AGP Executive Report

Springsteen & Morello: Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello announced the Power to the People Festival, with a Maryland stop at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia on Oct. 3, bringing a big lineup that includes the Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Brittany Howard, Dropkick Murphys, Cypress Hill, Killer Mike, and more. Local Music & Culture: The week also brought a Baltimore indie spotlight via Woody Lissauer’s “No Kings,” positioning the artist as an “artivist” using music for social change. Tech, Privacy & Policy: A federal privacy bill called the Secure Data Act is drawing sharp pushback from an advocacy group, which argues it’s worse than having no national law and may not fully protect consumers from targeted ads. Travel & Community: BermudAir announced new Caribbean routes from Baltimore, and Discovery Quest launched a free “passport” style summer program across 14 Baltimore museums. Food & Business: Nalley Fresh is reshaping its footprint after closures, shifting toward office-building locations and catering as it plans expansion.

Women’s Sports Milestone: Ithaca’s Shea Baker helped mark the historic launch of the Women’s Lacrosse League, sharing her concussion-protocol experience and the people who made the moment possible. Local Arts & Community: Prince George’s County schools are piloting AI-generated comic books through Lumi Story AI, ending with a student showcase as educators push for practical creative tool literacy. Maryland Horse Industry: The Maryland Horse Career Program selects six participants for a June 1–5 week of visits, discussions, and professional development across racing, breeding, sport, vet/farrier work, event management, and aftercare. Health & Faith in Primary Care: A University of Maryland School of Medicine randomized trial reports that five minutes of proximal intercessory prayer reduced pain and anxiety for primary care patients versus a music control. Arts, Sports, and Awareness: Fenway Park hosted an ALS awareness night tied to the Lou Gehrig legacy, spotlighting the ALS Hope Foundation and people living with the disease.

Sports & Culture Spotlight: The Rams’ blockbuster trade for pass-rusher Myles Garrett is fueling “GOAT” talk and reshaping Super Bowl chatter, while Eagles WR A.J. Brown says his relationship with Jalen Hurts “grew apart” before the Patriots deal. Local Arts & Community: The Maryland Zoo’s 150th-anniversary party Zoomerang returns with a red panda habitat debut, plus animal experiences, dining, and a silent disco. Outdoor Fun: Paddlefest comes back to Janes Island State Park June 6–7 with salt-marsh paddles, pontoon tours, kids crafts, and an afternoon concert. Fashion & Law: Louis Vuitton sues Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland over promotional bags it says copy its signature branding. Music & Pride: The International Pride Orchestra makes its Texas debut in Houston, bringing queer-led performances and proceeds for the Montrose Center. Health & Wellness: A University of Maryland study reports a five-minute proximal intercessory prayer session can ease pain and anxiety in primary care patients.

Maryland Sports & Culture: Prince George’s County’s “We the People Block Party” in Bowie brought history, arts, culture, and community groups together for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Local Arts & Media: Audacy named Joe LaCroix brand manager for Baltimore’s 105.7 The Fan, a leadership shift for the city’s sports radio scene. Arts, Sports, and Community: A Maryland State Fire Marshal ruling found an outside fire at 13 Robinwood Drive in Lavale was accidental, after it damaged a home and vehicle. National Arts/Policy: The U.S. Senate kicked off the “NO FAKES Act of 2026” to curb AI deepfakes of voices and likenesses—an entertainment-focused intellectual property push. Sports Spotlight: Pro Football Hall of Famer Raymond Berry, a Baltimore legend, died at 93, prompting major tributes across the region. Civic Tech & Safety: Cumberland announced traffic changes for TV filming, including simulated gunfire during production.

