The Patricia Massey Momentum Award supports emerging immigrant visual artists living in Maryland whose work reflects their cultural heritage and lived experiences. Open to artists working in visual arts disciplines, the award provides financial support, exhibition opportunities, and a platform for immigrant artists to share their work with the broader community while supporting the continued growth and visibility of their artistic practices. Three artists will be selected through this process: two finalists and one Patricia Massey Momentum Award recipient. The award recipient will receive a $10,000 award and participate in public programming with Creative Alliance, and all three artists will present their work together in a group exhibition at Creative Alliance.
This award is made possible by the McNeely Massey Family.
Spend the day exploring one of Baltimore’s greatest treasures! Join naturalist Anne Draddy, author of Druid Hill Park: The Heart of Baltimore, for a leisurely adventure through the winding paths, hidden stories, and natural beauty of Charm City’s beloved 476-acre oasis. Along the way, gather leaves, flowers, and found treasures to transform into your own striking cyanotype print with artist Jennifer Yablonski. Using this 180-year-old photographic process, you’ll create beautiful blue-and-white artworks inspired by your discoveries. After getting creative, relax with a picnic lunch in a shady park pavilion and enjoy good conversation with fellow explorers.
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
Learn to move like you mean it. This class breaks down the art of heels performance — from commanding walks and sharp choreography to the kind of stage presence that stops a room. Students will cover heel technique and footwork, performance styling and body movement, choreography fundamentals, and how to perform with confidence and intention. Whether you've never worn a heel on stage or you're ready to sharpen your skills, this class meets you exactly where you are.
Step into the world of classic burlesque — where glamour, history, and self-expression meet. In this introductory workshop, Aquarius Moon guides you through the foundational techniques of the art form while celebrating the rich legacy of burlesque performance. Students will cover classic bumps, grinds, and shimmies, the showgirl stance and stage presence, and how to strut like a true burlesque queen. Each session focuses on a signature technique and prop — come prepared!
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
Capoeira is a dynamic Brazilian art form that blends self-defense, acrobatics, and dance. It helps improve balance, coordination, and physical strength while introducing participants to a different language and culture. Practiced with music and rhythm, Capoeira encourages learning through movement in an engaging and energetic way. Classes are beginner and family-friendly. Each class in the series you learn a new skill. Come yourself, or bring the whole family and enjoy moving together!
Olé, mole! Celebrate the coming of Fall with an authentic Oaxacan mole dinner (meat and vegetarian options) hosted by renowned Baltimore artist and long time Creative Alliance Supporter Lois Borgenicht in her gracious Roland Park home. Following dinner, tour Lois’ distinguished collection, including work by Milton Avery and Max Beckmann, who were represented by her mother, former NYC gallery owner Grace Borgenicht, and see other modern masters such as Corinth, Matisse, Derain, Davis, and Hartley.
Learn classic and modern Middle Eastern style belly dance. Both a social dance and a form of entertainment, belly dance is a great way to meet amazing people and learn about Egyptian history and culture. Pick up the foundational moves and vocabulary of belly dance, while learning about ethics, etiquette, music, and history of belly dance. And be ready to MOVE! We'll explore isolations, spatial awareness, strength, flexibility, and some use of props. All experience levels welcome!
Salons during the Harlem Renaissance were vital, intimate gatherings hosted in private homes and social spaces. They provided sanctuary for Black intellectuals, artists, and LGBTQ+ figures to share their work, debate politics, and shape the "New Negro" movement. These safe havens were crucial in launching the careers of iconic figures like Zora Neale Hurston, Countee Cullen, Alain Locke, and Jean Toomer.
Movies in the Lounge is a launchpad for emerging and mid-career filmmakers, providing not just a screen, but an engaged community eager to discover new voices and participate in meaningful dialogue about cinema.
