AGP Executive Report

Renaissance Festival Drama: The Maryland Renaissance Festival is back for its 50th season, but this year it bans fursuits, citing repeated incidents that made other patrons uncomfortable—prompting a backlash from the furry community. Baltimore Arts Calendar: Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County’s September roundup spotlights major festival runs and music, including the Annapolis Songwriters Festival, Maryland Seafood Festival, and more. Film in Annapolis: The Annapolis Film Society will host a special screening of Atonement at Maryland Hall on Sept. 22, with the Iraq War drama exploring trauma and moral injury long after the fighting ends. Music Radar: Mixmag’s weekly music picks include new releases from Saoirse and Holly Lester, plus more club-ready tracks to watch. Local Sports, Local Culture: Stony Brook and Loyola Maryland played to a 0-0 draw in Baltimore, while the Orioles’ weekend roster moves and the Red Sox sweep with Aroldis Chapman’s 400th save kept Camden Yards buzzing.

Baltimore Arts & Community: A new halal Afghan spot, Aria Restaurant Grill and Kabob, is taking over Rockville’s former Hot Pot Kitchen space on MD-355, with a Sept. 11–14 grand opening and 30% off the menu. Local Public Safety: Towson police are investigating a stabbing near the Towson library, with details on suspects and injuries still limited. Baltimore Events: Charm City Live festival setup collided with a City Hall-area suspicious package response, triggering downtown road closures ahead of Saturday’s music event. Sports on Maryland Screens: Georgetown plays Maryland in men’s college soccer on Sept. 7, with Orioles-Red Sox coverage also slated for the weekend slate. Maryland Culture & Wellness: A beginner’s guide to Southern Maryland rockhounding highlights where fossils and shark teeth are most often found—plus safety and legal collecting tips. Rugby’s Maryland Tie-In: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry heads to Baltimore next weekend after South Africa’s 29-24 win over New Zealand in Soweto.

Maryland Arts & Culture: The Maryland Renaissance Festival has banned furries and non-period animal headwear, sparking backlash from the furry community and calls of discrimination. Baltimore Arts & Community Tech: Baltimore County Police shared drone footage of a man vandalizing a Towson donation bin, part of its “Drone as First Responder” program. Local Sports & Entertainment: Navy opens its season Saturday against Towson in Annapolis, with the game carried on CBS Sports Network. Maryland College Football: Maryland kicks off 2026 at SECU Stadium hosting Hampton, with the matchup on Big Ten Network. Film & Music: Bruce Springsteen’s “Land of Hope and Dreams” Philadelphia concert film trailer drops, with a YouTube stream set for Sept. 9. Community Remembrance: Heidenberger cousins honor a 9/11 family legacy at St. Ann’s Center in Hyattsville.

Classical Music & Politics: The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra canceled planned November performances with Kremlin-linked Russian violinist Vadim Repin after an appeal from the Ukrainian Embassy, with the orchestra citing “current circumstances” not being conducive to a successful collaboration. Baltimore Arts & Community: Charm City Live returns to Downtown Baltimore this weekend as a free, family-friendly festival at War Memorial Plaza, featuring 90s-themed programming and major acts including Boys II Men, Case, and Estelle, plus road-closure updates for attendees. Maryland Arts & Culture Infrastructure: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched Aug. 30, with Maryland’s Goddard Space Flight Center credited for building, assembling, integrating, and testing the observatory—an arts-and-science win for the state’s creative tech ecosystem. Local Food Scene: A downtown Maryland-style seafood spot reopened under a new name—Sho’ Nuff Seafood with Soul—shifting toward Southern fried seafood and homemade soul food. Sports-Adjacent Local Interest: Baltimore’s Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment is also behind the weekend’s big public-facing events calendar, keeping arts in the middle of the city’s social life.

