BALTIMORE
by Stephanie Citron CITY GUIDE
For additional event, attraction,
restaurant and hotel information,
visit baltimore.org
SAVE the DATE
INNER HARBOR
INDEPENDENCE DAY
CELEBRATION
July 4
Before the fireworks extravaganza,
attend Fort McHenry’s reenactment
of Frederick Douglass’ speech,
“The Meaning of July 4th for the
Negro,” and other commemorations. 410-752-8632; promotion
andarts.org/events-festivals/
fourth-july-celebration
LAKE CLIFTON
BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON
ONE CARIBBEAN
CARNIVAL
July 9–10
It begins with a colorful Caribbean parade of dancers and
floats, and leads into an island
party with live calypso, soca
and reggae music, dancing
and food. 202-726-2204;
dccarnival.org
MOUNT VERNON
10TH ANNUAL
BALTIMORE IMPROV
FESTIVAL
July 25–31
More than 30 well-known
troupes perform sidesplitting, unrehearsed skits.
Wanna try? Pop into one of
the interactive workshops.
888-745-8393;
bigimprov.org
INNER HARBOR
OTAKON
Aug. 12–14
This anime convention hosts
scores of Sailor Moons and
20,000 other costumed
cosplayers, who come to
parade, perform and attend
workshops on Japanese
pop-culture and characters.
otakon.com
INNER HARBOR
BALTIMORE ART, ANTIQUE
& JEWELRY SHOW
Aug. 25–28
The country’s largest indoor
antiques show presents
hundreds of international
exhibitors of furniture,
artworks, porcelain, jewelry,
glass, textiles and more.
561-822-5440;
baltimoresummershow.com
Visitors enjoy family-friendly films.
Flicks From The Hill
Free summertime outdoor movies aren’t such a novel thing these days. Unless we’re talking about Flicks From The Hill, presented by the avant-garde
American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). Family-friendly
films are viewed from atop historic Federal Hill. Getting a
good seat is guaranteed, because the Hill acts as makeshift
bleachers for this alfresco amphitheater. The 30-foot-wide
screen and speakers, suspended on the outside wall of the
museum beneath a crazy, giant golden hand, are framed by
panoramic views of Baltimore’s spectacular skyline. And, on
film days—Thursdays—the AVAM invites visitors to explore
the museum for free beginning at 5 p.m. It also hosts pre-movie events and activities each week: bicycle rides, arts
workshops, parties and food trucks. Federal Hill.
410-244-1900; avam.org
Artscape Expands
into Outer Space
WHATEVER’S OUT THERE IS COMING TO BALTIMORE THIS SUMMER
STEP OU TSIDE OF BALTIMORE’S PENN STATION in mid-July, and you’ll be smack-dab in
the center of Artscape, which this year is a kaleidoscopic jamboree of space-themed artworks, musical performances, festivities and food. “With Star Wars
being so popular and a new planet [possibly] being discovered, it seemed to
be a current and relevant theme,” says Kathy Hornig, festivals director of the
Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts (BOPA). Be it fantastical representations of UFOs, unexplored solar systems or designs incorporating abstract
realms, the artists, fashion designers and craftspeople of America’s largest free
art fair are exhibiting magnificently innovative works and wares.
Spanning more than 15 blocks and many off-site venues, Artscape also
stages live performances in dance, contemporary music, theater—even
the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. No tickets are needed for any venue
or event. “Every bit of it is free, providing a platform for people who might
not otherwise have exposure to the arts,” says Hornig. Of course, attendees
will still want to bring
a wallet for purchasing
artwork, crafts and food.
All beverage and food
vendors at Artscape
are local businesses—a
deliberate strategy to
showcase Baltimore’s
eclectic food scene. And,
Hornig notes, “It’s usu-
ally the hottest weekend
of the year, so we want
to make sure that you
can find a local beer.”
July 15–17. 410-752-8632;
artscape.org Attendees stroll through the art fair at Artscape.
