EAT

September 3: La Cuchara’s Tomatina Battle & Food Festival

La Cuchara, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Ste. 125, 1-6 p.m., $15 entry fee for tomato fight.

It’s been two years since La Cuchara first brought the Spanish and French flavors of the Basque region to Woodberry—gracing us with everything from pintxos and prosecco pairings to charred meats and calcots (grilled green onions native to the Catalan). Now, the restaurant is continuing that authenticity by putting its own spin on La Tomatina—an annual end-of-summer festival held in Buñol, Spain in which revelers pack the streets to partake in a massive tomato fight. This weekend, throw on a pair of goggles and pelt the ripe fruits at friends and neighbors in La Cuchara’s inaugural tomato battle benefitting local youth development program Baltimore SquashWise. Of course, no party is complete without eats and drinks, and there will be plenty of options from local favorites Blue Pit BBQ, Ekiben, The Local Oyster, and Union Craft Brewing. Plus, D.C.-based folk rocker Tomas Pagan Motta will be on hand to provide the soundtrack for the afternoon.

 DRINK

September 2: Labor Day Par-tay at Hysteria Brewing Company

Hysteria Brewing Company, 9570 Berger Road, Columbia, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Free

Hysteria Brewing got off to a good start with a grand opening soiree over Fourth of July weekend, and now it’s closing out the summer in a similar fashion—with a full-blown Labor Day bash. Not only will the party toast the debut of the brewery’s new experimental series (and a few fresh batches), but it will also celebrate the brand-new 1624 Corn Whiskey from next-door neighbors Lost Ark Distilling Company. Head to the steampunk-themed taproom to explore whiskey and beer collaborations, sip Hysteria signatures (think the Idle Hands Sour Cherry Tripel, Yellow Sudmarine Hefeweizen, and Trash Panda IPA), and sample from limited-release firkins. All the while, line your stomach with food truck fare from River House Pizza Company and Anegada Delights Caribbean Cuisine. The all-day event will also feature unplugged sets from local duo Acoustic Wheelhouse and Americana jams from Columbia rockers Artistic Differences.

 SEE

September 2: 10th Annual DIY Fest

St. John’s Church, 2640 St. Paul St., 12-6 p.m., Free

Nowadays it seems like everything taps into the DIY trend. But we can’t forget that Baltimore DIY Fest was teaching locals how to take charge of tasks long before Pinterest came around. Now in its 10th year, the hands-on festival returns to St. John’s Church with upward of 15 free workshops exploring everything from vegan cooking to independent filmmaking. Learn how to plant fruit trees with The Baltimore Orchard Project, paint selfie portraits with local artist Katia Baskina, repair a bike tire with Baltimore Bicycle Works, make your own ’zine with local storyteller A. Jarrell Hayes, and more. In keeping with the event’s innovative spirit, there will also be scratch-made goods and gifts for sale by more than 25 area artisans. Following the festival, head to Baltimore Free Farm in Hampden to dance the night away at an after-party featuring the sounds of local surf rockers The Flying Faders and new-wave group PLRLS.

 HEAR

September 1: Friends Records Presents: Wing Dam, Spaceface, Natural Velvet

Current Space, 421 N. Howard St., 7-11 p.m., $10

There’s just something about the energy of a show under the stars. As the end of summer officially nears, soak up every second at this outdoor performance in the parking lot of downtown arts venue Current Space—where Friends Records label mates Spaceface, Wing Dam, and Natural Velvet will take the stage. The show doubles as a release party for Spaceface’s new LP “Sun Kids,” a model showcase of the band’s psychedelic style led by the dreamy vocals of Flaming Lips guitarist Jake Ingalls. Local post-punk rockers Natural Velvet—with their powerful lyrics and thundering sound—are also not to be missed, along with a closing set from alt-rockers Wing Dam, who return to Charm City after touring the country this past year. With plenty of rosé, cocktails, and $2 cans of Natty Boh at the bar, we can’t think of a better way to say goodbye to summer.

 DO

September 2: Charles Street 12

The Shops at Kenilworth, 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson, 7:30 a.m., $85-90

Though to some it might seem sacrilegious to rise at the crack of dawn on a Saturday (especially during a three-day weekend), hundreds of runners will be up bright and early this weekend for this annual race down historic Charles Street. This year, the run returns with a new route that descends into Under Armour’s global headquarters at Tide Point Waterfront Park in South Baltimore. Curate the perfect playlist and lace up your running shoes to hit the pavement while taking in some of the city’s most beautiful sights along the way. Afterward, treat yourself to snacks from Upslide Down Dave and Wolo food trucks, as well as local libations from the likes of Charm City Meadworks and Key Brewing at Under Armour’s post-race party.