Baltimore's a pretty amazing city. There is so much culture and color and happiness that oftentimes gets clouded by all of the injustices and crazinesses that are a reality. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and be thankful for what we do have in order to be content and more forward in our lives. For us students in particular, it's easy to get sucked in a sea of boredom -- whether that be over-studying for the Orgo class you're taking this summer, doing a 9-5 internship and then sleeping all night, or just sitting in your room staring at the walls. I am here to tell you that it does not have to be an awful summer, nor do you have to sit there hoping something fun pops up but really doing nothing but stare at your computer screen for an unforgiveable amount of time. Let's get started with just a few cool things in Baltimore this summer.
1. Diane Guerrero Book Reading at Pratt Library
When: Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m.
Where: Enoch Free Pratt Library
Why: Diane Guerrero will be discussing her new book, "In The Country We Love: My Family Divided," which explores the moving, heartbreaking story of one woman's extraordinary resilience in the face of the nightmarish struggles of undocumented residents in this country.
2. Federal Hill Jazz & Blues Festival
When: Sunday, June 5 at 12 p.m.
Where: Federal Hill
Why: You'll listen to some great music by Baltimore-based bands, eat some bangin' food and probably get a chance to do some arts & crafts or whatever else they have going on.
3. The Baltimore Uprising through Our Eyes: Past, Present and Future
When: Saturday, June 11
Where: Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Why: Because we need young people talking about it. And because they will be using visual imagery and music in a community forum format, where junior high students from Guilford Elementary - Middle School in Baltimore, Maryland will reflect on feelings, attitudes and perceptions during the Baltimore Uprising.
4. Ladies' Night at Grand Central
When: Saturday, June 11 (and really every Saturday night) at 9 p.m.
Where: Grand Central
Why: Disco nights upstairs where all your girls and ladies get $1 off drinks at 11 p.m. It's the perfect opportunity for you to have a GNO or just to slip out yourself in a hot little number.
4. Queer Pulse EMP Collective
When: Friday, June 24 at 8 p.m.
Where: EMP Collectve
Why: There will be time-based art and explorations of queerness in its many facets and evolutions where you'll see some good stuff, meet some queer people (see what I did?) and hopefully some tasty food.
5. Watch "Creed" for Pics in the Park
When: Saturday, June 25 at sundown
Where: Central Plaza
Why: It's a Baltimore tradition. You'll have a fun night watching a good movie with friends. Make sure to bring your own picnic basket (with tasty but silent snacks), blanket or lawn chairs.
6. Latino Fest
When: Saturday, June 25 from 12 p.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, June 26 from 12 p.m.-9 p.m.
Where: Patterson Park
Why: This music-filled weekend features live Latin music including salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, reggaeton, duranguense, mariachi, dancers in colorful costumes from their native lands, bomba and plena performances, salsa dancing and the hottest Latino DJs, Arts and Crafts displays, Latino cuisine from the Americas and the Caribbean, community support information booths and family fun activities such as rock climbing walls, clowns, face-painting, two stages and much more.
7. Poverty Industry at Red Emma's
When: Thursday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Red Emma's Bookstore
Why: Baltimore is a city of great poverty and great wealth. It's time to ask questions like "How do institutions of the state profit from and deepen structural inequality and economic exclusion?" It's an opportunity to learn more about what Baltimore is doing and what you can do.
8. Little Italy Film Festival
When: Frdiay, Every Friday in July & August at 7 p.m. (film starts at 9 p.m.)
Where: Corner of High and Stiles Street
Why: It's a tradition that's been going on since 1999. It's a chance for folks to arrive early to set up lawn chairs, listen to live entertainment, stroll the neighborhood and eat at one of Little Italy's many restaurants with friends and family.
9. African American Festival
When: Saturday and Sunday, July 2 & 3 all day
Where: Camden Yards Sports & Entertainment Complex
Why: There is an awesome line-up this year with artists like Vivica A. Fox, Estelle, Joe Maye and Mary Mary. It includes stellar performances, empowerment seminars and non-stop fun for the entire family with Wellness, Beauty and Technology experience and an atmosphere of sultry sounds of national recording artists and emerging talent. And it's free!
