AGP Executive Report

Baltimore Music & Nightlife: A new waterfront concert series, “Soul on the Water,” is set for Pier Six Pavilion, bringing soul, jazz, R&B and more to the city with confirmed dates featuring Tank and the Bangas (Aug. 13), Chante Moore (Sept. 10), and Raheem DeVaughn (Oct. 1) plus a Go-Go night (July 16). Maryland Arts & Community: The Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington celebrates a standout senior, Sophie Epshteyn, heading to Georgetown’s nursing school, with her school community and service work spotlighted. Local Culture & Pride: Southern Maryland Pride plans are already underway, with Anne Arundel and Calvert County library events and community celebrations listed for June. Music Industry (Baltimore): Omnivore Recordings marks its 15th anniversary by acquiring the catalog of Baltimore label Chariot Records, reviving mid-century regional hits. Public Safety & Trust: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott reacts after a Safe Streets worker is arrested in connection with a Park Heights shooting, calling the act a disgrace.

Baltimore Arts & Culture: A full-scale replica of the Christopher Columbus ship Nao Santa María is set to sail into Baltimore Harbour Tuesday, opening to the public June 10–14 at North Pier as a maritime-history curtain-raiser to the Baltimore Pirate Festival (June 19–21). Local Health & Trust: A Maryland doctor explains why loved ones may trust TikTok over their clinician—and why “energy” from energy drinks can backfire, including the sleep-blocking role of caffeine. Tech & Local Business: Bowie HVAC contractor Pentagon Air says it’s now ranked #1 on ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini after a visibility partnership, shifting how residents find urgent home services. Arts in Motion: Stephen Wilson Jr. shares a busy summer run of festival and stadium dates tied to his latest releases. Sports as Entertainment: The Orioles kick off a four-game series vs. the Mariners at Camden Yards Monday night.

Maryland Music Scene: Mixmag spotlights The Carry Nation’s Baltimore-rooted “Full Tilt Carry Vol 3” compilation (Nervous Records, June 12) plus new EPs from Fauzia (Mexican Summer, July 17) and Spekki Webu. Local Arts & Pride: CAMP Rehoboth’s 35th anniversary exhibition “Community, Heart, Pride” opens June 8 in Rehoboth Beach, with a June 11 reception and work spanning paintings, photos, and mixed media. Baltimore Arts Calendar: “Soul on the Water” brings jazz to Pier Six Pavilion on Thursday nights. Fashion & Weddings (DC/Baltimore ties): Baltimore Orioles owner David Rubenstein and Caryn Zucker married in a surprise ceremony Friday, blending Supreme Court and synagogue moments with a rooftop celebration. Church & History: Pope Leo XIV issued a sweeping papal apology for the Vatican’s role in legitimizing slavery, framing it as overdue “redress.” Public Safety (Maryland): A Baltimore County officer was shot and is expected to recover after an armed suspect fired on officers responding to a Pikesville trail call. Sports as Culture: Stacey King, a Bulls champion and longtime broadcaster, died at 59.

Maryland Craft Spotlight: Highland Forge Design launched from a Maryland workshop as a one-craftsman, no-outsourcing brand making items like wood wall art and leather journals—built for durability and “meaningful effort,” not mass production. Local Sports & Community: Under Armour’s Project Rampart celebrated Baltimore City student-athletes at HQ, highlighting a 97% graduation rate and support tied to mentorship, sports access, and academic help. Baltimore-Area Arts & Pride: Ocean City’s Ocean Bowl marked its 50th birthday with Heritage Awards, live music, and skating—another summer draw for the Shore. Music Tour News: Bryson Tiller announced the “Neo Trapsoul Tour,” with a stop in Baltimore on Sept. 6 at CFG Bank Arena. MLB (Baltimore Connection): Toronto’s Ernie Clement powered a 6-4 win over the Orioles with a three-run homer and key defense, keeping the AL East series tight. Weather Watch: Severe storms moved through Baltimore Saturday night with wind damage reported; Sunday looked drier.

Baltimore Orioles: With catcher Samuel Basallo nursing an abdominal injury, the O’s called up catcher Sam Huff from Triple-A Norfolk, while utility man Weston Wilson was designated for assignment. Baltimore Sports & Entertainment: The Orioles kept rolling in Toronto, blasting the Blue Jays 13-3 as Adley Rutschman went 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, a walk and five RBIs. Music & Maryland Travel: Country star Morgan Wallen canceled his Pittsburgh stadium stop due to severe weather threats; his tour still includes Baltimore dates in July. Local Public Safety: Towson University student Nasir Majied, 22, was shot and killed near York Road and Towson Circle; police say the search for the suspect continues. Maryland Arts/Media Spotlight: Vogue named Silver Spring realtor Cher Castillo a “Woman of Influence,” highlighting her luxury real estate career and profile in the Washington region. TV Premiere: Paramount+ set Lioness Season 3 for Aug. 2, with filming that included Baltimore.

