Baltimore Arts and Culture Events 2/11/26 – 2/25/26

Wednesday, February 11

Helena Hicks Series: Terry Thompson, BHCLA Artist-in-Residence: Collage artist, photographer, and nightclub DJ Terry Thompson presents a short artist talk, oral history interview, and Q&A. The evening will kick off with jazz from The Peabody Graduate Jazz Fellowship. 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts at Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, 13 Gilman Hall. For more information, go to sites.krieger.jhu.edu/billie-holiday/events

The Knee-Hi’s, Ione, Shelby Morgan, Josee Molavi: Garage/glam rock. ($21.17) 7 p.m. to 11  p.m. at Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar. 

Thursday, February 12

Honoring the Past, Connecting the Future: A BLSA Networking Affair: BLSA celebrates Black excellence in the legal field while offering the community a chance to network with legal professionals regarding career opportunities, practice areas, and more. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Stem & Vine, 326 N. Charles Street. For more information, find “BLSA” on posh.vip. 

Black History Month Performance: The Chicory Project: Contemporary griots of Baltimore channel the spirit of Chicory magazine for a special performance. Some language in this program may not be suitable for all audiences. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street. For more information, go to thewalters.org/events.

Tuck Woodstock presents “Sex Change and the City”: This multigenre book edited by Tuck Woodstock and Niko Stratis is inspired by the classic TV show, but with a deeply queer twist. (Free – $21) 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Red Emma’s, 3128 Greenmount Avenue. For more information, go to redemmas.org/events. 

Open Mic Poetry w/ Charm City Slam: Kenneth Something hosts this open mic for poets, singers, rappers, comedians, and more. 7 p.m to 10 p.m. at Motor House, 120 W. North Avenue. For more information, go to motorhousebaltimore.com/events. 

Evening in the Bayou: A bayou-themed gala in support of the Morgan State University chapter of the NAACP. ($17.85 – $33.85) 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Morgan State University Student Center, Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane. For more information, find “Evening in the Bayou” on eventbrite.com.

Dil Dil Desi: High-energy Bollywood, Kollywood, Tollywood classics and modern bangers make this the Desi dance party of your dreams. 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Mobtown Ballroom, 30 W. North Avenue. For more information, go to mobtownballroom.com/events. 

Queeraoke: A drag (optional) karaoke night for Palestine. Donations welcome, masks encouraged. 21+ 9 p.m. at Ottobar (Upstairs), 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Friday, February 13

Ryan Watkins Group: Free jazz/soul. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Pitango Bakery and Café, 903 S. Ann Street. For more information, go to pitangogelato.com/events. 

Baltimore Books Through Bars: The launch event for a new volunteer program sending free books to incarcerated people across Maryland. Join the conversation about why access to reading material is an important harm reduction measure for incarcerated people. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Bird in Hand, 11 E. 33rd Street. For more information, go to birdinhandcafe.com/events. 

All You Need Is Chocolate! Truffle Making with Chef Idalee: Make your own delicious chocolate creations for yourself or a loved one. All supplies provided. Youth attendees must be accompanied by an adult. 15+ ($45) 6 p.m. at Creative Alliance Creativity Center Teaching Kitchen, 3137 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to creativealliance.org/events.

“The Flower Bearers”: Rachel Eliza Griffiths in Conversation with Joël Díaz: An intimate conversation with Rachel Eliza Griffiths on her new memoir, “The Flower Bearers,” with Joël Díaz. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Clifton House, 2605 Talbot Road. For more information, find “The Clifton House” on eventbrite.com. 

My Bloody Valentine: Dungeons & Drag presents a night of “horror-soaked drag and dark romance” hosted by Cher Rub and Kelsey Kadaver. 21+ ($10) 7:30 p.m. at Ottobar (Upstairs), 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Jill Scott’s Hour: Galentine’s Day Edition: A listening and preview party for Jill Scott’s 10th album, “To Whom It May Concern.” 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Gravity Bar, 1218 N. Charles Street. For more information, find “Studio 90” on posh.vip. 

Mortified Baltimore Doomed Valentine’s 2026: Alex Hewett and Adam Ruben curate this showcase of everyday adults sharing deeply embarrassing love-themed diary entries, poems, and more. ($35) 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Creative Alliance Theater, 3134 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to creativealliance.org/events. 

