Thursday, January 16
Community Meeting & Art Build: The Donnell Justice Fighters are hosting a community meeting and art build. Make posters, signs, banners, and more for the upcoming protest. Learn about the fight to get justice for Donnell Rochester. 6 p.m., DM for address. For more information, follow Justice4Donnell on Instagram.
“Slavery in Motion” Art Discussion: This conversation will discuss the inspiration behind the multimedia art collection “Slavery in Motion” with the featured artists of the exhibit. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. For more information, go to artbma.org. or call 443-573-1700.
Hidden Palace Poetry Series: A monthly reading and storytelling event by poets and writers. This month’s poets are Steve Levine, Elinor Nauen, Bob Rosenthal, and Liesl Schillinger. 7 p.m. at Fadensonnen, 3 West 23rd Street. For more information, go to fadensonnen.com/events, or follow hiddenpalacereadings on Instagram.
Friday, January 17
Punk & Drag Benefit Show: Muscle, Hormone, Bratz Lavëy, Filthy Bite, and more. All proceeds will go towards the Baltimore Abortion Fund. ($21.17) 7 p.m. at Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com.
Capricorn Party: Celebrate Capricorn season with sets by Tromac, Flotussin, JiaLing, and CalvoMusic. 21+. (Free) 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Royal Blue, 1733 Maryland Avenue. For more information, go to royalbluebar.com or call 443-869-6111.
Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies: This play celebrates the legend and legacy of Duke Ellington, from his time at The Cotton Club to worldwide acclaim. ($32.84 for students and seniors, $38.09 for general admin) 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Arena Players Incorporated, 801 McCulloh Street. For more information, go to arenasplayersinc.com.
Saturday, January 18
Book Fair at Ministry of Brewing Taproom: Books, comics, gifts, and more. Noon to 5 p.m. at Ministry of Brewing, 1900 E. Lombard Street. For more information, go to ministryofbrewing.com/events.
MLK Day Celebration with Unique Robinson: Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a mix of musical and poetry performances from Black Chakra, Esi Abercrombie, and The Storage Unit Collective, hosted by poet and professor Unique Robinson. Registration required. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m at The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street. For more information, go to thewalters.org, or call 410-547-9000.
An Evening of Poetry: Linda Rabben’s “Book of Changes”: This is an evening of poetry featuring author and anthropologist Linda Rabben’s new poetry collection “Book of Changes.” This event will also feature local poets Virginia Crawford, Elizabeth Hazen, Traci O’Dea, and more. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bird in Hand Cafe & Bookstore, 11 E. 33rd Street. For more information, go to theivybookshop.com.
Queer Relationships in Media: I Kissed a Girl: A case study of queer relationships in media. This month features a viewing of BBC’s “I Kissed a Girl,” then a discussion about dating. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Dreamers & Make-Believers, 400 S. Highland Avenue. For more information, go to dreamersbooks.com
Sunday, January 19
Combating Imperialism, Defending Sovereignty: Join the Black Alliance for Peace Mid-Atlantic Region for a webinar hosted by BAP Haiti/Americas exploring imperialism and its effects on the Americas. Masks required and provided. Childcare, food, and refreshments provided. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 81 Mosher Street. For more information, follow bap_baltimore on Instagram.
Baker Artist Portfolios: “Off the Web” Closing Reception: Final day to view this exhibition. Reception, food, drink, and conversation about the featured art. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Peale, 225 Holliday Street. For more information, go to: thepeale.org, or call: 667-222-1814.
Shut it Down: Protest for Donnell Rochester: Join the Donnell Justice Fighters movement as they continue to fight for accountability and justice against the Baltimore City Police Department. 3 p.m. at Argonne Drive and Hillen Road. For more information, follow Justice4Donnell on Instagram.
“Scene Seen”: Book Signing: Celebrate “Scene Seen,” an art book documenting Baltimore’s music scene from 2016-2024. This event will feature a Q&A session with photographer Micah E. Wood and designer Christopher Chester and a musical performance by Daoure Diongue. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bird in Hand Coffee & Books, 11 E. 33rd Street. For more information, go to birdinhandcafe.com
Black Celebration!: This is the first Black Celebration of 2025. Sounds by DJs Jerrod Bronson and Hell O’ Kitty. Spinning current and classics in dark dance tracks. (21+) 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Ottobar Upstairs. 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com or call 410-662-0069.
Monday, January 20
AVAM MLK Dare to Dream Day: Free day of celebration for the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Make wearable art, listen to flute and poetry, watch African dance, and explore the museum. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway. For more information, go to avam.org.
King Day at the Lewis: A mainstage panel discussion that responds to a 1967 quote from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “There are some things in our society, some things in our world, to which we should never be adjusted.” There will also be dance performances, holistic workshops, and more. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 East Pratt Street. For more information, go to lewismuseum.org.
2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade: Procession to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Everyone is welcome. This year’s parade is themed “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” with Baltimore City Solicitor Ebony M. Thompson as grand marshal. Noon at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and N. Eutaw Street.
Martin Luther King Holiday Activities at The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum: The museum will offer a variety of activities, including an interactive musical performance from Griot Mama Deborah Pierce-Fakunle. ($15-$18) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, 1601-03 E. North Avenue. For more information, go to greatblacksinwax.org or call: 410-563-3404.
Thursday, January 23
Student Film Screening: Celebrate the creativity and artistic expression of rising filmmakers from the Baltimore School for the Arts. 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street. For more information, go to thewalters.org or call 410-547-9000.
Friday, January 24
Can I Kick It? “Rambo: First Blood Part II”: An event featuring classic martial arts films mixed with a live music soundtrack. ($15-$20) 7:30 p.m. at Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to creativealliance.org or call 410-276-1651.
Saturday, January 25
Harbor Point Ice Festival: Live ice carving demonstrations, interactive ice sculptures, food, drink, and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Harbor Point Central Plaza, 1310 Point Street. For more information, go to harborpoint.com.
Who Shot Ya?! 90’s Murder Mystery Brunch: Interactive murder mystery brunch. Activities include karaoke, a dance-off, and contests. 21+ ($55.20 for general admin, buffet included with price) 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Downtown Cultural Arts Center, 401 N. Howard Street. For more information, call 443-629-0208.
Palestine Benefit Show @ Ottobar: Featuring artists like B.R.A.T., Jivebomb, Public Acid, and more, all proceeds from the benefit show will be donated toward organizations working to help and support the people of Palestine. ($26.31) 7 p.m. at Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard Street. For more information, go to theottobar.com
Monday, January 27
E. Brady Robinson: Her Work with Baltimore’s Creative Communities: In a special lecture, photographer E. Brady Robinson will share her experiences with documenting Baltimore’s arts and creative scene through the powerful medium of photography. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral Street. For more information, go to prattlibrary.org or call 410-396-5430.
Tuesday, January 28
January Non-Fiction Book Club: “The Badass Librarians of Timbuktu”: A band of librarians team up to preserve and save ancient texts from certain destruction. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Snug Books, 4717 Harford Road Unit 1C. For more information, go to snugbooks.com
Tramaine Suubi presents “phases”: Tramaine Suubi is a multilingual writer from Kampala and a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. 7 p.m. at Red Emma’s, 3128 Greenmount Avenue. For more information, call 410-601-3072 or email info@redemmas.org.
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