Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates

It’s no wonder this tour de force has made critics’ best of 2015 lists and, earlier this year, won the National Book Award. Between the World and Me is a wake-up call, a mind-altering analysis of why our country has failed to provide equality for everyone, regardless of color. Coates carries us from his boyhood in West Baltimore through his time at Howard University and adulthood as he reflects in a letter to his 15-year-old son, Samori—who is learning what it means to be black in America. Coates enlightens us all.

A Spool of Blue Thread, Anne Tyler

Every book this Charm City resident writes demonstrates depth and feeling, but A Spool of Blue Thread is truly remarkable. The book chronicles four generations of the Whitshank family of Roland Park, a regular, middle-class brood. Yes, you will feel as if you know them, but Tyler elevates this story’s ordinary setting into something profound. You’ll be left musing on the roles each of us play in our own families, and what it means to go home.

The Beast Side, D. Watkins

If you were to pick a quintessential Baltimore writer right now, you’d be hard pressed not to choose D. Watkins. With his sharp eye for detail and unsentimental prose, he highlights the characters in his beloved East Baltimore, the economic, social, and racial divides in the city, his own drug-dealing past—and just how badly social change is needed here. Watkins’ book has garnered national attention, with good reason, and people across the country are joining Charm City in contemplating his message.

Get a Grip, Kathy Flann

Flann is a master at developing her characters and creating plots that have you gripping, so to speak, on every word. With nearly all of these short stories set in Baltimore, Flann, a Goucher College creative writing professor, explores different facets of the city—from an Estonian teenager living in West Baltimore to a 40-year-old woman devouring her own birthday cake in Catonsville. But the best part are Flann’s unresolved endings. With each, she takes you to the edge, and leaves it up to you to decide which way life will turn.

It Shouldn’t Have Been Beautiful, Lia Purpura

Each of Purpura’s poems in this collection read like spontaneous gems, as if she was struck by a moment of inspiration and paused to scribble down her thoughts. But don’t think that makes them any less profound. Purpura—writer in residence at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The Paris Review—provides poignant insight into our existence and all its mysteries. The collection is an absolute wonder.

Intimacy Idiot, Isaac Oliver

Baltimore native Oliver moved to New York City a decade ago and started chronicling his sexual misadventures in hilarious, cringe-worthy detail—from his liaison with an Italian guy who was into spanking to encounters with a hockey player with aggression issues. This memoir is funny and touching in a style reminiscent of David Sedaris. And trust us—your awkward hook-ups won’t seem that bad ever again.

Clash by Night, edited by Gerry LaFemina and Gregg Wilhelm

Emotions run strong in this poetry anthology published by Baltimore’s own CityLit Press—outrage, despair, infatuation, longing, to name a few. But how could they not? Each poem is based on The Clash’s 1979 album London Calling, a post-punk masterpiece of raw energy and intense creativity. The poems describe the longing of youth, social or political displacement, or simply how the authors felt upon those first formative listens to punk-rock classics such as “Train in Vain” and “Spanish Bombs.” You can almost hear the buzz of the needle on the vinyl and feel the vibration of the speakers.

Showdown, Wil Haygood

Thurgood Marshall was one of Charm City’s greatest native sons—his long list of achievements include being the attorney behind the legendary Brown vs. Board of Education case and becoming the first black Supreme Court justice. But little was written about the confirmation hearings that led to his Supreme Court appointment until Haygood, a Washington, D.C, based writer, came along. And he found ample drama to showcase—weaving narrative from the proceedings with background details about those influencing them—that will make you realize just how important Marshall was to our country’s history, and how relevant his story still is today.

One Child for Another, Nancy Murray

In her debut book, Murray, a graduate of the University of Baltimore’s MFA program, creates a poignant example of what memoirs can achieve. She relates the story of how she became pregnant as a teenager in the 1970s and her decision to give up her child for adoption with remarkable detail and candor. Her story is one of surviving abuse, sacrifice, and ultimately, resilience, told with such honesty that you’ll feel as if you are living it with her.

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DAN DEACON
Gliss Riffer
We didn’t think we could ever love Dan Deacon more than we did after listening to his spring album Gliss Riffer, falling head over heels for his tick-tocking third track, “When I Was Done Dying.” But then the local electronic artist threw the most envy-inducing dance party at NPR, told us about his amazing tomato-music metaphor, conducted a stellar, synapse-singeing set at Windjammer, went on tour with Miley Cyrus, and we quickly realized: we were completely wrong. We love him way more. We are the biggest fans.
Top picks: “When I Was Done Dying,” “Learning to Relax,” “Feel the Lightning”

ABDU ALI
“Keep Movin’ (Negro Kai)”
By now, there’s a good chance you know Abdu Ali, the young Bmore Club artist who continues to break artistic boundaries as a musician, writer, and speaker in and around Baltimore. Two years ago, he started his Kahlon dance parties at The Crown, which celebrated local talent of every type and has since sparked a wave of other DIY shows and collectives throughout the city. With unbridled energy and bold artistic vision, Ali pours passion into his endeavors, as heard on every inch of his 2015 single “Keep Movin’ (Negro Kai),” a minimalist monologue that swings between avant-garde artwork, motivational freestyle, and free jazz. Expect big things in the coming years.
Top picks: “Keep Movin’ (Negro Kai),” “I, Exist” (Already, 2013), “Invictos ft. Schwarz” (2013 mixtape)

BEACH HOUSE
Thank Your Lucky Stars
At this point, we’ve almost forgotten about Beach House’s first album of 2015, Depression Cherry, as we’re glued to our speakers, completely enraptured by the band’s surprise follow-up TYLS. Seriously, we can’t stop listening to “All of Your Yeahs.” And on these 18 new songs, Beach House does what Beach House does best—modern melancholy, youthful intoxication, shimmering nostalgia—through front woman Victoria LeGrand’s velvety voice and Alex Scally‘s twangy surf guitar. This album is like reading your teenage diary all over again, giving us all the feels.
Top picks: “All of Your Yeahs,” “One Thing,” “Somewhere Tonight”

AL ROGERS JR.
Luvadocious
Like his smile, Al Rogers Jr. is infectious. Aside from his stylish swagger and confident rhymes, the young artist is imbued with an openly optimistic outlook on life, spreading his feel-good vibes through what he has affectionately come to call his trademark swooz. On Luvadocious, Rogers’ new album with local producer and Blacksage bandmate Drew Scott (see below), the two friends create a utopian storyline of clever wordplay and spellbinding beats that takes you on a trip, better yet a “love voyage,” to a place where you should give your heart with abandon and always pursue your dreams. It has quickly become our go-to late-night jam.
Top picks: “Godina,” “Conversations,” U>Me,” “Pomegrante”

