Riley Greenberg – Baltimore Magazine

Towson Teen Heads Back Into the School Year Having Attended Prestigious GRAMMY Camp

Riley Greenberg — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:19:41 +0000

September often brings a classic icebreaker to offices and classrooms everywhere: what did you do this summer? For 17-year-old Maisie Rehkemper, the highlight is pretty clear. She was one of approximately 40 students across the country to be accepted into GRAMMY Camp (yes, of those Grammys) in New York City this past August.

Maisie is a senior studying music production at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology in Towson, and the only student in the Baltimore area to be accepted into the program. Presented by the nonprofit GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles—which works to preserve music culture and nurture up-and-coming artists—the week-long intensives in Nashville, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York train high school students interested in pursuing a career in music, offering tracks on everything from songwriting and jazz to music business and production.

As she settles back into the school year, we caught up with Rehkemper to reflect on what she learned from the pros.

What is it about music production and sound engineering that interests you most?
I’ve been playing instruments and performing in bands since I was 6 years old. I played ukulele for a couple years, then I went to guitar, then I went to drums, and then I went to bass, which I stuck with. Growing up, performing on stage with these little kid bands, I was having so much fun, and as I got older, I was just more curious as to how it all worked. Once I started interning at local music schools, it was way cooler getting to know and hear the differences in music that I really couldn’t hear before.

Where did you first hear about GRAMMY Camp, and what interested you in applying?
Last summer, I was at a bunch of different music camps, like a pre-college program at Stevens Institute of Technology [in Hoboken, New Jersey]—which is one of my top college choices—and a program at the Blackbird Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, a legit recording studio. I wanted to do more this summer because they were so fun and I learned so much. My brother is at Berklee in Boston, and some of his friends have previously gone to GRAMMY Camp. They got me to actually take the steps to apply.

What was the application process like?
For production, we had to submit two pieces. One I wrote with my band, Saltbox, because we were recording an EP at the time, so I got the files and I did a mix on them. And the other one I recorded all myself. It was a cover of “Comfort of a Laugh Track” by Roar. I got to do piano and guitar and sing and try to type in drums. Making the cover all by myself was the first real project I’ve actually done outside of school. Once I finally put them all together, I wrote a little paragraph about each song and what I did with it, and I had to do a video essay.

Describe the feeling when you found out you were accepted.
I honestly couldn’t believe that I got picked, because it’s such a small group of people. It was so cool, and I had to be kind of secretive about it because we weren’t allowed to tell anyone until May, and I found out in April. But I was super, super excited. It was so surreal.

What was the first day like?
It was actually really overwhelming. Once we went into our smaller groups, it was super fast-paced. Our teacher, Jason Goldman—his producer name is Spicy G—had us make a drum track, loop it in five minutes, and then add something on. But it was really cool because I didn’t think I could do that. While it was fun and exciting, it was also stressful because I realized I was the only girl in the program. It was a little awkward, but it wasn’t unexpected because that’s usually how it is in every music production [program] I’ve been to.

Speaking of those experiences, you founded the Women in Sound Engineering club at your school. Tell us more about that.
During my program last year at Stevens Institute of Technology, I started realizing that it’s a very male-dominated field, and I wanted to bring some sort of light to women in audio tech. Stevens is partnered with this program called We Are Moving the Needle, and they’re all about women in male-dominated fields, especially in music and music production.

So I started this club at my school inspired by We Are Moving the Needle. I think I had 15 people sign up, but I’m pretty much just showing them how I work Ableton [software] and going over industry stuff. This year I really want to get the club more involved in venues and performances, something to do with our music concerts at our school, rather than just me teaching and rambling about all this sound design stuff.

What were some highlights of your week at camp?
Well, first of all, it was kind of like a mini music industry all in one building. So we were encouraged to work with songwriters and vocalists, or musical theater [students], or a jazz band. I got to record these two songwriters, and I’d never recorded someone else before by myself. I had so much fun working with them, and then also editing and adding guitar, drums, bass, and other harmonies and synths. The song really came to life.