Public Art & Community: Fairbanks City Hall’s front will be transformed this weekend with a large-scale mural celebrating the land, waters, languages, and living traditions of Fairbanks, with residents invited to help create it (supplies provided, no experience needed). Baltimore Music History: Baltimore marks the 50th anniversary of AFRAM with a documentary, “AFRAM 50: This is a Celebration of Us,” tracing the festival’s story and legacy. Pride & Performance: Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Baltimore hosts a Pride Month oratorio, “Considering Matthew Shepard,” with the choir performing at 4 p.m. Sunday. Local Concert Season: Strathmore’s Summer 2026 lineup includes major music and comedy stops like Andrew Bird, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Patton Oswalt, Straight No Chaser, and Chris Botti. Sports-Adjacent Culture: Baltimore gymnast Kyrstin Johnson’s viral floor routines—showcasing Black culture and personal storytelling—continue to inspire young girls to embrace their authentic selves. Oral History Spotlight: A remembrance of D-Day (June 6, 1944) highlights how WWII stories still live in families and communities.

Maryland Racing Leadership: Gov. Wes Moore appointed Nicole Earle as chair of the Maryland Racing Commission, making her the first woman and first African American in the role, starting June 10. Local Arts & Community: South Baltimore Gateway Partnership received $553,022.92 in community grants to fund nearly two dozen neighborhood programs, from legal services to youth mentoring and home repair. Music Scene: Baltimore-area fans get a new stop on Fuming Mouth’s tour as the band announces its third album, The Ringing Bell, with a Baltimore show at Metro Gallery (Aug. 20). STEM & Health (Maryland): Lentigen Technology (Gaithersburg) launched an MSCRF-funded project with UM Baltimore to develop a gene-therapy approach for sickle cell disease. Sports Culture: The Ravens mourn offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, who died at 70, remembered as a faith-driven leader and “made us all better.” Tech & Teens: A study links pre-bedtime smartphone use to longer late-night phone activity and sleep disruption for adolescents.

Baltimore Live Music & Comedy: Dave Chappelle is set for a phone-free show at CFG Bank Arena on June 12, with tickets going on sale June 5. Local Music Spotlight: Greene & Shine preview their latest album and talk influences in a Southern Star Sessions feature. Maryland Sports for Fans: The Ravens’ push helped make girls flag football a fully recognized Maryland varsity sport, with clinics drawing players and coaches across central Baltimore County. Community & Culture: Arcadian Gallery in Cumberland unveiled winners for its Appalachian Nature Art & Photography Competition, now on view at The Arcadian. Public Safety & Neighborhood Impact: Baltimore City Sheriff Sam Cogen announced enforcement against illegal smoke shops, seizing illegal cannabis and untaxed tobacco products. Arts + Community Growth: Coppermine’s continued expansion highlights its wide range of youth and family programming across the region. Maryland in the News: A fuel oil spill in Curtis Bay left residents reporting strong chemical odors and frustration over warnings and cleanup.

Maryland Arts & Entertainment: Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts is staging “Hairspray” for its 30th anniversary season, running July 10–26 in Matthews, with a pay-what-you-can night July 9. Local Business & Culture: Black Wall Street WOODLAWN returns for its 15th year tonight (June 4) at SHURA in Woodlawn, spotlighting Black entrepreneurship and community economic empowerment. Arts, Media & Law: Maryland Live! Casino is hit with a Louis Vuitton trademark lawsuit, alleging promotional campaigns used copied monogram and floral marks to suggest affiliation. Community & Arts Access: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore vetoed a bill that would have directed state advertising dollars toward public broadcasting and local news outlets—advocates are pushing to revive it. Sports (Maryland angle): Orioles vs. Red Sox coverage continues to dominate local sports chatter, including a spotlight on Red Sox rookie Payton Tolle’s strong start against Baltimore.

Baltimore Arts & Culture: The Harriet Tubman Museum in Cambridge is gearing up for a grand reopening with a more immersive, tech-forward experience after a 2025 water-damage setback helped spur a major redesign. Maryland Events & Community: Sail250 is set to bring tall ships and the Blue Angels to the Chesapeake, with Baltimore hosting the main stretch June 24–30. Theater: West Virginia Public Theatre announces its summer run of Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood (June performances in Morgantown). Sports (Maryland ties): At Fenway, the Red Sox’ Payton Tolle kept rolling in a 8-1 win over the Orioles, while Baltimore’s offense struggled to cash in chances. Local Spotlight: Louis Vuitton is suing Maryland Live! Casino in Hanover over a promotion it says copied its iconic logo and design. Public Safety: Baltimore officials are still urging information after a playground shooting left an 11-year-old hurt, with community groups describing lasting trauma and disruption.

Springsteen & Morello: Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello announced the Power to the People Festival, with a Maryland stop at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia on Oct. 3, bringing a big lineup that includes the Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Brittany Howard, Dropkick Murphys, Cypress Hill, Killer Mike, and more. Local Music & Culture: The week also brought a Baltimore indie spotlight via Woody Lissauer’s “No Kings,” positioning the artist as an “artivist” using music for social change. Tech, Privacy & Policy: A federal privacy bill called the Secure Data Act is drawing sharp pushback from an advocacy group, which argues it’s worse than having no national law and may not fully protect consumers from targeted ads. Travel & Community: BermudAir announced new Caribbean routes from Baltimore, and Discovery Quest launched a free “passport” style summer program across 14 Baltimore museums. Food & Business: Nalley Fresh is reshaping its footprint after closures, shifting toward office-building locations and catering as it plans expansion.

