Visual Art

Amalie R. Rothschild Rock Icons & Images

Don’t miss your opportunity to catch the work of Amalie R. Rothschild, the “unofficial photographer of Woodstock,” at Goya Contemporary Gallery. The documentary-style work captures some of rock’s greatest personalities during the turbulent late ‘60s and early ‘70s, chronicling one of the most iconic periods of American music and history. Through March 2. Goya Contemporary Gallery, 3000 Chestnut Ave.

Literature

Writers LIVE! R. Eric Thomas, Here For It

Park School alum R. Eric Thomas offers the internet his best jokes and hottest takes in his daily humor column, “Eric Reads the News.” Now get a more personal set of tales with his new book of essays, Here for It. The man himself will make a stop at Central Library’s Wheeler Auditorium this month to discuss his childhood between two vastly different neighborhoods, finding love, and the wild world of internet fame. Feb. 20. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St.

Bruce Goldfarb’s 18 Tiny Deaths

Hear the story of one of Baltimore’s most impactful quirks as Bruce Goldfarb presents his 18 Tiny Deaths, The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics. The 18 tiny deaths refer to the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, a series of painstakingly recreated crime scenes that, at first a hobby for Lee, turned into a teaching tool for generations of criminal investigators. The scenes, now housed Maryland Medical Examiner’s Office, are still used for forensic seminars today. 7-9 p.m. Feb. 15. Atomic Books, 3620 Falls Rd.

Music

Psycho Killers at Union Craft Brewing

Before David Byrne takes the SNL stage this month, get your fix with this tribute to the New Wave icon’s first project: The Talking Heads. The boys of Psycho Killers will be on hand at Union on Valentine’s Day to play hits like “This Must Be The Place” and “Once in a Lifetime,” as well as love songs from other bands’ discographies, throughout the evening. 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Feb. 14. UNION Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st St.

Pleasure For Your Palette: A Colorful Night With Emerging Opera Stars

February is the month for opera, with multiple opportunities from the likes of The Acme Corporation and Opera Alchemy around the city. But for those looking for a survey of the operatic talent Baltimore has to offer, Creative Alliance has gathered a crew of rising stars. In this intimate performance, soprano Victoria Zelefsky, mezzo Taylor Hillary Boykins, tenor Henry William Hubbard, bass Aaron Thacker, and pianist Maria Adele Scott will join together for a night of solo and ensemble work and discussion. 8 p.m. Feb. 28. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave.

Theatre

MICA Fifth Annual Benefit Drag Show

Great music, creative costumes, lots of glitter, and the chance to support MICA’s LGBTQ scholarships—this drag show truly has it all. Members of the art school’s Faculty and Staff Queer Alliance will join pro kings and queens Miss Sue Nami, Dee Dee Dereon, Venus Festrada, Gadfrie Arbulu, and Chris Jay for this night of fun that helps fund the FASQA Awards, given each year to a a student in the community who demonstrated financial need and another to a student who has shown involvement in and commitment to LGBTQ+ issues. 8-10 p.m. Feb. 28. The Gateway BBOX Theater, 1601 W. Mount Royal Ave.

Film

Open House: True Laurels—A Gallop Through Time

Though they’re not as prevalent as they once were, Baltimore’s arabbers remain an essential part of the city’s cultural identity. On Feb. 22, join True Laurels founder Lawrence Burney for a screening of the documentary We Are Arabbers and a discussion with former members of the trade to discuss the occupation’s past and what can be done to preserve it for the future. 2-4 p.m. Feb. 22. The Baltimore Museum Art, 10 Art Museum Dr.

News

Black Arts District Launches its New Brand

The new Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts and Entertainment District plans to launch its first branding initiative in style with a party at Shake & Bake Family Fun Center on Feb. 16. Creative Director Tia Newton and her team will be on hand to talk about what’s coming up for the newly minted arts district in addition to plenty of fun events such as dancing, $1 skating and bowling, and themed giveaways.

The Walters Receives $500,000 Endowment from Boshell

The Boshell Foundation, the group responsible for The Walters’ long-running ancient art and architecture lectures, recently announced a $500,000 endowment for the museum to go toward the continuation of the popular series. “We are deeply thankful for their generous endowment gift and look forward to the lectures it will provide in years to come,” Walters Director Julia Marciari-Alexander said in a statement released by the museum. The Boshell Lecture Series was originally launched in 2017, and the newest installment, “How Many Noses Can One Face Have?,” about the evolution of taste when it comes to restoration and repair work, will take place Sunday, April 19.

