EAT

Jan. 3: Water Song Pop-Up at R. House

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.

As the weather turns chilly this weekend, curl up with a bowl of authentic rice noodles to get a taste of Yunnan, China. During its final weekend in the R. House pop-up stall, Water Song will be serving up its signature combination of Mixian rice noodles, a tasty broth, a touch of meat, and tons of chili oil, along with fan favorites like spicy wonton soup and crispy pork chunks. If you still need a bit of convincing, check out Water Song’s drool-worthy Instagram photos to seal the deal.

DRINK

Jan. 3: Foam Fridays

Diamondback Beer, 1215 E. Fort Ave. 12-11 p.m. Free.

If your New Year’s resolution was to make 2020 the year of beer, this lager-loving night at Diamondback Brewing is the perfect way to kick it off. Every Friday, the South Baltimore brewery celebrates its growing selection of crisp lager beers with half-liter pours at only $4.50. Belly up to the bar to try this week’s featured brew: A 4.0 percent Czech pilsner with, of course, a healthy layer of foam on top.

SEE

Jan. 3-5: Baltimore Crankie Fest

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Times vary. $18.

Rediscover the art of storytelling through crankies—scrolls that are hand-cranked to show one illustrated scene at a time—during the seventh annual Baltimore Crankie Fest. Head to Creative Alliance for this celebration of the niche visual medium, featuring four performances with handmade crankies accompanied by musical guests. Watch as these hand-drawn stories unfurl before your eyes and participate in workshops on how to make your own crankie.

HEAR

Jan. 3: Letitia VanSant and Arty Hill

True Chesapeake Oyster Co., 3300 Clipper Mill Rd. 9-11 p.m. Free.

There’s been plenty of buzz going around about True Chesapeake Oyster Co., the new farm-to-table concept inside Whitehall Mill in Hampden. This Friday, in between slurps of half-shell oysters, hear local songstress Letitia VanSant and country singer Arty Hill serenade the late-night crowd with original tunes and classic covers. Or, as Hill puts it, it’ll be a night of he and VanSant “singing harmony and making fun of each other near delicious seafood.”

DO

Jan. 3-12: Pajama Party Palooza

Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Pl. Times vary. Free-$17.95.

Let’s face it: We all get a little stir crazy during the holidays. Luckily, Port Discovery Children’s Museum is hosting the perfect opportunity to get the kiddos out of the house with this daytime pajama party, featuring pillowcase races, sock “skates,” and oversized games. Your little ones will spend the final days of winter break making jammies, watching movies with new friends, and participating in tons of indoor activities at the downtown museum.

Ophelia Slowly
Guy Blakeslee (Everloving)

Blakeslee graduated from The Park School of Baltimore, a sort of indie-rock finishing school that counts members of Animal Collective and Yeasayer as distinguished alums. Here, Blakeslee sheds the neo-psychedelic blues he forged with The Entrance Band over the past decade, opting instead for moodier soundscapes that perfectly match his introspective lyrics. The album is produced by yet another Park grad, Chris Coady—known for his work with Beach House and TV on the Radio—who adds a shimmering finish that buoys these songs.

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Heart on My Dirty Sleeve
Arty Hill (Highlandtown Music)

An Eastern Shore native, Hill solidifies his standing as the area’s leading honky-tonk hero with this sprawling two-disc set. Over the course of 27 songs, he two-steps and waltzes through classic country styles that could make Willie weep (“The Golden Rule Don’t Apply” and “Waiting for the Light to Change”) or summon Hank’s ghost (“Here Where the Rain Comes In”). This month (November 6-9), Hill conducts songwriting workshops at, appropriately enough, the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.