The Polish community opens this year's Showcase of Nations Ethnic Festivals.
John Stevens and the Double Shot band will play polkas at the Polish Festival from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow in Patterson Park, at Linwood and Eastern avenues.
Polish country musicians, the T.K.O. band, which will play rock 'n' rolls classics, and others will perform from noon until 10 p.m. Saturday at the Pulaski Monument in the park.
A Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the monument. The children's dance group Krakowiaki, named for the Polish city of Krakow, performs there at noon. For a complete schedule, call 410-879-6336. Fees are $2 Friday, $4 Saturday and Sunday. Children younger than 12 are free.
Since the early 1970s, the festivals, sponsored by the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, have showcased the heritage and customs of the nations and cultures that make up Baltimore.
From June 8 to 10, the Greek community will hold the St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival at St. Nicholas Church, 520 S. Ponca St., just off Eastern Avenue in Southeast Baltimore.
Traditional Greek dances will be performed by troupes from the church and from other Greek Orthodox parishes in Maryland and neighboring states. Appollonia, a Greek group, will provide music for dancing in the street outside the church. The festival is open noon to 11 p.m. June 8, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 9 and 10. The event is free. Call 410-633-5020.
The LatinoFest will present a weekend of Hispanic arts, culture and cuisine June 23 and 24. Both days will feature Afro-Caribbean groups that will dance the merengue, bachata, reggaton, salsa, cumbia, flamenco and tango. Adult admission is $4; children younger than are 12 free. For a schedule, call 410-783-5404 or go to latinofest.org.
Next month, Patti LaBelle will headline the African American Heritage Festival, July 6 to July 8. She will perform at 7 p.m. July 7 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Temptations Review with Dennis Woodson and Ali Woodson will appear at 6:15 p.m. July 8 at Oriole Park. Fertile Ground, a Baltimore band, is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. July 6.
Admission is free. For the full schedule, go to aahf.net or call 410-235-4427.
The Caribbean Carnival festival opens July 13 with an elaborately costumed traditional island parade with soca, reggae and steel drum bands. Caribbean music and cuisine will fill the weekend festival through July 15 at Druid Hill Park, 2600 Madison Ave. Call 410-230-2969 or go to bcacarnival.net. Admission is $5.
