The heat hasn’t left, but the fall events season is kicking into gear. This week shows off all Baltimore’s creative spirit, whether it’s chalk art in Little Italy, toilet bowl races in Hampden or taxidermy at the Walters. And get ready for the Ravens home opener on Sunday. Here’s the lineup:
Happening tonight
Brews and Board Games Pop-Up: 4-7 p.m. at Parts and Labor. Stop by one last time to say farewell to the Remington butcher and bar. Along with games, they’ll have happy hour specials.
Fourth Annual Baltimore Taxidermy Open: 5-8:30 p.m. at Walters Art Museum. Bazaar and the Walters host a night exploring the art of preserving an animal’s body with stuffing. It’s an intro to work in the museum’s collection, as well as alternative approaches. Programming includes demos, an artist talk and art-making activities.
Paws for a Cause: 5-8 p.m. at Monument City Brewing Company. The charity night and silent auction raises money for Animal Safe Haven & Adoptions, Show Your Soft Side and Furry Friends Network. Features guest bartenders, brewery tours, games and more.
WTMD’s First Thursday Festival: 5:30-10 p.m. at Canton Waterfront Park. The series closes out the season with tune-yards, Wild Child and Jackie Greene.
Downtown Baltimore Architecture Tours: 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 225 N. Calvert St. The Baltimore Architecture Foundation and the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore lead a tour of the former bank building-turned-colorful apartment complex.
Exhibiting Black Art at BMA and Beyond: 6 p.m. at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The panel discussion features art historian Bridget Cooks, author of “Exhibiting Blackness: African Americans and the American Art Museum,” and Morgan Dowty, curator of BMA exhibition “1939: Exhibiting Black Art at the BMA.”
“Worse Than Trump: The American Plantation” book release: 6 p.m. at Langston Hughes Community, Business and Resource Center. Dayvon Love, director of policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, discusses his new book detailing the Baltimore Uprising and pitfalls of contemporary activism with Morgan State University communication studies professor Jared Ball.
Evening in the Valley: 6-9 p.m. Caves Farm. Benefitting Maryland SPCA, the event features live music, a silent auction and an appearance from pets up for adoption.
Theatre Project’s Weekend of Clowns: Sept. 6-9 at Baltimore Theatre Project. A pair of unique shows including the one-woman Angela Delfini Explains it All For You and Mysterious Magical Brandishers of Magic, from a trio who enjoy getting the audience involved.
Farewell to Summer Soiree: 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Baltimore Museum of Industry. It’s not fall on the calendar yet. The outdoor event features cuisine from Chef’s Expressions, summer cocktails, live music and an ice cream sandwich bar. Proceeds benefit BMI’s efforts to Save the Crane that hovers above Key Highway.
Chapo Trap House: 8 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. The five-member team behind the political comedy podcast makes a downtown stop for a live show.
Mac DeMarco: 8 p.m. at Rams Head Live. The critically acclaimed indie rocker stops by for a surprise show.
Dead Boys: 8 p.m. at Metro Gallery. The OG punk act is getting back together at the behest of guitarist Cheetah Chrome. Ghost Wolves and Ravagers open.
Ex Hex: 8:30 p.m. at Ottobar. See the latest rock ‘n roll project from indie legend Mary Timony (Helium, Wild Flag). EzTV and Romantic States open.
Gin and Jokes: The September Spectacular: 8:30-11:30 p.m. at Baltimore Spirits Company. The distillery formerly known as Baltimore Whiskey Company hosts a night of laughs with stand-up comedian Dan Perlman, of NYC.
Eric Arn and Margaret Unknown: 9 p.m. at True Vine Record Shop. The experimental guitar duo plays an intimate set at one of the city’s best record stores.
Friday, Sept. 7
Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival: Sept. 7-10 in Little Italy. Paint the streets (with chalk). The festival features 51 artist recreating classical and contemporary works. Plus, live music, theater, food and an art market.
