is part of the Lazy River exhibit area of Artscape.
Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun
The Art/Hab exhibit takes a look at life on another planet and what you would need in space. The first full day of Artscape begins as hundreds of vendors line the streets of Baltimore to sell their work.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Kelly Bjorn Alm, Baltimore, paints a section of the mural she designed.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Composer Jason Charney produces music inside the Soundnest.
Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun
People attend Artscape on a rainy Saturday.
John Makely, The Baltimore Sun
The float "Topcat" is on display at Artscape.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Cecelia Yost, 18, of Towson, hits the golf ball close to the hole at the 36th annual Artscape.
Alyssa Cwanger, The Baltimore Sun
John Thies makes a "sand fish" at the Baltimore Aquarium's booth at Artscape as his mother, Joanne, helps.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Plastic ducks circle around a battleship as they await to be picked at the Battleship Duck Pond, one of the five games at Supergame!, an interactive art installation designed by Baltimore-based artists Scott Pennington and Adam Franchino.
Baltimore Sun photo by Ellis J. Malashuk
Nose pinching by Karen Rugh, 3 years old. Russell Brown is "Russell The Clown."
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Zane Wintsch, 11, poses for a photo inside of an astronaut suit for his mother, Pilar Wintsch.
Lloyd Fox / Baltimore Sun
The first full day of Artscape begins as hundreds of vendors line the streets of Baltimore to sell their work.
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun
Sarah Sullivan, right, of Baltimore and her friends enjoy manipulating Face Forward.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Jessie Delaplaine, a dancer from Daydreams + Nightmares Aerial Theatre, performs at the Aerial Arts Arena on Charles Street.
Baltimore Sun photo by Perry Thorsvik
Fire eater Stuart L. Buchwald, aka "Stuartini The Magnificent" pleases the crowd at Artscape
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Owings Mills artist Bob Hieronimus stands next to his 1984 Mercedes Benz, which features the history of the United States, during Artscape.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gabe Dinsmoor
Joe Martin, 24, from Charles Village, watches the Baltimore Rock Opera Society perform.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Baltimore artist Wilson Kemp stands near the mural he created for the "10,000 Brushes & The Baltimore Mural Experience."
Kenneth K. Lam, The Baltimore Sun
Country singer Shaunna Bolton performs at Artscape.
Baltimore Sun photo by Gabe Dinsmoor
Members of the Baltimore Rock Opera Society dance to metal music at the Urbanite Stage.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Brandon Hollinger, from Baltimore, smiles as he has his picture taken by Adara Carter, in front of a roach car in the art cars area.
Chiaki Kawajiri, The Baltimore Sun
Gillian Holland, 4, of Baltimore doesn't seem sure how to react to Django, who shakes your hand and plants a kiss for a coin.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Victoria Honey, left, and Nick Seltor, right, perform their "Digits" routine to music.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
From left to right: Riyan Green, 5, Reyad Green, 6, and Jameel El-Tawekgi, 4, play on the logs next to the "Let's Build A Big Campfire" sculpture.
Baltimore Sun photo by Irving H. Phillips, Jr.
Artscape's Isisha Wright and Margo Brown hold a pose.
Andre F. Chung, The Baltimore Sun
Dana Wheeler pilots the RU-Me2 Radio Controlled Swimmer, part of the American Visionary Art Museum's Kinetic Sculpture exhibit that was invited to participate in the Art Cars parade at Artscape.
Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun
Phoenix Brown, 4 of Dundalk, runs through the cooling spray from Baltimore Fire Department apparatus at 2018 Artscape.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Carroll County residents Hannah Butler, 18, left, and Alex Byrne attend Artscape.
Baltimore Sun photo by Amy Davis
Bamboo flute maker Robert Yard of Woodsong Instruments, in Floyd, VA, was so pleased with the sounds made by beginner Milan Amey-Hooper, 5, of Randallstown that he gave her the flute.
Baltimore Sun photo by Amy Davis
Crowd watching Rhythm & Shoes on stage.
John Makely, The Baltimore Sun
Shirley Wood, left, and Verdene Hawkins, right, enjoy ice cream cones while touring the booths at Artscape.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
A bird's eye view of Charles Street from the University of Baltimore during Artscape.
Colby Ware, The Baltimore Sun
Davida Vaughn joined the throng listening to Goapele's jazzy hip-hop before a rainstorm.
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun
Artscape visitors have a face-to-face encounter with Face Forward, an enormous face sculpted by artist Christian Ristow of Taos, N.M.
Colby Ware, The Baltimore Sun
Andrew Fales, 18 (left), and Mark Bowers, 17, dig into pulled pork sandwiches at Artscape.
Tasha Treadwell, The Baltimore Sun
Artscape's offerings of music, art, crafts and food include entertainers such as this balancing act by Brent McCoy of Greensboro, Vt.
Karl Merton Ferron, The Baltimore Sun
Hunter Folck's untitled artwork sits on display at Artscape.
Kim Hairston, The Baltimore Sun
America's largest free arts festival celebrates its 33rd year with tons of arts and crafts, dozens of live music performances and several other performing and visual arts events. July 18-20. Events take place at Mount Royal Avenue and Cathedral Street, Charles Street, Bolton Hill and Station North Arts & Entertainment District. artscape.org
Baltimore Sun photo by Paul Hutchins
Smiley The Clown in action on Mt. Royal Ave.
Kenneth K. Lam, The Baltimore Sun
Annie Howe, of the Baltizons, a group of stiltwalker parade and walkabout performers, rides "Sid" the Chesapeake Bay Blue Heron.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
ilyAIMY performs on the main stage during the 32nd annual Artscape.
Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun
Jarrod Edwards, aka DoRIte Roddy, from East Baltimore, battles in the Dance Camp tent as a crowd watches the competition at Artscape on a rainy Saturday.
Al Drago, Baltimore Sun photo
Abagail Smith, 4, from Catonsville, interacts with a chair made of rear-view mirrors.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Shawn Theron, Carney, makes repairs to one of his paintings. Theron spray paints designs on scraps of wood. He displays his work in a booth at the 32nd annual Artscape.
Amy Davis, The Baltimore Sun
Stephen Precht, 10, of Westminster, studies a sculpture entitled "You Made It Man," by Luke Allen.
David Hobby, The Baltimore Sun
Artscape street performer Rich Potter extinguishes one of his flaming juggling batons the hard way, as passers-by watch.
David Hobby, The baltimore Sun
Washington, D.C., artist Kathryn Cornelius takes a dip in a tank full of milk at Artscape.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Aaron Hemsley holds his pet snake, "Big Momma" on Charles Street at Artscape.
Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun
Rachel Wallace of Catonsville and daughter Erin Wallace (back) look at glass birds, made by Thomas von Koch, who has a booth at 2018 Artscape.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Jessie Delaplaine looks through a dunk tank at the Baltimore Rock Opera Society "BROcean City" exhibit at Artscape.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Members of the Baltimore Rock Opera Society play, sing and dance to rock music at Artscape.
Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun
Jennifer Stephens, Catonsville, a member of the Circus of Wonders, creates giant bubbles.
Tasha Treadwell, The Baltimore Sun
Festival goers had the opportunity to help paint one of the Art Cars on Charles Street.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Olivia Abraham, 3, right, uses a marker to draw on the "In & Out the Window: Promise Land" canvas with her sister Grace Abraham, 4, during the 36th annual Artscape.
Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun
Christian Ristow, of Taos, N.M., makes adjustments to his Face Forward sculpture during opening day of Artscape 2012.
Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun
Rachel Wallace of Catonsville looks at glass birds, made by Thomas von Koch, who has a booth at 2018 Artscape.
Michael Ares / Baltimore Sun
Members of the Creative Labs art collective, based in Woodberry, relax in front of their booth.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
Lily Echeverria paints a car on Charles Street at Artscape.
Tom Brenner, Baltimore Sun
A performer dances along Charles Street in front of the Nature's Bloom exhibit.

