When Bilphena Yahwon heard about the death of Oluwatoyin Salau, a 19-year-old Black Lives Matter activist, in late June, she was overwhelmed with emotion. Yahwon, a Liberia-born, Baltimore-based writer, immediately turned to her bookshelf to search for consolation.

“I needed to find something that would make sense of the grief and despair that was not just choking me, but so many other Black women,” Yahwon says.

As she rummaged through the shelf, Yahwon finally settled on Six Black Women: Why Did They Die? by the Combahee River Collective. The Black feminist organization distributed the pamphlets in 1979 to call attention to the lack of media coverage and urgency in solving the murders of multiple Black women at that time.

“I felt the knot in my throat settle for just a bit,” Yahwon says, “because I knew that they had been here too.”

This experience exemplified why Yahwon decided to start The Womanist Reader. She wanted Black women to be able to turn to language and literature when they encounter despair in the real world. Most of all, she wanted people to enrich their political education through reading.

Named after Layli Phillips’ 2006 anthology, The Womanist Reader is an Instagram account that acts as a free online library and features PDF texts from Black female writers across the African diaspora.

Yahwon, who is also core collective member of the city’s Press Press publishing initiative for underrepresented voices and narratives, began archiving these works in college and made her collection available to the public last year. Every work she includes is chosen intentionally, with authors ranging from American novelist Toni Morrison to political activist Angela Davis. Her hope is that the texts will help to politicize readers to a world without prisons, capitalism, anti-Blackness, and transphobia.

Following the death of George Floyd, as nationwide Black Lives Matter protests have spread curiosity about topics such as police abolition, Black women specifically have been reminded that their deaths lack the same vehemence that is displayed for Black men, according to Yahwon.

“Black women are looking for language to describe the unique experiences that come with Black womanhood,” she says. “The Womanist Reader is helping so many contextualize what they are seeing and experiencing.”

EAT

Jan. 4-6: Nick’s Inner Harbor Seafood Farewell Party

Cross Street Market, 1065 S. Charles St. Fri., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free.

After a string of high-profile restaurant closings last year, Baltimore is, sadly, adding another to the list as we bid farewell to Nick’s Inner Harbor Seafood. Raise a glass to this 50-year-old Federal Hill institution and celebrate the stall’s long run with one last pound of steamed shrimp and, of course, some freshly shucked oysters. Don’t worry if you’re a little late to the party—Nick’s plans to extend its normal hours if enough seafood lovers want to stay for another round.

DRINK

Jan. 6: The Baltimore Ravens vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Locations vary.

This Sunday, the Ravens, our newly crowned AFC North champs, will face off against the Los Angeles Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium, meaning the city will be in pregame mode all weekend long. If you want to be at the heart of the action, head to Pratt Street Ale House for can’t-miss drink deals or stop by the Bmore Around Town Purple Tailgate, where you can indulge in an open bar and the chance to snap a picture with Super Bowl champion Jamal Lewis. In Federal Hill, Mother’s Grille is offering a $35 all-you-can drink special on their infamous Purple Patio, and in Hampden, Frazier’s will serve up $2.50 cans of Boh and discounted appetizers all afternoon long. For more playoff specials and celebrations, check out our game-day roundup.

SEE

Jan. 4-Sept. 7: Press Press at the George Peabody Library

George Peabody Library, 17 E. Mount Vernon Pl. Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

Since its founding in 2014 by local artist and writer Kimi Hanauer, Press Press has been making waves in Baltimore and beyond for its grassroots approach to publishing that amplifies voices that often go unheard. Press Press is entering its fifth year as the George Peabody Library Research Residency’s artist-in-residence, which culminates with this exhibition of the initiative’s entire body of work, including pieces like 100% Yes Manifesto and Megaphone! Megaphone!, in the atrium of the historic Mt. Vernon library. The exhibit runs through September 7, so if you can’t make it this weekend, you have plenty of time to make the trip.

HEAR

Jan. 6: Neighbors Play Normal’s

Normal’s Books & Records, 425 E. 31st St. 7:30 p.m. Free.

Chances are you’ve been humming “Auld Lang Syne” under your breath since Tuesday. Wash away the last few traces of holiday music during Normal’s Books and Records first show of the year, featuring four of the bookseller’s favorite Abell acts. On the chill end, sway to ukulele covers by the John Street Genes and indie folk by James BonTempo & Truth Tables. On the other, post-punk outfit Silver Gulls and local rock supergroup In Love With the Weather Girl are guaranteed to bring up the energy—a perfect post-new year palate cleanser.

DO

Jan. 4-6: Ice Skating at the Four Seasons Hotel

Four Seasons, 200 International Dr. Fri., 4-8 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 12-8 p.m. $15-25.

This weekend marks the final few days of rooftop ice skating at the Four Seasons Hotel in Harbor East, and whether it’s your first visit this winter or your 50th, it’s worth the trip. In between attempting triple axels on the 1,500-square-foot rink, take in the sights while listening to live music, sipping on hot cocoa, and snacking on roasted chestnuts. Afterwards, grab a drink or two at The Bygone, the hotel’s top-floor restaurant, to warm up and catch another glimpse of that breathtaking view.