The Official Draken Experience: Sept. 7-10 at Brown’s Wharf. The viking ship Draken Harald Hårfagre docks in Fells Point for the weekend, bringing along a village and a chance to see what viking life was like.
Baltimore Sails & Tours: Sept. 7-8 at the Inner Harbor. Kalmar Nyckel, the tall ship of Delaware, docks in Baltimore and offers sailing trips at a cost and tours of the ship for free.
First Friday Community Art Walk: 5-9 p.m. at Highlandtown Arts District. More than 15 venues are participating in the summer send-off, with live music, art demos and drink specials included.
Summer Sounds: 6-9 p.m. at Belvedere Square. The outdoor Friday event features music from zydeco/blues/funk band The Crawdaddies, plus local vendors.
Ravens Countdown to Kickoff Party: 7 p.m. at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. The ’90s alt-rock greats Third Eye Blind and English rock band the Struts help Ravens fans celebrate the start of football season.
First Friday Show: 7 p.m. at The Four Hour Day Lutherie. The musical instrument store on Harford Road hosts Corey Thuro, Max Kennedy and The Naked Sun.
“Survival Bias”/”Floating on Mended Boats”: 7 p.m. at Current Space. Opening reception for exhibitions featuring the work of Brittany De Nigris, Adam Milner and Seth Adelsberger.
First Friday featuring UNION Craft: 7-10 p.m. at Atomic Books. Head to Eightbar on the eve of Hampdenfest for drafts and bites from Blue Pit.
Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out Live: 8 p.m. at Royal Farms Arena. The MTV star revives his sketch comedy show and game session for the arena. Plus, musical guest Rick Ross.
Miz Jaxxxn presents “Single Muva, Man of the House“: 8-11 p.m. at Motor House. The local comedian explores single motherhood in a one-woman show.
Gang Gang Dance: 8 p.m. at Metro Gallery. The New York electronic fusion masters are touring in support of their first album since 2011. Deakin (of Animal Collective) and Brandon Carlo open.
The Greenberry Woods Reunion: September 7-8 at Waverly Brewing. The local power pop legends are getting back together for a pair of intimate shows.
NamasBey: A Beyonce Birthday Bash: 8 p.m. at YogaWorks Midtown. Celebrate Queen Bey with yoga for an hour of Friday night.
Save Your Soul: 9 p.m. at Lithuanian Hall. DJs Rob Macy and Baby Alcatraz spin soul and R&B 45s, with a tribute to the departed queen Aretha Franklin.
Saturday, Sept. 8
11th Biennial Dragon Boat Races: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Inner Harbor. Watch 28 teams as they carry on the tradition in colorful canoes. They’ll be paddling to win, raising funds for philanthropies including Catholic Charities in the process.
FamFest: 8:30 a.m.-noon at Lake Montebello. Head to Northeast Baltimore for a walk and fair with plenty of family-friendly activities.
Maryland Seafood Festival: Sept. 8-9 at Sandy Point State Park. Head down to the shores of the bay to same all sorts of tasty food, enjoy activities and more.
Volunteering Untapped Druid Hill Park Beautification: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. The volunteer event draws a big crowd in September. Fan out across the park as well as the Druid Heights community. Stick around for the after party at Columbus Pavilion.
Hampdenfest: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on The Avenue. The daylong celebration of Hampden features music on three stages from The Plimsouls, Raindeer, The Electric Mess and many more. And don’t forget the toilet bowl races down on Chestnut at 3 p.m.
Locust Point Festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Latrobe Park. Celebrate the South Baltimore community with activities, adult beverages, music and more.
Vegan Love Cookout: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. in Druid Hill Park. The animal-free festival features food vendors, cooking demos, fitness sessions and more.
The Art of Activism: Building the Penn Avenue Black Arts District: noon-5 p.m. at Jubilee Arts. The kick-off event for a Black Arts District in Baltimore features workshops, a panel discussion, community feedback and live soul and hip-hop.
