Wednesday, January 25

Baltimore Hip Hop Week 2023:  A celebration of hip hop culture curated by The Black Arts District and featuring 13 music-centered events, including cyphers, open mics, performances, parties, and more. (Various times/dates from 1/25 through 1/31) For the full schedule of events, go to: blackartsdistrict.org/hiphopweek or email: info@blackartsdistrict.org

Thursday, January 26

Opening Reception: Zoë Charlton: Smokey Hallow: A solo exhibition by Baltimore artist Zoë Charlton that includes projected video, sculptures, and the prints that inspired her new body of artwork. Smokey Hallow is a homage to the former African-American community called Smokey Hollow that was founded in the 1890s in Tallahassee, Florida, the artist’s hometown. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Maryland Art Place, 218 West Saratoga Street. For more information, go to: mdartplace.org, call: 410-204-1959, or email: map@mdartplace.org

“COPE” Opening Reception: Meet artist Larry Poncho Brown and celebrate the opening of his new exhibition. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Motor House, 120 West North Avenue. For more information, go to: motorhousebaltimore.com.

GRL PWR PRESENTS: LES VERSEAUX: Celebrate Aquarius season with the Aquarian duo behind GRL PWR. This event features sounds by DJ Amsies and Pangelica. 8 p.m to midnight at The Royal Blue, 1733 Maryland Avenue. For more information, go to: royalbluebar.com or call: 443-869-6111.

Charm City Slam and Open Mic: Charm City Slam and Open Mic is the premier place to experience performance art and to showcase your talent. This $500 poetry slam brings out some of the best poets in the world. Come be a judge or just enjoy the show. ($15) 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Baltimore Unity Hall, 1505 Eutaw Place. For more information, call: 410-896-6879.

Journey of the Invader Spirit Exhibition Opening Reception: This exhibition is an exploration of industrialism and environmentalism through Mandy Morrison’s distinct multimedia artworks. (Free) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Peale Museum, 225 Holliday Street. For more information, go to: thepeale.org, or call: 667-222-1814. 

Friday, January 27

Best Afrobeats Party: A party presented by Teddy Vybez and featuring the sounds of DJ TJ. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Club Bellissimo, 1001 East Pratt Street. For more information, call:  202-386-0820. 

Creative Mornings Baltimore: Sanctuary with Chelsea Gregoire: CM/Bal is a monthly speaker series led by Baltimore’s most innovative and creative minds. This month’s talk is focused on the word Sanctuary and will be led by Chelsea Gregoire, consultant, educator, and owner of Church. 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at St Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1900 Saint Paul Street.

For more information, go to: creativemornings.com/cities/BAL. 

Saturday, January 28

Reception and Gallery Talk: Life On Hold: Exhibition features artworks made by women incarcerated at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup, Md. through a collaboration with Notre Dame University of Maryland students, faculty, and staff. The artworks will be on display at Gormley Gallery from January 23 to March 3, 2023, and will then be installed at MCIW. This reception celebrates the opening of the show and will feature remarks by curator Casey McKeel. (Free and open to the public) 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Gormley Gallery, Notre Dame of Maryland University, 4701 North Charles Street. For more information, go to: gormleygallery.com, call: 410-435-0100, or email: gormleygallery@ndm.edu.

Charm City Kings: A night of music showcasing some of Baltimore’s best musical talent.  This event features the sounds of Brandon Kanion, Josh Stokes, Brandon Woody, Al Rogers Jr., Brent Birckhead, Trey RX, with DJ Mister Vershawn and a special guest host. ($20) 6 p.m. at Metro Gallery, 1700 North Charles Street. For more information, go to: themetrogallery.net or call: 443-425-5139. 

Art Opening and Day Party:  A day party celebrating the work of renowned artist and Baltimore resident Qrcky. Featuring sounds by DJ/Producer Mister Vershawn. Complimentary cocktail and wine bar. Lite fare and desserts available while supplies last. 21+ ($20 – $35) 4 p.m. to 7.p.m at Zen and the City, 811 North Charles Street. For more information, go to: bmorezen.com, or call: 443-766-5830. 

Poetry Reading: Nikita Rimal Sharma: Join Yellow Arrow Publishing author Nikita Rimah Sharma, as she reads from her debut chapbook, “The most beautiful garden.” 4 p.m. at Bird in Hand Coffee & Books, 11 East 33rd Street. For more information, go to: birdinhandcafe.com, or call 410-814-0373.