NATURAL VELVET
She Is Me
This summer, Natural Velvet actually inspired two Baltimore editors to start their own, all-girl, punk rock band. One listen to their raw, rip-roaring sound and you’ll soon figure out why. This Baltimore band is badass, fulfilling every bedroom dream you ever had of starting your own, thanks to 99.1 HFS. Frontwoman Corynne Ostermann taps into the hidden angst of your wide-eyed youth as she waxes between piercing wails and low, lovesick, Morrissey-esque moans, and all the while, her plugging bass line pulls at the strings of your 17-year-old heart.
Top picks: “Fruits,” “Swell,” “Crash”

MICROKINGDOM
Smooth Tendencies
For nearly a decade, Microkingdom has added its own brand of discord to Baltimore’s vibrant DIY music scene, as this experimental trio is equal parts avant-garde jazz performance and psychedelic jam session. At first, the sax, drums, and guitar seem to combine in a chaotic mess, but on closer listen, each track evokes particularly vivid scenes in their noisy, scrambling swirl. A smoldering summer night, high above Harlem or Chicago, all fire escapes, water towers, and burned-out stars. A planetarium seminar, with cardboard spaceships whirling out into the void. Mad wiry nights of youth, heavy drinking, and cigarette smoke in some dark, dingy, city club. At times, they also surprise you with their approachability, but this is not your mother’s smooth jazz. It is a layered freestyle of cacophonous art.
Top picks: “Chrome Dynasty,” “Diamond Urge,” “Midnight Plu$$”

TT THE ARTIST
Art Royalty & Gimme Yo Love
We want TT’s closet. Just take one look at her Instagram and you’ll know exactly why. When it comes to fashion, the MICA alum goes bold with bright color and creativity, just like she does in her Bmore Club music, as heard in her two 2015 EPs, Art Royalty and Gimme Yo Love. On both, she disses haters, empowers women, falls recklessly for love, and incites jock-jam jump-offs. In short, she’s no bullshit, and a ton of fun. We can’t wait for her new album in 2016—or her next music video.
Top picks: “Gimme You Love,” “Thug It Out,” “Fly Girl”

WUME
Maintain
Like some secret love potion, Wume found us transfixed this summer when the Baltimore-by-way-of-Chicago duo (pronounced woom) released their new album, Maintain. During a live set at Artscape, we hypnotically bobbed along in an evening daydream to drummer April Camlin’s steady beat and keyboardist Albert Schatz’s sparkly synth. It was like we had transported into the opening scenes of some 1980s science-fiction film or a beloved but antiquated arcade game, and we didn’t hate it. We could watch April command that kit for hours.
Top picks: “Control, “Gold Leaf,” “We Go Further”

BLACKSAGE
Basement Vows
Since the first listen of “Casualty,” Blacksage has haunted us with the low purr of lead singer Josephine Olivia and sludgy beats of producer Drew Scott (see Al Rogers Jr.) snaking their way into the corners of our darkest fantasies. The electro-goth duo melds deep house and trap music with old-fashioned pop and R&B, all morphing into moody, murky, modern baby-making music that’s as ambient and brooding as it is bold and bright. Consider them your next deep love (or bad breakup) songs.
Top picks: “Casualty,” “Basement Vows,” “Pillow Talk”

SUN CLUB
The Dongo Durango
Sun Club makes us want to be bad. More specifically, the young punk-rock band makes us want to stay up late, skip work the next day, and spend the afternoon sipping beer on a beach somewhere with our buddies, just basking in the sun. No obligations. No worries. That’s because they are a blow-out-the-speakers band of merry pranksters who defy the rules and flick off the authorities with their own skateboard brand of rambunctious pop rock. Full of eager energy and good vibes, we’re on the bandwagon, wherever they go.
Top picks: “Summer Feet,” “Beauty Meat,” “Cheeba Swiftkick”

THE MANLY DEEDS
The Manly Deeds
Though this album actually came out in 2014, we truly fell in love with it this past year. During the early days of summer, the Baltimore band’s Americana mix of country, bluegrass, and folk had us yearning for a wide-open road. The Land of Pleasant Living locals sing songs of travelers, coal miners, and thieves in the style of music past—from plucky ditties and timeless ballads to thumping mountain hollers—paying homage to Maryland’s bluegrass heritage, from the hills of Appalachia and the tides of the Chesapeake Bay. At the end of the day, we’re just suckers for anything with a fiddle, harmonica, or slide guitar.
Top picks: “Troubles Like Mine,” “My Own Red Blood,” “As the Cow Flies”

LOWER DENS
Escape From Evil
Frontwoman Jana Hunter has been everywhere lately. Whether she’s talking race in Pitchfork, politics with CNN, or misogyny with Cosmopolitan and BBC, she eloquently expresses her beliefs in the same sort of unapologetic way that she makes her music. The local indie rock band’s third release is robust and undeniable—a warm, aching album of echoing guitar, shadowy synth, and Hunter’s inimitable voice full of hope or heartbreak, falling away in abandon or howling out in despair. Whatever your state, “Sucker’s Shangri-La” is one of the best songs of the year.
Top picks: “Sucker’s Shangri-La,” “Ondine,” “To Die in L.A.”

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Winter: Though they technically debuted in late 2014, Monument City Brewing’s 51 Rye was our go-to beer of the year. This 6.5-percent IPA has a ton of grapefruit and orange hops on the nose, but has a taste that’s immediately balanced with the spice of dominant rye malt. We especially enjoyed it on draft—with those beautiful Mark Supik-made tap handles—for a fuller, thick mouthfeel.

Another thing we were excited about at the very beginning of the year was NY Distilling’s Rock & Rye, a bottled cocktail that blends rye whiskey and rock-candy sugar with sour cherries, cinnamon and citrus. The distillery’s founder, Allen Katz, is a Baltimore native and held his launch party at Rye in Fells Point. Of course, you can sip the 32-percent spirit neat or add it to a cocktail, like Rye’s Melvale Sour.

In February, Charm City Meadworks opened its doors for tastings and tours, introducing us the to wonderful world of mead. The drinks—basically a combination of fermented honey, water, and yeast—are available in draft, bottle, and now canned form throughout Baltimore. Our favorite during the chillier time of year is Retire by the Fire, which drinks like a craft beer at 6.9-percent ABV, and has notes of cocoa nibs, vanilla, and cloves.