10. Baltimore Caribbean Carnival
When: Saturday and Sunday, July 9 (5 p.m.-10p.m.) and 10 (12 p.m.-9 p.m.)
Where: Lake Clifton Park
Why: There will be a parade, bands like Shortmus Productions and We Lil Band, as well as food and tons of rockin' music. Beginning with a Caribbean-style parade, the festivities continue with a family, fun-filled, Caribbean festival showcasing live music and entertainment, a delicious sampling of authentic Caribbean food stalls and so much more…all enclosed within Baltimore’s Clifton Park.
11. Artscape
When: Friday to Sunday July 15-17 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Where: It will be all over the city, but the center of the festival is the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric
Why: Artscape features 150+ fine artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars, photography and the Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize; incredible live concerts on outdoor stages; a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, film, experimental music and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; family events such as hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children's entertainers and street theater; and a delicious, international menu of food and beverages that is available throughout the festival site.
12. Baltimore Pride Parade and Block Party
When: Saturday, July 23 2 p.m.-10 p.m.
Where: Mount Vernon (on Cathedral and Read Street)
Why: The origins of Baltimore Pride date back to 1975. In the decades since, Baltimore Pride has grown to become Maryland’s largest LGBTQ visibility event, providing an opportunity for the greater Maryland community to experience and learn more about the LGBTQ community through a weekend of wonderful events and exhibitions. There will be a High Heels Race, a Block Party and a King & Queen Pageant. Celebrate diversity and inclusivity with us!
Also, if you're a Hopkins affiliate we will be marching together. We'll meet at 2:30PM and the first 125 people get free shirts. RSVP here.
On July 21st (Thursday) at 4PM we will be making signs for the parade in the LGBTQ Life Office . Here's the Facebook page.
13.Creative Alliance Rainbow Fest
When: Thursday- Saturday, July 28-July 30
Where: Creative Alliance
Why: For the 5th anniversary of our fabulous LGBTQA Film Festival we are expanding into the Creative Alliance Rainbow Fest! This year, in addition to the thoughtfully curated films, we are including dazzling performances, witty comedy by beloved author Isaac Oliver, a wild Drag Party hosted by Betty O'Hellno, saucy happy hours and more!
14. Brooklyn Film Screening
When: Wednesday, August 3 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Mount Vernon Place
Why: It's a chance to learn more about this country's history from the perspective of an Irish immigrant to New York. And you can invite friends and make it a date night. Who doesn't love free movies?
15. Cascading Elephants
When: Thursday, August 4 at 6 p.m.
Where: Swallow at the Hollow
Why: Cascading Elephants merchandise (handmade deluxe edition CDs, Posters and more) will be available for purchase at the show.
Performance Schedule:
6 p.m.: Doors Open
8-9 p.m.: Open Mic
9-10 p.m.: The Mud Rocks
10-11 p.m.: Cascading Elephants
But you still have a few weeks before the start of the semester.......
16. Take a road trip to D.C.
You can take the MARC train for less than $20 and visit all of the free museums like the Smithsonian, buy some cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcakes and maybe even run into Obama. Dreams do come true!
17. Go hiking at Patapsco Valley State Park.
This park has over 14,000 acres and is only a 40 minute drive from Baltimore. It's the perfect escape from an internship and research, and you can use those skills you learned in Scouts, maybe pitch a tent (probably not) and maybe do some bird-watching.
BONUS: Cool stuff within reach!
18. Flume Concert
When: Saturday, August 27 at 7 p.m.
Where: Forest Hill Stadium in Queens, NY
Why: Flume is amazing! It is always inspiring to see young people doing amazing things and this is one way to do that.
And this is all just a few of the many and amazing things going on in Baltimore (and beyond!). I hope your summer flies by wonderfully and full of lovely memories and crazy pictures. See you out here!
