The big day is almost here. The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes will take place this Saturday, with horse racing fans donning their snazziest suits and biggest fancy hats to cheer on their pick at Pimlico Race Course.
There are several other fun events happening as well, including Doomsday, the 24-hour marathon reading of works by Edgar Allan Poe; the premiere of a play about John Wilkes Booth; and the 10x10x10 Short Play Festival.
Check it all out in our weekend events roundup:
John Wilkes Booth: One Night Only, Thursday, May 15 through Sunday, June 15, Baltimore Center Stage. Written by nine-time Emmy winner Matthew Weiner, creator, director, and showrunner of Mad Men and writer and executive producer on The Sopranos, “John Wilkes Booth: One Night Only!” takes a closer look at the notorious Maryland-born actor who’s buried in an unmarked grave less than a mile from Baltimore Center Stage.
Bromo Art Walk, Thursday, May 15, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bromo Arts District – Multiple Locations. This multi-block, multi-sensory night on the town showcases the Bromo Arts District in all its glory. This self-guided neighborhood art stroll allows visitors to choose their own adventure as more than 30 arts organizations offer engaging activities across 22 locations within an 11-block stretch in the heart of Downtown Baltimore. This event is free, but registration is recommended in order to get event updates and access to special promotions. Click here for details.
Black-Eyed Susan Day, Friday, May 16, 10 a.m., Pimlico Race Course. Ahead of the 150th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, Pimlico will celebrate the 101th running of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. The1 1/8-mile main event will be the highlight of a 14-race program. In total, the day includes six stakes.
Interactive Movie Night: Pulp Fiction, Friday, May 16, 8 p.m. in The Theater at Creative Alliance. Shout the lines with Jules and Vincent, enter the Jack Rabbit Slims twist contest, and play Pulp Fiction games with ridiculous hosts Jen Marsh and Heather Keating.
10x10x10 Short Play Festival, May 16 through June 8, Fells Point Corner Theatre. It’s the 10th year for the 10x10x10 Short Play Festival (try saying that one 10 times fast). Watch 10 short plays written by 10 local playwrights and each performed by 10 actors.
Preakness 150, Saturday, May 17, events throughout day starting at 9 a.m., Preakness Stakes race around 6:50 p.m., Pimlico Race Course. This year marks the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in the Triple Crown of horse racing. Festivities will span the entire day, with the big event — the Preakness race itself — taking place around 6:50 p.m.
Signifiers Art Show, Saturday, May 17, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Gallery Blue Door. An opening reception for artist Hal Boyd’s “Signifiers” art show will take place this Saturday. The show will be on view May 17 through July 26. Read more in this interview, conducted by Hal’s daughter and Baltimore Fishbowl contributor Betsy Boyd.
Doomsday 2025, The Fourth Annual International Edgar Allan Poe Readathon, May 17, 12 p.m. to Sunday, May 18, 12 p.m., Lord Baltimore Hotel, Mezzanine Level. The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre presents the fourth annual 24-hour marathon reading of Poe’s best-loved poems and stories, with participants from in Maryland, Tennessee, and Ohio, and across the globe in Brazil, Italy, England and Scotland — and the list keeps growing! The event is streamed on YouTube and free to attend in person as well.
Sarah G and Bamboo, Sunday, May 18, doors open 6 p.m., event begins 7 p.m., CFG Bank Arena. Philippine musicians Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo are performing their first-ever US concert tour together, and Baltimore is among the stops.
The Mystery of Irma Vep: A Penny Dreadful, Sunday, May 18 through Sunday, June 22, Everyman Theatre. Charles Ludlam’s horror spoof promises first-class comedy, murder, and mayhem with two actors playing eight different characters and 30+ costume changes.