The main highlight was probably meeting [actor, singer, and Broadway star] Frankie Grande [Ariana Grande’s brother] and [jazz singer] Samara Joy. The guest artists are often previous Grammy winners. We got to do a Q&A with them, and Samara Joy actually played for us. She brought her whole band, and they were up on the panel with her, so we got to ask them questions, too.

Rehkemper snaps a selfie with Frankie Grande.

What are the biggest takeaways from camp that will stick with you, especially as you head back into the school year?
I feel like I walked away with real industry experience, especially getting to work with someone who was very blunt and had no cushion when he would tell us how he felt about our work. He kept saying that we had to love a song that we were working on—we couldn’t just like it. So every time I would ask him to listen to my piece, he would be like, “Do you love it yet?” And I was like, “Well, maybe.” And he was like, “Don’t show it to me until you love it.” So, I learned a lot about that work ethic. It was like a launching pad.

Anything else we should know about your projects?
My band, Saltbox, just put out an EP earlier this summer. We recorded an album last year, and I think that’s what really flipped the switch in my brain where I became interested in everything that goes into the production. We were in our drummer’s family friend’s home studio, and getting to see him clicking all around and twisting all these knobs, I was just so interested. I wanted to do that. So that was pretty much the turning point. Since then I just fully jumped into it.

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Back-to-School Giveaways, Haircuts, and Free Family Fun to Start the Year Off Strong

Riley Greenberg — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:01:12 +0000

As we wrap up another summer, it’s time to wave goodbye to pool days and cookouts and say hello to books and backpacks. With kids heading back into the classroom (August 24 for Baltimore City and Aug. 31 for Baltimore County public schools), these local community events—offering with fresh haircuts, classroom supplies, and youth mentorship—are here to help your students step into the school year strong. Most are free and include giveaways, but be sure to check details to confirm times, locations, and registration requirements.

School Supply Drives

8/29: Boost Mobile Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway
If you’re around Eastpoint Mall, swing by Boost Mobile to pick up a free backpack. Students must be accompanied by an adult and can receive one no-purchase-necessary backpack while supplies last. 7816 Eastpoint Mall. 2-4 p.m.

8/29: Family Development & Samaritan Foundation Back-to-School Drive
Get ready for the school year with this one-stop-shop event from FDSF in Columbia, which works to make sure local youth have the resources to succeed year-round. There will be free school supplies, games and activities, refreshments, and plenty of community connection. The first 200 families to attend will receive a free backpack. 9033 Red Branch Rd., Columbia. 2-5 p.m.

8/30: Built to Brand Back-to-School Community Day
Head to Brick Bistro in Hampden to join the folks with Built to Brand—committed to helping kids return to school with confidence—for free hairstyles and haircuts from local barbers and salons. Along with hair services, there will be free backpacks and school supplies, snacks, and fun raffles to enter. Registration is required for haircut appointments, which will be first-come, first-served. 4001 Falls Rd. Hair services available from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Activities and snacks from 1-4 p.m.

End-of-Summer Fun

8/29: West North Avenue Farmers Market Back-to-School Celebration
The West North Avenue Farmers Market is ringing in the new school year with a special family day. Shop, eat, and support local purveyors while connecting with neighbors and enjoying live entertainment and family-friendly activities. The market will also offer community resources. 1370 W North Ave. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

8/29: Back-to-School Bash Community Market
More than 40 local businesses and organizations will be present at this Columbia celebration hosted by the community champions with Tip & Mary Events. There will be something for the whole family with a live DJ, character entertainment, a kids zone, and local vendors. They will be giving out free school supplies while supplies last, so you can check items off your list before getting the kiddos back on the bus. 5885 Robert Oliver Pl., Columbia. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

8/30: Kleen Barbers Back-to-School Bash
School preparation meets end-of-summer vibes at this back-to-school bash in Rosedale. Local students are invited for free haircuts, Kona Ice snowballs, and school supplies while they last. There will also be music, food and drinks, giveaways, and more. 8665 Pulaski Highway, Suite 116, Rosedale. 10 a.m.-2 p.m

