EAT
May 14: Green Street Academy Restaurant Takeover at R. House
R, House. 301 W 29th St. 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.
This plant-based eatery inside R. House in Remington prides itself on forging bonds with the community it feeds. This weekend, that mission will continue as STEM Kitchen turns the cheffing duties over to local students from Green Street Academy—whose West Baltimore campus holds a hydroponic greenhouse that the restaurant built and uses. On Saturday, indulge in bright bowls, plates to share (think: crispy cauliflower bites and beet hummus with carrot sticks), and springtime-ready salads like a cobb one topped with curry tofu. Proceeds will benefit the public charter school’s agriculture program.
DRINK
May 14: Sunshine & Flowers Fest
Union Collective. 1700 W 41st St. 12-10 p.m. Free.
If anyone is pumped for the return of springy sprouts and sunny weather (the kind perfect for meals enjoyed with pals out on the patio) it’s Union Collective’s food and drink vendors, who teamed up for this seasonal shebang. Head to the Hampden hangout to celebrate the long-awaited start of outdoor dining with a range of floral fare, including what we hear will be some flower-powered beverages by Union Craft Brewing. Hit up the cocktail gallery at Baltimore Spirits Co. to sip on shots of “Sunshine & Flowers” liqueur, score sweet sorbet a la The Charmery, and fill up on some (edible, of course) flower-adorned pizzas made by Well Crafted Kitchen.
SEE
May 14: Butcher’s Hill Spring Flea Market and Craft Fair
Patterson Park. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.
Spring Saturdays are perfect for shopping local goods—which will be plentiful tomorrow at this Patterson Park festival. Head to Southeast Baltimore to browse the likes of records, local art, and handmade crafts from upwards of 100 makers. And be sure to show up hungry. The folks from Highlandtown’s own El Taquito Mexicano will be dishing out their signature tacos.
HEAR
May 13: Brooks Long: Music On the Square
Church on the Square. 1025 South Potomac St. 7 p.m. Free ($20 donation suggested.)
Tonight, the soul-strutting local songster, who draws inspiration from the age of old-school funk and R&B, is set to flex his jagged-edged, emotion-driven vocal chops before a crowd of local fans at Church on the Square. Score a ticket online here before departing for the Southeast Baltimore venue, where Long is likely to shake the stage with tracks including “Got Soul.”
DO
May 13-15: Baltimore Tattoo Arts Festival
Baltimore Convention Center. 1 West Pratt St. Times vary. $25-50.
This weekend, those itching for new ink need look no further for a good excuse to add to their collection. For two full days, a slew of tattoo artists, acts, and vendors will be gathered in Baltimore to boast their many talents. Admission includes access to a full range of activities and showings, such as a performance from hard-rocking magician Nigel Blackstorm.
Weekend Lineup: May 6-8
EAT
May 6-8: Bark Social Grand Opening Weekend
Bark Social. 3822 Boston St. Sundays – Thursdays 8 a.m.-10 p.m, Fridays – Saturdays 8 a.m.-11pm
Grab Fido! This Friday, Baltimore’s first social club for furry friends is opening in Canton—and pup parents are invited. Swing by the brand new, 15,000-square-foot park on Boston Street to munch on favorites such as chicken tenders served with dipping sauces, mozzarella basil pies by Grateful Pizza, pretzel dogs, and “Haystack” French fries, loaded down with “Bama” sauce and beer cheese. Of course, you can’t forget to feed the pup. Treat your best four-legged bud to everything from pupsicles to chicken strips. Check out a full menu here, with goodies perfect for private events, like game day tailgates and pupmosa brunches.
May 8: Mother’s Day Dining Specials
Various locations.
Sure, expensive gifts and fresh-cut flowers do the trick. But perhaps one of the best ways to express thanks for the mountain-moving mother figure in your life is with a tasty meal. (Remember all those bedtime snacks and lunches packed with sticky notes?) It’s high time to pay it forward, and this Sunday, an array of local eateries are here to help you feed the lovely lady who helped nurture you. Swing by Eddie’s of Roland Park to score a springtime spread for Mom, complete with morsels such as quiche lorraine and blackened salmon. Make brunch a breeze in Hamilton with staples such as loaded shrimp and grits and oyster benedicts from Silver Queen Cafe. At Allora on North Charles Street, dig in to plates like cacio e pepe topped with microgreens and rich tiramisu. Or swing by The Charmery, (with outposts spread from Hampden to Columbia) to grab a special coffee-flavored ice cream made with mom in mind. Find other ways to celebrate, including local outings and activities, by checking out our roundup, here.
DRINK
To June: Dutch Courage Supports the Baltimore Abortion Fund
Dutch Courage. 2229 N Charles St. 4-10 p.m. $12.
In the wake of this week’s news that the Supreme Court is preparing to dismantle Roe V. Wade—the 1973 landmark decision that protects a pregnant person’s right to access safe abortion—Dutch Courage in Old Goucher is supporting reproductive rights by helping to raise money for the Baltimore Abortion Fund (BAF). Now through the end of June, head to the neighborhood gin bar to order the Paradiso cocktail—which mixes vibrant elements like tarragon-infused pisco, pink peppercorn, and dehydrated kiwi. Each of the creations sold means $1 for BAF, which helps fund abortions for low-income Baltimore-area residents.