Visual Art

First Fridays Free Curatorial Tour: Meleko Mokgosi: Acts of Resistance
As part of a free series at the Baltimore Museum of Art, curators give tours of exhibitions they curated and explain the shows in further detail, providing rich insight into the artists and their work. This month, senior curator of contemporary art and department head Kristen Hileman will lead a group through the much-talked-about show Meleko Mokgosi: Acts of Resistance. Mokgosi explores race and gender through intimate yet larger-than-life portraits and paintings of domestic environments. Curatorial tour from 2-3 p.m. Aug. 3; the show remains up through Nov. 11. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive.

We Are Everywhere: Travels of the African Diaspora
Photographer Schaun Champion will show images from Baltimore and around the world that represent the African diaspora in her exhibit We Are Everywhere: Travels of the African Diaspora at Ida B’s Table, a beloved Southern soul food restaurant in downtown. The show is part of the monthly series Necessary Tomorrows, created by resident curator Sharayna Christmas to feature work that complements the visit and mission of the restaurant. Opening reception and artist talk, 5-8 p.m. Aug. 7. Ida B’s Table, 235 Holliday St.

Counterweight
Sera Boeno, Cevahir Özdoğan, and Noa Heyne examine concrete as a material and as a gender—its cultural and sociological implications and history—in the show Counterweight. Artist talks, a printmaking/archiving workshop with Lebanese archivist and artist Celia Shaheenon (Sept. 9), and an exhibition catalogue release on Sept. 21 will accompany the show. Aug. 10-Sept. 21, opening reception from 7-10 p.m. Aug. 10. The Menial Collection, 243 W. Read St.

Music

Summer in the Squares: Symphony Number One
Pull up a chair (or blanket) for the finale of this season’s Summer in the Squares. Symphony Number One will perform at Mount Vernon Place for the free series of shows that bring the work of emerging composers to the stage alongside beloved pieces by classical greats. During this show, the Baltimore-based chamber orchestra will feature the Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” alongside new works and pop favorites. 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 29, Mount Vernon Place, 699 Washington Place

Baltimore International Surf Music Showcase
Four instrumental surf acts from around the world will take the Ottobar stage this month for a totally tubular night. Headlining the show will be Surfer Joe, based in Italy and often called the “international surf ambassador.” The legendary California surf band The Volcanics, and Les Agamemnoz (France) will also perform alongside local surf rockers the Flying Faders. 8 p.m. Aug. 15. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St.

Art/Sound/Now: Suldano Abdiruhman and The Compositions
In collaboration with the High Zero Foundation, The Walters Art Museum will present its annual ART/SOUND/NOW, featuring artists creating soundscapes throughout the museum’s various gallery spaces. This year’s event highlights work by interdisciplinary artist Suldano Abdiruhman, a member of the artist collective BALTI GURLS and cofounder of 4c Gallery. 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 23. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St.

Film

High Fidelity / Empire Records Double Feature
When a beloved music shop in Baltimore turns 25, a nostalgic screening of two cults classics is in order. The Sound Garden was born in 1993, and shortly thereafter, the films Empire Records and High Fidelity were released—in 1995 and 2000, respectively—both set amid the backdrop of record stores. And if watching these back-to-back on the big screen weren’t nostalgic enough, please note they’ll be screened on 35mm. 7-11 p.m. Aug. 30. The SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Ave.

Theater

Variations on Sacrifice
Rapid Lemon Productions will present its annual Variations Project this summer with Variations on Sacrifice. Eleven 10-minute plays by local authors will premiere during two weeks, followed by a third week (new this year) of staged readings of eight additional plays. Audiences of 2017’s Variations on Magic voted to select this year’s theme, Sacrifice. Plays, Aug. 3-12; staged readings, Aug. 16-19. Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St.

Literary Arts

‘Sentiments’ by Press Press: Baltimore Book Launch
What could be better than a summertime potluck? A summertime potluck hosted by Press Press, with readings to satiate your palate. The launch of “Sentiments: Expressions of Cultural Passage,” the latest publication by Press Press, will feature readings about creating sanctuary, by Bilphena Yahwon, Rami Karim, and others, beginning at 5 p.m., plus a reading of “Manifesto for Sanctuary-Building & Sanctuary-Keeping.” Bring along a snack or something to grill at this community potluck of Baltimore creatives. 3-7 p.m. Aug. 11. Press Press, 427 N. Eutaw St.

Miscellanea

Comedy, Music and Poetry Showcase with Heda Rose and Guests
A lineup of Baltimore talent will take the Motor House stage for an evening of poetry, standup comedy, and music, headlined by vocalist, songwriter, actress, model, activist, and film producer Heda Rose. The remaining lineup includes comedian Larry Lancaster, comedian Ebony “Miz Jaxxxn” Jackson, comedian Ray Diva, and poet Gradalove. Heda will perform a comedy set and music set with a live band. 8-11 p.m. Aug. 31. The Motor House, 120 W. North Ave.

Fluid Movement’s ‘The Water Ballet’
The Baltimore-based performance art group Fluid Movement channels the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock for its latest production, “The Water Ballet” at Patterson Park. Take a deep dive into all that horrifies you. Day and night shows, Aug. 3-5. Patterson Park.