Entertainment and Sport

Baltimore City Event Listings

Culture

Wait, is there even anything to put in this section? This is Baltimore, after all? Of course, there is! Because Baltimore is often not considered a major cultural center, many students are very pleasantly surprised at the wide variety of exciting (and affordable!) performances, museums, and other events here.

Art

Baltimore is an Art City, it’s as simple as that. Whether it’s museums all around town, galleries along the waterfront, or conventions and festivals, Baltimore has something for every artist. Also, keep an eye out for Dr. Donna Magid’s amazing emails chock full of information about happenings around town, especially art. Here is just a selection of some of the must-see museums and festivals around town.

American Visionary Art Museum
Address: 800 Key Hwy. Hours: Tues-Sun 10-6 Admission: $14, $8 w/ student ID http://www.avam.org/
Dean Olsher of NPR’s “All Things Considered” said it best: “AVAM…is a monument to the failure of words…which are not yet able to describe the fantastic creations here…”
The American Visionary Art Museum is a conglomeration of sights and sounds that overwhelm the senses and leave you pondering “how on earth…?”

Walters Art Museum
Address: 600 N. Charles St. Hours: Wed-Sun, 10-5, Fri -8 Admission: Free http://www.thewalters.org/
Conveniently located right on Mount Vernon square, across from the JHMI shuttle stop, the Walters is something everyone must visit at least once while living in Baltimore—especially since it is currently free! The museum is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday to Sunday, but they extend their hours to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, so you can get some culture after going to Liver Rounds or before having dinner on Charles St. The museum has a strong collection of European Art, starting with a beautiful collection of Medieval paintings, sculpture and stained-glass, and continuing chronologically with works by Raphael, Vasari, El Greco, Ingres, Gericault, Delacroix, Manet, Monet, Sisley, Cassatt, Pissaro. More impressive, however, is the collection of non-European art. This includes a well-reputed collection of Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman art, a section of Byzantine and Islamic art that must not be missed, a strong collection of Mesoamerican art, and a diverse Asian art section, covering India, Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Japan.

Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Dr. Hours: Wed-Fri, 11-5, Sat-Sun 11-6 Admission: Free http://www.artbma.org/
Located just south of the Homewood campus, the BMA is easily accessible by the JHMI shuttle and is also currently free. The BMA is open between 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday to Friday and from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The museum is best known for the Cone collection, which includes a fantastic collection of paintings by Matisse, as well as works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Gaugin, and Picasso. The museum also has an interesting collection of Modern and Contemporary art, Renaissance and Baroque art, as well as Roman Mosaics. While the non-European art is not as strong, the BMA also attracts a number of large traveling exhibitions. The BMA is also the site of Gertrude’s, a wonderful dining destination (see Restaurants).

Artscape
The largest free arts festival in the country with over 350,000 attendees, Artscape is not to be missed. During the summer, Artscape features 150+ artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars, photography and the Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize; incredible live concerts on three outdoor stages; a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, fashion, film, experimental music and performances by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; family events such as hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children’s entertainers and multiple street theater locations; and a delicious, international menu of food and beverages that is available throughout the festival site.

For more information about art around Baltimore, contact Carl G. Streed Jr. at [email protected].

Movie Theatres:

  • The Senator Theatre – Historic theater
  • Cinemark Towson – Located at the Towson Town Center, Nice comfy, reclining seats
  • The Rotunda – Closest to Homewood
  • The Charles Theatre – close to MICA/Mt. Vernon

 

Music:

You may be surprised but Baltimore does have a rather active music scene.

If you’re into rock/rap/pop concerts in Baltimore, check out the following places:

  • Merriweather Post Pavilion: this is an outdoors so they are generally open from summer till fall. Don’t miss the Virgin Mobile FreeFest in August or September!
  • Rams Head Live
  • 1st Mariner Arena
  • Pier Six Concert Pavilion

If you’re looking for upscale music venues in Baltimore, search for the following places:

  • Meyerhoff (where Baltimore Symphony Orchestra holds most of its concerts)
  • Lyric Opera House
  • Strathmore
  • The France-Merrick Performing Art Center (aka Hippodrome Theatre)

Even if you don’t like to leave campus or are on a tight budget, you can find concerts around Hopkins through the:

  • Note-A-chords (our very own JHMI acapella group)
  • JHMI Office of Cultural Affairs’ Peabody Spotlight Series
  • Shriver Hall Concert Series at Homewood
  • Undergraduate concerts associated with the Homewood Arts Program

If you are looking for venues in DC/VA, check out:

  • 9:30
  • Black Cat
  • Verizon Center
  • Warner Theatre
  • D.A.R. Constitution Hall
  • Jiffy Lube Live

If you want Broadway, don’t forget we are only a couple hours from New York!

