Friday marks the 173rd anniversary of the death of Edgar Allan Poe, who holds a haunting place in the hearts of many Baltimoreans. Events across the city will pay tribute to the horror writer, who wrote many of his stories here and whose grave is in downtown Baltimore.
Two Baltimore festivals will also celebrate big milestones this weekend: the Pigtown Festival turns 20, and the Baltimore Greek Festival celebrates 50 years of fun.
Check out al that’s happening in this weekend’s lineup:
Tech in Film Panel, Thursday, Oct. 6, 5:30-9 p.m., The A. Hoen & Co. Lithograph Building, 2101 E. Biddle St. Watch a panel of eight local filmmakers and media entrepreneurs discuss tech in film. Then, catch sneak peeks of some of the panelists’ work, as well as a “Shot in Baltimore” feature film.
Greek Festival, Thursday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 9, The Baltimore Greek Festival has been going 50 years strong. Celebrate the festival turning a half-century by getting a bite of some delicious Greek food and pastries, dance to Greek music, and more.
Drinking with Dinos, Friday, Oct. 7, 5-8 p.m., Maryland Zoo. It’s five o’clock somewhere — even in Earth’s Prehistoric Period. Check out the limited-time dinosaurs exhibit while sipping on drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and getting something to eat from a food truck.
Music Under the Dome, Friday, Oct. 7, 7-9 p.m., Maryland Science Center. Groove along to 70s funk under the Maryland Science Center’s planetarium dome. From music by James Brown to Kool & The Gang to Stevie Wonder and more, listen to it all while enjoying psychedelic and galactic images.
Poe Magic, Friday, Oct. 7, 8 p.m., Lord Baltimore Hotel. Commemorating the 173rd anniversary of the death of horror writer Edgar Allan Poe, “Tales of Mystery and Imagination (and MAGIC!)” will feature Poe-themed magic and mentalism demonstrations. The event will support the National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre’s first-ever live stage show, which you can read more about in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Opera on the Avenue, Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 600 block of Cumberland Street and the Pratt Library’s Pennsylvania Avenue Branch. Enjoy live opera music at a free daytime festival, highlighting the story of Black soprano Anne Wiggins Brown, who originated the role of Bess in George Gershwin’s opera “Porgy and Bess.” The festival serves as a celebration of the musical legacy of Old West Baltimore, where Brown grew up. Later on in the evening, there will be a ticketed concert at University Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. Read more about it in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Roots Cafe, Sunday, Oct. 9, 3 p.m., An Die Musik. Singer-songwriter Matt Pless has shared stages with Maroon 5, Arlo Guthrie, Fallout Boy, All Time Low and others. Fellow singer-songwriter Geoffrey Himes has been a music critic for the Washington Post, Baltimore City Paper and others. Violinist Willem Elsevier has been part of Baltimore rock band Love Riot. He has been performing and writing songs with Himes since 2012. Together, the artists will perform their newest and favorite compositions.
80s Tribute Performance, Saturday, Oct. 8, doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m., Rams Head Live. Take a trip down memory lane with a performance by 80s tribute band The Legwarmers. Jam out to the classics as you’re transported back in time.
Poe Festival, Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9, Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards will return to Baltimore this weekend with two days of books, music and art. Ticketed events included the Death Weekend Poe Places tour, Poe House tours, the Black Cat Ball on Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m., and the grand opening of the Virginia Poe Bicentennial Death exhibit.
Pigtown Festival, Saturday, Oct. 8, noon to 7 p.m., Pigtown, 700 to 1100 blocks of Washington Boulevard. The Pigtown Festival turns 20 this year. Catch the “Squeakness” pig races, hat making, baseball throwing, and other family-friendly activities. Read all about it in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Black Girl Magic, Sunday, Oct. 9, noon to 6 p.m., Inner Harbor Amphitheater. Originally scheduled for the beginning of the month, but postponed due to last weekend’s stormy weather, the October edition of Waterfront Partnership’s Baltimore by Baltimore festival is finally here. This month’s free festival will celebrate “Black Girl Magic.” Read all about it in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Garden Art Party, Sunday, Oct. 9, 1-5 p.m., Whitelock Community Farm. The party is on at Whitelock Community Farm with an open mic, art-making, harvesting workshop, and a potluck featuring no processed/minimally processed foods with no artificial additives.
Thank you for including the Roots Café concert in your weekend picks.