October ushers in a powerful month for Black arts in Baltimore. From Broadway-tested theater to Grammy-winning music and homegrown comedy talent the city’s cultural calendar is bursting with performances that celebrate both legacy and innovation.
This season Baltimoreans can witness history on stage. At Center Stage The Peculiar Patriot brings Liza Jessie Peterson’s searing critique of mass incarceration to life. Meanwhile Theatre Morgan presents Ain’t No Mo’ a biting satire by Jordan E. Cooper, the youngest Black playwright to premiere a production on Broadway and the creative force behind BET’s Emmy-nominated The Ms. Pat Show. UMBC honors the poetry of Langston Hughes with Shakespeare in Harlem weaving Harlem Renaissance brilliance into modern performance.
Dance lovers can immerse themselves in the 5th Annual Black Choreographers Festival at Creative Alliance, a showcase of movement and storytelling that amplifies Black voices in the world of dance.
On the music front hip hop fans will pack CFG Bank Arena for NBA YoungBoy’s “MASA Tour.” October also features a landmark evening of music that speaks directly to Baltimore’s community spirit. This concert will be headlined by Grammy Award-winning artist Common; Billboard Music Award-winning artist CeCe Peniston; Central Maryland’s own The Voice star Elyscia Jefferson; Baltimore rock band Whiskey Feathers; and the Baltimore City College Choir. Far more than a concert this program serves as a testament to United Way of Central Maryland’s unwavering commitment to strengthening lives and neighborhoods across Greater Baltimore by promoting equity and increasing access to basic needs. A portion of the proceeds will go to United Way of Central Maryland’s community initiatives and strategic priorities for the next 100 years. Please note that the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra does not appear on this program.
Classical music audiences will savor the soaring voice of soprano Leah Hawkins, a Metropolitan Opera alumna in a special evening at Morgan State’s Murphy Fine Arts Center.
Comedy also takes center stage this month with a string of headliners at the Baltimore Comedy Factory. From viral sensation Benji Brown and hometown favorite Omar Terrell to DeRay Davis, George Willborn, and Lil Duval audiences can expect nights filled with laughter, cultural commentary, and unfiltered fun.
Together these performances remind us that Baltimore continues to stand tall as a hub of Black creativity. Whether you are drawn to theater, dance, music, or comedy October offers a chance to witness artistry that is bold, relevant, and deeply rooted in the Black experience. For more updates on arts events across the city follow @BaltimoreBlackArt on social media.
Event Listings
Theater
- The Peculiar Patriot — Baltimore Center Stage Oct. 5–Nov. 9
- Ain’t No Mo’ — Theatre Morgan Murphy Fine Arts Center Oct. 23–25
- Shakespeare in Harlem — UMBC Proscenium Theatre Oct. 30–Nov. 9
Dance
- 5th Annual Black Choreographers Festival — Creative Alliance Oct. 8–11
Music — Hip Hop
- NBA YoungBoy “MASA Tour” — CFG Bank Arena Oct. 4
- An Evening with Common — Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Oct. 11
Music — R&B
- Jazzy Summer Nights featuring Dru Hill – City Hall Oct. 2
Music — Classical / Symphonic
- An Evening with Leah Hawkins Soprano — Murphy Fine Arts Center Oct. 2
Comedy
- Lil Duval — Baltimore Comedy Factory Oct. 24–26
- Benji Brown — Baltimore Comedy Factory Oct. 3–5
- Omar Terrell — Baltimore Comedy Factory Oct. 9
- DeRay Davis — Baltimore Comedy Factory Oct. 10–12
- George Willborn — Baltimore Comedy Factory Oct. 17–19
Harold Booker Jr.
Harold Booker Jr. is the founder and principal of DrewJenk Consulting, a boutique firm that specializes in project management, technology, and community engagement. He is also a frequent contributor to the Baltimore Times, writing about arts, culture, and social issues that connect personal history with community impact.
