Happening Tonight:
MDFF: Showings from 4 p.m.-11:30 p.m. including “Sickies Making Films” (4 p.m. at Parkway 1), Shorts: Narrative (5 p.m. at MICA Lazarus), “Caniba” (7:15 p.m. at Parkway 3), Shorts: Comedy (10:15 p.m. at MICA Lazarus) and more. Click here for full schedule.
First Thursday: 5:30 p.m. in Canton Square Park. The free, warmer-weather concert series from WTMD returns with two stages of music. 90s alt heroes Belly headline the season opener on the big stage, along with Low Cut Connie and Loma the Band. An all-blues stage features the Nighthawks, Tom Principato and the Ursula Ricks Project.
Spring Soiree: 5:30-8:30 p.m. It’s as warm as it’ll ever be to start May, so check out the new courtyard and patio at Magdalena in Midtown. The evening features live music from Ebb & Nova, along with specialty cocktails.
“RBG”: 7 p.m. at the Charles Theatre. The doc, presented by the Open Society Institute, traces U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from her rise as a liberal lion to full-blown pop-culture icon. Panel to follow featuring Maryland Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Friedman and former Ginsburg clerk Joshua Civin.
Charm City Comedy Festival: 7 p.m. May 3-4, 4 p.m. on May 5-6, Zissimo’s Bar. The Charm City Comedy festival is back on The Avenue. With Wednesday night’s open mic in the books, the weekend now brings nearly 50 improv and sketch comedy acts to the stage over four nights at Zissimo’s.
Friday, May 4:
MDFF: Showings from 11:00 a.m.-11:45 p.m. including “The Great Pretender” (2 p.m. at Parkway 1), “Father’s Kingdom” (4:15 p.m. at MICA Gateway), “Five Fingers for Marseilles” (6:15 p.m. at Parkway 2), John Waters Presents “I, Olga Hepnarová” (7 p.m. at Parkway 1) and more. Click here for full schedule.
FlowerMart: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., May 4 and 5. Spring blooms with garden and flower displays around Mt. Vernon Square. Add in grand hats, a dog show and a parade, and there are plenty of reasons to pay a visit. To complete the tradition bouquet, grab a lemon peppermint stick.
Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention: Starts at 2 p.m. May 4 and 11 a.m. May 5-6, Baltimore Convention Center. Among the hundreds of artists will be a host of former competitors on Ink Master.
Yappy Hour: 6-9 p.m., Harbor Point Central Plaza. A chance to bring the furry friends down by the water at Harbor Point. The Dog Chef will have canine treats, while Pablos Tacos will bring something for humans to munch on. For those just coming to pet other dogs, Wings of Love Kuwait will be on-hand with adoption-ready dogs.
Bmore Exposed: 6-9 p.m. The Motor House gives local musicians the stage for a full night, with a focus on showcasing artists from various backgrounds. The night features Micah E. Wood, Ebb & Nova and Trapedelia. Stick around for the 90s by Nature Dance Party with DJ Fleg.
First Friday: 3-11 p.m., along Harford Road. The monthly art showcase returns to Hamilton-Lauraville for May, with discounts and free stuff at local businesses and a chance to check out what’s new at the galleries.
Fiery Fiddles: 8-11 p.m. Head to Creative Alliance for the Baltimore Fiddle Showcase, featuring old-time experts Ken and Brad Kolodner, Rachel Eddy, rootsy combo the High and Wides, Jim Eagan of O’Malleys March and Scottish fiddle champion Elke Baker.
Saturday, May 5:
MDFF: Showings from 10 a.m.-10:45 p.m. including “Human Affairs” (11:15 a.m. at Parkway 3), Shorts: Unortho-Docs (11:15 a.m. at MICA Lazarus), “Time Trial” (2:00 p.m. at MICA Gateway), “This is Home” (4:30 p.m. at MICA Brown), “Let the Corpses Tan” (9:30 p.m. at MICA Brown) and more. Click here for full schedule.
Kinetic Sculpture Race: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. The city’s colorful cycling competitors take to the streets for a kaleidoscopic obstacle course. The people-powered, moving works form a moving exhibition. Starting at the American Visionary Art Museum and heading into the water and through the mud of Southeast Baltimore, teams traverse 15 miles on the day. There’s plenty of time to check out a few vantage points, and stay for the equally outlandish awards ceremony.
Festival for the Animals: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. The Maryland SPCA holds its annual walk-a-thon to raise money to provide aid to homeless pets in the community. After the walk, the all-day event at City Garage in Port Covington doubles as a music festival that includes The Original Wailers, J Pope and the HearNow and Eze Jackson.
51st Annual Towsontown Spring Festival: May 5 10 a.m.-8 p.m., May 6 1-6 p.m. Enjoy food and live music and shop the booths of 400 vendors offering crafts, jewelry, art and much more.
