This year's Artscape boasts tons of fun stuff to do and see, including performances by the Baltimore Rock Opera Society, screenings of Maryland Film Festival shorts, national headliners Brian McKnight and Rebirth Brass Band, plus all of the wonderful arts and craft vendors that define the free festival. But, let's not forget about some of the lesser-known acts, like Towson native Emma White.

White is a singer-songwriter who describes her style as "pop/soul." Currently residing in Nashville with plans to move up to New York City, she says she's excited about her performance at Artscape, which will be a far cry from her usual coffee-shop venues.

Did you always know you wanted to be a singer?
Oh yeah, ever since I was super little. I sang my very first National Anthem at a Little League game when I was 8 years old. I did musical theater a little bit and would travel up to New York to get voice lessons. Eventually, after a year at College Park, I decided I wanted to go to Berklee College of Music.

When did you realize it could turn from passion into a viable career?
I'm still trying to figure that out [laughs]. I think it's possible. I'm just trying to get smarter about it and learn the business. I use social media as best I can. There are so many options for people doing stuff on their own without a record deal. I've been sending CDs out since I was 16 and they've been returned. That strategy is so difficult. The more you can do on your own, the better. You can go through CD Baby or Tune Core, a site where the fans pay as much as they want. There are so many outlets that are empowering for independent artists.

How do you describe your vocal style?
I've always wanted to do pop/soul, but in college I really got into singer-songwriter stuff like folk, Americana, and jazz. I started in musical theater and I also love country. I just like good music. I try not to sound like the person whose song I'm singing. When I was learning to sing, I had to do it my own way.

Talk about the music you've put out there so far.
I have one album out on iTunes called His Eyes, which I did a while ago, so it's time for some new stuff. I have a new single "Indestructible," which is a cover of a Robyn song. All of the stuff on my first CD is original and I'm constantly writing, which is the biggest challenge for me. But writing my own songs is really fulfilling and I try to do that the most I can.

Are you excited to be playing Artscape?
Yeah, I'm so excited and just shocked. I've been wanting to do stuff in Baltimore so badly. I don't even know how it happened. I just started with this booking agent here in town and he submitted my stuff. It's totally surreal. I feel like very lucky for it. I'm freaking out a little bit because the big person I am excited about is Brian McKnight. I grew up listening to him and he was a huge influence.

How are you preparing for your performance on such a big stage?
Well I am having a really big band with me. In high school, I did the "Senior Night Live" talent show and had this really big band, so it will sort of be like that. I'm going to have two horn players and go all out. Typically I'm at small coffee shops and I play more quiet, intimate music. So this will be awesome to move around and have a whole band backing me. I will definitely play more up-tempo stuff. I might have some family and friends come up on stage. And I'm trying to finish a new song in time to perform it.

What exciting things do you have coming up?
I definitely want to put out more new music. I'm thinking about going to New York and trying to find my way a little bit there. My sister lives there and she already said it was okay to crash with her.

How do you feel about the Baltimore music scene?
I know that there are opportunities to perform, but I feel like the community could even grow a lot more here. There are so many great musicians here, but it's not a Nashville or New York. Making connections has been hard. But that might be me—I'm always running to the next thing and might be missing what's right around me.

Be sure to check out Emma White on Sunday at noon on the Wells Fargo stage.

Yesterday I got a chance to stop by Willow, a new lounge that officially opened in Fells Point on Friday. Brought to you by the same people who opened RYE and Stuggy's, Willow is also located on the 800 block of South Broadway.

The name (which was chosen because of willow trees' resilient and independent qualities) also reflects the organic feeling decor of the place—all earthtone accents and beautiful sage-colored walls. The former Sam's Kid space is well transformed with community tables in the front (seating 10-12 people), a Spanish tiled, teardrop-shaped bar, and a striking lounge upstairs—complete with fireplace and retro furniture (some salvaged from 1920's Guilford mansions).

The concept of Willow, as described to me by co-owner Ryan Perlberg, is an "infusion lounge." The drink menu heavily relies on house-made infusions (crafted by RYE and Willow bar manager Doug Atwell): think rhubarb vodka, jalapeño tequila, and blackberry bourbon. The menu also includes abbreviations, which are $7 shot drinks, a concept brought over from RYE.

The cuisine consists of casual Latin fare like mix-and-match tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and taco salad and includes proteins like Korean BBQ, vegan chorizo, smoked lamb, and pork adobo. Perlberg points out that the menu is almost entirely gluten-free.

Judging from opening weekend (the lounge was packed both Friday and Saturday) and the success of the other two Broadway businesses, Willow is sure to be a hit for customers who want innovative cocktails and affordable food in a beautiful atmosphere.

[Images: courtesy of Willow]

Union Craft Brewing, the latest micro-brewhouse in town, is celebrating the launch of its first two beers with a release party at Max's Taphouse on Friday.

I got a chance to speak with co-founder Jon Zerivitz, who said that about three years ago he quit his day job as a graphic designer at T. Rowe Price to pursue his passion of home brewing. Through mutual friends, Zerivitz met Kevin Blodger, the medal-winning head brewer at Gordon Biersch in Chicago, who was interested in coming back home to Baltimore. 

The two then co-founded Union Craft Brewing, located in a 7,200-square-foot warehouse in Woodberry. "We really wanted to be a neighborhood brewery and be right here in the city," Zerivitz said. "There was some red tape working with city zoning and retrofitting an old building, but it was important to us."

The 20-barrel brewhouse is now ready to debut its first two beers: Duckpin Pale Ale and Balt Altbier. Zerivitz says that he wanted both of his flagship beers to be approachable. The Duckpin is made with a relatively new hop variety grown in Australia and New Zealand, giving off a fruity, citrus profile. The Balt Altbier refers to an old, German style of brewing and is copper-colored with a malty, slightly sweet flavor.

The two new brews will be served on draft and in firkins at a release party at Max's Taphouse starting at 5 p.m. on Friday. After that, Union Craft will roll them out in Hampden bars on July 3 and in Federal Hill spots on July 5.

As for the future, Zerivitz says look out for a summer seasonal available in August, as well as brewery tours and tastings around that same time. 

[Image: courtesy of Union Craft Brewing]

If you're not attending any of the Beltway rivarly events this weekend, you should check out The Walters Art Museum's exhibit preview party "Game Show at the Walters" on Saturday night.

Prior to the event, guests are invited to join the Walters Enthusiasts (WE)—a group for people ages 25-45 who want to be more involed at the museum—for a cocktail taste test and a behind-the-scenes tour of the new summer exhibition, Public Property. The Walter Enthusiasts group seems to be part of a larger trend, like the Pratt Contemporaries, of storied institutions trying to attract a younger following. Tickets are going fast, but stay tuned for future WE events.

The main event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. in the Walters auditorium with a game show that features artwork from Public Property, a unique exhibit all its own because the show's title, themes, and artworks were chosen by more than 53,000 votes cast online and by museum visitors. The interactive nature will be evident Saturday night, too, as each piece of art will be a "contestant" and the winner will be determined by the audience and celebrity judges, including WYPR's Aaron Henkin and musician Dominic “Shodekeh” Bouma.

The event will also feature food trucks from Cazbar and The Wild Dog, craft cocktails from Rye, and a live performance from local band Yeveto.

The whole soiree sounds like a really fun way to introduce the unique exhibit, which runs through August 19. 

[Image: courtesy of The Walters Art Museum]