With Hurricane Florence bearing down to the south, a few cancellations have come through. Yet the creative energy goes on with festivals featuring pinball, podcasts and more. Plus, there are new theater openings, a big flea market in Patterson Park and a block party in Abell. Check out the weekend plans:
Happening tonight
Shawarma on the Roof: 5-9 p.m. at LB Skybar. Mera Kitchen Collective, which provides food entrepreneurship opportunities for immigrants and refugees, heads to the roof of the Lord Baltimore Hotel. Syrian shawarma will be offered, with chicken and vegetarian options.
“Deep Cuts” opening reception: 5:30 p.m. at WTMD. Steve Parke once served as Prince’s personal photographer. Tonight, he’ll exhibit portraits of influential musicians such as Debbie Harry, Aretha, David Bowie and the Purple One himself. The reception features music from Ed Lauer Trio.
CityLit SWING: 6 p.m. at Motor House. Poet and children’s author Kwame Alexander is recognized with the Chic Dambach Award for Service to the Literary Arts. Includes a reading, jazz and libations.
Startup Grind: 6-9 p.m. at Spark Baltimore. The co-working space above Power Plant Live! plays host to a fireside chat with Todd Harvey, principal at Baltimore design and digital agency Mission Media.
Best of Baltimore Student Film Festival: 6:30 p.m. at Creative Alliance. The city’s college filmmakers get together to screen their work and network.
Baltimore Korean Movie Series: 7 p.m. at Parkway Theatre. The Korean Cultural Center screens “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring,” the 2003 classic from Kim ki-duk, which follows a Buddhist monk’s life.
David Small: 7 p.m. at Atomic Books. The artist discusses “Home After Dark,” a new graphic novel that takes on adolescence in the 1950s.
“Putin on Ice”: Through October 7 at Single Carrot Theatre. Acme Corporation and Single Carrot team up for a fantastical portrait of the Russian leader. Preview night on 9/13 is pay-what-you-can.
Mt. Joy: 8 p.m. at the 8×10. The folk rock band led by Matt Quinn and Sam Cooper plays Federal Hill. Illiterate Light opens.
Jacuzzi Boys: 8 p.m. at Metro Gallery. The Miami rock band makes a stop in Baltimore. Unholy Sights and Bottled Up open.
Shocktail Hour: 9 p.m. at Golden West Cafe. “My Mom’s a Werewolf” screens at the monthly horror movie night on The Avenue, hosted by Aurora Gorealis. And, a raffle.
Friday, Sept. 14
Natural Products Expo East: Through Sept. 14 at Baltimore Convention Center. It’s the final year in Baltimore for the massive tradeshow features a chance to see the newest goods focusing on health and wellness, and sustainability. Last year’s event drew more than 1,500 brands.
PinBaltimore: Sept. 14-16 at Holy Frijoles. The weekend festival of pinball features all-you-can-play on more than 40 machines in multiple rooms. Plus music and commentary.
Bricks, Brews and Crews: Sept. 14-16 at Monument City Brewing. The weekend of live graffiti creation raises money for The Loading Dock. Food trucks will be onhand, and Friday includes a DJ set from Rob Macy of Save Your Soul.
Baltimore Podcast Festival: Sept. 14-16 in Station North. The weekend features live episodes and some of the best local hosts. Venues include The Crown, Baltimore Improv Group and Windup Space.
Pints in the Park: 5-8 p.m. at Center Plaza. The outdoor happy hour in the center of downtown features music from Janine Wilson Band, plus food and drink specials.
Julia Turshen: 5:30 p.m. at Greedy Reads. The cookbook author celebrates the publication of a new book on new ways to get the most out of leftovers.
“The Laramie Project”: Sept. 14-23 at Iron Crow Theatre. The play weaves together scenes revisiting the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay man who was kidnapped, tortured and died in a hate crime that led to a nationwide call for new legislation.
“My Art”: 7 p.m. at Parkway Theatre. Photographer Laurie Simms makes her directorial debut with a look at a house sitting trip in Upstate New York, and will be onhand to screen the film along with actor John Rothman.
Afro Project X: Sept. 14-15 at The Creative Labs. Featuring two days of live music, DJ sets and vendors offering Afro-centric beauty, fashion, health and art.
Jukebox the Ghost: 8 p.m. at Rams Head Live. The power pop band performs in support of its fifth album, “Off to the Races.”
Algiers: 8 p.m. at Creative Alliance. The indie trio marrying post-punk and soul plays Highlandtown, with opener F City.
Sarah Sullivan and the New Old Fashioneds: 8 p.m. at Mobtown Ballroom: The swing band provides the soundtrack for a night of dancing in Pigtown. Beginner lesson at 8 p.m., then the party is on.
Saturday, Sept. 15
Defenders Day Weekend: September 15-16 at Fort McHenry. The celebration marking the success of defending Baltimore during the War of 1812 (in 1814) includes a parade and an interpretive program with military encampments. On Saturday night, a reception ends with fireworks.
Butchers Hill Flea Market and Craft Fair: 9 a.m. at Patterson Park. More than 150 vendors will be on hand at the northwest corner of the Southeast Baltimore park. Plus live music and food.
