2/16. UNION PINEWOOD DERBY 
Festivals. For the past decade, competitors and spectators alike have gathered amidst the kegs at Union Craft Brewing to watch tiny, hand-made cars fly down an epic wood track for the chance at old-school glory. In fact, the Hampden-Medfield brewery’s Pinewood Derby is modeled after a Cub Scout troop tradition dating back to the early 1950s.

Now in its 10th year at Union, the annual derby—this year taking place on the afternoon of February 16—has become a beloved mid-winter event. To participate, you must make your own miniature automobile, with the final product judged on both speed and style (first place gets a trophy). Get involved during one of several “build days” leading up to the main event, then grab a local beer or two to root on your prized pick as it flies down a sky-high ramp of pine.

TO 2/1. POLAR BEAR PLUNGE
Fundraisers & Galas. Jump into the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis to help raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Maryland. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Pkwy., Annapolis. Times vary. $100+. 

2/1. LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: YEAR OF THE SNAKE
Festivals. Celebrate the year of the snake at The Walters with live performance, art-making, story-time sessions, a photo-booth, and more. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 

2/1. OPERA BALTIMORE GALA
Fundraisers & Galas. Dress to impress and support the Baltimore Opera with dinner, drinks, and performances at Mt. Vernon Place. The Engineers Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion, 11 W. Mount Vernon Pl. 6-9:30 p.m. $250-2,500.  

2/1. HOPS & VINES
Food & Drink. Sip the best from local breweries and wineries while tapping into your inner child during this after-hours fundraising party for Port Discovery. Port Discovery, 35 Market Pl. 7-10 p.m. $65-75

2/1. BELOW THE SURFACE: PERCUSSION AND LIGHT PERFORMANCE
Theater. Visual artist Farida Hughes and percussionist Matt Keown join forces for an immersive, hour-long show of music and dazzling light art. Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. 7:30 p.m., $20-30. 

2/1-3/1. ART OF THE COLLECTORS X ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Exhibitions. In this curated exhibit of work from private art collections, explore 20th- and 21st-century artworks by African and African American artists, including Victor Epuk and Godrey Ndaba. Galerie Myrtis, 2224 N. Charles St. Tues.-Fri. 2-6 p.m. galeriemyrtis.net. 

TO 2/2. WORKING FOR CRUMBS
Theater. After their boss chokes on an oatmeal-raisin cookie, coworkers Grace and Amy watch as their corporate world crumbles one piece at a time. Spotlighters Theatre, 817 Saint Paul St. Times vary. $24. 

2/2. FROST FEST ’25
Music. Student bands of all ages from Stages Music Arts will showcase their talents at this local rock concert. The Recher, 512 York Rd., Towson. 12 p.m. $5-10.

2/2. CHAMBER MUSIC MARYLAND: FAZIL SAY
Music. Hear Turkish music from renowned composer and pianist Fazil Say, followed by an artist meet-and-greet and refreshments. The Peale, 225 Holliday St. 3 p.m. $25.

2/2. GROUND AND SKY ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Dance. The Ballet Theatre of Maryland and the Full Circle Dance Company combine modern dance with traditional ballet into one compelling performance. The Gordon Center, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills. 4 p.m. $20-25. 

2/2-3/2. PRIMARY TRUST
Theater. After losing his job at a bookstore, Kenneth rebuilds his courage, meets new friends, and welcomes new beginnings. Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St. Times vary. $5-89. 

2/4-5. MIKE BIRBIGLIA
Comedy. Comedian, writer, director, and actor Mike Birbiglia brings the laughs with an all-new hour of stand-up. Baltimore Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. 7 p.m. $49-125.

2/6. OBSCURED LEGACY
Film. Enjoy a screening and director Q&A of “Obscured Legacy: Baltimore’s Forgotten Heroes,” a film paying tribute to some of Baltimore’s icons of the Civil Rights Movement. Maryland Center for History & Culture, 610 Park Ave. 6 p.m. 

2/6. SYMPHONY IN THE CITY ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Music. Celebrate Black History Month with a free community performance by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 7 p.m. 

