12 Things to Do in Baltimore This Weekend: Orioles Home Opener, Asia North Arts Festival and more

Can you feel it? A time of transition is in the air, as more vaccinations and arrival of spring allow us to venture out a bit more. As ever, the weekend events calendar reflects the times. After weeks of smaller virtual events, this weekend offers the chance to welcome back the Orioles, go fly a kite or take in the Asia North Arts Festival around Station North, from home. Here’s the lineup:

Orioles Home Opener: 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 8. Baseball season returns to Baltimore, as the O’s take on the Red Sox in the first game of the season at Camden Yards. Spectators will be welcomed to the stands for the first time since the 2019 season.  Pregame festivities include player introductions on the orange carpet, ceremonial first pitches from Mayor Brandon Scott and U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, the national anthem performed by West Baltimore’s Zadia and a video tribute featuring a poem from Kondwani Fidel. The series continues Saturday and Sunday, as well.

The Invention of Downtown: 1 p.m. on Friday, April 9. Charlie Duff, author of “North Atlantic Cities”, discusses how cities including London and Baltimore invented the central business district following fires.

Climby Desk: 7-9 p.m. on Friday, April 9. The virtual event raises funds for plans to convert a Pigtown lot into a new rec space. Join Pigtown Climbs for live performances, a raffle of donated items and an update on the project. Check out a full profile from Baltimore Magazine.

César Orozco Solo Jazz Piano: 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. An Die Musik Live features a livestreaming concert with the Cuban-born pianist, violinist and composer.

Go Fly a Kite Weekend: April 10&11 in Patterson Park: The Creative Alliance is honoring the spirit of the Big Baltimore KITE Festival by encouraging all to picnic and fly their kites in Patterson Park. Expect pop-up performances and options to buy a kite at Creative Alliance and the park’s white house.

The Club at Collington Square Reopening and Rededication: 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 10 at the Hoen Lithograph Building. The East Baltimore after school and summer program offers a look at its newly renovated building with in-person and live-streaming festivities.

Asia North Arts Festival 2021: April 10-May 15 in Station North. A neighborhood-spanning exhibit of Asian American Pacific Islander art arrives in Station North locations. A virtual kickoff on April 10 features a tour of the exhibit and performances by DMV artists. Stick around for a musical performance from EN’B, who plays a fusion of Korean and R&B music.

Night Market Online: 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. As part of the Asia North kickoff, Charm City Night Market features a cooking demo with Heather Chung of Brown Rice, demonstrating a Korean Veggie Pancake.

Ink & Pixels: 10:30 a.m.- noon on Saturday, April 10. AIGA Baltimore presents a panel of speakers exploring how the design industry has shifted over 2020-21. Join JP Morgan Chase visual designer Raksa Yin, Stevenson University professor Lori Rubeling, Jones Knowles Ritchie Senior Designer Taylor Woods and Planit Social Media Director Nikki Bracy.

Words, Wine and Wings 9: 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 11. The online poetry show and open mic features poets from the DMV and beyond sharing their work based on the theme, “In the Name of Love.”

Keyon Harrold Quintet: 5&7:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 11. Keystone Korner presents two live sets led by the Ferguson, Missouri-based trumpeter, featuring work from his album, “The Mugician,” exploring current events, including the police murder of Michael Brown in his hometown. Live and streaming passes available.

Jennifer Koh: 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 11. The Shriver Hall Concert Series presents the violinist performing Bach masterworks, and selections from the “Alone Together” project, which was commissioned as a response to the pandemic and economic downturn.