Photo: JM Giordano
Ms. Ethel Ennis is known as Baltimore’s “First Lady of Jazz.” She stands tall as an artist, cultural ambassador and promoter of the arts. She performed at the first City Fair and the first Artscape. She headlined at the Afram festival. She performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and served as the city’s cultural ambassador to Baltimore’s sister cities, Xiamen, China and Rotterdam, Netherlands. She and her husband former Baltimore Sun reporter Earl Arnett opened Ethel’s Place in 1984 (right across the street from the Meyerhoff) and brought top acts to Baltimore ranging from Wynton Marsalis to Yo-Yo Ma. No matter where her talent and travels took her, Ms. Ennis remained rooted in her Baltimore home. She performed with a long list of legends, and she is legendary herself as she celebrates her 80th year. The Creative Alliance is delighted she has permitted us to honor her with our Lifetime Achievement Award at the Marquee Ball on Saturday April 20, 2013.
On April 20, the Creative Alliance will also honor the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation with the Golden Formstone Award for their “formidable contributions to Baltimore through the arts.” Please join us in celebrating these worthy honorees!
The Marquee Ball is the annual spring fundraiser in support of the Creative Alliance’s first rate art programs for children and youth. Send Ethel a message and make a congratulatory gift online at http://www.razoo.com/story/Marquee-Ball-Honoree-Ethel-Ennis