2/7. BSA BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOWCASE
Exhibitions. Baltimore School for the Arts students showcase works across multiple disciplines, all dedicated to Black History Month. Baltimore School for the Arts, 712 Cathedral St. 6 p.m. $5. 

2/7. HANS ZIMMER LIVE
Music. After a year of sold-out shows, catch award-winning film composer Hans Zimmer in downtown Baltimore. CFG Bank Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 8 p.m. $74-531+.

2/7-9. BALTIMORE CRANKIE FESTIVAL ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Festivals. For its 11th year, this folk-art festival celebrates the visual panoramic storytelling tradition of “crankies” through immersive family-friendly performances. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Times vary. $20-35. 

2/8. MOSAIC HEART WORKSHOP
Classes & Lectures. Local art teacher Barbara Svoboda helps participants create a heart-shaped mosaic and two glass heart pendants. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $75.

2/8. ASTRO ADVENTURE
Exhibitions. This interactive event lets visitors train like an astronaut, land a simulated spacecraft, analyze space dust, and more intergalactic exploration. Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. 12-4 p.m. Free-$34.95. 

2/8. WEI ZHU
Music. This winner of the 2024 Yale Gordon Competition and one of Peabody Conservatory’s top talents performance a recital at the BMA. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 3-5 p.m. Donations encouraged.  

2/8. ORNAMENTA ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Fundraisers & Galas. Celebrate the Baltimore Jewelry Center during its annual fundraising party featuring an open bar, food by Blacksauce Kitchen, a silent auction, and dancing amongst the who’s-who of the local arts. 2460 Space, 2640 St. Paul St. 7-11 p.m. $100-5,000.  

2/8. BSO FUSION: BRAHMS X RADIOHEAD
Music. Conductor Steve Hackman seamlessly intertwines Radiohead’s OK Computer with Brahms’ lush “First Symphony,” performed by the BSO and three pop vocalists. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8 p.m. $35-63. 

2/8-3/3. DA LOVE WE SHARE
Echibitions. Artist Charles Mason III curates this new show features works by local creatives about the love of community. Gallery CA, 440 E. Oliver St. Mon.-Fri. 12-4 p.m. Free.

2/9. GALENTINE’S DAY FLAMINGLE
Food & Drink. Dress up as a pop-star and spend Galentine’s at the zoo with a brunch buffet, open bar, drag performances, and visits from the animals. The Maryland Zoo, 1 Safari Pl. 12-4 p.m. $110-160. 

2/9-22. AIR QUALITY 
Exhibitions. As part of the BMA’s new environmental initiative, Turn Again to the Earth, display of 15 famous works explores the relationship between burning fossil fuels and the emergence of European modernism. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr., Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m-9 p.m.

2/9-7/27. WATERSHED 
Exhibitions. As part of the BMA’s new environmental initiative, Turn Again to the Earth, a curated selection of 40 works from the BMA’s collection explores water and landscape and how they impacted the early modern Dutch Republic. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr., Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m-9 p.m. 

 2/12. EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN BALTIMORE HOSPITALITY
Classes & Lectures. Join Aaron Dante of the “No Pix After Dark” podcast for a conversation with four hospitality professionals who are actively molding the industry locally and beyond.  Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. 6:30 p.m. 

2/12-16. HEART FOR ART
Exhibitions. Throughout the week of Valentine’s Day, visitors can show their love for their favorite artworks by placing provided paper hearts next to those that speak to them, with a special museum tour on Thursday evening. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs. 1-8 p.m. 

2/12-3/2. THE LION KING
Theater. This six-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical comes to Baltimore with its classic soundtrack, incredible costumes, and more. The Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St. Showtimes vary. Prices TBD. 

2/13. MORE ROOM IN A BROKEN HEART
Theater. Join the Stoop Storytelling Series to hear tales of love, loss, and rebuilding with musical guests Outcalls. Checkerspot Brewing Company, 1421 Ridgely St. 7 p.m. $16.75-27.25. 

2/13-3/9. EVERYTHING THAT NEVER HAPPENED
Theater. Follow the story of Jessica and Lorenzo for a deep dive into Jewish history, forbidden romance, and the sacrifices that come with freedom. Baltimore Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. Times vary. $10-49.  

