Don’t look now, but it feels like some of the local events calendar is returning for fall. This weekend brings the annual commemoration of Defenders Day, a trio of outdoor festivals and a big comedy show at Royal Farms Arena. Even the Ravens are letting fans in again. Be safe, but have fun. There are plenty of chances:
Monumental Maryland Marble: The Cockeysville Quarries 1800-1940: 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, virtual. Where did the stone in the city’s prominent buildings come from? Phillip Lord provides the answer at the latest edition of Virtual Histories from Baltimore Architecture Foundation and Baltimore Heritage.
Tupac Week: GRIDLOCK’D with Baltimore Boom Bap Society: 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17 at SNF Parkway Theatre. As Baltimore honors the late rapper-actor-Baltimore School for the Arts alum Tupac Shakur, check out a screening of GRIDLOCK’d, in which Tupac plays a musician and poet. A performance by the Baltimore Boom Bap Society, aka DJ Dubble8 and Wendel Patrick, follows.
Festival of the West Indies: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18 in Druid Hill Park. The daylong event starts with a Jouvert Parade, honoring the parade that often occurs to celebrate the arrival of Carnival. In the afternoon, a concert features Eddie Charles, Steel Pan: Horizon Steelband and more.
Baltimore Rhythm Festival 2021: Noon-8 p.m. on Saturday, Spt. 18, at 1600 Guilford Ave. Get on the beat and head to Greenmount West for an afternoon of music on two stages, workshops and a children’s area for the youngest drummers. Plus, grab some food and check out vendors with musical instruments, drums and crafts. BYO Drum if you have one. The day closes at Guilford Hall Brewing with a concert headlined by djembe master Weedie Braimah.
Summer Music Moves: A Music & Dance Festival: 12:30 -5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18. The nomadic festival features music on three different outdoor stages around Baltimore, with performances at Eager Park in East Baltimore, Parks & People in Northwest Baltimore and Baltimore Centerstage in Midtown. Performers include Joe Keyes & The Late Bloomer Band, J Pope & The HearNow, Deep Vision Dance Company, The Lafayette Gilchrist Trio, saxophonist Rachel Winder and the Dance Baltimore Repertory Ensemble.
Defenders Day: 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Fort McHenry. Commemorate the Battle of Baltimore with a display of luminaries, music from U.S. Army musical groups and a naturalization ceremony to swear in new citizens. It caps off a day of living history, complete with encampments and cannon firing.
Katt Williams: 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Royal Farms Arena. The stand-up comedian and actor brings his World War III tour to Baltimore.
Seven Voices: A Tribute to Patsy Cline: 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Creative Alliance. Seven musicians from the region perform the songs of the trailblazing country music singer, with plenty of fresh musical arrangements along for the ride. The lineup includes Jess Eliot Myhre (Bumper Jacksons), Letitia VanSant, Maureen Andary & Sara Curtin (Sweater Set), Ahren Buchheister & Ele Rubenstein and Nicole Saphos.
Betty Cooke’s Legacy: 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19, at the Walters Art Museum. As the Mount Vernon museum debuts the first major retrospective of Baltimore artist Betty Cooke’s work, a panel featuring MICA graphic designer Ellen Lupton, MICA President Emeritus Fred Lazarus and exhibit curator Jeannine Falino will discuss her jewelry and Cross Keys store, Store Ltd.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19 at M&T Bank Stadium. The hometown NFL team is set for its home opener against the defending AFC champion on Sunday Night Football.