Saturday Morning Tunes Movie Soundtrack Show: 9:30 a.m. at Baltimore School for the Arts. “Frozen” and “Moana” get the live treatment from Baltimore bands including Outcalls and Blackroot Underground, respectively. WTMD presents.
Fall Pop Up Shop: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Second Chance. Local vendors and makers will have a chance to sell their wares at the reclaimed houseware store.
5th Annual Baltimore Seafood Fest: noon-7 p.m. at Canton Waterfront Park. More than 40 local restaurants and vendors will be on hand with the best from underwater. Plus, cooking demos, live music and family friendly activities.
Baltimore Spirits Company Grand Opening: noon-7 p.m. at Union Collective. The distillers formerly known as Baltimore Whiskey Company are moved into new digs in Medfield. To celebrate, they’re releasing a new batch of Epoch Rye, and offering a look inside.
Bal Folk Baltimore: 2-4 p.m. at Four Hour Day Lutherie. Slyte of Hand offers up traditional French and Breton music and dancing.
Rosé After Hours: 7 p.m. at Harbor Point. You may drink it all day, but this festival shows there’s no reason to stop. Grab a pink chic outfit and get ready to sip. More than 75 varieties will be available for the tasting. Plus, food trucks, DJs and open shopping.
Bernard and Huey: 7 p.m. at Parkway Theatre. Director Dan Mirvish and author Jules Feiffer will be onhand for the screening of the film about two college friends who reconnect.
Infinity’s Kitchen Late Show: 7 p.m. at Normal’s Books and Records. The monthly event features writers and performances. This month features local band Duchess and the Deadbirds (including our own Ethan McLeod), with Linda Franklin and Ed Zahniser.
Flying Jacob: 7 p.m. at Metro Gallery. The alternative band celebrates the release of a new album. With The Chief End (EP release), Circuit Villains, Shelby Blondell and Night Hum.
Say Anything (w/John Cusack): 7:30 p.m. at the Modell Lyric. Lloyd Dobler returns to the screen, then the star comes out for a Q&A to go behind the scenes.
Eyehategod: 7:30 p.m. at Ottobar. The New Orleans sludge metal band is in town for a show with the Obsessed, Tombs, Crow hunter, Strange Brew and Earthworm von Doom.
Propagandhi: 7:30 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. The Canadian punk band continues the victory lap behind its latest release. Iron Chic and Sharptooth open.
Bollymore 1 Year Party: 8 p.m. at Motor House. The celebration of the subcontinent features performances by Jacob Marley, Sylvia Vadakara, Ami Dang and Amyrekha. Plus free samosas.
Kix: 9 p.m. at Rams Head Live. Maryland’s own hair metal deities are still at it, with hits like Midnite Dynamite, Cold Blood and Blow My Fuse leading the way.
Home is Where the House is: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Diskobar. DJ Diaspora spins broken beat combining Afrobeat, Latin beat, deep house, Brazilian jazz, disco, drum ‘n bass/jungle, and nujazz.
Sunday, Sept. 16
2018 Geico Tunnel Run: 8 a.m. at Fort McHenry Tunnel. The 5K goes beneath, as Bore 4 becomes a running and walking zone on a Sunday morning.
Abell Community Street Fair: noon-5 p.m. at 3000-3200 Abell Ave. The neighborhood festival has two stages of music, food trucks, bake sale, local art, a crab feast and craft beer from the community’s own Peabody Heights. Plus, a children’s parade.
Great Bridal Expo: noon-4 p.m. at Hyatt Regency Baltimore. For the engaged, it’s a chance to find local businesses who can make a wedding wondrous, plus a honeymoon show. The afternoon features a bridal fashion show, live orchestra, DJ and more.
Pro Musica Rara: 3:30 p.m. at Baltimore Museum of Art. The local early music ensemble features recorder virtuoso Paul Leenhouts in a concert titled “Venetian Carnival”
Inside the Block Outside the Box: 4-6 p.m. at Creative Alliance. The event features short dance works in various spaces of the Highlandtown art center.
End of Summer Party: 4-6 p.m. at La Food Marketa. The South American spot in Pikesville features all you can eat street food and drink to send off summer days.
Hollins Summer Sounds Block Party: 4-7 p.m. at Hollins Market. It’s the final installment of the concert series with local food trucks, vendors and more.
Upcoming:
- Charm City Night Market gathers on a block of Baltimore’s historic Chinatown to celebrate the city’s Asian American culture on Sept. 22.
- Baltimore Magazine’s first-ever music festival turns up on Sept. 22 at Union Collective with TT The Artist, Cris Jacobs, DDm and more.
- Pigtown Festival returns Sept. 22, which means the Squeakness (a.k.a. live pig races) returns.
- Reading ahead, the Baltimore Book Festival returns Sept. 28.
- Baltimore Comic Con arrives September 28-30.
- Baltimore Innovation Week is coming up October 6-12, with a weeklong spotlight on the city’s tech community, and a chance to see the spaces where the work is happening.