2/13-16. LA CALISTO
Theater. The Peabody Chamber Opera presents a comic 17th-century adaptation of the Greek myth about Jupiter and Calisto. Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. Thurs.-Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sun. 4 p.m. $10-25. 

2/14. B&O TRAIN VALENTINES
Kids. Head to the B&O Railroad Roundhouse to create a train-themed Valentine for your favorite B&O locomotive or train car. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free-$28. 

2/14. MAX’S BELGIAN BEER FEST
Food & Drink. Indulge in the largest selection of Belgian beer on draft in the nation with over 100 kegs from renowned breweries and specialty snacks at Max’s in Fells Point. Max’s Taphouse, 737 S. Broadway St. 11 a.m. 

2/14. MORTIFIED VALENTINES
Theater. Everyday adults share their most embarrassing teenage love stories from diary entries, poems, letters, lyrics, and locker notes. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7 & 9:30 p.m. $15-30. 

2/14. A DATE WITH JOHN WATERS ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Comedy. Spend Valentine’s with the Pope of Trash during his annual one-man show that delves into his most devious thoughts on all things love, life, and more. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $55-80.

2/14-3/9. BLOOD AT THE ROOT
Theater. This groundbreaking play examines the racial double standards that occurred during student protests on campus following the Jena Six case on a southern campus in 2006. Fells Point Corner Theatre, 251 S. Ann St. Times vary. $24. 

2/14-3/9. THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Comedy. This Baltimore take on a Shakespeare classic tells the story of two identical twins separated at birth, complete with flamingos, marble stoops, and plenty of hons. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, 7 S. Calvert St. Showtimes vary. $25-69. 

2/15. PSYCHO KILLERS
Music. This beloved Talking Heads tribute band performs fan favorites and assorted love songs in honor of Valentine’s Day at Union. Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st St. 7 p.m. $30.69. 

2/15. TASSELS & CHAMPAGNE
Dance. Join Baltimore’s reigning “Mistress of Smut,” Jocelyn Loverling, for a retro-themed night of burlesque and variety entertainment with a pre-show cocktail and mocktail hour. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7 p.m. $19-171. 

2/15 & 2/22. MOON’S RAMADAN
Classes & Lectures. Listen to a reading and short discussion of this Natasha Khan Kazi children’s book, followed by a family-friendly activity, with free copies while supplies last. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 5108 Roland Ave. 11 a.m. 

TO 2/16. PREOCCUPIED: INDIGENIZING THE MUSEUM
Exhibitions. Explore the final works of the BMA’s recent initiative to center Indigenous artists throughout the museum, with works by Nicholas Galanin still on display. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. artbma.org. 

2/15-4/19. TOM MILLER ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Exhibitions. In honor of Tom Miller Week, explore a variety of well-known and never-before-seen artworks by the late Baltimore artist. Eubie Blake Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St. Wed.-Fri. 1-6 p.m. Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 

2/16. TOM MILLER DAY
Exhibitions. Enjoy free museum admission, view the artist’s “Summer in Baltimore” screen-print, and participate in a family-friendly art-making activity. Maryland Center for History and Culture, 610 Park Ave. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.   

2/16. MUSIC AT EVERGREEN: VISION DUO
Music. This talented marimba and violin duo performs at Evergreen, followed by a meet-and-greet reception. Evergreen Museum & Library, Bakst Theatre, 4545 N. Charles St. 2-4 p.m. $10-20. 

2/17. SCRIPT TEASE ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Theater. In this new reading series, get an inside look at “The Sandwich Ministry” by Miranda Rose Hall, a new play currently in the works at Everyman. Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St. 6 p.m. Pay-what-you-choose.

2/17-18. MAPLE MAGIC
Festivals. For the 19th year, guests of all ages can experience the process of making real maple syrup, from identifying trees to collecting sap, in Baltimore County. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike., Monkton. Times vary. Free-$15. 

2/19. SWAN LAKE
Dance. Be enchanted by Tchaikovsky’s legendary score as talented dancers from the State Ballet of Ukraine gracefully spring across the stage. The Lyric, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. 7 p.m. $57-116.

