Arts & Entertainment
5 new things to do in Baltimore
Superheroes, reinvented restaurants and more

The National Aquarium in Baltimore (Photo by Andrew Horne)
If you’ve exhausted D.C.’s myriad options for stay-at-home fun this summer, then head 35 miles north to Baltimore. We’ve discovered five new ways to spend time in Charm City this summer.
1. For superhero fans who’ve seen “Man of Steel” a dozen times and are in need of a new fix, check out Geppi’s Entertainment Museum dedicated to all things pop culture. The unique museum features a comic book library, including, you guessed it, Superman memorabilia. The exhibits reveal the real world forces — such as World War II and the Great Depression — that inspired the creation of various comic book characters. The convenient downtown location at Camden Yards makes it easy to find and park.
Geppi’s Entertainment Museum
301 W. Camden St. Baltimore
geppismuseum.com
Adult tickets $10
2. One of Baltimore’s iconic restaurants, the Chesapeake Restaurant just north of Penn Station, operated for more than 50 years before closing in the ‘80s. Nearly a quarter century later, it’s back and more stylish than ever thanks to a complete renovation that includes a massive marble bar with friendly and knowledgeable bartenders, cozy window-front booths and a high-end coffee bar. The menu features oysters, burgers, salads, shrimp and grits and daily specials. There’s an extensive wine list, craft beers and a quirky and welcome selection of American ryes and vodkas. It’s the perfect spot for after-work drinks or a meal before heading to the Charles Theater next door.
Chesapeake Restaurant
1701 N. Charles St., Baltimore
thechesapeakebaltimore.com
3. If you haven’t been to the National Aquarium in Baltimore lately, the new Blacktip Reef exhibit is not to be missed. The 260,000-gallon exhibit is intended to replicate an Indo-Pacific reef and is gradually coming to life this summer as more species are introduced. Eventually, it will feature 1,200 animals from 75 species, including thousands of stunning corals. A new floor-to-ceiling viewing window brings you face-to-face with the animals.
National Aquarium
501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore
aqua.org
4. The Senator Theatre is a nearly 75-year-old historic Art Deco landmark in north Baltimore that was closed in 2012 and is set to reopen later this summer under new ownership as an expanded movie house offering the original theater, plus three new smaller screens and a restaurant. The Baltimore Sun reports the theater is expected to reopen next month.
Senator Theatre
5904 York Rd., Baltimore
thesenatortheatre.com
5. It’s not new, but the 32nd annual Artscape, billed as America’s largest free arts festival, returns July 19-21 with some new features. With 200 exhibitors covering 13 city blocks, Artscape brings together more than 150 fine artists, designers and other craftspeople for three days of art, music and food. Entertainers on the main stage include R&B act Kem, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band from New Orleans and the Wailers, among many scheduled to perform. Artscape After Hours will transform the 1700 and 1800 blocks of North Charles Street into an outdoor dance club on Saturday, July 20 at 9 p.m.
Artscape
July 19-21
Take the train to Penn Station or park at 1201 W. Mount Royal
Free
Artscape.org
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, February 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 2
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
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