It happened on March 18, 1976. Here's the story, first published in my Baltimore Sun column: The origin story of Crack The Sky, the progressive rock band that became a sensation and legend in Baltimore, if nowhere else, could have been the inspiration for a couple of music-rich movies, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and … Continue reading A Golden Anniversary: When Baltimore, like no other city, embraced Crack The Sky
Wooden baseball bats: Exclusive clubs
It turned out that the hardest props to find for "No Mean City: Baltimore 1966" were wooden baseball bats. Outside of professional baseball and certain amateur leagues, they are pretty much collector's items, not commonly for sale in sporting goods stores. Our intrepid props hunter went to a Play It Again Sports store just outside … Continue reading Wooden baseball bats: Exclusive clubs
Something like South Shore Bar Pizza has been baking in Baltimore for 82 years
It turns out that Matthew’s Pizza, Baltimore’s oldest and most famous pizza shop, has been serving a pizza pie distinctive to the region of Massachusetts where I grew up — a fact that occurred to me only recently. That I failed to recognize a Matthews Pizza as a South Shore Bar Pizza is possibly due … Continue reading Something like South Shore Bar Pizza has been baking in Baltimore for 82 years
Too much distressing
I empathize with the woman who wrote on Threads this weekend that she'd like to wake up just one morning and not hear distressing or disturbing or disgusting news emanating from the White House. On Saturday morning, it was war with Iran. Every day some hellish thing greets us -- some video of ICE agents … Continue reading Too much distressing
Support the McKeldin library fund, own a piece of Baltimore history
The title of my new play is taken from the title of a book written by the late Maryland Gov. Theodore R. McKeldin when he was Mayor of Baltimore in the 1960s. The book, published in 1964, celebrated the three famous philanthropists — Hopkins, Peabody and Pratt — who contributed greatly to the quality of … Continue reading Support the McKeldin library fund, own a piece of Baltimore history
Michael Lang: Up from polio with camera and curiosity
Mike Lang Anya Webb informed me of the death on February 9th of her stepfather, Michael Lang. He was 83, and one of many memorable people I had the pleasure of meeting during my time as a columnist for The Baltimore Sun. I admired Mike Lang for his courage, his resilience and his skill with … Continue reading Michael Lang: Up from polio with camera and curiosity
The long, slow melt of winter 2026
I asked a scientist about the value of the long, slow snow melt we’re experiencing. Common sense tells you there’s a value to it — reduced risk of flooding for one thing, gradual replenishment of moisture in the soil for another — but, while common sense might be an ingredient of the scientific process, it … Continue reading The long, slow melt of winter 2026
Recipe: Rigatoni dolci e piccanti
I invented a one-pot, sweet and spicey pasta dish during the recent winter hibernation. It’s called Rigatoni dolci e piccanti. You need a big pot, olive oil, two onions, four cloves of garlic, four red bell peppers, four cups of chicken or vegetable stock (heated or at room temperature), a half-pound of rigatoni and two cups … Continue reading Recipe: Rigatoni dolci e piccanti
How to warm up the house: Make minestrone
If you want to take the chill off the house on a winter morning like this one -- if you want to take the chill off your body — get up early and make minestrone. Make a big pot so you can share some with a deserving friend, neighbor, relative or conscientious citizen. (Please don't … Continue reading How to warm up the house: Make minestrone
Dan Rodricks 