Arts

The Sun deserves kudos for having survived the near starvation of its print edition in recent years. But to this long-time print subscriber, the emaciated paper we get today must have determined that survival depended on shedding the staff it once devoted to theater, movies and the visual arts. At the same time, however, it has retained full roster of sports coverage. Encouraging signs of The Sun's improving print effort can be seen in several superb recent investigative articles that stirred local officials to address community problems.

For an intense workout that requires strength, flexibility, technique and discipline, consider the Columbia Association's new mixed martial arts (MMA) classes. Classes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing began in February. Trainer Alvin Chan, who has a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is a former member of the World Kickboxing Association's U.S. Thai Boxing team, describes CA's foray into MMA as a “fun workout in a safe environment.” “It's the fastest growing sport in the world,” says Chan, a certified personal trainer who's worked for CA for 13 years and studied martial arts for 26 years.

More than five years after a financial crisis ravaged the U.S. economy, the Baltimore Museum of Art has finally run out of options. Museum administrators announced Monday that after exhausting other cost-cutting measures, they have laid off 14 employees, or 9 percent of the 154-member staff. The cuts, which affected 11 full-time and three part-time employees, took effect immediately. The job cuts are needed to make up a projected deficit of more than $500,000 by July 1, according to museum director Doreen Bolger, and to accommodate a budget that is shrinking by $1 million from its current level of $12.9 million for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

A federal judge last week threw out a Baltimore security guard's copyright infringement case against National Football League Properties, saying there was no evidence the NFL had licensed the use of the Ravens logo he'd designed to a software company. Frederick E. Bouchat has been credited with designing the Ravens' first logo, known as the "Flying B logo," and is awaiting compensation. In this most recent case, Bouchat claimed he wasn't getting credit for the use of the logo in some Madden NFL video games.

Ravens wide receiver LaQuan Williams sat calmly at the Baltimore Convention Center on Saturday as a tattoo artist buzzed at his shoulder, sketching out the latest design on the already well-inked torso. Williams and the artist, who goes by the name Jonny Metropolis, have totaled at least a day together in a similar fashion after getting connected through the photo-sharing service Instagram. On Saturday, Metropolis was working on theatrical masks to represent the good times and the bad times in Williams' life.

If there is a single work that captures the essence of America in sound and movement, it's "Appalachian Spring," the ballet with music by Aaron Copland and choreography by Martha Graham that premiered in 1944 at the Library of Congress. Although the sonic part of the piece is never out of earshot, thanks to the perennially performed orchestral suite Copland fashioned from the score, the opportunity to experience the music and dance in its original form doesn't come around every day. Since last fall, students at the Baltimore School for the Arts have been delving into the ballet from every angle, preparing for "An Appalachian Spring Festival," an interdisciplinary project that includes an art exhibit, a concert and panel discussions.

This sounds like it could be fun: Abrakadoodle Art Studio for Kids will host a colorful, free family event to commemorate its first year anniversary at its Studio/Gallery from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. The Kids Art Studio is located at 9606 Deereco Road, Timonium. Five art activities will be available to attendees. These include: The Gallery Exhibit, Tails of Fur & Fancy, featuring the works of four renowned Maryland artists: Patrick O'Brien, Jen Abrahamson, Sharon Krulak and Dana Morgan.

Imagine a classroom where math is taught through the works of Matisse and reading is learned through a dramatic skit instead of a textbook. That's the scenario at several Anne Arundel County public schools that use the practice of arts integration. "Arts integration strategy gets students to work with creativity. It gives them a chance to work with critical thinking," said Suzanne Owens, a visual arts coordinator for AACPS, where administrators believe a fusion of arts and core objectives gives students a better — and longer-lasting — learning experience.

One of Pikesville's most charming and well-loved buildings - a 1937 Art Deco structure fronted by a stately marquee - could soon open its doors to movie patrons for the first time in 30 years. The Baltimore County Council will be asked on April 15 to approve a zoning measure that would allow two 80-seat theaters to be added to what currently is the Pikes Diner on Reisterstown Road. "Even though the Pikes Diner operated as a movie theater for many, many years, for some reason that's not currently one of the permitted uses of that facility," said County Councilwoman Vicki Almond, who has drafted a change to the current zoning classification that would rectify the oversight.

OK, Midweek Madness fans, I thought a little something related to Easter would be in order (I'll find something for Passover next year).  So here is one of the cutest 60 seconds or so in the delectable movie "Easter Parade" with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. This particular scene has nothing to do with Easter, but who cares? This is Midweek Madness, not Midweek Relevance.