Since its inception in 1982, Baltimore has never seen a summer without Artscape, the city’s annual free arts festival and the largest of its kind in the country. But this year, in the wake of Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young’s decision to cancel all public events of more than 250 people in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19, there will be no stages or vendors or massive crowds along Mount Royal Avenue on what is always, inevitably, the hottest weekend of the year.

The same goes for so many other events that have become synonymous with the sweltering season in Baltimore. Most residents can’t remember a time when locals didn’t gather to watch the Inner Harbor fireworks on the Fourth of July, or to celebrate the cultural contributions of African Americans at AFRAM in Druid Hill Park, or to take to the streets for the Baltimore Pride Parade or Baltimore/Washington One Caribbean Carnival.

“I always tell people who don’t live in Baltimore that summers in Baltimore are the best,” says Alysha January, local blogger and founder of Discover Charm City. “The city just comes alive.”

These time-honored events have become so ingrained in who we are as a city—not to mention the immense economic impact that they have on local artists, businesses, restaurants, and hotels. Artscape alone is estimated to bring in just over $28 million. (In an effort to support those who would have participated this year, organizers with the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts will host a virtual Artscape Artists’ Market August 21-30. Applications are open until July 24.)

Although social distancing measures are essential in flattening the coronavirus’s curve, it’s hard not to lament the loss of these neighborhood celebrations that bring our communities together.

“This summer will, for sure, look different without our beloved summer festivals and other gatherings,” January says. “But you know what? Baltimore always finds a way to pull through.”

As the summer reaches its peak, we turn to local artists, musicians, and business owners to hear about what they miss most:

Amanda Mack
Owner, Crust by Mack
As a kid I grew up a few blocks over from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. As the summer grew hotter, I got more and more excited because I knew Artscape was coming! It was my all-time favorite Baltimore festival because it was the first time I saw so many people of color celebrated and supported for their gifts—for producing a tangible product with their bare hands that hundreds of people flocked to buy. To me, it was a true hustler’s marketplace. And I took pride in that…As a family business, I was looking forward to the opportunity to be an official vendor at Artscape this year. My entire family was going to be part of the experience. I thought about the vendors whose businesses depend on festival season and asked myself, “What is the long-term plan for small business recovery?” I remain patient and do my best to stay positive. We are all navigating the best we know how.

DDm
Musician
What I will miss most is the music community. I love seeing other artists and catching up with them. Our local festivals are where everyone usually puts on their best shows. Since Artscape is literally in my backyard every year, this summer is sure to feel strange without it

Jason Bass
Co-founder, The Night Brunch
I have the highest form of belief and love for this city. This is a time to respect health over wealth, but we also need leadership that can provide a brighter vision for the future. So we cancel city events until August 31—well, why didn’t they explore how to execute these events virtually or as a hybrid? Why can’t we have the fireworks show and lift spirits? [Did they consider] how many people would be happy to watch them on local news or online? Why didn’t they work with festival planners and content creators to develop a new experience, therefore allowing the opportunity for small businesses to sell art, clothing, and food virtually? We need to reopen, function with some bits of normalcy, and operate our businesses with innovation and trust.

Hunter Hooligan
Musician
I’d like to see the city follow up these appropriately precautionary cancellations with transparency on how they plan to get the money from the budgets of those festivals back in the pockets of its local, working-class artists and creators who would have been providing the content. Grants seem like a great opportunity for that. We are “out of sight” right now, by no choice of our own, but we cannot be “out of mind”…There are many working-class artists here who plan their year around the income from Artscape, Pride, and other summer festivals—which are a huge part of the arts economy. Professionally, it’s difficult knowing that we can no longer count on that income. Personally, I always look forward to these celebrations. They are built into my internal calendar, like any holiday. It’s going to be like a year without Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.

Eze Jackson
Musician
What I will miss most is Artscape weekend. I’ve thrown an Artscape after-party every year for the past six years, the last three being at Metro Gallery. My party is a chance for me to bring together a mix of artists I enjoy personally, so the crowd is mixed and always fun. The whole weekend is a chance for me to see my friends perform and get exposed to artists I haven’t seen before. I rarely make it to see any of the big mainstage acts because I’m always moving around. I love it—even the heat. Last year, D. Watkins and I got to do back-to-back DJ sets and we literally turned Charles Street into one of the biggest outdoor dance parties that night. It felt like the best representation of a Baltimore night that I could think of.

