
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
simulated sex with a potted palm tree." Before The Sun, he was a reporter at the Miami New Times. He's also written for Miami magazine, the Orlando Sentinel, the Sarasota Herald Tribune and the Gainesville Sun. Got tips? Gripes? Pitches? He's reachable at
erik.maza@baltsun.com. Click
here to keep up with the dumb music he's listening to.
Midnight Sun covers Baltimore music, live entertainment, and nightlife news. On the blog, you'll find, among other things, concert announcements, breaking news, bars closings and openings, up-to-date coverage of crime in nightlife, new music, round-the-clock coverage of Virgin Mobile FreeFest, handy guides on bars staying open past 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve and those that carry Natty Boh on draft. Recurring features include seven-day nightlife guides, Concert News, guest reviews of bars and concerts, Wednesday Corkboard, and photo galleries, as well as reader-submitted photos. Thanks for reading.
Comments
I wish I had seen him live but now I never will. RIP Michael
Posted by: gooooteam | June 25, 2009 7:56 PM
i watched micheal perform at aintree in front of the biggest crowd ever in the uk. 120,000 were there, and he loved 120,000 cause we were all family. im so sad now but lets think how happy micheal made us feel. its hard now. so hard to take in. x
Posted by: colin will | June 25, 2009 8:10 PM
i saw michael when i was in the 8th grade at the old rfk stadium. the tickets were a gift from my mother, whom i begged and cried to for a chance to see him. i was one of those girls wearing the pins, with the folders, wearing the jacket, i had michael fever bad.
Posted by: purplemusicmama | June 25, 2009 10:32 PM
i lov u MICHAEL JACKSON .. an i will miss u so much..
Posted by: nicole | June 26, 2009 12:23 AM
I saw MJ at the Cap Centre in 1989. I was in the first row - behind the stage. It was a great show with incredible dancing. A few times he danced right in front of us and threw his scarf into the crowd. There was a brawl for it and the biggest man won (not me). Great night.
I had hoped I would get to see his show again. But I guess that is what memories are for.
Posted by: CDoubleIPA | June 26, 2009 7:56 AM
i went to show at baltimore civic center with mom i was twelve i think or younger i cant remember getting a good look at them every one was standing tall on the chairs all i can remember is alot of flashing lights and people screeming out loud and no luck for me getting a peak at them but i knew they were there with all the noise.
Posted by: cedrick | June 26, 2009 11:29 AM
I SAW THE JACKSON 5 AT THE OLD CIVIC CENTER IN 1971. I WAS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD BUT I REMEMBER GOING WITH SOME OLDER FRIENDS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE SAT WAY UP IN THE NOSEBLEEDS, AND I CAN STILL REMEMBER THE ELECTRICITY THROUGHOUT THE ARENA WHEN THEY,(ESPECIALLY MICHAEL) APPEARED ON STAGE. I WAS MESMERIZED BY THEIR LARGE AFROS, FLASHY COSTUMES AND SMOOTH DANCE MOVES...MEMORIES I'LL CHERISH FOREVER!!
Posted by: WILLIAM GREENE | June 26, 2009 1:57 PM
In 1984, I saw Michael Jackson on the Victory tour at RFK Stadium... Think I was in the 5th grade at the time.
Jackie Jackson
Tito Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Marlon Jackson
Michael Jackson
Randy Jackson
Booyashocka! I need to go dig out my program as well as the sleeveless shirt.
Posted by: eCommerce Consultant | June 26, 2009 3:46 PM
I saw the Jackson 5 at the Baltimore Civic Center, I think I was about 12 years old. I was visiting my Aunt for the summer and they had bought me ticket and surprise me. I was on the second row. They has on pretty blue outfit. I remember it so clearly.
Posted by: thelma | June 26, 2009 3:48 PM
I was at aintree with two friends, it was a day i'll never forget, so glad i can say i've actually seen MJ in concert....FANTASTIC...R.I.P Michael...
Posted by: diane stopforth | June 26, 2009 6:03 PM
I saw michael when i was in the 6th 7years old. I was first time dance learn., I will ALWAYS remember the extraordinary talent of the entertainer and the gentle soul of the man. Michael is a generous, honest, and sensitive human being, filled with amazing insight and the capacity for love. Kashif Nawaz
Posted by: Kashif | June 29, 2009 12:46 AM
Me & my best friend Karen camped out the night before to watch him at Aintree, we where aged 17 cosequently we where right at the front, unfortunately after a while we where crushed & both fainted, we where lifted onto the stage only to be reunited in the first aid tent at the side of the stage. This was the first concert either of us had been to and what a concert! Happy memeries of musical genius. R.I.P Michael Jackson
Posted by: Jayne Boniface | July 4, 2009 4:43 PM
Me & my best friend Karen camped out the night before to watch him at Aintree, we where aged 17 cosequently we where right at the front, unfortunately after a while we where crushed & both fainted, we where lifted onto the stage only to be reunited in the first aid tent at the side of the stage. This was the first concert either of us had been to and what a concert! Happy memeries of musical genius. R.I.P Michael Jackson
Posted by: Jayne Boniface | July 4, 2009 4:43 PM
I believe I was 10 and my sister (Manager) took me 2c The J5 @ the Baltimore Civic Ctr. I had a red oriental dress. I took my seat and when they came up from the ground stage that is when I went n2 complete shock. (No lie!!) I honestly was in shock. My sister still talks about this at our Fam.Re. Isat there the entire time. silent. didn't move not even a dance or a hand clap. I kept my eyes on MJ the entire time. And then when he passed on, my brother called 2c if I was alright. He asked me if I was ok I said 'y', he said that MJ had died. I said "What??"...And I am still saying that!!! I loved him. I even wrote him and when he wrote me back...
Posted by: Regina A. Lacy | July 2, 2010 4:57 PM
Today for some reason I am having one of those MJ moments. I am reading, listening to his music. (reminiscing). Being grateful that I got the opportunity to see such a great man in action with my very own eyes. I seen him perform at the Baltimore Civic Ctr. 1972.
Posted by: Regina A. Lacy | August 20, 2010 9:45 PM