Election Integrity: AG Nick Brown and a coalition of 25 states won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS rules that would have forced states into “practically impossible” mail-ballot changes ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Baltimore Governance: Voters will weigh a November ballot question that could reshape city spending and contracts by shifting power away from the Board of Estimates toward the City Council. Arts & Community: Talbot Goes Purple returns with a free screening of An American Opioid Crisis: Talbot Goes Purple in St. Michaels, plus a post-film Q&A. Public Safety: Talbot County Public Schools rolled out weapons detection systems for Easton High football games, aiming to get ahead of risks. Local Culture & Events: The Historic Pennsylvania Avenue Cadillac Parade & Festival is rescheduled for Nov. 21, bringing bands, classic cars, and community groups to Baltimore’s famed corridor. Sports: Mickey Gasper’s “Linsanity”-style surge keeps rolling for the Red Sox as he powers through a hot streak at Camden Yards.

Maryland Renaissance Fest Clash: The Maryland Renaissance Festival has banned “furries” and fursuits, citing historic fit and attendee discomfort—sparking accusations of discrimination and online backlash. Women’s Sports on the Global Stage: The U.S. women’s team heads into the FIBA World Cup in Berlin with major absences (A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum out), while the tournament’s preview frames who can challenge for gold. Local College Hoops Recruiting: JMU’s men’s and women’s basketball programs host a big recruiting weekend tied to the football opener, with top targets visiting campus. Maryland Arts & Community Calendar: Southern Maryland’s Labor Day wrap-up spotlights arts events, music, and family-friendly weekend plans across Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. Film/Streaming Culture: Armando Iannucci’s period drama “The Personal History of David Copperfield” is now streaming for free on Channel 4. Sports-Adjacent Tech & Rules: The U.S. Open debuts new red-light tech for out/let calls, aiming to make officiating clearer for fans. Chesapeake Stewardship: A Maryland guide explains how cover crops after harvest protect soil and help keep nutrients out of the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland Hall of Fame: Brenda Frese’s induction into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame is set for Oct. 16.

Baltimore Arts & Community: Create Baltimore (formerly BOPA) gets a one-year extension to keep running city arts events and programs through June 30, 2027, a quiet vote of confidence from the Mayor’s Office and the Board of Estimates. Local Arts & Culture: The Towson Chamber of Commerce warns would-be troublemakers after a large meetup drew police attention and arrests, underscoring how nightlife and public events shape the city’s cultural scene. Sports as Public Culture: Adley Rutschman returns to Camden Yards to a standing ovation and homers twice for the Red Sox, turning a baseball series into a big, emotional Baltimore moment. Environment & Public Space: Ocean City seeks bids for a living shoreline at Northside Park, adding sand, marsh areas, and erosion-control features along Assawoman Bay. Civic Life: Baltimore County residents pack a planning board hearing to push back on large data centers, arguing for limits tied to power, water, and community impacts.

Local Music Spotlight: Maryland-born, UK-based soul singer Jalen Ngonda talks the meaning and craft behind his new album Doctrine Of Love, rooted in classic sounds but firmly “of the present.” Baltimore Arts & Community: O.A.R. marks 30 years since forming in Rockville with an anniversary stop at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights, with Gavin DeGraw and KT Tunstall on the bill. Arts Calendar (DMV): A Labor Day weekend roundup highlights DC JazzFest, Hirshhorn’s music-themed gallery talk, and other music-and-arts picks across the region. Indigenous Heritage: Historic St. Mary’s City hosts Indigenous Heritage Day (Sept. 12) with hands-on demonstrations, music and dance, plus a featured presentation on wampum and early deeds. Exhibition Watch: “Complementary” pairs siblings Shanna and Nahshon Hollis at Masterworks through Oct. 3, exploring community, mental health and resilience through contrasting styles. Sports-Adjacent Culture: The Ravens’ Lamar Jackson contract talk stays in focus as the team heads into the 2026 season.

