Fashion Show

For years, the rap on Baltimore's annual outdoor festival of the arts has been that it's more about the food and drink on hand than about the actual artwork on display. Artscape was only a few years old when disgruntled artists countered with the light-hearted spoof, "Foodscape." Solely devoted to picturing good things to eat, the show was such a hit that it morphed into its own annual event at the nearby Mount Royal Tavern. ARTSCAPE In addition to the artists' kiosks in the food court, there will be art shows at many area schools and galleries, concerts on the mainstage by the Isley Brothers, Keyshia Cole, Clarence "Bluesman" Turner and others, a fashion show, films, dance, theater, opera and concert performances and the annual art car show.

THE DOORS to Brooklyn Park High School may have closed in 1990, but alumni are working to ensure that their school is not forgotten: An alumni association is being formed to unite former BPHS students, faculty, staff and friends of the school.All are welcome to attend the association's meeting at 6: 30 p.m. Thursday at the Brooklyn Park library, 1 E. 11th Ave. The main business will be to finalize bylaws.Information: 410-789-7214 or 410-636-3269; or send e-mail to salut@erols.com.Church fashion showA Unity in the Spirit Fashion Show and Dinner will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Lloyd Keaser Center, 5757 Belle Grove Road.

THIS SUNDAY, enjoy a top-notch fashion show while supporting a worthy cause. "Passion for Fashion" is sponsored by three local salons -- Mason & Friends, Patrick's Hair Design and Victoria & Albert Hair Studio -- to benefit the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource and Image Center.Pam Mason of Mason & Friends is coordinator for the show. "It's amazing how the community is coming together for this," she says.Representatives from the salons will do hair and makeup for the 70 models in the show. Businesses donated goods or services, and members of the Maryland Mania professional soccer team will escort models on the runway.

Three New York men were arrested and charged with opening fire and wounding five people early yesterday morning in a Southeast Baltimore dance hall packed with 450 patrons who came for a fashion show and dance.Police said one of the suspects might be a member of the New York-based rap group Pitched Black, which had been performing. The three suspects were arrested in a 1999 Mercedes-Benz in which police said they found two semiautomatic handguns.None of the victims was seriously wounded in the shooting, which occurred at 1 a.m. yesterday at Sher-Wes Gardens, a former bingo hall in the 1700 block of Dundalk Ave.All were released from area hospitals by yesterday afternoon.

Jerwon Bethel spent his summer sewing a denim ensemble -- vest, shorts and two hats -- that he struts in every chance he gets.A reversible vest gives it that store-bought look, and it fits fine, thank you.Twelve-year-old Jerwon learned his skills in the past two months at Edmondson Westside High School's Career Technology Summer Camp.The six-week program introduces Baltimore seventh- and eighth-graders to vocational options through 13 courses that focus on such pursuits as styling hair, designing homes on the computer, and baking cakes.

Louise Weinberg grew up in her father's business, Leo Amster Bridal and Formalwear, and even ran it for a number of years with her sister. Eventually, 60-hour work weeks plus raising a family didn't make sense, so the business was sold. But Weinberg, 45, hasn't relinquished her own sense of style, honed on many a buying trip to New York."I was always brought up in clothing, and it was just part of me," says the Owings Mills resident. "Even today, I try to get to New York as often as possible.

Latease Hewlett, a 19-year-old sophomore at the College of Notre Dame, could model a shower curtain and make it look good. In fact, she has worn a shower curtain -- turned into a snazzy, belted jacket by her uncle, Danny Hewlett -- at a fashion show back in her City College high school days. The curtain, graced with quarter and sixteenth notes and topped off with vintage 45s, would cause even the biggest fashion skeptic to sing in the shower.When she's not styling on the runway, Hewlett, of North Baltimore, is sweet on designer labels such as Dolce & Gabbana, Isaac Mizrahi, Emanuel Ungaro, DKNY and the store, Bebe.

It wasn't a fashion show that the folks in Milan and Paris will be doing anytime soon, but a small showing of Civil War period dress held last night at an Ellicott City microbrewery presented a window to a slice of Howard County's history.The fashion show, "Civil War: Clothing During the Conflict; A Retrospective of Civilian and Military Attire from 1855 to 1865," was part of an awards ceremony that recognizes historical renovation in Ellicott City.The awards given by the Historic District Commission of Ellicott City went to the owners of four buildings that have undergone thousands of dollars of renovation and restoration.

EAST COLUMBIA has another young lady in the spotlight. Kings Contrivance resident Stephanie Waters is playing the role of Ann Egerman in "A Little Night Music," which runs through Sept. 27 at the Spotlight Theater in Arlington, Va.Stephanie, a senior at River Hill High School, has appeared in the school's drama productions. She is also River Hill's student council representative to the Howard County Board of Education.Her vocal talents have been recognized by the Maryland High School Theater Festival -- she has won the top female award -- and she also received the Maryland Distinguished Scholar in the Arts award.

More than 500 people packed Martin's West last night to check out the latest high-fashion production by local designer Travis Winkey and to see one of Baltimore's most famous natives, actress Jada Pinkett, who was in town with television star and friend, actor Will Smith.The fashion show and reception, which attracted eager fans and Baltimore notables alike, was sponsored by Northwest Baltimore Corp., an umbrella organization of more than 60 city neighborhood groups.Proceeds from the event will help fund the organization's adult literacy, day care and other programs, which benefit more than 60,000 residents.

