Past Events

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August 25 – October 10, 2025

Walking Together (Art Exhibition)

Date: Exhibition on view until October 10, Mondays-Fridays 10am-5pm.
Reception and Art Walk: September 20, at 4-6pm
Location: Civera Gallery, Notre Dame of Maryland University, University Academic Building, 2nd floor, 4701 N. Charles St. Baltimore MD, 21210
Admission: Free
More Information: www.gormleygallery.com/civeragallery

Curated by Joy Davis, ‘Walking Together‘ brings together three Baltimore-based artists, Shaun Champion, Charles Mason III, and kolpeace, in an exploration of identity, memory and cultural transformation. This exhibition at Notre Dame of Maryland University features three of the artists who participated in the Walk On By exhibition and artists exchange exploring the African diaspora in two historic industrial port cities, Baltimore and Rotterdam. ‘Walking Together‘ is a follow-on project to the interactive station designed by Notre Dame University’s Art Therapy faculty and students at last year’s Walk On By exhibition at Creative Alliance in Baltimore.

Promoted by Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee (BRSCC)

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September 12, 2025

Music from Odesa – A Benefit for Ukraine

Date: Friday Sept 12, 7:00 pm
Location: 2640 Space at 2640 Saint Paul St, Baltimore MD 21218
More Information: Buy Tickets Here

Kommuna Lux, the boy band from Odesa Ukraine, performs brings you the heritage music of their beloved hometown Odesa: “Klezmer, Balkan, and Urban Chanson, with a dash of Ukrainian Folk and powered by rocket fuel, Kommuna Lux impacts the crowd with a nostalgic, high-energy Big Band sound from the bygone days of speakeasies and rum runners” Proceeds from this event supports the Rotary E-Club of Ukraine’s humanitarian relief efforts.

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September 13, 2025

A Baltimorean in Egypt

Date: Saturday, September 13, 12-1:30 pm
Location: 400 Cathedral St, Baltimore MD
Admission: Free
More Information: www.baltimoreegypt.org

Join us at Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore on September 13, 2025 for a talk by Meg Swaney,
Assistant Curator of Exhibitions & Teaching at the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum. The Cohen Collection includes  nearly 700 objects, collected  by Baltimore banker, Col. Mendes Israel Cohen, during his four-month journey through Egypt in 1832.
​
RSVP  to 
davol.jon@gmail.com

Organized by Baltimore-Luxor-Alexandria Sister City Committee.

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September 15–19, 2025

2025 U.S.–Japan Sister Cities Summit

The 2025 U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit (September 16-19, 2025) hosted by Sister Cities International is a milestone event celebrating the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Japan. The summit will bring together 600+ bilateral stakeholders to inspire collaboration, explore new partnerships, and empower the next generation of global leaders. All 460 U.S.-Japan Sister City partners, elected officials, citizen diplomats, and volunteers are invited to the City of Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture under the theme “Celebrating our Legacies, Empowering our Future.”

More information: sistercities.org/sci-japan

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September 19, 2025

Gardens for Peace

Date: Friday Sept 19, 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Location: Towson University’s Asian Arts & Culture Center, 7700 Osler Drive Towson, MD 21204
Admission: Free
More Information: RSVP Link

Kick-off the new school year by cultivating a culture of friendship and community! Join a ceremonial raking of the Japanese word for peace (heiwa) in Asian Arts & Culture Center’s Asian Garden, while collectively envisioning and promoting peace with others. Recognize the International Day of Peace with 27 other Asian Gardens nationwide through Gardens for Peace (G4P) which brings people together to advocate for unity.

Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee is a partner for this event.

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September 20, 2025

Taste of Japan

Date: Saturday, September 20, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Elton Branch of the Cecil County Public Library
Elkton Meeting Room
301 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD 21921
Admission: Free
More Information: www.bkscc.org/news-events/taste-of-japan

Join us for a celebration of Japanese culture and traditions! This event brings the rich traditions of Japan to life through engaging activities, live performances, and food sampling the whole family can enjoy. All ages are welcome—come explore, learn, and celebrate together! Program includes: Taiko Drumming, Kamishibai Storytelling, Jujutsu Demonstration, Kimono Fashion + Dressing Demonstration, Shakuhachi performance-Bamboo flute.

Co-hosted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee.

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September 27, 2025

Japan Film Program

The Funeral (お葬式) 1984, dir. by Juzo Itami

Enjoy this comedy film about a family’s preparations for a suddenly deceased husband and father. The Funeral was Juzo Itami’s feature film debut, garnering five Japanese Academy Awards in 1985.

Dates: Saturday, September 27th, 1:00 pm
Location: Towson University’s Center for the Arts, Room CA #2032
Admission: Free; advance registration required.
More Information: https://www.bkscc.org/news-events/japan-film-program

Hosted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee in partnership with Towson University’s Asian Arts & Culture Center.

