Michelle Faulkner-Forson moved here because of John Waters.

While a photography student at Southern Illinois University, the new managing director for the Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) was shown the 1998 movie Pecker.

“I was obsessed with it,” she says with a laugh. “I watched that movie so much—I willed myself here.”

That dream manifested in the form of an MFA in the Maryland Institute College of Art’s Community Arts Program in 2011. But the performing arts still called out to her.

Seven years later, after a particularly emotional period in her life—losing both parents and a grandmother, while also becoming a wife and mother—Faulkner-Forson found herself at the improvisational comedy theater to help get her mind off things.

“I was looking to feel like me, but in a different way,” she says, so she signed up for a one-on-one class with the help of a diversity scholarship and quickly fell in love with the idea of the unplanned being on purpose.

But when Faulkner-Forson took on her new role with BIG in February 2022, it was no laughing matter. The nonprofit had gone through a bit of a racial reckoning and subsequent turmoil when in June 2020, as the pandemic raged on, Terry Withers, then-managing director of BIG, was dismissed after board members determined that comments he made on social media were “harmful to Black community members.” (According to The Sun, he later apologized for his behavior.)

Now the group, in its 19th year, is in a much more stable place, with its first woman of color leader, a beautiful new facade at its location next to The Charles Theatre, and a pending liquor license—the latter being a perk for some audience members and performers.

“We’re recuperating as an organization, but I feel really good about where we are and what we’re positioned to be,” admits Faulkner-Forson, who also points to BIG’s newfound efforts to expand and diversify the group through local outreach. “I think it’s important that our community introduces improv to other people that look like me and Baltimore, because that’s what we should be here to do.”

She’s also a big believer in the power of positivity. It might be even more important than a laugh, she says.

“Before we go on stage, we pat everybody on the back and say, ‘I got your back.’ So, whatever happens out on stage, we all agree that we’re going to support it. People are usually trying to tear you down or throw you under the bus. And that’s not how we operate.”

EAT

April 26: Big Softy Pop-Up at Wet City

223 W Chase St. 3-9 p.m.

Helping Wet City kick off its new Sunday service (the bar will now be closed on Tuesdays and open on Sundays) is none other than Big Softy himself. This Sunday, chef Craig Falk’s crab-themed pop-up is taking over the kitchen at the Mount Vernon craft beer bar with mouthwatering favorites like cheesy crab dip, Maryland lump crab cakes, and, of course, the signature soft shell crab sandwiches while supplies last. To wash it all down, grab a boozy (bottled to-go) concoction from Wet City’s drink menu, like the Mercury in Retrograde cocktail or Strawberry Mezcalita Slushie. Place pre-orders by emailing craig@thelunchboxlady.com and head to Wet City’s Facebook page to choose from six pick-up time slots.

DRINK

April 25: DuClaw Brewing Co. Sour Me Three’s Company Virtual Launch

Zoom. 6-8 p.m. $12.99

This weekend’s virtual happy hour just got sweeter with the launch of DuClaw Brewing’s “Sour Me Three’s Company” sour ale. Whitey’s Liquors and local beer blog Slightly Sour collaborated with DuClaw to bring fans this refreshing kettle sour brewed with plum, passionfruit, and pomegranate. The best part? There’s a Zoom Meeting ID printed on the bottom of each six pack, available starting this Friday at Whitey’s and curbside at DuClaw. Once you have the code, hop on to Zoom on Saturday at 6 p.m. for a virtual toast with the brewers to celebrate the launch and show your support for Maryland beer.

SEE

April 25: Baltimore Improv Group Virtual Taco Night

bigimprov.org. 8-11 p.m. Free

This Saturday, let Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) supply the laughs that we all need to survive the prolonged cabin fever. This live-streamed smorgasbord of comedy and hot takes from the performers with Taco Night, BIG’s spiciest improv team, is guaranteed to serve up some much-needed quarantine fun.