Similarly, starting Sunday, May 8 through May 31, The Ottobar is offering a sparkling “Plan B” cocktail. All proceeds from the tart and fizzy beverage—comprising seltzer, cranberry juice, and lemon vodka—will benefit the work of BAF.
SEE
To May 22: AAPI Women’s Voices Theater Festival
Strand Theater Company. 5426 Harford Road. Times Vary. Pay what you can.
Just in time to kick off Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, local Strand Theater company is teaming up artists from the Asian Pasifika Arts Collective to showcase six new plays, each of which intend to shine a light on the experiences of AAPI folks. Grab tickets online here, and starting tonight, spend the weekend soaking in a range of powerful performances, including Libbey Kim’s Mother Mandu, and Lyra Nalan’s Cousins and Soup. Stay tuned for productions through May 22, and don’t forget to bring a mask and proof of vaccination to the Harford Road theater.
HEAR
May 8: Letitia VanSant Mother’s Day Concert
Lake Montebello. 4 p.m. Donations welcome.
Pack a picnic and some lawn chairs for this Sunday afternoon show at Lake Montebello, headlined by Americana vocal powerhouse Letitia VanSant. The setlist—VanSant will be backed by a full band including David McKindley-Ward, Laura Wortman, Ahren Buchheister, Alex Lacquement, and Justin Kruger—will combine both originals and covers curated for mothers. One-third of all donations collected at the show will support Black Mama Bailout DMV, a local collective working to raise awareness about money bail and pre-trial detention.
DO
May 7: Kinetic Sculpture Race
American Visionary Art Museum. 800 Key Highway. 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Free.
For the first time in two years, the AVAM’s long-beloved and iconic race through Baltimore—made possible by larger-than-life human-powered sculptures—will be taking place in person. This year’s quintessentially creative theme is “Time Warp.” Outside the Key Highway arts venue, keep your eyes peeled for flashy, amphibious, decade-transcendent creations, each of which is set to make a 15-mile trek before returning to the museum.
Additional reporting by Lauren Cohen
Weekend Lineup: April 29-May 1
EAT
April 29-30: Lemon Sticks at Flower Mart
Mount Vernon Place. April 29, 11 a.m.-April 30, 8 p.m. Free.
It’s not every day that we find ourselves excited to slurp bitter juice directly from a lemon. But throw in a soft, retro peppermint rod and Baltimoreans will happily make an exception. Starting this Friday, the tart and minty local delicacy, a hallmark of Flower Mart weekend, will be readily available in historic Mt. Vernon. Grab a few to sip and crunch as you peruse the neighborhood’s iconic marketplace for workshops, food, and fresh-cut blooms galore. If you can’t make it to FlowerMart, but still want to partake, head to your local Charmery to try out the Lemon Stick ice cream flavor (lemon with peppermint pieces) all weekend long.
DRINK
To May 1: Sagamore Spirit 5th Anniversary
Sagamore Spirit. 301 East Cromwell St. 12-6 p.m. Free.
This celebrated city distillery is turning five. In honor of the milestone birthday, the Sagamore team is serving up two new releases, and, as to be expected, three exciting days of waterfront festivities. Now through Sunday afternoon in Port Covington, find everything from make-your-own-sip workshops to delicious pop-up bites by local eateries like Ekiben and Bmore Greek Grill. Plus, pull up a chair or spread out a blanket to hear live music by the Carlos Cubas band and Marcus Monroe Duo, tour the cherished rye distilling site, and snag exclusive bottles of the good stuff. Try the 5th Anniversary Release, containing rye sourced from the first batch to run through the venue’s “Penny” still, or go for the fruit-heavy Cognac Cask Finish, with whiskey aged for four-plus years to help its flavors harmonize completely.
SEE
To May 1: Baltimore Fine Art Print Fair
1100 Wicomico Street, 8th Floor. April 29, 11 a.m.-May 1, 6p.m. $15-75.
Adored by local art lovers, the Baltimore Museum of Art-born festival—which entered a hiatus back in 2017—returns this Friday through Sunday under new leadership. All weekend in Pigtown, ogle booths by vendors such as Rockville’s Lily Press, Baltimore-based Catalyst Contemporary gallery, and New York-hailing Gemini G.E.L. at Joni Moisant Wey.
HEAR
April 29-30: Charm City Bluegrass Festival
Druid Hill Park. April 29, 2 p.m.- April 30, 11 p.m. $6-199.
Thanks to one pervasive global virus, this long-beloved, banjo-plucking party hasn’t happened in two years. But this weekend, that all changes as Druid Hill Park is set to come alive with an array of bluegrass artistry. With your favorite dancing partner, hit the grass as acts including Armchair Boogie, Country Current, and Po’ Ramblin Boys perform. Between foot tapping, don’t forget to grab on-site refreshments by vendors like Ole Smoky, Basic Bowl Bros, and The Local Oyster.
DO
April 29: Baltimore Bike Party’s 10 Year Anniversary Bike Prom
Baltimore Bike Party. St. Mary’s Park. 6:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Donations via Paypal.
Attention local cyclists: tonight, look no further for a reason to go all out and bedeck your two-wheeled vehicle (and maybe even dress up, too). To celebrate 10 years of fun-filled rides throughout Charm City, the biking group is putting on its own version of prom night. Here’s a peek at what’s involved: a nighttime cruise that kicks off at St. Mary’s park and ends at Whitehall Mill (route here), treats from Crust by Mack and Wight Tea Co., and tunes by local DJ Micah Diggs.