Pro Football Legacy: Raymond Berry, the Baltimore Colts Hall of Famer and later Patriots coach, died at 93, remembered for route-running brilliance with Johnny Unitas and his starring role in the 1958 “Greatest Game Ever Played.” Local Sports & Entertainment: The Giants bring Odell Beckham Jr. back to New York on a one-year deal, while the NFL’s offseason gears up with “100 days” to kickoff and major roster shuffling. Maryland Community & Faith: The Baltimore-Washington Conference held its 242nd session in Baltimore under the theme “Rooted in Christ: Love Boldly,” featuring new unity symbols and ministry celebrations. Arts & Culture in the DMV: “Great Big Game Show” opens its first Maryland location at Arundel Mills, adding immersive, hosted mini-game fun for groups. Maryland Outdoors & Food: Annapolis photographer Jay Fleming highlights the push to curb invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay—by fishing them and raising awareness. Baltimore Public Safety: A 15-year-old turned himself in for the February murder of 15-year-old Tyonna Pierce as the city reports continued drops in violent crime.

Gun-Law Fight: The NRA is suing Maryland over a new Glock ban that blocks “machine gun convertible” pistols from being made or sold in the state, calling it unconstitutional. Baltimore Arts & Community: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is holding auditions for “O Say Can You Sing?” to find two singers for its Star-Spangled 250 shows July 3 and 4. Pride Programming: Anne Arundel County Public Library is rolling out Pride Month events across branches, from kids’ storytimes and crafts to teen zine workshops and adult history programs. Film & Health Equity: “The Ebony Canal” documentary screened at Morgan State University, spotlighting Black maternal health stories and challenges for new mothers. STEM + Culture Fundraisers: Alpha Phi Alpha’s Charles E. McGee STEM scholarship drive is paired with Grandiosity Events’ 10th Celebrity PoloxJazz on June 20 to support youth STEM opportunities. Media Business: Scripps Local Media pulled 54 stations from DIRECTV after a retransmission dispute, affecting local viewing and major sports coverage. Sports at Camden Yards: Blue Jays outfielder Jesús Sánchez left after a fan-thrown ball hit his wrist; X-rays were negative for fracture.

Injury & Safety at Camden Yards: Toronto’s Jesús Sánchez left Sunday’s game after a ball thrown from the stands struck his right arm; X-rays were negative and the Orioles said the suspected fan was identified and removed while they investigate. Community Sports & Inclusion: Special Olympics Maryland’s Summer Games are set for June 12–14 at Towson University, with 1,200 athletes and events including cheerleading, bocce, swimming, track and field. Motorsports Spotlight: The inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals at Maryland International Raceway drew big crowds as qualifying wrapped, setting Sunday championship eliminations. Local Business & Community Service: Baltimore entrepreneurs are using home-based and neighborhood-rooted businesses to do more than profit—supporting drives and vulnerable residents. Arts for Youth: The “Shining Stars” Washington Showcase highlighted youth arts and cultural exchange with performances spanning music, dance, recitation, modeling and hosting. Baltimore Summer Maritime Plans: Sail250 Maryland & Air Show Baltimore runs June 24–30, bringing tall ships and Navy/Coast Guard vessels plus the Blue Angels to the Inner Harbor and beyond.

Maryland Sports & Culture: Lamar Jackson joked about not being “an ‘Unc’ yet” as the Ravens shift into a new era under first-year coach Jesse Minter and playcaller Declan Doyle, setting the tone for OTAs. Baseball in Baltimore: The Blue Jays keep rolling in a tight four-game series with the Orioles, highlighted by rookie Charles McAdoo’s first MLB homer in a 6-5 comeback at Camden Yards; Toronto heads into Saturday with Trey Yesavage on the mound. Motorsports Spotlight: Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville hosted the inaugural NHRA Potomac Nationals, drawing big crowds as Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock qualifiers kicked off the weekend. Music & Activism: Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello announced the “Power To The People” protest festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia on Oct. 3, with Foo Fighters, Public Enemy, Joan Baez, and more, plus voter-access groups benefiting from proceeds. Community Calendar: Local arts and events include a Robeson Art Guild shibori scarf workshop and a Fluffy Fields Vineyard 10-year anniversary celebration with vendors and live music.

