Here are a few events you can’t miss during CIAA Tournament weekend
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- Published on February 23, 2023
- Last Updated May 15, 2023
- In Culture
The CIAA Basketball tournament has invaded Baltimore and the weekend is here. Check out these events you should make your way to.
The 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament is officially underway in Baltimore. The tournament returned to the city, celebrating the best in historically Black colleges and universities. The tournament is a week-long dedication to fans, students and alumni.
The official CIAA website states the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament offers several affiliated events that appeal to a diverse demographic of alumni and fans, including community engagement, Super Saturday, step shows and concerts. The flagship events for the week include Fan Fest, Education Day and the Career Expo.
This is the tournament’s second year in Baltimore after a 17-year run in Charlotte, North Carolina. The city saw a significant economic impact with the tournament’s inaugural year and this year will be even better.
Visit Baltimore CEO Al Hutchinson told CBS Baltimore, “You can write this down: it’s probably going to be double the number of people here in Baltimore than there were last year. Folks coming.”
The CIAA is one of the nation’s oldest collegiate sports conferences. The conference sponsors a variety of sports, including football, track and field, and softball. The CIAA includes twelve schools; seven in North Carolina, two in Virginia, and one each in South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The basketball games are approaching the semifinals and will be televised on ESPN.
With the championship approaching, the weekend is full of events to celebrate another great tournament. Here are some to check out:
The Greater Baltimore Urban League, The Finn Group, Black Girls Vote, Events 4 Good People, Standup Baltimore, and Uptown Magazine have joined forces to create Center Court Baltimore, a specially curated entertainment space that celebrates and showcases a diverse collection of small and minority businesses, vendors, artists, and thought leaders.
At Center Court Baltimore, visitors will find a range of food vendors, retailers, entertainment options, and workshops focused on hair and beauty, health and wealth, and fashion and culture. In the evenings, ticketed events include the “Biggest MF’ing Happy Hour,” the “Hoop Dream Event,” and “Uptown Saturday Night.” The event will be held at the Power Plant, the old Barnes & Noble building located at 601 East Pratt Street in Baltimore.
Peter Thomas and his crew at Barone will host several events this weekend including a night with Cee Lo Green and a Sunday Jazz Brunch featuring award-winning saxophonist Reggie Hines.
DJ Self will be hosting and spinning the HBCU Brunch Day Party on Saturday at Gulliford Hall Brewery.
R&B singers Anthony Hamilton and K. Michelle will be performing at the Lyric Baltimore on Friday night.
Moneybagg Yo is turning up for the tournament at the Hustler Club on Saturday.