Wellness & Arts

8/29: Third-Annual Children’s Veg Fest
What better way to kick off the school year than by practicing mindfulness? At the third-annual Children’s Veg Fest at The Weinberg Y in Waverly, sample plant-based food, participate in a kid-friendly cooking demo to get some new ideas for packed lunch, or practice some yoga. The goal is to prepare the whole family for a healthy, happy school year. 900 E 33rd St. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

8/29: Back-to-School Parent Workshop
This season, Pilgrim Christian Day School is working with the Behavioral Health Professionals Collective to ensure parents are equipped to help their kids navigate the stresses of back-to-school. Mental health professionals will share practical tips for supporting your child’s mental health and open a dialogue on bullying in school. Spanish-language interpretation will be available. 7200 Liberty Rd. 10-11 a.m.

9/1: Teen Craft: Back-to-School Vision Boarding
Enter the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s historic Hampden Branch for a free after-school craft. The library will guide teens in making a personalized collage to help visualize their goals for the new school year. Youth will be able to flex their creative muscles and envision success each time they look at their masterpiece. 3641 Falls Rd. 3-4 p.m.

If you’re able to gift supplies and looking for an ongoing donation drive, the Baltimore County Public Library will be collecting everything from crayons and colored pencils to folders, dividers, and three-ring binders at all of its 18 branches through Sept. 13. More info, here.

Additional reporting by Joyce Sampson

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Eight Sites to See Annapolis as a Pillar of American History

Riley Greenberg — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:00:38 +0000

If you traveled anywhere to kick off America’s 250th anniversary year, it may have been to the nation’s capital in Washington D.C. or its birthplace in Philadelphia. But we can’t forget that our own Old Line State also made significant contributions to America’s founding.

The critical roles that Baltimoreans—particularly women, African Americans, immigrants, exiles, indentured servants, and foreign allies—played in the revolution are detailed in the magazine’s July cover story, here. And Annapolis, our charming state capital, is a pillar of American history in its own right.

Here’s an overview: In colonial days, the town thrived as a prosperous political, cultural, and commercial hub, ushering in a class of wealthy merchants. Georgian architecture and a rich maritime culture made the area a major destination for travelers. However, the city’s “Golden Age” ended with the Revolutionary War, when Annapolis transitioned into an integral military center and supply depot.

From 1783 to 1784, Congress convened at the Maryland State House, making Annapolis America’s first peacetime capital. The oldest continually used state capitol in the country, it was here that George Washington notably resigned his military commission in December 1783—a historic moment that set the precedent for the nation’s values. Only a month later, the Treaty of Paris was ratified by Congress, officially ending the Revolutionary War. Annapolis remained the nation’s capital until August 1784, when Congress relocated to Trenton, New Jersey.

With the semiquincentennial on everyone’s minds, we put together an itinerary for immersing yourself in the nation’s history while strolling our scenic state capital—from liberty landmarks to enlightening exhibits.

Museum of Historic Annapolis
99 Main St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $7.

Kick off your day by wandering through the museum’s three floors. Beginning in 1650 with the founding of Anne Arundel County and continuing to the city at present day, the permanent display chronicles the story of America’s first peacetime capital with interactive elements, historic artifacts, and enlightening photographs. Each room offers a glimpse of Annapolis over 400 years, from the Indigenous peoples that inhabited the area, to the “Golden Age” before the American revolution, to the realities of the Civil War and the Jim Crow era of segregation.

You’ll learn about Maryland’s four signers of the Declaration of Independence (more on them below), Annapolis’s maritime culture, and so much more, making it the perfect gateway to other historical sites in the city. And be sure to stop by the community gallery on the first floor, where the museum presents The Power of One, honoring 17 lesser-known Annapolitan trailblazers throughout the nation’s 250-year history.

Site of the Annapolis Liberty Tree
St. Johns College, 60 College Ave. Marker on the lawn near McDowell Hall. Free.

