Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

Leisure

Leisure is the section where we highlight the intriguing, exciting and all-around fun events and activities happening in Baltimore over the weekend.

COURTESY OF ANNIE HUANG  Sotto Sopra’s soprano elevated the evening's culinary experience with her soaring vocals.

A feast for the senses: opera night at Sotto Sopra

By ANNIE HUANG | September 21, 2024

As the maître d’ gracefully ushered me to my table, the air buzzed with anticipation. This wasn’t just a meal; it was a performance waiting to unfold — a night when cuisine and opera would entwine in perfect harmony. Housed in a 19th-century building on Baltimore’s Charles Street, Sotto Sopra is known for its contemporary Italian cuisine, but it offers more than just food. Once a month, it hosts “Opera Night,” a special tradition where diners are treated to live operatic performances alongside a five-course dining experience.

COURTESY OF CATHY WANG This Saturday, check out the Main Street Music Fest in Ellicott City! 

Events this weekend (Sept 20–22)

By YUYU HUANG | September 19, 2024

Get ready for a festive fall weekend in Maryland! From lively music festivals to mouthwatering food truck feasts, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. Here’s a quick look at the events you can’t miss this weekend. 

COURTESY OF GODSON NKANGINIEME Nkanginieme turns his room into a comfortable and relaxing spot to unwind with aesthetic posters and décor. 

Creating a cozy sanctuary in college with mood boards, books and movies

By GODSON NKANGINIEME | September 16, 2024

I’ll admit, I was super nervous about coming to a school like Hopkins, but it’s turned out to be a place where I’ve been able to jump back into activities that I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed. Whether your freshman experience has been amazing, bumpy or somewhere in between, there are plenty of great hobbies to pick up — whether from the comfort of your bed or out on the streets of Baltimore.

COURTESY OF CATHY WANG This Saturday, celebrate Oktoberfest at Guilford Hall Brewery in the Station North neighborhood. 

Events this weekend (Sept 13–15)

By YUYU HUANG | September 13, 2024

Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover or just looking to enjoy Baltimore’s neighborhoods, this weekend has plenty to offer. From oyster feasts to Oktoberfest celebrations, the city is buzzing with events that cater to all tastes. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store.

COURTESY OF SHREYA TIWARI Shreya’s original eggs and rice is an easy but delicious dish that everyone should definitely give a try!

My late-night go-tos

By SHREYA TIWARI | September 9, 2024

Inspired by the TikTok candy salad trend and my friends’ suggestions for late-night foods, “snack food salad” represents an amalgamation of every processed, packaged, boxed goodie thrown in a huge bowl. Try mixing together popcorn, honey-nut Cheerios, Goldfish and candy (Reese’s Peanut Butter is my personal favorite) — the possibilities are endless! Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, this is a perfect quick-and-easy study snack! 

COURTESY OF CATHY WANG This weekend of activities features a few events around Baltimore to usher in the fall season.  

Events this weekend (Sept 6–8)

By YUYU HUANG | September 6, 2024

Whether you’re looking to enjoy the crisp fall air at a local festival, groove to live music or indulge in a classic Maryland crab feast, this weekend offers plenty of opportunities to create unforgettable memories. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening around the city.

COURTESY OF YUYU HUANG Ellicott City offers a wonderful mix of walkable streets, delicious dining spots and unique shopping experiences. 

A day of friends, food and fun in Ellicott City

By YUYU HUANG | September 3, 2024

Over the Labor Day weekend, my roommates and I took advantage of one of those last shorts-and-tank-top days, wrapping up summer with a day in Ellicott City. This little trip was the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern-day delights, from strolling down historic Main Street to indulging in some seriously good Korean BBQ — there’s just so much to enjoy here.

Events this weekend (Aug 30–Sept 2)

By YUYU HUANG | August 30, 2024

As we stand at this crossroads of seasons and schedules, it's the perfect time to squeeze in those last bits of summer fun while preparing for the excitement of fall. Whether you're looking for festive fairs, outdoor adventures, cultural experiences or culinary delights, we've curated a list of event suggestions to help you make the most of the long weekend.

COURTESY OF ALLYSON CHIU Road trips can be fun, even if it’s on the New Jersey turnpike with big trucks and traffic.

The art of a road trip

By MINGYUAN SONG | April 25, 2024

For me, freedom looks like what Chris McCandless did in Into the Wild — to buy a beat-up car after college, sell everything else he owns and vanish into a long road trip into the wilderness. I haven’t graduated yet and don’t have enough money for a car, nor do I have the courage like McCandless did. I did, however, have a badminton tournament in Boston and needed to drive the team up to the venue. 

