Community Calendar

Between 1946 and 1953, Henri Matisse created 28 lithographic portraits for Poésies Antillaises (Antillean Poetry), a book of poems by John-Antoine Nau. Published posthumously in 1972, this rare volume remains one of Matisse’s least-known illustrated works.

Inspired by his brief 1930 visit to Martinique, Matisse translated Nau’s evocative poems—celebrating travel, music, and oceanic landscapes—into vibrant portraits. These reflect the artist’s collaborations with notable Caribbean and international models and are presented alongside works by two leading artists from Martinique and Guadeloupe, Germaine Casse and Serge Hélénon. This focus exhibition illuminates aspects of the transatlantic artistic circles active during the late French colonial period.

The Highlandtown First Friday Art Walk is a free, self-guided walking tour of arts venues, exhibitions, performances, pop-up shops, and more! The neighborhood comes alive with incredible talent, vibrant vendors, and inspiring creations from local makers. Local businesses team up with DJs, musicians, and artists to turn the evening into a full-on celebration—come out, explore, get inspired, and be part of the fun!

Highlandtown hosts its Art Walk on the first Friday of every month, with the exception of January and July. Specific event details, such as participating venues and artists, are posted on our website: ihearthighlandtown.com and on our social media: @highlandtownarts on FB and IG.

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📍 Digital map: https://tinyurl.com/HighlandtownArtWalkMap2026
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Use the interactive Art Walk Map to find venue locations and details to plan your night! Some venues are open earlier than 5pm and some stay open past 9pm. Please check individual listings.

🚌 GETTING HERE 🚌
Free street-parking is available throughout the neighborhood. Metered parking is available on Eastern Ave and Conkling Street (and is free after 6pm). City buses #21, #22, Navy, Blue bring you to the district.

💡 HOW DO I PARTICIPATE (AS AN ARTIST/VENDOR)? 💡
Artists, performers and vendors can join our “Art Walk Vendor List” by completing the online form below. We share this with our venues and they’ll reach out if interested. You’re also welcome to attend an Art Walk, meet our venues and make a match directly! https://tinyurl.com/ArtWalkVendor

2nd Annual Rotunda Rocks Returns to Hampden Neighborhood this Spring
Family-friendly Night of Rockin’ Fun Begins May 3 and Runs Every Friday Until End of September

Whether you like to jam to rock, folk, blues, Indie, Latin or reggae, there is something for everyone as the second annual Rotunda Rocks concert series returns to Hampden this spring/summer (711 W 40th Street). This family-friendly FREE concert series, presented by MCB Real Estate, features live music on the plaza and a street festival atmosphere with delicious local food and drinks, fun games and local vendors on Fridays, 6-9 p.m. beginning May 3 and running until September 27. Rotunda Rocks is open to the public and welcomes families and pets. A portion of proceeds from beverage sales benefits the Maryland SPCA. For more information, log onto Rotunda Rocks | The Rotunda (rotundabaltimore.com) or call 410-662-0104.

SCHEDULE OF BANDS:
May 3 Mambo Combo (Latin and tropical rhythms)
May 10 Strykers Posse (reggae)
May 17 Go Dog Go with special guest Garage Sale (garage rock and hot rockin’ Surf)
May 24 Harlan County Kings (original rock)
May 31 Patrick Alban & Noche Latina (Latin and acoustic rock with a touch of salsa and South Beach feel)
June 7 Barry Prosser and the Vaguely Absurd (classic rock)
June 14 Monkton Road Band (rootsy folks laced with deep country)
June 21 The Natty Brohs (classic rock and blues)
June 28 The Soularites (SoulFULL reggae and Ska)
July 5 Kyf Brewer & Friends (hues of 60’s pop radio, British invasion, early Nashville, rhythm and blues and ancient Celtic melodies)
July 12 Justin Trawick and the Common Good (Americana-bluegrass, country and folk)
July 19 The Players Band (infectious rhythms and horn-heavy ska sounds)
July 26 Gaelic Mishap (Celtic rock)
August 2 Tumblehome (rock, soul, rhythm & blues)
August 9 Kurt Deemer Band (guitar driven rock & roll)
August 16 Barleyjuice (Celtic rock)
August 23 Red Sammy (honest, slow-burn Americana folks rock)
August 30 La Unica (Irish Latin)
September 6 ZOCKO! (surf garage)
September 13 Western Run (funked-up country rock)
September 20 Guys In Thin Ties (Alternative 80s band)
September 27 The Rock-A-Sonics (rockabilly, vintage country and atomic age rock n’ roll)

The Rotunda Welcomes Back Popular Family-Friendly Concert Series this May
3rd Annual Rotunda Rocks Begins Friday, May 2 and Runs Every Friday through Friday, October 3

Grab a blanket or dust off your favorite portable chair and head on over to Hampden this spring for the return of the popular family-friendly concert series, the 3rd Annual Rotunda Rocks. This FREE weekly concert series, presented by MCB Real Estate, features live music on the Plaza and a street festival atmosphere with delicious local food and drinks, fun games and local vendors and will take place Fridays, 6-9 p.m. beginning May 2 and running until October 3. (711 West 40th Street). Whether you like rock n ’roll, folk, bluegrass, Indie, Latin, Celtic or reggae music, there is something for everyone and the event is open to the public. Pets are welcome and a portion of proceeds from beverage sales benefits the Maryland SPCA. For more information, log onto Rotunda Rocks | The Rotunda (rotundabaltimore.com) or call 410-662-0104.

Join MET's longest running improv team, The Comedy Pigs, for a night full of laughs! The Comedy Pigs perform on the first Friday and Saturday of each month. The Comedy Pigs specialize in short-form improv, similar to what you'd see on the TV Show "Whose Line is it Anyway?"

The holidays already are here and your shopping isn’t finished? Or even started? What to give special friends who say they don’t need anything? Church Hill Theatre has an easy and thoughtful suggestion. Consider a 2026 Season Package—with 5 tickets for the price of 4. You get to choose the plays and the dates.

The coming 2026 season opens in March with a Tennessee Williams classic, The Glass Menagerie, and closes in December with A Christmas Carol. In between, there is a great choice of musicals, comedies and more. Consider Between the Lines, an April musical featuring our talented teens, the major June production of Chicago, or the September musical Something’s Afoot, a spoof of British mystery stories. And who could pass on the spooky November show, The Transylvanian Clockworks?

This special $100 package will make a memorable gift and support a cherished local institution. And if you have been very good all through the year, consider treating yourself to an entire season of outstanding shows. This package is available through the CHT office, at 410-556-6003 or online at churchhilltheatre.org.

Between 1946 and 1953, Henri Matisse created 28 lithographic portraits for Poésies Antillaises (Antillean Poetry), a book of poems by John-Antoine Nau. Published posthumously in 1972, this rare volume remains one of Matisse’s least-known illustrated works.

Inspired by his brief 1930 visit to Martinique, Matisse translated Nau’s evocative poems—celebrating travel, music, and oceanic landscapes—into vibrant portraits. These reflect the artist’s collaborations with notable Caribbean and international models and are presented alongside works by two leading artists from Martinique and Guadeloupe, Germaine Casse and Serge Hélénon. This focus exhibition illuminates aspects of the transatlantic artistic circles active during the late French colonial period.