Long before it was a revolutionary landmark, this tulip poplar was just a tree on what would become the St. Johns College Campus. As one of dozens of Liberty Trees across the colonies that served as town squares for public meetings and protest, the Sons of Liberty gathered beneath it in 1765 to protest the Stamp Act. Annapolis’s tree stood for more than two centuries, growing into one of the largest tulip poplars in the country before Hurricane Floyd took it down in 1999. A new poplar was planted on the site in 2007, and a marker on the lawn near McDowell Hall now shows exactly where the original stood.

The St. John’s poplar isn’t the only Liberty Tree in town. A genetically identical descendent of the original was planted on Maryland Day 2026 in front of the William Paca House and Garden on Prince George Street. The second tree was added as part of a statewide project putting the symbolic Maryland Liberty Trees in every county ahead of the 250th.

Homes of the Maryland Signers
Maryland sent four men to sign the Declaration of Independence, and all four of their Annapolis homes still stand today, within easy walking distance of one another. Fun fact: Annapolis is the only city in the country where the homes of every one of its state’s signers remain in tact.

William Paca House and Garden: William Paca was the state’s third Governor, and his home is recognized as a National Historic Landmark due to its fine Georgian-style infrastructure—featuring a restored two-acre pleasure garden behind the house, and the newly planted 2026 Liberty Tree out front. 186 Prince George St. Regularly open to the public

Charles Carroll House and Garden: Charles Carroll of Carrollton was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration, which helped secure religious freedom for all citizens at the time. 107 Duke of Gloucester St. Open to the public via tours on the first two weekends of the month from June-Nov.

Chase-Lloyd House: Samuel Chase is the only Supreme Court justice to have been impeached, which helped establish the Supreme Court as a completely separate branch of government. Through a community grant, the Chase Home is now dedicated to supporting women facing housing insecurity. 22 Maryland Ave. Gardens are open to the public.
Peggy Stewart House: Once owned by lawyer and state senator Thomas Stone, the 18th-century mansion is marked as a National Historic Residence. However, it’s now privately owned, so visitors can admire it from the sidewalk near the entrance of the Naval Academy. 207 Hanover St.

Old Fox Books and Coffeehouse
35 Maryland Ave. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily.

By lunchtime, you’ll be ready to take a load off. Fuel up with eats, drinks, and browsing at Old Fox Books, which has its own quiet piece of American history integrated within it. Long before it was lined with bookshelves, the building operated as a greengrocer from the 1880s through the 1920s. It was run by a Naval Yard chef and his Irish wife.

When they opened the shop 10 years ago, co-owners Ginny Amundson and Janice Holmes named it after George Washington—who walked this very street up to the State House and was nicknamed “The Old Fox” by British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis during the Revolutionary War. (It’s also fitting that Maryland Avenue sits between King George and Prince George streets.) The name has prompted regulars to show up with fox figurines and gifts, which the owners happily accept for their collection that now includes more than 45.

She Speaks: Black Women Artists and the Power of Historical Memory at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum
84 Franklin St. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

Featuring works by 17 Black women artists–11 of whom have roots in the DMV–the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum’s newest exhibit (on view through January 2027) seeks to challenge dominant narratives about American history by presenting the nation’s past through a Black feminist lens. Housed in the former Mount Moriah AME Church built in 1874 by free African Americans, the museum itself is also a piece of Annapolis history.

Curator Martina Dodd says she and executive director Chanel C. Johnson were inspired to mount She Speaks after recognizing the gaps in national and local efforts surrounding America 250. “We started to notice a trend that oftentimes the Black artists, Black scholars, or even just Black contributions were not being included in these conversations,” Dodd says.

The exhibit corrects that by amplifying Black creativity and memory, highlighting everything from paintings and sculptures to installations and films. In their works, the artists examine personal and family history, question official records, and imagine new futures.

Many of the pieces use archival materials, like Darlene Taylor’s mixed-media works using preserved fabrics. Other loaned heirlooms include Cambridge civil rights activist Gloria Richardson’s childhood christening gown, highlighting the legacies physical objects hold. A film by Baltimore-based artist Ada Pinkston documents a performance from her series Landmarked, in which she reimagines the spaces left behind from removed confederate memorials.