Roc Nation Spotlight (Baltimore Music): Young musicians from Baltimore’s Bar Exam program are heading to New York to meet Roc Nation leaders, including Rel Carter, as the competition helps emerging artists build real industry connections. WNBA & Global Sports (Maryland Interest): The 2026 FIBA World Cup tips off Friday in Berlin, with the U.S. women aiming for a fifth straight title despite A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum sitting out for health reasons. Maryland Arts & Community (Theater/Arts Calendar): Sought-after artistic director Stevie Walker-Webb is staying at Baltimore Center Stage, a win for the local theater scene. Transit & Access (MARC): MARC is adding a new direct weekday run-through between Baltimore and Montgomery County starting Sept. 28, cutting transfers for riders across central Maryland. Local Culture & Sports (Volleyball): Maryland volleyball notched a 3-1 win over Arkansas in the Big Ten/SEC Challenge, with Kiki Remensperger driving the offense. Ravens Business Talk: Ravens GM Eric DeCosta says he’s optimistic about reaching a Lamar Jackson extension before March. Outdoor/Local Life: Prettyboy Reservoir’s boat ramp is closed due to drought conditions.

Local Arts & Community: The Artists’ Gallery in Chestertown keeps its First Friday tradition alive with an extended reception spotlighting regional work, tracing the gallery’s roots from Stevensville to its High Street home. Arts Education & Literacy: Celebree School launches “Boredom Is Where Imagination Begins,” a screen-free play and storytelling campaign tied to National Literacy Month, aiming to bring back the kind of childhood creativity families remember. Kids’ Culture & Collecting: A Burlington woman’s Curious George memorabilia story highlights how H.A. Rey’s personal note and drawing became a lasting piece of children’s literature history. Maryland Sports & Youth: St. Mary’s County opens free registration for 2026-27 middle school select basketball and cheer tryouts, with season sign-ups following. Culture Beyond Entertainment: The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, tells Howard University that culture is essential to governance and development—not just festivals and tourism. Weather Watch: Central Maryland faces an Impact Weather day with strong thunderstorms possible, plus continued storm chances into Thursday.

Maryland Paid Leave Launch: Maryland’s long-delayed Family and Medical Leave Insurance program is finally rolling out, with employers registering now and benefits starting in 2028—aimed at giving workers paid time for new babies, caregiving, and serious health needs. Arts & Community Calendar: Catoctin Forest Alliance’s Artist in Residence program returns, pairing artists with Maryland’s parks for nature-driven work and public engagement, while Fort Ritchie Community Center unveils a fall lineup including a free Walking Club and kids’ LEGO® Robotics programs. Baltimore Arts Spotlight: Baltimore Museum of Art announced new acquisitions, adding fresh works to the city’s growing contemporary and historical collections. Local Culture & Performance: Dance Place is searching for a new executive artistic director after a chaotic summer, a major leadership moment for the DC-area dance nonprofit. Sports-Adjacent Maryland Buzz: Chrisean Rock is set for a Sept. 19 pro boxing debut in Baltimore, and the Ravens’ preseason brought a fun tunnel run for the Denton Dolphins flag football team.

Ravens Injury Watch: Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter says defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is in a “good position” after his neck injury, but Week 1 status is still unclear as he ramps up practice work. Ravens Roster Story: Minter also explained how undrafted rookie Ethan Burke earned a 53-man spot, while Joe Fagnano’s feel-good run to the roster continues to draw attention. NFL Rule Twist: The Eagles’ Uar Bernard could be poached after an NFL change affecting International Player Pathway practice-squad players. Local Youth Sports: Southern Maryland girls flag football is expanding fast, with Ravens outreach staff helping fuel the momentum ahead of the new season. Community Health Campaign: “PROstate of Mind” kicks off in September, urging men to understand prostate cancer risk and talk screening options with doctors. MLB Playoff Push: With September underway, the wild-card race is tightening across both leagues, and Baltimore’s surge is part of the late-season drama. Music & Culture: Maryland rockers Clutch return with “The Drifter Returns,” their first single in four years.

