Maryland’s Greivis Vasquez {thanks, AP}

1. ACC Tournament
(Thursday-Sunday on RAYCOM and ESPN): If you’re not hardcore enough to travel to Greensboro, N.C., to see if Gary Williams’ Terps can win their first ACC tourney since 2004, I guess you’ll have to tune in on TV. The downside: Duke players won’t be able to hear your boos. MATT VENSEL, B

2. ARTBus Tour
Six hours on a bus is rough, no matter your destination. But we make an exception for the annual Evergreen Museum and Library’s ARTBus, with artist/indie curator Jason Hughes leading an insidery look at the rising stars of Baltimore’s arts scene. Stops include AREA 405 and the H&H Arts Building, and feature artist and gallery owner meet-and-greets and chances to buy artwork. Originates Saturday from Evergreen (4545 N. Charles St., Charles Village) at 9:30 a.m., returns at 4 p.m. $80 (also includes box lunch, snacks and receptions). museums.jhu.edu or 410.516.0341. JORDAN BARTEL, B

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No stranger to treadmill-powered viral video gold, indie group OK GO rock it Rube Goldberg-style in their latest. If you don’t like this video, I will personally fight you in the parking lot. Or will command one of our interns at the agency to do it for me.

When he’s not getting paid to play on YouTube, M. M. McDermott is here. Email him at mmcdermott@getrenegade.com.

Stream a new song by Butch Walker and more {thanks, LUCIA HOLM}

WTMD is checking out new songs and wants to know what you think. Stream these songs after the jump and be sure to let us know in the comments what you thought.

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Shook! plays the Charm City Fashion Show at the Museum of Industry April 10 {thanks, SHOOK!}

Artist: Shook!
Hometown: Baltimore
Members: Ben Shugarman (guitar, lead vocals); Mike Shugarman (drums, backing vocals); Ryan Brooks (keys/synthesizers, backing vocals); Scott “Shaggy” Engorn (bass, backing vocals)
Sound: Electro-funk that may cause spontaneous dance parties or the urge to dress like Prince
Fact: The band added member Ryan Brooks on keys and are expanding their sound for the next album.
Project: Limited-run self-titled EP out now; new EP out in April
Next Gig: Charm City Fashion Show at the Museum of Industry, April 10
More: myspace.com/shookbaltimoremusic Read the rest of this entry »

thanks, AP

Who is Carly Simon’s “You’re so Vain” really about?

ALO signed to Jack Johnson’s label {thanks, ALO}

Artist: ALO
Title: Man of the World
Back story: The California jam band’s fifth studio album was produced by friend and label owner Jack Johnson.
Who will love it: Fans of Mr. Johnson, his Brushfire labelmates and String Cheese Incident
Why you should care: ALO knows how to jam and is coming to the 8×10 on May 22.
Track Highlights: “The Champ,” “Man of the World”

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“Alice in Wonderland” {thanks, Disney}

1. ‘Alice in Wonderland’
It’s pretty clear this is going to be one hell of a trip down the rabbit hole with Tim Burton’s refreshingly modern take on the childhood classic. My only complaint is that Johnny Depp bares a disgustingly close resemblance to Elijah Wood when decked out in all his Mad Hatter glory (shrug). Follow the white rabbit to a theater near you Friday. TIM WONG, B

2. The Oscars
It’s “Avatar” vs. “The Hurt Locker,” Sandra vs. Meryl, Mo’Nique vs. … well, no one because she’ll definitely win. As always, there are some shoo-ins at this year’s Academy Awards, but we’re still excited to see how hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin handle the 10-best-picture-nominees madness. And, quick plug: Check out b’s Oscar preview on Friday. 8 p.m. Sunday, WMAR-12 ABC. JORDAN BARTEL, B

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Black Fortys were named “Best College Band” by Rolling Stone in 2008 {thanks, BLACK FORTYS}

Artist: Black Fortys
Members: Josh Murphy (guitar, vocals), Kevin Ohlau (drums), Carly Lappin (bass), Nathan Doyle (guitar)
Hometown: Carbondale, Ill.
Sound: Experimental, progressive rock with propulsive percussion
Fact: Named “Best College Band” by Rolling Stone in 2008
Project: Their latest EP, Kaskaskia Island, is available now.
More: myspace.com/blackfortys
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Harvard alum Caitlin Vincent is the founder and general director of The Figaro Project {thanks, CAITLIN VINCENT}

When a city’s arts community is rocked by recession, it takes people such as Caitlin Vincent to keep things going. Vincent, 25, a Seattle native — and Harvard alum — who graduated last year from the Peabody Institute with a master’s in vocal performance, is the founder and general director of The Figaro Project. It’s an opera showcase attempting to thrive in the same atmosphere that led to the bankruptcy of the Baltimore Opera Company last March. Before The Figaro Project’s premiere, a performance of “A Night at the Opera” on Friday, we chatted with Mt. Vernon resident Vincent over e-mail about getting her Project off the ground, writing her own production and why we should (yikes) enjoy opera.

How did The Figaro Project come about?
The Figaro Project was originally conceived as a way to provide performing opportunities to emerging opera singers. Dozens of opera companies have closed recently because of the economic crisis, and young singers have been hit especially hard by the lack of opportunities. Although The Figaro Project was clearly a way to help young vocalists promote their careers, I realized that it was also a chance to fill a void in the current arts scene. I also wanted The Figaro Project to present opera in a way that would be accessible and affordable to everyone.

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Check out “One Way Road,” a new song from John Butler Trio {thanks, JOHN BUTLER TRIO}

WTMD is checking out new songs and wants to know what you think. Stream these songs after the jump and be sure to let us know in the comments what you thought.

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