Walking through the exhibit illuminates the power of art to teach and inform.

“It can be a way to spark social change,” Dodd says. “It can be a way to heal and to look into new possibilities of what the next 250 years could look like if we are reconsidering the histories that we’ve always learned.”

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Your 2026 Baltimore Pride Guide

Riley Greenberg — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:00:13 +0000

Baltimore Pride showed out for its 50th anniversary last year, but attendees can expect the same level of commitment to the history, preservation, and celebration of the local LGBTQ+ community in year 51.

The 2026 festivities—the annual block party, parade, and festival are scheduled June 12-14—are returning under the theme “Charm City Homecoming: Pride Lives Here,” as organizers with The Pride Center of Maryland emphasize the unifying approach that led to Baltimore’s first-ever Pride, a small rally at Charles Plaza in 1975. “We walk where they marched,” reads the slogan for this year’s events.

Below, we not only map out the best ways to spend your Pride Weekend, but also round up how to keep the celebrations and reflections going all month long—with everything from glow parties and rainbow runs to sensory-friendly celebrations and book signings.

—Photography by Elvert Barnes via Flickr Creative Commons

🪩Official Baltimore Pride Events

6/12: Mount Vernon Block Party
Kick off the weekend where it all began in 1975. At the joy-filled block party, connect with neighbors as Charles Street comes alive with DJs, dancing, food vendors, entertainment, and community activations. Park Ave. & Read St. 3-8 p.m. Free with RSVP.

6/12: Twilight on the Terrace Gala
Experience an exquisite evening at the Hippodrome’s M&T Bank Exchange celebrating Baltimore’s vibrant LGBTQ+ history and community. Look out for this year’s headliners, singer-songwriter Martha Wash and comedian Marsha Warfield, as well as a special tribute to John Waters. 401 W Fayette St. 7-11 p.m. Tickets start at $150.

6/13: Pride 5K
Early birds, this one’s for you. Get hyped for the parade by running or walking the annual Pride 5K. Throw on your rainbow to compete for a race award or keep a chill pace during the untimed PrideMile. Druid Hill Park. Chinese Pavilion on Swann Drive. 8 a.m. $49.61-$54.90.

6/13: Baltimore Pride Parade
Stake out a prime spot along the route—North Charles Street from Station North to Charles Village—for this year’s annual Pride Parade. The beloved tradition features festive floats, energetic performers, marching bands, and local organizations spreading the love throughout the heart of the city. Charles St. & North Ave. 12-3 p.m.

6/13: Baltimore Pride Block Party in the Park
Immediately following the parade, make your way to Druid Hill Park to rally with wellness programming, live entertainment, dancing, food, and vendors. Druid Hill Park. 900 Druid Park Lake Dr. 12-9 p.m.

6/13: Charm City Pride
Perhaps after a quick power nap, head to the official Charm City Pride after-party downtown. Organized by Baltimore-based queer collectives, the bar bash invites attendees to experience multiple venues at Power Plant Live, highlighting various DJs and karaoke zones. GRL PWR will headline the main stage and SADBrunch will put on glittering drag performances throughout the night. Power Plant Live, 34 Market Pl., 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets start at $32.

6/14: Baltimore Pride in the Park Festival
Close out Pride week with a day of family-friendly festivities. In between grabbing bites from food vendors and participating in community workshops, squeeze into the crowd to dance to the timeless hits of headliner En Vogue. Druid Hill Park. 900 Druid Park Lake Dr. 12-8 p.m.

Sharing community resources at Pride in the Park. —Photography by Elvert Barnes via Flickr Creative Commons

🎤Pride Performances

6/12: Jewels Sparkles at The Baltimore Eagle
Clink drinks with the first runner up of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 17, then settle in for what is sure to be a dazzling drag show. The Baltimore Eagle. 2022 N. Charles St., 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20.