JeJaWeDa Quartet, Lexie Mountain: Experimental/field recordings. ($10 – $25) 8 p.m. at Normals Books Red Room, 425 E. 31st Street. For more information, go to redroom.org. 

Emo Nite at Ottobar: Featuring special guest Vicky T of Cobra Starship — fangs up! 18+ ($24.26) 9 p.m. a.m. at Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Black Celebration: DJs Jerrod Bronson, Mills, and Hell O’Kitty bring the party at Black Celebration’s third anniversary and Valentine’s special edition. 21+ 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Ottobar (Upstairs), 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Saturday, February 14

Roots and Resonance: an Operatic Love Letter to Baltimore: A moderated panel followed by a recital by Daniel Rich, playing music spanning opera, spirituals, musical theater, and new works by Baltimore composers, with Vincent Stringer and JoyAnne Amani. ($12 – $15 museum admission; $20 for lunch) 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, 830 E. Pratt Street. For more information, go to lewismuseum.org/events-calendar.

Morning Buzz: A café dance party. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mama Koko’s, 100 E. 23rd Street. For more information, find “Mama Kokos” on posh.vip.

Wiggles Way Rescue Animal Adoption Event: Fall in love with your future pet at this adoption event. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 E. 30th Street. For more information, go to peabodyheightsbrewery.com/events. 

Live Jazz and Wine Tasting: Sip wine and enjoy jazz performed by The Bashi Rose Quartet. 21+ ($23.18) 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 402 N. Howard Street. For more information, find “City Roots” on eventbrite.com. 

Psycho Killers: An evening of Talking Heads & Assorted Love Songs: Presented by All Good. 21+ ($30.69) 7 p.m. at Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st Street, Unit #420. For more information, find “All Good Presents” on eventbrite.com.

Valentine’s Dance Party: DJ Casa Castro spins ‘90s and early 2000s R&B, hip-hop, and pop. ($18) 7:30 p.m. at Creative Alliance Theater, 3134 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to creativealliance.org/events. 

Ceromantics, Twings, Amy Reid: Punk, darkwave, electronic. ($12) 8 p.m. at Holy Frijoles,  908 W. 36th Street. For more information, find @holyfrijolesmd on Instagram.

Yes Fats Yes Femmes: A body-positive dance party “for the gworls and gheys.” 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Club Car, 12 W. North Avenue. For more information, find @theclubcarbaltimore on Instagram.

reWINE: V-Day RnB Slow Jams Party: Dress to impress for this slow jams party with sounds by DJ Cuff & Arnett. 21+ 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Bar V2.0, 2424 Distillery Street, Suite #2123. For more information, find “HEAVYSOCIALGROUP” on posh.vip.

Dyke Nite Baltimore x Veil Parting Presents LOVE BITES: A Valentine’s Day Benefit for TWUK: A vampy Valentine’s soiree benefiting TWUK, a local organization supporting sex workers. 21+ ($20 – $25) 10 p.m. at Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Sweet Spot Gay Anti-Valentine’s Dance Party: BABY hosts this evening of gay, anti-Valentine’s anthems. 21+ ($15) 10 p.m. at Metro Bmore, 1700 N. Charles Street. For more information, go to metrobmore.com/events.

Sunday, February 15

Baltimore Bound Vintage: Vintage, y2k, and handmade market with $25 fill-a-bag and free trans thrift. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at R House Garage, 301 W. 29th Street. For more information, find @baltimoreboundvintage on Instagram.

Disability/Justice: A zine making workshop with Jen White Johnson: A zine-making workshop led by artist, educator, and disability rights activist Jen White Johnson, in which attendees will learn how to create their own zine. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at MICA Brown Center Atrium, 1301 W. Mount Royal Avenue. For more information, go to mica.edu/events-exhibitions. 

The Sweet Spot Burlesque 20th Anniversary Show: The Sweet Spot is a burlesque and variety show that “celebrates the sexier side of life.” 21+ ($23.18 – $44.52) 5 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Place. For more information, go to baltimoresoundstage.com/events-feed. 

Monday, February 16

PHAGTAWLK LIVE BALTIMORE: An unapologetic, intimate night of conversation, community, and connection. 21+ ($86.93; add $60.31 for meet & greet) 6 p.m. at La Familia Soundstage, 836 Guilford Avenue. For more information, find “Phagtawlk” on sickening.events.

