While the temperatures are starting to drop, making October finally feel like fall, it’s still worth getting outside to cheer on runners of the human (Baltimore Running Festival) or equine (Jim McKay Maryland Million Day) variety.
Plus, Baltimore Comic-Con arrives for its 20th edition, and there are great concerts from Romantic States, In This Moment, Mudhoney, Eddie Henderson and others. Here’s the lineup.
Friday, Oct. 18
Baltimore Comic-Con: through Oct. 19 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Check out three days of pop culture as the event celebrates 20 years. Programming includes special guests, a cosplay contest and plenty of chance to meet artists from the area and beyond.
Carnivorous Plant Display: through Oct. 27 at the Rawlings Conservatory. In Druid Hill Park, the Rawlings Conservatory is putting the plants that eat insects and other life on display. Pitcher Plants, or nepenthes, will get the star turn.
Mobtown Ballroom 8th Anniversary: through Oct. 19 at Mobtown Ballroom. The Pigtown dance haven features two nights with Chelsea Reed, bringing 5-piece and 9-piece combos in celebration.
Maryland Food Truck Week Kickoff: 5-9 p.m. at South Point. The statewide celebration of mobile munchies begins in Port Covington with a half-dozen trucks.
MD Home & Garden Show/Craft Show: through Sunday at Maryland State Fairgrounds. Hundreds of fall garden suppliers, home improvement contractors, crafters and other exhibitors set up for a weekend show.
Charm City Fringe: through Sunday at Bromo Arts District. The 10-day theater festival includes sketches, puppets, dance and performance art on downtown’s Westside.
Mudhoney, Kid Congo Powers, The Ritchie White Orchestra, Murder: 7 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. The Seattle grunge legends and others stop through the Inner Harbor.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” w/ Betty O’Hellno & Friends: 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. through Sunday at Creative Alliance. Singalongs, live burlesque and other fun accompany a screening of the cult classic.
The Nevermore Haunt 2019: 7 p.m-midnight through Nov. 3 at 450 Mott St. The 19th-century themed haunted house returns at Old Town Mall for a fourth Halloween season, with new characters, scenes and other fear-inducing updates.
Taller Tales and Goodbye July: 7-11:30 p.m. at Metro Gallery. Local alt-rockers Taller Tales and Frederick’s Goodbye July team up for a double album release, with The Henchmen opening.
Night of 1K Dollys: 8 p.m. at Rituals. The Station North bar pays tribute to Dolly Parton with a lookalike contest and drag performances.
“Bits & Pieces”: 8 p.m., through Nov. 2 at Mercury Theater. The premiere of a two-week run for a creepy collection of short horror plays, covering everything from possessed dolls to human sacrifice.
Tank and The Bangas: 8 p.m. at Rams Head Live. The New Orleans group blending jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop, spoken word and more stops at Power Plant Live! in support of their sophomore album, “Green Balloon.”
Saturday, Oct. 19
Baltimore Running Festival: All day. Inner Harbor is the headquarters for a series of runs traversing the city at distances from a marathon to a 5K. Let’s wish all the runners the best, as they’ve been training for this day a long time. For the rest, check out the route and parking restrictions ahead of time so you’re not caught off guard.
The Market at Montebello: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Lake Montebello. It’s the final weekend for the inaugural market series at the reservoir in Northeast Baltimore, featuring snacks, coffee, vendors, live music and other activities.
4th Annual Fall Festival: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Herring Run Park. Blue Water Baltimore’s free seasonal festival is back with cider, doughnuts, nature activities, pumpkin painting and sales on select Maryland-native shrubs and trees.
OktoBEARfest: noon-4 p.m. at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. Walk among the animals and grab unlimited samples of some exotic brews. Plus, food, live music and more.
Jim McKay Maryland Million Day: 1 p.m. at Laurel Park. The annual race day highlighting Maryland’s thoroughbreds returns with seven stakes races and more than $1 million in prizes. In addition to the races, guests can enjoy a variety of food options.
Towson Rock Block: 3-8 p.m. at WTMD. D.C. garage rockers Ex Hex and Baltimore’s own Post Pink headline a showcase of local artists. Also, food vendors, beer, art for sale and kids’ activities.
Opening Reception: “Stories In Small Spaces”: 6-9 p.m. at Gallery C.A. The opening for a two-week exhibition of works melding Bonnie J. Schupp’s photography and ellen cherry’s lyrics and music, inviting viewers to “become participants through their own imagination.”
Totally Rad 30th Anniversary Party for RTB: 6-9 p.m. at Peabody Heights Brewing. Community-based home-repair nonprofit Rebuilding Together Baltimore rings in its 30th anniversary with an ’80s party, food, locally brewed beer and a silent auction.
