Bourbon Street

If Ice Cube's career is any indication, the life cycle of a rapper is highly unpredictable. One day you're protesting police brutality, and 20 years later you're playing cute for the "Ramona and Beezus" set. Still, his legacy as one of the pioneers of gangsta rap is cemented, and he's sold millions of albums, including several certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. On Monday, he'll perform at Bourbon Street. Ice Cube, whose real name is O'Shea Jackson, first came to prominence in the late 1980s as part of controversial group N.W.A.

The only questions six years ago when the tradition started in Havre de Grace were why had no one thought of it before, and why did so few people show up for the first one. This year, the event drew a reasonably healthy crowd that was very well-behaved, considering the nature of the festivities, being a traditional last hurrah before the fasting season of Lent. The event, of course, is the Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Parade that came to full blossom last week on Bourbon Street in Havre de Grace.

This week's bar review is on Baltimore Soundstage, the music venue that replaces Mist (formerly Iguana Cantina) in the Inner Harbor. From the review : "Service is one of Soundstage's best qualities. The crowds have so far been uneven, and the bar and kitchen still haven't become fully operational. Meanwhile, the best thing that can be said about the room is that it'd be a great place to throw a homecoming dance. " Agree or disagree with the review? How was the City Paper party?

NEW ORLEANS -- When the Super Bowl shows up here, stuff happens. It might have something to do with the vibe. How many cities do you know where at noontime on a weekday, someone is paid to stand outside a bar in the middle of the street and hold up a large advertising sign that says: "HUGE ... BEERS"? How many cities do you know where another person is holding up another sign outside another establishment: "WASH THE GIRL OF YOUR CHOICE"? I can only think of one. It's the city where I saw both of those things Monday.

Four men were stabbed early Saturday morning inside a city nightclub, and one has died of his injuries, police said. Baltimore police responded at 1 a.m. to the Bourbon Street club in the 300 block of Guilford Avenue to find four men stabbed inside the club, according to spokesman Detective Jeremy Silbert. One of the victims, a 24-year-old man, died from his injuries, Silbert said. The three other victims were transported to local hospitals and are expected to survive, he said.

NEW ORLEANS -- When the Super Bowl shows up here, stuff happens. It might have something to do with the vibe. How many cities do you know where at noontime on a weekday, someone is paid to stand outside a bar in the middle of the street and hold up a large advertising sign that says: "HUGE ... BEERS"? How many cities do you know where another person is holding up another sign outside another establishment: "WASH THE GIRL OF YOUR CHOICE"? I can only think of one. It's the city where I saw both of those things Monday.

Mardi Gras beads were on the bars and pulsing beats were in the air Friday night at the new Bourbon Street super-club. It was Ladies Night, which meant women got in and drank for free. Bourbon Street was primed for partying; all that was missing were the people. At 11 p.m., Baltimore's newest mega-club was less than a third full. I scratched my head and hoped it was a fluke, because Bourbon Street has a lot going for it. True to its history, the building (which formerly housed Hammerjack's)

POLICE LOG* North Laurel: 9100 block of Bourbon Street: A front window was forced open at a home between July 9 and July 14, and tools were taken.

College nights have quietly returned to the Inner Harbor. Bourbon Street moved its college nights to the new Baltimore Soundstage earlier this month, the first time college nights have been held at the Inner Harbor since 2006, when they were banned over outcry from city and public officials about underage drinking. College nights at Bourbon Street were moved because the club is getting ready to close September 30. The last party was held September 1. General manager Sam Chaney said the parties will be held once a month instead of weekly, like at Bourbon Street.

"The Belleof Bourbon Street"Where: Avalon Theatre Company, Catonsville Career Center, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., CatonsvilleWhen: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; matinee June 13 at 2 p.m. Through June 19Tickets: $7Call: (410) 747-0080** 1/2This year's Baltimore Playwrights Festival has opened with a play that deals with the appropriate theme of the creation of art.Grant Carrington's "The Belle of Bourbon Street," the first offering of the 12th annual festival, poses such questions as: Who dictates the nature of art -- the artist or the consumer?

Bike thefts appear to be increasing in Havre de Grace and police are urging residents to make sure their bikes are secured. Eight to 10 bikes have been stolen in the city in the last two to three months, Ofc. Jeff Gilpin, of the Havre de Grace Police, said Tuesday. "People are leaving their bikes laying in their front yards, they're not putting them away," Gilpin said. The most recent bike stolen was a red Schwinn stolen from the 600 block of Bourbon Street, some time overnight Sunday into Monday.

Laurel police report felonies, arrests and property crimes. Prince George's County police report violent crimes and property crimes. Howard County police report major crimes, break-ins and car thefts. City of Laurel Washington Boulevard, Unit block, Aug. 18. Theft from motor vehicle. Washington Boulevard, 700 block, Aug. 18. Theft from motor vehicle. East Arbory Court, 7600 block, Aug. 17. Motor vehicle theft. Adam Court, 9100 block, Aug. 16. Motorcycle theft.

Harford County sheriff's deputies and state police report: Aberdeen Addidas Maurice Doby, 25, of the 1300 block of Tralee Circle, was charged Saturday with marijuana possession. Jamie Lee Kewer, 34, of the 300 block of Woodland Green Court, was charged Saturday with theft less than $1,000. Amanda Lynn Walker, 33, of the 600 block of Market Street was charged Saturday with two counts of drug possession other than marijuana. Michael Elijah Christian, 22, of the 100 block of Woodland Green Way, was charged Sunday with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The print on the cocktail napkins at Fells Point's newest hot spot, Bond Street Social, says it all: "Socialize". The bar and restaurant, a warm, earthy, industrial lounge, is dedicated to this simple concept. "It's all about sharing", said General Manager Shane Gerken. "We're committed to that theme: from the aesthetics and design to our menus. " While the food, described as "high-end comfort" is based around the trendy small plates concept, Bond Street's social drinks, with their 80-ounce infusion jars, brings a unique new idea to the table.

This week's bar review is on Baltimore Soundstage, the music venue that replaces Mist (formerly Iguana Cantina) in the Inner Harbor. From the review : "Service is one of Soundstage's best qualities. The crowds have so far been uneven, and the bar and kitchen still haven't become fully operational. Meanwhile, the best thing that can be said about the room is that it'd be a great place to throw a homecoming dance. " Agree or disagree with the review? How was the City Paper party?

College nights have quietly returned to the Inner Harbor. Bourbon Street moved its college nights to the new Baltimore Soundstage earlier this month, the first time college nights have been held at the Inner Harbor since 2006, when they were banned over outcry from city and public officials about underage drinking. College nights at Bourbon Street were moved because the club is getting ready to close September 30. The last party was held September 1. General manager Sam Chaney said the parties will be held once a month instead of weekly, like at Bourbon Street.

It looks like The Fillmore isn't the only new music venue opening this Fall. Mist nightclub in the Inner Harbor will be replaced in September by a brand new music venue, Baltimore SoundStage, it will be announced today. The venue, which is scheduled to open on Labor Day, intends to present "touring artists in an intimate club environment," according to the announcement. Shows will be presented for standing room-only crowds but also, depending on the act, in a seated format.