There are slight signs of fall as preseason football gets underway, but we’ve got plenty of ways to ignore back-to-school. This weekend’s festival lineup has plenty of cultural celebrations, from AFRAM in Druid Hill Park to the Muslim Food Fest. Meanwhile, in the streets, Dooby’s celebrates its fifth anniversary in Mount Vernon. And there’s a couple rum options, from a roof to a distillery. Check out what’s going on:
Happening tonight:
Explore the Core Happy Hour: 5 p.m. at Showroom Bar. Head to Motor House for the latest in a series of events highlighting Central Baltimore. Features performances from Amrita Dang and Baltimore Improv Group, plus $5 drink specials featuring the North Avenue Blossoms cocktail.
Imaginary Cities: 5 p.m. at AIA Baltimore. The opening reception for a collection of photographs and drawings by architect Geraldine Pontius, including photos of Tribeca and student work.
Baltimore Magazine Best of Baltimore Party: 6:30-10:30 p.m. at The Assembly Room. It’s time to get dressed in your best to celebrate the locals who were handed superlatives by Baltimore Magazine. The party itself features a cotton candy station, flower crown making, food from plenty of Baltimore restaurants, drinks and an enchanted forest.
An Evening with Laura Van Den Berg and Nate Brown: 6:30 p.m. at Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The Writers Live series from Enoch Pratt Free Library features Laura Van Den Berg, who recently released her latest novel, “The Third Hotel,” in conversation with Baltimore-based short story specialist Nate Brown.
Rum on the Roof: 7 p.m. at Maryland Science Center. Tobacco Barn Distillery is aging rum on the USS Constellation, and molasses from Domino is also a key ingredient. Grab a sample overlooking the harbor, and learn a bit about what it’s like to make rum…on a boat.
Illuminated (A Surrealist Garden Party): Aug. 9-25 at The Peale Center. Mingle with a cast of characters in the garden at the site of Baltimore’s first museum. It’s the latest immersive theater work at the Peale Center. Performances start at “19:24,” Thursday-Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens v. St. Louis Rams: 7:30 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium. Get the first look at the local football team in NFL preseason action.
The Breeders: 8 p.m. at Rams Head Live. The ’90s alt legends that gave us “Last Splash” and “Divine Hammer” are back on tour on the heels of a new album. They’ve soundtracked many summers, so an August date in Baltimore feels just right. Local group Post Pink opens.
Flicks from the Hill: 9 p.m. at American Visionary Art Museum. The latest installment of the screening series on Federal Hill features “Harriet the Spy.” Get some fitness in beforehand with a fun run at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, August 10
Pints in the Park: 5-8 p.m. at Center Plaza. The Friday outdoor downtown happy hour features, drink deals, music from Joi Carter and food from Green Grass Tall Trees, LB Bakery and Cream Cruiser.
Summer Socials: 5 p.m. at West Shore Park. The family friendly evening by the harbor features music from Charm City Riffs, and a visit from Port Discovery and the Maryland Zoo.
The Haven Series Waterways Release: 5 p.m. at Monument City Brewing. The Highlandtown brewery has a new double IPA. In the growing tradition of local brews for a cause, beers in the series raise funds for Trash Free Maryland and Blue Water Baltimore.
Groovin in the Garden: 6 p.m. at Franklintown Inn. The latest installment in the Jazzy Night Series features vocalist Alisha Glover. Bring a blanket and enjoy the outdoor setting.
Summer Sounds: 6 p.m. at Belvedere Square. Junkyard Saints brings the sounds of a New Orleans street party to the latest edition of the family-oriented outdoor concert series.
Twilight Swim: 7 p.m. at Patterson Park Pool. Swim at sunset in Southeast Baltimore. With music from DJ Nitro.
Vinyl Under the Stars: 7-9 p.m. at Diamondback Beer. The Locust Point brewery drops the needle on a new series featuring a community member playing records on the patio. First up is taproom manager Ryan Belton. Plus, food from Brick-N-Fire Pizza.
BIG Time: 8 p.m. at Baltimore Improv Group. The BIG series featuring the lives of local notables as fodder for sketch comedy sends up Jonathan Schwartz, executive director, Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric.
The Barnyard Sharks, Eze Jackson and Adam Holofcener: 8-11 p.m. at Reverb. The raucous rock group makes its debut at the venue in Station North, joined by rapper Eze Jackson and country-folk singer (and Ocean City busker protector) Adam Holofcener.
The Englishtown Project: 9 p.m. at Ottobar. Veterans of many jam bands get together to recreate the 1977 Summer’s End Concert at Raceway Park, which featured Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage and Marshall Tucker Band.
PUMP: 10 p.m. at The Crown. The free dance party features tuns from DJ Amsies and Genie.
Saturday, August 11
AFRAM Festival: August 11-12 at Druid Hill Park. The festival celebrating African American life returns to two days in 2018, with musical headliners Ella Mai, Dru Hill, Jacquees and VaShawn Mitchell. Plus, kids’ activities, arts, education, financial literacy and more.
Cat Show: Aug. 11-12 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Spend the day with feline friends and see various exhibitor displays and vendors.