Spring: The warmer temperatures brought with them the opening of Pane e Vino in late March. From the same owners, and adjacent to, Cafe Gia in Little Italy, the intimate bar holds about 25 people or so and has a witty cocktail menu. There are Negroni and limoncello cocktails like you’d expect, but we were most impressed with Redheads Have More Fun, a blend of tequila, fresh blood orange, ginger liqueur, and lime juice that was tart and bold.

We’ve spent a few different nights at the Horseshoe Casino this year (some we’ve written about and others we probably shouldn’t), but one of the top moments has to be drinking tequila with Johnny Sánchez owners John Besh and Aarón Sánchez to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. We got quite the education inside the tequila tasting room, but our favorite drink will always be the restaurant’s Jalapeño Margarita, made with roasted jalapeño and agave nectar.

In early June, the much anticipated mezcaleria Clavel opened, just down the street from its owner’s original bar W.C. Harlan. With stunning, bright decor, this place was an instant favorite. We crowned its Santa Sandia cocktail our favorite of the year, with a Mezcales de Leyenda spirit from Durango, Mexico, watermelon juice, serrano peppers, lemon, agave nectar, basil, and a chili-salt rim. The mezcal itself is full of citrus and lighter on smoke, and the peppers and rim pack a fiery punch—transporting us right to the desert. Apparently, we had a very tequila-filled spring. No complaints here!

Summer: We’ve espoused the virtues of Four Season’s boozy popsicles before, and this season they took it to another level for Wit & Wisdom’s Shake It, Shuck It, Smoke It happy hour on the waterfront patio. Former bar manager Aaron Joseph crafted these creations Flavor Ice-style, freezing them in liquid nitrogen and putting them in plastic packets. Our favorite was the honeydew-rum combination.

We were so sad when the restaurant space at the American Visionary Art Museum sat vacant after the closing of Mr. Rain’s Fun House in 2014. But we were delighted when it came back to brilliant, colorful life with the opening of Encantada in July. Not only are the art and decor vibrant, but there are whimsical cocktails to match, like the color-changing Cheshire Cat with gin, cucumber-lemongrass syrup, mint, lime, fizzy water, and magic cabbage ice.

Fall: We love a sour beer as much as the next person, but even we had to admit that Union’s Old Pro Gose was just too cloyingly tart for us. This is why it’s brilliant that the brewery added sweet syrups to its recipe—available at the taproom, during Baltimore Beer Week dinners, and then finally, in the fall, in cans. Our favorite variety was the addition of organic blackberry syrup, which cut the sour flavor just right with its bittersweet notes.

We also have to give a shoutout to the team at Bookmaker’s Cocktail Club, who has continued to do amazing things all year with house-made ingredients and cocktails on tap. Our favorite drink from the past couple of months has been the Zeppelin homage of What Is & What Should Never Be with Maison Rouge Cognac, Smith & Cross Rum, cinnamon, crème de peche, fresh lemon, and a beautifully crafted, huge cube of ice in the middle. Doesn’t get much more autumnal than that.

Cheers to a happy (and boozy) 2016!

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Queso Fundido at Clavel: Though hot and bubbly cheese + anything, is a winning combination, the queso fundido at Lane Harlan’s new mezcal bar puts the “fun” in fundido—a sizzling skillet of Chihuahua cheese topped with spicy chorizo and supported by a side of chunky guacamole and frijoles puercos (blended beans and pork). I scooped aggressively with the house-made chips, then, maybe it was the carefully crafted margarita talking, I used my nails to peel the last layer of remaining cheese. It wasn’t pretty, but it was memorably delicious.

Risotto at Magdalena: On most menus, the vegetarian offering is usually a ho-hum concession to non-meat eaters. At Magdalena, a bed of vegetable risotto—flecked with fresh peas, carrots, and shaved truffles—is a throne for a fried poached egg. Think: downright menu miracle.

Korean Fried Chicken Wings at 1157 Bar + Kitchen: Even when they’re not great, fried chicken wings are always good. But at Jason Ambrose’s dazzling new Locust Point bar-restaurant, the wings—lacquered in chili paste and soy—truly soar.

Lobster Roll at Thames Street Oyster House: Now that my daughter attends college in Maine, this lobster lover considers herself an expert. Having had my fill this year from Portland hotspot J’s Oyster and Fisherman’s Grill, I still say the best damned iteration of a lobster roll is right here in the mid-Atlantic. No mystery here: former lobsterman turned chef Eric Houseknecht butter poaches the meat, sprinkles it with sea salt, and then serves it on a griddled, buttered brioche split-top bun.

Scallop Chip at Arômes: On the chef-driven menu at this prix-fixe dining darling, when the “scallops” (above) arrived, I assumed there’d been a mix-up. More akin to pork rinds than bivalve mollusks in appearance, this iteration was puréed, dehydrated, and flash-fried into crunchy chicharónnes. Instantly addictive, I was hooked.

Charred Escarole at Bottega: This starter, served with white bean and anchovy dressing, was a fresh take on a grilled romaine Caesar salad. Simple, but so satisfying. I could have ordered two—or three—and called it a night.

Chocolate Almond Croissant at Bonjour: This charming French bakery turns out authentic pastries—pain au raisin, macaroons, French cigars. But for me, the chocolate-almond croissants equaled amour at first bite. Flaky, buttery, with a kiss of dark chocolate in every fold. Pair it with a cup of café au lait, and you’ll swear you’re in Paris.

Bronzini with Prosciutto at La Cuchara: This Basque-Country stunner knows its way around the Pyrenees. I’m still dreaming of this late spring fish dish—a bronzini kept moist under a roof of crisp skin and the unusual addition of prosciutto, which added smokiness to the sweetness of the fish flesh.

Fried Oysters at Charleston: These melting morsels coated in cornmeal simply slide down the throat, and they stop me in my tracks whenever they’re listed on Charleston’s menu. Anyone who thinks they don’t like oysters should give these a try. Whether you’re a novice or oyster-initiated, I dare you not to love them.

Arepas at Alma Cucina Latina: Irena Stein’s new outpost has a menu rife with Venezuelan specialties. The arepas, thick flatbreads made from maize, come with a variety of fillings. I have two favorites: the Luis Brito’s pig arepa packed with succulent pulled pork, avocado purée and tomato mojo and the criolla, consisting of black beans caramelized plantains, avocado, and cilantro mojo.

Honorable mention: Though it has yet to open, I have high hopes for Donna Crivello’s Cosima, opening soon in Mill No. 1. On a recent interview, in the kitchen of her Canton Cove apartment, Donna’s owner made me a fig-and-pear pizza with pomegranate glaze. Maybe the mix of good company and conversation helped, but this particular pie was crisp-crusted, savory, and sweet. I know Crivello plans on pies at Cosima—I’m counting on meeting this one again.