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September 27-28, 2025

Ukrainian Festival

Dates: Saturday, September 27, 12-8pm & Sunday, September 28, 12-6pm (Rain or Shine)
Location: St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, 2400 Eastern Avenue and 500 S. Montford Avenue, Baltimore
Admission: Free
More Information: www.stmichaelukrainiancatholicbaltimore.org

The 48th annual Ukrainian Festival celebrates the culture and heritage of Ukraine, held on the grounds of St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church. The festival hosts traditional dancers, musicians, singers and other entertainment with an exquisite selection of Ukrainian Food, Ukrainian Beer Garden, Novelty Vendors, Art. and Children’s Area. Ukrainian food is for sale in the kitchen in the lower church hall. This year’s festival coincides with 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Odesa in Ukraine and Baltimore in the USA.

Promoted by Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee.

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October 6-10, 2025

Planetary Health conference in Rotterdam

Faculty and staff from Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health (JHIPH) and a Baltimore City delegation traveled to Rotterdam in October 2025 for a research trip, to attend the international Planetary Health Alliance’s Annual Meeting (PHAM) and to participate in a custom program of meetings and site visits in Rotterdam and Delft on themes of multi-functional nature-based solutions, water storage, flood resilience, public health, and more — to bring back ideas and inspiration for a healthier and more resilient future in Baltimore. More information: About the Baltimore delegation to Rotterdam

Held every 18 months, the Planetary Health Annual Meeting aims to connect the global Planetary Health community, seek solutions for the grand challenges facing humanity, and provide tools and drivers to support systemic change. The theme of this year’s conference is “Planetary Health for All and In All: Boosting urgency and agency for systems change.” It is co-hosted by Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management of the Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA). PHA’s Secretariat is located at Johns Hopkins University’s campus in Washington, DC. Johns Hopkins has an Institute for Planetary Health in Baltimore city. More information: Planetary health conference | Planetary Health Alliance | Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health

Promoted by Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee.

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October 8, 2025

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Send Off Concert 

Date: Wednesday, October 8th
Time: 5:00 pm arrival, 5:30 – 6:15 pm program; 6:15 pm refreshments
Location: Baltimore City Hall Rotunda
100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Admission: Free

The BXSCC is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Baltimore-Xiamen relationship this year. 

This fall, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is sending a delegation of five musicians to China to represent the Baltimore Symphony, City of Baltimore, and State of Maryland. In addition to special concerts and cultural exchanges in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Xi’an, the tour includes a performance in Xiamen celebrating the long-standing sister city relationship between Xiamen and Baltimore.

The pleasure of your company is requested for a special Send Off Concert hosted at Baltimore City Hall. Join us for a preview of the concert program and remarks from special guests.

Guests are welcome. All attendees will need to present government-issued identification to gain entry to Baltimore City Hall.

For more information about the BSO and their international tour, visit BSOmusic.org.

Promoted by Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee.

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October 12, 2025

Japan Day (Fall Festival)

Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: 8045 Harriet Tubman Ln, Columbia, MD 21044

Did you know that the State of Maryland and Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan have had a Sister State Relationship for more than 40 years? Join us to explore Japanese culture, performances, and food at Japan Day. This Fall Festival is hosted by the Maryland and Kanagawa Sister State committees along with Misako Ballet, Matcha Time Gift Shop, and the Japanese Area at UMBC.

More information: Event Tickets | BKSCC Facebook Page

Promoted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee.

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October 25, 2025

Japan Film Program

Tampopo (タンポポ) 1985, dir. by Juzo Itami

A comedy film called the first “ramen Western”, a play on the term spaghetti Western. It received two Japanese Academy awards, and several awards in the United States.

Dates: Saturday, October 25th, 1:00 pm
Location: TBD
Admission: Free; advance registration required.
More Information: https://www.bkscc.org/news-events/japan-film-program

Hosted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee in partnership with Towson University’s Asian Arts & Culture Center.

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November 15, 2025

Japan Film Program

A Story from Chikamatsu (近松物語) 1954, dir. by Kenji Mizoguchi

Dates: Saturday, November 15th, 1:00 pm
Location: Towson University’s Center for the Arts, Room CA #2032
Admission: Free; advance registration required.
More Information: https://www.bkscc.org/news-events/japan-film-program

In this 1954 historical drama, an Edo-period Kyoto scroll maker, his apprentice, wife, and servant spin a web of star-crossed romance, betrayal, and compromised morality. Based on a classic eighteenth-century Japanese bunraku puppet-theater drama by the acclaimed Chikamatsu Monzaemon, Kenji Mizoguchi’s stunning film masterfully portrays the fears, frustrations, hopes and vulnerabilities of the story’s characters.

Hosted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee in partnership with Towson University’s Asian Arts & Culture Center.

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December 3, 2025

Maryland State of The Ports & Global Flavor Showcase

The State of the Ports & Global Flavor Showcase offers a unique opportunity to gain insight into the critical role Maryland’s ports play in driving economic growth, global trade, and regional development. Hosted at the Port of Baltimore, this annual event convenes business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the latest strategies, challenges, and opportunities shaping international commerce. Complementing these discussions is the Global Flavor Showcase, where attendees can experience curated wines and cuisine from around the world—highlighting the cultural and economic connections that trade makes possible. This distinguished gathering provides both valuable knowledge and meaningful networking in an engaging and globally focused setting.

