20 Questions with Christopher Solorzano

Get to know our newest Live Baltimore team member with a good, old-fashioned round of 20 Questions! This installment features our new Office Manager, Christopher Solorzano.

How long have you lived in Baltimore City?

7 years by way of Los Angeles, California (born and raised)

Which neighborhood do you currently live in?

Medfield

Are you a homeowner or a renter?

Homeowner

If you had to live in a different Baltimore neighborhood, which would you choose and why? (Pretend money is no object.)

I’d pick Mount Vernon. There’s something magical about that area around the Washington Monument: the elegant architecture, the tree-lined streets, and the feeling that you’re living inside a piece of Baltimore’s history. Places like the Walters Art Museum feel like a true gift, especially since it’s where I was married. Every visit to Mount Vernon brings that mix of nostalgia and awe right back. The neighborhood has the kind of urban energy I love, with intimate restaurants (Sotta Sopra), inventive cocktail spots (The Coral Wig), and a creative, slightly bohemian vibe that makes every block feel alive.

What’s the best thing to do in Baltimore City on a Saturday night…go!

For the best Saturday night in Baltimore, I always head to Hampden. Honestly, that neighborhood is one of the biggest reasons I felt brave enough to trade Los Angeles for Baltimore. I kick things off at True Chesapeake Oyster Co. with happy hour oysters and a daiquiri, then head to Dylan’s Oyster Cellar for the best cheeseburger and fries in Baltimore, plus maybe a few more oysters. Next stop is The Charmery for a scoop of ice cream, because a proper night out needs something sweet. Then I wrap things up either with pinball and a mezcal margarita at Holy Frijoles or a beautifully crafted cocktail at The Bluebird Cocktail Room. Great food, great drinks, and just enough adventure to keep the night interesting.

What is still on your Baltimore “to-do” list?

One big thing still on my Baltimore to‑do list is attending Baltimore’s Birthday Bash. It’s one of the city’s premier celebrations, and I’ve admired it for years through photos and highlight reels. This year feels extra special because I will be there as a part of the Live Baltimore family. Being able to finally experience it firsthand and help bring that energy to life makes me genuinely excited. It feels like a full‑circle Baltimore moment.

Who is your favorite Baltimore mascot: Mr. Boh, the oriole bird, Poe (the raven), or someone else?

My favorite Baltimore mascot is Edgar Allan Boh. He’s my own mashup of Edgar Allan Poe and Mr. Boh, complete with a festive Mexican mariachi outfit. It’s a little quirky, very Baltimore, and always makes me smile.

What is one piece of advice would you give to someone moving to Baltimore from out of town?

Explore everything! Baltimore has more than 250 neighborhoods, each with its own personality, so get out and see what speaks to you. From waterfronts and architecture to great food, cocktails, music, museums, and outdoor spaces, there’s always something happening. Follow local websites, social media, and coffee shop bulletin boards to stay in the loop. Go where you feel comfortable or try something new. Baltimoreans are welcoming and love sharing what makes our city special.

What do you love the most about the city?

What I love most about Baltimore is how versatile it is. The city is rich with history, creativity, and community, and there’s always something happening, whether it’s theater (Chesapeake Shakespeare Company), live music (Metro Gallery), sports (Oriole Park at Camden Yards), or a local event (The Mayor’s Christmas Parade). With so many options and such welcoming people, it’s hard to imagine ever being bored here. Baltimore truly offers something for everyone.

What is your preferred mode of transportation?

My preferred mode of transportation is meandering. I love walking and getting lost in neighborhoods, popping into local shops (Strawberry Fields Hampden), coffee spots (Affogatto), restaurants (Clavel), and art galleries (Baltimore Art Gallery). Some of my favorite moments are noticing the little details, like unique rowhome yards, people chatting on their stoops, and dogs being walked by proud neighbors. Walking lets you really feel the city and connect with the everyday life that makes Baltimore so special.

What is your favorite feature of the city?

My favorite feature of the city is the art walks. Neighborhoods like Hampden, the Bromo Arts District, Station North, and Highlandtown really come alive during these events. They’re such a great way to experience local art while engaging directly with galleries, discovering new businesses, and even getting behind‑the‑scenes looks at theaters and creative spaces. Each walk feels like a celebration of Baltimore’s creativity and makes the city feel vibrant, accessible, and deeply connected.

