Something to bike to: Frank Zappa events Sunday, September 19

Frank Zappa statue to be dedicated on Sunday, September 19 at the Southeast Anchor of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, located at 3601 Eastern Avenue.  The event also marks the 25th anniversary of Frank Zappa’s testimony, regarding censorship, to the Senate in 1985. 

Participating in the Frank Zappa Sculpture Dedication will be Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; Gail Zappa, wife of the late Frank Zappa; Dr. Carla Hayden, chief executive officer of the Enoch Pratt Free Library; Jeffery Sharkey, director of The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University; and Saulius Paukštys of Lithuania.

The dedication ceremony is produced by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts in partnership with the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Southeast Community Development Corporation.

The sculpture is a gift to Baltimore City by Saulius Paukštys and Saulius Pilinkus of the Lithuanian nonprofit organization Public Establishment ZAPPART.  The sculpture is a replica of artwork in Vilnius, Lithuania by artist Konstantinas Bogdanas.  The gift and location were approved by the Baltimore City Public Art Commission.

FRANK ZAPPA EVENTS
The dedication is part of daylong celebration honoring Frank Zappa taking place in the streets of Eastern Avenue and Conkling Street.  Immediately following the dedication, Dweezil Zappa and Zappa Plays Zappa performs.   For information and details on the performance, visit www.clearpathentertainment.com.

The Creative Alliance hosts a pre-event talk with Gail Zappa and an after party at The Patterson at 3134 Eastern Avenue. For more information, visit www.creativealliance.org.

For information on free parking and shuttle buses, click here.

FRANK ZAPPA BIO
The late Frank Vincent Zappa was a singular musical figure.  For three decades he made timeless rock, fusion and avant-garde classical music.  Dedicated fans propelled the Baltimore born composer, guitarist, singer and bandleader to media stardom.  His interest for music grew during his high school years in Lancaster, California.  Shortly after graduation, Zappa would begin a performing and recording career that would soon gain widespread acclaim. 

In 1966, he and band members of The Mothers of Invention released debut LP “Freak Out!.”  The group went on to do several albums before disbanding.  Zappa had solo success, as well, with more than 50 records released during his career.       

Known for being an articulate spokesman, Zappa, an opponent of censorship, became a leader of the opposition to the Parents Music Resource Center.  On September 19, 1985, he testified before the Senate Commerce Technology and Transportation Committee and shared his opinion on the matter. He later used his testimony in a recording, “Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention,” released that same year.      

Frank Zappa passed away early in 1993.  He has not only become a part of musical history but his legacy still influences the genre today.