If you’re more into creating your own music, here are some things you can do:

  • join the Note-A-chords—the Hopkins acapella group
  • join the Choral society, Jazz and Blues Society, or Chamber Music associated with the Office of Student Affairs
  • organize a event at the local karaoke bar (Walt’s Inn, Mahaffey’s Pub)
  • take a class at Peabody

Theater

Theatre is a proud tradition in Baltimore. We have highlighted two favorites.

Center Stage http://www.centerstage.org/index.php
Center Stage is the main theatre company in Baltimore, putting on seven productions each year. Located in Mount Vernon only a few blocks from the JHMI Peabody stop, student rush tickets are available on the day of the performance—but do call in advance to check on the availability of tickets.
*Starting in 2012, a “Go Pass” has been available – for ages 18-34, $48 buys you an unlimited season pass with ability to buy same-day tickets. Great for impromptu theater nights at a very low cost, even when you don’t know when you’ll be getting out of the rotation that day.

The Creative Alliance http://www.creativealliance.org/
Located just east of Patterson Park, the Creative Alliance has been promoting dynamic art in all forms in Baltimore since 1995. The Creative Alliance is the place to go for up-and-coming productions, out of town artist and actors, and the occasional cabaret, ol’ chum.

For more information about Baltimore’s theatre scene, contact Carl G. Streed Jr. at [email protected].

Sports

In Baltimore, it’s all about the Ravens and the Orioles. Raven’s games can be a little pricey, which is sad if you’re a football nut like me. But you definitely want to experience an Oriole’s (or O’s) game at least once in a given season, even if you’re not really that into baseball (like me). They’re fun if you go with a lot of friends or classmates, and tickets, especially on student nights, can be dirt cheap!

Festivals

Baltimore also has many other festivals, ranging from cultural and heritage celebrations (African American History, Native American Pow-wow, etc.) and to the Arts (Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, Baltimore Book Festival, ARTSCAPE, etc.) to just fun community gatherings (lighting of the Washington Monument, neighborhood festivals, etc.). There is ALWAYS something
fun going on!!!

African American Heritage Festival – July – This three-day festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors in a family celebration of the history, culture, heritage and arts of African Americans. The festival showcases art, vendors, entertainment, and community organization with special educational programming and activities for children (http://www.aahf.net)

Baltimore Carnival – July – A three-day, music-filled festival organized by the Caribbean-American Carnival Association of Baltimore, a group that promotes the cultural ideals of all Caribbean nations within the state of Maryland.

Cinema Sundays at The Charles – April to June – Voted “Baltimore’s Best Film Series” by Baltimore magazine. City Paper’s Annual Brew Festival – April – Sample 30+ beers from local and regional microbreweries. www.citypaper.com

Fell’s Point Festival- Early October- An estimated 700,000 people make their way through the historic Maritime district of Fell’s Point in Baltimore, filled with live music, arts, crafts, food and fun.

Flower Mart – May – Come buy exotic flowers, arts and crafts, and enjoy live music at Mount Vernon Place. www.flowermart.org

Freefall Baltimore – October to November – An annual autumnal celebration with lots of free and public cultural events all over the city (http://www.freefallbaltimore.com/)

Highlandtown Wine Festival – April – Celebrate home wine-making at this annual wine tasting event in the Highlandtown neighborhood (http://www.highlandtown.com)

Johns Hopkins University Spring Fair – April – Started in 1971, JHU Spring Fair is an annual event in April that attracts people of all ages from Hopkins and its neighboring communities. Throughout the weekend, the main attractions at Spring Fair include its multitude of food vendors, bands, carnival rides, and beer garden. It is sure not to be missed and it is a great excuse to not study over a glorious spring weekend (https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/spring-fair/)

Latinofest Patterson Park – June – LatinoFest celebrates Hispanic culture with live Latin music, dancing, ethnic cuisine, public service information booths, children’s activities and more. All proceeds support Education Based Latino Outreach, a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of Maryland’s Hispanic youth and families through educational and cultural programs.

Miracle on 34th Street– late November to December – Residents of 34th Street in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore take pride in making their’s the most decorated street in the city. The site hasn’t been updated in awhile, but the pictures will give you a feel for the spirit. (http://www.christmasstreet.com/ or http://imageevent.com/ralf/maryland/hamdenlights)

MLK Jr. Birthday Parade- MLK Day- One of the largest celebrations in the U.S. of the great civil rights leader, with the parade going right through downtown Baltimore.

Maryland Film Festival – May – The largest gathering of filmmakers on the East Coast! See over 100 movies before they hit the theaters and get to know the people who made them (http://www.md-filmfest.com)

Preakness Stakes- May – Pimlico Track- One of the three races in the Historic Triple Crown of Horse Racing. A Baltimore tradition!!! St. Patrick’s Day Celebration- A large parade through the Inner Harbor and a running race, followed by festivities in many of the local Irish Districts.