Script Tease: “The Regular”: A reading of Maryland playwright and Bowie State professor Bob Bartlett’s “The Regular,” which follows an Iraq war veteran starting a new life on the road. ($5+) 7 p.m. at Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette Street. For more information, go to everymantheatre.org/plays-events/events. 

Tuesday, February 17

Underground Railroad Monoprint Design Workshop: A kids’ workshop combining Underground Railroad history with Harlem Renaissance monoprint techniques. ($12 – $20 museum admission) 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt Street. For more information, go to borail.org/events. 

Book Release Event: “Wins, Losses and Lessons”: Jamaal Bethea offers a chance to connect in person and discuss his new book, which reflects on resilience and growth. ($10 – $30) 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 6901 Security Boulevard, Woodlawn. For more information, find “Jamaal Bethea” on eventbrite.com. 

Spilt Milk, Spitball, Midair, Sesiba: Emo, grunge-gaze, queer anarchy, punk. ($21.17) 7 p.m. at Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Rebecca Novack presents “Murder Bimbo”: Learn more about Rebecca Novack’s novel, centering on a sex worker-turned political assassin. Novack will be joined by Baltimore author Kate Reed Petty. 7 p.m to 8:30 p.m. at Greedy Reads Remington, 320 W. 29th Street. For more information, go to greedyreads.com/events. 

Jenn Jackson presents “Black Women Taught Us” in conversation w/ Elizabeth Booker Houston: Jenn Jackson, Ph.D., “has been known to bring historical acuity to some of the most controversial topics in America today.” Jackson will be joined by Elizabeth Booker Houston. 7 p.m. at Red Emma’s, 3128 Greenmount Avenue. For more information, go to redemmas.org/events.

Wednesday, February 18

Virtual Resident Artist Program Information Session: A virtual session designed for prospective applicants of the Resident Artist Program at Creative Alliance. 6 p.m. Virtual. For more information, go to creativealliance.org/events. 

Campus Solidarity: Strategies for Organizing in Higher Ed: Higher education is at a critical crossroads in which funding has been cut, DEI initiatives targeted, and international students put at risk. Learn about the strategies that are already in place in Maryland and how to get involved. 6:30 p.m. at Red Emma’s, 3128 Greenmount Avenue. For more information, go to redemmas.org/events.

u+n booking & Savage Party presents Sword II: Indie rock. ($23.24) 7 p.m. at Metro Bmore, 1700 N. Charles Street. For more information, go to metrobmore.com/events. 

Gabe Woodrow, Northvale, AITA, My Heart, My Anchor: Emo, pop punk. ($21.17) 7 p.m. at Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Brandon Woody’s UPENDO: Baltimore-based trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Brandon Woody performs with Upendo. ($10 – $35) 7 p.m. at Keystone Korner, 1350 Lancaster Street. For more information, go to keystonekornerbaltimore.com/tickets. 

Thursday, February 19

Galentine’s Day Flower Workshop – Dandelion Flower Stand: Create a disco ball centerpiece in a celebration of friendships and creativity. ($75; includes disco ball vase) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pitango Bakery and Café, 903 S. Ann Street. For more information, go to pitangogelato.com/events.

Strike Anywhere, Dave Hause and The Mermaid, More TBA: Punk rock. ($33.51) 7 p.m. at Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Film Screening: “Black Printmakers of Washington, DC”: Follow DC’s rich history of Black-owned print shops from the ‘70s through the contemporary era. ($20) 7 p.m. at Creative Alliance Theater, 3134 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to creativealliance.org/events. 

BIG Stand Up Comedy Open Mic: Hosted by Michael Furr. 8:30 p.m. at Baltimore Improv Group, 1727 N. Charles Street. For more information, go to bigimprov.org/shows. 

Friday, February 20

Book Signing Happy Hour with Naomi Rivers: “Why Not Us?”: Join a wife writing team to learn more about their lesbian romance novel set in Baltimore, “Why Not Us?” 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bird in Hand, 11 E. 33rd Street. For more information, go to birdinhandcafe.com/events. 

Problematic Princess Party: Black Break-up Baddies, Anti-Valentine’s Day Edition: “The day you love to hate,” hosted by Madeleine Madison McFierceson and featuring Kayden Amore Chloe and Egyppt Chloe. 21+ ($16.04) 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ottobar (Upstairs), 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Kenyatta and guests TBA: A live night of music blending R&B, hip-hop, jazz, Afrobeat, and more. ($31.45) 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com/calendar.