Whether you perform burlesque, drag, circus, comedy, music, magic, or another variety art, this workshop is designed to help you create a polished, memorable act that stands out on the festival stage. Join Maria Bella, producer of The Charm City Burlesque & Variety Festival, for an insider's look at what producers and selection committees actually look for—from concept, pacing, music, and storytelling to professionalism, applications, and common mistakes that can cost performers a spot.
Spend a curious evening at The Fox Den. With sunset views and engaging conversation, what could go wrong? Great company, great food, and maybe, just maybe someone has a dark secret to share. Have the time of your life, but don't end up as the body. Join us for an immersive murder mystery experience to wine, dine, and figure out whodunit. Join Interactive Movie Night Host, Heather Keating, and New Renaissance Arts for an immersive murder mystery experience where you'll wine, dine, and play detective all while exploring one of Baltimore's most unique spaces. This reception style event will have you on your toes and asking, "whodunnit"? Mingle, munch, and....murder?
The Baltimore yoyo club is a fast paced and vibrant hobby that combines insane yoyo tricks, with music, creativity, and problem solving skills! It is a vast and diverse hobby with room for everyone learn and try something new!
Join Victor Bennett of Wildside Nursery, who has built his nursery around propagating native plants from the local population, as he shares ideas of how to make our spaces more usable for people, pollinators and other wildlife. Enjoy thoughtfully prepared light fare and drinks while learning from Victor in the warm, historic atmosphere of Manor Mill, which has been painstakingly restored over the last five years by Creative Alliance supporter Angelo Otterbein.
Enjoy a guided tour through Manor Mill's native gardens, offering insights into plant selection, habitat creation, and sustainable landscaping practices you can bring home to your own yard. The evening culminates in a hands-on activity – a fun, interactive way to connect with the natural world and your fellow guests. Come for the knowledge, stay for the community, and leave inspired to transform your space into a native habitat.
Abbondanza—the Italian word for abundance—is more than a meal; it's a celebration of family, culture, and connection. Gather around the table as chef Francesca Gallucci prepares a generous five-course family feast inspired by cherished traditions and the stories that travel with us. Through food, conversation, and familial memories shaped by her work and travels in Utah, Francesca explores how place and family nourish both artists and communities. Creative Alliance Trustee Antoinette Peele; and fine artist, portrait photographer and photojournalist Schaun Champion will discuss their work honoring the living relationship between artist, family, and culture. Come for the feast, stay for the conversation, and leave with your heart and your stomach full.
Looking to upgrade the normal offerings of Sunday Family Dinner? Join renowned Chef Idalee DiGregorio in the bucolic home of Dawna Cobb and Joe Meyerhoff. Learning to cook new foods has never been more fun and engaging with Chef Idalee's unique style of teaching. Bring friends and family as you work in groups of 4 to prepare a 4-course Thai feast including Green Papaya Salad, Drunken Noodles with beef, Green Curry with chicken or tofu, and Mango Sticky Rice. Keep refreshed with Tsingha beer and Thai Iced Tea as you surprise yourself with the incredible food you made!
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
Capoeira is a dynamic Brazilian art form that blends self-defense, acrobatics, and dance. It helps improve balance, coordination, and physical strength while introducing participants to a different language and culture. Practiced with music and rhythm, Capoeira encourages learning through movement in an engaging and energetic way. Classes are beginner and family-friendly. Each class in the series you learn a new skill. Come yourself, or bring the whole family and enjoy moving together!
We will have time to practice meditation and share reflections on the experience of mindfulness. This monthly program will be sharing ways to meet the challenges of daily life by staying connected to our choices without reacting to people and situations. This is an opportunity to discover well-being within your body and mind regardless of your situation. Mindfulness practices to support ease and skillfulness in meeting the challenges of daily life.
Learn classic and modern Middle Eastern style belly dance. Both a social dance and a form of entertainment, belly dance is a great way to meet amazing people and learn about Egyptian history and culture. Pick up the foundational moves and vocabulary of belly dance, while learning about ethics, etiquette, music, and history of belly dance. And be ready to MOVE! We'll explore isolations, spatial awareness, strength, flexibility, and some use of props. All experience levels welcome!