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Let’s go to the list.

In some cases, I used excerpts from my own previously published reviews.

1. Carol – Never has the impossible glamour of Cate Blanchett been used to better effect than in Todd Hayne’s ravishing and romantic film about a forbidden lesbian affair in 1950s Manhattan. The contrast between what our heroines present to society—two platonic friends, out to lunch or on a road trip—and what’s burning beneath the surface, is what gives the film such potency. (Baltimore opening date TBA)

2. Room – Story of a mother and son held captive in a small shed—and the sense of wellbeing she gives him despite their predicament—is one of the most emotionally intense cinematic experiences in recent memory. Brie Larson is outstanding as a woman who powers through her own fear and anger to be a rock for her son (a remarkable Jacob Tremblay). It feels good to feel this much at the movies. (My review.)

3. Brooklyn – Featuring a luminous performance from Saorise Ronan, a wonderfully empathic script by Nick Hornby, and stunning, painterly cinematography by Yves Bélanger, this story of our heroine’s journey from Brooklyn to Ireland (and from girlhood to womanhood) is the very essence of a simple story, beautifully told. (My review.)

4. Amy –The story of Amy Winehouse, as she goes from precocious child to drug-addled superstar, is a horror film of sorts, where the monster is fame. Because Asif Kapadia’s film has so much home footage, it creates an incredible intimacy; it feels at times that Winehouse herself is whispering in our ears. The film will leave you in awe of Winehouse’s once-and-in-a-generation talent, enraged by those who exploited her, and shattered all over again by her loss. (My review.)

5. Spotlight Urgent, outraged, old-fashioned entertainment about the deep-dive investigative unit at The Boston Globe who uncovered the Catholic priest pedophile scandal. The film features juicy performances from most of the cast, including Michael Keaton and Mark Ruffalo as journalists and Stanley Tucci as a righteously angry lawyer who advocates for the victims. A love letter to newspapers that, more than anything, shows us how deeply entrenched systemic cover-ups can be. (My review.)

6. Inside Out Pixar’s most inventive film yet. It guides us inside the headquarters of the mind of tweenage Riley after she moves from Minnesota to San Francisco. The combination of a strange new house plus hormones wreaks havoc with her emotions. Where in the past, the chipper Joy (Amy Poehler) ruled the roost, now suddenly Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear—in turns morose, snarky, hilarious, and ineffectual—move in. The film’s subtle genius is its acknowledgement that without those other emotions—Sadness in particular—true Joy is impossible. (My review.)

7. Tangerine This hilarious odyssey of trans sex workers, donut shops, cab drivers, air fresheners, betrayal, and friendship on the Sunset Strip will have you screaming with laughter and crying over the ineffable poignancy of it all.

8. Beasts of No Nation Oliver Twist in hell. After members of his family are murdered, a young African boy named Agu (Abraham Attah) runs to the woods, where he is taken in by the dangerous, swaggering Commandant (Idris Elba) and trained to be a killer for his mostly teenage rebel army. Cary Fukunaga’s tale, about how Agu loses his innocence but never his humanity, is as beautiful as it is brutal. The final scenes, impossibly, leave room for hope.

9. Crimson Peak The master Guillermo del Toro ramps up all the elements of gothic horror—the de rigueur decaying old mansion sits on a clay mine and blood-like clay oozes through the cracks in the foundation—in this lushly romantic (and plenty scary) tale of an American girl (Mia Wasikowska) who marries a dashing Englishman (Tom Hiddleston) and moves to his secluded childhood home. Keep your eye on the suspiciously possessive sister (Jessica Chastain) (My review.)

10. Phoenix In post-war Berlin, a Jewish woman (Nina Hoss), left for dead in the concentration camps, returns to her husband after she’s had facial reconstructive surgery and he doesn’t recognize her—or chooses not to. More than just a tale of this woman and her husband’s betrayal, Christian Petzold’s film is about our human need to return to normalcy, to deny atrocities, to discreetly look away when things become too unspeakable. The final scene packs a wallop.

11. The Martian The subtitle to Ridley Scott’s wildly entertaining sci-fi might very well be: Science, Hell Yeah! It tells the story of an astronaut (Matt Damon), left behind on the Planet Mars, who has to fend for himself—or “science the shit out it” as he colorfully describes it. The film’s loosey-goosey sense of humor doesn’t detract from its incredible suspense, or the awe Scott clearly has for those who choose to master and venture into the unknown. (My review.)

12. Best of Enemies In 1968, a sputtering ABC turned to two public intellectuals on opposite sides of the political spectrum—the devilishly mischievous Gore Vidal and the patrician, pellucid William F. Buckley Jr.—to save their network. (Oh, how times have changed.) Many critics have noted that these debates ushered in the age of pundit TV—shows like Crossfire and Hardball, where politically at-odds commentators hurl broadsides at each other. This is true, but not the whole story. The debates also ushered in, or at least crystalized, no less than the beginnings of the modern conservative and liberal movements as we know them. (My review.)

13. The Revenant Death Wish meets the trials of Job in the Wild West. Left for dead after a vicious bear attack, a tracker (Leonardo DiCaprio) must find his way back to base camp to avenge the death of his son, who was murdered by a hunter (Tom Hardy). Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s powerhouse of a film can be grueling—it makes most Westerns seem downright dainty—but it’s not without its moments of beauty and grace. And a fully-committed DiCaprio—splayed open, both literally and metaphorically—is remarkable. (Baltimore opening date: January 8)

14. Far From the Madding Crowd Achingly romantic retelling of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel features a magnetic lead performance by Carey Mulligan, playing a wildly independent woman who has three suitors—one too desperate, one too charming, and one just right. It takes her a long time to figure out that the right man has been there the whole time, but in Thomas Vinterberg’s lushly gorgeous adaptation, it’s more than worth the wait. (My review.)

15. 45 Years The genius of Andrew Haigh’s subtle film is that he shows us a marriage that is believably comfortable and lived-in and then disrupts it in the most unexpected way. About to celebrate their 45th anniversary with a big party, a married couple (Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay) is shaken by the news that the body of his old lover, who died on a mountain climbing vacation some 50 years ago, has been found, perfectly preserved. The husband isn’t so much pining away for his lost love but for his lost youth—and in his fog of existential pity, he alienates his wife. Without any histrionics, Rampling will quietly devastate you.

16. James White An angry young man (Christopher Abbott) cares for his ailing mother (Cynthia Nixon) in a deeply tender way. Featuring two brilliant performances by the leads, Josh Mond’s jangly, agitated debut might also be the most unexpected love story of the year.