Greenspaces Brewery Release: noon-5 p.m. at Monument City Brewing. The Highlandtown brewery releases the second edition of the Haven series, another double IPA.
Bacon Jam: 1-5 p.m. at Power Plant Live. The bacon, bourbon and music festival features jam bands and bacon in many forms–including an ingredient in cocktails.
Maryland Renaissance Festival: Weekends through Oct. 21 in Crownsville. The village of Revel Gove heads into the fall season. Grab a steak on a stake and mingle with merrymakers performing, crafting and riding.
Performance and Conversation: Maren Hassinger: 3:30 p.m. at Baltimore Museum of Art. See the sculptor and performance artist’s new exhibition, and a performance in Fox Court.
Yoga With Cats: 3:30 p.m. at M Power Yoga Studio. Stretch out with (adoptable) felines in Canton, benefitting AARF.
UGK Tailored: Cumin!: 6:30- 9:30 p.m. Chef Hamidullah Noori explores Mediterranean flavors in the latest installment of Underground Kitchen.
Dancing on the Ceiling: 7 p.m. at Motor House. A dance party for all ages from Leslie King Hammond and Ruth Crane, paying tribute to Aretha Franklin.
Baltimore Square Dance: 8 p.m. at Mobtown Ballroom. Head to Pigtown for live music and calling. Dances will be taught onsite.
Depth Perception: 8 p.m. at the 8×10. The electronic music show features NastyNasty, Proko and Shanghai Doom.
Los Tiki Phantoms: 8 p.m. at the Ottobar. The Spanish surf rock group comes to Baltimore as part of its first U.S. tour. The Primitive Finks, the Bali Lamas and The Phantom Killers open.
Ritual Talk, Strange Attractor, Ackerman: 9 p.m. at The Crown. The Brooklyn and Baltimore bands play Station North.
Sunday, Sept. 9
Donut Run: 9 a.m. at Lake Roland. Take a run through Lake Roland’s trails; donuts and coffee await.
Heavy Seas Food Truck Festival: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Heavy Seas Beer. Seven different food trucks swing by the Halethorpe brewery to serve up meals to go along with those pints. One dollar from every beer and $5 from every ticket goes to the Maryland Food Bank.
Laos in the House: Food Popup: noon at Mayuree Thai Tavern. The Canton eatery features cuisine from Laos. Proceeds go to relief efforts following a dam collapse.
Ravens vs. Bills: 1 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium. The NFL season gets underway with the Ravens at home against the Upstate New York team.
Summer Sounds: 1 p.m. at Lighthouse Point. The Canton edition of the outdoor series features music from The New Romance.
Day Party: 4-8 p.m. at Waverly Brewing Company. DJ Fleg and James Nasty head to the Woodberry brewery to close out the weekend with grooves.
Riverside Concert Series: 5 p.m. at Riverside Park. Wyland plays out the summer, with Pizza di Joey and Miss Twist Ice Cream providing food.
Gabriel Kahane: 7:30 p.m. at Creative Alliance. The singer-songwriter heads to Highlandtown on a tour following the release of Book of Travelers, which was the result of a road trip after President Donald Trump’s election.
Michael Ian Black: 8 p.m. at Ottobar. The TV comedy star returns to Baltimore, with Christine Ferrera opening.
Upcoming:
- Celebrate the heroes of the Battle of Baltimore with Defenders’ Day celebrations at Fort McHenry on Sept. 14-15.
- More than 150 vendors are expected to set up shop at the Butchers Hill Flea Market & Craft Fair on Sept. 15.
- Get ready to shuck and pick at the 5th Annual Baltimore Seafood Festival on Sept. 15.
- Local hair metal gods Kix headline Rams Head Live on Sept. 15.
- Baltimore Spirits Company opens its new home at Union Collective (under a new name) on Sept. 15.
- Abell Community Street Fair has live music, a children’s parade and a crab feast on Sept. 16.
- 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.
Best coverags of often underserved events in Baltimore. Great job!