Join soprano Natanya Sheva Washer and guitarist Sean Brennan for an evening rooted in connection and compassion – celebrating the underrepresented voices of the Americas. From the lyrical depth of African American composers Harry Burleigh and Rosephanye Powell to the beloved melodies of Mexican composers Maria Grever and Consuelo Velazquez, the repertoire bridges histories and traditions. These works speak across borders and generations, reminding us that loving our neighbor begins with listening – deeply and respectfully – to one another's stories. The setting will be the classic formal spaces of a well-preserved Bolton Hill “Grand Dame.” Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks are provided as you explore the less heard sounds of these incredible musicians.
The art of cocktail making dates back thousands of years through 85% of the known cultures on the planet. Join Creative Alliance Deputy Director Alec Lawson and the Creative Alliance Hospitality Manager Ann Weaver with a journey through the history of bourbon as they craft 8 cocktails to sample. Learn about the complex history of bourbon while being entertained with historical trivia. Suzan Garabedian hosts the event in her historic Federal Hill home with seasonal heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
Have you ever had an idea on how to make a game better or want to see what games are like before they reach your shelf? If you've ever played a game and thought "This would be better if . . ." then you would love playtesting with Break My Game!
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
Capoeira is a dynamic Brazilian art form that blends self-defense, acrobatics, and dance. It helps improve balance, coordination, and physical strength while introducing participants to a different language and culture. Practiced with music and rhythm, Capoeira encourages learning through movement in an engaging and energetic way. Classes are beginner and family-friendly. Each class in the series you learn a new skill. Come yourself, or bring the whole family and enjoy moving together!
Bechdel Cast Ten Year “Whoops We Didn’t Dismantle the Patriarchy” Anniversary Tour
It’s been ten years, and we can still remember the fresh podcast. The recording equipment had never been used. The movies had never been watched. The Bechdel Cast was called “The Show of Dreams”… and it was, it really was!
Join hosts Jamie Loftus and Caitlin Durante for a LIVE SHOW celebrating their TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY of hosting The Bechdel Cast!
Learn classic and modern Middle Eastern style belly dance. Both a social dance and a form of entertainment, belly dance is a great way to meet amazing people and learn about Egyptian history and culture. Pick up the foundational moves and vocabulary of belly dance, while learning about ethics, etiquette, music, and history of belly dance. And be ready to MOVE! We'll explore isolations, spatial awareness, strength, flexibility, and some use of props. All experience levels welcome!
This year marks the fourth year of Unidos En El Arte, Creative Alliance's annual exhibition celebrating Latino artists in Baltimore and beyond. What began as a single show has grown into a tradition, one built on supportive relationships between artists, families, and neighbors in Highlandtown and across the city. The exhibition brings together work that merges craft and fine art, honoring both heritage and experimentation. Join us for the grand opening on October 16 at 6pm. Unidos has never been just an exhibition; it is a community that shows up for its artists.
This year marks the fourth year of Unidos En El Arte, Creative Alliance's annual exhibition celebrating Latino artists in Baltimore and beyond. What began as a single show has grown into a tradition, one built on supportive relationships between artists, families, and neighbors in Highlandtown and across the city. The exhibition brings together work that merges craft and fine art, honoring both heritage and experimentation. Join us for the grand opening on October 16 at 6pm. Unidos has never been just an exhibition; it is a community that shows up for its artists.
Forget your to-do list and come dance. DJs Kempton Ingersol, Guy Flynn, and Terry Thompson are bringing the soundtrack for an unforgettable night at The Loom at Meadow Mill. Think chic vibes, flowing cocktails, throwback favorites, and a packed dance floor inside one of Baltimore's historic mill buildings. Need a break? Step outside to the patio, grab a snack, and hang by the fire before diving back into the music. It's the perfect excuse to gather your crew, put on something fun, and dance the stress away.
