Before the Fourth of July, there’s a full weekend to explore. It’s a good time to take in what Baltimore offers. Check out summer theatre openings, take a long bike ride around the city or see some new takes on art in the form of sound exhibits and The Bra Show. As for special events, there are play dates, a fashion show, a choral performance and more. Let’s get to it:
Happening tonight
International Gem and Jewelry Show: June 29-July 1 at Maryland State Fairgrounds. Shop jewelry from designers, wholesalers and manufacturers. Plus, the event features jewelry-buying lectures and beading classes.
Dundalk Heritage Fair: June 29-July 1 at Dundalk Heritage Park. The pre-Fourth of July weekend festival offers a first taste of fireworks, plus a parade. Music acts include Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil, Crack the Sky and Get the Led Out, the “American Led Zeppelin.”
Summer Sounds in the Square: 6-9 p.m. at Belvedere Square. The Friday night outdoor concert series features music from classic rock and blues outfit Ricky Wise & The Dirty Unit. Plus, local food and vendors.
Baltimore Bike Party. 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Park. The monthly moving bicycle bonanza celebrates with Pride Ride. Riders will be dedicating a ghost bike to Jeremy Pope, who was killed while riding his bike near BWI last summer. The route around the city ultimately lands at Old Line Spirits in Highlandtown for an after party.
Friday Fireworks and Music at America’s Ballpark: 7 p.m. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles take on the Angels, then provide a reason to stick around. After the game, singer Gracie Schram performs on the field, followed by a fireworks display.
Lady Brion Presents: With My Head Unbowed: 7:30 p.m. at Red Emma’s. The spoken word artist presents poetry exploring family, women’s empowerment and the black experience.
“A’int Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show”: 8 p.m. at Arena Players. The show goes inside Harlem in the 1930s through the music of one of the era’s foremost pianists. Performances run all weekend.
“Urinetown: The Musical”: 8 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church. It’s opening night of Stillpointe Theatre’s production of the satire about a water shortage that spurs a ban on private toilets.
“Judy & The General”: 8 p.m. at Spotlighters Theatre. It’s the opening of a new musical from Rosemary Frisino Toohey following the biblical Judith as she outwits the general Holofernes. Runs through July 29.
Derider, Sweepstakes, Pale Spring and Giddeon Gallows: 8 p.m. at the Windup Space. Pittsburgh post-punk outfit Derider swings through town and shares a bill with wonderful local talent, including indie pop group Sweepstakes, darkwave singer-songwriter Pale Spring and electronic hip-hop act Giddeon Gallows.
Summer Dance Party: 9 p.m. at EMP Collective. The artist space hosts a dance party to benefit Hampden record store True Vine, with DJ sets from Jason Willett, Matmos and Chiffon.
Saturday, June 30
Wacky and WONDERful Center Plaza Play Date: 10 a.m.-noon at Center Plaza. (cool) progeny and Downtown Partnership of Baltimore host a family-friendly morning with crafts, games, face painting, stilt walking and hula hoops. Crazy socks encouraged.
Eat Black Baltimore: noon-3 p.m. at Motor House. The event seeks to bring awareness to black chefs and restaurant owners, showcasing more than 10 chefs providing tastings and items for purchase.
Checkerspot Grand Opening: noon-midnight at Checkerspot Brewing Company. The latest entrant into the city’s craft beer scene opens its doors near M&T Bank Stadium. There will be nine beers on draft, pit beef and pulled pork by Team Lord Que and a scheduled appearance by craft brewing champion Comptroller Peter Franchot.
Youth Connect Summer Jam ’18: 1-7 p.m. at the War Memorial. A free party with music and food features connections to community resources, including health screenings and job opportunities.
’90s Summer Kickoff Party: 3-9 p.m. at The Chasseur. Head up to the 3rd floor of the Canton mainstay in your best ’90s garb for drink specials, giveaways and prizes. Plus, a margarita bicycle.
Station North Tool Library Summer Fundraiser: 4 p.m. at Blue Pit BBQ. Ten percent of proceeds from the Woodberry BBQ joint benefit the space that provides access to tools. Event features a doggy kissing booth and a raffle.
The Bra Show: 6-9 p.m. at Y:Art. It’s the opening reception for a new art exhibition featuring interpretations of the bra by more than 40 local artists. Features music from Laure Drogoul.
The Night Brunch: 6 p.m. at The Field at Port Covington. Don’t wait until the weekend morning for brunch. Grab some food outside, along with cocktails. Hosted by Jason Bass and DJ Impulse.
Serenade! Mandela at 100: 6:30 p.m. at Patterson Park. To honor the late Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday, the Washington D.C. Serenade! Choral Festival presents an international lineup including Chennai Children’s Choir, Tyva Kyzy Ensemble from the Tuva Republic and Betsayda Machado & Perranda El Clavo of Venezuela.