ARUSA MALIK / DESIGN & LAYOUT EDITOR This weekend of activities features the annual Spring Fair and the opening of Asia in a Bite Food Fest at the Inner Harbor.

Events this weekend (April 26–28)

By LEISURE EDITOR | April 25, 2024

As the semester draws to a close, organizations and universities in Baltimore are hosting an array of exciting events to end things on a high note. Let’s finish strong and celebrate the upcoming summer break in style!

COURTESY OF SYDNEY LANGER The matcha drinks at Catalog Coffee offer a distinct flavor and definitely stood out from the rest!

Finding your next study spot at Catalog Coffee!

By SYDNEY LANGER | April 23, 2024

Located in Hampden, Catalog Coffee could be your new favorite cafe spot! The cafe itself is an adorable study spot, with ample lighting and seats in the back for students to pull out their laptops and notebooks. After studying the menu for (admittedly) way too long and concluding that everything seemed mouthwatering, we ordered a variety of sandwiches, pastries and drinks at the register. 

COURTESY OF JULIA WANG Julia at the finish line near the Washington Monument, sporting her medal and the Hopkins running club gear. 

A running tour of D.C. and the Cherry Blossom Festival

By JULIA WANG | April 19, 2024

Let’s set the scene: the sun begins shining a bit brighter each day, and the temperature climbs to a nice 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Sidewalks are no longer riddled with ice, and the once bare trees are now covered with lush green leaves. As cities awaken from their winter slumbers, so do runners. The longer daylight hours invite runners to lace up their shoes and find rhythm in their feet once again.

ARUSA MALIK / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR Spring is officially here with the warm weather and more sun! Get out there for goat yoga, maker’s market and a baseball game! 

Events this weekend (April 12–14)

By LEISURE EDITOR | April 11, 2024

Spring is in its full bloom! As the weather gets warmer and warmer, make sure that you get out of your room and the Hopkins bubble, whether that’s supporting the Orioles or doing yoga.

COURTESY OF ARUSA MALIK Arusa and her friends exploring St. John’s College at the heart of Annapolis. 

When in Annapolis (from the perspective of a quasi-Annapolitan)

By ARUSA MALIK | April 10, 2024

Although Annapolis, Maryland’s capital, is just 45 minutes away from Hopkins, many students don’t know what it has to offer. Between the views of the Chesapeake Bay to the delicious seafood available, Annapolis is an amazing place to visit for a mini trip away from school!

COURTESY OF MINGYUAN SONG Catan is a great board game to own and play with your roommates! 

Different ways to game in college

By MINGYUAN SONG | April 8, 2024

I never played any games growing up. I didn’t have a Playstation or an Xbox, nor Wii or other Nintendo products. The closest I got were the ipad games like Clash of Clans and the free version of Minecraft that didn’t allow you to save your progress. So when I got into college, part of me thought that I’d be free to explore whichever virtual world I wanted to — but school and life got busy, and it wasn’t until the beginning of my junior spring that those aspirations were realized. 

ARUSA MALIK / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR You can find hints of the coming spring in all kinds of events this weekend!

Events this weekend (April 5–7)

By LEISURE EDITOR | April 4, 2024

There are just a few more weeks left of school, and the wrapping up of classes means the full bloom of spring! As the weather gets warmer, Baltimore starts booming with events. 

COURTESY OF JULIA MENDES QUEIROZ Praia da Joatinga, one of many beaches on the Rio de Janeiro coastline.

Five tips to keep in mind when traveling

By YANA MULANI and JULIA MENDES QUEIROZ | April 3, 2024

This spring break, the two of us (along with our roommate, Liz) went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! This trip had been a while in the making, and we were really looking forward to it. Rio is Julia’s hometown — she was born there and only moved to the U.S. for college, so it’s where she’s spent most of her life. Yana had never been there before but was really excited to see the place where Julia grew up! 

COURTESY OF JOSEPH BECUTIORTIZ There is simply nothing better than wolfing down some diner food after a long run. 

Spring Break: The long awaited rest

By JOSEPH BECUTI-ORTIZ | April 3, 2024

After the onslaught of tests, quizzes, midterms, projects and whatever else our professors decided to throw at us, spring break was upon us. With most Hopkins students leaving as early as possible, it was like a great migration of birds, all leaving towards the south, where you would see them appear in instagram pictures of the warm sandy beaches of Florida, Puerto Rico or other tropical resorts.

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