The Embassy of Japan and the Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee are hosting tables at this event.

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January 17, 2026

Film screening: Spring Dreams (春の夢 Haru no Yume)

This 1960 satirical comedy explores class, greed, love and selfishness. A sweet potato vendor has a stroke in the home of the wealthy and dysfunctional Okudaira family. While he recuperates there, “well-wishers” from his tenement house drop in to visit with ulterior motives. (color) Directed by Keisuke Kinoshita. 126 minutes.

The Japan Film Program is organized by the Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC) in partnership with Towson University College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Dean’s Office , along with the Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University. Films are hosted by and from the private collection of Reed Hessler, longtime host on WBJC.

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January 22, 2026

Baltimore Sister Cities Meet & Greet

Join us January 22 at our Meet & Greet get-together to ring in the new year! We’re excited to bring together friends, old and new, to celebrate our city’s diverse cultures and connections. This in-person gathering promises an evening filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow Baltimoreans, make lasting memories, and find out more about our sister cities and our activities at this informal get-together. Mark your calendars and get ready for a night of good vibes, great food, and amazing company. Spread the word to others in your network and invite them to come, too!

Baltimore Sister Cities will provide limited appetizers; a variety of dinner and beverage options are available for purchase at this venue.

More information: baltimoresistercities.org/meetgreet2026

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September 21, 2025 – March 1, 2026

The Way of Nature: Art from Japan, China, and Korea

Exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA)
For centuries, East Asian cultures have considered human life as part of a much larger system that encompasses the natural world. More than 40 artworks from Japan, China, and Korea demonstrate a way of living where mountains and seas, animals—both wild and supernatural—and plant life and insects are symbolically meaningful and historically pervasive in visual culture. The objects range from delicate 13th-century porcelain to a luminous 18th-century embroidered silk Buddhist Priest’s Robe and large-scale 20th-century photography. Collectively, these works provide a sense of the impulse to fully experience the natural world, as foundational to our existence, as impacted by human life, and as an enduring metaphor for our survival.

More information: artbma.org/exhibition/the-way-of-nature-art-from-japan-china-and-korea

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February 15, 2025 – March 1, 2026

Lunar New Year Arts Festival

Celebrate the rich traditions and themes of the Lunar New Year and Asian and Asian American communities and welcome in the Year of the Horse (the zodiac symbol that embodies confidence, power, joy, freedom, energy, and perseverance) with a series of community events. The public will enjoy a diverse array of music, dance, visual art, spoken word, markets, and other cultural activities. This event is a platform to honor and share the traditions of many Asian and Asian American cultures and communities that call our area home.
Events include:

• Artists Market and Resource Fair on February 28, 12-4pm
• Art exhibition by Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) artists February 15–28 (with an opening reception on February 15)
• Celebration of Talent with performing artists on February 22, 12-3pm

More information:
www.eventbrite.com/e/lunar-new-year-celebration-of-talent-tickets
www.towson.edu/campus/artsculture/centers/asianarts/events/

Presented by National Association of Asian American Professionals Baltimore Chapter (NAAAP Baltimore), Maryland 250, Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, Governor’s Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, Towson University’s Asian Arts & Culture Center (AA&CC), Cylburn Arboretum Friends, and Baltimore Rec and Parks.

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February 21, 2026

Lunar New Year at the Walters Art Museum

Date/time: Saturday February 21, 2026 at 11am – 4pm ET (Snoe date: February 22)
Location: Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: Free (advance registration is required)
More information & to register: thewalters.org/experience/programs/lny/

Whether you were born in the year of the horse, the ox, or the monkey, we encourage you to celebrate Lunar New Year at the Walters Art Museum! This year’s festival welcomes the year of the horse, which represents the seventh year of the 12-year Lunar calendar cycle. Visitors of all ages will enjoy a day of art-making, photo booth fun, food, performances by Baltimore Chinese School, Korean Culture and Art of Maryland, Yong Han Lion Dance Troupe, storytime sessions, and more! Christian Oh, chair of Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee, is emceeing this event, and the the committee is providing performers.

Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee (BCSCC) is a partner in this event.

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February 25, 2026

Meet Baltimore Sister Cities at the Legislative Reception hosted by Maryland Sister States

This annual event brings an international flavor to Annapolis, showcasing the relationships, food, culture, connections, and the impact of Maryland’s citizen diplomacy. The event is held during Maryland’s General Assembly’s annual legislative session; it increases awareness among legislators of the programs and activities of the Maryland Sister States, and the opportunities that they and their constituents have to participate.

Baltimore Sister Cities, Maryland Sister States, Sister Cities International, and Montgomery County Sister Cities have tables at this event. Stop by their tables to find out more about what they do and about their sister regions around the world!

Organized by Maryland Sister States in partnership with the Maryland Secretary of State International Division.