VERSION: A Queer Dance Party: VERSION is a dance party and space carved out for queer and trans people, by queer and trans people. Featuring sounds by Trillnatured and Kotic Couture.  ($10) 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at The Crown Baltimore, 1910 North Charles Street. For more information, go to: For more information, go to: thecrownbaltimore.tumblr.com or call 410-625-4848.

Sunday, January 29

Sundays @ The Eubie: An Evening of Percussion:  A night of performances and jam sessions. Curated by Brinae Ali, the evening will begin with the creative think tank “How Do You Respond To Rhythm?” It will finish with a percussion circle and jam session. (Suggested Donation: $15) 6 p.m. to 9 p.m, at The Eubie Blake Cultural Center, 847 North Howard Street. For more information, go to: destination4ever.com or email: Afrofuturist@destination4ever.com.

Tuesday, January 31

Jump! Theatre Industry Night: Join Everyman Theater for an industry night specifically for   Baltimore based artists and organizations to come together to build community. Connect with other industry professionals and focus on the themes of art, healing, mental health and human connection. Afterwards, stay for the performance  of “Jump!” for only $10. 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Everyman Theater, 315 West Fayette Street. For more information, go to: everymantheatre.org, or call: 410-752-2208

Wednesday, February 1

Fadensonnen and Greedy Reads: Hidden Palace: A monthly reading and storytelling event by poets and writers. Come for a drink and hear readings from Donald Berger, Blake Butler, Emma Ensley, and Jean McGarry. 7 p.m. upstairs at Fadensonnen, 3 West 23rd Street. For more information, go to: fadensonnen.com, greedyreads.com, call: 410-878-0184, or email: info@greedyreads.com.

Thursday, February 2

Blackscope Cinema Series: Hargrove: Blackscope Cinema Series kicks off with “Hargrove (2021) and features a Q+A with Hargrove director and producer, Eliane Henri, about the process of creating the film and documenting a legendary subject. Creative Alliance’s monthly Blackscope Cinema Series expands our understanding and appreciation of Black Film in America. ($15 – $20) 7 p.m. at Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to: creativealliance.org or call: 410-276-1651.

Friday, February 3

Danger Forever! Sarah Danger Memorial Show: A concert celebrating the life of Sarah Danger featuring the sounds of: Pearl, Slow Jerks (new lineup), Cold Feet & Body Business, plus a DJ and food truck. Money from this show will be donated in Sarah’s name to a charitable organization. ($5 to $20) All ages. Doors at 7 p.m. at Ottobar, 2549 North Howard Street. For more information, go to: theottobar.com or call: 410-662-0069.

Ben Jealous in conversation with Chris Wilson: In celebration of the release of “Never Forget Our People Were Always Free.” Join New York Times bestselling author, organizer, and former head of the NAACP, Ben Jealous in conversation with Chris Wilson at Red Emma’s. 7 p.m. at Red Emma’s, 3128 Greenmount Avenue. For more information, go to: redemmas.org, email: info@redemmas.org, or call: 410-601-3072. 

808 Vol. 41: Vol. 41 of the monthly Baltimore series curated by BmoreAlien, DJed by Reem Unknown, and hosted by OG SWOOZ with guest host Rickie Jacobs. Sounds by S.DOT and djunt.il, and featuring performances by Bobbi Rush, Da’Rious, Scarab Shabazz, M.E.N.A.C.E, Neptune XXI, Sun Kovu D, and featured vendor Jazz Camp. ($5 – $10) 9 p.m. at The Crown, 1910 North Charles Street. For more information, call: 410-625-4848.

Sunday, February 5

4 The Love: Quantize Recordings presents a musical celebration of love and house music featuring the sounds of Karizma and DJ Spen B2B with special guest DJs Jordan Pope and Kade Young. ($24.99 – $37.00) 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Smoothflicks Banquet Hall, 12 South Calvert Street. For more information, email: contactus@quantizerecordings.com. 

Wednesday, February 8

Midweek: The Jazz Age – Harlem Renaissance: A STEAM-activated, arts-integrated orchestra concert for students Pre-K through Middle School and beyond. Explore the music and poetry of the Harlem Renaissance, a period in American history in which the creativity of African Americans left its mark on generations of civil rights activists, artists, and thinkers. Midweek Concerts are appropriate for all children, regardless of age. ($7) 10 a.m. at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral Street. For more information, go to: bsomusic.org, or call: 410-783-8000.

Teri Henderson is the Arts and Culture Editor of Baltimore Beat. She is the author of the 2021 book Black Collagists. Previously, she was a staff writer for BmoreArt,...