Aaron Jones
Owner, Bushelers of Baltimore
Born and raised in Baltimore, I always looked forward to events [like Artscape, AFRAM, and the Fourth of July]. These are traditions that keep our city together. Without them, something will be missing. Despite everything, I think we will all find innovative ways to connect intimately with our loved ones—and maybe even create new traditions.

Liz Vayda
Owner, B. Willow
The loss of these traditions is surreal. We’re programmed to seek predictability and routine, and this pandemic has been anything but. To me, having a summer without Remfest, Artscape, etc. feels off, for sure, but humans are incredibly adaptable beings. We will adjust, we will innovate, we will come together, and we will create beauty and joy out of this. Baltimore has a knack for that—working together, supporting each other, and seeing the larger picture. I think all of us have a new appreciation for being able to experience closeness, whether it’s with people we love, in a crowd listening to live music, or at a theater watching a production. When we’re finally able to experience this feeling on a regular basis again, we will all appreciate it on an entirely new level. There’s a lot of good in that.

Editor’s Note: Some of these responses have been edited for length and clarity.

EAT

July 13: Harbor Market

McKeldin Square, 101 E. Pratt St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 443-743-3308.

Whether you’re on your lunch break or cutting out of work a little early (we won’t tell), start your weekend with bites from Harbor Market, a bi-weekly pop-up marketplace at McKeldin Square. This Friday’s lunchtime lineup includes eats from Mt. Vernon favorite Dooby’s, barbeque fare from The Smoking Swine food truck, and foodie-approved drinks from Le Monade. Stick around to hear live music and play lawn games like corn hole and can jam during this afternoon escape.

DRINK

July 14: Das Bier Haus Block Party

Das Bier Haus, 1542 Light St. 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. Free. 443-708-8854.

Oktoberfest is still three months away but fear not—Das Bier Haus’ annual summer block party will have enough beers to tide you over until then. On Saturday, the South Baltimore beer hall will take over Light Street for eine feier with live music by Baltimore-based acts Mike Manos and The Readys, drinking games, and, of course, tons of ice-cold beer. With free-flowing brews like Devils Backbone, Goose Island, and Hofbrau, raise a giant stein and revel in this third annual al fresco street party.

SEE

July 14-15: Baltimore Caribbean Carnival

Clifton Park, 2801 Harford Rd. Sat. 12-10 p.m., Sun. 12-9 p.m. Free-$20. 410-362-2957.

This weekend, experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the 37th annual Baltimore Caribbean Carnival at Clifton Park. The highlight of this two-day festival is hands down Saturday’s must-see parade, featuring a mile-long procession of fluorescent costumes, masked revelers, and pulsing calypso and reggae beats. Join thousands of attendees at this can’t-miss tradition for tons of authentic eats, live music by jab jab superstar Tallpree and socasinger Patrice Roberts, and the chance to see one of the city’s most colorful parades.

HEAR

July 15: Charm City Junction at Ladew Gardens

Ladew Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton. 6-8 p.m. Free-$15. 410-557-9570.

Pack up the lawn chairs, a pair of shades, and a picnic basket—that’s all you’ll need to enjoy this Sunday’s Charm City Junction concert at Ladew Gardens. This beloved local acoustic quartet released their sophomore album, Duckpin, on Thursday, so think of this outdoor concert as a release party of sorts. Their plucky, Americana sound is ideal for all ages, so bring the kiddos and dance along to tunes like “Frog on a Lily Pad” and “Train on The Island.”

DO

July 14: Derby Daze

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 12-5 p.m. Free. 443-347-3570.

