News Release

A season of innovative and entertaining performances begins next month as musicians, puppets and vaudeville acts star in SummerStage at the Mattin Center on The Johns Hopkins University's Homewood campus, 3400 N. Charles St. in Baltimore.

The series of low-cost, family-oriented shows by local artists begins Friday, May 10, and runs through Saturday, June 22. All SummerStage performances will take place in the Mattin Center, located at the corner of Charles and 33rd streets. Parking is available in the visitor's lot off Wyman Park Drive. Tickets are cash or check only. For more information about the shows listed below, call the Swirnow Theater Box Office recording at 410-516-4695. SummerStage is sponsored by the university's Homewood Arts Program.

Friday, May 10
Peabody Ragtime Ensemble and Mattin Center Art Party
Mattin Center Courtyard, 4-6 p.m.
A first birthday celebration for the Mattin Center. Enjoy the Peabody Ragtime Ensemble, named the "best jazz band of Baltimore" by Baltimore Magazine, and view the work of students on display in the Homewood Art Workshops and the Digital Media Center. Come enjoy refreshments and birthday cake and celebrate the arts at Hopkins. In case of rain, the celebration will be held in the SDS Room of the Mattin Center. Free.

Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18
Film
Mattin Center Courtyard, 8:30 p.m.
"Steamboat Bill Jr.," a classic 1928 silent film comedy starring Buster Keaton with original score and live accompaniment by the local band Boister. $5 general admission, $3 students and seniors, free for courtyard or balcony standing room. In case of rain, the event will be held in the SDS room of the Mattin Center.

Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1
New Vaudeville Show
Swirnow Theater, Friday at 8 p.m.;
Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
"Prescription for Laughter" is a celebration of new vaudeville. Enjoy the circus skills, clowning and magic of the area's best professional variety performers. The shows will be a mix and match of the dozen clowns who are all part of the Big Apple Circus "Clown Care Unit" team at Johns Hopkins Hospital. All proceeds from the shows will benefit the Clown Care Unit and Laughter Arts Foundation. $10 general admission, $8 students and senior citizens.

Friday, June 7
Jazz
Swirnow Theater, 8 p.m.
Hear the unusual grooves and group improvisations of Quartet Zero, a modern jazz group recently featured on WEAA-FM 88.9 as an act not to be missed. $7 general admission, $5 students and seniors.

Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15
Cabaret
Swirnow Theater, 8 p.m.
The duo known as the "Dueling Divas" are back at Homewood with "Ebony & Irony V: Unleashed," a showcase of their original music, topical humor and improvisational social commentary. Joyce J. Scott and Lorraine L. Whittlesey's act was named "best cabaret/performance piece" by Baltimore Magazine. $10 general admission, $8 students and seniors.

Saturday, June 22
Puppet show
Swirnow Theater, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For more than 20 years, the Black Cherry Puppet Theater has entranced local audiences with their imagination and talent. Experience the wonder of "Hansel and Gretel" and "The Sultan's Review," two of the company's marionette productions for family audiences. $5 general admission, $3 students and seniors.