17. Mad Max: Fury Road I didn’t love it quite as much as some other critics, but George Miller certainly brings an obsessive artist’s vision to his scuzzy, dystopian world. And in the bald, badass Furiosa (Charlize Theron), he gives us a heroine for the ages. (My review.)

18. While We’re Young Yeah, it falls apart in the end, but before that, Noah Baumbach surgically dissects the arrested adolescence of an entire generation (mine!) as two Gen-Xers (Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts) become preoccupied with a pair of millennial hipsters. (My review.)

19. Straight Outta Compton In some ways, this film about seminal rap group N.W.A. plays like a traditional musical biopic—we have the rise, a period marked by youthful excess, the break-up, and the reconciliation. But the all-too-relevant backdrop of Rodney King-era L.A and the realness and rawness of N.W.A.’s music, not to mention the passionate and heartfelt performances of the film’s three young leads—especially Jason Mitchell as the doomed Eazy-E—gives the film its undeniable power. (My review.)

20. The End of the Tour Road trip film that follows Rolling Stone writer David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) as he interviews author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) on the last leg of his Infinite Jest tour is mostly about the profound loneliness of genius. Lipsky is jealous of Wallace’s success, not noticing (or caring) that Wallace is actually miserable. Segel plays Wallace as a man yearning to be understood by others and by himself. He will break your heart. (My review.)

21. Diary of a Teenage Girl A 15-year-old girl (a great Bel Powley), a budding artist and expert at self excavation, loses her virginity to her mother’s wastrel, if languorously sexy boyfriend (Alexander Skarsgard) and becomes somewhat obsessed with sex. Her good-hearted but neglectful mother (Kristen Wiig) is too busy partying to see what is happening. The film, which is steeped in both 70s kitsch and attitudes, is cool, weird, and defiantly nonjudgmental. (My review.)

22. The Big Short The film almost plays like an elaborate con, albeit one that uses its powers for good. How do you tell the essential—lest we’re doomed to repeat it—story of the 2008 mortgage market collapse, without bogging us down in arcane financial jargon? By presenting it at breakneck speed, using big stars, postmodern digressions, and a giant wink. The great cast—Christian Bale, Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, et al—aids and abets. (Baltimore opening date: December 23)

23. Clouds of Sils Maria A glorious house of mirrors—everything in the film is a simulacrum of something else— about an aging actress who resists playing the matriarch. Juliette Binoche is wonderful as the reluctant doyenne; Chloe Grace Moretz perfectly obnoxious as her carefree young doppelgänger. And, playing the actress’s keenly observant personal assistant—yet another doppelgänger —Kristen Stewart is inscrutably cool.

24. Love & Mercy When Brian Wilson, the genius behind the Beach Boys, sang about “Good Vibrations” they were in direct contrast to the bad vibrations that haunted him almost every day. In Bill Pohland’s inventive biopic, we see both the younger Wilson (a haunting Paul Dano) creating his masterpiece “Pet Sounds” and we see Wilson as a middle-aged man (John Cusack) in the 1980s—now broken, drug-addled, and under the thumb of an abusive, megalomaniacal doctor (Paul Giamatti)—just as he begins a tentative and possibly healing romance with a good woman (Elizabeth Banks). (My review.)

25. Anomalisa Charlie Kaufman’s film uses uncanny stop-motion animation to tell the story of a sad sack misanthrope—ironically, he’s an author of customer service self-help books—on a business trip in Cincinnati. I had some issues with the film’s gender politics—specifically, all the female characters were either desperate or gullible or both (although the film’s one sex scene is surprisingly tender and, yes, even sexy). But the film’s deep reservoir of sadness has stuck with me. By using animation, Kaufman compels us to look closely at the banal. (Baltimore open TBA)

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1. The Death of Freddie Gray Sparks Citywide Unrest

–Lara Davidson

– Sean Scheidt

We have to go back nearly 50 years to another April, in 1968–after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.–to find a time when the city dealt with a crisis comparable to the one it faced this past spring. The riots and public uprising that followed the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray from injuries endured while in police custody shook Baltimore to its core and changed the way the world saw us–and we saw ourselves. Gray’s death–ruled a homicide by the state medical examiner’s office–lit a fuse that continued to burn for days, fueled by decades of social and economic injustice in many of the city’s poorest African-American neighborhoods.

Gray’s death on April 19, following a week in a coma after suffering a severe spinal-cord injury–allegedly during a so-called “rough ride” in a police transport van–sparked two weeks of unrest, including the violent night of Monday, April 27, that culminated in hundreds of arrests, injuries to numerous Baltimore police officers, and the destruction of dozens of local businesses. During the surreal aftermath, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake implemented a citywide curfew and Gov. Larry Hogan deployed heavily armed Maryland National Guard troops and armored vehicles to patrol downtown.

Of course, Gray’s death hadn’t occurred in a vacuum, but came on the heels of the widely publicized deaths of black men at the hands of police officers in Ferguson, MO; Staten Island, NY; Cleveland, OH; and elsewhere. In the months leading up to the unrest, alarming local police-brutality issues also were raised in compelling reporting by The Sun’s Mark Puente. Subsequent protests ultimately led to the firing of Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts and likely influenced Rawlings-Blake’s decision not to seek re-election.

One difference in Baltimore, as opposed to the aforementioned cities, is that six police officers–whose trials remain in various stages–were quickly charged for their alleged roles in Gray’s death by then-newly elected city state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby.

Kevin Davis, the city’s new Police Commissioner, recently told Baltimore that he hopes 2015 will mark a turning point in relations between the police department and aggrieved communities–and the city as a whole.

“This is a transformative moment for the City of Baltimore, and I will continue to urge my neighbors to remain peaceful while continuing to seek justice for Freddie Gray.”U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, 5/1

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2. Marilyn Mosby’s Star Turn

–Alex Brandon/AP

It’s not every day that a city state’s attorney becomes a national celebrity. But Marilyn Mosby’s speedy indictments of six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray and her self-assured announcement of those charges at a frenzied press conference in front of the city’s War Memorial Building, thrust the attractive, 35-year-old mother of two into the limelight just months into her tenure. For better or worse, Mosby subsequently appeared in the pages of Vogue in a shoot by famed fashion and art photographer Annie Leibovitz, and gave interviews to Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire. She also took the stage alongside her husband, City Councilman and now-mayoral candidate Nick Mosby, during Prince’s Rally 4 Peace concert at Royal Farms Arena. Whether Marilyn Mosby is ultimately viewed as a heroine or another ambitious, over-reaching politician will likely depend on how her office handles the cases against the officers.

