Festival of fun | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

The 27th annual festival, which typically draws more than 500,000 visitors, also offers fashion, film, hands-on projects for children and an international menu.

"It's a fun way to get out and spend the weekend, especially if you love art," said Tracy Baskerville, communications director for the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts.

This year, Artscape is expanding its borders - and taking a "green" turn.

"It's literally bigger than ever this year," Ms. Baskerville said.

In the past, Artscape has centered around the Lyric Opera House, Mt. Royal Avenue and Cathedral Street in midtown Baltimore. This year, the festival will reach into the 1400 to 1700 blocks of Charles Street, incorporating the University of Baltimore, area restaurants and galleries and even Penn Station into the mix.

"If you get off the train, you're right in the middle of Artscape," Ms. Baskerville said.

The expansion also allowed organizers more room for a "Green Food Court." The court, to be located on Charles Street near Lafayette Avenue, will offer sustainable and organic food vendors, along with information about recycling and how to reduce one's carbon footprint - a measure, in carbon dioxide units, of how human activities affect the environment through greenhouse gas emissions.

Of course, the festival's traditional deep-fried favorites will still be available.

Artists' Market

Each year, hundreds of artists from painters and sculptors to photographers and glass blowers submit applications to be part of the festival, and each year, festival organizers try to bring in new talent, Ms. Baskerville said.

Local businesswomen Alli Oliver of Annapolis and Stefanie DiBenedetto of Arnold, founders of Shagbag LLC, will be making their first appearance at Artscape this weekend in the Artists' Market, an area of Artscape along Mt. Royal Avenue.

"Typically, any special setting where boutique-like products are appreciated is good for us," Ms. Oliver said. Shagbags is a line of eco-friendly, stylish and reusable handbags. Ms. Oliver and Ms. DiBenedetto started the company in 2007 and business has grown ever since.

"As awareness about Shagbag increases, people see the bags as great opportunities for unique, green gift giving," Ms. Oliver said, adding their booth at Artscape will have several of the crunchable bags for sale with designs like "Baby Quack," "Grey Flip Flop" and "Pink Polka."

Aaron Reed, a young, Georgia-based artist, also will be participating in his first Artscape this weekend.

"I heard great things about the show," Mr. Reed said. "I attend several very large shows in the country, and Artscape was said to be one of the top art shows. I wanted to give it a try."

Mr. Reed often uses charcoal, colored pencils and chalk in his work, which he describes as a "mix between abstract and realism" and "heavily influenced by music, family, sports and love."

Another first-timer at the festival is the "Do It Yourself (DIY)" area, where more than 50 tables will sell DIY wares from independent crafters for under $100.

Also new this year: Midway, an artistic comment on carnivals; Photo Booth, featuring 500 on-the-spot photos of festival-goers; and street theater near Penn Station.

Returning once again are Fashion at Artscape and Dance at Artscape. Local and regional fashion shows will be on the runway all weekend at the University of Baltimore campus located at Gordon Plaza at Mt. Royal and Maryland avenues. The dancing will be at the Lyric Opera House, 101 West Mt. Royal Ave., and the highlight will be performances at 3 and 5 p.m. tomorrow by the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Outdoor stages

Artscape has had its share of big-name acts: Ray Charles, Isaac Hayes, Boyz II Men and Kool and the Gang to name a few.

This year, the festival can add jazz and soul singer Roberta Flack, rock and rollers Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and reggae legends The Wailers to the list. Flack and Jett perform tonight, while The Wailers perform tomorrow.

And tomorrow, Mike Doughty will sing selections from his new album, "Golden Delicious," at 7 p.m. on the Saturn Stage (for a preview of Mike Doughty's performance, see Michael Buckley's column).

Baltimore-based R&B singer Mario, recently of Dancing with the Stars fame, and R&B group Dru Hill with Sisqo will perform tomorrow.

"These young men have made the city of Baltimore proud with their talent and success," Ms. Baskerville said, adding that the Main Stage will serve as a "welcome mat" for the nationally known performers.

Along with the headliners, the festival offers a full schedule of free concerts taking place on four outdoor stages. Concerts began at noon today (for the complete concert schedule, visit www.artscape.org and click on the Performances link at the upper left once you have entered their site).

Several new musical additions join Artscape this year, including the Chick Webb Jazz Combo Competition. Baltimore-born William Henry Webb, known as Chick Webb, was considered the premiere drummer of the swing era. As part of the competition, five semi-finalist jazz groups will perform at 3 p.m. tomorrow in the Everyman Theatre on North Charles Street.

Back for the 19th year is the Billie Holiday Competition along with the second annual Cab Calloway Competition scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. tomorow in the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall at 1212 Cathedral St.

Also not to be missed is a performance by Annapolis' own Ballet Theatre of Maryland. The ballet, which performs at Maryland Hall during its season, will be on the stage at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Lyric Opera House. They will perform excerpts from "Dawn Songs" and "Patriotic American Ballads."

Meanwhile, if you have little ones in tow, children's music can be found at the Target Family Art Park. The park also will feature dance, martial arts, drumming and flute making lessons.

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Getting there: Artscape organizers are encouraging visitors to take public transportation. The State Center Metro subway station is within steps of the festival. The MTA buses also run near the festival, and the light rail stop at the University of Baltimore/Mt. Royal Avenue is in the center of the activities.

Paid parking garages also are located through the festival grounds, including the Symphony Center Garage at Park and Preston streets and the University of Baltimore Garage on Maryland Avenue at Biddle Street. The Maryland State Office parking lots at Eutaw and Preston streets also are available with free parking throughout Artscape.

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Allison Eatough is a freelance writer living in Ellicott City. She is a former reporter for The Capital.