Remington’s R. House has become a local staple for its rotating food stalls and themed cocktails. But this weekend, the popular food hall will become part-baseball stadium and part-roller skating rink during this first-of-its-kind fundraiser to benefit MissionFit Baltimore. Grab a hot dog from White Envelope and enjoy the family-friendly fun, including a dunk tank, a skate party in the parking garage with beats by radio station WTMD, and a home-run derby. Best of all, the guest of honor at Saturday’s celebration is none other than the Orioles Bird.

If you’re looking for the perfect getaway destination this summer, it might be closer than you think. On July 14 and 15 in Clifton Park, the Baltimore Washington One Carnival, otherwise known as the Baltimore Caribbean Carnival, will bring all the island essentials right to the streets of Charm City: color, costumes, and, perhaps most importantly, cuisine.

With over 25 food vendors to choose from—and thousands of attendees to beat to the front of the lines—finding the best dishes can be difficult. Luckily, we’ve got the inside scoop on the most authentic, can’t-miss fare you can find at this year’s festival.

Jerk chicken
Jerk chicken is one of the most iconic Caribbean dishes you’ll find on the islands or in the States. Originally a Jamaican style of cooking, “jerk” refers to the method of seasoning meat—in this case, chicken—with a dry-rub or a marinade made of allspice, often called pimento in Caribbean culture, and scotch bonnet peppers. (If you’re spice-averse, look out: scotch bonnet peppers, also called Caribbean red peppers, average about 500,000 Scoville heat units. In comparison, jalapeños usually rank at about 8,000.) Jerk chicken is often cooked in wood-burning ovens to give it that rich, smoky flavor that makes this dish an annual go-to at the Caribbean Carnival.

Curried goat
Another Indo-Caribbean favorite is curried goat. Although some people are hesitant to deviate from chicken and beef, goat is one of the popular meats in the world. Due to common religious customs in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean that prohibit the consumption of beef and pork, goat is a typical, delicious alternative. In fact, the protein is such a star on Caribbean dinner tables that a goat-based stew called goat water is the national dish of the island of Montserrat. At the carnival, check out curried goat—a thick, slow-cooked stew that is brightened with flavors from ginger, hot peppers, thyme, garlic, onions, and, of course, curry. What’s more, goat is a low-fat, high-protein meat that won’t weigh you down as you partake in the lively festivities all weekend long.

Fry fish
If there’s one culinary crossover between the Caribbean islands and Baltimore, it’s that seafood is king. Fry fish, or fried fish, is a Caribbean classic. Loughton Sargeant, the executive director of the D.C. Caribbean Carnival Committee, said that fry fish can be found in two forms at the carnival this year: Escovitch style, which involves dry-frying the fish and topping it with a mix of crisp vegetables, and what he calls “stew-style,” in which the fish is fried and then doused in a rich brown stew sauce that’s as hearty as it is traditional.

Oxtail
Originally, oxtail was exactly what it sounds like: the tail of an ox. As the dish has become more popular beyond the Caribbean, however, oxtail can now refer to the tail of any sort of cattle, but the minutia has had no consequence on its unctuous flavor. To the surprise of many oxtail newbies, cattle tails are very meaty and can weigh up to four pounds. In Caribbean cuisine, oxtail is traditionally prepared in a fatty soup or stew, or slow-cooked and served over rice. While you’re at the carnival, the over-rice style might be a bit easier to eat on-the-go, but both are equally delectable.

Pelau
Pelau is to Trinidad and Tobago what crab is to Baltimore: quintessential, widespread, and served with just about everything. Pelau is a rice dish commonly simmered with peas, carrots, hot peppers, meats, and an aromatic blend of seasonings, such as parsley, thyme, ketchup, sugar, and sometimes a touch of barbecue sauce. Pelau is a perfect plate for the Caribbean Carnival: mobile-friendly, packed with flavor, and often served in sharing-size portions.

Roti
Although not usually a full meal on its own, roti is a thin, unleavened flatbread that is everywhere throughout South Asia and the Caribbean islands, particularly Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Guyana, and Suriname. Perhaps roti’s most defining characteristic is its base made from a wheat flour called atta, which is often stone-ground and contains all the nutritious parts of the wheat grain that white flour often filters out. Roti is a perfect pairing with any meat, stew, or veggie dish. Elaine Simon, the president of the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Baltimore, said that several food vendors at this year’s carnival will sell roti as a side for larger entrées.

