Unroll a full-size replica of the Star-Spangled Banner flag, learn the roles of African-Americans in 1814 Baltimore, and hear Francis Scott Key recite The Star-Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry’s Star-Spangled Banner Weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Star-Spangled Banner Weekend commemorates Defenders’ Day, Baltimore’s oldest holiday, which honors the successful defense of the city from British attack and the writing of the national anthem in 1814. It has been a state holiday since 1908.
The three-day event will feature parades, fireworks, a military encampment of more than 100 War of 1812 re-enactors, a symbolic ship-to-shore bombardment, noted authors and a patriotic band concert.
Fort McHenry is located at 2400 E. Fort Ave. in Baltimore. Event hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $7 per adult age 16 and up. Children are free.
For more information, call 410-962-4290.
Gilchrist coming to Baltimore
Baltimore-based jazz pianist Lafayette Gilchrist and his band, The New Volcanoes, will perform at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Once called “the heir to Thelonius Monk” by Entertainment Weekly, Gilchrist leads an octet inspired by D.C. go-go, old-school soul, hard funk and progressive hip-hop for a sound that’s all its own. Emerging from jazz legend David Murray’s Black Saint Quartet, Gilchrist has an approach and presence that has drawn comparisons to musicians such as Andrew Hill and Sun Ra.
Gilchrist released his fourth album, “Soul Progressin’ ” on Sept. 9. “Soul Progressin’ is a rediscovery in the sense of what was and is still the most essential part of my offering, Soul Power,” Gilchrist said in a statement. “Its roots are endless and wondrous. Its future is undeniable. So we just want to celebrate about it a bit.”
The Creative Alliance is located at 3134 Eastern Ave. in Baltimore. Tickets are $10 to $12. For more information, call 410-276-1651 or visit creativealliance.org.