PUBLISHED: June 9, 2015 at 7:33 p.m. | UPDATED: June 30, 2019 at 1:36 a.m.

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic will be the headliners at this year’s Artscape festival, topping an entertainment schedule that will also include performances by The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Michael Franti & Spearhead and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

Clinton and his band, 1997 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will close out the first day of Artscape; their performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 17. The following day’s festivities will be capped by performances from Peyton and his band at 6 p.m., followed by the roots reggae of Michael Franti & Spearhead at 7:30 p.m. Artscape’s final day, Sunday, July 19, will finish with a 6:30 p.m. performance from jazz artists Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

Also at Artscape, cast members from “The Wire” will lead a panel discussion on “empowering Baltimore’s youth,” Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced during a Tuesday morning news conference at the University of Baltimore’s John and Frances Angelos Law Center.

“I’m so excited to welcome this year’s acts,” Rawlings-Blake said, singling out Trombone Shorty as “one of my favorites” and noting of Reverend Peyton, “the reverend with a big damn band – I’ll take it.”

In addition to the headliners, dozens of local, regional and national acts will be performing on Artscape’s three stages. Included will be the winners of this year’s “Sound Off Live!” competition: Martian Architect, Slow Lights, Reve, Purple Orange, Inde, Kanika, Goat, Subtle Hustle, Quinton Randall, 10 Step Groove, The Upstarters, D.T. Huber, 9 Mile Roots, The Slanted Sound and Hollywood Banks.

This year’s Artscape will be built around a water theme. The festival will feature performances from Baltimore’s own aquatic dancers, Fluid Movement. Bill T. Jones and the Arnie Zane Dance Company will present a piece, “D-Man in the Waters.”

The water theme will also be reflected through the AquaLounge, a Morgan State University art installation of a giant water molecule, “Brocean City,” from the Baltimore Rock Opera Society and various other art installations throughout the festival. That includes the painting and stenciling of 45 storm drains scattered throughout the festival site.

For nourishment, this year’s Artscape will focus on local food and beverage vendors, with 95 percent of vendors hailing from the Baltimore region.

The 34th annual Artscape, billed as the nation’s largest free arts festival, is set for July 17-19, centering on Mount Royal Avenue between Howard and Charles streets.

Chris.Kaltenbach@baltsun.com

Twitter.com/chriskaltsun