First & Franklin Presbyterian Church will host its annual “Prelude to Pride” concert on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., launching Baltimore’s Pride Month with music, art, and community impact. For the first time in the event’s history, the concert will also serve as a fundraiser and feature a curated art auction benefiting AIDS Action Baltimore.
Presented as part of The Spire Series and Art Under the Spire, the signature concert series and art gallery at First & Franklin Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon, this year’s event expands its mission beyond performance to direct community support. No tickets are required and free-will donations will be accepted. All proceeds from the concert and auction will support AIDS Action Baltimore’s work providing HIV prevention education, testing and community-based services throughout the region.
Chapel doors will open at 2:00 p.m. for a sneak preview of the artwork and early bidding. The concert begins at 3:00 p.m., followed by a Live Art Auction and Reception from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The auction will officially close at 5:15 p.m.
More than 20 artists representing a range of styles and perspectives will be featured. Participating artists include award-winning painter Joan Cox and acclaimed photojournalist Joe Giordano, among others, whose work reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Baltimore’s creative community.
Online bidding will open Sunday, May 31, and close at 12:00 p.m. on June 7. Buyers may also choose to purchase artwork at full price. The final online bid will serve as the opening bid during the live auction.
For more information about the event, online bidding details or how to contribute, visit https://www.firstfranklin.org/arts/the-spire-series-season/.