2/20. MAPLES & MIMOSAS
Festivals. Eat, drink, and learn with Irvine’s environmental educators in this immersive history lesson about making local maple syrup. Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills. 6:30-9 p.m. $55-65. 

2/21. SCIENCE TRIVIA CRAWL
Fun. In this adults-only event, play your way through a science trivia-themed scavenger hunt with drinks in hand to win prizes. Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. 7-9 p.m. $30. 

2/21-22. TRACING STEPS  ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Music. Celebrate the life of Baltimore’s greatest tap dancer Baby Laurence with Creative Alliance’s inaugural performing artist-in-residence, tap dancer and vocalist Brinae Ali, along with her bandmates of the Baltimore Jazz Collective. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7:30 p.m. $15-30. 

2/21-23. AMERICAN CRAFT MADE ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Festivals. The American Craft Council presents the largest juried craft fair on the East Coast, featuring 400 amazing artists and craft makers, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$26. 

2/21-3/16. ART
Theater. This Tony Award-winning play explores the question of what is actually considered art. Vagabond Players, 806 S. Broadway St. Showtimes vary. $21-24. 

2/22. BALTIMORE BORN & SUPREME COURT BOUND
Classes & Lectures. Part of the Building Baltimore lecture series, Dr. Tiesha Dupree-Wilson of Coppin State University discusses the life of local civil rights leader Thurgood Marshall. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St. Free-$28.

2/22. QUEERING THE COLLECTION
Classes & Lectures. Join curator Jo Briggs and writer-prison abolitionist Sylvia Jones on a walk through the Walters galleries as they discuss the hidden labor and societal constraints of 19th-century artists. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 2 p.m. 

2/22. ANIME NIGHT
Music. Dress as your favorite anime characters and spend the night jamming out to Tiara and the Gemstones as they perform music from Dragonball Z and more. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 6 p.m. $27.45-34.54. 

2/23. AN EVENING WITH ASHANTI, JA RULE, KELLY PRICE, AND LYFE JENNINGS
Music. Four icons of R&B and hip-hop come together for an unforgettable concert in Baltimore County. Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, 1000 Hilltop Cl., Catonsville. 7 p.m. $89-250. 

2/25-3/1. CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Sports. The nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference returns to Baltimore for men’s and women’s championship basketball tournaments with week-long fun including Fan Fest, Step Shows, and more. CFG Bank Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Times vary. $46-123. 

2/27. VOICES OF CHANGE: A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE
Festivals. In honor of Black History Month, celebrate individuals and organizations that have made an impact in the community with speakers, awards, food, drinks, music, and fun. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. 6-8 p.m. 

2/28. LIQUID COURAGE
Food & Drink. For one night, indulge the city’s vibrant mixology scene with cocktail competitions, interactive workshops, live music, and more. The Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Hwy. 5-10 p.m. $75-125. 

TO 3/1. I’VE ENDURED 
Exhibition. Explore the stories of local women music legends behind the old-time genre like Mother Maybelle, Sara Carter, and Ola Belle Reed. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Fri.-Sat. 12-6 p.m.  

TO 3/2. GERTRUDE STEIN IN CIRCLES
Exhibitions. In honor of her legacy in literature and LGBTQ+ communities, an array of rarely exhibited first editions, drafts, and other works linked to American writer and editor Gertrude Stein are now on display in Mt. Vernon. George Peabody Library, 17 E. Mt. Vernon Pl. Mon.-Wed. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

TO 3/8. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Exhibitions. Explore the work of five contemporary ceramic artists depicting mythical creature inspired by Maurice Sendak’s children’s classic. Baltimore Clayworks, 5707 Smith Ave. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun.-Mon. 12-5 p.m. 

