With only a couple more weeks of summer vacation left, the kids will be back to school before you know it. This weekend presents a plethora of opportunities to learn something new with fun, family-friendly, educational experiences — from a skateboarding workshop to a lesson about frogs.
There are also many musical events, from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s performance of music from the first “Harry Potter” movie to the return of the Haitian Caribbean Festival at Patterson Park and more.
So, make some plans to get out and enjoy Baltimore this weekend! Here’s the lineup:
Baltimore Beat Celebration, Friday, Aug. 12, 6-10 p.m., Current Space. As “Hairspray”‘s Tracy Turnblad sang, you can’t stop the beat. Well, the Beat is back — the Baltimore Beat, that is. The Black-led, Black-controlled nonprofit newspaper and online publication debuted its first print issue this week. They will celebrate their relaunch Friday at Current Space, with food by Shorty Davis and music by Jayswann. Proceeds will be shared by Baltimore Beat and Current Space. Read more about the Baltimore Beat’s relaunch in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Wine & Dinosaurs, Friday, Aug. 12, 7-9 p.m., Maryland Science Center. The dinosaurs may be extinct, but they’re still the life of the party. Visit the Maryland Science Center after dark to taste wines (and even look at wine under a microscope) and learn about dinosaurs.
Harry Potter in Concert, Friday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 14, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The BSO will perform music from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” movie, with concerts Friday and Saturday at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and on Sunday at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. Read more about the concerts in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Boards & Breakfast, Saturday, Aug. 13, 9-11 a.m., Rash Field Park, Jake’s Skate Park. Kids 12 and under can take a free skateboard workshop from professional skateboarder Joey Jett. Also, snack on waffles from GOOD Food and ice coffee from Babe Beans Coffee.
Panamanian Golden Frogs, Saturday, Aug. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Maryland Zoo. In Panama, the beautiful and rare golden frogs are considered to be a form of good luck. But misfortune has befallen the species. Learn about the threats that the frogs face in the wild, and how U.S. zoos and aquariums are working to care for the animals.
Bats of Baltimore, Saturday, Aug. 13, 1 p.m., Baltimore Museum of Industry. Spread your wings and learn about one of Baltimore’s animal inhabitants: bats. Guest speaker Chris Blume’s research uses bats to understand how heavy metal pollutants are distributed across Baltimore and their effect on humans and wildlife. Blume will use bats in his presentation Saturday about the connection between urban ecology and Baltimore industry.
Jazz in the Sculpture Garden, Saturday, Aug. 13, 7-9 p.m., Baltimore Museum of Art. Jazz in the Sculpture Garden is back at the BMA. The Todd Marcus Quintet, led by bass clarinetist, composer, and bandleader Todd Marcus, will perform at the garden, also featuring clarinetist Virginia MacDonald.
Gala & Impact Awards, Saturday, Aug. 13, 8-11:30 p.m., Baltimore Center Stage. Support fashion education and look stylish doing it. The 4th Annual Gala & Impact Awards is raising funds for the Fashion Umbrella Foundation Scholarship Award. The dress code is formal/evening wear. Awards will be given for the best dressed couple, male and female.
Wavves, Saturday, Aug. 13, door 8 p.m., Ottobar. San Diego-based rock band Wavves will stop at Ottobar on their King of the Beach Tour, featuring BOYO and Smut.
Haitian Caribbean Festival, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2-8 p.m., Patterson Park. Whether you’re celebrating your own Haitian and Caribbean cultures, or you want to learn more about those cultures, Patterson Park will be the place to be. Komite Ayiti Inc., in collaboration with the Friends of Patterson Park, will hold the second annual Haitian Caribbean Festival with live entertainment, cultural activities, food, drinks, vendors, information tables, and a COVID-19 clinic. In addition to purchasing individual food and drink items, attendees can also purchase buy a ticket to A Taste of Haiti Experience.
Print Show, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2-6 p.m., Checkerspot Brewing Company. Baltimore photographers will be selling prints to benefit the Baltimore Abortion Fund. Checkerspot Brewing Company, which is hosting the event, will also release a special beer to benefit the fund.
Taste of Northwest, Sunday, Aug. 14, 3-7 p.m., 4700 block of Park Heights Avenue. Enjoy a taste of Northwest Baltimore, with food from Juicing Jazz, Pimlico Market Cafe, Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm, Sobeachy Haitian Cuisine, Taharka Brothers Ice Cream, Tov Pizza, and Wild Bistro. There will also be music and entertainment from the Trinidad and Tobago Baltimore Steel Orchestra , DJ Smally, JCC Kids Zone, YBI African Apparel Fashion Show, and the Citywide Goldstarz Marching Band.
Pierre-Nicolas Colombat, Sunday, Aug. 14, 4 p.m., An Die Musik. Pierre-Nicolas Colombat will perform as part of tour in preparation for the recording of their full length album “Wagner’s Nightmare.”