HEAR

April 26: Charm City Bluegrass Digi-Fest

Facebook Live. 12-5 p.m. Free

Crack a cold one, fold open a lawn chair, and tune in to Facebook Live for an afternoon of foot-stompin fun. Presented by WTMD, The Hamilton, and Union Craft Brewing, this digital version of one of the city’s favorite music festivals, typically held at Druid Hill Park, features a lineup of local favorites including Caleb Stine, The Honey Dewdrops, Ken & Brad Kolodner, The High and Wides, and the 19th Street Band. All will be performing live from the Gordon Center at the Owings Mills JCC, where bands will, of course, be social distancing with different sets of microphones and separate dressing rooms.

DO

April 24: Heal Yourself: Yin & Your Chakras (Online Edition)

Zoom. 7-9 p.m. $20-25

After a long week at home, we all deserve a breather. This Friday, join The Movement Lab on a two-hour healing journey through your seven main energy centers (the chakras) and emerge ready to start the weekend refreshed. Although you’ll need your own props (yoga blocks, blanket, and bolster) no prior yoga experience is required. Once you’ve pre-registered, check for a Zoom link, which will be sent 30 minutes prior to class.

Visual Art

Shuttered Too: Steel Falls Beyond Baltimore

J.M. Giordano’s images chronicling the fall of the steel industry in Baltimore are currently on view at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, but take a trip around the harbor to Fells Point to the newly refocused Luann Carra Gallery and you’ll find this companion show highlighting the resilience of the communities steel built across Ohio and West Virginia. These stark black-and-white images both haunt and hearten. Through Oct. 10. Luann Carra Gallery, 1918 Fleet St.

Literature

Grand Reopening of the Central Library

Celebrate the return of the Central Library with a full day of music, art, lectures, games, food, and dancing along Cathedral Street and in the newly renovated library’s updated digs. Highlights include a conversation with Chris Wilson, Kondwani Fidel, and D. Watkins in Wheeler Auditorium and performances by the Black Cherry Puppet Theater in the Weinberg Children’s Library. Sept. 14. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St.

Unscripted: A Celebratory Evening with Patti Smith

Punk icon Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids earned accolades for its delve into the decades-long relationship between Smith and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Now, Smith returns to her own past to recall the dreams and realities of a transformative year spent wandering the country. Join Smith at Goucher College for what’s sure to be an unforgettable evening of stories, song, and sage wisdom. 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 25. Goucher College, Kraushaar Auditorium, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd.

Music

Maryland Piano Masters: Daryl Davis & Lafayette Gilchrist

One of these two local legends on the bill would be enough, but the two together are a can’t-miss event. Join boogie-woogie pianist Daryl Davis and self-taught jazz-funk artist Lafayette Gilchrist for a night of dueling keys and styles from both past and present. 8 p.m. Sept. 27. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave.

FIYAH Power Tour

Adbu Ali is a creative force to be reckoned with, and their latest album, Fiyahh!!, is chock-full of both poignance and power. Experience one of their singular live performances this month at the Ottobar as Ali celebrates this genre-blending release on home turf with guest Grace Ives. 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sept. 27. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St.

Theatre

BIG Monsters: An Improv Puppet Extravaganza

Bring your nostalgia for the days of Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, but leave the kids at home for this improvised puppet show for adults put on by the folks at Baltimore Improv Group. Expect musical numbers, felted faces, and lots of laughs at this BIG Lab experiment. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 25. The BIG Theater, 1727 N. Charles St.

Film

InFusion East Baltimore Film Festival: Are We Loud Enough?

Art, film, and conversation will come together to highlight East Baltimore voices at this two-day festival. View works by dozens of local artists at the opening night East Baltimore: Her Artists and Her People exhibition, or stop by Saturday for a full day of selected short films, documentaries, and performances. Sept. 20-21. MICA PLACE, 814 N. Collington Ave.

In Westeros, the night is dark and full of terror. In Baltimore, the night is full of dark ales and terrifyingly good drink specials. Game of Thrones, the HBO show about frowning and dragons, begins its final season on April 14 and establishments around the city are ready for the premiere. Here are the best places to go before your watch has ended.

