Stages Music Arts proudly presents Baltimore’s own Black Root & JPope - bringing their electrifying fusion of hip-hop, soul, and jazz to Stages for a special night celebrating their latest collaboration, The Grey Lines Project. This dynamic duo weaves powerful lyricism with infectious grooves, exploring the spaces between struggle and resilience, history and future, sound and movement. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance, where raw energy meets masterful musicianship in a show that’s as thought-provoking as it is soulful. Get ready to vibe, reflect, and move!

Catch two sets of electrifying music as The Barnstormers light up the stage at Julian S. Smith Performance Hall at Stages Music Arts. From reworked classics to high-energy jams, it’s a night of music you won’t want to miss! By day, they're dedicated healthcare professionals — by night, they’re The Barnstormers, a dynamic band that's been rocking together for over five years. With a history of playing in various groups, members Pat Brown, Joe Bienvenu, Tom Glass, and 16-year-old guitarist Jack Schwartzberg have built a vibrant musical camaraderie rooted in a shared love for high-energy performance. Their setlist spans an eclectic mix of classics, from R.E.M. and The Beatles to Tom Petty, all reimagined with their own unique sound and style.

Stages Music Arts presents an evening of original piano compositions by DC based pianist and composer Elena Popova. Popova began composing music in childhood and continues her creative searches for new forms, colors and means of expression in her original compositions. Her goal is to immerse the listener in energetic and uplifting emotions and sensations. This performance features piano preludes by Elena - “Archetypes of the soul’s facets” - dedicated to emotional immersion in each of the 12 archetypes. The 12 archetypes are universal, symbolic characters or personality patterns identified by psychologist Carl Jung. They represent fundamental human motivations, desires, fears, and behaviors that appear across cultures, myths, and storytelling traditions throughout history. Each archetype embodies a specific way of thinking, feeling, and acting that resonates deeply with human experience. These archetypes are often used in psychology, literature, branding, and storytelling to create characters or identities that audiences instinctively understand. Each archetype has its own strengths, weaknesses, goals, and emotional drives.

Empris & The Gems is a Baltimore-based band bringing a fresh perspective to indie rock with their self-described style, “melodrama indie rock.” Influenced by artists like The Killers, Young the Giant, Phoenix, and Wolf Alice, they craft original songs that fuse driving rhythms, ambient textures, infectious melodies, and introspective lyrics that deeply resonate with listeners. Formed in the spring of 2024, the band has quickly made their mark, performing at venues like The Ottobar, Jammin Java, and Metro Gallery. Now, with anticipation building, Empris & The Gems are preparing to release their debut EP, Three of Swords—a collection that captures the raw emotion, sonic depth, and storytelling that define their sound. The EP is a bold first statement, weaving themes of heartbreak, healing, and self-discovery into a moody yet vibrant sonic palette. To celebrate the release, the band will return to Stages Music Arts for a special self-headlined show. Coming full circle, this marks their return to the venue after a year spent refining their sound, writing new music, and building live show experience. This performance marks a major milestone in their journey, offering listeners a chance to experience Three of Swords live in full, including new songs that have never been performed before. With new material, a carefully curated setlist, and an immersive live energy, the night promises to be a memorable introduction to this next chapter of Empris & The Gems’ evolution.