TO 3/9. ART AND PROCESS
Exhibitions. This large-scale exhibition reveals a collection of preliminary artist works alongside their finished counterparts with themes of gender equality and access in art education. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 1-8 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

TO 3/9. LAYERS: THE ART OF CONTEMPORARY COLLAGE
Exhibitions. Curated by MICA exhibitions director Andrea Dixon and Baltimore Beat arts editor Teri Henderson, this impressive exhibition explores the multifaceted nature of collage, featuring dozens of artists, including local talents such as Derrick Adams, SHAN Wallace, Devin N. Morris, Bria Sterling-Wilson, and more. Swing by the opening reception on January 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. Maryland Institute College of Art, Decker Gallery, 1305 W. Mount Royal Ave. Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

TO 4/1. THE CIVIC PRIDE OF THE BALTIMORE SALT BOX ♦ Editor’s Pick♦
Exhibitions. Inspired by the recent renovation efforts of local artist Juliet Ames, browse a photo collection of Baltimore’s salt boxes, wooden containers of salt placed on city sidewalks for civilian snow and ice management dating back to the 1960s. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

TO 4/6. MORE THAN CONQUERORS 
Exhibitions. In the first work of the BMA’s new Turn Again to the Earth environment- and science-focused initiative, artist Latoya Ruby Fraizer presents portraits and narratives of essential workers through the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

TO 4/19. REVERIE & ALCHEMY
Exhibitions. Student artists present their Cabinets of Curiosity to tell creative stories about existentialism, self, and community. Towson University, Center for the Arts, 7700 Osler Dr., Towson. Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.   

TO 6/8. LEAVE NO TRACE
Exhibitions. At Evergreen, examine the impact that the great outdoors had on B&O Railroad head John Work Garrett II through archival photographs, diary entries, artifacts, and more. Evergreen Museum & Library, 4545 N. Charles St. Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free-$12.

TO 8/5. IF BOOKS COULD KILL
Exhibitions. Discover the dangerous materials and techniques used to illustrate ancient manuscripts within the Walters’ vast collection. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 1-8 p.m.  

TO 8/31. GOOD SPORTS
Exhibitions. In this new “mega” exhibit, get to the heart of our universal enjoyment of play and celebrate wellness of mind, body, and spirit through works from both local and global visionary artists. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$15.95. 

TO 8/31. HISTORY THROUGH POETRY
Exhibitions. New original poems inspired by the Homewood Museum’s period rooms bring artifacts to life and honor the lives of the enslaved people who once lived and worked there. Homewood Museum, 3400 N. Charles St. Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.  

TO 9/1. iWITNESS
Exhibitions. Through artifacts, photographs, and history, this exhibit explores how media impacted the modern American Civil Rights Movement. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. Mon., Thurs.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. Free-$12. l

TO 12/31. COLLECTIVE ACTION 
Exhibitions. Explore the effort to improve organized labor throughout the 21st century through the stories and experiences of working Baltimoreans. Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Hwy. Wed.- Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Natalie Wall is not shy about sharing her sex life with you. Want to hear about her weird first New York City hookup? She’ll tell you. Her favorite anecdote is about the first time she had sex with her (still!) boyfriend and got explosive diarrhea. Awkward? Yes. Embarrassing? Not so much anymore.

She is one of the five comedians who mine their personal lives to tell tales of sex, dating, and all the weirdness that comes with them for Awkward Sex…and the City, an NYC-based comedy show whose tour makes its stop in Baltimore on February 8. Wall is joined by Bobby Hankinson, Anita Flores, Karolena Theresa, and Jen Keefe, who cover a range of experiences from questionable late-night decisions to fantasies involving Abercrombie shopping bags.

Whether you’re looking for a memorable first date activity or just need to be reminded that you are not the only one out there with some weirdness in their hookup history, this show at Motor House should be a fun one. We talked with Wall about how it all got started, what it’s like when your friends share everything, and how to see humor in our awkwardness.

Tell me a little about what inspired Awkward Sex…and the City.
Obviously I’m a huge Sex and the City fan, but it’s also a lot of different things. My mom especially was very open about sex and sexuality, and she was very, very adamant that I understood how to get an orgasm and that my experience is really important too, not just my partner’s. So it was really a combination of watching Sex and the City, having a really cool, sex-positive mom, and then being super awkward.

When you start having sex and sexual experiences, you just realize how awkward they are. No one ever wants to talk about them because it takes away from the sexiness of it. And I just felt like there needed to be a space for that and that there is definitely a huge audience for that. And it just kind of went from there.