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February 25, 2026

NAMBA: A Japanese American’s Incarceration and Life of Resilience (film screening)

85 years ago in February, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, incarcerating all Japanese Americans on the West Coast. May Namba was one of the 125,000 people who were forced into government camps. They were two-thirds born citizens and one-third immigrants to the U.S. The film NAMBA shows May’s granddaughter unpacking the experience and thinking about what it means for their family and country today. A Q&A with filmmaker, Emily Hanako Momohara follows the screening.

Sponsored by Maryland Institute College of Art, DC Chapter Japanese American Citizens League, and Asian Arts & Culture Center of Towson University.

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March 1, 2026

Closing Program for the The Way of Nature: Art from Japan, China, and Korea

A special closing program on the last day of The Way of Nature: Art from Japan, China, and Korea exhibition, featuring:

• An outdoor performance and interactive demonstration of Samulnori, a genre of traditional Korean percussion music, by Washington Samulnori
• Learn about traditional Korean crafts with the Korean Cultural Center, Washington, D.C.
• In-gallery guided exploration and Experiential Art Making with artist and scientist Se Jong Cho and Frances Klapthor, BMA Associate Curator of Asian Art, The Way of Nature: Art from Japan, China, and Korea
• “Sunday Shorts” quick museum tour

This program is presented by Baltimore Museum of Art in partnership with the Korean Cultural Center, Washington, D.C. 

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March 1, 2026

Building Baltimore: A Talk on Immigration and Opportunity by Jack Burkert

Time: 2-3pm ET
Location: Garrett-Jacobs Mansion (Engineers Club), 11 West Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore MD 21201
Admission: $10-$15
More information: baltimoreheritage.org/event/building-baltimore-a-talk-on-immigration-and-opportunity-by-jack-burkert/

For almost two million people, Baltimore was the destination that promised a new life, hope and opportunity. Beginning in earnest in the 18th century, accelerating through the19th, immigrants provided the labor force necessary for Baltimore to become an industrial powerhouse. Early arrivals endured often tortuous Atlantic crossings under sail. Later steam powered ships sped the trip, but steerage accommodation offered little improvement to time spent at sea. Who were these people? Where were they from? Why did they abandon their homes? On March 1, join Baltimore historian Jack Burkert to explore immigration into Baltimore.

Hosted by Baltimore Heritage.

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March 6, 2026

Asia North 2026 – Call for Art – Deadline

The Asia North 2026 exhibition committee invites artists to submit artworks that explore the many facets of hospitality—a core value rooted in respect, ritual, and community for many of us who grew up in APIMEDA (Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American) households. Considering hospitality as a malleable practice, the organizers ask that submitted works address the ways in which hospitality beckons us to prioritize the care of others, create safe spaces for exchange, and reinforce/redefine cultural traditions. The organizers invite works from across mediums that convey the nuances of what it means to be “hospitable” across the greater Baltimore and DMV regions today. The exhibition will feature works from guest artists and from this open call for art and will be installed in the SNF Parkway Theatre and Currency Studio throughout the month of May.

More information and to apply

Deadline for entries: March 6.

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March 13–21, 2026

Architecture study trip to Rotterdam

Under the leadership of Professor Cristina Murphy, students and faculty from Morgan State University School of Architecture + Planning (SA+P) and design professionals travel again to Rotterdam in March 2026. Program includes design workshops, visits to design firms, seminars, and city tours in Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Amsterdam. Environmental sustainability, community-centered design, and urban resilience are key themes for this year’s trip. More information on AIA Baltimore website

Supported by Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee (BRSCC).

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March 14, 2026

Film screening: The Ceremony (儀式 Gishiki)

Funerals without bodies. Burials without funerals. Marriages without brides. This 1971 epic drama revolves around twenty-five years of weddings, funerals, and incest of the Sakurada clan and their intergenerational conflicts which mirror Japan’s post-war fall from grace. (color) Directed by Nagisa Oshima. 123 minutes.

The Japan Film Program is organized by the Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC) in partnership with Towson University College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Dean’s Office, along with the Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University. Films are hosted by and from the private collection of Reed Hessler, longtime host on WBJC.

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March 28, 2026

Hanami: Spring flower viewing and community picnic

Join the Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee in celebrating the arrival of spring beneath a canopy of pink blossoms under the cherry blossom grove at historic Fort McHenry!

Bring your blanket, a picnic, and your cultural curiosity. Come to learn about this wonderful Japanese tradition of Hanami (spring-time flower viewing) underneath beautiful cherry blossoms. We will celebrate with food, kites, lawn games, outdoor painting, and J-pop music.

More information & to RSVP: www.bkscc.org/news-events/hanami-2026

The event is free with RSVP ticket. Bring your own picnic.

You can park in the Fort McHenry parking lot and walk through the Visitor’s Center to reach the East Lawn Cherry Tree Grove.

This annual event is organized by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC).

April 10, 2026

Arab American Heritage Month Celebration

Time: 6-8pm
Location: Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
More info & to register

Join us in Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month in Gaithersburg! This special event is free and open to the public, offering a wonderful opportunity to honor Arab American culture, heritage, and contributions to our community. The event includes a fashion show and cultural display tables.

The Baltimore-Luxor-Alexandria Sister City Committee will have a table at this event.