Maryland Arts & Culture: Bruce Springsteen and Tom Morello are stepping in as artists pull out of the White House’s Freedom 250 “Great American State Fair,” announcing a new one-day “Power to the People” protest festival Oct. 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, with proceeds for VoteRiders and HeadCount. Arts & Community: The Baltimore-Washington Conference’s Friday plenary put “Love Boldly” on display, highlighting how congregations use music and the arts—including a Southern Maryland Flute Choir—to build relationships. Music in Maryland: The Saxophone Lab is arriving in Chestertown for its first season beginning May 30. Sports as local culture: Chesapeake Baysox (as the Oyster Catchers/Moon Mammoths) dominated Erie 14-2, while the Orioles’ Camden Yards Star Wars weekend menu is set to bring pop-culture flair to the ballpark. Policy with cultural ripple: Maryland’s Glock ban law (SB 334) is moving forward, setting up fresh legal fights that could affect how gun owners and dealers operate.

Maryland Arts & Culture: The National Music Festival’s Saxophone Lab lands in Chestertown starting May 30, with three concerts (Emmanuel Episcopal Church, then Washington College’s Hotchkiss Recital Hall) running through June 7. Baltimore Arts & Community: Loyola University Maryland cut 66 positions—29 staff layoffs plus 37 vacant-role removals—as it works through a $20 million structural deficit tied to declining tuition revenue. Local Music Scene: Baltimore’s Dr. Cassandra Claxton, a multi-Emmy producer and media executive, sat down with Deanna Neal to talk mentorship and building a career in TV and marketing. Arts at Big Events: Roots Picnic returns with major headliners and a pop-up Mini Hip-Hop Museum from Baltimore’s Milly Vanderwood (Mark S. Clarke), plus other culture-focused vendor programming. Sports-Adjacent Maryland Arts: Baylor announced a home-and-home with Maryland for 2027 and 2028, adding another major Maryland date to the calendar.

Maryland Music & Pop Culture: Asake adds a stop in Columbia—tickets for his “In God We Trust” London show go on sale at 10am today, with the tour also routing through Merriweather Post Pavilion on Aug. 28. Baltimore Live Music: Good Charlotte announces the UK/Europe leg of its Motel Du Cap Tour, with Yellowcard as special guests, and the band’s run includes major arena dates in London and beyond. Maryland Arts & Community: The Prince George’s County Caribbean Heritage Festival on June 6 at Brandenburg Waterfront will feature Garifuna cultural ambassador Ganigi, with youth drumming, dance, and language-preservation programming. Local Governance & Media: Gov. Moore vetoes SB 459, a bill aimed at steering state advertising toward Maryland local news outlets—sparking debate about how communities get information. Sports & Stadiums: M&T Bank Stadium’s final renovation phase nears completion ahead of the 2026 season, with upgrades designed to reshape the Ravens’ gameday experience. Arts on Screen: Natalie Portman’s Baltimore-set thriller “Lady in the Lake” lands on HBO Max June 1.

Frederick Music Spotlight: SilverVox Film + Music Festival (June 18–21) adds DIIV as direct support at The Weinberg Center (June 20) and pairs it with a bonus screening of DIIV’s Boiled Alive (June 19), keeping the festival’s film-and-sound blend front and center. Maryland 250 Celebration: “Sail 250 Maryland & Air Show Baltimore” runs June 24 for seven days across four festival sites, including the Inner Harbor and Fells Point, with food trucks, ships, and multiple air shows expected to draw huge crowds. Local Arts & Community: The weekend scene includes Petworth Porchfest and other Baltimore-area events, while Artscape continues to be a major cultural magnet despite the weather. Sports Meets Culture: A Baltimore native, Alex Freeman, has been named to the U.S. men’s World Cup roster—another Maryland-to-the-world moment for fans of soccer. Public Life: Maryland’s sheriffs sue over the Community Trust Act, a flashpoint over local cooperation with immigration enforcement. Arts-Adjacent Lifestyle: The Maryland Ice Cream Trail kicks off May 29 at Prigel Family Creamery in Glen Arm, a classic summer tradition with dairy-industry ties.

