Page 12 - Visit Baltimore - 2019/2020 LGBTQ Visitors Guide

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: SHOPPING & ENTERTAINMENT
Resident Expert
ACCORDING TO LONGTIME BALTIMORE BUSINESS OWNER SUSANNAH SIGER, THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE
CITY IS TO EXPLORE ITS MANY DISTINCT NEIGHBORHOODS. Her boutique Ma Petite Shoe is in Hampden, home to a fun mix of local breweries, restaurants and thrift stores — not to mention Honfest, a beloved annual event celebrating the bold styles of Baltimore’s historic working-class women.
Here, Siger shares top stops in her neighborhood and beyond.
What do you love about Hampden?
Hampden has all the best food and shopping rolled up into one strip! It’s a really vibrant neighborhood, and there are so many gay-owned businesses: Parisian Flea, Andamento Studio & Gallery, Sugar, Flaunt, Bazaar and Ma Petite Shoe, of course.
What’s the most underrated thing about Baltimore?
Our theater scene because we have so many different experiences that aren’t exactly traditional theater. There are small [companies] like Single Carrot Theatre, cabarets like Charm City Kitty Club. There’s even an immersive theater (Submersive Productions),
which is really fun if you’ve never done it. You go from room to room and interact with the actors — you’re part of the action. We also have a big burlesque scene here. There’s just so much to do.
What’s your favorite budget activity in Baltimore?
Baltimore is really wonderful on a budget because there are so many [experiences] that don’t cost much. One of my favorite things is Baltimore Square Dance, which happens at the Ideal Arts Space in Hampden. You don’t need to know how to square dance, it’s BYOB and there’s usually live music. I also love all the wonderful
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Baltimore LGBTQ Visitors Guide 2019-20
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