Moonrise Festival: August 11-12 at Pimlico Race Course. The EDM and hip-hop festival is billed as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s biggest dance parties. In its fourth year, the fest features sets from Diplo, DJ Snake, Excision, Vince Staples and more. Plus, art installations and plenty of vendors.
Volunteering Untapped: 10 a.m. at the Baltimore Collaborative Warehouse. The volunteer group heads to a Woodberry warehouse that houses Leveling the Playing Field, Inc., The Maryland Book Bank, ShareBaby, Bedtime in a Box and Baltimore Teacher Supply Swap. After-party is at Blue Pit BBQ.
Youth Maker Summer Pop-Up: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Open Works. The Station North makerspace features teens from its own program and the wider community selling their creations.
Muslim Food Fest: noon-10 p.m. at Islamic Society of Baltimore. The sixth edition of the full-day event has plenty of chances to sample local halal food. Plus, a Grand Bazaar with vendors, entertainment and competitions.
29th Street Hoops 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament: noon-6 p.m. at 29th Street Community Center. Teams of all ages take to the court throughout the day, with proceeds supporting 29th St. Community Center.
Black Label Expo: 1-5 p.m. at Ideal Arts Space. The pop-up from C. Brown Enterprise features fashion from minority-owned businesses in Baltimore. Plus, music from Cierra Leone and a raffle.
Jonah and Friends play Far’s Water and Solutions: 4 p.m. at Ottobar. Before jamming with R2D2 in onelinedrawing, Jonah Matranga fronted Far. He’s back on tour to recreate the 1998 standout “Water and Solutions.” The Pauses and Nathan Gray of BoySetsFire open.
Dooby’s 5-Year Anniversary Party: 5 p.m. at Dooby’s. UPDATE: This event has been postponed due to the threat of thunderstorms. The Mount Vernon cafe is heading outside to celebrate a handful of years in business. It’s got food from the hosts, Peko Peko Ramen, Cocina Luchadoras, Sundays doughnuts and ice cream from Taharka Bros. Plus, a cash bar.
South Point – Opening Party: 5 p.m. at South Point. The new outdoor event space in Port Covington’s Middle Branch Park is getting up and running by the water with music, cocktails, food trucks and outdoor games. After this first taste, it’s open in the evenings from Thursday-Sunday.
Broadway Live Open Mic: 6-9 p.m. at Motor House. Dance and Bmore hosts an evening revisiting showtunes, with the night split into sections for parents and kids, then adults. Get ready for lip sync battles.
NYC Comedy Invades Baltimore: 7-9 p.m. at Joe Squared. Touring stand-up specialists from New York, including Jordan Raybould, Bret Raybould and Will Poznan, head Downsquares.
Luigi’s Summer Movie Series: 8:30 p.m. at Luigi’s Italian Deli. The Hampden hangout screens “Dazed and Confused.” BYOB.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor: 8:30 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. There’s always a sense of creeping apocalypse with the instrumental music collective, but the combination of post-rock and multi-part instrumentation make it sound worth enduring.
Sunday, August 12
Summer Vintage Sip & Shop: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at R. House. Baltimore Vintage Flea features vendors with clothing, furniture, household items and some surprise finds. Don’t call it a throwback.
Sour Sunday Spectacular: noon at Waverly Brewing Company. Pucker up for some sour beers. The Woodberry brewery has six of its own, and it’s welcoming a half-dozen more locals for the occasion.
Baltimore Rum Day Block Party: 1-6 p.m. at Old Line Spirits. The distillery goes full rum for an event with games, prizes and vendors along for the voyage.
Lighthouse Point Summer Sounds: 1-4 p.m. at Lighthouse Point. The recently opened Canton oasis features a Sunday afternoon concert from Sons of Pirates, plus food trucks and kids’ activities.
Cacahuatl: The La Rifa Chocolate Tour: 2-4 p.m. at Clavel. The Remington Mexican-inspired spot hosts Daniel Reza Barrientos for a look at cacao and how it becomes chocolate. This tour features the sense of taste.
Riverside Concert Series: 5-8 p.m. at Riverside Park. The High and Wides headline the outdoor park concert. Grab food from The Smoking Swine or a treat from Miss Twist Ice Cream.
Friends of Patterson Park Concert Series: 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Patterson Park. Joe Falero and DC Latin Jazz plays Pagoda Hill, with a variety of styles and latin dance class at intermission.
Deakin: 8 p.m. at Parkway Theatre. The member of Animal Collective released his first solo album in 2016. “Sleep Cycle” was seven years in the making, and inspired by a trip to Mali. Now he’s on tour with Highlife and Steve Strohmeier. Nicole Mazarakis and Greg St. Pierre will provide visuals.
Raindeer: 8 p.m. at The Crown. The local indie band plays Station North with Echo Courts, Suspirians and Muscle.
Upcoming:
- Caleb Stine closes out the Friends of Patterson Park Concert Series on Pagoda Hill on Aug. 15.
- Mobtown Ballroom’s annual Lindy 500 is set for Aug. 16-19, with a Lindy Hop competition, workshops and more.
- Red Bull Amaphiko Festival features three days of events focused on local creativity and innovation on Aug. 17-19.
- The Hot August Music Festival spreads out in Cockeysville on Aug. 18, with The Revivalists, Trampled by Turtles and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe among the acts on three stages at Oregon Ridge Park.