Closing party!: 7-10 p.m. at Red Emma’s: Ahead of its move to a new space near the Meyerhoff, Red Emma’s is throwing a party to bid farewell to its North Avenue space. Patrons can enjoy 20 percent off books.
Enchanted Fashion: A Midsummer Night’s Dream: 8 p.m. at Warehouse 518. Check out the work of more than a half-dozen designers at this fashion show hosted by Lana Rae.
Deep Sugar/Lisa Moody Bday Bash: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. The Baltimore club party returns to mark DJ Lisa Moody’s birthday. She’ll be spinning with Ultra Naté, and Wayne Davis, The Elders and Michael Joyner will also be on the decks. Michelle Weeks is performing live.
Bmore Beat Club 40: 8:30 p.m. at Windup Space. The hip-hop event features emcees rapping over beats from a producer they may have never met. Featured performers include Afro Gentei, Social N3rd and STU_ART.
Lovenotes: Summer Soiree: 9 p.m. at The Elephant. The weekly gathering for music lovers in the elegant loft offers cuisine, cocktails and music from DJs Discuji & Sovthpaw.
Sunday, July 1
“Risky Business”: 10 a.m. at The Senator Theatre. Catch the ’80s classic in which Tom Cruise plays a teenager who gets in over his head while his parents are out of town.
“The Witch of Lime Street”: 1 p.m. at the Jewish Museum of Maryland. To go with the museum’s exhibit on Harry Houdini, author David Jaher will discuss the contest to find a genuine psychic that was judged by scientists and the magician himself.
Consolidating the Collective: 2-8 p.m. at YNot Lot. The Station North space hosts a free afternoon festival with musicians, street poets, rappers and social activists.
An Epoch Happy Hour at R. Bar: 3-6 p.m. Bartenders will be serving up the Baltimore Whiskey Company’s rye, the first distilled in the city in more than 50 years. There’s also going to be free swag.
Dig Deep, Fly High: Animation from Children’s Film Fest Seattle. 3-6 p.m. at Creative Alliance. Check out 11 animated films from nine countries that were picked as audience favorites at this year’s film festival in the Emerald City.
Sand Mandala Closing Ceremony: 5:30 p.m. at Baltimore Yoga Village. Tibetan monks created an intricate sand sculpture known as a mandala this week. The ritual is complete when the sculpture is destroyed, symbolizing impermanence. As part of the ceremony, sand will be deposited in the Jones Falls at Lake Roland Park.
Upcoming:
- Fourth of July is this Wednesday, America. It’s time to start getting ready for American Visionary Art Museum’s Pets on Parade, making plans to see BSO at Oregon Ridge Park or picking a spot to check out the fireworks on the harbor.
- Artscape arrives the weekend of July 20-22 in Station North. The free arts festival stretches out in the city, and always has plenty of offshoot events. This year’s festival is the year of no theme, and headliners include TLC and Toots and the Maytalls.
- AFRAM Festival returns to Druid Hill Park in Augst, with a full weekend of activities including musical headliners Ella Mai, Dru Hill, Jacquees and VaShawn Mitchell.
[sponsored_by action_blurb=”This Edition of Weekend Events Sponsored By” name=”The Star-Spangled Spectacular at Oregon Ridge ” url=”http://www.bsomusic.org/calendar/events/2017-2018-events/star-spangled-spectacular/?utm_source=bmorefishbowl&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=starspangledspectacular” logo=”https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2F1aw8mpqqs0c2xh37dnhue7w3-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2F4thJuly-OregonRidge_600x500.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fbaltimorefishbowl.com%2Fstories%2Fenjoy-the-sounds-of-the-baltimore-symphony-orchestra-at-the-star-spangled-spectacular-at-oregon-ridge-park-on-july-3%2F&docid=QQyy2Yg9LzpV0M&tbnid=j-Rd9Cva4kwahM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwihsZrisfbbAhVCtlkKHekSBj4QMwhGKA8wDw..i&w=600&h=500&client=safari&bih=644&biw=1133&q=star%20spangled%20spectacular%20bso&ved=0ahUKEwihsZrisfbbAhVCtlkKHekSBj4QMwhGKA8wDw&iact=mrc&uact=8″ byline=”MARK YOUR CALENDARS to celebrate the red, white and blue with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Oregon Ridge Park on July 3. With Nicholas Hersh as conductor, spend the evening listening to the Orchestra perform patriotic scores and family favorites. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics for a cozy evening. Food trucks will also be on-site serving up some great local eats. The evening will end with a boom with an extraordinary fireworks finale. Gates open at 5 pm.” attribution_action_blurb=”Created By” attribution_name=”” attribution_url=””][/sponsored_by]
