Chili, Motown, and the Centennial: Your Baltimore Sunday Briefing

Chili, Motown, and the Centennial: Your Baltimore Sunday Briefing

Good morning, Baltimore. As we flip the calendar to Sunday, February 1, 2026, the city finds itself at a crossroads of deep winter grit and a historic celebration of heritage. Here is what you need to know to navigate your day.

The Mood: Bracing Against the 'Cold Blue'

The prevailing mood today is one of resilience in the face of a lingering deep freeze. The Baltimore City Health Department has extended the Cold Blue declaration through today, following a week of sub-zero wind chills that saw city schools closed and government services delayed. While we are expecting a slight reprieve with afternoon highs reaching 30 degrees, do not let the sun fool you. North winds gusting over 30 mph will keep wind chills firmly in the teens. The city remains in a posture of partial activation for its Emergency Operations Center, and warming centers are active for those in need. However, there is a glimmer of hope: the deep freeze is expected to break starting tomorrow, making today the final hurdle of this winter stretch.

A Key Talking Point: The Black History Month Centennial

Today is a landmark date: the official start of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month celebrations in America. Baltimore, a city central to this history, is launching a month-long tribute to the Black experience. The conversation today centers on the following opening events:

• Echoes of Motown: Morgan State University’s Murphy Fine Arts Center hosts a 3:00 p.m. performance that explores rhythm as a form of resistance through the sounds of Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder.
• August Wilson's Legacy: Today features the final performance of Seven Guitars at Spotlighters Theatre, a poignant look at post-war struggles and the search for meaning in the 1940s.
• ZuZu African Acrobats: At 1:00 p.m., the Gordon Center features this Tanzanian troupe performing gravity-defying stunts set to traditional African beats, celebrating heritage through athleticism.

A Feel-Good Story: Chili and Community in Federal Hill

If you are looking for a reason to leave the house despite the wind, the Federal Hill South Chili Cook Off is the place to be. Held at Little Havana, this annual tradition is the perfect antidote to the Cold Blue blues. Neighbors will gather to taste over 20 different chilis and watch a celebrity judging panel that includes Senate President Bill Ferguson and local favorite mail carrier Michelle Wakefield. Between the live music and the "dessert wheel," it is a warm reminder of the tight-knit community that defines our neighborhoods. For those seeking a quieter start to the month, the Vision Board Brunch at Baltimore Unity Hall offers a space to chart a path for the year ahead, providing a sense of renewal just as the harshest part of winter begins to fade.