Love Groove Festival is a celebration of music, community, and pure joy. Founded by Emmy Award-winning composer John Tyler, this year’s festival on August 29th marked its 10th edition with headliners Robert Glasper, Saba, and Alex Vaughn, alongside local and regional artists including Tyler himself, DK the Punisher, Precious Jewel, Akilah Divine, and Hadiya Ayodele.
The festival was also the first to take place at Point Park in Harbor East. The open lawn and harbor views made gorgeous settings for a day of music and art. The space was activated, the crowd was chill, and the style felt distinctly Baltimore: expressive, eclectic, and entirely its own.
This photo essay turns the lens on the people who brought Love Groove to life, moving between portraits of festivalgoers, musicians, and headliners. What began as John Tyler’s vision for bringing Baltimore’s different music scenes together has grown into an ambitious multidisciplinary festival rooted in the city’s creative community. Its 10th edition felt like a celebration of the joy, talent, and culture that continue to shape Baltimore.
John Tyler @johntylersounds, founder of the Love Groove FestivalJoy Holland (@miss_joyfitx)Lindsay and Cadeem Franklin @lsd_irl @cadeemlamarr
Robert Glasper @robertglasper
Deborah Bateman
Precious Jewel
@preciousjewelism
hadiya ayodele
@hadiyadoll
Grace O. Gyamfi and William Alexander Porter
anexis. @anexis__
Dhalon Dansbury & Alayia Connolly
Ephraim Dorsey @ephdorsey
Saba @sabapivotSameera shields
@yourlocalcaramelgir
John Tyler @johntylersounds
Dr. LaMarr D. ShieldsSheillanne Wambui @shecollectsvinyl
Presented by Baltimore Public Media, New/Next returned for its fourth edition October 1–4, 2026, with more than 160 films, including six world premieres and five premieres.
For the 2026 edition of the film festival, photographer E. Brady Robinson was commissioned to create a series of backstage portraits of the filmmakers, directors, and actors whose work appeared throughout.
The 30th Year of the City's Annual Literary Celebration in Photos
The 2026 Baltimore Book Festival took place September 19 and 20 along Greenmount Avenue, centered on 30th, 31st, and 32nd Streets. It was free and open to all.
For four days this fall, the stretch of North Charles Street around the historic Charles Theatre will feel like the center of the independent film world.