Baltimore Improv Group: Improv gets a bad wrap. Some might think of it as a bunch of goobers repeatedly shouting bawdy innuendos, but when done by skilled performers, it is uproariously hilarious. For the next six Thursdays, the Baltimore Improv Group at the BIG theater will host a Game of Thrones-inspired variety show. Come watch Baltimore’s funniest turn incest into high comedy. 1727 N. Charles St.

Camden Yards: On May 21, the Baltimore Orioles will force the Minnesota Twins to bend the knee during Game of Thrones night. Ticket packages are available and include access to an exclusive pregame party and a Game of Thrones bobblehead. Adding to the cross-promotional synergy, the only thing colder than a White Walker is Chris Davis’ bat. 333 W. Camden St. 410-685-9800

The Charles: Spring may have sprung, but winter is undoubtedly coming to The Charles. Starting on April 14, this Federal Hill watering hole will host watch parties on its massive screens throughout the GoT season, celebrating the show’s return with a bevy of drink specials and bar snacks. 1110 S. Charles St. 410-727-2333

The Charmery: We’re just putting this out there, but our favorite raft of angsty Westerosi characters would probably be a lot more laid back if they had ice cream—especially if they could gather around this Hampden creamery’s “Game of Cones” pints. Pledge your allegiance to “House Lannister” (a pinot noir caramel base flecked with golden white chocolate bits), “House Targaryen” (a dragonfruit base with Atomic Fireball swirl), or “House Stark” (a wintergreen and spearmint base with peppermint chips). The pints will be available for pre-order only and can be picked up from The Charmery’s ice cream factory inside Union Collective from April 13-21. 1700 W. 41st St.

Donut Stop Believin’: On April 20, chef Doug Wetzel’s donut pop-up will return to the 32nd Street Farmers Market serving the “You Know Nothing Jon Sno-nut.” The chocolate cake doughnut, topped with vanilla sea salt glaze and charcoal Oreo frosting, is the kind of outside-the-box—or, more fittingly, beyond-the-wall—thinking that has made Wetzel one of Baltimore’s most acclaimed chefs. 400 E. 32nd St.

Live! Casino & Hotel: Here is your chance to prove that you drink and you know things. At this Game of Thrones trivia brunch on premiere day, channel your inner Tyrion Lannister for the chance at winning a seven-day trip to Croatia and visiting the real life King’s Landing. There will also be a special menu of GoT-inspired dishes including Littlefinger-ling potatoes, Wolfswood free-range turkey, Robert’s Rebellion bacon, and Ramsay’s crispy breakfast taters. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. 7002 Arundel Mills Circle.

Order & Chaos: No, “Order & Chaos” is not the name of the next entry in the original book series that you will never read. Rather, this South Baltimore coffee shop is offering a cornucopia of Game of Thrones’ eats and drinks. Stop by for the “Valar Morghulis” mocha (espresso, mocha syrup, and milk, topped with dragon art) and try not to think about the fact that all men must die. There will also be fittingly named cupcake flavors including the red velvet “Dragon Egg,” vanilla “Winter is Coming”, and chocolate “Dragon” with buttercream icing. 1410 Key Highway. 410-244-1111

The Outpost American Tavern: Here’s your chance to sit on the Iron Throne. Well, sort of. This Federal Hill restaurant will be outfitted with Game of Thrones decor—such as the sigils of major houses that are vying for the throne—and will serve a specialty brunch menu of GoT grub on April 14. 1032 Riverside Ave. 443-388-9113

Ah, Valentine’s Day­. The Hallmark holiday we both love and loathe is once again upon us. Maybe you have a hot date—with a lover, a friend, or your Netflix account—but whatever your plans, you can forget the pressure and feel the love with one of these sweet events.

FEB. 12: THE WALTERS’ SUPER THURSDAY PARTY
The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 5-9 p.m. Free. 410-547-9000. Join the Walters Art Museum for an early Valentine’s celebration, with art, cocktails, and old-school soul and funk by DJ Paul Lebelle.

FEB. 13: WINE & CHOCOLATE TASTING
Hard Rock Café, 601 E. Pratt St. 7-9 p.m. $25. At this pre-Valentine’s pairing, sample a sweet medley of Maryland wines alongside local gourmet chocolates from Parfections.

