Museum Monday: The Reginald F. Lewis Museum

Black History month—It’s happening right now.

February is Black History month and Baltimore has the perfect Museum where you can celebrate. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture is educational, entertaining and generally spectacular.

It provides an integral and thorough look at the African American experience in Maryland and beyond. Support the month and check out a new museum, maybe you’ll learn something valuable outside of Loyola’s confounds.

Spokes – Everyone I Ever Met

It doesn’t take long to figure out that Everyone I Ever Met is orchestrated in a different vein than Spokes’ rookie EP, People Like People Like You. Risks have been taken, and mind you, these aren’t “risks” like we normally think of them. People Like People Like You was a fairly conventional post-rock EP, but this description belies its beauty. Poor Spokes watched from outside the lines as less-worthy post-rockers enjoyed oodles more fame than they. With soaring violins and condensed song lengths, Spokes crafted a mellifluous Shortcut to Enjoying Post-Rock. Somehow the Englishmen crammed the magic of every spellbinding post-rock record you’ve heard into a delightfully accessible package. Three years later, Spokes sound bent on transforming this winning formula, and unexpectedly it pays off.

Sports Saturday: Monster Jam

Monster trucks. Monster drivers. MONSTER JAM.

That’s right, the carnival of carnage is coming to Baltimore at the end of February, setting up shop at the 1st Mariner Arena from the 25th until the 27th. Monster Jam is a live motorsport event that tours the country, allowing fans to look on as enormous trucks destroy smaller ones salvaged from scrap yards only to meet a more painful demise. Appearing in four separate installments, there will be competitions in both racing, as well as performing freestyle tricks with these monstrous machines. With names like “Grave Digger,” “Martial Law,” “Aftershock” and “Mechanical Mischief,” it’s almost impossible to turn away from the mayhem.

Food Fridays: Miss Shirley’s

We all know that freedom from our parents is the greatest upside to college life, yet we gladly welcome their visits for one simple reason: Miss Shirley’s. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to give back to our other loved ones. Guys, I’m talking to you. Only open for dinner on this special day, both locations of Miss Shirley’s will be offering a fixed price menu of three courses and wine by the glass or the bottle.

Loyola Men’s Basketball Game Preview: Niagara

The Loyola Greyhounds are on a run that can potentially take them to a land that they haven’t seen in quite sometime. This land I speak of has many treasures, treasures that a team strive for every year. The cryptic language I speak of may be freaking you out but don’t worry, it means something. So surely, many of you know that I am talking about Loyola’s great chances to actually win a MAAC Championship and find themselves in the beginning round of NCAA Tournament in March. In Conference play so far, they have found themselves 8-5 and continue to play strong on both sides of the court.

Top 40 2.11.11

Cold War Kids keep their top spot, but only barely hold off an army of fast-approaching runners-up, Bright Eyes, Decemberists, and everybody’s favorite bearded singer-songwriter, Sam Beam. Smith Westerns debut in the Top 10 this week, fresh off the release of Dye It Blonde; and watch out for Top 40 newcomers Asobi Seksu, whose tertiary album debuts on the chart near the middle, leaving it room to ascend the list.

In other news: Yet another week without The White Stripes’ presence in the industry and music continues to be made, to the surprise of adoring fans still bed-ridden with sadness.

Theater Thursday: “Jersey Boys”

If you were raised on a healthy dosage of 60’s pop rock then you are luck. Even if you weren’t, yet you are looking for a night out on the town, then the Hippodrome Performing Arts Center is the place to be. The four-time Tony Award winning musical Jersey Boys has finally arrived in Baltimore, and will stay at the Hippodrome until Sunday, February 27th. The production has enjoyed critical acclaim since its debut in 2004, and has toured throughout the United States as well as England, Canada, and Australia. Baltimore is lucky enough to be the next stop on their tour; however, the boys will not be here for long so the time to act is now.

Loyola Sports Roundtable: Women’s Track and Field

The women’s track and field team have been quite busy and have had some great accomplishments thus far. Track and field may not be a sport that everyone will want to go and watch and really support; however, as any sports enthusiast can attest to, track and field is a sport that requires true determination and the upmost need for real athleticism. In recent weeks, the girls of the women’s track and field have been proving that they clearly have nothing but the strong will and determination of a real athlete.

New Releases 2.7.11

For new releases this week, we have an eclectic bunch of lesser-known artists. The highlights include: La Sera with her self-titled album that is reminiscent of Beach House and Tennis, Jessica Lea Mayfield’s new LP Tell Me which boasts her unique and soulful sound, and artist Imaginary Cities with their newest effort Temporary Resident. You can see more artists and albums after the jump!