Every first Thursday of the month, from May to October, 89.7 WTMD hosts First Thursday, a free outdoor concert by Baltimore’s Washington Monument where people picnic and listen to a particular local or nonlocal band.
Last Thursday, WTMD presented Baltimore-based musician ellen cherry, as well as the award-winning R&B artists the Holmes Brothers, from Virginia, to commemorate the beginning of September.
ellen (she goes uncapitalized) is a self-described “singer, songwriter, musician, designer, artist, producer, recording engineer and human” who has performed with Boyz II Men and Jackson Brown, and operates her website at ellencherry.com
Her song “We Are Baltimore” was commissioned by FOX News to promote the city’s sense of community, and was nominated for an Emmy this year.
On Thursday, ellen’s folksy and mellow style, complete with a quirky haircut and long comfy dress, made for great picnic accompaniment, and the music itself held up creatively as well.
She also served as hostess and comedienne between songs, and the comedy was very funny, especially a bit about Clark Kent changing into Superman in a Port-a-Potty.
The highlight of the set, though not her own piece, was her cover of “Way Down in the Hole”, originally by Tom Waits.
The original version of the song served as the opening theme for The Wire during its five-season run, a true source of pride for a Baltimore enthusiast, which ellen (and much of the crowd) certainly is, making it an appropriately patriotic addition to her set.
The Holmes Brothers, consisting of bassist Sherman, guitarist/pianist Wendell and dummer/‘brother-in-spirit’ Popsy Dixon, added a blues-rock-funk-country blend to the show.
Their energy, alongside their upbeat spirit, excited the audience and inspired them to dance and mingle.
Rocking together since 1967 (they would officially form ten years later), the band’s strong experience-based dynamic elicited among the audience the same kind of familiarity they felt on stage.
They performed, among other things, a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Opportunity to Cry”, which was a great hit.
“You’re the Kind of Trouble,” an audience favorite, had a funky upbeat rhythm that worked well with its stop-and-sing chorus that went ‘You’re the kind of trouble I could get into.”
First Thursday was a great way to feel like a part of Baltimore, especially when attending a university that sometimes makes you feel as though it wants to cut you off from it.
Local food vendors set up shop around the grassed area, and alcohol was available, though not allowed from outside.
It was easy to get there, as the free JHMI shuttle stops three blocks away at the Peabody library.
Nearby were local Mount Vernon treats like Brewer’s Art, Afghani restaurant the Helmand, and independent bookstore café Red Emma’s, as well as Peabody itself.
The audience members were excited to meet others and further integrate into the community.
Children, pets, and cameras were all welcome, though pets had to be on a leash.
The next and last First Thursday will be October 7, at 5:30 p.m. Definitely grab some buddies and go.
