Mid-July already? Summer’s flying by. But hey, we still have 10 weekends left and lots of ways to make the most of this one.
Lauryn Hill’s acoustic concert at Pier Six Pavilion and the Disability Pride Arts Festival at the Enoch Pratt Central Library top the list of events in Baltimore this weekend. There’s also a Black authors expo, a couple of block parties, some new art exhibitions and a drag king battle. Out in the counties, you’ve got a Native American pow wow and a highly Instagrammable sunflower festival.
Here’s a closer look at some of what’s happening in the city and beyond.
Thursday, July 16
Voyages: Chapter 8
For this installment of the National Aquarium’s “Voyages” series, food influencer Tim “Chyno” Chin (aka @thebaltimorefoodie) has curated an immersive dining experience prepared by four local chefs: Amanda Mack, Cia Carter, Samara Greene-Scott and Kiara Young. Described as a “deconstructed wedding reception,” Chin invites you to dress like it’s your very own wedding day — but wear comfy shoes.
Time: 6-11 p.m.
Price: $100
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Location: National Aquarium (501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? 21 and over
Clarksville Sunflower Festival
Walk through sunflower and wildflower fields at Mary’s Land Farm, where every ticket comes with permission to pick your own sunflower (and the mental health boost of being surrounded by them). The multi-day festival features live music and a petting zoo for kids on the weekends. Not a fan of crowds? Visit during the week.
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Price: $11.37-$363.27
Location: Mary’s Land Farm (4979 Sheppard Lane, Ellicott City)
Family friendly? Yes
Block Party Thursdays
If you’re an artist looking for a new neighborhood to call home, this might be for you. Make Space Studio, an initiative to build a community of creative homeowners in Mount Clare, kicks off its summer cookout series. Go grab some free food and meet the neighbors. DJ Atlas will be spinning tunes.
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Outdoor Plaza (1614 McHenry St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes
Friday, July 17
‘The Big Show’
It’s that time of year again, when Creative Alliance mounts one big community exhibition, giving its members a chance to show and sell their work. Drop in to see what they’ve made, and who knows, you might find something to take home. While you’re there, catch the final weekend of Sebastian Seers’ “Grounded Captivation,” the Alliance’s first fully immersive installation.
Time: Noon-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Price: Free
Location: Creative Alliance (3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes
G.O.A.T. Campaign
Presented in part by Safe Streets, the Get Out and Triumph (G.O.A.T.) campaign is all about empowering youth while addressing gun violence. Along with a community cookout, expect panel discussions on topics like leadership, mentoring, mental health and sports. Baltimore City school alumni athletes Kenard Eubanks and Keyon Rice will be there with words of advice and limited-edition merch.
Time: 3-6 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: 2716 Pulaski Highway, Baltimore
Family friendly? All ages
‘Abigail Adams: Love and Politics in the American Revolution’
Step back in time at this one-woman play that brings Abigail Adams to life during a specially created tea service. Local actress Laura Rocklyn channels Abigail, the wife and adviser of President John Adams, in this performance commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
Time: 11 a.m, 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Price: $27 performance, plus $46 for tea service
Location: Reynolds Tavern (7 Church Circle, Annapolis)
Family friendly? Children welcome
Earlybirds Club
Girls just want to have fun, right? Well, they also want to sleep. This early-evening dance party for women, trans and non-binary folks offers a chance at both. A portion of ticket proceeds goes to the Susie Lee Legacy Fund for nonprofits that uplift women, gender-expansive people and communities in need.
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Price: $39.83
Location: The Recher (512 York Road, Towson)
Family friendly? 21 and over
Saturday, July 18
Disability Pride Arts Fest
July is Disability Pride Month, marking 36 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. Make Studio, an art space for people with disabilities, is celebrating with its fourth annual festival — a day of workshops, live performances and resource sharing. The best part? It’s free, accessible and open to everyone.