FEB. 14: KACEY MUSGRAVES
Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 7 p.m. $25. 410-244-1131. ramsheadlive.com. This rebellious, rising country starlet brings her musical moxie to Rams Head for a special show, performing hits like “Follow Your Arrow” and “Blowin’ Smoke.”

FEB. 14: VALENTINE’S DATE NIGHT
National Aquarium, 501 E. Pratt St. 8-11 p.m. $80-100. 410-576-3800. aqua.org. Take your date on a romantic trip under the sea at this private, nighttime aquarium tour set to live music with cocktails and dessert.

FEB. 14: SEX AT THE ZOO
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Dr. 6-9 p.m. $80. 410-396-7102. marylandzoo.org. They say romance is for the birds, so learn all about love in the animal kingdom at this annual affair at the zoo, with an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and live jazz.

FEB. 14: OTTOBAR VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE PARTY
The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 8 p.m. $5-10 suggest donation. 410-662-0069. Feel the local love at this dance party-cum-benefit with Baltimore musicians like Jana Hunter of Lower Dens, Williams Cashion of Future Islands, Lesser Gonzales, and Dianamatic, plus DJ sets by James Nasty and Young Coconut, with donations benefitting Moveable Feast.

FEB. 14: TASSELS & CHAMPAGNE
Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7:30 & 10 p.m. $20-125. 410-276-1651. creative alliance.org. Nothing says passion like a little bit of skin, so swing by the Patterson to see Baltimore’s premier burlesque troupe, Gilded Lily, and their Roman-themed Palazzo Decadente performance.

FEB. 14: TALKING HEADS AND LOVE SONGS
The 8×10, 10 E. Cross St. 8 p.m. $15. 41-625-2000. Boogie down to the Psycho Killers this Saturday as the Talking Heads cover band presents an evening of the group’s greatest hits—like “Once in a Lifetime” and “This Must Be The Place”—as well as a set of assorted love songs.

FEB. 14: KATT WILLIAMS
Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 8 p.m. $45-125. 410-347-2020. royalfarmsarena.com. Take your date out for some hearty laughs as this outlandish comedian performs his animated standup.

FEB. 14: OFF THE CUFF: THE BACH FAMILY
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 7 p.m. $29-84. 410-783-8000. bsomusic.org. Enjoy a romantic night of Baroque music, Bach family compositions, and insight from conductor Nicholas McGegan.

FEB. 14: CUPID’S UNDIE RUN
Luckie’s Tavern, 10 Market Pl. 12 p.m. $55. 410-223-1105. Don your lucky underwear and brave the cold for this mile-long charity run, benefitting the Children’s Tumor Foundation, followed by an after-party until 4 p.m.

FEB. 14: BALTIMORE IMPROV GROUP’S VALENTINE’S EXTRAVAGANZA
The Mercury Theater, 1823 N. Charles St. 8-10 p.m. $8-10. 888-745-8393. The Baltimore Improv Group presents a Cupid-themed comedy night in two acts, with multiple performers, music, and standup.

FEB. 14: ENCHANTMENT UNDER THE SEA VALENTINE’S DANCE
Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 7:30 p.m. $20-30. 410-244-0057. With the dance floor decked out like Back to the Future’s Hill Valley High, this ’50s and ’60s-themed mixer is a music-filled night for singles and couples alike, with DJs, a live band, Hawaiian fusion food, drinks, dating games, and more.

FEB. 14: BEER & DESSERTS
Phoenix Emporium, 8049 Main St., Ellicott City. 7-10 p.m. 301-694-7899. This craft beer and dessert tasting pairs a series of sweets with three Flying Dog brews, including the Kujo Imperial Coffee Stout, Bloodline Blood Orange Ale, and the just-released Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout.

TO FEB. 15: ICE SKATING
Inner Harbor Ice Rink, McKeldin Plaza, 101 Pratt St. Times vary. $3-9. 443-890-6158. This weekend is your last chance to ice skate in the Inner Harbor, so grab a sweater and take your Valentine out for a spin.