6/14: THOT POT: Hot Pot Drag Brunch
Get ready for the hottest drag brunch in Fells Point (literally), featuring song and dance by Kelsey Kadaver, Milky Hazard, and Hunny Du Buns. While you chow down on bottomless meats and sides at Broadway Hot Pot, cheer on all of the sizzling performers. Broadway Hotpot & Bar. 709 S Broadway. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets start at $10 for seating. $32.99 for all-you-can-eat hot pot.

6/19: 40 Year Old Puberty: The Homecoming King Comedy Show
Comedian and filmmaker Ti Malik Coleman brings his award-winning one-man show back home to Baltimore Improv Group for a special Pride and Juneteenth performance. 40 Year Old Puberty is a funny, honest, uplifting story about a Black trans person’s experience with manhood. Baltimore Improv Group, 1727 N Charles St. 9-10:30 p.m. $10.

🎨Arts and Culture

6/12-6/14: Iron Crow Theatre Presents: The View Upstairs
Pride Weekend overlaps with the final performances of Max Vernon’s daring original musical based on the true story of the UpStairs Lounge arson attack in New Orleans in 1973—one of the deadliest attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in U.S. history. With a dynamic original score, the piece emphasizes queer resilience, history, and solidarity. Iron Crow Theatre, 45 W Preston St. 6/12: 7:30 p.m. 6/13: 7:30 p.m. 6/14: 3 p.m. Tickets start at $35.

6/12: Off the Rails Pride Party at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum
Join the Clifton Pleasure Club for its second-annual Pride Party highlighting streetcar rides, throwback dance anthems, a queer art exhibit, and plenty of local LGBTQ+-owned vendors to support. All proceeds benefit the local queer community. Baltimore Streetcar Museum, 1901 Falls Rd. 6-10 p.m. $25.

6/25: Unapologetic: Stories of Being Queer and Jewish in Charm City
The Queer Jewish Arts Festival, Stoop Storytelling, Bolton Street Synagogue, and the Gordon Center for Performing Arts are inviting community members to step up to the mic and share their own tales of being queer and Jewish at the Creative Alliance. Washington, D.C.-based indie band Flowerbomb will set the mood with their dreamy, alternative sound as the special musical guest. Creative Alliance. 3134 Eastern Ave. 7 p.m. Tickets start at $40.

6/25: A Gay Little History of Maryland Launch
Historian Ben Egerman will take over Red Emma’s for the launch of his book, which compiles his first six Gay Little History zines on LGBTQ+ people in Maryland. Swing by the free launch to pick up a copy and hear Egerman in conversation with Baltimore artist and writer Rahne Alexander. Red Emma’s, 3128 Greenmount Ave. 7 p.m. Free with RSVP.

Community Connections

6/13: “Unaffiliated” Pride Market
Explore tons of local vendors at Station North’s Mobtown Ballroom and YNot Lot. The market will also host free live crankie shows and poetry readings throughout the day. 30 W North Ave. 1735 Maryland Ave., Unit A. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

6/13: Quiet Pride at Dreams and Visions
Join the folks at Dreams and Visions queer sanctuary in Station North for a low-sensory Pride celebration, complete with free massages, refreshments, and tarot readings. Away from the energy outside, sit back and enjoy a drag story hour or relax with a faux stained-glass craft. Dreams and Visions Church, 1900 St Paul St. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Quiet Pride returns with sensory-friendly activities at Dreams and Visions on June 13. —Courtesy of Dreams and Visions via Facebook

6/26: Baltimore Bike Party Presents: Pride Ride
Per tradition, Baltimore Bike Party’s last Friday of June ride will create a beautiful rainbow procession on wheels. Wear vibrant colors and set off from St. Mary’s Park, preparing for a midway stop as well as an after-party at Union Craft Brewing with food and dancing. St. Mary’s Park. 7 p.m. After-party: 9 p.m. Free with RSVP.

6/26: Pride Night at Oriole Park
Shine bright with the Orioles as they take on the Washington Nationals at Camden Yards. Exclusive Pride Night jerseys will be gifted to the first 15,000 fans who step through the gates. 333 W Camden St. Gates open at 5:35 p.m.

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