In addition to honoring Black history this February, we at BOPA also want to connect it to some of the incredible work Black creatives are doing in the present — right here in Baltimore.

In 2019 (which feels like it was yesterday), the state designated a new arts & entertainment district along Pennsylvania Avenue. Despite being the newest such district, the Black Arts & Entertainment District has continued to grow and produce events throughout the pandemic.

The Pennsylvania Avenue corridor has historically hosted Black artists and performers at its venues. Once viewed as the heart of Black culture in Baltimore, the jazz clubs along the "The Avenue" were filled with some of the most popular performers of the day — Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Eubie Blake, James Brown, and more.

Unfortunately, nearly all of the clubs they played in — Club Tijuana, Red Fox, the Comedy Club, Phil's, the Royal Theatre (pictured above), the Sphinx Club, Club Casino, Gamby's, Le Coq d'Or — don't exist anymore. The only live performance venue that remains is The Arch Social Club.

The Arch Social Club is still a a cornerstone for Black Baltimore’s civic, social, and cultural life. Now, it welcomes a new generation of activists, artists, entrepreneurs and patrons to The Avenue as the entryway to the Black Arts & Entertainment District.

Keep an eye on this district — there are big plans in the works. Proposed ideas include a museum devoted to jazz legend Cab Calloway and a museum celebrating the history of Black women. To learn more about all of the awesome work happening on The Avenue, click below.

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Ernest Shaw Jr.'s 'Continuous Line' exhibition continues through Sunday, April 17, at the Top of the World Observation Level. Enjoy an afternoon at the "Gallery in the Sky" and take in the stunning views of Baltimore alongside Ernest Shaw's incredible art. For details, click the button below.

If you recently celebrated an engagement, first — congratulations! Second, you are cordially invited to the Cloisters Open House Plus on Saturday, March 12, from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. It's the perfect opportunity to get a jump-start on planning your perfect day. In addition to a tour of the castle, you will meet with an array of local wedding vendors (and taste test the caterers). Visitors and guests need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 24 hours to attend. For more information, click the button below.

This week, we want to highlight two big numbers from 2021. In a year when events were still being cancelled or postponed and restrictions made it difficult for many creatives to resume their practice, BOPA awarded nearly half a million dollars in grants and prizes — $466,723 to be exact — to individual artists and arts organizations. These funds provided general operating support, subsidized projects and programming, and helped individual artists make ends meet and continue to create. Also in 2021, BOPA paid $184,650 in artist fees. This includes stipends for teaching artists, funding for murals, and other public art projects. With additional grant programs like the Artist Recovery Grant (ARG) and reinvigorated partnerships with local institutions, BOPA aims to continue its trajectory of support for Baltimore's creative community in 2022.

Back in person for a seventh year, it's two nights of blazing guitar runs, violin crescendos, luscious vocals, and jazz heat all in the spirit of the great Belgian jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. The festival takes place Friday, February 18, and Saturday, February 19, and one and two-day tickets are still available. For details on the lineup, times, and tickets, click below.

On Tuesday, February 22, from 7:00 –10:00 p.m., join Baltimore-based comedians Khairy Urquhart and Ivan Martin at the Motor House. They will discuss the current state of the Baltimore comedy scene, who to watch, where to go see comedy, and what the year has in store. This event is free. For details and directions, click the button below.

On Wednesday, February 23, from 9:00 a.m. –12:30 p.m., Arts for Learning Maryland invites students of all grades to participate in Blacktastic, a children's festival of Black history & culture. Six enriching performances and workshops will bring the inspiration of arts integration into your home or classroom at an affordable price. For more information and how to register, click below.

Now through Sunday, February 27, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company presents Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking play "A Raisin in the Sun." Get showtimes, tickets, and health & safety information at the button below.

CityLit Project presents the 19th annual CityLit Festival, a celebration of literature for readers and writers alike. "How We Break Free: Confronting Hard Truths" is the underlying theme of the month-long event this year. The Festival begins with a virtual event on Tuesday, March 1, continues with day-long programming on Saturday, March 12, at the Pratt Central Library, and ends on Friday, April 1, at Busboys and Poets as a nod to the start of National Poetry Month. Fore more information on all CityLit Festival events, click below.

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Make sure to keep virtually in touch with BOPA! Follow us @promoandarts for your dose of art, to receive local arts resources, and to learn about how Baltimore's creative community is keeping the arts thriving.

BOPA is proud to serve as your arts council, event center, and film office. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are committed to ensuring Baltimore remains a vibrant, thriving arts community. We cannot do it without the support of our community — philanthropic funders, program partners, artists, volunteers, and you!