From New York magazine’s recent story on the most powerful drag queens in America to the cover of our June Pride Issue (featuring the one-and-only Betty O’Hellno), it seems like drag has finally gone mainstream.

It’s no secret that drag is a visually-stimulating spectacle, with its kicks, splits, and bodaciously-beat mugs. So why just look at it on magazine covers or on television? Baltimore has its own crop of crazy-talented kings and queens that are worth shelling out cash to see.

Bryan Tarka, who performs as Baby, thinks the popularization of drag from shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race has trickled down to the local level. “We’re on the best track possible to have drag be appreciated as an actual art form, just as any other art form,” says Tarka, who hosts the show Metro/Sexual X at Metro Gallery.

In Tarka’s three years of performing in drag, he’s noticed that the local field has expanded to include more diverse performers, such as drag kings, non-binary performers, and bio queens, which has helped evolve Charm City’s drag scene.

“I feel like the scene has taken a switch from being more traditional pageant style drag,” Tarka says, “We’re really embracing what I view as Baltimore’s roots with Divine, and having more of that trashy, gender-bending, out-there, outlandish, rock and roll type of style drag, which I’m really excited about.”

With Baltimore’s vibrant drag community on the rise, there’s tons of sickening shows to sissy over to for a guaranteed good time. Don’t be one of those people who only sees Ru-Girls when they come to town on tour—spread the love to some local performers at these must-see drag events. So, get to it henny!

Bodacious Brunches

Angie’s Seafood: Keep the second Saturday of each month clear because Angie’s Seafood is offering a bottomless brunch, mimosas, and a can’t-miss show for a great deal. The ever-busy Evon Michelle hosts this gig, along with her gaggle of glamazons. $40

Drag Me to the Beach: Enjoy the sweet serenity of sand between your toes and a twirling queen before your eyes at this new addition to the Charm City drag brunch scene. Held at Sandlot in Harbor Point, this weekly show includes two drink tickets and stars the winner of two seasons of DC Drag Wars, Bombalicious Eklaver. $20

Points South Latin Kitchen: This weekly Sunday brunch features a host of affordable drink specials, so fill up on mimosas, sangria, and Bloody Marys until you’re brave enough to attempt a death drop (aka a dramatic dance move where you descent backward with one leg folded). Prepare to dance the afternoon away with local queens such as Brooklyn Heights, Iyana Deschanel, and Jasmine Blue. $35

Zen West: Every first Sunday, Venus Fastrada hosts this fabulous fete with a rotating theme. (The most recent performance was dedicated to Disney numbers.) Head to the Towson cantina to order mimosa or margarita pitchers for the table before digging in to specialty brunch plates during the show. There’s no cover charge, but be sure to bring bills to tip generously.

Drag Dinners

Drag Revival: Hosted by Baltimore’s 2019 Performer of the Year Dee Dee Derèon, this monthly dinner-and-show affair at Hotel Revival features a rotating cast of popular area queens, including Baby, Venus Frastrada, and Hazel Derèon. Treat yourself to an all-you-can-eat buffet —and don’t miss out on the bottomless Italian Bellinis. $25-40

Illusions: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have Liza Minnelli and Cardi B in the same room? If so, this is the celebrity-tribute drag dinner for you. Come see comedy and burlesque performances by local queens in the shoes of icons such as Whitney Houston, and Britney Spears. $10-750

Sassy Shows:

Grindhouse 2.0: Throw it back to the times of bump and grind burlesque. Held on the first Friday of the month at the Baltimore Eagle, you’ll get a hell of a show for a measly $10 cover. $10-150

Golden West Bingo: Only a drag performer could make a chore as mundane as calling out bingo numbers so lively and exciting. Hit up this vegan paradise every second and fourth Tuesday of the month for rounds of bingo hosted by Evon Michelle and Pariah Sinclair, as well as taco and margarita specials. $5

Metro/Sexual X: Chock full of fashion, art, rock n’roll, tease, filth, and drag, attendees can expect to be entertained when this steamy show pops up at Metro Gallery every few months. Hosted by Baby, the show has featured everything from hard rock to sultry burlesque, and occasionally features other talents from across the DMV. Did we mention this won the 2019 Baltimore Drag Award for Best Drag Show? $15

Sidebar Scandalous Saturdays: This monthly downtown show boasts an all-star line-up, hosted by Pariah Sinclair and featuring queens like Shaunda Leer and Saaphyri Wildz. Pro tip: The first ten attendees receive a specialty cocktail, so be sure to get there early. $8-10