Maryland Arts & Culture: The Mainstay in Rock Hall announced its Hedgelawn Classical Music Series in honor of Judy Kohl, including a Maryland premiere of “The French Perspective” with guitarist William Feasley (plus pianist and chamber performances starting Oct. 18). Arts & Community Programming: Prince George’s Publick Playhouse (M-NCPPC) unveiled its 2026-27 season, featuring nationally recognized artists, family shows, and education programs, with tickets now on sale. Local Arts & History for Young Readers: Mount Morris author Natalie Eddy released “The Adventures of Charlie: The Mason-Dixon Line,” weaving local landmarks and history into a children’s time-travel adventure. Food & Fair Fun: Maryland State Fair’s Blue Catfish cook-off returns Sept. 5, offering a $1,000 prize for the tastiest dish made from the invasive, wild-caught fish. Sports & Entertainment Crossover: Ravens added kicker Jake Moody to the practice squad, adding pressure to Tyler Loop as the team heads into the regular season.

Community Art: Re:Bloom’s next chapter is taking shape in Lexington Park as kids and adults paint native-bird banners at Lexington Manor Passive Park, adding to a yearlong public art transformation expected to bring 100+ community-made works to the park. Accessibility in Public Spaces: A new communication board at Quiet Waters Park in Anne Arundel County is giving children with autism and other communication differences a visual way to express needs and choices while they play. Fashion + Equestrian Culture: The 9th Annual Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic returns Sept. 19 with luxury fashion, polo competition, and youth equestrian support through the Ride to the Olympics Foundation. Sports & Local Talent: Howard University Athletics expands its community footprint with a multi-year McDonald’s partnership across the DC region, including Baltimore and the Eastern Shore, with mentorship opportunities for student-athletes. Maryland Arts Calendar: This fall’s arts slate is already lining up, with coverage highlighting major museum exhibitions and community events across the region.

Local Arts & Media: Scripps is rolling out an AI-driven “refounding” at WMAR, cutting 268 jobs and replacing some anchor-led broadcasts with automation, prompting emotional farewells from Baltimore-area on-air staff. Community & Culture: Gloucester’s Fine Arts Museum is opening “Six Scenes, One Place,” a free indoor exhibition expanding on a new Main Street mural that uses paintings, artifacts, and documents to tell the county’s layered history. Maryland Arts & Entertainment: Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis is lining up a busy fall of national acts and comedy, including Kat Bird, Madi Diaz, and Mike Tramp. Maryland Spotlight (Sports + Local Flavor): Calvert County launched a “Farm Fall Fun” hub to help residents plan pick-your-own, corn mazes, and farm animal outings. Civic/Info Integrity: Southern Maryland Chronicle reporting was used by a suspected Chinese bot network on X to push misleading claims about AI data centers and electricity prices. Sports (Baltimore-area relevance): The Orioles’ playoff chase stayed tight as the AL wild-card race saw key wins, including Baltimore’s continued momentum in Sunday coverage.

Rugby Rivalry: South Africa leveled Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at 1-1 with a 33-26 Cape Town win over New Zealand, but the post-match talk stayed on scrums after All Blacks coach Dave Rennie accused the Springboks of “walking around,” prompting a furious Rassie Erasmus response. Maryland Arts & Community: Leonardtown’s First Friday on Sept. 4 opens with an “ArtWalk” theme, featuring gallery openings and local makers at spots like North End Gallery, The Craft Guild Shop, and St. Mary’s Arts Council. Local Sports Spotlight: JMU volleyball started strong, sweeping Loyola Maryland 3-0 in a season-opening series. Arts Calendar: Clear Space Theatre Company announced its 2027 season offerings. Film Pick: A Sunday Morning Movie feature spotlights Jan Švankmajer’s surrealist “Alice” (1988), framed as a darker, unsettling take on the classic tale.