Event is hosted by the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP), Arab Americans of Montgomery County, the City of Gaithersburg Multicultural Affairs Committee, and Middle Eastern American Advisory Group (MEAAG).

Japanese Film: House (Hausu)

Time: 9pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201
Room: Parkway 1. Part of Maryland Film Festival 2026
More information & tickets: Maryland Film Festival website

The one-of-a-kind cult classic HOUSE from 1977 invades the Maryland Film Festival for a special presentation on the big screen. Part psychedelic carnival ride, part snapshot of spiritual malaise in post-war Japan, HOUSE is a genre-defying horror movie, Screening includes the premorer of a new short documentary ”A TAPE: The American History of Nobuhiko Obayashi’s HOUSE” and filmmaker discussion. Come early to mingle in the Parkway Lounge and connect with local organizations, HOUSE fanatics and 1970’s Japanese rock selections specially curated by WFMU DJ Chris Crash!

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April 19, 2026

Kōdō 香道 : The Way of Fragrance

Kōdō is a classical Japanese art form: the art of appreciating Japanese incense. Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee is partnering with Johns Hopkins University’s JASA (Japanese American Student Association) for a special private workshop on April 19 at the Johns Hopkins University campus in Baltimore. A trained expert, Nishinari-san, will visit the campus to give a talk on Kodo —”the way of the scent” — helping participants appreciate incense and focus on “listening” to the aroma of aromatic woods. The event is by invitation only.

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April 23, 2026

B’more Taiko and Arugakki performance at Patterson Park

Arugakki (Kris Bergstrom and Minh Ngyuen) present their newest production on tour: Tricky Left. Over three years in the making, “Tricky Left” is a dynamic and emotional powerhouse of original music and choreography, featuring taiko, percussion, synthesizers, and home-made instruments enmeshed with movement.

Baltimore’s own B’more Taiko (photo above) is performing with Arugakki. B’more Taiko is a Baltimore-based group dedicated to Japanese group drumming (kumi daiko style), that fosters community and fun. Carissa Aoki and Kate Megineux, co-founders, have been artists-in-residence with Making Space in Baltimore since 2024, where they focus on Japanese and Japanese-American traditions and offer classes and workshops.

Pre-Concert Workshop: The night before the performance, Kris and Minh will be giving a workshop at Making Space in Baltimore on Kris’s composition “Jack Bazaar,” featuring B’more Taiko’s performing ensemble, who are midway through learning the piece. 

April 24, 2026

Elevating Baltimore’s Asian Community Stories 

Time: 1-2pm ET
Location: Online Event
More information & to register: www.eventbrite.com/e/bnha-hands-on-history-series-elevating-baltimores-asian-community-stories-tickets-1979746224250

Some of the least known and understood communities across the Baltimore region are those with roots in Asia. They are also some of the most diverse and complex communities in greater Baltimore in terms of history, culture, and art. Dr. Joanna Pecore, Director of the Asian Arts & Culture Center (AA&CC) at Towson University, introduces some of these communities and the intersecting initiatives that AA&CC leads and participates in to promote, document, and share knowledge about them with a broader public.

This event will be recorded and made available online on the Youtube channels of Towson University Asian Arts & Culture Center and The Peale approximately one week after the event.

An event brought to you by the Baltimore National Heritage Area and hosted by The Peale community museum. Towson University Asian Arts & Culture Center is an event partner.

Maryland event for SelectUSA

International Visitors to SelectUSA are invited to join Maryland Department of Commerce for an exciting SelectUSA Spinoff program in College Park with curated site visits across Maryland, April 30 – May 1, 2026. The Spinoff will highlight Maryland’s innovative leadership in “lighthouse” industry sectors that are guiding Maryland toward a new era of economic growth including: Life Sciences, Aerospace, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Artificial Intelligence. Experience Maryland first-hand through site visits and virtual reality experiences. The event is free but registration required.

More information: business.maryland.gov/maryland-selectusa-2026-spinoff-tour/

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May 1–31, 2026

Asia North Festival

The annual ASIA NORTH festival, co-produced by Towson University Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership, celebrates Baltimore’s Charles North – a.k.a. Station North – neighborhood’s constantly evolving identities as a Koreatown, arts district, and creative hub. Baltimore Sister Cities’ Asian sister city committees (Changwon, South Korea; Kawasaki, Japan; Xiamen, China) are providing programming during this festival. Program includes:

Asia North art exhibitions

Shoes at the Door, curated by Dylan Kaleikaumaka Hill
Dates: Friday May 1 – Sunday May 31
Exhibition locations: SNF Parkway Theatre (5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201) and Currency Studio (18 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201)
Shoes at the Door brings together works by seventeen APIMEDA-identifying artists living in the greater Baltimore and DMV region whose artworks consider hospitality as a malleable practice shaped by diaspora, cultural tradition, inheritance, colonial commodification, and celebration. 
More information

