Hello, my friends. I hope you and your families are doing as well as you can, despite the weather being so hot and muggy, or if you have lost a loved one, or if you are not feeling well yourself. Just think positive, ask God to give you strength and everything will be alright.

I will give you a start. Check this out. Do you know there are free festivals of all kinds all over Baltimore— even in your neighborhood— where you can enjoy music, food, entertainment or just take your folding chair, lie back and enjoy? Check this out! Here are some ideas; who knows, you might just run into me and Shorty doing the same thing.

The Baltimore Summer Market Days bring fun, food, and local vibes together for epic weekend hangouts. It is located in Federal Hill Park, 300 Warren Avenue in Baltimore, from Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. This festival is a vibrant weekend market experience celebrating local makers, independent businesses, food vendors, artists, and the creative energy of Maryland’s waterfront city. It is set up on a scenic hilltop overlooking the Harbor; this event brings together creators, entrepreneurs, and the community for a memorable summer celebration and fun. Shorty and I love it. Check it out!

Oh! Check this out! The FPP Haitian Caribbean Festival Concert is given by the “Friends of Patterson Park Summer Concert Series,” and presented by PNC Bank. This concert is part of the Haitian Caribbean Festival hosted by Kumite Ayiti. All concerts are from 6-8 p.m. outside at the Patterson Park Observatory. Food and crafts vendors and more are available. You may also like the following events from“Friends of Patterson Park”: the FPP Summer Concert with the U.S. Army Band Downrange featuring Charm City Sings in Baltimore on Sunday, July 26, 6 p.m.; and the Mindfulness Nature Walks in Baltimore on August 7 at 6 p.m.  

James Staton’s, aka “Big Jim,” home-going services will be held at the March Life Tribute Center, 5616 Old Court Road, Windsor Mill, Maryland. Public viewing is on July 29 at 3:30-6:30 p.m. The wake is Thursday, July 30,10:30 a.m.; funeral services will follow. There is so much I want to say about this dynamite, wonderful person and a dear friend, just not enough space. We will miss him so much.

Oh, Honey Child, I am not finished yet! The Clarksville Sunflower Festival is now through July 26, depending on whether you are into something like this. Here you can soak up all the florals at this festival, where you’ll find sunflower fields, wildflower patches, animals and more. On the weekends, they will also have live music, vendors and food. This is not my thing personally; I’ll be sneezing for days. The time on this is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

 Larraine, the new owner of Roots Bar & Grill, 2148 Vine Street, is still keeping Ronnie Lagacy alive by continuing “CHRISTMAS IN JULY” on Saturday, July 25, starting at 3 p.m. until closing with good food, music and giveaways and Happy Hour prices.

There will be another free festival on Friday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, August 2, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., located at 3001 Boston Street. This three-day Waterfront Festival has lots of music, live music, DJs, and food vendors.

The Farmers Market & Craft Show takes place Friday, July 24, 10 a.m. to Sunday, July 26, 6 p.m. It is free and will be held at Wyman Park Dell, 2929 N. Charles Street, with a diverse mix of farmers, artisans, and creators, fresh goods and unique handcrafted treasures.

Then there is my show! “Rambling Rose” MUSIC CONCERTS presents live entertainment every first Saturday of the month from now through September. On Saturday, August 1, from 4-7 p.m. I will present Phill Butts & his Sunset Band in the Courtyard of the Avenue Bakery, 2229 Pennsylvania Avenue and on James Hamlin’s Bakery Anniversary, Saturday, August 15th, there will be a special event featuring Greg Hatza Organization, who will be performing from 1-3 p.m. For all the events at the Bakery, you should bring your own folding chairs; it is BYOB, food, and drinks are on sale, and admission is free. See you there.

 J.B. Brown is very ill and is in the Meadow Ridge Nursing Home, room 221, at 1525 Rolling Road in Catonsville, Maryland. He is now in hospice. He and his family need your prayers. For more information, please call his son, Jonathan, at 443-635-4067.

Well, my dear friends, my back is killing me. I know it has only been about six weeks since I had my spinal surgery, but it already feels like six months. The doctor said it will be another six to eight weeks before I will feel like jumping up and down and doing the “JAMES BROWN.” I’m moving slowly with my walker, but doing the best I can and trying my best to behave!

I hope to see you around. If you see me, stop and say hello. In the meantime, if you need me, call me at 410-833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. Until the next time, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.