This weekend is for the locals. Celebrate the city’s birthday with a big bash, or check out some lower-priced cuisine during Restaurant Week. There’s plenty of the homegrown creativity on display as well, from Fluid Movement’s Hitchcock-influenced show to BitGen Gamer Fest. Welcome, weekend:
Happening tonight
MayaBaraka Readers: Black Joy: 5 p.m. at Connexions High School. Community organization Dewmore Baltimore features a youth-run arts showcase.
YES Business Pitch Competition: 6 p.m. at Startup Nest. Baltimore students pitch businesses in a marketplace format, and compete for awards.
Crab and Beer Dinner: 6:30 p.m. at Gertrude’s Restaurant. This may sound like “Saturday” down at the shore, but at the BMA-adjacent museum it’s a once-a-year event. The four-course dinner features beer from Evolution.
Art/Sound/Now: 7 p.m. at the Walters Art Museum. The performance series features soundscapes from violist and composer Liz Meredith and multi-disciplinary artist Paul Rucker.
Windup Arcade: 8 p.m. at Windup Space. The Station North space has plenty of gaming options with consoles set up around the premises.
Flicks from the Hill: 9 p.m. at American Visionary Art Museum. The outdoor movie series on Federal Hill features “Clue.” Show up at Race Pace Bicycles for a pre-screening ride at 6:30 p.m.
Free Thursdays: 9 p.m. at Parkway Theatre. The community screening series features “Shadows,” the 1958 directorial debut from John Cassavetes.
UFO Vol. 16: 9 p.m. at The Crown. The ongoing experimental hip-hop and electronic dance music series continues into the early morning at the Station North venue, with sets from Baltimore’s own DJ ALI3N00D, Fonlon and Ojo Jakuta, as well as DJ Diaspora out of D.C.
Odwalla 1221, Angels in America, Maya Martinez and Mugward: 10 p.m. at No Land Beyond. The Station North gaming space hosts a night of experimental music.
Friday, July 27
Baltimore Restaurant Week: Around Baltimore: July 27-Aug. 5: Get ready for the most delicious week of the summer! Baltimore Restaurant Week, produced by Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and Visit Baltimore, runs Friday, July 27 through Sunday, August 5. Two-course brunch and lunch menus range from $12-20, and three-course dinner menus range from $20-$35. Share your Baltimore Restaurant Week experiences with the hashtag #BaltRW! Tables book quickly – start making your reservations now!
BronyCon: July 27-29 at Baltimore Convention Center. The fan convention for “My Little Pony” enthusiasts brings thousands downtown for panels, events and equine cosplay of all types.
Urban Axes Grand Opening: July 27-29 at Urban Axes. Baltimore is now one of the select cities how to a bar where one can throw an ax at a target and imbibe a beverage in the same building (if not the same area). Start sharpening with a coach this weekend on Friday and Saturday, or check out the Urban Open to see how the best do it.
Music Trivia Night: 5 p.m. at Monument City Brewing. Test your knowledge of songs long gone at the Highlandtown brewery.
Baltimore Bike Party: 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Park. This month’s theme is Happy Birthday, Baltimore. The ride around the city ends downtown to link with Live Baltimore’s bash for the city.
Baltimore’s Birthday Bash: 7 p.m. at The Assembly Room. Live Baltimore toasts the 289th anniversary of the city’s founding with a party including open bar, light fare and plenty of neighbors.
Shi-Queeta Lee’s Drag Show: 7 p.m. at Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore. The leading D.C. performer makes a trip to Baltimore.
Best Meet Up Ever: 7 p.m. at R. House. The monthly event series featuring multiple chefs, champagne and plenty of mingling lands in Remington.
Smashing Pumpkins: 7 p.m. at Royal Farms Arena. The grunge-era greats will be long remembered for “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” but for Tonight, Tonight, Corgan and co. are in town for the Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour.
The Madhatters High Tea Party – A SteamDollz Soiree: 7-11 p.m. at Wishbone Reserve. The electronic music duo that embraces steampunk fashion is doing an “Alice in Wonderland”-themed photo shoot for their upcoming album. Come dressed in our best outfit and enjoy free food, music and entertainment. RSVP to: TheRealSteamDollz@gmail.com
The Concert Truck: 7:30 p.m. at HarborView. A mobile means of getting classical music out into the community rolls down by the water. The performance features works by Ravel, Prokofiev, Gluck, Schubert-Liszt and Rachmaninoff.
Goucher Art & Technology Salon #1: 7:30 p.m. at Mildred Dunnock Theatre. A new event series from Goucher’s MFA program looks at new approaches in creative disciplines. The inaugural event features performances in spatial audio, providing 360 degrees of speakers. Musicians include Wendel Patrick and Goucher faculty member Andrew Bernstein (Horse Lords).
The Bmore Creatives 3-Year Anniversary: 8 p.m. at Swim Club. The community connectors celebrate with drinks, games, dancing and cheesing. Plus, a charity raffle for Wide Angle Youth Media.
Summer Halloween: 9 p.m. at New America. Get dressed up in costume for the last ball at the cafe, which will itself be dressed as a beach.
Saturday, July 28
Charm City Farm and Garden Tour: 8 a.m. at Clifton Park Mansion. Whether on two wheels or four, head out to have a look at the city’s community growth plots.
Colonial Market Day: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Maryland Historical Society. Do some weekend shopping like they used to, with goods from the colonial era and Native Americans. See how rope and candles are made, among other family-friendly activities.
