reWIRED for Change: Sonja Sohn

Sonja Sohn is well know for her role as Detective Kima Greggs in the hit HBO show, The Wire. What many don't know is that she took a break from acting in 2009 to concentrate on social issues. She is the founder and CEO of the Baltimore-based reWIRED for Change, an outreach program intended to communicate with (and ultimately rehabilitate) at-risk youth involved in criminal activity. The program is run out of the University of Maryland School of Social Work and uses episodes of The Wire as a teaching tool.

Founder and CEO Sonja Sohn was inspired to start ReWired for Change by her own life’s journey which began in an underserved community in Newport News, Virginia and eventually led to her role as a principal cast member in The Wire. Sohn returns to television in ABC’s new series, Body of Proof, premiering Tuesday, March 29th. Other actors and writers involved with The Wire serve as board members.

Here is Erik's full interview:



reWIRED for Change is holding a fundraiser, "Pints and Pinstripes", This Saturday, March 26th. The event will be held at the Silo Point Penthouse, featuring an amazing DJ, an upscale beer garden showcasing local breweries, butlered gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction supporting ReWired For Change.

Tickets are available HERE!

More information on reWIRED for Change can be found HERE!

SXSW: Fitz & The Tantrums

While the WTMD Crew was down in Austin, Texas last week for SXSW 2011, they got a chance to check out a live performance from Fitz and The Tantrums. Here is a video of a cool cover song you may recognize!!
 

Weekend on the Radio Recap

Every Thursday morning at 6:20 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. Sam Gallant of the Creative Alliance shares with you all the cool happenings around town on Weekend on the Radio. In case you missed a detail about a specific event, here's the list for this week. This week, Megan Hamilton takes over the reins for Sam.

All Weekend Long:

• Publications and Multiples Fair, The Open Space, noon to 6
• Baltimore Greek Week, various restauraunts in the Baltimore Area

Friday, 03/23:

• Mondawmin Song and Story Hour, Mondawmin Mall, 4 to 5 p.m.
• Friday Night Dance Party, Grand Central, 8 p.m.
• Shadow Puppet Show, Metro Gallery, 7 to 10

Saturday, 03/24:

• Arty Hill's Honky Tonk Dance Party, Creative Alliance, 8 p.m.
• Making the Cut: The Final Round of the 2011 Ravens Cheerleader Selection, Sheraton Baltimore City Hotel, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
• Elton John, 1st Mariner Arena, 8 p.m.

Sunday, 03/25:

• Cherry Blossom Festival, National Mall, Washington DC

Between the Grooves: Bobby Long's Honest Connections

Sprung from the Northern Soul hotbed of Wigan, England, Bobby Long seems to immerse himself in music's authenticity and power to change. He wrote his college thesis on the social impact of folk music in America, recorded with Liam Watson (producer of The White Stripes Elephant) and his vintage analog recording equipment live to tape at the famous Toe Rag Studios and created an immediate and disarming record, A Winter Tale.

At open mic nights in London, he'd sing with pal and future vampire heartthrob Robert Pattinson, who later recorded one of his songs for the "Twilight" soundtrack. But, it's not commercial success, but musical integrity to which Long's evocative style of songwriting and soulful singing speaks and why he's our guest on this weeks' Between the Grooves, Thursday at 2pm.

CD of the Week: Breakups Galore on Atkins Amore

Nicole Atkins split from her boyfriend, her label and her backing band.  You might expect her new album could be a one-sided, venomous revenge album.

Instead, with her new band, The Black Sea, Atkins sketches out relationship endings from multiple points of blame, including herself.  Mondo Amore is WTMD's new CD of the Week. All these changes for Nicole really pay off.

Displaying those dramatic pipes, Atkins gets raw and rocking  with the reverb-soaked and string-heavy "Vultures." A  Zeppelin-like shuffle compliments Atkins bluesy delivery on "You Come to Me," a Delta-blues harp riff spices up "My Baby Don't Lie" and Jim James adds a male counterpart to ballad, "War is Hell."  That last one might have a political tale to tell--give it a listen and decide.