Winter weather may be returning, but at least there’s plenty to do. Head to the Convention Center to check out the latest rides, or welcome the Year of the Pig at the Walters Art Museum. Elsewhere, winter market and chili cook-offs are popping up like the buds that felt like they should’ve come out this week. Enjoy:
Friday, Feb. 8
Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week: Feb. 8-17 at participating restaurants. The plant-based event expands, with area eateries offering animal-free menu options. There’s also a chance to vote on a favorite dish.
MotorTrend International AutoShow Baltimore: Through Feb. 10 at Baltimore Convention Center. The show features hundreds of new cars, from luxury to compact. Plus, test drives and a kids test track.
I Heart City Life Happy Hour: 5-8 p.m. at Full Tilt Brewing. The new brewery hosts Live Baltimore’s monthly get-together for a stop in Homeland.
Spaces of the Un-Entitled: 7 p.m. at The Peale Center. Photographer Devin Allen presents an analysis of architecture and the impact of gentrification.
Mortified Baltimore: 7 and 9:30 p.m. at Creative Alliance. The look back at artifacts from teen days takes on the theme “Doomed Valentine’s Day,” focusing on love notes, poetry, diary entries and more.
Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time Tour: 7 and 9:30 p.m. at Modell Lyric. The stand-up comedian and creator of “The Jim Gaffigan Show” brings his observational humor for two sets in Baltimore.
Gin Blossoms: 7 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. The band famed for laid-back ’90s hits like “Hey Jealousy” and “Follow You Down” head downtown on the back of a new album called “Mixed Reality.” Punchline opens.
Battle of the Bands: 7 p.m. at UNION Craft Brewing. It’s part two of the battle to see which local band gets a slot at Charm City Bluegrass Fest. The show features Who? What? When? Why? & Werewolves?, Jacob Panic, Geraldine and Burt the Dirt.
“28 Days”: 7 p.m. at Gallery CA. The exhibition features the work of artists who live at the City Arts apartments.
An Evening with Better Off Dead: 8 p.m. at The 8X10. Jam to the music of the Grateful Dead in Federal Hill.
BIG Time with Sam Sessa: 8 p.m. at The BIG Theater. The Baltimore Improv Group takes on the life of the journalist and WTMD’s own host of Baltimore Hit Parade.
Heart Space: 8-10 p.m. at B. Willow. The after hours event in Remington features Kelly Laughlin of Odette Press and Katelyn Jarkowiec of Hey Thanks! Herbal Co., guiding through the process of marble cards and herbal tea.
Mozart Symphony No. 40: 8 p.m. at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The BSO program features one of Mozart’s masterworks, plus Beethoven’s Leonore Overture and a violin concerto from Khatchaturian performed by Paul Huang.
An Evening with Sy Smith: 8 and 9:30 p.m. at An Die Musik. The singer mixing funk, neo-soul and R&B makes a stop in Baltimore following last year’s “Sometimes A Rose Will Grow In Concrete.”
Lip Sync Battle: 9 p.m. at Motor House. Be Milli Vanilli, guilt free. DJ Louie Flacco hosts the competition featuring performers mouthing words to their favorite songs.
“The Falling and the Rising“: Through Feb. 10 at Baltimore Theatre Project. Presented by Peabody Opera Theatre, Zach Redler’s play follows the struggles of a young military mother.
“Concrete Island”: Through Feb. 17 at Mercury Theatre. JG Ballard’s novel, telling the story of Robert Land and a life-altering car crash, is adapted by for the stage by Nick Vyssotsky.
“Newsies”: Through Feb. 17 at Third Wall Productions. The Disney tale of a newspaper strike against Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hurst gets the stage treatment.
Saturday, Feb. 9
Valentine’s PopMart: 7 a.m.-noon at 32nd St. Farmers Market. Guest vendors make a special appearance to provide gifts, food and other objects of affection ahead of the 14th.
Processing Community Day: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Goucher College Athenaeum. The event explores code used in the context of visual arts, with talks from Bonnie Crawford and Jeffrey Gangwisch, workshops and free pizza. The inclusive event doesn’t require a coding or art background.
David Driskell: Memories of Romare Bearden: 1-3 p.m. at Reginald F. Lewis Museum. African-American art scholar David Driskell shares personal reflections on Bearden’s life.
Chili Cookoff: 1 p.m. at The Wharf Rat. The Fells Point pub hosts a day to sample some the best local chili, sponsored by Bell’s Brewery.
Dead Milkmen: 6:30 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. The Philly punks, reunited since 2008, play a show for all you punk rock girls and boys, sponsored by Feed the Scene. Dingleberry Dynasty and The Dopamines open.
Midwinter Midway: A Submersive Soiree: 7 p.m. at The Peale Center. The downtown museum hosts a night of Vaudeville-style performances.
“Don’t Worry Your Head”: 7 p.m. at Terrault. It’s the opening reception for a solo exhibition from Ellie Dent. The works are focused on being a patient in the healthcare system.
Blue Jeans (& Bow Ties) Ball: 8 p.m. at The Assembly Room. The Ulman Foundation presents its 21st annual gala with food, drink, music and a live auction.
Syndee Winters: Lessons From a Lady in Concert: 8 p.m. at Baltimore Center Stage. The singer and actress pays tribute to Lena Horne, drawing parallels with her own life and performing classics from the legendary singer.
Now That’s What I Call a ’90s Dance Party: Vol. 6: 9 p.m. at Ottobar. DJs Grimsby and Gary 108 spin the throwback hip-hop hits.
Version: 9 p.m. at The Crown. The party celebrating queer-identifying people returns, hosted by Kotic Couture and featuring sounds from Trillnatured.
Blowout Baltimore!: 9 p.m. at The Crown. The new dance party highlighting LGBTQIA+ artists and DJs kicks off.
Sunday, February 10
Beauty-ful You: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Anthem House. The sip and shop event features new arrivals from Arrow Clothing and Mint + Major, cocktails, photo booth and more.
Lunar New Year Celebration: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Walters Art Museum. Honor the Year of the Pig with a zodiac scavenger hunt, Yong Han Lion Dance Troupe and a meeting with The Chinatown Collective.
The Nevermore: A Baltimore Inspired Valentine’s Market: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at R. House. The local market for lovely gifts doubles as a fundraiser for Women’s Advocacy Coalition: Baltimore.
Crats and Brews Maker Market: noon-3 p.m. at UNION Craft Brewing. BAM Co Create hosts the market at the brewery, with workshops, plenty of goods and a chance for prizes.
Wikipedia Edit-a-thon: Black History Month: 12:30 p.m. at Baltimore Museum of Industry. Contribute to articles on African-American history on the open source platform.
Chili Cookoff: 1 p.m. at Barcocina. Chefs are preparing chili onsite in Fells Point from 1-3 p.m., while guests enjoy drink specials, then vote on the winner.
Second Sunday Virtual Reality Experience: 1-4 p.m. at Maryland Historical Society. Check out a new view on old ships.
Future Queens and Kings Open Mic: 3-6 p.m. at Function Coworking Community. DewMore Bmore opens the floor for the next generation to speak.
Upcoming:
- Got a date? Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14. John Waters has one at Baltimore Soundstage, or Psycho Killers play UNION Craft Brewing.
- Small Foods Party squeezes into AVAM on Feb. 16.
- Black Tie Baltimore Fake Wedding raises real money for Volunteering Untapped at the Baltimore Museum of Industry on Feb. 23.
