'The Real Geniuses' To Rock Fest-of-All

We’re all gearing up for this year’s Fest-of-All, which is shaping up to be the best yet! Of course we’ve got hot auction items, ranging from vacations to dining deals; the ever popular Fashion Show; tons of great food and drink; a live Latin dance performance; and a new headlining band: The Real Geniuses!

Formed in August 2000, The Real Geniuses are a great cover band. Their popularity grew and within months they were playing all over the Baltimore/DC area. The band focuses mostly on 80s new wave/party songs, but they can play anything from the 50s to the early 90s, which makes them versatile enough to get anybody up and dancing!

With male and female vocalists, there isn’t a song that these guys - and gal - can’t pull off. Check out their set list and more on their website.

Groovin’ yet? If you haven’t gotten tickets for Fest of All, order online at the Fest of All event site or call 202-727-4500.

--Jackie Dudas, Intern

Federal Hill Cookbook Featured in The Guide

Federal Hill Cooks! has become quite a hit. The book features all-star recipes from Federal Hill residents, business owners, and restaurant chefs. Categories include appetizers, salads, soups & sandwiches, side dishes, main dishes, and desserts. Almost as sensational as the flavors are the anecdotes that accompany each recipe. They give a little bit of history and perspective on the recipe, passing along what makes them so dear to each author.

A labor of love of the volunteer Federal Hill Main Street cookcook committee, Federal Hill Cooks! was noticed by Baltimore Guide editor Jacqueline Watts, who was inspired by the stories, particularly that of Grandmom Iafolla’s Meatballs and Spaghetti Sauce.

Read the whole article here online or find it on the front page of the Baltimore Guide. http://baltimoreguide.com/http:/baltimoreguide.com/home-cooked/

Federal Hill Cooks is available at Federal Hill Main Street (42 E Cross) and The Book Escape (805 Light) for $20.

- Jackie Dudas, Intern

Seasoned Chef Opens Breakfast & Barbecue

Orlando Morozov has been jet-setting all over the world: South Africa, Spain, Denmark, and more. He returned to the U.S. about 4 years ago and recently opened his first stateside O’s Breakfast and Barbecue in Cross Street Market.

The food at O’s will keep you coming back, whether for old favorites or to try a new and unique dish. Breakfast & Barbecue might sound like an odd combination, but while O’s headlines their breakfast, they do everything from salmon burgers and Caribbean jerk to pancakes, and even offer delivery and catering.

Orlando got involved in the restaurant business while living in Copenhagen. Sick of not being able to get good breakfast, he decided to open his own place. A big breakfast isn’t typical for the Danes; they usually stick to healthy breads and light fare. However, local skeptics turned to patrons, and Orlando opened up five more Copenhagen O’s Breakfast & Barbecues, and another in Stockholm, Sweden.

More than 100 people worked for Orlando, including 30 cooks who shared their tricks and helped him perfect his recipes, including a legitimately French toast, with the real-deal recipe provided by a French friend. The secret ingredient is so top secret that even his wife and coworker, Aleks, couldn’t tell you how to make it!

Orlando and Aleks, a native of Russia, feel the open environment of the Market is perfect for his “test-drive” of O’s. Orlando is confident that neighborhood word-of-mouth from his wifi-equipped Market stall will get the name out.

O’s is doing breakfast and burgers, and the barbecue items will come in the next 10 days or so. Open 7-7, Monday through Friday. Breakfast is served all day! Info: http://www.osbreakfastandbarbeque.com/default.html.

By Jackie Dudas

Save the Date: Saturday, Feb. 26

Join us for the party everyone is talking about! The 4th Annual Fest-of-All Party & Fashion Show is a Celebration of Everything Federal Hill on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. The night will be filled with music, dancing, food & drink, fashion, and a silent auction. The spectacular fashion show will feature spring fashions and accessories from several neighborhood boutiques with hair and make-up by local salons.

Tickets are $60 in advance and $75 at the door. Price includes food and open bar provided by several fine Federal Hill restaurants and taverns. Proceeds go to Federal Hill Main Street to promote the business district and community as a great place to live and work and work and to support a new small business revolving loan fund.

If you would like to reach hundreds of customers by becoming a friend of Fest-of-All contact Federal Hill Main Street at 410.727.4500 or admin@historicfederalhill.org. Get great exposure through advertisement opportunities, silent auction donations, and sponsorship. Save the date and visit our website for more information and to purchase tickets.

--Jackie Dudas, Intern

Federal Hill Bookstore Hosts Local Author

Would you spend $100,000 to have your best friend cloned? Some people are more than willing to "paw" the bill for unending, unconditional love. John Woestendiek, one of our own here in South Baltimore, tells “The uncanny inside story of cloning man’s best friend” in Dog, Inc. A Pulitzer Prize winning former Baltimore Sun reporter, Woestendiek exposes the business of dog cloning and the people who indulge.

Woestendiek was featured in Parade Magazine last weekend and will be featured on the Diane Rehm show on NPR today. The Book Escape (of 805 Light Street) has arranged for Woestendiek to do two local book signings, where the book will be for sale. Tonight (January 5), the place is Idle Hour, 201 E. Fort Avenue, and tomorrow (January 6), Captain Larry’s, 601 E Fort Avenue. Both signings start at 7 and end around 11 PM.

The Book Escape is also selling copies in the store and on their website if you can’t make it to the signings. Info: www.thebookescape.com

-- Jackie Dudas, Intern