Baltimore Arts & Culture: The Philadelphia Orchestra’s artistic-administration leadership is shifting: Jeremy Rothman, who has served as the orchestra’s chief artistic administrator for 18 years, is set to leave Sept. 1 for the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall, with Ensemble Arts saying programming is already set and the org will review future artistic leadership needs. Local Arts & Community Impact: Annapolis Marine Art Gallery, a downtown City Dock fixture since 1978, will close at year’s end, blaming a steep revenue drop tied to the long-running City Dock flood-prevention and revitalization construction. Arts Events (Maryland): Latino Arts, Inc. is presenting “Cosechando Historias” (May 28–29), featuring Mexican American artist Christie Tirado’s relief block prints exploring migration, labor, memory, and identity. Sports on the Arts Journal radar: Camden Yards’ Orioles completed a sweep of the Rays with an 11-2 win, highlighted by Gunnar Henderson’s two homers and Blaze Alexander’s big night.

Maryland Arts & Culture: The Baltimore Farmers’ Market keeps proving it’s more than produce—since 1977 it’s been a weekly hub for local makers, artwork, and community culture under the Jones Falls Expressway. Local Arts Events: The Mountain Laurel Garden Club’s 2026 Garden Tour, “Nurturing Nature and Trees by Accident,” runs June 27 in Accident, with farms, native plant stops, live music, and demonstrations. Music & Community: Baltimore-bred Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has locked in Flocktoberfest details for Oct. 9, with a full Southeast swing and VIP meet-and-greet packages. Arts & Entertainment Spotlight: Jazz pianist John Eaton, longtime champion of American music, has died at 91. Nature as Art: A new native plant nursery in Delaware is bringing ecology-focused gardening to the “average person,” with educational signage and accessible starts. Policy & Kids Online Safety: Maryland’s AG Kwame Raoul joins a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state protections for children online.

Maryland Education Policy: Gov. Wes Moore signed the Maryland Phone Free Schools Act, pushing districts to limit students’ cellphones and other devices during school hours starting in 2027-28, with social media also off-limits; the law allows use for learning, health needs, and emergencies, and bars suspensions or expulsions for policy violations alone. Elections Watch: Maryland’s Board of Elections is mailing replacement mail-in ballots after a vendor error sent some voters the wrong party ballot for the gubernatorial primary; replacements go out this week ahead of the June 2 primaries. Arts & Community: Frederick’s SilverVox Film + Music Festival (June 18-21) adds genre-bending Kishi Bashi to its lineup, bringing a violin-and-loop live show to downtown venues and streets. Music Spotlight: Little River Band announced a 2026 summer tour celebrating “50 and more years,” with classic hits like “Reminiscing” and “Cool Change” on the setlist. Sports Culture: The Knicks’ record-setting playoff run is already turning into a pop-culture moment—fans celebrated at Radio City with Prince’s “1999” right after the sweep.

NFL Playoff Math: A new look at 2026 scheduling says some contenders get a friendlier road—Detroit’s path stands out as opponents from last year’s bottom tier could make the Lions’ postseason push smoother. Weather Watch: Maryland stays in a humid, on-and-off shower pattern through midweek, with storms most likely Tuesday night into Wednesday before drier, sunnier conditions arrive Thursday. Baltimore Arts & Schools: A spotlight on Baltimore City music education argues too many students outside the arts magnet schools miss the early training that makes performances possible. Community Arts & Culture: Artscape is described as pushing through gloomy weather, and local festival energy keeps building—from a Southern Maryland RenFest to more arts events on the calendar. Sports Arena to Training Hub: In White Marsh, a shuttered sports arena is set to be converted into a roughly $30M union apprenticeship training center, turning a venue into a pipeline for trades. Jewish Heritage at Camden Yards: A 101-year-old Holocaust survivor and WWII veteran will throw the first pitch at an Orioles game. Policy & Kids Online: Maryland’s AG is part of a broader push against federal limits on state child-online-safety laws, while other states move to investigate major platforms like Roblox.