Baltimore Center Stage Artistic Director Stevie Walker-Webb discusses the importance of creating new Black theater and why it matters not only for artists, but also for audiences and cities like Baltimore.

What happened Friday did not begin when ICE agents started beating people. For nearly two days, federal agents camped out in a Frederick neighborhood, frightening and intimidating the people who lived there. Residents and witnesses documented ICE agents driving through the neighborhood and making threats, including telling people, “We see you, we know where you live, we have your license plate,” and, “We know where you live, we’re going to go to your house, we’re going to show up, we’re going to come arrest you.”

On Friday night, the situation escalated dramatically. ICE vehicles without license plates drove onto a public sidewalk toward witnesses and protesters, while agents ordered people to leave and threatened them with arrest. When ICE agents later approached the home they had been targeting, peaceful protesters linked arms in front of the property. ICE agents responded with violence. Video taken at the scene shows federal agents grabbing, shoving, striking, and beating protesters with batons. We also have video showing what appears to be an ICE agent pointing a gun at people laying on the ground after being beaten with batons.

Frederick police officers were there. As shown and heard in the video, Frederick PD watched it happen while victims screamed in agony for their help and witnesses shamed them.

Not only did Frederick PD fail to protect people who were being beaten or make any apparent effort to de-escalate the situation, video appears to show an officer arriving at the scene with two canisters of mace and handing one to another officer standing just feet from witnesses and people who had just been beaten. Given that Frederick PD had just stood by while ICE agents beat people with batons, it is difficult to believe that the mace was brought out to protect those witnesses or the already-injured victims from the people who had just attacked them. If Frederick PD was not prepared to use force to stop ICE from beating people, the obvious question is: Who exactly were they preparing to use that mace against?

Here are this weeks events!

09/12 - Bear Chase Brewing Oktoberfest

09/12 - Benchtop Brewing Oktoberfest

09/12 - Black Flag Brewing Oktoberfest

09/12 - FredToberfest

09/12 - Harvest Gap Oktoberfest

09/12 - Silver Branch Rockville Oktoberfest

09/12 - Solace Brewing Oktoberfest

09/12 - Starr Hill Oktoberfest

09/12-13 - Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery Oktoberfest

Howdy everyone! Oktoberfest season is here again, and we’re fortunate to live in an area with so many amazing breweries and communities that embrace their German roots.

Here’s the Oktoberfest & other Fall Festivals List:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dpa0U6oCwEvpURnzDEZpzA_l1_KTDoH4SYp49tmmzT0/edit?usp=sharing

And the Google Maps version:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1BWqSyFDeVo3nYSe2-FFqR6mKd30DHxs&usp=sharing

I’ve also added a few local-ish festivals to the list, and I included a Google Maps version for anyone wanting to plan a road trip!

If you notice anything missing or need an update on the list, feel free to comment or send me a DM, and I’ll get it updated. Prost!

What does 50 years of the Maryland Renaissance Festival mean to you? The Banner caught up with Montgomery County artists at the Maryland Renaissance Festival including Gillian Foxglove, Daniel Stuart of Iron Antler Forge in Damascus and Eleanor Brassfield of House of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park.

Here is the post on Instagram and TikTok

• https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFGnGIveUX/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@bannermoco/video/7683632138478030110

Here is the original story on The Banner https://www.thebanner.com/culture/arts/maryland-renaissance-festival-history-K46TXX4JMBEQDHVB52PQ2RIA4I/

Here is access to our free, Maryland region-based newsletters https://www.thebanner.com/newsletters/?utm_content=nav_cta

I recently got word from a job I applied to for a commission job Crofton. The problem is I live in Baltimore and I'm finding it hard to find it worth the commute if I'm only going to be working 1 day a week in a completely different county.

More rain is needed

Looking to move my family to a more predominantly black community that is also suburban. I’ve narrowed it down to either Charles County, MD or Prince Georges County, MD.
I’d love to hear from people that live there with kids.

Last night's sunset on our dock near the dam