Besides Live Baltimore, what other local nonprofits do you support?

Besides Live Baltimore, I proudly support Stonewall Sports Baltimore. I volunteer and participate in their social sports leagues, which create inclusive, welcoming spaces for the LGBTQ+ community while also giving back. Stonewall Sports hosts multiple fundraising events throughout the year that support other aligned nonprofits, and after spending time in the league, it felt natural to give back to a community that means so much to me. It’s a powerful mix of connection, joy, and service that I’m grateful to be part of.

What’s your favorite outdoor city activity?

My favorite outdoor city activity has to be playing bocce ball in Patterson Park with Stonewall Sports. For the past two years, I’ve helped run the league, which has Fall and Spring seasons, and it’s such a fun way to get people outside. Bocce is the perfect mix of levity and friendly competition, and it always feels more social than serious. Beyond setting up the games, I get to build the music playlists and provide on‑the‑field commentary with a wireless microphone, which makes it even more fun.

What is your superpower?

My superpower is seeing into the future, with the help of data. As a data scientist (nerd-alert), I love digging into numbers, spotting patterns, and using past results and related factors to help inform smarter decisions moving forward. We all have instincts and ideas about what might work, but data gives those feelings structure and clarity.

Which Baltimore celebrity (past or present) would you most like to have dinner with?

John Waters, without question. I once had a dream that we were eating dinner and playing bocce at La Scala’s indoor court. I would love to sit down with him and hear how he sees the city through his wonderfully unique lens and compare it to how deeply and fondly I view it myself. Just two people who genuinely love Baltimore, swapping stories, observations, and laughs over pasta.

What is your favorite locally made product?

My favorite locally made product is the seasonal watermelon candle from Mount Royal Soaps in Remington. It absolutely has me in a chokehold. It smells incredible, is made with eco‑friendly ingredients, and instantly feels like summer in Baltimore. I also love that Mount Royal Soaps hosts monthly night markets, staying open late and inviting other local artists, vendors, and food spots to set up outside. It’s such a great neighborhood vibe and a perfect example of why buying local here feels special.

What is one thing you want the world to know about Baltimore?

One thing I want the world to know about Baltimore is that it’s quietly becoming a city full of incredible food gems and plenty of character to match. The dining scene here is creative, accessible, and full of surprises. Take Hana Sushi, a newer sushi spot on The Avenue in Hampden, where the lunch special is unbeatable. For under $25, you get a premium selection of chef‑crafted nigiri sushi, a California roll made with real crab, and miso soup, which feels like a true neighborhood luxury. Then there’s the Glizzy’s Wagyu Dogs hot dog cart, where the food is fantastic, and the experience is half the fun. The owner, Casey, is charismatic and entertaining, and it honestly feels like a Benihana‑style show unfolding right on the street. Baltimore’s food scene is something worth celebrating.

What is one thing you’d still like to learn about Baltimore?

One thing I’d still love to learn more about is Baltimore’s local music and arts scene. I’m fascinated by how creative and collaborative it feels, especially with events like the Collaboration Laboratory (Co.Lab), where songwriters gather monthly at The Watermelon Room studio to create music on the fly. I’m also drawn to Baltimore Club culture showing up outside traditional venues, like DJ Jayswann’s Garden Hours at the Current Space gallery garden, which feels uniquely Baltimore. On the visual arts side, spaces like The Alchemy of Art, a gallery in a former church with rotating shows and events, really intrigue me. There’s so much happening, and I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of the city’s creative depth.

What three words best describe your work personality?

Creative, enthusiastic, and organized

What excites you most about joining the live Baltimore team?

What excites me most about joining Live Baltimore is being part of an organization with such a long history of uplifting the city and the people who call it home. The opportunity to make a positive impact alongside an inspiring team while striving for excellence feels like both a gift and an honor. I love Baltimore deeply, and I’m excited to channel that civic pride into my work. And if I’m being honest, the mirror disco ball hanging in the Live Baltimore conference room sealed the deal. It’s the clearest sign that I’m in the right place with the right people.

We’ve had fun introducing you to our new colleague! Look for more installments of this series as our team continues to grow. You can read more about Medfield on our Neighborhoods page.