Pholourie
Pholourie, also spelled phulourie or phoulourie, is the perfect midday festival snack. Hugely popular in Trinidad and Tobago and also a widespread street food in Guyanese and Surinamese cuisines, pholourie consists of spiced, fried chickpea dough balls. Slightly crispy on the outside, warm and satisfying on the inside, these little dough balls are full of flavor. The dough is commonly seasoned with garlic, cumin, pepper, curry, and cilantro before they hop in the deep frier. At the Caribbean Carnival, you can try pholourie with sides such as mango or tamarind chutneys to balance the deep fried snack, or velvety yogurt sauces to taste one of the simplest Caribbean decadences.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

July 14: Jumbo Gumbo

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 Union Ave. 5 p.m. $5.

If you haven’t heard the whispers yet, our favorite seafoodie, The Local Oyster, has something new in the works. Think jumbo gumbos, crawfish boil, local oysters (naturally), and the sounds of the Big Easy. We know where we’ll be hanging out when Second Line opens its doors in Remington in early 2018, but this Friday, get an early taste at our beloved Woodberry brewery. Throw back pints of Duckpin, slurp down True Chesapeake oysters, and crush New Orleans-style eats with a special NOLA collaboration between The Charmery and Center Cut Doughnuts. (Beignet scoops, anyone?) To step up the experience, Rufus Roundtree and The B’More Brass Factory will be on hand for that full-on second line vibe. Here’s hoping they’ll even start their own procession around the UCB parking lot.

 DRINK

July 15: Mood Swings at Boordy Vineyards

Boordy Vineyards, 12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes. 6-9 p.m. $20. 

There’s something about summer that makes us nostalgic. We yearn for the berry pies of our grandmother’s kitchen and the big band music of stereo on hot sticky nights. This Saturday, quench that wistful thirst by making your way to the county for a throwback evening, filled with fine wine and the sounds of old standards echoing across the rolling countryside. At Boordy Vineyards, the 20-plus-piece Mood Swings will be in tow for a show for all ages, with ice-cold whites, summery roses, and warm-weather reds flowing into the night. Get a little tipsy, dig into local ice cream, and dance under the stars. 

 SEE

July 15-16: Baltimore Caribbean Carnival

Clifton Park, 2701 St. Lo Dr. Sat. 12-10 p.m., Sun. 12-9 p.m. Free.

The Baltimore Carribean Carnival might just have the city’s best parade. During this weekend-long celebration of tropical paradise, transport to the islands without even hopping on I-95. Join thousands of attendees to soak up the sounds of steel drums, snack on endless authentic eats, and best of all, see the colorful costumes as you follow this loud, lively parade. 

 HEAR

July 14: My Morning Jacket with Gary Clark Jr.

Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pwky., Columbia. 5:30-11 p.m. $46-76. 

My Morning Jacket is an instant feel-good show. At any given concert, winding jams like “One Big Holiday” will have you forgetting your weekday worries, and a coterie of cover songs will have you crooning to the likes of Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, and Erykah Badu. For one Friday night, catch old MMJ favorites and maybe even a few new hits from James’ latest stellar solo album, Eternally Even. The group will also be joined by guitar virtuoso Gary Clark Jr., whose rock skills are revered by the likes of The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. Simply put, he’s likely to steal the show. Just listen to “Bright Lights” to see what we mean.

 DO

July 14: Bey vs. Ye vs. Jay Dance Party

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. 

We’ve all picked sides during the whole Carter Family debacle over the years. You might side with Jay-Z. Your girlfriend might side with Beyoncé. Her best friend might side with the West-Kardashian clan. (We’ll always stand by Solange.) This Friday at the Ottobar, you can finally pick a winner with a dance-off to support your team. For four hours, get down on the dance floor as DJ Mills spins your favorite tracks from Queen B, Jay, and the crazy-but-genius Kanye. Open to all genders and ages, it’s one of the best dance parties in the city. We’ll definitely be trying to sneak in a stray “Losing You.”