It was a classic case of what not to wear. Mary Schiller, a Howard County school system employee, walked down the aisle in a gray T-shirt that read "Yankees Suck." To accent the outfit, she wore ripped jeans and flip-flops. "Is this school attire?" Mamie Perkins asked the crowd gathered in Reservoir High's cafeteria. "No!" the crowd of teachers yelled back. "Mary calls that her grunge look," Perkins, the system's chief of staff, said with a laugh. "It's perfect for Saturday." In Howard County, teachers are being told to ditch their inappropriate duds at the workplace.

Fashion is certainly the passion with Baltimore's social set these days. Fashion-themed fundraisers have been popping up all over. Among the latest, the first-ever VIP shindig last weekend prior to Maryland Institute College of Art's annual Student Fashion Show. No sooner had MICA board chair Fredye Gross, and fellow fashionistas Suzi Cordish, Wendy Jachman and Terry Morgenthaler, organized the get-together, than all 100 tickets sold out. Guests got to enjoy a buffet as well as take part in a silent auction that offered new and barely used wearable treasures (size 81/2 Jimmy Choos, anyone?

At the post-show party for the 51st Annual Ebony Fashion Fair , held at Morgan State University's Murphy Fine Arts Center, it became apparent that it wasn't just the show that has a proud history. When the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. began hosting the touring fashion show more than 50 years ago, the chapter already had a 44-year jump on it. And for many of the party's guests, the history of both was a personal one. "It's awesome. I've been coming since I was in the fifth grade.

No one will ever be able to accuse Nathalie Beatty of being a wallflower - in either her style or her personality. This "professional volunteer" is known for carrying off a cutting-edge style. Just check out her outfit as she co-chaired the Ruth Shaw Fashion Show at the Baltimore School for the Arts. The 41-year-old Baltimore resident credits her Egyptian-born mom. "I was definitely influenced by my mother's European aesthetic, but I've always had my own strong opinions about what I like.

One of the hottest spots in Baltimore last weekend was a car dealership, as a couple hundred glammed-up guests nibbled on hors d'oeuvres and sipped cocktails while surrounded by exotic cars at Maserati of Baltimore. Casino games inside and a cigar lounge outside added to the evening's pleasures. It all led up to a high-end, high-energy fashion show featuring collections from several area designers. And that was inside the dealership's garage. A very clean garage, we should add. The evening's high point came after all but one of the outfits had been shown, when event chairwoman Jasmine Richardson introduced guest of honor, Baltimore native and "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano, and the night's one live auction item - a black chiffon cocktail dress he designed for the occasion.

Caribbean Carnival The lowdown: Caribbean cultures collide at Druid Hill Park, with fire dancing, singers and traditional cuisine. Attend the Clash of the DJs Competition tomorrow or listen to performers from the West Indies, Africa and Baltimore on Saturday and Sunday. : If you go: Clash of the DJs takes place 5 p.m.-9 p.m. tomorrow. Other performances are from noon-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The park is at 2600 Madison Ave. Admission is free tomorrowand $5 on other days. Call 410-396-6106 or go to bmorecarnival.

The runway stretched only the width of the stage, but Jermaine Rose made the most of it. Strutting in a hot-pink T-shirt, a tweed blazer slung over his shoulder, he made his turn toward backstage, flinging the jacket to the audience, as if they would expect such catwalk theatrics. Yesterday's fashion show fundraiser for Stand Up for Kids, a local charity aimed at helping homeless youths, may have been a debut event. But Rose, an 18-year-old Harbor City High School student, was no amateur.

Nicole Nussbaum knows better than to wear a T-shirt, a hoodie and leggings to a job interview. That's why the Atholton High School junior wore the casual outfit in a "Dress for Success" fashion show for teens yesterday: to help show her peers what not to wear to a job interview. The fashion show was part of the third annual Teen Job and Volunteer Fair at Long Reach High School in Columbia. The free event, coordinated by the nonprofit HC DrugFree, included more than 85 exhibitors and workshops for teens on topics such as interviewing skills.

The Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce will host the Baltimore-Washington Regional Workforce Solutions Summit from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute, 692 Maritime Blvd., Linthicum Heights. The summit includes exhibitor tables, networking time and lunch, and will focus on hiring challenges facing area employers. The cost is $75 for members prepaid, $95 for nonmembers and at the door. Information: Shirley Redd, 301-725-4000, 410-792-9714, or shirley@baltwashcham ber.org.

For years, the rap on Baltimore's annual outdoor festival of the arts has been that it's more about the food and drink on hand than about the actual artwork on display. Artscape was only a few years old when disgruntled artists countered with the light-hearted spoof, "Foodscape." Solely devoted to picturing good things to eat, the show was such a hit that it morphed into its own annual event at the nearby Mount Royal Tavern. ARTSCAPE In addition to the artists' kiosks in the food court, there will be art shows at many area schools and galleries, concerts on the mainstage by the Isley Brothers, Keyshia Cole, Clarence "Bluesman" Turner and others, a fashion show, films, dance, theater, opera and concert performances and the annual art car show.