Join magic and occult expert Michael M. Hughes for a provocative and highly visual introduction to the legends, history, and modern practice of witchcraft. This 90-minute presentation, which sold out last year, will delve deep into the dark myths and surprising realities of witchcraft, from legends of the ancient era to today’s world of Instagram and TikTok witches.
Danny Joe’s Tree House invites families to slow down and engage with our play-based stories that provide valuable opportunities to deepen social-emotional learning and media literacy. As a preschool teacher, Danny Joe cares deeply about empowering kids with critical-thinking skills and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Explore the magic of sound and clay in this hands-on, intergenerational rattle-making workshop for children ages 7+ and their parents or caregivers. Together, participants will discover ancient musical instruments of the Americas and explore how rattles have long been used for storytelling, celebration, and connection across cultures and time.
Explora la magia del sonido y la arcilla en este taller práctico e intergeneracional de creación de sonajas para niños a partir de los 7 años, junto con sus padres, madres o cuidadores. Juntos, los participantes descubrirán antiguos instrumentos musicales de las Américas y explorarán cómo las sonajas se han utilizado durante mucho tiempo para contar historias, celebrar y crear vínculos a través de las culturas y el tiempo.
Grab a drink and create your favorite Patterson Park animal lantern with us! Drink Specials! Halloween Dance Music! Horror Films! And Lanterns Galore! Adults only for this class. Come hang out and have fun.
Step inside Martin Knott’s Mount Vernon home for a one-of-a-kind evening where music, art, and stories come together. This remarkable home is also a living gallery, filled with vintage instruments, striking artwork, and a jaw-dropping collection of original Grateful Dead concert posters spanning the band’s legendary career. Sip cocktails, enjoy an intimate performance by Baltimore’s own Brandon Woody, savor a delicious dinner, and explore every colorful corner while swapping stories with fellow guests. The night culminates with a final set from Brandon, making for an unforgettable evening of sound, conversation, and creative energy.
In this fun and engaging day-long course, you will be introduced to the world of the tarot, a centuries-old system of divination and self-knowledge. You will learn how to read the cards through a simple, highly visual system and get direct, hands-on experience from a knowledgeable professional instructor. Best of all, there is no memorization required—just a willingness to engage with these powerful symbols through your active imagination.
For 27 years our community has been making Baltimore shine. Come create your favorite Patterson Park animal lantern with us! Maybe a duck, squirrel, or Oriole bird? We can’t wait to see what you’ll create. Bring your lantern back to our spectacular parade on Saturday, October 24th (rain date: October 25th) and you can shine bright through the night!
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
After six weeks of mastering the fundamentals of improv comedy, these students are ready to take the stage! Join us for a night of spontaneous comedy as these newfound performers put everything they've learned into action. Come out and support local comedy!
Food has long carried political meaning, and its significance in revolutionary America is no exception. Join art and culinary historian Nancy Siegel to uncover a richly layered story in which meals, ingredients, and even kitchenware helped Americans define what democracy should look—and taste—like. From tea boycotts and homemade Liberty Tea to Washington Pie and Election Cake, ordinary foods became vehicles for protest, persuasion, and celebration in the years surrounding the Revolution and the Early Republic. The setting is the original 1846 Cedarcroft farmhouse, and the program, which includes revolutionary food tasting, is based on Nancy’s forthcoming book, "Political Appetites: The Power of Food in Revolutionary America" and the documentary "Feeding the American Revolution."
In It’s A Lot, comedian, writer, and “godmother of alternative comedy” Beth Lapides takes on the personal, existential, and cosmic experience of living through a world of accelerating change. Because when old paradigms, familiar identities, and everything we thought we could count on begin to dissolve, life can feel like one enormous collective existential crisis—or, as Beth calls it, the Goo Age.
