The Spirit of Billie Holiday Inspires the Rebirth of Baltimore’s Historic Music and Commercial Hub
(Baltimore, MD – September 1, 2025)— The legacy of Baltimore’s own Lady Day echoed through the streets of West Baltimore on Saturday, August 30, 2025, as the 7th Annual Billie Holiday Festival transformed the Robert C. Marshall Field into a veritable Field of Dreams” and the stage for a joyful, soulful, and jazz-infused community celebration.
Held in the heart of the Historic Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street corrido, where Billie Holiday herself once lived and performed, this year’s festival was a powerful tribute to the legendary jazz singer’s influence on music, civil rights, and Black cultural identity. Co-hosted by the Upton Planning Committee and the Historic Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street program, the event brought together hundreds of residents, artists, and supporters for a day of music, heritage, and community pride.
From the moment the gates opened, the energy was electric. Festivalgoers were welcomed by April Watts, a beloved former radio personality and proud Baltimore native, who served as the emcee for the day. Her warm stage presence and deep roots in the city helped guide the crowd through a packed lineup of performances that reflected both the history and future of Black musical excellence…