An Evening with Mike Rowe: “The Way I Heard It”: 7-9 p.m. at The Church of the Redeemer. The TV show host and Baltimore native stops in North Baltimore to promote his latest book and do a Q&A with a host and the audience.
DRESS to the NINES: 7-10 p.m. at Christopher Schafer Clothier. Celebrate nine years in business for the custom menswear designer in Fells Point with live jazz from the Eric Byrd Trio, food from Chef Egg and Key Brewing Co. beer. As the event name suggests, come dressed in your best.
Romantic States: 7 p.m. at Rituals. The local indie group celebrates the release of “Ballerina.” Spooled Up, No Hair and James & the Giant Peach also perform.
50 Foot Woman turns 50: 8 p.m. at Metro Gallery. Baltimore polymath Rahne Alexander celebrates the big 5-0 by performing a number of cover songs, enlisting the help of musicians from local groups Guided by Wire, Super City, PLRLS, Manners Manners, The Jennifers and many, many more.
“Black Celebration“: 8 p.m. at The Ottobar. Post-punk faves Joy Division, The Cure and Siouxsie & the Banshees get the tribute band treatment, plus DJ Matthew Rubbish spins.
Eddie Henderson w/Donald Harrison & Mike Clark: Oct. 19-20 at Keystone Korner. The trumpeter, who has a relationship with the club dating back to when it opened its original location in San Francisco in the early 1970s, performs.
Skin Tight Soul Party: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at The Crown. Landis Expandis’ monthly dance party featuring soul and funk classics is back in Station North.
Sunday, Oct. 20
Walking Tour: Mount Vernon Place and Monument Climb: 10-11 a.m. at Mount Vernon Place. Mount Vernon Place and Baltimore Heritage co-host a tour of the historic neighborhood and a climb of its famed monument.
Baltimore Symphony Musicians: noon-1 p.m. at Keystone Korner. Flautist Christine Murphy, bassoon player Harrison Miller and pianist Michael Sheppard perform music by Bach, Weber and more.
Octoberfest Featuring the Salem Brew Trials: noon-4 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Baltimore City. Enjoy a homebrew competition and German food at this block party. Proceeds benefit the Riverside Third Space Community Center.
Wine and House Music Festival: 1-7 p.m. at the Fifth Regiment Armory. Spend an afternoon with local wines and others dance music enthusiasts.
Courtyard Craft and Flea: The Occult: 1-6 p.m. at The Alchemy of Art. Local vendors Dear Globe Coffee, Baby Toni’s Oysters, Granddaughter of Glass, Amethyst Botanicals, Black Raddish Handmades and others set up shop for an occult-themed flea market.
OFF Market Fest: 2-7 p.m. at 1100 Wicomico St. More than 40 vendors are setting up for this market that promises to bring together local food, music and art.
“Reflections, Roots & Culture- Native America, Mexico & Cuba”: 2-4 p.m. at Luann Carra Gallery. The photo exhibit includes shots of community Pow Wows, Day of the Dead processions and the streetlife of Havana, Cuba. Uptown Boyz will play a ceremonial Native American drum, and Conjunto Bruja will play Mexican folk music.
National Italian American Gallery: A Day with Leonardo Da Vinci: 2:45-4:15 p.m. at the Italian Cultural Center of Maryland. As part of Free Fall Baltimore the organization teaches children about the Renaissance through costumes, drawings and music.
Duchess and the DeadBirds: 7 p.m. at Zissimos Bar. The local psych-rock band (featuring our very own Ethan McLeod!) celebrates the release of its new album, “Radio Low.” Shy Lust and Strawberry Sleepover open.
In This Moment: 7:30 p.m. at Rams Head Live. The Los Angeles gothic metal band comes downtown on the tour for its seventh album, “Mother.” New Years Day, DED and Little Miss Nasty also perform.
Law & Order: B.I.G.: 7:30-8:30 p.m. at the BIG Theater. Dun Dun. The improv group draws inspiration from everyone’s favorite TV procedural.
BJ The Chicago Kid: 7 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. The Windy City singer-songwriter comes to town in support of his new release, “1123.” Rayana Jay and Kamauu open.
Essential Tremors Presents: 8 p.m. at Fadensonnen. The locally based music podcast hosts D.C. guitarist Jon Camp for a performance.
Upcoming:
- The Great Halloween Lantern Parade marches on Patterson Park on Oct. 26.
- Join us at True Chesapeake Oyster Co. on Oct. 27 as we celebrate the Baltimost awards.
- Halloween brings on a slew of costume parties and more.