Time: 10 a.m-2 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Enoch Pratt Central Library (400 Cathedral St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? All ages
Good Trouble weekend of action
The “John Lewis: Good Trouble” documentary about the late Georgia congressman hits theaters in Annapolis and Pikesville this weekend — part of a nationwide call to action to stand up for voting rights. At the Pikesville screening, you can register to vote if you haven’t already.
Time: 3 p.m. Saturday, Annapolis; 2:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Sunday, Pikesville
Price: Free
Location: Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center (1101 Smithville St., Annapolis) and Pikes Cinema (921 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville)
Family friendly? All ages
Battle of the Beltways
Two teams of drag king performers compete for local pride. Team Baltimore (aka Old Bae) and Team DC (aka Mumbo 495) go toe-to-toe with acts inspired by the culture and quirks that define their cities. You already know who we’re rooting for.
Time: 8-10 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.
Price: $15-$20
Location: Le Mondo (406 N. Howard St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? 21 and over
Whispering Winds Pow Wow
Indigenous nations perform for two days at this annual Howard County pow wow. On both days, experience drumming and dancing, browse the indoor art market and try your hand at beadwork or dreamcatcher-making. Culture is also on the menu, with buffalo stew, fry bread, corn soup and buffalo burgers alongside hot dogs and such.
Time: 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Price: $8-$15
Location: Howard County Fairgrounds (2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship)
Family friendly? Yes
Black Authors Expo
Black authors continue to face marginalization in the publishing industry, but here they’re in the spotlight. Meet local writers, shop for books and leave with signed copies of your summer reads.
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Price: $12.52-$81.88 or $10 at the door
Location: 29th Street Community Center (300 E. 29th Street, Baltimore)
Family friendly? All ages
‘Bear Me Into Freedom’
Set in Maryland’s Talbot County, this film about Frederick Douglass screens at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, followed by a panel conversation with the movie’s creative team. Pair your visit with a walk through “The Lines We Cross,” a new multi-floor exhibition about the history of Black Marylanders.
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Price: $0-$15
Location: Reginald F. Lewis Museum (830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes
Stavros Halkias’ ‘The Dreamboat Tour’
Hometown comedian Stavros Halkias arrives at The Lyric after a “freak accident” caused him to cancel his April show (breaking his arm after falling off a scooter). Halkias’ stand-up special, “Fat Rascal‚” is now streaming on Netflix — and he’s filming his next one right here in Baltimore. That said, the show starts promptly for the live taping.
Time: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Price: $40.03-$263.96
Location: The Lyric (140 West Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore)
Family friendly? All ages, but if you know Stavvy’s material, you might want to leave the kids at home.
Sunday, July 19
Ms. Lauryn Hill: Acoustic
Lauryn Hill has been all over social media since receiving the Living Legend Icon Award at the recent BET Awards. (All her hits still hit, by the way.) Now you have the chance to see her live in an acoustic performance by the water.
Time: 7 p.m show; 5 p.m. doors
Price: $74.82-$142.93
Location: Pier Six Pavilion (731 Eastern Ave., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Tickets required for ages 2 and up. Younger ones have to sit on your lap.
Patti Austin
Speaking of legends, the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Patti Austin made her Apollo Theater debut at 4 years old and had a contract with RCA Records a year later. Don’t miss the chance to experience the veteran performer’s smooth melodies live.
Time: 5 p.m.
Price: $20-$85
Location: Keystone Korner Baltimore (1350 Lancaster St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Children must be accompanied by an adult; 21 and over only at the bar.
Walters Art Museum Block Party
The Walters’ first-ever summer block party celebrates Baltimore’s creative spirit. Along with hands-on art-making and delicious food, it’s bringing a strong lineup of local music talent: Creative Immigrant Educators of Latin American Origin (CIELO), Grupo ETNIA, Drum Dr. Dot, Gyzelle Garcia and Daoure Diongue.
Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: Walters Art Museum (600 N. Charles St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? All ages
Nicole J. Caruth is a Baltimore-based freelance journalist covering the intersections of food, health and environmental justice
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