This week, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament came to Baltimore, bringing along a slate of entertaining events for fans. Baltimore is also getting a head start on its Mardi Gras celebrations. Plus, Grammy award-winning singer Monica and other musical artists will be performing.
Here’s the weekend lineup:
España and Beyond, Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 24-27, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Troupe Vertigo will awe with aerial aerobatics and gymnastic presentations as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jack Everly, explores Latin music. The performance will include a re-imagining of French composer Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.”
Patrice Rushen, Thursday, Feb. 24 and Sunday, Feb. 27, Keystone Korner. Award-winning musician and composer Patrice Rushen will lead four nights of performances, featuring Ernie Watts, Edwin Livingston and Marvin Smitty Smith. Tickets are sold out for the Friday and Saturday performances, but you can still grab tickets for Thursday and Sunday while they’re available (as of this column’s publication, they are not sold out).
CIAA Fan Fest, Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26, Baltimore Convention Center. The CIAA tournament kicked off in Baltimore earlier this week and will culminate in the women’s and men’s championship games on Saturday. Coinciding with the tournament, the two-day Fan Fest will include a Battle of the Bands, featuring bands from the CIAA competitors’ schools, a Greek step show, performances by rapper Roscoe Dash and singer Sammie, and more.
Taste of the Tournament, 7-11 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25, Eubie Blake National Jazz and Cultural Center. Also in honor of the CIAA tournament, community groups are holding a kickback, featuring chefs, vendors, live jazz music and a DJ. There will also be an artist talk with painter, muralist and portrait artist Ernest Shaw.
Things in Pairs, 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25, An Die Musik Live! Violinist Audrey Wright and pianist Yundu Wang will celebrate the release of their new album “Things in Pairs,” including the world premiere of American composer Rain Worthington’s “Balancing on the Edge of Shadows.” There will also be a post-concert reception.
Lotus, doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26, Baltimore Soundstage. The electronic jam band Lotus released their album “Live Underground” earlier this year, and they’ll bring their groovy, funky tunes to Baltimore this weekend. Baltimore Soundstage is selling tickets for the individual nights, or a two-day pass for those looking to relive the performance.
Square Dancing, 7:30-11 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, Mobtown Ballroom. Get on the dance floor, find a partner and dance the night away. Whether you’re a square dancing scholar or a newbie to the form, all experience and skill levels are welcome. Baltimore magazine even named the Baltimore Square Dance at the Mobtown Ballroom the “Party You Didn’t Know You Were Missing” on their 2016 “Best of Baltimore” list.
Monica, 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, The Lyric. Mononymous singers Monica and Brandy went to battle in the 90s hit song “The Boy Is Mine,” which won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. The pair came together again in 2020 for an appearance on the musical faceoff web series Verzuz. Monica also founded her own label, MonDeenise Music. Well, there’s no confusion here; it’s not hard to see that Monica fans will be lining up for the musician’s performance, “An Intimate Night With Monica,” at The Lyric this Saturday.
Moontide Gallery and Others, doors open at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, Ottobar. Enjoy performances by Moontide Gallery, Vlad Holiday, Jive Bomb and Xavier Gibson.
Mardi Gras Bar Crawl, noon to 9 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 27, Power Plant Live! Mardi Gras is officially March 1 on “Fat Tuesday,” but festivities are starting a bit early here in Charm City. Baltimore will transform into Bourbon Street for one night for a Mardi Gras celebration, complete with beads, masks, food, drinks, and more. Participating bars include Luckie’s Tavern, Lienie Lodge & Beer Garden, Angels Rock Bar, and PBR, each with their own drink specials. Attendees must be 21 or older. Please drink responsibly!
