In this issue, we decided to mark the end of Baltimore’s hot and swampy summer with a bit of an Autumn celebration. Yes, technically, the first day of fall was last month, but it didn’t really feel like fall—with brisk, cool days and pretty leaves—until the start of October. In these pages, you’ll get a look at some of the preparation that goes into the Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival. Now in its 23rd year, the festival unites communities to create beautiful and whimsical floats and lanterns that glow in the night, right before Halloween.
“The Great Halloween Lantern Parade is about community and creativity,” writes Arts and Culture Editor Teri Henderson, who, along with photographer Cameron Snell, attended some of the lantern-making workshops Highlandtown’s Creative Alliance is holding leading up to the October 22 event. There, they found artists and community members working side by side to create something beautiful.
You’ll also find tasty drink recipes from bartenders from some popular spots in the city, including flavors of cardamom, apple butter, and pumpkin spice.
Also in this issue, you’ll see our take on some of the things happening in the city, including a ballot initiative that could return local control of the Baltimore City Police Department, the latest in Johns Hopkins University’s continued efforts to establish their own private police force, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s decision to free Adnan Syed. Why is he free while Keith Davis Jr. still sits behind bars, we ask.
It’s spooky season, so film critic Dominic Griffin gives us a review of Wes Craven’s “The People Under the Stairs.” It’s an underrated gem, he says. Also, Iya Osundara is back with tarot card readings for the month of November.