A Taste of Little Italy – September – In the heart of Little Italy, experience Italian music, dancing, a pageant, and of course, beer, wine, and fantastic food (http://littleitalyrestaurants.com)

 

Other Activities in or near Baltimore

WHITEWATER RAFTING:
ACE Adventure Center
PO Box 1168, Oak Hill, WV 25901
Call 1-888-ACE-RAFT & Local: 304-469-2651
Ace Adventure Center is a 1,400-acre whitewater rafting
resort. You can participate in many other activities such as
mountain climbing, fishing, kayaking, paintball and horse-
back riding.
Website: http://www.aceraft.com

TENNIS:
Available tennis courts are unfortunately relatively inconvenient for students living close to the East Baltimore campus. Patterson Park has about 8 courts on the far east side of the park, but these are often taken when the weather is nice / during the times we are out of class. The only other set of public outdoor courts are those at the Homewood (= undergrad) campus, which is about a 15 minute drive from East Baltimore. These courts are much nicer, but varsity and undergraduates often occupy them. There are also a few courts in Federal Hill close to Raven’s Stadium underneath the 95 overpass, but these may be for neighborhood use only. One last option are courts at local private schools (city public schools tend to lack tennis courts). Bryn Mawr School and Gilman School, both located in Roland Park (about 15 minutes north of the city along Charles Steet), both have a number of courts that are very nice. The only drawback is the location (about 20 minute drive) and that the gates to the court may be locked. Bryn Mawr is a safer bet than Gilman because Bryn Mawr’s courts are older and therefore not as lovingly protected.

Overall your best options for outdoor courts are (1) Patterson Park (2) Homewood Campus (3) local high schools.

Cheap indoor courts are much harder to come across. Cross Keys is the closest indoor facility (located about 5 minutes from the undergrad campus), and courts aren’t too pricey (probably $25 or $30 an hour). Bare Hills is another option and is about 20 minutes. These courts will cost roughly $30 or $40 an hour, but it is located off of some back roads and is harder to get to. The last option is Greenspring Racket Club, located in Greenspring directly off of I-83. This is about a 20-25 minute drive, and courts here are $40ish an hour.

Overall your best option for indoors are (1) Cross Keys (2) Greenspring (since it is easy to drive to). Indoor tennis in Baltimore is in general difficult to come across.

SKIING:
Liberty Resort & Conference Center
Liberty Resort hosts College nights where for only $25, you can get 5pm-10pm lift ticket, FREE rental equipment, or $25 Learn to Ski or Snowboard Package (includes beginner area lift ticket, rentals and a beginner lesson). College night is ever Wednesday starting mid-January.
Website: https://www.libertymountainresort.com 
Directions from Baltimore, MD – approx. 60 minutes, From I-695 take I-795 north to Route 140 West. Follow Route 140 to PA line, it becomes Route 16. Turn right on Route 116. Liberty Mountain Resort is 3 miles on the right.

Whitetail Resorts
1305 Blairs Valley Road, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania 17236
(717) 328-9400
Website: http://www.skiwhitetail.com/

7 Springs Resorts
777 Waterwheel Dr, Seven Springs PA 15622
The first-year ski trip was held at 7 Springs Resorts. In
addition, you can participate in paintball, hiking & biking,
and fly fishing.
Website: http://www.7springs.com/

GOLF:

Driving Ranges:

Bayview Golf Driving Range
6501 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 631-9933

Mt. Washington Driving Range
2101 W Rogers Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209
(410) 664-2824

Golf Courses:

Diamond Ridge Golf Course
309 Ridge Rd, Baltimore, MD 21244
(410) 887-1349

Country Club of Maryland
1101 Stevenson Ln, Baltimore, MD 21286
(410) 823-3869

Hiking:

Gym:

  • Gym access: 
    • Homewood: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/recreation/
      BME students have access to the Rec Center (including a pool, a climbing gym, and the fields) for free through the Whiting School of Engineering. In order to get access, you need to register as a grad student and indicate that you are in the Biomedical Engineering department. The people at the front desk can add access to your JCard. Don’t be discouraged if they say you don’t have access at first – just ask for help at the front desk.
    • Med campus: https://www.jhmifitness.com/
      BME students have access to the Cooley Center (and all its classes) through the School of Medicine. 

 

Pool:

 

Bouldering/climbing:

Skating/Hockey:

 

Team Sports:

Dance:

There are free dance classes for JHU students, including modern dance, ballet, hip-hop, etc, available for different levels. An exciting dance performance takes place in the spring. More info can be found in Hopkins Groups.