Because we are blessed with nearby parks, talented neighbors and energetic community leadership, this summer offers Bolton Hill residents, family and friends of all ages lots of opportunities to celebrate outdoors together. BHCA business meetings are in summer recess until Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at Memorial Episcopal Church’s Farnham Hall. The executive committee will meet monthly in July and August. Check the BHCA website calendar regularly for updates (or to list your own public events). Here are some highlights of what’s ahead:
- Bolton Hill Family Potluck Picnic, open to all, Saturday, June 29 from 4:30 p.m. at Arnold Sumpter Park between Laurens St. and Robert St. Bring refreshments and a favorite dish or dessert to share. Pony rides and a Moon Bounce for kids, camaraderie for the rest of us.
- Years in the making, celebrate on July 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. the opening of the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center in the nearby Madison Park school once attended by the late Supreme Court justice, 1315 Division St.
- Bring your own whatever and meet neighbors at the monthly First Friday celebration July 5 from 5 – 7 p.m. by the fountain on the 1600 block of Park Ave. (Same time, place and festivities on Aug. 2 and Sept. 6.)
- The Arts in the Parks free weekly neighborhood concerts kick off on Thursday, July 11 at 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Johns Street Park. Seth Kibel’s music group plays klezmer, jazz, swing and more. Bring chairs or a blanket and your own refreshments.
- Arts in the Parks continues every Thursday from 6:30 – 8 p.m., moving from park to park. On Thursday July 18 it’s at Madison Park’s Rozena Ridgley Park, 1511 McCullough St. with jazz by The Craig Alston Syndicate.
- Love the Orioles? BHCA’s Gray Panthers Salon features a talk by baseball writer Rich Dubroff on this year’s World Series-bound (let’s hope) Baltimore Orioles. Also, Bolton Hill resident Tom Delise will talk about Foxy Ned Hanlon, an early baseball great who lived on Mt. Royal Avenue. He and his co-author will sell and sign their book Monday, July 22 at 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Linden Park Apartments Community Room, 301 McMechen St.
- On Thursday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m. touring jazz virtuoso Todd Marcus and his band will play at Sumpter Park, between Laurens St. and Robert St., returning to Arts in the Parks for the fourth year. Sumpter is a great picnic park.
And there is more:
Artscape, Baltimore’s famously sweaty outdoor festival, will be held this year from Aug. 2 – 4. Music, art, food, drinks and free concerts will stretch from along Mount Royal Ave. into Station North and along Charles and intersecting streets. Last year was mostly rained out. Pray for sunshine and cool breezes.
Arts in the Parks in August: Aug. 1 at Fitzgerald Park, Bolton Hill jazz and electronic artist Jimmy Wilson; Aug. 8 back to Sumpter Park with bluegrass band Charm City Junction; Aug. 15 at Lena K Lee Park on Madison north of Robert St., jazz and blues music by Greg Thompkins Old School Band; Aug. 22 musical craftsman Abu the Flutemaker plays at Mounds Park, 1500 Eutaw Pl.; Aug. 29 Ken & Brad Kolodner play old folk and bluegrass music at Rutter’s Mill Park, 1408 Rutter St. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m.
On Aug. 20, the BHCA Crab Feast and Picnic that is more than a crab feast is from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Neighbors will once again gather in the Bolton Swim & Tennis Club Playground to honor the police, firefighters, MICA security patrol and Midtown Community Benefits District crews who serve our neighborhood! Grill masters also serve up hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs. There are side dishes and desserts, soft drinks and beer. Volunteers are needed. Contact crabfeast@boltonhillmd.org.
Arts in the Parks continues Sept. 5 with West Baltimore singer-songwriter Ray Winder and her trio at Maple Leaf Park, 700 Laurens St.; Sept. 12, the eclectic brass Barrage Band Orchestra at Linden Park Apartments, 301 McMechen St.; Sept. 24, jazz and readings to celebrate F. Scott Fitzgerald’s birthday at Fitzgerald Park. Former Bolton Hill resident Fitzgerald was born on Sept. 24, 1896.
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