“To the people of Baltimore and the demonstrators across America: I heard your call for ‘no justice, no peace.’”Marilyn Mosby, 5/1

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3. Homicides Spike Following Freddie Gray Unrest

–Patrick Semansky/AP

After the death of Freddie Gray from injuries suffered while in police custody, Baltimore saw a surge in homicides the likes of which it hasn’t witnessed since the 1990s. Almost inconceivably, the city matched 2014’s homicide total of 211 on August 19 when a man with a bullet wound was found inside a vacant house not far from the Pennsylvania Avenue CVS store that burned in the riots. While it’s impossible to say with certainty what has driven the increased violence–also witnessed in other cities across the U.S. this year–Baltimore had recorded a typical number of homicides (65) prior to the unrest. Afterward, however, a four-decade high of 43 murders in May was followed with 45 killed in July. By November, the tally was 285, putting the city close to the record pace of 1993 when 353 people were murdered, and once again placing Baltimore among the most dangerous cities in the country.

“It’s the toughest job in the United States at the moment.” Eugene O’Donnell, John Jay College of Criminal Justice professor and a former New York City police officer, on the challenge facing then-interim Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, AP, 7/9

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4. Mayoral Race Thrown Wide Open as Rawlings-Blake Forgoes Re-election Campaign

In a stunning turn of events, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced in September that she would not seek re-election in the 2016 mayoral race, saying that she would dedicate the remainder of her term to helping the city recover from the Freddie Gray unrest. Many suggested that she was simply bowing out of a race she could no longer win. But whatever her motives, the announcement threw already-announced candidates–including former Mayor Sheila Dixon, State Senator Catherine Pugh, and City Councilman Carl Stokes–into overdrive and opened the door for other hopefuls. In late October, City Councilman Nick Mosby (also the husband of city state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby) entered the race. Then, in November, David Warnock, a venture capitalist and the chairman of the Greater Baltimore Committee, declared his candidacy. It’s impossible to tell who will prevail in the April 26 Democratic primary, which, in heavily Democratic Baltimore, amounts to the general election–but we’ve sure got ourselves a horserace.

“It is a more wide open race today than it was yesterday.” State Delegate Sandy Rosenberg to The New York Times on 9/11, the day Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced she would not seek reelection.

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5. Red Line to Nowhere

Anyone who followed Gov. Larry Hogan’s campaign shouldn’t have been surprised when he canceled Baltimore’s planned, $2.9 billion mass-transit project in June. Hogan had said all along that he didn’t support the decade-in-the-making, 14-mile, east-west Red Line effort. When he hired Pete Rahn, a road builder from New Mexico, as his transportation secretary, the die was cast. Still, Hogan’s official rejection of $900 million in approved federal funding for the light rail system seemed to catch Baltimore’s elected leaders off guard, while delivering a crushing blow to a city in need of good news and economic development. When the Hogan administration later released its state road and highway improvement plans–in large part funded from Red Line savings–and Baltimore was left off the map, it seemed a telling slip that revealed the governor’s political agenda.

“Every other county shows investments being made, and Baltimore is literally and figuratively a gaping hole.”State Senator Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, to The Sun, 6/25

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6. Orioles Play to an Empty Stadium

–Meredith Herzing

Baseball has been played professionally in this country since the 1800s, so it’s rare to hear about any unprecedented event in the sport. But 2015 was a year of firsts for Baltimore. After canceling two previous Orioles games, the league announced that the April 29 game against the Chicago White Sox would be played in a closed stadium–a first in MLB history. This was, of course, days after protests and riots damaged businesses surrounding Camden Yards, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said, “these decisions are in the best interests of fan safety and the deployment of city resources.” Closed to the public, the only people inside the stadium were players, staff, and media (more national media than we’ve ever seen at Camden Yards, including during a playoff series). The entire experience was surreal, but the strangest thing was what you suddenly could hear: players cheering from the dugouts, outfielders calling for balls, umps making third-strike calls, and balls smacking into fielders’ gloves. Not surprisingly, Birdland couldn’t be tamed completely that day, as fans–just outside the left-center field gates–chanted “O-R-I-O-L-E-S” and steadily cheered their team to an 8 to 2 win.

“It’s not an easy time for anybody right now. It doesn’t matter what race you are. We need this game to be played, but we need this city to heal first.”Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, 8/29

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7. Gov. Hogan Diagnosed with Cancer

Only months after his upset victory over then-sitting Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Gov. Larry Hogan announced he had been diagnosed with a “very aggressive” cancer. In a June press conference, Hogan said he was told by doctors that the B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma had spread quickly to his neck, chest, groin, and abdomen. He also had been told, however, that he had a “strong chance of survival,” and he vowed to continue his duties while undergoing treatment. And he has, winning the admiration of the public: A Goucher College poll released in October found 54 percent of those surveyed felt favorably about Hogan, a 21 point increase from the college’s previous poll in February. Those are pretty good numbers in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1. The former real-estate executive, 59, who was elected on a promise to curb spending and roll back tax increases, recently completed his last round of chemotherapy, and now hopes to regain his strength–and his hair.

“All of the experts tell me that they believe that I’ll come out of that completely clear. They also tell me it’s gonna beat the hell out of me.” Gov. Larry Hogan at a press conference, 6/22

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8. Senator Barbara Mikulski Retires

In a move that shocked many Marylanders, long-serving Democratic U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski announced on March 2 that she would not be seeking a sixth term. The Highlandtown native, a social worker-turned-U.S.-Representative-turned-Senator, has served in Congress longer than any other woman in history, and is beloved for her unpretentious, dogged, and feisty ways. Known as the Dean of the Women, she serves as a mentor to other women in the Senate and was also the first woman to chair the prestigious Senate Appropriations Committee, where she is now the ranking member. Her announcement left local politicos scrambling and, so far, only two candidates–U.S. Representatives Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen–have thrown their hats into the ring. (U.S. Representative Elijah Cumming also hasn’t ruled it out.) In a way, this makes sense. The diminutive Mikulski may have small feet, but she has enormous shoes to fill.

“Do I spend my time raising money, or do I spend my time raising hell? Remember, for the next two years I will be here, working the way that I do.” Senator Barbara Mikulski, at the press conference announcing her retirement, 3/2

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9. American Pharoah Wins Preakness En Route to Triple Crown

–Meredith Herzing

The rain streaked down that mid-May afternoon–and then, so did American Pharoah. Baltimore watched with baited breath as the Kentucky Derby-winning colt took an almost immediate lead and barreled down a swampy Pimlico track toward the 140th Preakness Stakes’ winner’s circle–and eventually the Belmont Stakes and the elusive Triple Crown. Forgetting the weather, the record-setting crowd went wild and jockey Victor Espinoza beamed as he slowed to a canter, thrusting his crop triumphantly in the air. In a time of speculation that the race might move to Laurel Park and just a few weeks after the social upheaval that followed the death of Freddie Gray, it was, despite the torrents, a bright moment in an otherwise gloomy spring.

