Arts and culture : Featured Stories

The Baltimore Playwrights Festival has been introducing audiences to new plays for more than three decades. Learn more about some of the artists who will see their works produced this summer. 

Mink Stole may be best known for acting in all of John Waters' films. But her creative repertoire also includes singing. She recently chatted with BmoreMedia about her experience making her first CD, working with the "Hairspray" director and Catholicism.  

Researchers, developers, artists and community members will discuss the challenges associated with development and gentrification at the Artists & Neighborhood Change Conference. The event takes place June 20-21 in the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. 

Baltimore filmmaker Matthew Porterfield talks about his latest film "I Used to Be Darker," showing next week at the Maryland Film Festival. The movie premiered at Sundance and picked up awards in Nashville and Buenos Aires.  

Everyman Theatre's second play in its new west side home tells the story of two couples who meet after their sons fight on the playground. 

Indie musicians are turning to concerts held in someone's home to promote their music and connect with fans. It's another manifestation of the DIY trend and a throwback to a time when people gathered around to tell stories and play music. 

The HBO comedy "VEEP" has employed nearly 1,000 extras, cast and crew during its first season of filming in Maryland. We talk to one extra, Liz Chuday, about what it's like working with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and how she got signed up by one of the world's biggest talent agencies. 

Singer Karissa LaRen wants to see more community gardens in Baltimore. So she has teamed up with a local nonprofit to plant community gardens at city schools, using the proceeds from her debut album to fund the effort.