Wednesday, May 17

OrchKids 15-Year Celebration Concert: The concert will feature students from all seven OrchKids sites performing in a variety of ensembles and will culminate in a powerful piece that brings all of the performers on stage together. 6 p.m. at The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral Street. For more information, go to: https://www.bsomusic.org or call: 410-783-8000.  

Thursday, May 18

Maryland State Arts Directory Triennial Juried Exhibition: Opening Reception: The exhibition will take place on three floors of the MAP building. On view May 18 – June 24. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Maryland Art Place, 218 West Saratoga Street. For more information, email:  Caitlin@mdartplace.org or call: 443-889-0869.

Bromo Art Walk: Experience the Bromo Arts District during a night of artistic performances, exhibits, and open studios. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bromo Arts District – Multiple Locations, 218 West Saratoga Street. For more information, go to: bromodistrict.org or call: 410-244-1030, ext. 713.

May Ministry of Brewing Drag Bingo: Hosted by Robyn Ya’Men. Tickets include your seat for the show and your bingo board. ($15) 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Ministry of Brewing, 1900 East Lombard Street. For more information, go to: https://ministryofbrewing.com/events or call: 410-624-5623. 

Bmore Hip Hop Karaoke – Spring Semester: Bmore Hip Hop Karaoke is back for Spring Semester with three special sessions in April, May, and June. ($15) 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Baltimore Unity Hall, 1505 Eutaw Place. For more information, go to: baltimoreunityhall.org.  

Sip, Puff n Paint: All art supplies provided. BYOB. ($30) 7:18 p.m. to 10:18 p.m. at The Gallery About Nothing, 805 East Baltimore Street. For more information, call or text: 410-504-9249. 

Friday, May 19

Open Stage Night: Open to any and all performers. The winner will receive $100 and two future bookings. 7 p.m. at Baltimore Eagle Bar & Nightclub, 2022 North Charles Street. For more information, go to: baltimoreeagle.com or call: 443-759-8228.

Saturday, May 20

The New Lexington Market & Exploring the Neighborhood Around It: Explore the neighborhood surrounding Lexington Market to discover how Baltimore emerged as a leading industrial and economic city in the 19th century. ($10-$15) 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Faidley’s Seafood (Entrance), 203 North Paca Street. For more information, go to: baltimoreheritage.org

Sketching Sessions in the Park: Led by Walters’ Carol Bates Fellow Wildège François, participants will learn drawing techniques and expand on skill sets in a multi-sensory environment. Materials provided. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at East Mount Vernon Place, the park east of the monument. Meet at the Naiad fountain. For more information, go to: thewalters.org.

Maryland Mac & Cheese Festival: This festival will feature food trucks, games, bands, and more. ($9.99 and up) 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Power Plant Live!, 34 Market Place. For more information, go to: macandcheesefestivals.com/maryland.

Preakness Live: Bruno Mars, Sofi Tukker, and more. ($90-$750) 10 p.m. at Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Avenue. For more information, go to: preakness.com.

Sunday, May 21

Free Admission to “The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century”: This exhibit captures hip hop’s extraordinary influence on contemporary art and culture over the past two decades of its 50-year history. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. For more information, go to: artbma.org/event/free-admission-to-the-culture.

Sean Jones & Friends: One of the world’s most in-demand jazz trumpeters, Grammy-winner Sean Jones is a musical chameleon and is comfortable in any musical setting, no matter what the role or the genre. 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Community Concerts at Second, Inc., 4200 Saint Paul Street. For more information, go to: cc2nd.org.

Words, Wings, and Wine: Food, fine wine, and vibes. ($15-$20) 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Avenue Kitchen & Bar, 911 West 36th Street. For more information, go to: avenuekitchenbar.com

Vontee’s Comedy Jam: Vontee brings the city together for fun and laughter once again. ($25) 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at The Garage, 6 East Lafayette Avenue. For more information, call: 443-804-8742.

