MAGIC TO DO
From where I sit, every new exhibit is magic. An empty gallery takes on a new coat of paint, walls and cases are installed, artifacts carefully laid in place, interactives tested and with a little dramatic lighting – tada, it’s an exhibit. Of course, this description omits the months of research, design, negotiation for objects and images, writing and editing… and just plain hard work that goes into a project. But to me it still feels like magic and, hopefully, that’s the way it feels to you too!
This month’s opening is even more magical than usual: 1) it has something to do with the subject matter; 2) we’ve infused the exhibit with magical touches and 3) we’re planning a truly spectacular launch experience on the 24th – an experience so big it won’t even fit in our building. This year all our neighbors in and around Jonestown are coming to Lloyd Street to help us celebrate our community’s metamorphosis. Stilt walkers, face painters, ranger tours and the “high” point of the afternoon: Dai Andrews dangling from a crane, escaping from a strait jacket nearly 50 feet above the crowd. Who can say that isn’t magic?
Insider tips:
1. Consider parking downtown and taking the Charm City Circulator to the Magic of Jonestown Festival – it runs on Sunday and it’s free!
2. Alternatively you might want to park at one of the parking lots in Little Italy and make the short walk to Lloyd Street (our usual Lloyd Street lot – as well as all of Lloyd Street between Baltimore St. and Lombard St. will be closed that day).
3. Repeat after me – “it’s not going to rain, it’s not going to rain, it’s not going to rain” – but if by some chance we are faced with a deluge – check our website for plan B.
~Marvin
Upcoming programs
All programs take place at the Jewish Museum of Maryland unless otherwise noted. Please contact our Programs Manager at tattwood@jewishmuseummd.org / 443-873-5177 with any questions or for more information.
JUNE
Members Only Preview*
Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini
Exhibit opens at 6:00pm
Lloyd Street Synagogue doors open for seating at 6:30pm
Program begins at 7:00pm
RESERVATION REQUIRED – Reserve Your Seats Now
Magic of Jonestown Festival
FREE
Celebrate the opening of Inescapable: The LIfe and Legacy of Harry Houdini with a day of fun!
Romania’s Journey from Darkness to Light: An American Ambassador’s Memoir
Speaker: Alfred Moses
JULY
The Psychic Contest
Speaker: David Jaher, author of The Witch of Lime Stree
Houdini Unbound
Speaker: David Saltman, author of Houdini Unbound
Mrs. Houdini: The Woman Behind the Magician
Speaker: Victoria Kelly, author of Mrs. Houdini
>>View the full JMM calendar of events here.<<
Also of Interest
The JMM is pleased to share our campus with B’nai Israel Congregation. For additional information about B’nai Israel events and services for Shabbat, please visit bnaiisraelcongregation.org. For more of this month’s events from BIYA, please visit biyabaltimore.org or check out BIYA on Facebook.
The Campbell Brothers: A Sacred Love Supreme
Creative Alliance at B’nai Israel
Location: B’nai Israel Synagogue
Get Tickets Now
Esther’s Place
Summer is upon us and so is the installation of our upcoming exhibit Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini. To celebrate, Esther’s Place is featuring brand-new merchandise centered on themes of identity, adventure, invention, and the great “escape” many plan for and covet this time of year: travel. Fuel your sense of adventure with our Ticket Stub Diary or unleash your creative powers of invention with our Mini Masterpieces Notebooks. We also have a beautiful new selection of key chains and car mezuzah designs to inspire and guide you on your travels this summer and beyond.
Please note: in order to get ready for our exciting summer, Esther’s Place will be closed on June 13 and 14!