And now there are five of you traveling around sharing your stories. What’s it like touring with this group?
I’ve toured with the show for almost five years. It’ll be five years in August. And it’s slowly grown and evolved to include the people that I’m with now. This group has turned into a lot of my really good friends, and they all bring such a different energy and perspective to sex and sexuality. I would consider them like the dream team. They’re always fun, they’re always great on stage. When you travel so much, you want to like these people.

Are you excited to sort of bring them home with you?
Yeah, I am! I was born in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins, and I have family in Middle River, Baltimore, and Towson. So yeah, I’m coming home like a little baby. It’s going to be really fun.

Having been on the road together for a while, is there anything that you guys don’t know about each other at this point?
Honestly, no. We’ve heard all of it. There’s what we put on stage, and there’s a lot of things that don’t go on, and it’s because some things people aren’t ready to talk about. So it’s like, well wait, what are we not hearing? But in the group I would say we talk about everything: masturbation, what porn we watch, what just happened weird sex-wise with this new person or our partners.

It’s kind of awesome that you have a group of friends that you can be that completely candid with.
It is! I’ve always been very earnest and brutally honest about my flaws and faults, so that even if I had like barely met you, you’re going to hear something about me that’s crazy. And then it just becomes a habit in a way. Basically we’re just the modern day Sex and the City. But way more progressive and positive.

What advice do you have for people who want to see the humor in their sex lives and maybe embrace that awkwardness?
Everyone’s experience is so different and so personal. My advice would be that if something happened that you can’t see the humor in, that’s okay, and you shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting sex to always be fun and funny. In a way, me doing this show is a way of dealing with some really awkward moments in my life. Like in some of these stories I remember feeling very different about myself, being like, “Wow, I can’t believe that happened,” or “What does that say about me?” And a lot of it comes from societal pressures and what we’ve been taught, especially if you are a woman or identify as a woman.

And in a way humor is just how I’ve chosen to deal with it. The more I’ve done that, the easier it becomes to see that you aren’t alone with your weird sexual experiences. If you want to really find the humor in your own personal sex life, you will, when you’re ready. And we’ll all be right there with you cheering you on.

It sounds like, at least sometimes, you’re dealing with those situations that are funny looking back, but don’t feel so great at the time.
Exactly. Like my first story I ever wrote was about my first hookup in New York City, and I just remember feeling like, “Wow, I can’t believe I did that,” and I wasn’t happy about it. And then a year later I thought it was hilarious. But there was a good eight months where I was like, “I can’t believe I did that. I can’t believe I got that drunk. I can’t believe I did this or that.” But it’s okay. It’s your story. It’s your journey. And it’s hilarious now for me and for everyone who hears the history. But I guess sometimes I do it so people can see that these really bad stories help make us who we are. It’s okay to not be afraid of that, because perfection does not exist, especially in our sex lives.

Do you have a favorite story to tell?
Well, I’ve been with my boyfriend for almost four years now, but the first time we had sex I got explosive diarrhea. It’s a shit show, literally. And when I tell the story, you don’t realize that I’m still with him. It sounds like a dating story gone bad. It was just awful in the moment. But that one got pretty funny pretty quickly. I was like, this is hilarious. That’s my favorite.

Losing my virginity is also a go-to. I didn’t have sex until later in college, and long story short, I had sex Easter weekend with no condom or birth control of any sort, and then I couldn’t find Plan B anywhere because I went to a school that was in a very Baptist area and everything was closed. So that’s a very fun journey for everyone to go on.

What do you think people absolutely need to know about this show?
We are going to talk about sex. We are going to talk about very personal stuff. I put it in the title. But also know that you’re going to come away feeling way better about yourself. You’re gonna feel very seen in a way that you never thought you’d be able to be seen. Like people usually come up as after show like, “Oh my God, let me tell you about this.” They’re ready to share.

What does Awkward Sex…and the City mean to you after all this time?
I love this show so much, and I can’t believe what it’s become. It’ll be almost six years in August, and touring for five years, it’s just great that there has been an audience for it. I’m so thankful for people coming to the show and just really allowing us to be brutally honest and truthful about some things that people don’t really want to hear sometimes.