Fancy hats, spiffy suits, and Black-Eyed Susan cocktails along the race track can mean only one thing: the Preakness Stakes race is finally here.
In addition to celebrating the second gem in the Triple Crown of horse racing, Baltimore will also mark several other fun events this weekend, including a 24-hour Edgar Allan Poe read-a-thon, a crab derby, puppet performances, and more.
Check it all out in this weekend’s roundup:
Crab Derby After Dark, Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Lexington Market. Cheer on crustaceans in the Crab Derby. There will also be a crab picking contest, an artists market, and more.
A Computer That Loves, Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19, Zion Lutheran Church. In Baltimore Rock Opera Society’s latest show, “A Computer That Loves: And Why Not To Build One,” Charlie the Robot must navigate love, heartbreak, and existence itself. The production premieres May 17 and runs through June 1.
Farmtography, Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m., Creative Alliance. Farmer Nell of City Weeds and Dr. Rica Wilson of Brown Girl Wellness will lead a day of food photography, environmental justice, Southern cooking, and storytelling.
Doomsday, Saturday, May 18, starts at 12 p.m., Carroll Mansion. The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre will host a 24-hour livestream reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s writings. Read more in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Preakness Stakes, Saturday, May 18, Pimlico Race Course. Giddy up for the 149th running of the Preakness Stakes. Enjoy a horse races, including the main event. Then, watch performances at Preakness LIVE, headlined by rapper Jack Harlow. Read more in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Leanne Morgan, Saturday, May 18, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Lyric Baltimore. Comedian Leanne Morgan is just getting started. Morgan released her first Netlfix comedy special in 2023, and she’s set to star in an as-yet-untitled sitcom. This Saturday, Morgan will perform two stand-up shows at the Lyric as part of her Just Getting Started Tour.
Puppet Slamwich, Saturday, May 18, shows at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. respectively), Current Space. Enjoy an afternoon of puppetry and music. Performances by Alex & Olmsted, Chuck Nesci, Kevin Sherry, The Lantern Sisters, Mable Buchanan Palmer & Theron Palmer, and Cecilia Cackley & Kara Turner.
Combat Zone Wrestling, Saturday, May 18, 7 p.m., Power Plant Live. Pro wrestlers from Combat Zone Wrestling will present their annual tournament.
Kitten Shower, Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Guilford Hall Brewery. Play with kittens — and maybe even find one to adopt if you’re looking for a furry friend — at this event to benefit BARCS Animal Shelter. The event includes games, raffles, prizes, and adoptable dogs and cats.
Make a Relief Print, Sunday, May 19, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Baltimore Museum of Art. Artist Catherine Rupan Mapp will teach families how to make a relief print, inspired by zines in the “Joyce J. Scott: Walk a Mile in My Dreams” exhibition. The workshop is designed for families with children ages 6 to 9 years old.
Amy Grant, Sunday, May 19, 7 p.m., Hippodrome Theatre. American singer-songwriter Amy Grant will perform in Baltimore this Sunday.