“What a day for Baltimore. They really needed this after all they’ve been through.”American Pharoah trainer Bob Baffert, The Sun, 5/16

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10. Kevin Plank Buys Port Covington

–Courtesy of Under Armour

The days of easy parking in Port Covington are numbered. Sagamore Development, the real-estate investment firm controlled by Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, purchased the 128-acre industrial area in early 2015 and has announced big plans for the under-utilized commercial/industrial hub. These include a new campus for Plank’s booming sportswear company, which last year earned revenues in excess of $3 billion and is outgrowing its Tide Point headquarters. Eventually, the project will include mixed-use development as well, such as an Under Armour retail store and residential units, but first Plank will be mixing up some good hooch: A whiskey distillery slated to open in late 2016 will produce Sagamore Spirit whiskey brand. The distillery complex also will include a 10,000-square-foot restaurant and a barn that will house the city’s mounted police unit. Public records say Plank paid about $90 million for the tract, which is off Interstate 95 on the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River. Currently, it is the site of a Walmart. We call this an upgrade.

“People said, ‘You should look at the county or Pennsylvania.' That’s not really our bag. We’re of this city, from this city, and we’re going to build something great in this city.” Kevin Plank in the Baltimore Business Journal , 3/2

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11. Gov. Hogan Closes Jail

–Office of the Governor

“Today, I have instructed Secretary [of Public Safety & Correctional Services, Stephen T.] Moyer to immediately shut down the Baltimore City Men’s Detention Center,” Gov. Hogan said in a July 30 press conference outside the turreted jail that towers ominously over East Baltimore. And with that, a corruption-plagued, vermin-infested chapter in Baltimore’s history came to an abrupt end. By late August, the remaining inmates at the state-run jail had been moved to other facilities. Though Hogan’s announcement ruffled a few feathers–Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was caught unaware and Hogan wasn’t shy about blaming the jail’s failures on previous administrations–few quibbled with the act. Some parts of the jail pre-date the Civil War, and it showed. Plus, it was a hive of corruption. Most recently, the leader of the Black Guerilla Family gang had impregnated guards and run a drug-smuggling operation while incarcerated. For most, closing the jail wasn’t a matter of good-bye so much as it was good riddance.

“I could barely stomach it.” Stephen T. Moyer in The Sun, 8/27

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12. Washington Monument Renovation Unearths Two Time Capsules

–Mount Vernon Place Conservancy

The past was very much present during the renovation of Baltimore’s Washington Monument. The 18-month, $5.5 million project involved painstaking restoration work on the 200-year-old column and culminated in a grand reopening celebration on the Fourth of July. But the journey to that point was equally momentous. In October 2014, workers discovered a time capsule dating to 1915. Then, in February of this year, crews found a second capsule that had been laid in the monument’s cornerstone in 1815. Naturally, the public was fascinated. And while the contents of the capsules proved prosaic–coins, newspaper clippings, likenesses of historical figures such as Francis Scott Key and, naturally, George Washington–the discoveries provided a link to our collective past and prompted reflection on what we can leave for future generations.

“You just felt these people in 1815 taking those [newspapers] and putting them in this container and burying them.Lance Humphries of Mount Vernon Place Conservancy to WBAL, 2/18

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13. Martin O’Malley and Dr. Ben Carson Mount Presidential Campaigns

– Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, Joe Raedle/Getty Images

To us, they’re just Marty and Ben, a city councilman-turned-mayor-turned-governor and a world-famous Johns Hopkins pediatric neurosurgeon, respectively. For decades, their blandly handsome mugs have been staring out at us from billboards, TV commercials, and the covers of countless magazines (including this one). But now the rest of the country is meeting them as presidential candidates–and responding with varying degrees of interest. Carson, who is vying for the Republican nomination, is, as of this writing, surging in the polls in Iowa in advance of that state’s influential January caucuses. O’Malley, on the other hand, seems stuck in the back of the Democratic pack, overshadowed by the fame of Hillary Clinton and the populist momentum of Bernie Sanders. But that hasn’t stopped him from using every weapon in his political arsenal–including his, um, guitar. He covered Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” on The View in October, and yet his poll numbers remain in the single digits. Maybe try “Shake It Off” next time, Marty!

“Whatever the polling is today never reflects what they ultimately decide.”Martin O’Malley, Bloomberg Politics, 10/27

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14. Molly Shattuck sentenced

–Algerina Perna/The Baltimore Sun/AP

Even before the news broke late last year, it was the worst-kept secret in Baltimore: Forty-eight-year-old Molly Shattuck, the ex-wife of former Constellation Energy CEO Mayo Shattuck, had performed oral sex on a 15-year-old boy, a schoolmate of her son’s at an exclusive private school in Baltimore County. The ugly truth was confirmed in June when she pleaded guilty to fourth-degree rape. Then in August, a judge sentenced the former Ravens cheerleader to 15 years in prison, with all but two years suspended. She was ordered to spend 48 alternating weekends in a detention facility in Delaware, the state in which the rape occurred. Many saw the sentence as a mere slap on her tiny wrist, but by September, Shattuck was dividing her days between a no-frills cell in jail and her well-heeled home in Baltimore. “I take full responsibility for what I did,” Shattuck sobbed in court. “I was the adult.”

“Miss Shattuck is a criminal. She admits to being a rapist. . . . She must be held responsible.”The victim’s mother, The Sun, 8/21

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15. Doreen Bolger Bids Farewell to the BMA

–David Colwell

She was known throughout Baltimore for attending fancy galas and Station North warehouse shows alike. She championed free admission at The Baltimore Museum of Art, and it was under her direction that the museum re-opened its historic doors to the public–both literally and figuratively. Bolger oversaw an unprecedented $28 million renovation that aimed, in part, to make art more accessible to everyone. When she announced she was retiring after 17 years, there was plenty of sadness in the arts community. But she went out with a bang at a party at the BMA in June, seated on a flaming throne as members of the Baltimore Rock Opera Society performed and revelers helped paint a mural designed by renowned street artist Gaia. Better still, Bolger assures us she intends to remain here and continue to advise the BMA as it attempts to find her successor.