For the Greater Goods Market: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The garage at R. House turns into an indoor bazaar supporting local makers and artists, with 55 vendors including hand-made clothing & jewelry, to fine art and ceramics. This month’s charitable cause is Animal Allies Rescue Foundation (AARF).
Kentucky Derby: A couple of weeks before the Preakness, the Triple Crown begins with the Run for the Roses. Take the party to the streets in Canton, where The Chasseur will have outdoor viewing, beer trucks and, of course, a mint julep bar. Or swing by the QG for a cocktail happy hour. Or head down to Laurel Park for a full day of racing, three different Derby Day buffets, drinks and more.
Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology’s annual open house: 1-4 p.m. Inner Harbor’s marine research center is exploring the future of fish, but most passersby don’t even know what goes on in Columbus Center. Saturday offers a chance to go inside for a behind the scenes tour and check out glow-in-the-dark fish. Plus, a science superhero will be swooping in.
Sandlot Opening Day: 4-11 p.m. It’s a new season at the outdoor sun-and-fun spot in Harbor Point. Celebrate with a pig roast, and the release of Monument City Brewing Company’s new Pagoda Pale Ale.
Pawject Runway: 6 p.m. at Royal Farms Arena. The pets on parade continues in the evening at Royal Farms Arena, with another big fundraiser for BARCS and Show Your Soft Side. We won’t make the catwalk joke, that’s a little too easy here, but know that all models can be adopted. Plus, there’s a silent auction.
“Thrive” Release Party: 8 p.m. at Motor House. Amy Reid, Ama Chandra and Infinity Knives + Randi will perform, and Ami Dang and Genie will spin DJ sets, to mark the release of “Thrive,” a zine that “features a year of skill-shares by and for people impacted by rape and abuse.” All funds will benefit FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture.
Cinco De Mayo: All day. It’s time to party. Among lots of events, Papi’s Cinco in the City stands out for sheer size, while Mt. Vernon Marketplace may be the best place for Mexican-inspired food and mariachi at Cinco de Market.
Sunday, May 6:
MDFF: Showings from 11 a.m.-7:15 p.m. including Alloy Orchestra Presents: “A Page of Madness” (11 a.m. at Parkway 1), “Genderbende” (noon at Parkway 2), “Charm City” (1:45 p.m. at MICA Brown), “The Island” (2:15 p.m. at Parkway 3) and the Closing Night Film: “All Square” (7:15 p.m. at Parkway 1). Click here for full schedule.
Canoe N’ Scoop: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Head out into the harbor and see what Mr. Trash Wheel is missing. The event starts at Middle Branch Park, giving each paddler a trash picker to clean the harbor waters of debris.
Spring Picnic on the Hill: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Charm City Farms offer a chance to play some lawn games and learn more about the urban agricultural haven. There’s also work to be done.
Second Annual Baltimore Piano Marathon: 2-6 p.m. proves there’s plenty of locals who know their way around the keys, with a new pianist taking the stage at the First & Franklin Presbyterian Church every 30 minutes.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Bmore Art releases its fifth-ever issue next Saturday, May 12, centered around the very idea of beauty. This edition will feature famous Baltimore artist Amy Sherald’s portraiture, locally made fashion and jewelry, a discussion with Oyin Handmade about black beauty and more. The launch party, to be held at the Engineers Club in Mount Vernon, will include ritzy decor, food and cocktails.
- The annual one-day Fells Point Jazz and Art Festival is at Broadway and Thames on Saturday, May 12. Guests can peruse art from vendors along the harborside cobblestone streets and catch live shows from Sac Au Lait, the Hot Club of Baltimore, Lafayette Gilchrist Music with The New Volcanoes and others.
- RemFest is just around the corner. The Remington neighborhood is celebrating 100 years for the houses along 27th Street on May 12 with food, vendors and live music from Chiffon, Joy Postell, Surf Harp and many others.
- The second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown returns to Old Hilltop on May 19. There will be big hats. There will be Black-Eyed Susans. And there will be a full day of racing with some of the best thoroughbreds in the country.
[sponsored_by action_blurb=”This Edition of Weekend Events Sponsored By:” name=”the Maryland Film Festival” url=”https://ad.broadstreetads.com/click/153742″ logo=”https://baltimore.org/sites/default/files/styles/photo-stack/public/sidebar_filmfest_b.jpg?itok=jzNGkckU” byline=”Now in its 20th year, the Maryland Film Festival is the annual, five-day (May 2 – May 6) celebration of film. Centered in and around the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Parkway in Baltimore’s Station North Arts and Entertainment District, Maryland Film Festival champions films and filmmakers with diverse and engaging viewpoints. The Film Festival screens filmmaker-hosted features and short films of all varieties—narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, and hybrid—to thousands of attendees.” attribution_action_blurb=”Created By” attribution_name=”” attribution_url=””][/sponsored_by]