Monday, May 22

Black Femme & Non-binary Book Club: “The Furrows” by Namwali Serpell: A reading space for Black women and Black queers reading works by Black women and Black queers. 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Greedy Reads Remington, 320 West 29th Street. For more information, go to: greedyreads.com.

Tuesday, May 23

“Our Baltimore” Mural Champagne Toast to the Inner Harbor/Charm’tastic Mile: The ceremonial toast will be held in the lobby of the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 East Pratt Street. Attendees will sip the Signature Charm’tastic Mile Prosecco Brut and celebrate the completion of the new majestic mural. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, 202 East Pratt Street. For more information, go to: thecharmtasticmile.com or call: 443-851-5244.

Wednesday, May 24

4th Wednesdays SLAM!: The 4th Wednesday Slam provides an opportunity for poetry lovers to enjoy the competitive art of late-night performance poetry! Enjoy several rounds of competitive poetry by amateurs and professionals, with the audience choosing a winner. ($10) 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Busboys and Poets, Baltimore, 3224 Saint Paul Street. For more information, go to: busboysandpoets.com

Thursday, May 25

African Unity Day Celebration 2023: Annual Africa Day Celebration with music, performances, food & beverages, arts & crafts, and other vendors. 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Randallstown Community Center, 3505 Resource Drive, Randallstown. For more information, call: 1-844-856-5929 or email house.otem@gmail.com.

17th Annual Patterson Park Wine at Sunset: Each ticket includes unlimited wine tastings and small bites from several local restaurants. ($55-$65) 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Patterson Park Observatory, 27 South Patterson Park Avenue. For more information, go to: pattersonpark.com/wineatsunset.

Friday, May 26

Balticon 57: A four-day celebration of science fiction and fantasy.  (See website for prices) May 26-May 29. Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 East Pratt Street. For more information, go to: balticon.org.

On & On: José James Sings Badu: His new project finds James throwing down the gauntlet on the past 100 years of jazz singing while charting a path forward for the culture. ($35-$45) May 26 and May 27 at Keystone Korner Baltimore, 1350 Lancaster Street. For more information, go to: keystonekornerbaltimore.com.

Saturday, May 27

Brew at the Zoo, presented by M&T Bank: Enjoy unlimited beer, wine, seltzer, and cider sampling, live music, local vendors, and all-day admission to the zoo. ($30-$100) May 27-May 28. For more information, go to: marylandzoo.org.

The Power of the Pen the Author’s Expo: Panel discussion from a male perspective. Also, networking opportunities and special awards. ($25) 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at  248 South Broadway.

Sunday, May 28

BRB (Balt.Record.Bazaar) 2023 at Peabody Heights: Over 30 vendors, food trucks, craft beer, and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 East 30th Street. For more information, email: dj.mikie.love@gmail.com.

SOWEBO Art and Music Festival: Four music stages, fashion, dance, interactive arts, and more. Noon to 8 p.m. at Hollins Market, 41 South Arlington Avenue. For more information, go to: sowebofest.org.

An Afternoon with Dr. Lawrence Jackson: An afternoon discussion of his latest book, “Shelter,” and his broader work in Baltimore. 4 p.m. at The Ivy Bookshop, 5928 Falls Road. For more information, go to: theivybookshop.com.

The Sounds of Love Experience: This event will feature performances by many soulful, talented, and passionate artists with music that resonates and penetrates the soul. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at The Crown, 1910 North Charles Street. For more information, go to: thecrownbaltimore.tumblr.com or call: 410-625-4848.

Wednesday, May 31

Sip & Screen Paint Workshop: Michael Seipp will do a live workshop and demonstration on the history of painted screens throughout Baltimore. ($48-$52) 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at B&O Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt Street. For more information, go to: borail.org or call: 410-752-2490.

Lisa Snowden is Editor-in-Chief and cofounder of Baltimore Beat. Previously, she was an editor at Baltimore City Paper, Baltimore Sun, and The Real News Network. Her work has also appeared in Essence,...