It’s summer! Get ready for BHCA’s 2nd annual neighborhood-wide potluck picnic, 10 free Thursday music concerts in different neighborhood parks and a crab feast and picnic that honors first responders in August. No sign-up, just show up.
First the potluck, on Saturday, June 28 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Sumpter Park. It’s only the second such occasion, but last year’s picnic brought out about 100 adults and children. Once again there will be live music, free pony rides and kids events. Bring your own beverages and something to share, based on the initial of your last name: A-H, a picnic main course; I-P a salad or side dish; or Q-Z, a dessert. Folding chairs or a blanket might also make sense. Sumpter Park is on Laurens Street just east of Eutaw Place. RSVP by June 22 to bhpotluck@gmail.com.
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Local jazz great Todd Marcus and his ensemble kick off 2025’s Arts in the Parks free concerts on Thursday, July 10 from 6:30 p.m., also at Sumpter Park. Marcus is one of the few artists worldwide to focus on the bass clarinet as a main instrument in modern jazz with small and large bands. With him will be Virginia MacDonald, clarinet; Silvano Monasterios, piano; Blake Meister, bass and Eric Kennedy, drums.
Old Time music virtuosos Ken and Brad Kolodner with others play on Thursday, July 17 from 6:30 p.m. at Rutter’s Mill Park. Their arrangements include twin-fiddles, meditations on hammered dulcimer, and bluegrass numbers with solos and three-part harmony vocals. Rutter’s Mill is at 1400 Rutter Street, between John Street and Mt. Royal Avenue.
On July 24 at 6:30 p.m. at John Street Park, clarinetist Seth Kibel and his trio, a genre-bending klezmer band, will perform. Their shows are popular with children and adults.
Bolton Hill electric trumpeter Jimmy Wilson teams with flamenco guitarist Richard Marlow and other artists on July 31 at 6:30 p.m. at F. Scott Fitzgerald Park, Bolton Street at Wilson Street.
The Craig Alston Syndicate performs smooth jazz at Rozen Ridgley Park on Aug. 7 from 6:30 p.m. That’s at 1500 McCullough St. in adjacent Madison Park.
Vocalist-guitarist Ray Winder and her jazz group will play on Aug. 14 from 6:30 p.m. at Maple Leaf Park, near the intersection of Bolton and Robert Streets.
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The Annual Crab Feast and Picnic takes place on Tuesday Aug. 19 from 5:30 to 7:30p.m. Neighbors will once again gather in the Bolton Swim & Tennis Club Playground that is more than a crab feast! It honors the police, firefighters and security who serve our neighborhood.
This event is the neighborhood’s way of saying both a formal and fun “thank you” to the people who help make our neighborhood a safer and cleaner place to live. Invitations go to the Baltimore police and firefighters that serve our community, as well as employees of Midtown.
Attendance is free for these employees. Neighbors order crabs in advance (watch for email and signs around the neighborhood). Don’t eat crab? Not to worry! Grill masters serve hamburgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs. There are side dishes and desserts, soft drinks and beer.
A call for volunteers will go out via email and the BHCA Facebook page. If you’d like to help, or have questions about volunteering, email event co-chairs Chris Ryder and Lisa Summers and volunteer coordinator Christine Delise at crabfeast@boltonhillmd.org.
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The Greg Thomkins Quintet will play jazz and R&B from 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 21 at Lena K Lee Park, located at Madison and Presstman Streets in Marble Hill.
Abu the Flutemaker, who has been making culturally inspired musical instruments and performing musical crafts shows for over 50 years, will perform on Aug. 28 from 6:30 p.m. at Mounds Park, 1420 Eutaw Place. Kids love him.
Bluegrass favorites Charm City Junction will play at Sumpter Park on Sept 4 at 6:30 p.m.
On Sept. 11 in the garden at Linden Park Apartments, the Barrage Orchestra brass band will wind up Thursday Arts in the Parks concerts.
Closing out our BHCA summer, residents should gather on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 129th birthday at, of course, Fitgerald Park. This year is the 100th anniversary of the publication of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. He lived at 1307 Park Avenue, and wrote Tender is the Night there in 1933.
–Bill Hamilton
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