Hamilton Street Festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The festival shuts down two blocks of Harford Road with two stages of live music. Plus, local vendors and family fun.
Trifecta Food Truck and Music Festival: noon-9 p.m. at Maryland State Fairgrounds. Nearly 40 food trucks will be on hand, along with live music, plenty of drink options and vendors. Save some room for the pie-eating contest.
Midsummer Beer Release: noon-5 p.m. at Oliver Brewing Company. Be the first to check out the brewery’s new Mexican style lager La Curandera, and Whipped Volume 4, a peaches and cream collabo with Stillwater.
Black Food and Dessert Expo: 2-5 p.m. at IdleWylde Community Hall. Sample cuisine and sweets from black entrepreneurs in Baltimore, and take the best dishes to go.
Bit Gen Gamer Fest XIII: 3 p.m. at Ottobar. If you’ve ever wondered what the band playing the highly-compressed music on old video games sounds like, now’s the chance. The festival has 18 acts offering new takes on classic 8-bit sounds, running from metal to hip-hop. Plus, there’s games around because you’ll probably want to play.
Kubrick 90: “Killer’s Kiss“: 5 p.m. at the Parkway Theatre. The move house kicks off its Stanley Kubrick retrospective with the director’s 1955 film noir.
South Point Grand Opening: 5 p.m. at West Covington Park. Break in a new waterfront event space in Port Covington with music from DJ Cian Noteman and food from Chef Patrick Morrow.
Jazz Odyssey: Lafayette Gilchrist Quartet: 5 p.m. at BMA Sculpture Garden. The Baltimore pianist, composer and bandleader takes the stage for the latest concert celebrating the work of artist Jack Whitten.
Arena Bowl XXXI: 7 p.m. at Royal Farms Arena. YOUR Baltimore Brigade compete with the Washington Valor for Arena Football League supremacy.
Short Film Slam: 7 p.m. at Motor House. Madlab Post offers the chance to check out a dozen short films, then vote on a favorite. The winner moves to the next round of the tournament.
John Cleese – Monty Python and the Holy Grail: 7:30 p.m. at the Modell Lyric. The cofounder of the famed British sketch comedy group tells stories and answers audience questions following a screening of Holy Grail.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Water Ballet: July 28-29 at Druid Hill Park Pool. Fluid Movement, the city’s aquatic performance troupe, adds some suspense with its summer production.
Outcalls Benefit Show: 8 p.m. at Single Carrot Theatre. The operatic duo sing to support the campaign to help the Remington theater stay open. Event also includes Waverly Brewing beer, raffle prizes and more.
David Byrne: 8 p.m. at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The legendary frontman of the Talking Heads brings the American Utopia Tour to Columbia. Benjamine Clementine opens.
Sunday, July 29
Harbor East’s Sidewalk Sale: 7/29 noon-4 p.m.: Hot Deals, Live Music, and Summertime Fun. Head out to Harbor East for a neighborhood Sidewalk Sale. Featuring cocktails and bites from Loch Bar, musical entertainment by Cecelia Grace, seasonal games and a caricature artist, complimentary ice pops, giveaways and more. Enjoy great summer savings and specials from Harbor East shops.
Breakfast Club Brunch: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Point in Fells. Brunch gets a John Hughes twist. The Point will have ’80s music playing, Hughes’ classic film screening and a photo booth. Dress up and enter the costume contest for a chance to win O’s tickets, gift cards and more.
DMV Summerfest Concert and Food Festival: noon-9 p.m. If the recent Caribbean Carnival left you wanting more, this Sunday afternoon event features reggae, dancehall and Soca. Plus food from many Caribbean islands.
Cornhole Tournament: noon at Sagamore Spirit. The yard game staple gets competitive with double-elimination tournaments for team doubles and random draw doubles. Food and drink will also be on offer.
Remembering Sparrows Point: 1:30 p.m. at Baltimore Museum of Industry. Labor historian Bill Barry offers reflections on the Bethlehem Steel mill in Baltimore County and when it was a major manufacturing force for the area. A model of the mill will also be on view.
Yoga and Soul: 4:30 p.m. at the 8×10. The Ron Hollaway Band stretches out on a Sunday afternoon with yoga and wine to start things off.
Afro-Future Fest and Movie Night: 5 p.m. at Bambou Venue. The festival features music, face painting and African drummers. Black Panther screens outside at nightfall.
Rico Nasty: 7 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. The Maryland rapper, who’s drawn acclaim from The Fader, Pitchfork and Noisey, performs as part of the Nasty Tour.
Ruiner Comes Home: 8 p.m. at the Windup Space. The local hardcore band returns from Europe to play a hometown set. Hell Bent and Unholy Sights open.
Upcoming:
- Baltimore Cocktail Week, putting a spotlight on the hospitality industry, runs July 30-August 4.
- WTMD’s First Thursday returns August 2, with Bettye Lavette, Erika Wennerstorm and JD Wilkes & The Legendary Shack Shakers.
- AFRAM Festival returns to Druid Hill Park on August 11-12, with a full weekend of activities including musical headliners Ella Mai, Dru Hill, Jacquees and VaShawn Mitchell.
- The Summer Spirit Festival, featuring Erykah Badu, Nas, Method Man & Redman, arrives at Merriweather Post Pavilion Aug. 4-5.