Stoop 20th Anniversary Built with Love (and Probably Duct Tape): Stories of Baltimore’s Creative Communities: Join various Baltimore personalities for a special edition of Stoop Stories. ($40) Multiple dates. 7 p.m. at Creative Alliance Theater, 3134 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to creativealliance.org/events.

Eli Erlick presents “BEFORE GENDER”: Eli Erlick’s newest book presents lost trans histories from 1850-1950. Erlick will be joined by Rahne Alexander. 7 p.m to 8:30 p.m. at Greedy Reads Remington, 320 W. 29th Street. For more information, go to greedyreads.com/events.  

Saturday, February 21

Poetry/Performance: A creative writing workshop with Unique Robinson: A poetry-writing workshop led by Baltimore native and prolific poet and performer Unique Robinson, in which participants will learn to write and perform their own poetry. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the MICA Mosher Building, 81 Mosher Street. For more information, go to mica.edu/events-exhibitions. 

Full Story @ the Walters: An Independent Museum Tour Centering Black History & Histories of Empire: Local historian Emma Katherine Bilski leads an indoor tour through the Walters Art Museum, learning stories about Black history through art and talking through the connections between colonialism and curation. “If you’ve ever walked out of an art museum with big questions, or felt unsure if you’re welcome there, this tour was developed with you in mind.” ($12 – $15) Multiple dates and times at The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street. For more information, go to fullstorybaltimore.tours/our-tours.

Lunar New Year Celebration: Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse at Baltimore’s AAPI-owned brewery with a special beer, lion dancers, drag, and Korean fusion food. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 E. 30th Street. For more information, go to peabodyheightsbrewery.com/events. 

Natural Velvet, Cryptid Summer, Universal Girlfriend, Darker Than: Post-punk, deathrock, Philly supergroup, garage punk. ($10 – $15) 7:30 p.m. at Wax Atlas, 5523 Harford Road. For more information, go to shows.waxatlas.com/see-full-calandar. 

Sunday, February 22

The Voice of Protest: Poems and Music: Presented by the Live Poets Society of Baltimore and Writers for Democratic Action. 4 p.m. at Bird in Hand, 11 E. 33rd Street. For more information, go to birdinhandcafe.com/events. 

Nellie McKay: Jazz/pop/”indefinable.” ($35) 7 p.m. at Creative Alliance Theater, 3134 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to creativealliance.org/events. 

Christian McBride and Ursa Major: Eight-time Grammy winner Christian McBride performs with his band. ($20 – $55) 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Keystone Korner, 1350 Lancaster Street. For more information, go to keystonekornerbaltimore.com/tickets. 

Monday, February 23

B.K. Borison presents “AND NOW, BACK TO YOU”: B.K. Borison’s new romance novel brings two dueling meteorologists together. ($20 – $30) 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Library Nineteen, 606 S. Ann Street. For more information, go to greedyreads.com/events.

Tuesday, February 24

Bird in Hand Presents Mara Yaffee in concert on “Water”: Multigenre singer and musician Mara Yaffee performs as part of the Folk Music Through the Ages concert series. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bird in Hand, 11 E. 33rd Street. For more information, go to birdinhandcafe.com/events. 

“Twin Peaks” Day: Host May Santiago brings “Twin Peaks” to Baltimore, with cocktail specials, trivia, and a screening of the pilot episode. 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Pink Flamingo, 300 W. 30th Street. For more information, find @pinkflamingobaltimore on Instagram.

The Daydreamerz: Multicultural music for Black and brown unity. ($10 – $25) 7 p.m. at Keystone Korner, 1350 Lancaster Street. For more information, go to keystonekornerbaltimore.com/tickets. 

Wednesday, February 25

Good Grief – Great GOD 2026: The opening night gallery experience for Veronica “So Creative” Essex’s exhibition blending fine and digital art with interactive installations, spoken word, music, performance art, and workshops. Youths must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. ($39.19+) 6 p.m. at MICA BBox Theater, 1601 W. Mount Royal Avenue. For more information, find “Good Grief – Great GOD 2026” on eventbrite.com.

BLACKWATER HOLYLIGHT w/ Glassing and Josephine Olivia: Heavy rock, post-metal, multi-instrumental. ($25.75) 7 p.m. at Metro Bmore, 1700 N. Charles Street. For more information, go to metrobmore.com/events.