Queer Manifesto
Dates: Friday, May 1 – Wednesday, May 27
Location: The Club Car, 12 W North Ave, Baltimore MD 21201
AREA 405 presents Queer Manifesto, a pop-up exhibition featuring poems and visual collages of twenty-one (21) East and Southeast Asian queers, in collaboration with the Wishing Fountain Project, a virtual diasporic queer ESEA art book library.
More information

Asia North 2026 Opening Event

Date/time: Friday May 1, 5-9pm
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
After-party: 9pm KPOP & LOCK IT, The Club Car, 12 W North Ave, Baltimore MD 21201

Program at SNF Parkway Theatre includes food provided by Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee; taiko drumming sponsored by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee. Program includes Korean samulnori percussion performance.
More information and to RSVP

The Past, Present, and Future of Baltimore Koreatown

Date/time: Sunday May 17, 4-7:30pm
Starting Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Program includes Walking Tour, Korean Traditional Dance, Panel Discussion, and Reception. Organized by Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee.
Advance registration required.
More information and to register

And much more! See the details and the complete schedule at the Asian Arts & Culture Center website and Station North website. Registration for most of these events is available via the Asian Arts & Culture Center’s Eventbrite page.

The 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 28th 2026, 12:30-4pm ET

Maryland Export Day hosted by MD-DC District Export Council

Each year, the MD/DC DEC hosts a “Maryland Exxport Day” networking event to highlight the importance of exporting and its contributions to the Maryland economy and showcases Maryland exporters and celebrate their achievements, milestones, and partnerships.

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May 27, 2026

Asia North 2026 Closing Event

Time: 5-9pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

Celebrate the conclusion of Asia North 2026. Congratulate the artists featured in Shoes at the Door. Enjoy performances by Soul of Persia and the Sutradhar Institute of Dance. Conclude the evening with a selection of APIMEDA film shorts curated by filmmaker Zara Kahan. Performances curated by Kandi Wong. Hosted by Adrianna Morgan.

2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 21, 2026

Queer Asian Artist Gallery Walk and Talkback

Time: 6-8pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

Join the Queer Asian Artist Gallery Walk and Talkback as part of the Asia North 2026 exhibition, Shoes at the Door. This free event invites participants to reflect on how queerness and Asian identity intersect in our daily lives. Together, we will enjoy a gallery walk of the exhibition as shared experience, followed by a facilitated talkback and dialogue with several queer artists from the show: Riya Devi-Ashby, Anna Davinagracia, Katherine Pon-Cooper, and AX Qin. The gathering is open to all. Refreshments will be provided.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 20, 2026

Minute Monologues Generative Writing Workshop

Time: 7-9pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: Advance registration recommended. Limited to 20 participants.
More information & to register

Create and share 1-minute monologues inspired by the Shoes at the Door art exhibit at the SNF Parkway Theatre. In this workshop, participants will be invited to explore their imaginative responses to the artwork exhibited through a series of writing prompts to create short monologues. Starting with a contemplation of the theme “hospitality” and its practice across cultural traditions, the workshop will culminate in a reading of the monologues generated over the course of the evening. Facilitated by Mohammad Rohaizad Suaidi, Adjunct Professor in Towson University’s Department of Theatre Arts.  

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 19, 2026

K-Movie: Our Season

Time: 7-9pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

A mother returns to the world for three days after her death to spend time with her daughter, sharing meals and heartfelt moments. Directed by Yook Sang-hyon, 2023.

Hosted by the Korean Cultural Center, Washington, D.C.

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May 17, 2026

The Past, Present, and Future of Baltimore Koreatown

Date: Sunday May 17, 4-7:30pm
Starting Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Program includes Walking Tour, Korean Traditional Dance, Panel Discussion, and Reception.
Admission: Free. Advance registration required.
More information and to register

Join our guides for a walking tour of the Charles North neighborhood’s historical Koreatown landmarks and favorite food spots. Then, join us for an exclusive panel discussion in the Parkway Theater about Baltimore Koreatown’s past, present, and future. Our moderator is Jacqueline Shin, National Register Assistant at the Maryland Historical Trust. Our participating panelists are Shauntee Daniels, Executive Director of the Baltimore National Heritage Area; Phaan Howng, co-leader of the project for preserving Baltimore Koreatown; Angela Ra, Communications and Strategic Policy Manager at the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs; Matthew Lee, Founder/President & CEO of the FASTech, Inc. & A-Tech Systems, Inc. and President of KoBE Government Contracting Alliance; Myung Hwa Shin, President of the Korean Culture & Art of Maryland and business owner in Baltimore City, and Tae Wan Kim, a business owner for 30 years in Baltimore City. We will have a reception following the discussion with free Korean food.

This event is organized by the Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee and a program of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival. 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 16, 2026

AAPI Heritage Month Celebration at the Maryland Zoo

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Maryland Zoo! Enjoy a day of fun entertainment, community vendors and resources, cultural activities, hands-on crafts, and special Zoo experiences including keeper chats and animal ambassadors. Event includes Chinese lion dancing, Korean dance performance, Hula performance, and Kpop dance workshop — along with kids crafts and educational activities.

The Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee (BXSCC) will have vendor’s booth at this event. Stop by the booth to learn more information about the committee’s activities. Proceeds will go to support this year’s edition of the Youth Ambassadors Program, an annual program organized by BXSCC, that provides Baltimore high school youth the opportunity to travel to Baltimore’s sister city of Xiamen and Maryland’s sister state of Anhui in China during the summer for a life-changing travel abroad experience. More information about BXSCC’s annual Youth Ambassadors program: bxscc.org/youth-ambassadors-program/

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May 15, 2026

Sticky Stars and Sheets: A Spoken Word Play

Time: 8-9:15pm
Location: The Club Car, 12 W North Ave, Baltimore MD 21201

Regie Cabico takes on queerphobia in the classrooms and the dive bars with poetic lyricism and self-effacing humor, and resilience. Cabico presents his signature performance of poetry and stories of Asian appropriation and the daily triggers he confronts from a multiverse that gets smaller stepping out of a pandemic and surviving dive bars, bathhouses, teen stalkers, as he tries to get his groove back.  

Regie Cabico: Writer & Performer; Mohammad Rohaizad Suaidi: Director & Dramaturg

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 14, 2026

NAAAP Baltimore 2nd Thursdays AAPI Meet-Up

Time: 6-8pm
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: $10 NAAAP Members, $15 Non-Members. Registration required by May 11.

In support of the theme for 2026’s AAPI month, “Strengthening Communities Together,” join us as we celebrate artists from the Baltimore area who are showcasing their work in the Asia North 2026 exhibit and strengthen our local community. Whether you are new to our community or already part of it, our event is welcome for all! NAAAP Baltimore’s Second Thursdays program brings together AAPI professionals and local leaders and provides further insights about about upcoming events and opportunities.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

Dil Dil Desi: South Asian Dance Social

Time: 8pm – 12am ET
Location: Mobtown Ballroom & Cafe
Admission: Tickets required
More info & to purchase tickets

Join us for a high-energy night of non-stop dancing to the hottest beats from across the subcontinent. From Bollywood, Kollywood, Tollywood classics to the latest bangers, we’ve got it all lined up. Come dressed in your best desi fits or just as you are—the only rule is to bring the vibes and hit the dance floor! Don’t miss this epic night of music, dance, food, and community. Invite your friends! The more the merrier. See you on the dance floor!

Your ticket helps make it happen—the cost covers the venue and DJ, and any additional proceeds will be donated to a dedicated charity. Desi snacks and drinks will be available for purchase!

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 13, 2026

Time: 6:45pm

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May 11, 2026

Conversation: Love Has Never Been a Popular Movement 

Time: 6-8pm ET
Location: Impact Hub Baltimore, 10 E North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202
More information & to register

Explore the role and dynamics of heritage knowledge (a community’s group memory that enables a sense of belonging) across the Asian Diaspora. Interact with concepts and each other to practice ways to imagine futures with expanded notions of belonging and solidarity. Facilitated by Paul J. Koh (Towson University Professor of Education). Refreshments provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 9, 2026

Annual “European Union Open House” in Washington, DC

This flagship event falls every year on the first Saturday after Europe Day on May 9. This date marks the signing of the Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950, which established the European Coal and Steel Community, a multinational entity that would eventually become the European Union as we know it today.

The European Union (E.U.) celebrates Europe Day by opening its doors to the public in Washington D.C. so that Americans can catch a glimpse of the European cultures that make up the European Union. And this year, the E.U. is celebrating 250 years of shared history, ideas, and achievements between Europe and the United States. Come and experience the past, present, and future of our relationship through the bonds that unite both sides of the Atlantic.

Program is 10-4pm ER at various European embassy buildings in D.C. The Netherlands and Ukraine are part of the program.

Schedule and more information

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May 8, 2026

Asia North Exhibition Curator Tour: Art Walk W/ Dylan K. Hill 

Time: 5pm
Starting location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: Free; registration required
More info & to register

Join Dylan K Hill, curator of this year’s Asia North exhibition Shoes at the Door for Station North’s May Art Walk! Hill will give Station North Art Walk participants a tour of the exhibition starting at the Parkway Theatre and lead us to the opening of Katazomé at Gallery CA.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

Japanese film: School in the Crosshairs

Time: 6:30pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
More information & tickets

The SNF Parkway is proud to present a new 2K transfer of HOUSE director Nobuhiko Obayashi’s SCHOOL IN THE CROSSHAIRS! In this stylish adaptation of the celebrated Japanese sci-fi novel, psychic Tokyo high schooler Yuka must face off against an evil alien invader as he schemes to turn her classmates into brainwashed fascists. With its eye popping visuals and timely message, SCHOOL IN THE CROSSHAIRS is a must-see for fans of HOUSE.

Film follows a screening of the visual essay “A MOVIE: Nobuhiko Obayashi’s Cinematic Life” from film essayist Max G. Robinson and producer/editor Brandon Soderberg.