This drop-in figure drawing course is suitable for all skill levels. Untrained new artists will learn multiple approaches to figure drawing while seasoned artists will have the opportunity to hone their skills and further train their eye. Each class will feature a nude model and begin with quick gesture poses. The remaining time will be spent on the artistry of longer poses. The goal is to train all artists to more quickly and fluidly capture the gesture of the entire figure.
A one-of-a-kind experience curated, performed, and prepared by two of Baltimore's most creative women. Experience the food artistry of Sylva Lin’s Culinary Architecture and the imaginative artistry of Kelly Jo Chartier’s In the Dark Circus Arts, which will entertain guests with their in-house circus arts performance company and school members on contemporary circus apparatuses. Explore a delicious landscape of grazing tables and thoughtfully selected wines, paired to enhance the performance. An immersive evening where food, wine, and art come together to delight the senses.
You, But Funnier is a dynamic, experiential workshop that helps writers, performers, and other humans find their authentic voice—and make it funny. Developed through workshops at venues including The Lyric Hyperion, Second City, Actors Comedy Studio, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, UCLA Extension, and The Skirball Cultural Center, You, But Funnier is rooted in real-time discovery—where participants don’t just learn techniques, they uncover their real stories and experience what happens to their comedy when they tell the truth. This isn’t about joke-writing formulas. It’s about uncovering what’s alive, specific, complicated, and true—and then beginning to shape it so it connects with an audience.
You Had To Be There is the stand-up comedy tour that’s been selling out theaters across the country, and now Charles McBee is bringing it to Baltimore. In this hilarious night of nostalgia, Charles takes audiences back to the 80s and 90s before smartphones, social media, and group chats ran our lives.
With over 20 years of monumental lantern making and spectacle-creating under their belts, the diverse communities of Baltimore come together each year to create The Great Baltimore Lantern Parade and Festival in Patterson Park!
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
Learn to move like you mean it. This class breaks down the art of heels performance — from commanding walks and sharp choreography to the kind of stage presence that stops a room. Students will cover heel technique and footwork, performance styling and body movement, choreography fundamentals, and how to perform with confidence and intention. Whether you've never worn a heel on stage or you're ready to sharpen your skills, this class meets you exactly where you are.
Step into the world of classic burlesque — where glamour, history, and self-expression meet. In this introductory workshop, Aquarius Moon guides you through the foundational techniques of the art form while celebrating the rich legacy of burlesque performance. Students will cover classic bumps, grinds, and shimmies, the showgirl stance and stage presence, and how to strut like a true burlesque queen. Each session focuses on a signature technique and prop — come prepared!
This performance troupe brings together Latin American teens to encourage self-expression and promote team building through traditional Mexican and Latin American dance.
Oyster/ Scallop Shell painting and decoupage- Create some beautiful items for your home decor in this easy to make craft! Participants can use 3 shells to either paint or decoupage. The instructor will seal your favorite 2 shells with resin (the other shell will be sealed with mod podge.)
Looking for a cozy, creative way to spend your evening? Join us for Craft & Cinema Night, a relaxed get-together where we’ll unwind with a great movie and bring our current craft projects to life. Whether you knit, crochet, embroider, sketch, or just like to keep your hands busy, this is the perfect chance to meet fellow makers, share some laughs, and enjoy a film in good company. The lights will stay on low in the theater so you can comfortably see your craft while watching. All skill levels (and movie lovers) welcome! Bring your own craft supplies.
Baltimore’s most fearsome fiddlers, creepiest crooners, and most menacing musical masters bring a night filled with songs of murder, ghosts, fairies, and the spookiest tunes at their disposal!
Step into a haunted dance floor filled with the best dark sounds of the '80s and '90s. From The Cure and Siouxsie to Nine Inch Nails and Garbage, we'll be spinning goth, darkwave, synth-pop, industrial, and alternative dance classics all night long.