“Doreen has transformed The Baltimore Museum of Art into one of the most dynamic and innovating cultural institutions in the country. . . . Her wisdom and experience will be missed.” Christine Anagnos, executive director of the Association for Art Museum Directors, 4/8

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16. Spike Gjerde wins James Beard Award

–Galdones Photography/James Beard Foundation

For Woodberry Kitchen owner Spike Gjerde, who in May won the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid Atlantic, the third time was the charm. Going toque-to-toque against Charleston’s Cindy Wolf, this was the farm-to-table chef’s third consecutive year as a finalist. And his win was the first James Beard Award ever given to a Baltimore chef. Speaking by phone from Chicago, where the awards were doled out, he told us that when his category was called, “I just closed my eyes–it was a magical moment.” The ensuing months have been a little less magical, however. In June, two Woodberry Kitchen pastry chefs slapped a suit against Watershed LLC (the parent company of Woodberry Kitchen, Artifact, and Parts & Labor) over unfair wages. Turns out, most medals tarnish with time.

“I just felt it was really great validation for Woodberry and for Baltimore as a city.”Spike Gjerde, The Sun, 5/6

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17. Millennial Media Acquired by AOL

Millennial Media, one of Baltimore’s better-known homegrown tech startups, got swallowed up by AOL in September in a $238 million deal that could turn around the mobile advertising firm’s plummeting profitability. AOL, which itself was acquired by Verizon in June for $4.4 billion, could also benefit from the deal by being better able to compete with other big media companies, such as Google and Facebook, on mobile platforms. Notably, the $238 million was about one-eighth of Millennial’s market value on the day of its IPO in 2012. Since then, the stock price has slid downward with the company losing $149 million last year and $35 million in the first half of this year. It also remains to be seen what the acquisition means for the combined 450 staffers in the local AOL and Millennial Media offices.

“I think the deal was great for AOL/Verizon and probably viewed [as] so-so for Millennial.”John Ferber, co-founder of Advertising.com, the former Baltimore startup also acquired by AOL, The Sun, 9/3

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18. Veep Vacates Maryland

– Pat Gavin

No more Julia Louis-Dreyfus sightings at Whole Foods. No more trying to suss out when Baltimore is standing in for D.C. No more moments of “Hey, that’s my favorite bar on TV!” On June 18, HBO announced that it would be moving production of Veep, the Emmy-award-winning political comedy, from Maryland to Los Angeles for the show’s fifth season. As is so often the case, money was the deciding factor. Veep was granted $6.5 million in tax credits by the California Film Commission. After the show won Outstanding Comedy Series at the 2015 Emmys, Veep cast member Timothy Simons tweeted: “Love to our Baltimore crew. We love and miss you. This is impossible without you. Thanks for everything.” No Veep, thank you.

“The producers and HBO would like to thank Maryland for making the last four seasons of Veep such a success. We look forward to returning with another production in the future.”statement from HBO announcing Veep was leaving Maryland, 6/18

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19. CLUB Hippo Closes

–Mike Morgan

In what was arguably one of the best years for the LGBTQ community, Baltimore suffered a loss when the news broke in May that Club Hippo would close. After more than four decades as an anchor of Baltimore’s gay scene, owner Chuck Bowers decided it was time to retire, and, in early October, he shut the iconic nightclub’s doors for good. Opened in 1972, the Hippo served as a safe haven for all walks of life through times of adversity, including the AIDS epidemic. It was a comfort zone, where people could be themselves without fear or judgment. And sometimes that meant howling “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes with a bunch of your closest friends in its beloved karaoke room, or catching the latest drag show on the dance floor. Of course, the Hippo couldn’t go out without one last big party, which it held on September 26 as a packed dance floor boogied to one last song (“It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls, of course). After 43 years of acceptance, enlightenment, and pure entertainment, the Hippo is now gone, but not forgotten.

“Chuck Bowers, the staff and management of the Hippo want to thank everyone who supported us over the past 43 years! Just remember, ‘The enchantment has ended but the SPELL remains.’”Club Hippo Facebook page, 10/5

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20. Episcopal Bishop Kills Cyclist

On New Year’s Day, more than 1,000 cyclists gathered for a silent memorial ride up Roland Avenue in honor of popular Baltimore bike builder Tom Palermo, who had been killed in a drunken hit-and-run accident just days prior. Per cycling community tradition, a white-painted “ghost bike” was chained to a pole near the crash location, with flowers and candles placed around the makeshift memorial. The driver of the car that killed Palermo, Episcopal Bishop Heather Elizabeth Cook, pleaded guilty to automobile manslaughter in September and was sentenced to seven years in prison in October. Meanwhile, organizations such as Bikemore, the city’s nonprofit bicycling advocacy organization, and Bike Maryland continue to press for tougher penalties for negligent drivers and safer roads for cyclists.

“Last Saturday was a beautiful day and Rachel [Palermo’s wife], realizing how busy they had been, suggested to Tom that he do what he loved and go out for a ride.”Jeff Hulting, at brother-in-law Tom Palermo’s memorial ride, talking about the day Palermo died, Baltimoremagazine.net , 1/2

Honorable Mentions: More Moments That Mattered

In January, President Obama used Charmington’s coffeehouse in Remington as the backdrop for an appearance promoting paid sick leave. His appearance thrilled onlookers and staff, especially when a presidential aide left a $30 tip on a $60 bill.

West Baltimore photographer Devin Allen landed the cover of Time magazine in April with his snap of a young black man fleeing a horde of police officers during the unrest following the death of Freddie Gray.

Buck hated it, but everyone else recognized the brilliance of the O’s promotional Buck Showalter garden gnome. #SHOWtheGnome, indeed.

In July, several cast members from The Wire reconvened at Artscape to discuss the Freddie Gray unrest and honor community leaders. It was great to see that Omar, Kima, Bubbles, Dukie, Snoop et al. hadn’t forgotten from whence they came.

One Direction minus one (fare thee well, Zayn!) rolled into M&T Bank Stadium in August for the teenybopper concert of the year.

A man in a crowd outside the Republican presidential debate in Cleveland in August waved a sign asking, “Is Joe Flacco A Elite Quarterback?” for MSNBC cameras. The image went viral and inspired a new round of earnest philosophizing on Flacco’s eliteness.

In July, 8-year-old Zion Harvey of Owings Mills became the first pediatric patient to receive a double hand transplant.

Baltimore’s fecund indie-rock scene—including Future Islands, Beach House, and Dan Deacon—proved its drawing power with a sold-out concert at Pier Six Pavilion in August.

In October, one of two blimp-like surveillance crafts floating above Aberdeen Proving Ground came unmoored and drifted into Pennsylvania. The absurd, slow-motion chase—and the memes it spawned—had the Internet ROFLMAOing.

Union Memorial orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lew Schon got to live out his rock star fantasy this July when he joined the Foo Fighters on stage in Boston to perform The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” He got the gig through his patient—Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl.

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