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May 8-30, 2026

Katazomé: A Multidisciplinary Visual Art Exhibition 

Exhibition on view: May 8 – 30, 2026 
Exhibition opening: Friday, May 8, 2026, 6-9pm ET 
Artist talks: Saturday, May 16 and May 30, 2026, 2-5pm ET
Location: Gallery CA, 440 E Oliver Street, Baltimore, MD 21202  
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday: 12-4pm and by appointment 
Gallery website: https://galleryca.org/ 

Hiromitsu Hubbard and his mother, Donna R. Omata tell the story of Donna’s journey to Japan to study the ancient art of katazomé through a multidisciplinary visual art exhibition. Hiromitsu will present a series of new paintings inspired by Donna’s artwork and photographs, shown alongside her original katazomé work on handmade paper and fabric from the 1970s and 1980s. Through this exhibition, Hiromitsu and Donna share a personal family story of discovering cultural roots, intergenerational exchange, and transcending discrimination by finding identity through art and creativity. This exhibition is a program of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival and is supported by a 2025 Rubys Artist Grant, which is a program of the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

Promoted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC).

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 6, 2026

Asia North Kamayan Feast

Time: 6-8:30pm
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: Tickets are $65; purchase by May 4
More info & to purchase tickets

Experience the intersection of food and culture at Asia North. Our annual Kamayan Feast transforms long banquet tables into edible canvases, with traditional Filipino fare served atop vibrant banana leaves. Practice the art of Kamayan (eating with your hands) alongside specialty cocktails and conversation. This year’s communal table features curated flavors from Frisco Baltimore and artisanal bakes from Barkada Breads.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 5, 2026

The Korean Diaspora in Baltimore and Beyond

Time: 5:30-7pm ET
Location: Motor House, 120 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

Students from Johns Hopkins University present their original research exploring Black-Korean relations in Baltimore, Korean transnational adoptees, the Korean diaspora in Ellicott City, and artists in the global Korean diaspora. Dinner will be provided. Hosted by the Critical Responses to Anti-Asian Violence (CRAAV) Initiative at Johns Hopkins University.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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May 3, 2026

Annual “Around the World Embassy Tour” in Washington, DC

Participants can travel the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion and music of different countries. In the past, visitors have been treated to karate demonstrations, sari wrapping lessons, dance performances and more!

More information and list of participating embassies

Born in Fire: Queer Asian Crafting Workshop

Time: 3:30-5:30pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: Advance registration required; max 15 spots
More information and to register

The Year of the Fire Horse is here! What parts of you were shaped by passion or struggle and are ready to be expressed? Come collage, paint, and create with us in queer Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Desi American (APIMEDA) community. Make your own mini canvas and/or add to a collective piece – supplies included. Snacks and refreshments will be provided by Blueprint Cafe!

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

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June 5, 2026

Baltimore Immigration Summit

Time: 8am-4pm ET
Location: Morgan State University, 1700 E Cold Spring Ln Baltimore, MD 21202
More information: www.baltimorecity.gov/mima/event/13th-annual-baltimore-immigration-summit

The annual Baltimore Immigration Summit is a one-day event that brings together academics, policymakers, service providers, activists, community leaders, and others working with and for New Americans (immigrants and refugees) in our region. Baltimore and its surrounding suburbs represent an area with a growing and diverse New American population, and local governments view New Americans as essential to the region’s ongoing resurgence. The Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA), Baltimore County, and Towson University host the summit. This year’s theme is Harbors and Bridges: Holding Ground and Uniting Communities.

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June 6, 2026

Music: AniBand Matsuri Vol. 2

Time: 7-10pm
Location: Le Mondo, 406 N Howard St, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
More info & tickets: www.lemondo.org/events/music-aniband-matsuri-vol-2

A night of anime music, J-pop and Japanese Rock from our Mid-Atlantic neighbors: HIBIKORD (NoVA), Eternal HOSHI (Jersey), and Kumori (DC), bringing their high-energy sets full of anthems and deep cuts to Baltimore.

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June 20, 2026

Film screening: Humanity and Paper Balloons (人情紙風船 Ninjo Kami Fusen)

This bold, 1937 historical anti-military melodrama is a gem of Japanese cinema.  While following Edo-era slum residents—debilitated samurai, peasants, and petty merchants—and their struggles to survive, it exposes the hypocrisy and cruelty of high society. (black and white) Directed by Sadao Yamanaka.  82 minutes.

The Japan Film Program is organized by the Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC) in partnership with Towson University College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Dean’s Office , along with the Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University. Films are hosted by and from the private collection of Reed Hessler, longtime host on WBJC.

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June 21, 2026 – June 27, 2026

Sister Cities International’s Youth Leadership Summit

This year, Sister Cities International (SCI)’s Youth Leadership Summit will take place in Washington D.C., which is located close to Baltimore. The Youth Leadership Summit is an immersive program for young leaders, ages 14-18, from across the globe. Designed to inspire the next generation of citizen diplomats, the Summit equips participants with essential leadership and professional development skills. Through interactive sessions and activities, students will address global challenges, fostering a commitment to peace, mutual respect, and cross-cultural cooperation. Several Baltimore Sister Cities youth members are participating in this program.

Baltimore Sister Cities is a member of Sister Cities International.