Women’s Sports Milestone: Ithaca’s Shea Baker helped mark the historic launch of the Women’s Lacrosse League, sharing her concussion-protocol experience and the people who made the moment possible. Local Arts & Community: Prince George’s County schools are piloting AI-generated comic books through Lumi Story AI, ending with a student showcase as educators push for practical creative tool literacy. Maryland Horse Industry: The Maryland Horse Career Program selects six participants for a June 1–5 week of visits, discussions, and professional development across racing, breeding, sport, vet/farrier work, event management, and aftercare. Health & Faith in Primary Care: A University of Maryland School of Medicine randomized trial reports that five minutes of proximal intercessory prayer reduced pain and anxiety for primary care patients versus a music control. Arts, Sports, and Awareness: Fenway Park hosted an ALS awareness night tied to the Lou Gehrig legacy, spotlighting the ALS Hope Foundation and people living with the disease.

Sports & Culture Spotlight: The Rams’ blockbuster trade for pass-rusher Myles Garrett is fueling “GOAT” talk and reshaping Super Bowl chatter, while Eagles WR A.J. Brown says his relationship with Jalen Hurts “grew apart” before the Patriots deal. Local Arts & Community: The Maryland Zoo’s 150th-anniversary party Zoomerang returns with a red panda habitat debut, plus animal experiences, dining, and a silent disco. Outdoor Fun: Paddlefest comes back to Janes Island State Park June 6–7 with salt-marsh paddles, pontoon tours, kids crafts, and an afternoon concert. Fashion & Law: Louis Vuitton sues Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland over promotional bags it says copy its signature branding. Music & Pride: The International Pride Orchestra makes its Texas debut in Houston, bringing queer-led performances and proceeds for the Montrose Center. Health & Wellness: A University of Maryland study reports a five-minute proximal intercessory prayer session can ease pain and anxiety in primary care patients.

Maryland Sports & Culture: Prince George’s County’s “We the People Block Party” in Bowie brought history, arts, culture, and community groups together for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Local Arts & Media: Audacy named Joe LaCroix brand manager for Baltimore’s 105.7 The Fan, a leadership shift for the city’s sports radio scene. Arts, Sports, and Community: A Maryland State Fire Marshal ruling found an outside fire at 13 Robinwood Drive in Lavale was accidental, after it damaged a home and vehicle. National Arts/Policy: The U.S. Senate kicked off the “NO FAKES Act of 2026” to curb AI deepfakes of voices and likenesses—an entertainment-focused intellectual property push. Sports Spotlight: Pro Football Hall of Famer Raymond Berry, a Baltimore legend, died at 93, prompting major tributes across the region. Civic Tech & Safety: Cumberland announced traffic changes for TV filming, including simulated gunfire during production.

Pro Football Legacy: Raymond Berry, the Baltimore Colts Hall of Famer and later Patriots coach, died at 93, remembered for route-running brilliance with Johnny Unitas and his starring role in the 1958 “Greatest Game Ever Played.” Local Sports & Entertainment: The Giants bring Odell Beckham Jr. back to New York on a one-year deal, while the NFL’s offseason gears up with “100 days” to kickoff and major roster shuffling. Maryland Community & Faith: The Baltimore-Washington Conference held its 242nd session in Baltimore under the theme “Rooted in Christ: Love Boldly,” featuring new unity symbols and ministry celebrations. Arts & Culture in the DMV: “Great Big Game Show” opens its first Maryland location at Arundel Mills, adding immersive, hosted mini-game fun for groups. Maryland Outdoors & Food: Annapolis photographer Jay Fleming highlights the push to curb invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay—by fishing them and raising awareness. Baltimore Public Safety: A 15-year-old turned himself in for the February murder of 15-year-old Tyonna Pierce as the city reports continued drops in violent crime.

Gun-Law Fight: The NRA is suing Maryland over a new Glock ban that blocks “machine gun convertible” pistols from being made or sold in the state, calling it unconstitutional. Baltimore Arts & Community: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is holding auditions for “O Say Can You Sing?” to find two singers for its Star-Spangled 250 shows July 3 and 4. Pride Programming: Anne Arundel County Public Library is rolling out Pride Month events across branches, from kids’ storytimes and crafts to teen zine workshops and adult history programs. Film & Health Equity: “The Ebony Canal” documentary screened at Morgan State University, spotlighting Black maternal health stories and challenges for new mothers. STEM + Culture Fundraisers: Alpha Phi Alpha’s Charles E. McGee STEM scholarship drive is paired with Grandiosity Events’ 10th Celebrity PoloxJazz on June 20 to support youth STEM opportunities. Media Business: Scripps Local Media pulled 54 stations from DIRECTV after a retransmission dispute, affecting local viewing and major sports coverage. Sports at Camden Yards: Blue Jays outfielder Jesús Sánchez left after a fan-thrown ball hit his wrist; X-rays were negative for fracture.