Opposite page : Members of the Mera Kitchen Collective team . Bottom row , left to right : Aishah Alfadhalah , Iman Alshehab and Emily Lerman . Top row : Courtney Turner and Emilienne Zongo ( with Emilienne ' s two kids , Mia and Angela ).
Speaking of serving residents , entertainment options also can provide a bit of joy during these times . Enter the Hippodrome Foundation in Baltimore , which “ works to introduce Maryland students and community members to the arts and all of the assets of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center .” Before the pandemic , “ we would do this by providing access to shows , in-person workshops and master classes , literacy programs and more ,” explained Olive Waxter , the foundation ’ s executive director . But when the pandemic forced the Hippodrome ’ s
theater to close , the foundation ( like many others ) shifted to a virtual approach .
“[ We ] lined up premier Broadway talent to visit virtual Maryland classrooms so cast members could talk to the students , teach them to dance and sing , and really have some fun . Cast members from ‘ Disney ’ s The Lion King ,’ ‘ Hamilton ,’ ‘ Aladdin ,’ ‘ Phantom of the Opera ’ and more jumped on the opportunity to work with Maryland students , as they were out of work and understand that this is a form of therapy for people ,” Waxter explained , noting that the Hippodrome Foundation also is collaborating with school systems , the Maryland State Department of Education , teachers and principals to offer free arts education and provide cheer during difficult times . As part of this work , the foundation continues to host online programming for older adults , dance master classes , and “ At This Stage ” programming for teachers and students to learn about everything from empathy to identity .
If you want to support this dramatic
STEP
UP cause , visit the theater ’ s website at HippodromeFoundation . org , and keep
an eye on its ticket sale offerings for the coming months , and into 2022 .
Giving back — in any capacity , whether through your time , patronage or something else — will help our community recover from the pandemic . We thank you for your ongoing support of Baltimore businesses and our neighbors who work , live and thrive in this city ! VB
Alma Cocina Latina , in Station North , features a menu inspired by Venezuelan culinary roots and using contemporary techniques .
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