Gretchen Elise performing at a Pop-up at the Portal (Photo courtesy UCD).

Free, all-ages music performances, Pop-Ups at the Portal, are returning to Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th St. and Baltimore Ave. For five weeks starting May 9, University City District (UCD) in partnership with local musician Gretchen Elise will present inclusive musical performances featuring local talent every Thursday evening (from 5 – 7 p.m.)

“Our goal with Trolley Portal Gardens is to bring programming for the neighbors, parents, and commuters who use the space every day,” said Margaret Starke, UCD’s Senior Manager of Events and Community Partnerships. “Gretchen has deep connections with the neighborhood and other local musicians and made a great fit to collaborate with again as both a presenter and a curator.”

Trolley Portal Gardens, located at the 40th St. Trolley Portal, is a lively public space that was transformed by UCD in 2018 from a pretty barren patch of concrete. The space features carefully landscaped plants, pop-up events including music and crafting, and community-favorite Renata’s Kitchen.

The performers featured in the 2024 Pop-Up series will bring styles from jazz to hip hop, from classical renditions of East African music to Afrobeats dance.

“I wanted to highlight local performers and youth performers, all with an interactive twist,” said curator Gretchen Elise.

The series culminates on June 6th with a performance and open mic jam led by Gretchen Elise during the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll.

The full schedule is below. In inclement weather, events will be inside Renata’s Kitchen at the same location. More details can be found at: www.universitycity.org/trolleyportal or www.gretchenelise.com/gigs.