Venue Information

THE CHARLES THEATER (www.thecharles.com) is Baltimore's premier art theater, a Baltimore institution and tradition dating back in distant memory to the premier of John Waters' Pink Flamingos in the 70s. The Charles has recently been the site of a huge renovation effort, expanding the small theater to five very active screens. This expansion has changed the availability of film culture dramatically in Baltimore, making the Charles as much a cultural center as a business. The HIGH ZERO event at the Charles will take place in its largest and original theater, which seats about 200 people.
     High Zero at The Charles Theater Sept 25th (3-6 PM) 1711 North Charles St
     Mapquest for The Charles Theatre
     Directions to the Charles Theater

THE 14 KARAT CABARET at M.A.P. (Maryland Art Place) has been presenting inspired and strange culture to the Baltimore public for over 10 years, with a dizzying style of booking which includes avant-garde music, theater, performance art, film, poetry, and more. Located in this state-funded gallery, the Cabaret has functioned as an independent program, bringing countless crucial artists to Baltimore and serving for many years as a central laboratory for creative music, literature and theater. Two years ago, the Cabaret was also renovated and expanded, and now seats approximately 150 people, with a full bar, cabaret seating, and a excellent black-box type theater. The Cabaret is the site of two HIGH ZERO performances during the festival.
     High Zero at Maryland Art Place , Sept 25-26th (9-11 PM) 218 West Saratoga St.
     Mapquest for The 14K Cabaret at MAP
     Directions to the 14K Cabaret

THE LODGE, a space run by the Fells Point Creative Alliance in a renovated "Elks Lodge" in Highlandtown, is Baltimore's newest venue for improvised music. In the last year, a wide variety of local improvised music performances have occurred there, thanks to the organizing efforts of imported Irishman Bernard Lyons, who previously organized several large improvised music festivals in Europe. The Lodge seats about 75 people and has a full bar, in addition to serving food during specific hours.
     High Zero at The Lodge, Sept 24th (9-11 PM) 244 S. Highland Avenue
     Mapquest for The Lodge
     Directions to The Lodge

THE RED ROOM, while not an actual venue in the festival, is a strong presence in HIGH ZERO because festival is organized by "The Red Room Collective." This group of seven individuals who have run The Red Room for two years and made it a central and critically acclaimed venue for improvised and experimental music on the East Coast. The Red Room is located in Normal's Books and Records in Waverly and runs on an entirely volunteer basis, giving 100% of the door to the performers. The Red Room often brings performers from Europe and remote parts of the US to perform in Baltimore, while simultaneously acting as a center for local experiments in creative music. The Red Room only seats 50 people, which is why it is not being used in the Festival, but it will be the site of private pre-festival sessions among the performers. The inspiration for HIGH ZERO is the unprecedented number of highly organized, grassroots venues presenting uncompromising, creative music in Baltimore.

The inspiration for HIGH ZERO is the unprecedented number of highly organized, grassroots venues presenting uncompromising, creative music in Baltimore.